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a scenic tour of Britain’s viewing facilities

So I’ve been On Tour this week doing groups in Viewing for a Top Secret Retail Thing. As a compare-and-contrast exercise I’ve certainly come to wonder at the difference in décor, welcome and catering across different viewing facilities.  Perhaps we need some kind of star rating for them?  One star if you can’t swing a … Continue reading a scenic tour of Britain’s viewing facilities

What’s going on with sausage food styling?

I seem to keep seeing rather a lot of ads focusing on the humble British sausage. But what surprises me about them all is that the food stylist / art director / director / client chose to illustrate the all-round awesomeness of the sausage with a plate of grilled sausages, mash and peas (or sausage, … Continue reading What’s going on with sausage food styling?

Interesting 2011 report

So I spent last Saturday at Interesting 2011 in London.  Hosted again by the lovely Russell Davies, it varied in format from previous years, this time focusing more on doing interesting things than listening to people talk about interesting stuff. So we made notebooks, a crowdsourced comic, plasticine monsters, cardboard models and tomato caviar.  I … Continue reading Interesting 2011 report

another design fail – this time gamecards

I’m in research mode again and when post-group I found myself in need of food late on Tuesday evening I headed to the local Beefeater. Stop sniggering, all you trendy Shoreditch types at the back, at least at this particular one (in a town I visit quite a lot) I know I’ll get a friendly … Continue reading another design fail – this time gamecards

what happens when designers and printers don’t talk to each other

I was at spectating at Bramham Horse Trials last weekend and in the official programme I found a classic example of what happens when designers and printers don’t talk to each other. This is the map of the cross country course: No less than eight of the jump locations were hidden in the binding.  I’d … Continue reading what happens when designers and printers don’t talk to each other

when the world moves on but you don’t it’s time for a sub brand

Whenever I’ve been out with friends recently, the conversation has tended to revolve around subjects a bit outside my personal experience, like primary school places and Baby Ballet.  Yes, 90% of my friends now come complete with small children – they’ve moved into the next stage of their lives.  In contrast I haven’t got kids … Continue reading when the world moves on but you don’t it’s time for a sub brand