Sunday, 18 November 2012

Morphing business card

Vintage Chair Business CardBentply Business CardBentply DesignVintage furniture retailer Bentply has come up with a rather interesting business card. 

The card is made from kiss-cut plywood and can be made into a mini bent chair - a replica of an iconic 1934 armchair designed by Gerald Summers.

A very inventive and fun way to get people to remember your brand, whilst also pandering to their creative side.

Find out more about London retailer Bentply here.

Boss launches innovation in privacy seating

Boss Design - CegaBoss Design has created a totally symmetrical personal seating unit that boasts advanced acoustic qualities.

Cega is formed by a profile cut tubular construction and features advanced internal heat welded vertical fluted upholstery. It has a contoured design has been developed to reduce peripheral vision and external noise, whilst the open top structure allows for the correct level of ambient light to pass through the system.

Cega is available as a static unit or as a 360 degree swivel alternative for enhanced privacy. 

A great piece of design and function - perfect for public spaces where privacy is required.

See more at Boss Design.

First 3D photo booth

3D Photo BoothThe world has seen the introduction of the first 3D photo booth and, yes, it is in Japan.

Rather than printing photos of you it prints a 3D model - absolutely brilliant.

You simply step into a normal photo booth and it prints out a tiny 3D figure. However its not cheap - your very own 3D model will set you back between $260 and $530. The prototype photo booth is in operation until January.

Here are some images of the great models that have been printed.

3D Printing Photo booth

Saturday, 17 November 2012

B2B Marketing issues Best Practice Pinterest Report

B2B Marketing PinterestB2B Marketing has issued a new report on Best Practice use of Pinterest.

It looks at one of the fastest growing social media platforms, Pinterest, and examines the potential benefits for B2B companies looking for another marketing channel to target their customers.

This best practice guide looks at the first principles of using Pinterest, through to creating a content strategy to build up brand loyalty, develop better customer service and gain customers’ trust. They say, 'The platform enables businesses to share visual messages with their audience, which, in turn, develops the brand, drives engagement and can strengthen their thought leadership position.'

Details of the report:

Understand the fundamentals of using Pinterest – the origins of Pinterest and how to leverage it to achieve marketing objectives.

Use Pinterest for brand development – create a brand personality to communicate your brand message responsibly.

Measure audience engagement – look for users repinning your brand regularly and use this information to improve your targeting and branding strategies.

Interact with your customers and prospects – if you notice fans taking an interest in your brand (positive or negative) there are various ways you can strike up a conversation.

The guide covers:
Strategy – integrating Pinterest into your social media and content marketing strategy.
Metrics – measure the effectiveness of your social media activity to build better customer service and advance brand development.
Content and timing – deliver a constant stream of relevant, qualified and valuable content.

You can order the report here for £99.

A couple of book reviews

Detail in Contemporary Lighting designLighting for interior DesignWe saw a great review for two new books on lighting design in Lighting Journal recently – ‘Detail in Contemporary Lighting Design’ by Jill Entwistle and ‘Lighting for Interior Design’ by Malcolm Innes.  

We haven’t had a chance to look inside either yet, but if the review and images showing for Entwistle’s book are anything to go by the content will inspire and give insight into “some of the most sophisticated lighting designs from around the world in recent years”. The visually striking image of the Deloitte HQ, with lighting design by Steven Scott, is stunning and certainly whet’s the appetite to see more.  

Whilst Innes’s book is described by reviewer Carl Gardner as, “a good attempt to summarise the theory and practice of interior lighting design in an attractive and graphic manner”.

You can get hold of these books on Amazon - see the following links:

‘Detail in Contemporary Lighting Design’

‘Lighting for Interior Design’

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Social media in the workplace seminar

Social Media in the Workplace SeminarIf you need help with or have concerns about 'Social Media in the Workplace' then this forthcoming seminar is for you.

The Think Tank's Director of PR, Samantha Dawe, will be joining the Employment Department at Bracher Rawlins LLP to present a seminar on this topic on 28th November in London.  

The venue is 77 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6SR and it starts at 5.30pm. The seminar will also be followed by a drinks reception.

There are a limited number of spaces so if it is of interest then email Carol Watson at carol.watson@bracherrawlins.co.uk to secure your place

Sunday, 11 November 2012

A whisky treat for Christmas

Whisky Advent CalendarIf you know someone that is a fan of Whisky and Christmas then this is the ultimate gift to get them in the Christmas spirit.

A whisky advent calendar that less you try 24 different whiskies including a 50 year old Scotch.

It is available from Master of Malt for £149.95.


Stunning artists studios

Saunders ArchitectureArtists RetreatArtists StudioSaunders AcrhitectureLooking for a retreat to cleanse your soul then this three storey studio in Norway may fit the bill.

This structure is one of six studios designed by Saunders Architecture and is only reachable by hiking.

Saunders web site tells us, 'The Shorefast Foundation and the Fogo Island Arts Corporation commissioned Todd Saunders to design a series of six artists’ studios on various Fogo Island locations. The organization is committed to preserving the Islanders’ traditions and aims at rejuvenating the island through the arts and culture.'

A stunning structure in a beautiful environment however some purists may disagree.

See more here.

Cutting through the marketing BS

Adobe cutting through the marketing speakCutting through the marketing buzzwords, Adobe have created this entertaining film clip where they try to persuade marketing execs and creatives to cut through the BS and use plain speaking.

This is something that we pride ourselves in at The Think Tank. Taking a look at the 'big picture' and 'thinking outside the box' is right up our street.

Whoops, slipped back into jargon.

Enjoy!

Saturday, 10 November 2012

Amazing structures made from Flowers

Flower ParadeFlower Parade DesignsFlower Parade NetherlandsParade of FlowersWe had to do a double take when we saw these floats at the Bloemencorso, an annual parade in Zundert, Netherlands.

Every float is made from natural flowers and specifically dahlias.

This is an amazing feat of design including architectural structures the size of houses to weird animatronic birds and puppets.

Zundert is just a small town, north east of Belgium, with a population of about 20,000 but the variety and ingenuity of these sculptures is fantastic.

See the whole parade in the video below or click here to see more.

A creative look at client feedback

what clients say"Sharp Suits: A Creative Catharsis."  is an Irish art exhibit which was originally on display in a Dublin cafe.

It features some great interpretations of bizarre client commentary, such as "Everyone knows girls under 25 don't wear skirts" and "The dog is off-brand."

The work was created by ad creatives based on "their favorite worst feedback from clients"  and all proceeds from the gallery went to a Dublin children's hospital.

The exhibition was only on for a week but fear not you can see all the work at SharpSuits.net. 

Click here to view more.

Client AdvertisingClient FeedbackAdvertisingAdvertising Feedback





Wednesday, 7 November 2012

The US Election Campaigns in Graphic Novel Format

US Elections SummaryIf you've not had enough of the US Elections then here is a great round-up of the whole campaign.

The Guardian has produced an interactive graphic novel format of the candidates' campaigns with all the highs and lows.

A good read for any politics junkies.

Click here to read.

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

See how top tech site make their money

How they make moneyEver wondered how the top online tech sites make money and whether they are profitable.

Then take a look at the 'How they make money' web site for all the answers.

Click here.

Make those cats bounce

Cat BounceHere's one for cat lovers - well those that like to see them bounce.

A very simple web site caled Cat Bounce.

Hours (or maybe minutes) of fun.

Click here to visit.

Humorous flight safety videos from Delta

Delta AirlinesFor anyone that has seen too many in-flight safety presentations and has experienced the non-inflating life-jacket then these two new safety videos for Delta Airlines might put a smile on your face.

They are serious in parts but also include many humerous visual gags that will keep your attention.

Great work but have to ask whether this distracts from a serious safety message for those that haven't seen it before.

Enjoy!

Monday, 5 November 2012

Get your Emergency Compliment

Emergency
Emergency Compliment
Emergency Feel GoodAre you having a bad day?

Then click here to receive an 'Emergency Compliment' that will help to improve your day.

Go on, feel good about yourself.

Mr Burns endorses Mitt Romney

Simpsons and Mitt RomneyIn the battle for the US Presidency Mr Burns, from the Simpsons, has his say.

Shaggy dog story and all.

Enjoy!


Make your video go viral

Viral VideoWant to make your video go viral then maybe you need to contact Buyral, a new clicking service that guarantees to make you video top the charts.

Innovators in getting children, interns, the elderly and an increasingly complex array of machines to click furiously, see how they do it here in this great video - that has also probably gone viral.