Graphic designers' creativity

So I was just on this design blog: (http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/latest-creative-print-ads) looking at ads they found interesting. Mostly I found them disturbing, and too human body part based, what do you think? Check out their link for all of them or look at this collection I thought were commentary worthy.

Love the BBC World "both sides of the story" poster and the life's too short for the wrong job one... clearly I'm a sucker for out-of-the-box advertising. It can be truly ingenious.

What do you think?? Is the Ramadan burger offensive? Is the hand holding or ears for eyes too creepy or does it get the point across? How about those elephants?

VW on the road

I was driving on the interstate the other day and saw this treasure. Sorry the quality is so awful, I had to quickly snap a shot with my non-smart phone.

Notice on the back the little knob that wind-up toys have? I thought it was absolutely charming, and an interesting addition given VW's current campaign to showcase VW as more than just its classic model. I was impressed with the following commercial series where VW has used their significance in American culture and turned it back in to their advertising. Nice example of the communication going both ways, too bad it only took them, what? 30 years to think to use VW punches? Regardless, a smart move and a great way to showcase that they are more than the little bug seen above.

"Now that was a bachelor party"

In the same vein as beer and boys is football season and super bowl ads. I was pretty disappointed this year and generally tried to appreciate that these ads aren't targeted towards me, but this one that Bridgestone tires pulled together I found absolutely great. Added bonus that it makes viewers think of the (at this time) recently successful movie, The Hangover. Well played, Bridgestone, well played.

Alcohol

I'm not usually much of one for alcohol ads, maybe it's the all-but-subtle attempt to sell sexual promise in a cup, but Captain Morgan has been doing some dynamite commercials that differentiate them from the crowd.

In related news, does Mike's hard lemonade think that after years of being the drink of choice for young girls who can't stomach adult-alcohol that this following series is going to get them in the prime drinking market of 20-30 year old men? If you find these affective, please do tell me why.

Greats ads make me smile

An advertising junkie at heart, I figured this would be a fun place to play with new ads and show off some favorites. I'd love any responses or additions you all have.

Here's one to start us off...

As I went to pick up my luggage from an airport in Venice last year I found this gem of a promotion for the local casino.

My favorite aspect about ads created in foreign countries for the American audience?: the english that sounds cool but doesn't quite make sense, ie: "An Infinite Emotion", seen here. I worked for a branding company in France and the "english" slogans that would come across my desk were truly... inventive. Note: when you're selling in a foreign market, make sure someone on your team has a native hold on the language, not "advanced proficiency", not "they speak better than anyone else in the office". If someone on your team wasn't born and raised in the country, you're headin' towards a problem.

Otherwise, I think the concept is just brilliant and great placement within the airport.