Our graphic designer Jason Hannon has created an ad that’s both innovative and tasty. Using the literal imagery of pick ‘n’ mix sweets in the shape of a car, Jason has juxtaposed driver training with the concept of flexibility and choice within a tailored course. The ad, for RoSPA’s Driver Theory Workshop, uses a wide range of calorific treats to create a car with a surprising likeness, from the liquorice wheels to the jelly baby passengers. The ad was a complete success despite several attempts to sabotage the concept through the eating of vital ingredients.

Needless to say, both Big Cat and RoSPA were very impressed with the outcome. Check it out:

Final Advert

Hi, I’m Louise; I’m here at Big Cat to get some work experience in copywriting. I’ve just finished my second year studying English and Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham. Having only been here for a day or so, I haven’t had a chance to get really stuck in yet. Still, I’ve been flicking through the Creative Review and a particular article caught my attention: Penguin’s upcoming release of the entire backlist of Vladimir Nabokov complete with classical looking covers redesigned by several different illustrators. The use of frames on the covers is interesting; particularly on Despair, where Karlovich’s hands hold the framed title box to partially obscure the protagonist’s supposed Doppelganger. The first print of Despair was also accidentally produced without a border pattern making it somewhat of a collector’s item.

Having read and enjoyed Lolita, I’ve often considered reading some of Nabokov’s lesser-known novels but have usually been deterred by endless University reading lists and deadlines. However, with a long exam-free summer ahead and the release of Penguin’s stunning new covers, an Invitation to a Beheading could be on the cards.

Recently Big Cat Idea had the great opportunity to work on the CSI: The Experience advertising campaign. CSI: The Experience is an interactive exhibition in which you become the Special Agent. We were given the task of creating a new campaign to promote the event. We obviously had the normal print based advertising (i.e. flyer and press ads) however in this case we had the chance to express our ideas further in different locations, we even had a piece written about our lift graphics! Below are some photos of our work. We hope you like them!

For more information about CSI: The experience please visit http://www.csibirmingham.co.uk/

CSI Escalators

CSI Lift Graphics outside

CSI Lift Graphics inside

CSI Crime scene stunt 1

CSI Crime scene stunt 2

Recently our client RoSPA briefed the design team on creating a new campaign for their advertising. Within the brief they added that they would like the new ad campaign to clearly ‘follow on’ from the last style of ads. They wanted their adverts to have a fresh new look and feel.
We then spent some time coming up with a few ideas of what we could do. We felt there needed to be a link with the new look 2010 RoSPA catalogues. The final idea was to use a minimal style. Stripping back the adverts, simplifying, and making the attention purely on the object you see before you.
With the new minimal white background, the object could then become alive in it’s own right. We decided to be slightly abstract, looking at the text supplied and relating the image to this. Instead of using the ‘norm’ in the style of a usual health and safety advert, we wanted the viewer to look at the advert then look again and think, ‘What has this got to do with health and safety?’ which would then make them read on and find the link between the text and the image.
Below are the first few examples of the new campaign we have produced. What do you think?

Are we as designers now depending on using a computer to do the work for us?

As a team in the studio we often have discussions on how we can give a greater service to our clients, how we can make life ‘easier’ and more productive between the clients and us. One of the issues we seem to come across quite often is portraying our ideas over to the client using scamps.

In previous jobs we have only supplied simple line drawings accompanied with a blurb about what our ideas are. Yes, this sometimes gets agreed first time, with the client getting the ‘idea’ straight away, but often the process takes longer than it really should. Once the idea is approved the client will often not see what the advert or campaign will really look like until the final piece, thus meaning the client could feel unsatisfied and the process may have to start again.

Our idea was to take a step back from the computer, and to create a personal hand drawn, finished scamp (as seen in the image below) using colour and detail, so that the client would get a real image of what the final piece would look like.

Scamping in progress

Using this technique is helping the process from getting the initial idea to the client, to the final piece, easier. The client is happy as they can see we are putting the effort in straight away from the initial ideas, and for our benefit we now have finished scamps that we can take to show potential new clients how hard we work for our current ones.

Final piece

The question here is…do you need to fancy up a logo to have a lasting impression on the audience that it is aimed at?

My personal opinion is no…simplicity is the key.

Take for example a recent logo, uploaded by the Big Idea team. Now on Logo of the Day.

This logo is a ‘logo of the day award winner’ and just shows how a simple logo with a slight hidden message can still be appreciated by the public in today’s modern society.

The real world, but not as we know it. The film industry has a great influx of new digitally mastered films, with the likes of Transformers being a massive hit. There are more masterpieces in production, so I thought I would examine a few, that I think look amazing.

Tron: Legacy

Tron Legacy is a contemporary version of the ’80 cult classic’. The Big wigs in Hollywood have now made a more slick and finished version and it looks awesome. I’m not too sure of the plot, but as you can see from the trailer, the graphics will definitely impress.

TRON LEGACY

THE ORIGINAL TRON

Alice in Wonderland

The genius that is Tim Burton has re-made this Disney classic. It follows the familiar, weird, and wonderfull style of other Tim Burton films i.e. Beatlejuice? If you’re looking for an all round ‘realistic but surreal’ graphic set-up then this is one to see.

JOHNNY DEPP AS THE MAD HATTER

There is news of a new Toy Story film coming out early next year, so let’s hope it gets here sooner rather than later.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, Twitter recently changed it’s own branding…
However when I searched for new the Twitter branding, I found that everyone seems to have there own various of the Twitter bird? Why is this? Is this good for the brand? Below are a few examples I thought you could look at……

As a creative, one of my key roles within the industry is Art Direction. Mostly this involves steering the way projects end up, both strategically and aesthetically, through the use of substract, type, image, shape and colour and on the odd occasion with the use of light and/or moving image.

My most recent AD assignment took me down a quite unusual path as the requirements were very specific but at the same time awkward.

In short, a new client had asked for a photoshoot to help promote the launch of a new range of products. Established for over 140 years, but needed to develop and modernise the brand, re-invent themselves, new markets, new opportunities,  etc etc. Only problem was, the photoshoot that they wanted was full of high expectation… “ Can we have a 30-35 year old with an Audrey Hepburn feel/Claudia Schiffer age/Girls Aloud attitude, finally can we get it done and printed for Tuesday last week!!!

Of course we delivered, because that’s what we do! Right? Where was I going to find a FREE model of that age, hair that could be styled and with plenty of slap on could be transformed and commercially acceptable.

They say “never work with animals and children”. I’ve got one more to add to that…. THE WIFE!!!!!

Check out the before and after shots for yourself!!

Before

After 1

After 2

Quick blog…I recently came across this great piece of footage of a Mac that transforms…don’t believe me? Check the video out at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=adf_1245828170

What’s amazing about this video is that it seems so ‘real’, the camera never really changes focus, there is still camera shake, as though this is ‘really’ happening, and the commentary finishes it off, as you can tell that the person who is watching the transformation, can’t believe whats happening.

Great piece of video manipulation.

Mac's can now transform

Hi, I am Jules, the Studio Manager. When I was asked to write a Blog for Big Cat, I was a little nervous. Having never done one before, I was at a loss what to write, apart from the joys of studio admin! But then I thought why not write about my experience getting a job with Big Cat, and what I think so far…

I joined Big Cat in Jan 2009. Made redundant from an in-house Studio Manager role – which was as corporate as they come – recruitment agencies told me I would never get an into an agency, I felt a fight rise in me. I had the skills, and I wanted to show an agency what I could do. So instead of waiting for recruitment agencies, I got on the case.

I understood the fees for recruitment agencies. They are extortionate. Especially when you think that those fees could be going towards 3, possibly 4 brand spanking new macs! So an excellent selling point was that my next employer would have no hidden charges or extra fees, plus, I looked pro-active, before I had even stepped into the interview. I searched on google and contacted as many as I could. Then I stumbled across Big Cat’s website, and I liked it, so I emailed.
When Big Cat called, they had a position, and it was exactly what I was looking for. It had been 9 years since I had been interviewed so I was nervous of course, but I really surprised myself, I came across well, and I came away feeling exhilarated, and inspired. I remember the Director saying, ‘We are like a big family’, and at the time, I thought back to all the politics in my previous job, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The change in environment is a lot different. It is, well, like a family!
The first night out I had with BigCat was at the Old Library in the Custard Factory, we had the whole venue to ourselves, we had a gorgeous meal cooked by the Director’s, and were all dancing around with no shoes in this huge, stunning Gothic room to eighties music, it was such a contrast, it was amazing.

I think it is safe to say I am glad I was made redundant. And, for those of you that are in that position, take control, don’t rely on other people to find you work, be pro-active, and don’t stop until you land a great job too! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and you are fast approaching… if you really want to be. It took me three weeks, that’s all.
In fact, go on to google now and help your self, it’s much more rewarding!!

Follow me on Twitter: @glitzyjules

I am currently studying a BA (Hons) in Graphic Communication at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff. My University was very keen for all second years to gain some work experience in the summer holidays before we went into our final and most important year of our degree.

So before the end of term in June, I began emailing graphic design agencies all over Birmingham. Thankfully, Big Cat replied, and after a short interview I started at the beginning of July. I am so grateful for all the help and guidance that I have received in the few weeks that I have been here.  The opportunity has been so worthwhile and I have gained an insight into designing for the real world.

I have been on two photo-shoots, created illustrations, and produced ideas and scamps for live briefs. Nathan also joined us for a week’s work experience in mid-July, and we rummaged through rubbish bins and created letterforms. Our input into one particular brief helped to create a unique and exciting piece of design, which felt great to be a part of. I have also been around the sites of Birmingham and took some abstract photographs, and got very messy when I helped with the interior design of the Old Library at the Custard Factory.

I have had such a beneficial time at Big Cat, and would advise anyone who will soon be let loose in the real world to get some work experience. It has definitely been a wake-up call for me, and I am now wiser in what standard I need to be at by the time I finish University; it is so important to absorb yourself within the graphic design industry and begin to make contacts as soon as you can.

Thankyou very much Big Cat!

You can now follow me on Twitter: @sarah_steve

As a the senior creative at BigCat I guessed it was about time that I contributed to this new world of  social tweetchatter ( I’ve trademarked that one!)

All the other guys in the office seem to be right on it and it became apparent the time had come for me to get myself immersed.

I stumbled across this guy from Seattle, USA. His name is Lee Le Fever (cool name) and he makes these really simple but effective information videos to help people (like me) to understand the nature of  Social Networking, Twitter, RSS, Blogs, etc.

I found them useful and thought I would pass the links on to anyone else that needs a bit more info in their locker before they come out.

I watched them all, the zombie one was a bit of a curve ball!!

http://www.commoncraft.com/
follow me on Twitter: @jayism

Wow, this is my first EVER blog post. I’m one of the designers at Big Cat and I’ll be leaving posts up here every now and again with anything interesting that’s caught my eye.

In particular, Modest Mouse return with new material, as well as a new video for ‘King Rat’. Directed by Heath Ledger after meeting with Isaac Brock in 2007, the video focuses on the illegal commercial whale hunting that occurs off the coast of Australia. The video features a reversal of the roles between the hunters and whales where, as the video progresses, the message becomes clearer.

There’s also an interesting blog by Daniel Auber on the making of the video. It was finished by The Masses, the film/music company Heath Ledger was part of. If you get the video off iTunes, the proceeds from the first month of its release go to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who campaign to save the habitat of wildlife and protect ecosystems in the world’s oceans.

Follow me on twitter:
@norbertlegs