Entries tagged “UK”
Banksy for the “ambivalent patriot”
In Jubilee spirit with an extra “Er…,” Banksy appropriates Great Britain’s Union Jack flag as his own way of honoring the Queen. Pictures on Walls is offering an exclusive, hi-res download of the print for free.
(via Highsnobiety via Pictures on Walls)
Team GB LEGO Minifigures
In honor of the London 2012 Olympics games, LEGO is releasing 9 special edition figurines just for the UK market in July. The athletic characters include the Brawny Boxer, Stealth Swimmer, Relay Runner, Judo Fighter, Tactical Tennis Player, Flexible Gymnast, Wondrous Weightlifter, Horseback Rider, and the Agile Archer.
(via Toysnbricks)
Half a Million Books
Gerda Babiedaite (student at Brighton University) made a short and sweet documentary about the history and longevity of Camilla’s Bookshop, sellers of second-hand & antiquarian books.
“…I found the place absolutely fascinating and wondered about who would own such a shop. It was heartening to see so many browsers in the place, especially at a time when new and second-hand books are easy and generally cheap to buy online and the number of e-readers is on the rise. Although, it is sadly pointed out in the film that Camilla’s is the last of 5 second-hand bookshops that were in the town at one time…” —Gerda Babiedaite, A Fiction Habit
(first discovered via Tattered Cover)
Originally designed by Patrick Rylands in 1969, the timeless mid-century modern plastic toys are icons of British design history.
“Bird and Fish are the first two products to be re-launched by Selegiochi toys under the MasterToys brand and are included in many permanent museum collections including the V&A Museum, London…” —Webb & Webb Design Limited
(rediscovered via TheDieline.com)
details on Catherine Middleton’s Wedding Dress designed by Sarah Burton, Creative Director at Alexander McQueen
London-based designers and illustrators are contributing artwork for TBWA London’s Eastern Eggs initiative to raise funds for the British Red Cross: Japan Tsunami Appeal.
British Invasion, in paper cut illustration style by designer Chloé Fleury
(for the The Bold Italic)
debut of the new Waterstone’s bookstore logo design*
The redesign is a departure from the brands’ traditional and classical design aesthetics in favor of a more contemporary approach. Venture Three designed the new logo. The Waterstone’s wordmark refresh is just one facet in a large-scale restructuring of the UK bookstore chain. From reading the comments on a recent post on The Bookseller.com, the audience may be split on their preference of the original logo versus the more modern treatment (with strong feelings on both sides, especially the notes comparing the new mark to the McDonald’s arch).
*The logo lock-up for the company website was unveiled first, and we’ll look out for the new store signage later this month.
If anyone has a link to the history behind the original Waterstone’s logo, and insight into the new approach please share.
“After the summer success of Vauxhall Skate, the invite-only roller disco of 2009, comes the must-attend event of the winter. On January 28th, 2010, escape to an enchanted evening of frozen fairy tales, celebrity DJ guests, and a scattering of top UK designers strutting their stuff at a central London location as Vauxhall Motors brings you Vauxhall Ice Skate.” —Vauxhalliceskate, (follow them on twitter)
The above custom Vauxhall Astra ice skates were illustrated by Si Scott.
(first discovered via NOTCOT.ORG)
“…Sit Down, opening at the V&A Museum of Childhood in London in early February, features more than 70 types of kids seating, from rocking horses to high chairs, to designer miniatures and stern deportment chairs…
— Creative Review
another fun set of postage stamps from Royal Mail UK…
“Next year the Royal Mail will launch its stamp programme with a set of ten 1st class stamps designed by Studio Dempsey that celebrate classic British album covers - including Blur’s Parklife (designed by Chris Thomson / Stylorouge. Photography: Bob Thomas), and New Order’s Power, Corruption and Lies (designed by Peter Saville)…”
(more info and images of other 8 stamps via Creative Review, credit info for stamps above: “The sleeve of London Calling by The Clash (1979) features a photograph of bassist Paul Simonon smashing his bass on stage - as shot by Pennie Smith. Designer Ray Lowry’s design is apparently a homage to Elvis Presley’s debut album layout. Above right: Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells (1973) sleeve is by Trevor Key” )
paperback cover designs by Emma J. Wallace for Orion’s Future Classics
I’m always amazed when a designer is able to pull off cover designs sans titles and author names on the front. I think this is a lovely and refreshing looking series.
(discussion on her process via FaceOut Books)
“Trend analysts Chris Sanderson and Martin Raymond from the London firm The Future Laboratory put together crEATe.: Eating, Design and Future Food (Gestalten) as a survey of contemporary food culture…”
UK book publisher Mills & Boon launches protest against Virgin’s kissing ban (via Brand Republic) The image above is one of a series of bold posters with catchy slogans, such as ” Kissoff Kissing Killjoys,” or “Why So Frigid Virgin?”
(on a side note, The Art of Romance: Mills & Boon and Harlequin Cover Designs book was published recently to coincide with the Mills and Boon’s 100 year anniversary).
The popular UK fair trade organic tea brand, Clipper, is undergoing a full redesign after many years. They started with the relaunch of their Everyday Tea (which will soon be followed by the Green, and Infusions tea lines). The makeovers for other lines are still under wraps. Clipper will be unveiling their new packaging in stages, and have notified loyal customers by including a small card about the redesign inside their tea boxes over the last several months.
The previous packaging was known and positively acknowledged for its simplistic and clean design, credited to Williams Murray Hamm. Design and marketing consultancy, Big Fish, is working on the current brand makeover. Though we liked the earlier packaging for Clipper, the fresh brand redesign has a friendly and warm aesthetic which may be better suited for their tea drinking audience.
