Vector illustration and chunky lower case type make for the new look reductive graphics adorning McDonald’s take away packaging. Created by Leo Burnett design agency in Chicago, (I’m currently unsure if this packaging has made it to the UK yet), it appears to be another opportunity missed.
Author Archives: Nigel Ball
Punk philosophy
You could argue the need for yet another publication about punk. The ‘1976 and all that’ narrative has been told so often now that it reads like a dull pantomime with all original relevance of the story bled dry through over telling. There have been some publications in the last few years that have gone beyond this nostalgic rehash,Continue reading “Punk philosophy”
Type on type
There has been a surge of typography publications dropping through my letterbox recently. They are all very different in their own ways, but one thing unites them all over and above the excellent content, and that is the very high production values. Unfortunately my poor photographic skills won’t do any of them justice, but hopefullyContinue reading “Type on type”
Design that works
Scrutinising an Innocent drink carton several weeks ago I noticed that it was recyclable “in certain areas” and that I was to check with my local authority to see if it could be recycled in my area. I didn’t of course, not looking forward to either an elongated phone call being passed through various differentContinue reading “Design that works”
Ditchling Museum of Art+Craft
I’d read about Ditchling Museum of Art+Craft on the Design Week blog last year when it reopened after being refurbished. It made the design press largely because of the rebranding by Phil Baines, in which he re-drew Gill Sans for all accompanying graphics. In truth, what Baines had done more than help advise on the dressing of the museum wasContinue reading “Ditchling Museum of Art+Craft”
Ivan Chermayeff: cut and paste
I was lucky enough recently that a holiday to the South Sussex coast coincided with the opening day of the Ivan Chermayeff: Cut & Paste exhibition at Bexhill-On-Sea’s De La Warr Pavilion, and it was truly inspirational.
A people’s (graphic) history
A highlight of a recent trip to Manchester was a visit to the People’s History Museum. Housed in a specially converted pump-house, the museum hosts an amazing visual display of artefacts relating to political history of ordinary people in this country, with an obvious bent towards Manchester related events and organisations, from the Peterloo Massacre to celebrating 150Continue reading “A people’s (graphic) history”
Design for life—First Things First 2014
2014 sees the 50th anniversary of the 1964 First Things First manifesto. To mark the occasion, Cole Peters has decided to update the manifesto to represent the digital age. In the run up to its launch on Monday 3 March I’ve written an article for Eye blog which you can read here.
On timelessness
Last week I was asked to introduce Gary Hustwit’s Helvetica for a screening to UCS MA Journalism students and members of the public. Afterwards, in a question and answer session, someone unexpectedly asked if I thought Helvetica was timeless. It was a good question in relation to the film we had just watched, but notContinue reading “On timelessness”
Design for life—50 years after First Things First
If you are not a designer you are unlikely to have heard of the First Things First manifesto, and why should you? And on reading it for the first time you may think it is navel-gazing of the worthiest order—and it would be hard to disagree. First written and published in 1964 by designer KenContinue reading “Design for life—50 years after First Things First”
Nigel Ball 