While
many
stop
to
smell
the
roses,
I stop
to
read
the
signs.
Everywhere you go you are surrounded by design.
Every street sign, billboard, store front, menu and matchbook contain text, sometimes images, and always a message. I personally love the fonts of yesteryear. They trigger memories of family travel… the roadways to parts previously unseen… the smells and tastes that imprinted my palate… the glowing neon and looming figures that instilled my love of the visual.
For really awesome retro graphics (and some way cool suggestions for adventure), check out Retro Roadmap at http://retroroadmap.com/.
Thanks to Mod Betty for the pix, stories and her love of all things vintage. Thanks to Mom for the ballet lessons and to Dad for the cinnamon toast at The New Ideal Diner.
Package Design is a challenge unique to itself.
It's print, but adding dimension adds to the challenge. And, adds to the fun.
One must think "in round", so to speak. Not just front and back, but top, bottom, side, etc. Images can "wrap" in any direction, but must remain legible and communicate the message.
In this CD package design, the format was pre-determined by the manufacturer - so, I did not have the challenge of creating the space, only filling it.
I love this design. It's clean, linear and concise. While the cover image stands alone when the piece is folded, it also wraps around the panels enticing the handler to open it to view the entire image & package. The shapes created by the typography mimic the exterior photos and direct the viewer through the piece while complementing the geometric theme. The color placement simulates that of an optical lens to allude to the title "Poly Carbon Lens."
To listen to this CD or for more from the Baltimore-based Brickfoot, go to: http://www.myspace.com/brickfoot.
In this economy, everyone can use a little help.
Offering customers an incentive is a great way to say "we appreciate your business" and keep them coming back. The offer does not need to be loud, tacky or unattractive to be effective. In fact, it should reflect the essence of the business or service. Don't overwhelm a customer with 20 offers in one ad. Create a valid, useful discount and clearly relay the information. In this example, found in Smart Shopper Magazine, the ad is image-driven. It's draw is visual. The branding is well represented and the headline is fun, clean and direct. The incentive is almost secondary. Don't miss my point, the offer is important, but it doesn't have to be the driving force of the ad. If the visual and headline are strong, the customer will continue to read the ad. The key to incentive or "coupon" advertising is the actual incentive - the value of the offer and the focus it brings to one business. As a business owner, you'll get great promotion, and at the same time, the customer will truly appreciate the savings.
NOTE: Smart Shopper Magazine, is a Baltimore-based and locally owned magazine, unique among the other direct mail media, covering Northwest Baltimore and North Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County. To learn more go to www.smartshoppermag.com.
While
