Fragrances Don't Smell Beautiful to Everyone

Best ad EVER! Maybe not looks-wise but super witty.

Valentine's Subtlety

Although I'm getting frustrated with the constant holiday themes of advertising, I like this subtle ad outside Smart Set. Here they're using the Valentine's day colours without being so blatantly obvious.

New Spin on Fake Flowers

These funky designs put a new spin on fake flowers. Instead of pretending to be real they're embracing themselves and going all out.

Design Shrine Giveaway!

Send me picture of the best graphic design you've ever seen. Whether it's a billboard, magazine ad, webpage, a design printed on a piece of fabric, or anything else, I want to see it! The person that sends in the best design wins a $25 gift certificate to CSN Stores! (this includes the store discussed in my 'Modern Decor' post, allmodern.com). So start sending!

Send entries to: jaquelyn@jaquelynkatzman.com
Contest closes: Friday, January 14th 2011.
Contest open to residents of Canada and USA only

Colour in Branding 2

Here are some pictures from a study on logo recognition. Many logos can be recognized just by their colour and placement. Can you recognize these logos? (see more here, also, read more on the subject in the first Colour in Branding post).

Modern Decor

Super cute pillow on this modern decor website, love the black and cream colour and that pop of purpely pink on the butterfly adds so much to the Alice in Wonderland drawing style.






Also found this tote bag. Saw the pillow and bag completely separately but turns out they're both designed by a designer named Thomas Paul? Cool style, definitely inspiring.

Gorgeous Gift Bags

It should be a sin to make gift bags this pretty. Now I don't want to give it away...:(
This picture really doesn't do it justice...I guess I should start taking pictures with my Canon Rebel instead of my cell phone...just a thought

Starbucks Logo

My friend Bram http://www.aboutbram.com asked me my thoughts on the new Starbucks logo...
I am glad they are still incorporating their main colours by changing the 'siren' to green and white rather than keeping her in black and white. However, I think that keeping some black within the image would do a better job of signifying the Starbucks brand. The circle is a huge Starbucks signifier so it was an excellent choice to keep that. I think they have made a good transition, the logo is still recognizable, however, visiually I do not particularily like the siren image. It is quite a busy design for a logo and to be honest, a little creepy.

Fresh Walls

Fresh Restaurant at Bloor and Spadina, the wallpaper combination is stunning. I'm not sure if this would work in a home, possibly if it were just on one wall. This is definitely a piece of interior design inspiration but may be graphic design inspiration as well.

Bad Photo Framing

Putting random photos that look like you found in a Telus or a Geico ad in a frame does not look artistic, especially if you put two of the same picture in the frame and turn one upside down....sorry Second Cup...your branding is great though, the person that does your branding is clearly not designing your bathroom art.

Pantene Pro V New Branding

I know Pantene is probably very excited about their re-branding however, what they don't know is that it is severely ruining my cleansing routine. For some reason they have decided to change the cap of the shampoo from blue to white and the cap of the conditioner from white to blue...basically just switching the caps. Every day since I got the new bottles I have been picking up the white bottle first, thinking it is shampoo, conditioning my hair, yelling profanities, forgetting, conditioning my hair AGAIN, yelling more profanities, and then finally picking the proper bottle and shampooing my hair....only to have to condition it again when I'm done. There is no possible way this cap switch could be a conscious decision...unless their goal is to make people use conditioner three times every time they shower to boost their conditioner sales.