SEEN AND NOTED
COLUMBUS|OHIO
Stunning photography of a giraffe family is the centerpiece of this print advertisement by HMS Hallmark of Columbus, Ohio for client American Electric Power. The giraffes are roaming on 10,000 acres of land in southeastern Ohio that was donated by American Electric Power to create an endangered animal conservation and research center. Steve Fechtor, creative director at the agency, and Nick Ashooh, senior vp of corporate communications for the client, recently traveled to the United Nations to accept a WILD Award, which honors companies and their ad agencies for supporting the wildlife featured in their advertising.
NEW YORK
To make MetLife employee communications "matter," Janet Odgis of Odgis + Company changed the positioning and inverted the relationship from top-down to employee-focused communications. "By reinforcing the employee-centric message through the line 'Met and Me,' we made the materials more meaningful for the recipient," she comments. The design firm also streamlined the vast information into three categories — Personal, Professional, and Financial — and used bright friendly colors to create a simple modern look.
MINNEAPOLIS|MINNESOTA
The highlight of the 25th anniversary celebration of Larsen Design + Interactive was a futuristic fashion show featuring living depictions of the company's work. Business cards, brochures, envelopes and letterhead were woven into an elaborate dress, hat and boa evoking collateral. A superhero adorned with a trademark registration symbol and cape of color chips illustrated identity. The annual report costume illustrated precise reporting of hard data while boldly strutting its stuff. A paper airplane dress represented the Larsen brand symbol — a paper airplane — and the firm's ability to create and implement "ideas that soar." The event at the Walker Art Center was attended by about 1,000 clients, associates and friends. A surprise: presentation of the Tim Larsen Scholarship for Design Excellence that will be funded by Larsen employees and administered by the AIGA/Minnesota.
VENICE|CALIFORNIA
This web-influenced tv spot, entitled "Dot You," promotes opportunities and highlights the service's web site, goarmyreserve.com. Blur Studio was enlisted by New York agency Impiric for the motion graphic design and production services for a 60-second spot. Jennifer Miller, Blur Studio creative director, designed graphics and typography. The type appears in the style of web addresses, each address ending with ".YOU." Her typography animates over the images similar to the way type appears in the navigation bar of a web browser.
SAINT HELENA|CALIFORNIA
The legendary designer James Cross and his wife, Sue, both in active retirement and living in the Napa Valley, have bottled their first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The playful label design, they say, expresses the fun they have had working with winemaker Pam Starr in producing the Bordeaux style red table wine. Cross continues to take on selective design projects for Northern California clients such as Beringer Wine Estates, Culinary Institute of America, Napa Valley Wine Library, Napa Valley Chamber Music Festival and several others.
CHICAGO
A business-to-business print ad campaign aims to show contractors, builders, distributors and other customers that Whirlpool's attention to detail is evident at every level. Because of the numerous audiences to be targeted, the 12-advertisement campaign has a visual and tonal flexibility to speak to each one separately while keeping a consistent voice. Taking a consumer-like approach, detailed photography purposefully replaces overused catalog-like product shots. Creative credits go to Ed Han, art director, Rick Davis, copywriter, Joel Machak, creative director, Dave Jordano, photographer. The agency is Publicis & Hal Riney-Chicago.
SAN FRANCISCO
Chris Carline Design emphasizes core values as the focal point for Seton Health Services Foundation's Annual Report. The five guiding values appear on the front cover, while inside, historic illustrations underscore the points. The square shape and metallic colors deliver a contemporary and classic feel. Chris Carline served as art director and designer.