Invitations
23 August 2011
We decided early on in our wedding preparations that we would like to go that little bit extra with the invitations. The best way to do this really is with letterpress. After a quick search on the internets we realised that a local company had recently started providing the very service we were looking for. Pretty as a Picture in Rathnew were our first port of call, and I have to say we are both delighted we chose them. We met with Ailbhe (who also does beautiful wedding dress illustrations), had a look through the samples and the rest is history.
The invitations are printed in New York by Smock and the quality really is everything that you would hope for from a traditional letterpress.
Attention to detail is always appreciated and the box, cardboard shavings, wrapping paper, envelope moistener and personal message all add to the true quality of the product and service.
I just hope all of our guests enjoy the quality of their invitations as much as we do :)
Questionable Bits
23 June 2011
Club Orange’s latest TV ad is so, so disappointing. The 2001 ad campaign struck a perfect balance between humour and taste. Even the ad in which Tom Hickey asked the question “Should I take my bits out, or would you rather I left them in?” skirted the border of taste, but the delivery and overall tone of the campaign tipped the scales in the right direction.
Chemistry’s latest offering is tired and uninspired. Firstly I can’t believe that C&C signed off on this (dare I say) idea. Secondly I can’t believe that they travelled all the way to Columbia to shoot this. And thirdly, I’m surprised that Chemistry are happy with this ad. In my own opinion Chemistry are one the better creative agencies in Dublin, but this is a real black spot on their CV as far as I’m concerned.
Of course it will, and already has, gained a lot of attention in the media. Much like Ray Coyle’s Hunky Dorys campaign. But advertising shouldn’t be judged on media coverage and sales alone. In Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This Luke Sullivan quotes Norman Berry, an ex-creative director at Ogilvy & Mather:
“I’m appalled by those who judge advertising exclusively on the basis of sales. That isn’t enough. Of course, advertising must sell. By any definition it is lousy advertising if it doesn’t. But if sales are achieved with work which is in bad taste or is intellectual garbage, it shouldn’t be applauded no matter how much it sells. Offensive, dull, abrasive, stupid advertising is bad for the entire industry and bad for business as a whole. It is why the public perception of advertising is going down…”
I agree with the sentiment. Chemistry had the ad up on their blog, but have since removed it. Food for thought. Here is the ad in question. See what you think yourself.
Minimalist
19 May 2011
Andy Rutledge recently tweeted about the packaging of a new ‘androgynous’ beer from Carlsberg . The unusually minimalist packaging reminded me of a project that I came across last year (and recently found again via designspiration) by Antrepo.
Not sure if I’m sold on the Carlsberg packaging, but some of the ‘minimalised’ packaging in Antrepo’s flickr sets are very nice indeed.
Daisy
6 May 2011
Video Type
24 March 2011
Recently I happened upon some beautifully made ads for EF International Language Centers. Apart from the lovely photography and sentimental feel to these ads I was particularly impressed by the exceptional typography used. Not only is it a novel use of type in a video, it is the seamless execution of the type that is so impressive. It fits in so beautifully to the overall piece without disturbing the viewer, but in fact enhancing the overall look and feel of the film.
EF – Live The Language – London from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.
The typography was created by a Stockholm based art director/designer called Albin Holmqvist. So kudos to Albin, inspirational stuff.
While watching tv last night I saw the latest M&S ad. And lo and behold they were also overlaying type on their video. What I love about how the type is used in this ad is how they have tied it in to the movement in the scene. Nicely done indeed.
I wonder if we will start to see type being used in ads a lot more now due to its obvious success in these two ads?
