We have designed a new Apprenticeships Directory for Edexcel which targets training providers, large employers and Foundation Education colleges. With training providers and employees being the primary audience the aim of the directory is to show the breadth of apprenticeships Edexcel offer from Health & Social Care to Retail. Edexcel is a well-known and respected name, offering a wide range of flexible apprenticeships, with its key message of ‘more support, for more successful apprenticeships’ running through the directory. Each apprenticeship sector is colour coded to make them more accessible to readers, with large, glossy, cut-out, colour photography to bring the information to life.
Last month we attended the Camberwell BA Illustration degree show where one of our work placement students, Hollie Theedam showed her work. The 2010 external degree show was impressive, with a diverse range of students demonstrating a wide-ranging approach to illustration. The show, Save Our Souls, challenges the boundaries between illustration, design and art and students showcased self-initiated work, from painting, drawing, typography and printmaking to film, photography and animation. Although a diverse range of work was shown the students were united by their commitment to innovation and integrity. Now it’s time for these young graduates to make their mark on the creative world, without losing their souls in the process!
Portillion Ltd was formed in 2009 and has financial backing from RIT Capital Partners plc and philanthropic interests associated with Lord Rothschild.
Portillion are in the process of preparing to launch in the UK offering good value financial products, service and distribution management, together with techniques to achieve better quality business.
The Portillion name derives from the French word “portillon”, meaning the security gate in front of a castle. We are working with the business to develop a B2C and B2B brand that reflects their commitment, culture and values.
We have also developed a corporate micro-site for the business during the pre-launch phase.
NHS Hertfordshire asked us to create A2 and A3 posters for their GP surgery’s and A&E’s. The aim of the posters was to stop people going to A&E for minor injuries and to utilise the full range of services the NHS offer. Our solution was to use large, striking typography mixed with strong photography to create maximum impact. Each poster targets a different injury, e.g. Bites? Cuts? Grazes? positioned in a star, with the message “you don’t need to be here!” Alongside we used large, colour photos of objects that could be a cause of such an injury, such as a dog, football boots etc. The posters then have different tips on each illness/injury, telling you where you should go and what you can do to help yourself rather than wasting your own time or NHS resources at A&E.
The challenge of this brief was to subtly make people think about how they use the NHS and reassure them that minor injuries, in most cases, can be treated much more quickly and efficiently away from A&E, which is there to treat much more serious illnesses. At the same time the posters needed to be engaging and bold enough to stand out amongst lots of other information on GP surgery walls and in A&E waiting rooms. We think this has been achieved with our choice of striking photography and a strong message.
D&AD’s New Blood promotional posters have taken an interesting turn this year, after some harsh criticism for appearing too pompous in it’s 2009 campaign. This time round the posters feature members of the creative community again, but this time captured at the point of ending it all: the talent of new blood proving too much for them to cope with. But yet again the posters have caused great debate amongst graduates and members of the creative community alike, some finding the posters extremely offensive, while others asking why they focus on prominent creatives rather then showcasing graduates work. However this would be hard to do as it would be impossible to show the breadth of talent on one poster. By showing the quality of its membership instead, D&AD hope to inspire young graduates, but at the same time they run the risk of looking too elitist and self-indulgent. The posters aren’t all doom and gloom however, the photography is dark and sordid, but at the same time humorous, highlighted by the funny captions stating ‘no one was harmed in the making of this poster.’ One thing is for sure the posters aren’t boring, they have caused outrage and received admiration and will be very memorable…until next year anyway.
Searching the caverns of YouTube we came across this very cool video of Warhol displaying his colour painting techniques on an Amiga computer. Then again Debbie Harry makes everything look cool. Love the interface of the application!
We had a great session with the CIMA Publishing team at Elsevier. We explored some exciting digital marketing strategies and using social media in a range of student engagement activities.
We have created a new Facebook page to provide content, ideas and tips to help you get the most from your use of digital media. The page will focus on all types of digital media and how best to leverage them.
Don't look at the three folk strolling in the sunshine, look at the monster sized window graphic, screaming Edexcel's FLT snapped by Fran (who was luckily armed with the corporate camera, gorgeous designer handbag, a latte, several notebooks and a spare pair of shoes) en-route to a meeting in London.
We created this new brand for client Edexcel which was recently launched together with a nifty digital package – that just sounds so wrong… so to be more specific…We worked very closely with Edexcel to give them a concept which would work across a number of media and digital tools.
It's all part of the 14 – 19 VQ (Vocational Qualifications) Reform Programme. The FLT will help learners aged 14 + maximise their potential – especially those who might fall off the radar in more traditional qualification structures.
