Subconscious awareness = brand loyalty

Here's a nice brief via thenewyorktimes that delves into the theory that subliminal messaging may have a real, perhaps quantifiable, impact on consumer buying habits. We all have a suspicion that the logos and brand messaging we see emblazoned on other peoples clothing may stick with us and affect our purchasing decisions. "Incidental brand-consumer encounters” is the description given to this phenomenon in a forthcoming article and study developed by a group from the University of Maryland. According to their research, this sort of soft-marketing is quite effective. Of course the amount of time and energy it takes to build up enough brand equity for this effect to take place is no walk in the park.

Miles

20 Identities by 10 Designers

Courtesy of logodesignlove.
Enjoy!

Miles

Friends

Wicket... so much to say about Mr. Wicket. I honestly don't know where to begin... but, I suppose "delightful" is as good a place as any to start. He always has a smile on his face, and this picture captures it perfectly.

I'll be spending much time with Wicket these next few days, and I look forward to every minute.
~Dimple Brockhouse of Loamsdown

Photo shot by Miles

Don't trust this banner ad.

Miles

Malcolm Gladwell @ AIGA

If you haven't yet read the book Blink, I highly suggest giving it a gander. Malcolm Gladwell does a great job of dissecting the human mind and exploring the unique characteristics that define our personal perceptions of both life and society. Here is a nice presentation from this years AIGA business and design conference in which he analyzes creativity and it's natural evolution of trial and error. A bit lengthy (38 min) but throw on the headphones and give it a listen if you have a chance.

Via swissmiss

Miles

Let me google that for you

Total sarcasm. Here is a great tool to use when someone asks you a ridiculous question, one in which you know the answer could have been found with a simple google search. Just ask the question and send them the link. You little jokster.

Via brandflakesforbreakfast

Miles

Kitties riding Roombas

This has nothing to do with anything. But sometimes, watching a video of a cat riding around on a Roomba is the perfect way to start your day.

Via yesbutnobutyes

Miles

Less disgusting sliced up animals

This is a very clever print campaign for some place called Zoo Safari that may or may not be an actual place, I can't seem to dig anything up. Great copy and visuals help create an impactful, memorable message. In contrast to yesterday's near horrific Black & Decker campaign this approach of slicing animals into pieces is well intended and relevant.

Via IBIA

Miles

Choppity chop

Winter is beginning to settle in around my home so I took on the chore of chopping up some firewood. The morning light hit this bit of timber just right and I couldn't resist.

Miles

This is really cute

The entire campaign for the new VW Routan is just terrific. Here is the second installment from a series of 6 shorts promoting the new model. Enjoy.

Via The Denver Egotist

Miles

This is really sick

I think this campaign from Ogilvy (Thailand) for Black & Decker lawn mowers is completely disgusting. Maybe it's because I'm an animal lover or maybe it's because I have a soul. Ill debate anyone on this. And yes, I am already aware that this is not geared for our market. If you are not easily offended, click here.

Spend, stimulate, strengthen

Good Monday morning everyone. A friend of mine recently launched a sort of social experiment to help kick-start our economy. The idea is straight forward, we all spread the message to simply spend money the weekend of December 6th and 7th. We can all agree that the current situation of our economy was brought on by many issues, but one of the biggest contributing factors keeping it down is our own fear and uncertainty. Take a look...

http://www.citizensforastrongeconomy.org/

Miles

Silly cups create a strong brand

I love this bit courtesy of brandnew. A fun, whimsical approach was taken with the design of cups and collateral for the coffee shop Puccino's; based out of the UK. I admire the courage it must have taken for the client to give these the go-ahead. Instead of going the typical, comfortable route and risk drowning in the masses of other coffee cafes, both designer and client thought completely outside of the box and have created, to some extent, a cult like following. Building a strong brand by way of unique messaging. Makes sense to me. Link to a brief interview with the designer behind it all. Happy Friday.

Miles

Design for good

For those of you who aren't yet familiar with the annual TED conference in Monterey CA, I'd like to enlighten you. Their website features a collection of presentations over the years from the aforementioned event. Topics of discussion include everything from politics, culture, art, science, design, technology and much more. I highly suggest checking out some of the talks when you have a chance, it is all truly inspiring stuff from some of the worlds most notable individuals in their respective fields. This piece is no different, it highlights a new design of prosthetic that is, truly amazing. Enjoy.

Miles

Thursday Silliness

This is absolutely ridiculous. Explanation here.

Miles

Via burbia.com

The tweens will save us

Fear not, teenagers plan on spending everything this Holiday season that they've saved while working at that fast food joint. A new survey from Junior Achievement gives us hope for the economy. Click here.

Miles

Via retail design diva

Startling speed from Peugeot

Awesome series of print ads here promoting the new Peugeot 207 RC. For those in the know, or simply with a fondness for world championship rally racing, you are probably well aware of this car and it's performance capabilities. Let's just say it's super quick. This campaign does a great job of evoking the anticipative energy the driver would have before an explosive burst of acceleration. Something about these pieces just makes my stomach tingle, in a good way. Great work, although animal rights activists may find it questionable.

Miles

Via I believe in advertising

Giant the sign

Ontario Auto Center _GIANT from Handcrafted Media on Vimeo.

Back in July we shot a fun, campy little spot for an automotive dealership group. We only shared a few screen caps from the video then, but alas, finally, the full spot above in all it's glory. It is a quirky little bit that lends itself to a younger demographic and sense of humor.

The actual dealer group is partially represented by a giant physical sign that rises above their landscape. The concept was to instill the idea that the dealer group is closer than you think. We decided it would be pretty hilarious and effective to bring the sign to life. Enjoy!

Miles

Logos should be timeless

Arguably, the top 10 'timeless logo designs', by logodesignlove

Also, check out the readers top 30 here.

Miles

Speak no evil

Believe it or not, under all that hair is a miniature schnauzer. Her name is Sasha, and this leaf was stuck to her face for about 10 minutes.

Seemingly not bothered by the fact she had a leaf stuck to her face, I took a picture to commemorate the event. I shall now dub this event "Dog speaks no evil".

Stonehouse all up ins.

Scooter Power

Enjoy these great new spots for Vespa. Wonderfully designed and beautifully illustrated. The concept is spot on for their market.

Via I believe in advertising

Miles

I like the cut of your jib.

Well it was quite the productive week here at HCM. Another week, another bunch of ad stuffs finished.

Anyway, the above pic is a behind the scenes look at a setup we had going for a spot we shot this week.

My hands will be famous one day.
~Lee

Simplicity, Consistency and Relevance. Bam!

We seem to be bringing up the advertising/brand campaign of Obama in daily conversation here at Handcrafted, noting the effectiveness and discussing why it worked so well. From a marketing perspective, no other campaign in political history can compare. Ad Age acknowledged Obama as marketer of the year, and that's not a category limited to politics alone. Numerous articles abound assesing and disecting the topic. Here is a piece courtesy of Ad Age by Al Ries that I feel sums it up nicely and credits the successs to the principles of simplicity, consistency and relevance. We couldn't agree more.

Miles

It's like having machine guns on your face!

This really has nothing to do with anything, but it sure is funny. Apparently this is a microsite that promotes an online dating service. Very clever; image links to the site.

Via Brandflakesforbreakfast

Miles

History in the making

No matter how you voted, this is pretty spectacular.

Via The Denver Egotist, Illustration Patrick Moberg

Image types 101

What is Vector? What is Raster?
Here is a simple description of the two and what makes them different...

Miles

CO-OP, it's free!

Here is a terrific little web-based application that we have recently started using here at Handcrafted. It's called CO-OP, and what it does is allow small teams to communicate with each other. Think of it is instant messaging but with a bit more focus and structure. You can notify your team members about what you are working on, see what others are up to and set daily agendas for what is to be accomplished.

Check it out...

CO-OP

Miles

Great new Career Builder spots

I have always enjoyed the Career Builder creative. All of these are wonderfully thought-out and executed, link to the site to see the set.

via fubiz

Miles

It's almost that time of year...

Looking for funny, wacky, office (or not) related gifts for the upcoming holiday season? Knock Knock has been one of my favorites for years. They create some off-the-wall hysterical gifts, from notepads to stickies and my favorite, flash cards. Check them out...

Miles

Test your website

Many of you, I am sure, have already been introduced to this site. But for those of you you haven't, take a look at browser shots It allows you to plug in your site (or a site you are working on) and view screen captures of how it appears in various web browsers and os platforms. Try it out...

Miles

We're freak-tacular!

Happy 'belated' Halloween everyone! Dressing up on Friday seemed only natural to do, and these costumes really weren't really a stretch for any of us, especially Lee, who I know would wear that costume to work everyday if he knew he could get away with it. Not that anyone here would or could stop him.... Actually, I would like to see that. C'mon Lee...

So here's the run down:
David, an apathetic, disinterested, out of work magician with a creepy skunk-weasel-ferret creature.
Lee, Sonic the hedgehog (costume craft-fully hand made!).
Justin, aka Jack Action of Aktion! Video (aka super creepy film producer who may or may not specialize in morally questionable productions involving people who may or may not be wearing clothes).
Myself, a happy go lucky trans-gender (apparently males do not have pouches) kangaroo who likes to wear socks with his sandals, so what?


Enjoy!

Miles