New Year Playtime

Pending Playtime

Playtime (b)...

2009

My own thought for this time of the year attempts to present an example of a 'marriage' between a visual and the copy. Apart, the photo or headline can be interpreted in any number of ways. Together, they support each other to define both the personality of the piece, and deliver the message.

Caption/Headline Collaboration?

Post your thoughts about what caption or headline might make this visual (created so long ago I forget what for) pertain to a timely concept for a worthy cause, be it a personal development or not-for-profit message... Have fun and keep 'er clean!

Above, a contribution from a custom lettering designer Alan Ariail, from the Chicago area, who wrote and designed this phrase to go along with the visual. A splendid mix! You'll find Alan's blog here.

Thanks to all the ideas submitted both from here, LinkedIn and FB. Not a bad one in the bunch! And keep 'em comin'!

Redo Playtime

A rough concept from a two-page spread, originally written and designed in the 90's, updated to pose a message of support for Canadian athletes in the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. (Click on image to enlarge.)

May I Wish You Hope...

Unscare Tactics

A work in progress. A different take on preventative medicine messaging. After all, why scare people when there may be no need?

A Playtime Urge

Capturing a thought about motivation and the value of asking the right question...

Convergence

A commission from FSC for their "National Family Week" poster... With the scattering of family members that is prevalent today, this mixed media on canvas depicts individuals coming together and the ongoing importance of the family "gathering".

Sustainability

I have recently had the honour of participating in a campaign for our new Sustainability Office. In a world full of environmental messages a very simple icon seemed to be the right strategy. One that could be used in many collateral pieces, and become, instantly recognizable as an icon for sustainability.

Establishing Presence

A new brand identity, designed by friend David Smith, launched a new internet authority in Canada. This full page Marketing Mag ad provided a rationale on the purpose behind the organization, and outlined benefits for "buy in".

Envisioning the Future

Setting the stage for the future of an industry and capturing the imagination of consumers helps build consumer loyalty...

Philanthropy is Academic

There's not much need for loud pleas for donations to charity if the target market is credited with a little intelligence - in this case learned professionals.

PC Play For A Healthy Workplace

A selection of images from a calendar to give people a smile in a sometimes stressful workplace.

Avoiding The "Mish-Mash"

We've all seen those grids of photography incorporated in a layout to portray multiple aspects of a concept, or even worse, the scrapbook collage of images thrown together to attempt to do the same. These images came from a thematic calendar that dealt with ecological issues and added hints about how we can reduce our footprint. From water conservation, to shopping for produce locally, to recycling, to planting wisely, to options for plastic bags... When the tone of the piece permits, Photoshop, and a little thinking (and juggling). allows a different, smoother method of portraying multifaceted visual imagery.

Multi-Purpose Communication

Web portals that offer members a variety of services (discussion forums, email access, calendar and RSS news feeds, etc.) are common these days among organizations and associations. Getting the target audience there to participate is often a challenge. A visual that depicts these benefits is just a thought away, and helps deliver the benefit message. In this instance, a composite image is applied to a postcard format that can be sent via post, quickly converted for email, used as an icon for their web site, or popped into other collateral.

A Simple, But "Hefty" Thank You

Cards are sent out to say thanks for participation in many initiatives. In this case it was tied back to imagery that was used for the campaign, and made relevant to the purpose of the mailer... Here, the cover and inside layout.

Every Book Cover Tells a Story

A cover competes for attention and informs the consumer about the tone, flavour, promise and quality of its content with it's visual message, just like any other product on the shelf. Oh, and it should also have the title and the author's name... and it may be better off without this particular author's name... :o)

Playtime...

The Wordless Book

A RFP to write and design a comic book to help adult ESL programs was countered with a concept of a workbook with no words at all: where the learner would be free to fill in their own words (with guidance from their tutors). Each story was presented in a unique style to distinguish one from the other.

Club Med(ical)

Keeping up with new advances in ER medicine is a challenge. This group of doctors offer a combined intensive review and getaway. A message that combined both in a casual manner peaked interest and drove potential attendees to the site...

Recognition in Bronze

The Canadian Association on Substance Abuse, a national organization, required the design of an award to honour important contributions to the field once a year. What's more, the award would be given at Government House (home of the Governor General of Canada) in an elaborate ceremony. Something appropriate was necessary. And that didn't mean flipping through catalogues of bowling trophies.

Teaming up with a foundry in Plantagenet, a dozen bronze statues were produced from the original wax - produced with the valuable guidance and encouragement of Bruce Garner and his wife Tamaya.

The result? A 10" bronze, depicting three androgynous figures climbing out of the bonds of substance abuse, each helping another as they push and pull their way to success...

Scary Thought

Happy Halloween everyone, with a demonstration of how even Mr. Potato Head can turn evil...

Mixed media on canvas, 24" X 24"

Messaging in the Buff

A quick look is all you hope for when your target audience is driving past. What message is going to reverberate? Perhaps a short, memorable, somewhat wacky one...

Thanks to David Smith for design!

Standing Out: Whispering or Shouting? Or Both?

Self-promotion is admittedly difficult. Interpretations from the recipient - often chancy. A thoughtful, "cut through the clutter" concept, incorporating a hint of a professional perspective helps provide the first step in building a working relationship.

From the archives - a double-sided mailer with a dynamically opposing playfulness (outdated contact info deleted) worked to provide an interesting "hello".

An Eye for Innovation

A bold and bright presence portrays the dynamics of a new initiative: one that helps bring the products of research to the marketplace. A rough poster layout and identity that depicts "vision".

Thanks again to Nadia for her helpful expertise.

The Value of Dreams

How would you explain (to everyday people) the value of very complicated scientific research? A series of posters explains the mysterious link between what goes on in the labs and the dreams of the researcher and their teams.

Dramatizations of the dreams of these researchers revealed very understandable, very valid reasons for their efforts.

Thanks to my friend Nadia for her remarkable design skills on this project...

The Balance of Power

A celebratory poster for the anniversary of the university's nuclear reactor (it's a wee one) brought the opportunity to include a powerful, almost surreal image of the core, ghosted by the anniversary graphic and complemented with a headline that gives purpose to the piece.

White Space, Few Words

There is beauty and poetry when a concept comes together as simply as you can make it. Being able to minimize content and maximize white space draws the eye into the message and serves up an offering that hopefully will cut through the clutter, increase retention and add value for the marketing dollar.

Email Monster

Understanding how to use new technology is one thing. Understanding how to control it when it takes over our lives is sometimes something else. These mousepads were part of a campaign to bring people somewhat back from the "other side" and give them tips on how to relate with politeness, effectiveness and in even in a more old-fashioned way...

Humour in Communications

What's worse than replacing several hundred old photocopiers with new multifunctional devices? Finding them all. When faced with this task, the committee decided that an electronic message to enlist the help of the entire community was called for. And a reward for helping out was in order.

The Personality of Graphics

Creative graphics are designed for any number of reasons, but mostly to portray the meaning of an initiative, a culture or a corporation in a visual manner. Whether it's a logo or a symbol or a defining graphic for an event, it is essential that this piece of creative belong to the owner. Target markets should not only be able to define the purpose of the graphic, but pick up an attitude. It is the resonance in this link between the eye and the brain of the viewer that begins to build the value of the involvement.

Change Management

Sometimes the best way of explaining benefits and calming the fears surrounding the implementation of a new way of doing things, is to attach friendly, positive messaging to its 'persona'...

These are rough layouts for a HR initiative to transform its business process to an online hiring and employee records "e-record" system from a paper-based system.

In this case there were a number of "before/after" scenarios that could be used to showcase real benefits.

Dramatizing the positive aspects of technology using cartoons is a technique from the past, when the first hi-tech companies fought for a way to calm people's fear of this, then, new phenomena.