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The Wisdom of the Asics

San Diego CA: The advertising agency VitroRobertson recently dispatched a series of print and non-traditional ads for Onitsuka Tiger, a retro shoe brand from the sports appareller Asics. The ads mix proverb-like copy with original artwork from the Japanese illustrator Anna Tsubaki to create a stylish, urban mix of flavors. Tsubaki created a fictional Japanese wise-man character to act as a brand ambassador for Onitsuka gear. The ads have appeared in URB, Giant Robot, XLR8R and other hip, underground publications. VitroRobertson, an MDC Partners Company, is based in San Diego.

Go Metro

Cincinnati OH: The international brand consultancy LPK has rebranded Cincinnati's bus system, known as Metro. The new identity system spotlights Metro's commitment to speed, efficiency and environmental responsibility through a gestural wheel graphic, natural colors and the tagline "Go Metro." The system is adapted to a gamut of uses, from environmental signage and bus cards to uniforms and web design. Headquartered in Cincinatti, LPK's offices and clients span the globe.

In Control

Madison WI: Planet Propaganda facilitated the launch of Gary Fisher Mountain Bikes' latest model, HiFi. Fisher fine-tuned HiFi for superior handling at all speeds, and Planet used the analogy of the electric slot car to explain the results. "Just about everyone remembers those old electric slot car tracks," explains Planet President Rob Sax. "Unless you were completely out of control, you could zip around any turn. That's basically the idea of HiFi." Planet Propaganda is a graphics agency based in Madison WI.

The Mighty Ducks

Madison WI: The Madison Mallards, Madison WI's minor league baseball team, offer a good, old-fashioned baseball experience: no $50 hot dogs or steroids; just low-cost tickets, lively announcers and exciting playing. Now the Mallards' communications are as classic as their game. Ads and direct mailers from Shine Advertising hit it out of the park with striking colors, bold type, action shots and sporting headlines. Creative credits go to CD Mike Kriefski, Art Director John Krull and copywriters James Breen and Adam Kitzmann. Shine Advertising is a full-service graphics and branding firm from Madison.

Pentagram Visits The Mexican Schoolroom

New York NY: Monografías — illustrated learning aids popular in Mexico — are the subject of the latest Pentagram Papers booklet. Monografías: Information Design for the Mexican Schoolroom showcases more than 20 examples of the educational tool. Pentagram partner Michael Bierut headed the project, and Armin Vit, a Mexico-born member of the superstar design firm, authored the introduction. Vit describes Monografías as "the epitome of condensed education." They make him long for "simpler days when research, information and, ultimately, education... involved only a single, double-sided page," Vit says. Firm officials describe the mission of the Pentagram Papers as publishing "examples of curious, entertaining, stimulating, provocative and occasionally controversial points of view that have come to the attention of, or in some cases are actually originated by, Pentagram." The quirky series was launched in 1975. "Monografías" is the 34th installment.

Flipping The Script

Mount Kisco NY: Last summer Nicktoons Network teamed up with Flippies, a manufacturer of custom flip books, to introduce youngsters to "Skyland" and "Kappa Mikey," two new Nicktoons programs. Flip books of scenes from the cartoons were distributed at Comic-Con International, the Nicktoons Animation Festival at Nicktoons Studios, and at stops along a cross-country mobile tour. Nicktoons' other properties include the wildly popular "Spongebob Squarepants" and "The Fairly OddParents."

Marathon Man

Austin TX: Marc English Design once again crafted an identity and promotional materials for the Austin (TX) Film Society's Quentin Tarantino Film Festival. The festival is part of Tarantino's long-established relationship with the Austin film scene. The director debuted "Pulp Fiction" in Austin, rather than New York, Los Angeles, or another traditional spot. Now, he regularly brings his private collection of B-movies, obscure classics and "grindhouse" exploitation films to the city for weeklong, marathon screenings. English Design first joined the marathon mix in 2001. His efforts prompted Tarantino to declare Marc English "the man" when it comes to graphic design. This year's QT Fest logo was done in ink, and applied with brush for added authenticity. Silkscreened posters and t-shirts were reportedly snapped up by fans. Design credits go to English and Bart Kibbe.

Bikes 'n' Beer

Fort Collins CO: The New Belgium Brewing Co. of Fort Collins recently gained a new corporate logo, courtesy of Cultivator Advertising & Design. Organized around a silhouette of a 1952 Schwinn Hornet bicycle, the retro-style logo leverages the brewery's whimsical, eco-friendly corporate culture as well as its most popular product, Fat Tire Amber Ale. Design and illustration credits go to Monte Mead of the Denver based design and advertising agency.