Type Only Solutions - nicely done.

A quick blog post, as this superb work by Up Creatives has just caught my eye.

Up have created posters and the catalogue for the London International Documentary Festival, and the work are examples that sometimes, a type only solution is the way to go. Either that or the designer is currently fascinated by the work of Josef Muller Brockman. Which is no bad thing.

Plus, the fragmented typography animates well too.





As I occasionally say when a student has designed a piece of superbly executed work - more please.

www.upcreatives.com www.lidf.co.uk

U - T - U - T - Viral Brand Awareness

How else can you promote a brand without stating the obvious? Uniqlo are a clothing company who embrace online marketing with originality and good humour.

They are the same guys that produced the widgets on this blog - the dancing girls telling the time, the weather with global views - each good examples of the combination of idea and cool design (plus some nifty coding too). Uniqlo recently launched another online viral campaign, which links nicely to Twitter users. Give it a try, it will please and amuse you - plus, you will feel encoraged to share it with others.

Tough marketing cynics may sneer and ask 'does it sell knitwear?', but this is just one feature of a promotional campaign. We can state the obvious elsewhere. Besides, I met Phil Baines once and he was wearing a superb Uniqlo cardie. And if it's good enough for Phil...

UTweet here.

PS. I haven't discovered yet who created this bit of fun - please comment if you know.

Back The Bid - Norwich City of Culture 2013

It's been a bit of a buzz recently. I know many agencies say this but its true, so it's good to pause and reflect on recent Studio developments. One of which was being asked to design the logo for Norwich's bid for UK City of Culture in 2013.

I think it's a great opportunity for those living in Norwich to display some civic pride and not feel beaten down by some of the cheap jokes and cliches we so often hear. Especially by those who can't believe life actually exists outside the M25. Besides, Norwich has grown into a cool little european city, there's plenty going on once you scratch the surface. Just one example is the Norfolk and Norwich Festival which continues to bring left field talent to the city. It's comparable with the same arts festival in Manchester (just not with Kraftwerk, but give it time).



It was exciting to work on this brief, despite the challenge of a tight schedule. And it was team effort, between myself and NUCA graduate Scott Robinson - I was very pleased with Scott's typography which gave the logo a contemporary edge. We also explored a visual approach where different photographic backgrounds can be applied behind the type. Which was nice. The campaign web site was created by Keri Lambden at Wintercorn – Studio's digital partner. I don't think Keri got much sleep in the days that lead to the launch. She did a fantastic job.



Please visit the Norwich City of Culture site and back the bid. It would be a brilliant for the city which could bring a potential £200 million boost to the local economy. But more importantly, give more exposure to an often surprising and genuinely creative city.

More press info here and there.

With thanks to Marion, Scott and Keri.