Archive for March, 2010

Graphic Design on the Radio

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Anyone more interested in listening to Adrian Shaughnessy than Chris Moyles? I know I am!

I recently discovered this show, called simply ‘Graphic Design on the Radio’, and thought I’d share it with you all. Adrian Shaughnessy is probably best known for writing the essential ‘How to be a graphic designer without losing your soul’ as well as founding the design company Intro. Amongst the interviewees you’ll find Stefan Sagmeister, Rick Poyner and many other influential figures. There’s an archive of shows available to listen to online.

From the site:

Graphic Design on The Radio is a radio show about graphic design. It features interviews with leading designers who talk about their work and play music that has inspired and influenced them.

Listen now and rejoice in the lack of overplayed rubbish! http://www.graphicdesignontheradio.com/

Pete Clark
Cogdon, Clark & Tranter

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Are you serious about your music business?

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

DJ

Digital Music Marketing Campaign Planning by AIM (Association of Independent Music)
Monday 12th April 2010 6.30pm – 8.30pm in The Box at QUAD, Market Place, Derby

FREE to CIN Members (contact cin@derbyquad.co.uk ) Or £5 / £4 – book through QUAD Box Office 01332 290 606

Following the success of the London Connected “Introduction To Digital” music industry training days, AIM has incorporated a higher level of essential digital music marketing tips and tricks, online advertising, digital tools and campaign building to make up AIM Digital Training.

If you’re serious about your digital music business, then this is the event to take you to the next level.

Over two hours, AIM’s Digital Training will take you through digital music marketing, building a campaign around the key components of Digital PR, Advertising, Social Networks and Content Creation.

There will also be an opportunity for attendees to ask any burning questions you have on digital marketing techniques and how to apply them to their own artist or album projects.

AIM’s Digital Training Event is presented by David Riley a highly experienced professional digital music marketer (behind the Prodigy “Invaders Must Die” campaign) from Good Lizard Media (www.goodlizardmedia.com)

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The little things…

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

One of the things I find most exciting about design is how seemingly inconsequential details can completely change a person’s perception of an object, website or place. I was sat at my desk the other day when Russ (who I work with) called me on his way out of the building. “Just to let you know, there’s an exciting parcel for you in reception.”
We get plenty of parcels in the mail, so I wondered what it was that made this one ‘exciting’. I went down to collect it and found that it had been sealed with bright green parcel tape, instead of the usual brown. I had no idea what was inside at that point, but the vibrant sticky tape suggested it was going to be something worth looking at. (The new Autechre album, in case you’re wondering.)

You could argue that there was no real point in using non-standard tape, after all I’d already made my decision to purchase. But this little touch gave the otherwise mundane act of opening a packet a little suspense. And that in turn reinforced my satisfaction at buying the CD – very important in the face of reduced sales figures.

As designers, we can use this kind of psychology to our advantage. We can add value in all sorts of situations just by making a few careful decisions about colour, typeface, paper etc.

close up of the green tape

Why not ask yourself if there are any details you can change on your next project to make it stand out a little. Has anyone got any further examples of little touches they’ve seen that have made designs stand out?

Pete Clark
Cogdon, Clark & Tranter

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