In swirls and ribbons

Sometimes when you dream something hard enough, the thoughts materialise themselves into reality. The right people show up out of the blue and give you clarity, the right call comes just when you need it most, an opportunity puts itself right down in front of you. All of these things and more have left the last few weeks in a constant state of creativity overload, inspiring and driving, sucking me through a vortex of excitement.

Part of that has been the constant measure of art and advertising and looking for opportunities that were always there but just had to be grasped. Somewhere in the middle of that is this campaign, done to launch the Nike Free Run+ 2 City Pack series.

A collaboration between Nike, YesYesNo (an interactive projects company) and DualForces, software was developed allowing runners to create dynamic paintings with their feet – or more specifically their Nike+ GPS run data.
Over a two day workshop, participants recorded their runs and then fed these details into unique software. The output? A gorgeous visual based on the speed, consistency, and style – unique to each person. Taking personalisation one step further, each participant was given a customised shoebox - laser etched with their name, distance run and run path – containing a pair of City Pack shoes from their city of origin.

Nike City Pack is a collection of unique LunarGlide2+ designs that celebrate the world’s greatest running cities, and all those who charge through them.

Clean Up

It's so funny when you fully know yourself. When you know how one mood bleeds into another and then another and you can pick on Monday where you'll be on Thursday. I knew two days ago that Wednesday would be minimal. A clean slate from a Monday high and a Tuesday low. Introverted and sleepy eyed. Hazed. No surprise that Aalejandro Diazs' "The Human Project" posters have waited till today to appear on my blog. So simple and teamed with Kris Menace Love On Laserdisc Remix of Depeche Mode's "Fragile Tension" which is all high notes and haunting vocals.

The Human Project aims to the simple truth behind mankind - taking recognisable iconography and translating each meaning into an honest paragraph. Consisting of 10 x A2 posters, these personify why sometimes the page half empty is actually 2 x stronger.

An avant-garde, Dominican Republic based graphic designer Aalejandro Diaz focus is on great type, minimal and modern with solid conceptual thinking.

Depeche mode - Fragile Tension (Kris Menace Love On Laserdisc Remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CUT8n4s-5M

Badies

Naivety is nice. The opening of endless possibilities, no restrictions or barriers of awareness. The decisions you make are based on blind-sight, fun, hopes and dreams, that you think make sense and feel right. Such as studying politics and history at university with the mindset that you can make a difference to the world.

Maybe it's my history, which makes me appreciate these posters. A Gen-Y girl at heart, with a passion to soak in as much knowledge as possible. Created by art student Jenny Burrows and copywriter Matt Kappler, the "Historically Hardcore" campaign compares ludicrous pop-culture feats with the awesomeness of historical badasses.

Seeing these type of campaigns remind me that no past experience should be filled with regret. And remind me that even though I may not have ended up with a portfolio behind my name, somehow, I ended up working in an industry with all of the opportunities in the world to make amazing and inspiring and passionate differences.

Folded. 1000 Cranes for Hope.

Wrapped up in the things that we try to get through day to day, it's so easy to be blinded by the importance of giving back. Whether it be time, money, energy, it's important to remember that beyond your sphere there is a whole eternity that is breathing the same air and living the same day and sometimes, just sometimes its needs are greater than your own.

Nothing shocked me more than the tragedy in Japan. Maybe its the innocence of so many people watching their world crumble around them, the closeness to home, the beauty of a country wiped out in an instance. Maybe - on a more selfish note - it's the strive for simplicity and watching the chance of it slipping beyond the grasp of a whole continent of people. Whichever the case, it's put a little hole in my heart that I'm not sure will be repaired and maybe for the better because it's made me want something more than for myself. I wish for luck for Japan and it seems I'm not alone in the small way that I'm spreading that around me.

Legend has it that if a person makes 1000 paper cranes, all joined together on a single piece of thread, they will be granted a life long wish. Via a global initiative from BBDO, people around the world can donate, download, print and fold a paper-crane for Japan. Currently at 572, we're over half way there to bring this country the wish of survival.

Donate now. 1000 Cranes for Japan.

Shoto

Do you remember when you saw Ken Park? If you saw it because it was refused classification in Australia...

For me it was when I was 20. In a dark foley studio, with three boys (including a new boyfriend) and I'd spent the day at the beach so was wearing a short, short skirt and thin singlet over a barely there bikini. Watching that movie, in those surrounds - cool, dark, deadly silent except for the sound on the screen - was one of those occasions that just sticks in your mind for no other reason than it was so out of the blue when it happened that my coping mechanism still is to giggle when the memory bubbles to the surface. Because if I thought about trying to put it in context, I'd have to ask myself long, hard questions.

It shocked me when I dug deep into Harmony Korine to realise that the man behind the lens for the recent Spring 2011 Urban Outfitters catalogue and the movie Ken Park. Analog photos that have been smashed in a way similar to the Byredo and M/M (Paris) M/Mink Eau de Parfum print campaign making the whole thing look and feel like art.









A taste of Ken Park for those that haven't seen it. Apparently so graphic it was banned from the 2003 Sydney Film Festival and the only trailer I could find was in German... The theatrical trailer poster should give you a clue to the themes of the movie.

Live the Language

Dreaming of trips abroad requires the need for inspiration and it doesn't come much better than these.

The combination of luscious imagery courtesy of cinematographer Niklas Johansson, type from Barcelona base designer and art director Albin Holmqvist - set by Director Gustav Johansson to match the quivering handheld camera work adds to the romanticism of these crazy beautiful videos.

Considering that they were developed for language-teaching company EF, these Live the Language videos are a beautiful composite of the awe, the joy, the terror and uncertainty of learning about and living in a new city.

Watch Paris, London, Beijing and Barcelona and dream. I want them frame by frame, Polaroid set, hanging from my wall to remind me that happiness can be as simple as opening your eyes and arms to let experiences in.

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

EF - Live The Language - London from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

EF - Live The Language - Beijing from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

EF - Live The Language - Barcelona from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

Sub-Continental

I was asked the other day if they still teach students ‘cursive’ in primary school. Stumped I assumed so, but it got me thinking about when I was little and my mother thought I – as the first born – would carry all of her dreams and ambitions for her children to fruition. Rude shock that the gifts of fine pens, calligraphy and elocution lessons fell by the wayside when I realised my boho/hobo/soho self.

Loosely tying back to the post, I stumbled on the latest offering from the Byredo and M/M (Paris) partnership.

The nice thing about M/Mink Eau de Parfum is that it came about due to a role reversal. M/M (Michaël Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak) called Ben Gorham of BYredo to their studio and presented him with the concept and creative direction. Based on a large, solid block of ink purchased in Asia, the idea was bolstered by a picture of a Japanese master practicing calligraphy and a large utopian formal that had been drawn on traditional Korean Paper.

From there, the idea seed planted, the group worked up the fragrance as a derivative of these three elements of inspiration – composed with incense, and a base of patchouli leaf, clover honey and dark amber – the adoxal top notes open up with a serious whiff of ink, before letting go, into the heady scent of an idea which started from the heart.

M/Mink Eau de Parfum
100ml Eau de Parfum - 1400 Swedish Kronor(approx $210 AUD)
50ml Eau de Parfum - 950 Swedish Kronor(approx $140 AUD)

Print Advertising done by M/M, Paris, France
Creative Directors / Art Directors / Illustrators: Michael Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak
Photographers: Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

Slowly closing

I like Facebook as much as the next person. It is truly depressing though, when those funny photos and witty status' go to waste in the ethos of online.

I love the idea, thought up by DDB Paris for French telecommunications company Bouygues Télécom, which lets you take your profile offline and have it bound for eternity coffee-table book style.

Using the simple insight (while people may share their most treasured memories and photographs via Facebook, the constantly changing nature of the site means that they can quickly be forgotten) the app was set up so that people could pick 10 of their friends and a time frame to make a hard cover book. The limited edition books - all 1000 of them - were snapped up within an hour. (I'd say that makes the campaign a success!)

and counting

I'm not going to lie. I love Jonsi. I wrote about how beautiful the Sigur Rós lead singer's music was, especially when used with the inspirational Dulux "Let's Colour" campaign, and seeing him play live was a massive pleasure. BUT between that, the Temper Traps "Sweet Disposition" and The Cinematic Orchestra's "To Build a Home" us agency folk seem to be slim for the pickings when it comes to tracks used to support awesome creative.

All three of those tracks still give me goose bumps, thinking about the beautiful crescendo in To Build a Home, lined up with when the slow motion balloons burst for Schweppes is a spine tingling moment, and the new Photoplay spot for FOXTELS "100 Days of Summer" campaign is gorgeous and does makes me think about my bleached out summer days, making me nostalgic for when I was a child, covered in salt water, eating hot chip sandwiches, sitting on a fraying towel in the grass. Or now, shimmying in an outdoor breeze with my beautiful bronzed girlfriends. I buy it. But I wish that they'd considered the Joan of Arc remix of Gypsy and the Cats "Time to Wander"!

Mix it up ma' shizzle

5, 4, 3, 2, 1....

I really wish we could mix things up a bit with THIS. That would be funny. A little light in a pool of darkness... even if it made me smile. Buck a trend, take a risk, loose your shit a little, and push people out of their comfort zone. Trust me. At some point in their lives, they're gonna thank you for it.

Gansta Lorem Ipsum. http://www.lorizzle.nl/?feed=1

Forced

Trust me when I say, 9 out of 10 times I get forced into a corner. And subtle changes make so much difference. It's refreshing to see creative where people don't get bogged down in showing something to make a statement. Think Volkswagen and their tried and tested "Small is Powerful" campaign that continues to win.

I love this work from Publicis Conseil (Paris, France) for alternative surf wear label Soöruz, which bucks the trend in the fashion (and many other) industries that brands support their products by always showing them in action. Showing the team riders living and breathing the tag line ‘No Guts No Glory’ presents a much more powerful personality for the brand than a look book-style-print-ad could.

It's not a new technique but God, life would be a Godsend if others followed a similar train of thought...

Advertising Agency: Publicis Conseil, Paris, France
Art Director: Charles Guillemant, Faustin Claverie, Thomas Chatenay
Créative Director: Frédéric Royer
Photographer: Felix Lharer
Retoucher: Adrien Bénard

The Man.

Rarely do I spotto something that makes my heart race as much as The Man campaign put forward by FCUK does. I don't know if it's THE man, the cinematography, the VO, the clothes, or the combination of all but it makes me weak at the knees with lust.

FCUK has been noted as having pushed the boundaries with their marketing campaigns for years. I can't comment for whether I feel billboards with 3m high "FCUK" type is standout (more than the obvious) but they have definitely evoked the brand essence in this work. The Man manifesto can be found online at manifesto.frenchconnection.com - and the videos draws on classic gender stereotypes. I am TOTALLY obsessed with these.

It will come as no suprise that this was developed by Fallon London.

The Man http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI9XhQ1IIWs

The Man Likes His Trousers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRAkylYtBJ



No shoes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg9FIqN5QiY

Powered

You know what is ridiculous? Working so hard to be great, when you could work less hard and be yourself which is greater. It's such a simple thought but how many people actually follow it?

I walked into my office today and got sucker punched trying to do the right thing. Well two finger flat tires to that. If tomorrow wasn't a weekend, I'd throw on this FUTURE CLASSICS Goddess Dress in Sepia Magazine, some zip up clog booties, bed head ponytail, a fur and a kohl eye and I'd provide a blank face expression, that wearing a dress like this allows. (Unlined, 100% cotton with cut-out sleeves and a twisted slit at hem) $1406 USD.

Two together

Working on an auto full time I'm always interested when a car appears in a spot. Call it research or ultimate investment, I perk up and take a look. I can't lie and say I'm not slightly jealous that I will never be able to wrap a car in hair. Awesome Argentine designer/artist Jonathan Gurvit who tilted his CD hat to slip on a his Directors, has managed this little gem for a bank. Not an easy job getting this one through I'm sure, but worth it.

overcome

If you know the story of Jónsi then it should come as little surprise that his track Go Do is the perfect accompaniment for the video to promote the "Lets Colour Project" - a world wide initiative from Dulux, Dulux Valentine, Coral and Marshall that aims to "spread colour all over the world" by teaming up with impoverished and local communities to paint the otherwise dull world around them.

Lead vocalist for Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, as well as an acclaimed solo artist, Jón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson would otherwise have the world as we know it stacked against him - being openly gay, as well as disabled - however his unbelievable falsetto voice and crazy amazing cello bow on guitar make him such a sound of now. His beautiful 2010 album "Go" produced by Peter Katis (Interpol, The National, Tokyo Police Club) was an amazing buy and I recommend picking it up... perfect listening in on a Sunday afternoon with friends over for a warming up roast, or bbqs under coloured light bulbs in the summer afternoon sun.

Go by Jónsi on iTunes

Dulux Walls Ad - Director's Cut http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPpMWaSPt-s&feature=player_embedded

Helvetica Man

Funny and too cute. Which one are you? As always - I love Helvetica. Which makes me think - next party I might just make every boy a Helvetica Boy... and take my magic Helvetica pen for a little party trip. Zexy.

For those that haven't seen this magic pen, its an AD's dream. Hold it just right, and you're fontagogo.