Banner Retrospective

Hey guys, I hope that you like the new banner. After I put it up, I realized that I should put all the banners I've done together in one post so you could see them all. So here goes.

Ahh, the first banner. An illustration collage that simultaneously demonstrates the randomness of my characters and my ignorance of standard web banner sizes.* The second banner is much cleaner, computer-y, and (dare I say) feminine? This marks my exploration into designing across multiple software platforms (in this case photoshop and illustrator). "Get Some" is the first of many experiments that I did with optical illusions. It eventually grew into a cover I did for my publications class. The forgotten mascot of the Daily Hat starred in this banner that also draws influence from kitschy 60's design patterns. I don't think he is dead quite yet, merely lying dormant at the bottom of the ocean a la Godzilla. Mechanical shark is a testament to the inner workings of the blog itself. Sleek and deadly on the outside, confusing and ripe with whirs and buzzes on the inside. Shiny in both sides. Notice now that I am fully aware of correct banner sizes.

While the evolution of the banner is perhaps not the most interesting material for a post ever conceived, it does feel a bit like those annoying clip shows that sitcoms do when the want to take a week off, I do think that the similarities and differences they exhibit are of some note. Kinda of a mini time capsule of the blog over it's first year of existence. Here is to another successful year. After all, it's all about you guys. Otherwise I am just shouting into the internet, which is pathetic.

*actually this was the second banner. The first banner was only the gentleman with his tongue out and was even more egregiously mis-sized.

Ubiquitous Superbowl Ad Post

So I took a break from my work to watch the Superbowl on Sunday, because, well, it's the Superbowl. The Saints won and there is nothing I can do about that. But I am not here to talk about the game, let's talk about the ads. I mean, I should care about this stuff, right?

Let me begin my assessment by stating that I was rather disappointed at the advertisements this year as a whole. There were moments where I chuckled, where I took notice, where I listened. But I cannot recall a single commercial that made me say "Wow, that was really smart." I saw nothing that took a simple idea, executed it simply and powerfully, and summed it up in such a way that left me feeling emotionally moved or introspective. What does a good Superbowl Ad look like to me? Well, this one stands out in my mind:



Regarding ads that use comedy to make their point. I think that, while effective, straight comedy ads can be somewhat of a cop out. Case in point from this year's crop is the Snickers commercial with Betty White and Abe Vigoda. I know a bunch of people really enjoyed this commercial. I, however, thought that it was kind of stupid and a little insulting. I mean all that money and what you came up with was that tackling old people is funny? Oh and they are playing football. In a commercial during the Superbowl. How clever. I am not saying that I am above low brow humor, I really enjoyed this Doritos ad, but give me something to go along with the immature humor and slapstick.



And the Budweiser Kleisdale commercials where they show an animal that wants be in the group, but can't, but then they work hard and become and honorary member and take one glorious ride have to stop. Enough already. I know they probably have market research that says "people like the kleisdale ads" but at least interject some originality into it. Like the spot a few years ago where they were playing football and the zebra was the ref, that was clever.

I will close this post with some quick thoughts. The dodge ad was almost awesome, but I thought the ending was a let down. The doritos ads were funny. The fact that the company that used crowdsourcing had (arguably) the best ads is telling. Snickers (for me) sucked. The movie trailers looked awesome but those people make any movie look awesome (Donnie Darko is the prince of persia?Really?). Tim Tebow ad was dumb, he should have been more opinionated and the fact that he tackled his mom was confusing. I guess he was getting ready for the special teams duties that will be his NFL career. My favorite ad was Doritos Samurai, but I will readily admit that it was stupid, but whoever made that guy's costume deserves a huge round of applause.

Next week I will post my One Show submissions.

Thanks for reading!

Sunday Sketchbook

HI! It's time for some Sunday Sketchbook. Most of this stuff was pulled from an older sketchbook of mine from last year. So 2009. Enjoy.

Some inspiration

I found this video on NotCot.org. For my creative-type readers, it will be a cool rehaash of the process that has been pounded into our heads over and over. For my other readers, I hope that it is just cool what this fool did to the sketchbook. Actually, now that I think about it, this process can work for a bunch of types of professions; that means everyone can learn and enjoy! NICE!

Rethink Scholarship at Langara 2010 Call for Entries from Rory O'Sullivan on Vimeo.

Cool Movie Title Sequences

So I am working on a project in my Color Theory class that has me designing packaging for men's formalwear accessories. You know, cufflinks, money clip, pocket squares, scarves (it is winter after all), bow ties and the like. Anyway, my influence for this project is the late and great Saul Bass, designer extraodinaire! even if you don't know who he is, you have no doubt seen his work. Many of the logos he designed 30-40 years ago are still in use today, such as At&t, United Way, Girl Scouts of America, Kleenex, Exxon, United Airlines, Minolta, Bellsouth, you get the point. Also his title sequences revolutionized the industry and have been the influence of many of todays great film openings.

I thought that I would post some title sequences that I thought were pretty sweet. If you have any favorites, post them in the comments and I will add them to the post!


Saul Bass' title sequence for the Hitchcock film North by Northwest is made all the more incredible because back in the day, all this stuff had to be done by hand and the photographed!!


Love this one for Catch Me if You Can.


I mean, almost all of the James Bond movie intro's are great, but this one is super great!


Se7en, super creepy, super amazing.

You're Favorites


Dead Man on Campus.


True Blood, not a movie, but still cool.


Zombieland. Gotta love zombie movies. RUN!

Pants on the Ground

Lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground! Love the dance at the end. Awesome that this guy is from my hometown.

Super Effing Sweet!

With the D&AD, One Show, Andy's, Art Directors Club, and Future Lions deadlines all approaching, I thought maybe I would share these kick ass posters with you! The trick to winning in these award shows is to capture the judges attention quickly and get your idea across in a fresh and succinct way. You must always remember that there are thousands of entries, so if you can make yours stand out and be clever, you are pretty much golden (or silver or bronze as the case may be). In the spirit of these award shows, I am not going to say anything about these posters (besides that they kick ass). I will simply step aside and let them do the talking. All props and respect goes to Alexander Nedelev for these intelligent designs.