Pepto Bismol is a staple in our house. The pink goo with its distinctive smell and taste, which I like, has gone under the knife and gotten a face lift.  It was never a look that screamed cool or even just well designed but the recent look has taken its newly adopted feel of being the “goofy” digestive medicine home. What I mean by “goofy” is if you have been paying attention to the new commercials you’ll see people doing the diarrhea dace and song where they grab their bums at the end. Not to mention the new website where the main graphic is of somebody eating or about to eat large amounts of food with the clever tagline of “Yup, You’re Covered”.

That being said I think they are pretty much in line with what we should expect from them no matter how much I might not like certain aspects of the new packaging.

Before

After

Website screen shots

Just in case you need a refresher of what the diarrhea dance is.

Posted on May 28, 2009 by debra   |   Permalink

I’m sure you’ve heard that old saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. I know they don’t mean it literally but for this entry let’s say they do. Every time I go to the bookstore I stroll in the new arrivals section and can’t wait to see the new cover designs. If you’ve never tired designing a book cover, do it for fun or on an online competition. It’s pretty difficult to design one and putting yourself in the driver’s seat of designing one will make you quickly realize that.  I came across and essay by Steven Heller of The New York Times talking about the relationship between the writer and the designer they decided to use over and over again. I got really excited when I saw this because I have been reading a Chuck Palahniuk book, Choke, and it’s great to read about the designer and how he feels about working with Palahniuk.

To read the essay go to:  http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/08/10/books/review/heller.html

I have also seen some book cover that deserve honorable mention. So here are a few I liked over the years.

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Secret Lives of Great Artist by Elizabeth Lunday

Against Happiness by Eric G. Wilson

Hotheads by Steven Pinker

The Craftsman by Richard Sennett

The Yiddish Policeman’s Union by Michael Chabon

Oil by Matthew Yeomans

Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me edited by Ben Karlin

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

What I learned: Much respect to book designers.

Posted on May 27, 2009 by debra   |   Permalink

I know you’ve seen those handmade flyers on light post, boards, sides of newsstands and taped to walls. Saying how they have something for sale, a missing cat, a found dog, or a room for rent. We see them all the time and literally just past by them without a second glance. Unless, Cardon Webb has gotten a hold on them. He is a New York based designer that has taken design vengeance on all these street eye sores and made them something to stop and take recognition to. He replaces people’s homemade signs and replaces them with some of his own. These are just a few that I like but be sure to check out the rest of the series and more of his work.

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

Check him out: http://www.cardoncopy.com/index.html
What I learned: This is a great way to practice different design looks. Better watch out take out menus!

Posted on May 26, 2009 by debra   |   Permalink

FritoLay has come out with some better for you snacks for women. The packaging has a clean and feminine look with each having enough of a difference to distinguish the flavors. The only bothersome thing for me is the huge ampersand. I like how it looks but don’t know why it has to be so big. 

Besides the packaging I love the commercials. Based on true events that most women experience, these are way too funny. Here are just a few.

Posted on May 22, 2009 by debra   |   Permalink

I came across this awesome blog a couple months ago and can’t help but once in a while pop back into it to see what’s new. It’s basically a blog about all things weddings but this will also attract the fashionistas, graphic designers and photographers of the world. It’s full of great ideas for an upcoming wedding but also can get your creative juices flowing when you see any of the ideas every day people think of. These images are just a glimpse of what you can see on this blog.

Visit Green Wedding Shoes: http://greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/

What I learned: Now I’m that girl that plans her wedding before she’s even engaged.

Posted on May 21, 2009 by debra   |   Permalink

Jonathan Adler is adding some new summer items to his site in the shape of water creature salt and pepper shakers. Besides the shakers be cool the packaging is what caught my eye. Retro cool and bold.  My fav is the penguins in love.

Check out Adler’s shop: http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/index.php

Posted on May 19, 2009 by debra   |   Permalink

If you haven’t heard of this new website you should check it out. I heard about it a while back but never took the initiative to dive more into it. Only until a bud of mine invited me to join and be a listener of hers did I realize how much I like this idea. BLIP is a social network of sorts but without personal update of how you just ate 12 tacos at Taco Bell and now you regret it.

You post songs you like with a quick blurb and basically that’s it. You listen to other “DJ’s” and can give them props if you like their choice or not and can even follow them as they continue to add more tunes. You can also just let it play the list of songs you created or listen to one of your fav DJ’s. Check it out and see if you like it.

Sign Up: http://blip.fm/

Wanna be a listener of mine: http://blip.fm/neodebs

What I learned: This can be a virtual memory of your musical taste for years to come.

Posted on May 15, 2009 by debra   |   Permalink

If I have never heard of a band and the only thing I have to go by is their music video it better be good. Here are just a few those videos that I just love.

Fever Ray / When I Grow Up

Bat for Lashes / What’s a Girl To Do

Santigold / L.E.S. Artistes

Oren Lavie / Her Morning Elegance

Juliette Lewis And The Licks / Hot Kiss

The White Stripes / Seven Nation Army

Posted on May 13, 2009 by debra   |   Permalink

I remember as a kid during hot summer days my brother and sister gulping down glasses of cold Sunny Delight (I was a Minute Made chick). I remember the bottle shape and that very bright, unnatural orange color. Just to give you a little reference this commercial (which I totally remember) from the 80’s and is what I remember being in my fridge as a child.

Now they have once again redesigned the look of the Sunny Delight or wait…Sunny D? Whatever they decide to call it these days the new look screams summer fun in the sun. I actually do like the new look with its waving, ocean like font and the background images do work except for one thing, that freaky photo of a slice of orange acting as the sun. It just doesn’t fit with the rest of the look and I suggest making that puppy an illustration. What do you guys think? Do you like the new look or do you prefer the old? Let me know!

older look

new look

What I learned: Sunny Delight is the Madonna of fruit drinks. They both keep changing their look.

Posted on May 12, 2009 by debra   |   Permalink

When you think of lasers, you probably think of an evil overlord bent on destroying the world through zapping something… either that or Lasik eye surgery. Regardless, the technology has matured enough that it can be controlled enough to delicately imprint fabric. Recently, Westminster has finished an imprint order for TiVo in which this process is used (see above photo). It’s a good alternative for screening because its different yet still maintains the integrity of the logo.

If you have any questions or to fulfill your laser fabricating needs, contact Linda Hoff.

Posted on May 08, 2009 by jack   |   Permalink