Got some printed loveliness from the folks at Bermondsey based design agency HudsonFuggle over Christmas for their street art themed calendar. Loving the bright orange printed on card.

‘Making of’ videos will appear on their blog at the beginning of the month to accompany the printed calendar, check it out.

See more of what they do here.

I’ve always been a fan of clever, creative advertising, especially when it breaks out from the constraints of traditional media while reinforcing the message of the advert. This ‘billboard’ from Warner Bros, for the upcoming film “Contagion”, does just that. It’s a viral ad campaign. Literally!

(ok, not really ‘literally’ because, biologically speaking, viruses and bacteria are two different things, but you know what I mean!)

The clever use of bacteria to develop the message over time is great, and reminds me of another clever campaign from a few years ago by Audi which rusted over time to reveal an advert for the Aluminium A2 car (clever because aluminium doesn’t rust).

Here’s some words about the campaign that I’ve ‘borrowed’…

“Building on its reputation for always being ahead of the curve, Warner Bros. Pictures Canada created a unique outdoor installation merging science and advertising that is guaranteed to leave movie lovers, science buffs and art enthusiasts in ‘awe’ or ‘eww’.

In support of Academy Award ® winner Steven Soderbergh’s latest film “Contagion” — in theatres September 9th, Warner Bros. Pictures Canada teamed up with microbiologists and immunologists from around the world to create a one-of-a-kind bacteria message board located at 409 Queen Street West in an abandoned store-front window. On August 28th, two large Petri dishes were inoculated with live bacteria including penicillin, mold and pigmented bacteria and almost overnight have revealed the true Contagion — an artistic interpretation of the spread of a virus as depicted in the film.

The public was invited to witness first-hand the remarkable growing power of natural bacteria on Wednesday August 31st from 11:00 AM — 2:00 PM. The first 50 people who arrived received passes to see “Contagion” in theatres and other themed prizes.”

Find out more here on Advertblog

Having just returned from a weekend in London I thought I would share some architectural wonder with you. Possibly my favourite building in the world has to be St Pancras international train station.

If ever you were looking for an architectural explanation of the word grandeur, then that is it, the recent regeneration of the building has transformed it into a modern masterpiece. Next door however is a building that, even though part of the same single transport hub seemed a little forgotten, until now. Kings Cross Station is undergoing a massive regeneration in partnership with English Heritage which will include the relocation of the ticket hall and the demolition of the ugly (and apparently intended to be temporary) 1970′s green front.

The regeneration is part of a massive transformation of the Kings Cross area including the relocation of the gas cylinders to the south of the station which interesting includes their development into a public area and a container for flats.

I don’t think it will ever be a threat to St Pancras’ beauty but will at last be able to stand proud beside it and I reckon that Victorian façade is gonna look smashing.

Original story and some fascinating construction images on The Londonist and World Architecture News.

What’s this? MORE alcohol based packaging on Design Robot?

I know, I know. I’ll try and find something non-alcoholic for next week to quench the thirst those pesky teetotaler’s that peruse this website. It is Friday though, so I’m hoping you’ll let me off!

Here we have an interesting experiment from Jørn, aka Jörn Beyer. What happens when you take iconic alcohol brands and repackage them from glass bottles to cardboard tetra-packs? Does the brand still hold up? How would consumers react to alcohol in a juice carton? As Jørn says on his website:

How would products of great brands of alcoholic spirits look like, if they were packed in beverage cartons instead of their prominent bottles? Times are changing, what remains of the brand?

Personally, I can’t shake the idea that the Jack Daniels carton would contain some kind of fiery orange juice and bourbon mix. I’m not quite sure how it would taste, but I would be mighty surprised if I picked up the carton to find it full to the brim of pure whisky instead! I can’t decide if the illusion is due to the orange colour used on the packaging, or because my brain has been conditioned to think carton = juice.

As for the Absolut Vodka pack. That screams of White Russian cocktail!

Take a look and let me know what you think?