Designs

Designs are all around us, from products and advertising campaigns, to street signs, and in this case, Chewing Gum!

'Chewing Gum Man' Ben Wilson

In North London where I live, there is a place called Muswell Hill which is where i work part time as a waitress. On my way to work one day, i looked down at the pavement and saw that some one had painted all the old chewing gum that was stuck to the floor!
some might say this is a form of graffiti or criminal damage, but, personally i feel why not make something as disgusting as old chewing gum that has been spat out and embedded in the pavement, almost impossible to remove, look vibrant and attractive!?

I was lucky enough to catch the artist, Ben Wilson, 41 from Barnet, at work one day, and had a little chat with him. He was saying that he has often been arrested, and even beaten up by policemen once for his 'art' but still carries on regardless! Passers by often ask if he will make a personalised design, for example, 'happy birthday' or 'will you marry me?', and even an 'R.I.P' design for someone who was stabbed earlier this year in Muswell Hill.
Some people have said that it brings more attention to the gum on the floor which is a bad outcome of Ben's work, however, some people walk past oblivious to the designs!

The designs themselves are so intricate as they are on such a small 'canvas', which is what makes them so interesting and unique to me.
Here are a couple of photos i took in Muswell hill, however, there are designs all over central London.
  

ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS
Metropolitan Police, Counter-terrorism posters 2008

I have often been inspired by police campaigns, as they employ the 'shock tactic' which works well due to the issues they cover, such as murder and road safety. However, their 2008 counter terrorism campaign is very uninspiring:

Although this project states I should review designs i find 'inspiring', I want to include these counter terrorism posters to find out others opinion, as I think they are really lacking somethings when compared to some previous campaigns like this:

This award winning Anti-Drugs Poster campaign is one of my favourites, the sheer shocking reality really hits home, and is very inspiring, as Advertising is something I wish to pursue further. 

However, there is a 2008 Metropolitan police Poster campaign concerning imitation firearms which i do find visually appealing:

NIKE, 'Just Do It'
Advertising Campaign
Many well known brands like Nike and Adidas have huge budgets for their advertising campaigns, therefore, they should be good!
Over the years, I have found Nike's campaigns particularly effective and inspiring. Their tag like, 'Just Do It' and 'swoosh' logo all work brilliantly together and create a brand that is recognised and identified with immediately.

One of my favourite Nike Ad campaigns is the controversial Wayne Rooney, return to England poster. Many religious groups slated the image, arguing that it was reminiscent of Christ's Crucifixion. MP's stated that the image was 'war-like' and very inopropriate.

Personally, I think the image is extremely patriotic, and grabs your att

ention immediately! Whenever controversy surrounds a campaign, more hype is created, and in any case, all publicity is good publicity!

Here are a couple more example of Nike's advertising campaigns which stimulate the imagination, as they are slightly surreal, yet portray the message and values that Nike uphold.
For example, stylish, bold and sporting:

 

GUINNESS, Coaster Campaign

Guinness has always been a front runner in their advertisng campaigns, from the CGI white horses jumping over the waves, and the surfing race to pull the perfect pint have been innovative and memorable. 

whilst having a drink in my local pub, i noticed a new beer matt which was very unique and eye catching. It is an octagon shape with two triangular sections that you t

are off. This then allows you to unfold different compartements and to reveal the Guinness campaign:

 

  

This is a great way to advertise, and the origami style design is really incapsulating. I find little things like this very inspiring as they are simple, but very effective. 

people really take notice of little things like this, infact, everyone in the pub was playing with the beer matt rather than placing their drink on it, which suggests the campaign will be embraced by the public. 

TATTOO DESIGN

Tattoo design interests me alot as it requires so much skill and precision. Tattoos are a very personal form of design as it is something that you will have on your body for the rest of your life so making the decision to have one should not be taken lightly. 

For a few years now i have wanted to get a tattoo. this summer i finally plucked up the courage to

get mine done, i had chosen a design and edited it myself to make it more personal and ori

ginal. however, 

being a 'skint student', I ran out of money and missed my appointment.

But, when i have saved up enough money, I will be getting it done.

This is the basic form of my tattoo design: 

To me, a humming bird is symbolic of strength and uniqueness, so i felt it would be approporate to have a tattoo that meant this to me, and is therefore inspirational symbolically.

Also, the vector style of the design is clean and simple, which i like, as sometimes tattoos can look too 'busy' and over the top.

However, the more complex tattoos are still very inspiring as they have so much detail and design. here are some examples of tattoo designs i think are brilliantly done, but would never get myself!