A must for design and typography enthusiasts

Here's a great gift for any design and typography enthusiast - a limited edition Scrabble set that comes in a beautiful solid walnut storage case with drawer and a six-panel solid walnut, magnetized gameboard lined with slip free cork.

The solid walnut tiles feature a variety of different and exciting fonts and each limited edition set is signed and numbered.

There are only 1,200 available and when we posted this there were only 99 reminaing so you would have to be quick.

This very stylish game is available from Winning Solutions in the US.

World's largest paper plane takes to the skies

The 'Great Paper Airplane Project' was organised by the PIMA Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona and involved the launch of the world's largest paper airplane.

This amazing feat of engineering measured 45 feet (13.7m) long with a wingspan of 24 feet (7.3m) and was named the 'Desert Eagle'. It was fabricated from Falcon Board, a form of corrugated cardboard, and weighed 800 pounds with a design based an award winning normal-sized paper airplane, created by a 12-year-old Arturo Valdenegro, which was entered in the museum's fly-off competition.

This design was then adapted by one of the designers of the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Art Thompson, and to launch this amazing plane the 'Desert Eagle' was towed into the air by a helicopter to a height of 2,700 feet and released.

It flew for a total of about ten seconds and reached speeds of up to 100mph (161 km/hr) before crash landing as a result of stress on its tail.

Have a look at the video below to see the flight.

The Think Tank heads off to Nordbygg, Sweden

Did you know that Nordbygg is the biggest building exhibition in Northern Europe? I did (as I have been working on it for a few months)…but last week I attended the fair and was reminded by anyone to whom I said " Förlåt, jag prata inte Svenska" (I don’t speak Swedish) as they immediately wanted to be sure that this non-Swede knew how proud of the exhibition they are.  

Well, they should be…with three halls packed to the brim at Stockholmmassen, just 10 minutes outside of Central Stockholm, this event is full of tools, materials and everything you can think of to do with the building industry. Over three days I had the opportunity to speak to journalists from many Scandinavian publications and experience the building industry from a completely different cultural perspective.  

I had the privilege of going to Stockholm with our client Formica Group to help launch its VIVIX exterior facade panels. Offering opportunities to play with colour and shape, VIVIX panels can complement or add interest to office buildings, public, cultural and sports facilities, transportation centres, industrial buildings, educational facilities, residential developments and more.

Eva Hoernisch, Formica Group Design Manager, Europe, was on hand and together we were able to take a few moments to explore the building materials section. With her eye on colour Eva spotted a stand with insulation sample pieces in the most beautiful colour palette. We were dumbfounded at first as to why insulation would be so colourful until we realised it correlated to different degrees of density. VERY clever!  

With room for FIKA (traditional Swedish coffee and cake), a little of bit of Swedish entertainment and a lot of hard work, being part of Nordbygg was definitely an experience to remember.

Developing a brand to Nurture growth

The Think Tank was recently briefed to create, from conception, a new brand and identity for a recently incorporated property asset management company and the subsequent launch of the business in the North West area of the UK.

We worked with the client on a selection of brand names and identities until Nurture was chosen for this fledgling company, complementing their ethos of asset growth through effective management.

Through a coordinated campaign of advertising, PR, direct mail, telesales and social media we launched the business to landlords and tenants across the North West, delivering enquiry and new contracts and raising the profile of the brand. The campaign focussed upon Nurture's Guaranteed Rent scheme and the offer of a Free Gas Safety Certification for new customers. Advertising and PR in the local property pages was supported by a direct mail campaign and telesales to local landlords. The brand profile was further raised through social media activity focussed upon Twitter and LinkedIn.

There has been a great response to the marketing so far and the campaign continues.

Lift your spirits with Cumulus and Nimbus

This is a bit of fun - a very endearing short animation that lifts you into the clouds.

Cumulus and Nimbus by We Think Things.

 

Cumulus & Nimbus from we think things on Vimeo.

Get 3D printing at home

Earlier this week we mentioned the Universal Construction Kit - a free downloadable selection of adaptors for some of the world's best loved construction kits. The only problem was that you needed a 3D printer to make them.

Well now you have the chance to get your very own 3D printer for your home.

According to their website, ' The MakerBot Replicator™ is the ultimate personal 3D printer, with single or dual extrusion (2-color printing)--and a bigger printing footprint, giving you the superpower to print things BIG!'

Have a look at what can be achieved in the video below. (And sorry but it will set you back $1,749).

Don't get type cast with Type Connection

For all designers and budding typographers out there this new typographic dating game, Type Connection, helps you pair and compare typefaces to your hearts content.

Have fun!

Real Madrid launches Island Resort in UAE

This really is a venture outside the usual remit of a football club.

Real Madrid has announced that it is going to create an island retreat in the United Arab Emirates.

This $1 billion holiday resort and theme park will include beach side bungalows, a 10,000 seat stadium, an amusement park and a five star hotel.

With many of Real Madrid's fans in Asia this will provide an opportunity for their followers to emerse themselves in the brand, literally.

See a video of the resort below.

Martin Creed redesigns London restaurant Sketch

We are great fans of London's iconic restaurant Sketch.

The new interior is designed by Turner Prize winning artist Martin Creed who has transformed the Gallery restaurant in the first of a new long-term programme of artist-conceived restaurants at the venue. The project seeks to blur the boundaries between art, food, design and functionality.

Every piece of furniture is different in this eclectic design. Work No. 1347 consists of 96 different types of marble, in a formation of zigzagging lines across the floor, along with a series of paintings and large-scale wall paintings. Work No. 1343 is specially made for the restaurant in which every single piece of cutlery, glass, chair and table is different. This work brings together a mix of the mass produced and handcrafted, from classic antiques to contemporary design from all around the world.

See more on Dezeen.

Concrete design that surprises

We think that these designs by Gore Design Co. are great - very inventive and far from the norm.

Gore Design, based in Tempe, Arizona, creates a wide range of items in concrete from sinks to fireplaces and furniture.

They say about themselves, 'A vanguard artisan studio specializing in custom concrete surfaces and interiors. Countertops, sinks, furniture, architectural elements – all handcrafted using pioneering eco-friendly techniques. Artistic innovations for a livable planet. Leading the concrete [r]evolution, at the forefront of environmentally responsible design.'

Their designs are very interesting, as is their website. Take a look at more of their designs here.

A Post-It Note Metropolis

Ever looked at the Post-It notes on your desk and wondered what else you could do with them?

Well, Yo Shimada of Tato Architects did and decided to create an architectural structure, making a giant installation of 30,000 Post-Its in collaboration with students from the Kyoto University of Art and Design.

This neon cell-like creation is located at the Artzone Gallery in Kyoto and resembles a tiny metropolis.

Let's hope no one sneezes!

See more here.

Universal Construction Kit solves an age old problem

Carrying on our Lego theme from last week Free Art & Technology (F.A.T.) and Synaptic Lab have teamed up to create the Free Universal Construction Kit.

If you're the type of person who owns lots of different construction sets, like Lego, K'Nex, Mechano etc, but are frustrated that they don't fit together then this is for you.!

The Free Universal Construction Kit is a set of 3D adapter bricks that offers complete inter-operability between up to 10 children's construction toys. With nearly 80 models available for free download, the kit can be printed, one at a time, using open-hardware desktop 3D printers like Makerbot.

Just what we've all been waiting for!

Don't venture to Powder Mountain!

This great campaign for ski resort Powder Mountain was created by Salt Lake City based agency Super Top Secret.

Designed to put off non-locals from venturing up the mountain and making the most of the precious snow stashes, these adverts use the tagline “Paid for by Powder Mountain Locals” and are part scare tactic and part reverse psychology.

A great bit of tongue in cheek marketing.

Ads created by Super Top Secret for Powder Mountain.

The Kraken - Myth or Reality

We recently found this great brand work for Kraken Rum by Brooklyn based agency 'Dead As We Know It'.

The campaign launches what was apparently the world's first spiced black rum. The agency developed the backstory of the Kraken’s true existence from a scientific point of view through a journal and a series of movies which brings the brand to life in an interesting way.

There is a series of animated videos for the brand which you can find here. We have added Chapter 3 of the series below which we thought was great fun.

Well done on a very engaging launch campaign.

Formica Group laminates achieve Carbon Trust qualification

This week saw the Formica Group announce that it has measured the carbon footprint of its range of High Pressure Laminate (HPL), Continuous Pressure Laminates (CPL), Compact Laminates and Bonded Worktops products, which now qualify to carry the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Reduction Label.     

Mark Adamson, CEO of Formica Group, said: “With our worldwide presence and manufacturing facilities, Formica Group leads the way in design and innovation for the production of High Pressure Laminate.  Now we are leading the way on this important facet of product manufacturing.  Displaying the Carbon Reduction Label on our products is a clear and effective way of communicating to all of our customers that we are working

to reduce the carbon footprint of our products. Reducing our impact on the environment is a core part of Formica Group’s company-wide vision and values.”  

The Formica Group has set its own goals to reduce carbon emissions for all operations, vehicles and facilities by 5% by the end of 2012.

The Carbon Reduction Label signifies that the total greenhouse gas emissions from every stage of the product’s lifecycle including raw materials, production, transportation, preparation, use and disposal have been assessed. By displaying the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Reduction Label, Formica Group has made a commitment to measure and reduce the carbon footprint of its products over a two year period.  

To qualify to bear the Carbon Trust Carbon Reduction Label, Formica Group has had each product’s carbon footprint assessed to the PAS 2050: 2008 Specification for lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services, the Footprint Expert Guide TM and the Code of Good Practice for Product Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reductions Claims.  

Darran Messem, Managing Director of Certification at the Carbon Trust, said:   “We congratulate the Formica Group of companies on the certification and labelling of their products. The Carbon Reduction Label allows Formica Group to easily and openly communicate the serious and credible steps it is taking to reduce carbon emissions. Certifying these products will have a positive effect on Formica Group’s reputation, and the business as a whole. We are pleased to be working with Formica Group, as it works to reduce the carbon footprint of its products.”  

Gavin Todd, Development Manager, Formica Group, who directs the company’s sustainability strategy, commented:   “Formica Group completed a Life Cycle Assessment on key products and their environmental impacts in all ten of our manufacturing plants. This has provided a benchmark for our processes and enabled us to set goals for the future.  Creating a company culture that demands continuous improvement and working to internationally recognised accreditations and certifications are part and parcel of our journey for excellence in sustainability.  Working with the Carbon Trust and being the first laminate manufacturer in the world to display the CRL is an exciting part of this.”  

Well done to Formica Group for leading the way and joining other prestigous household names in adding the Carbon Trust Label to its products.

Guess the cartoon character with Lego

These print ads for Lego are by German ad agency Jung von Matt.

They've created a series of ads called 'Imagine' that feature minimalist interpretations of some of the best known cartoon characters.

See if you can work out which is which:

Some hints for you:

Revolutionary Gaul
Underground Martial Arts
On the Street
A Nuclear Family
Not North of the Playground

IronmongeryDirect shortlisted in ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards

Our client IronmongeryDirect has been short listed in the ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards this year.

According to ECMOD (Every Channel Mastered Optimised Delivered), 'The Awards have spearheaded the recognition of business excellence for organisations engaged in direct-to-customer retailing across traditional and newly emerging channels. With categories designed for those targeting sales to businesses as well as for those selling to consumers, these unique awards also seek to celebrate the achievements of businesses of all scales and at all stages of development.'

Well done and good luck in the awards on 27th March.

New insight into the best online advertising formats

The Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) has recently completed an international piece of research into online advertising which highlighted that brands are benefiting from bigger online display formats.

The 'Size Matters' study was carried out in the UK, the US, Europe, Australia and South America over a period of almost two years and collected data from 770 campaigns.

The results showed that billboard formats outperformed other online advertising including more recent display formats such as wallpaper and half page, as well as the more traditional ones, such as MPU, banner and skyscraper. Formats were analysed according to five criteria: aided brand awareness, online ad awareness, message association, brand favourability and purchase intent.

The Billboard format performed significantly better across some criteria, scoring three times better in terms of ad awareness and twice as better for brand favourability than wallpaper, the second best format of those measured.

The Wallpaper format offered the highest brand awareness against all other formats and was five times better than the average in terms of message association.

However, not to be left out, the Skyscraper format was the most successful in the purchase intent metric.

Tim Elkington, IAB director of research and strategy, commented, 'The industry can only benefit from the new large display formats, as both brands and consumers seem to be excited by them. The findings from the Size Matters study highlight the advantages of formats like billboard and wallpaper.'

To find out more about online advertising you can find interesting insight on the IAB's website however some of it is only available in full to members.