A trip to the Design Museum is always a treat, and last weekend certainly proved so. As I made my way up to the Designs of the Year 2012 exhibition I thought about the wonders I was about to experience. Last year I was so greatly impressed by the Dyson Air Multiplier that it still sits at the top of my wish list.  

I was immediately drawn to the London 2012 Olympics Torch (designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, winners of  the Product Award).  It was quite awesome to see it up close. The design is sleek and elegant, and most befitting it’s purpose. Holes are punched through to keep heat from the bearer but they also add a textural layer which really impels me to have a feel and poke. If only I could have a hold… please. I won’t run far… 

As a great fan of stationary I was highly impressed with the Kokoro and Moi (Finland) packaging commissioned by Stockmann. They created a colourful wonderland of patterns and tapes based on Stockmann’s past designs and branding. A hint of the old with a fancy flash of the new. 

And finally, as a cycling enthusiast, the Hövding bicycle helmet held great fascination and posed many unanswered questions. The idea was born from the fact that so many people choose not to don a helmet, and from interviews it was ascertained that fashion (or lack of) was the main reason.

Hövding has designed a bike helmet that is worn like a scarf but contains an air-bag helmet that inflates with movement similar to an impending accident. 

I’m not sure how affective the apparatus is, but it certainly looks better than my black, aerodynamic helmet. 

And after all that hands-on was the Monotype section with amazing pieces of typographical history. Original pages from the hands of Eric Gill (putting his personal life aside for the moment) had me completely starstruck.

One of my favourite pieces from Monotype was the poster The Monotype Universe, Big Bang 1887 which I (and several others) wished to purchase – sadly it was not for sale.  I did not leave empty-handed though as GFSmith provided a superb little goody bag to ensure everyone left with a smile. A big colourful smile.

The Monotype Universe, The Big Bang 1887

With works spanning his whole career on show it was exciting to see that infamous shark and cut-in-half-cow in the flesh. The fact that the artist is still very much alive made it all that more interesting, what weird, dead thing will he show us next?

A favourite room in the exhibition included the ‘live butterfly paintings’. Butterfly pupae are glued onto large canvasses where they are left to hatch, fly around the room and live out their lives. All very lovely… or so I thought.

Minding my own business, entranced by the colourful heliconius, I was quickly roused by a collective gasp of the room and then silence. Turning around, all eyes were on me… my foot, to be precise. I slowly lifted it after what seemed like an eternity and yes, I had stood on one, span around on it and made a mess.  Apparently it was the first time that had ever happened and now I own an original Damien Hirst – albeit on the bottom of an Adidas trainer.

Apart from the ‘accident’, the exhibition itself was definitely worth seeing. His work is very thought provoking, uncomfortable and a bit gross but I would be tempted to go back later in the year and see how that cows head has decomposed.

Words of advice – be prepared to queue and mind your step…

Actually, who am I kidding..?! We’ve got more space, more light – those branding and creative briefs are far easier to unravel with some natural light – and we’re closer to the action and our clients. We hope to see them all here soon..!

Talk of gridlock and priority VIP traffic lanes aside, that collective wave of emotion for biggest party in town is curiously absent. Is it the puzzling and uninspiring Olympic logo and branding (Lisa Simpson in a compromising position is the best description we’ve heard)..? Is it an economic cynicism borne out of the times we live in? Or is it the Queen’s diamond jubilee which has more relevance to a nation that can’t quite decide whether it loves the monarchy or its sporting icons more…?

Certainly ramping up the marketing drive for the Olympics has been a slow burner. Newspapers have a daily countdown and the sports pages focus on our swimming, cycling and rowing medal prospects. Yet other media and their advertising streams must think that we’re not yet in the moment. I find this really puzzling. A once in a lifetime event, so massively impactful is still a remote event happening in a clearing in east London. Where’s the razzmatazz , the party and the pride..?

The Olympic rings are hanging at St Pancras station but I haven’t noticed much other display in public places of the biggest brand on the planet. At least the Olympic athletes travelling down from the midlands will know they’ve come to the right place.

The Sweet Retweets workshop will cover:

* getting Liked on Facebook

* writing tweets that will really travel

* crafting killer titles to make sure your content gets read and shared

* how to talk to your audience

* social media dos and don’ts

We’re heading there with some nibbles and drinks so if you managed to get a ticket we look forward to seeing you!

Increasingly local pubs are altering their communications to promote their venue as a meeting place for communities; a place to enjoy good food and speciality ales, ciders and wines; live comedy and quiz nights; baby mornings and afternoon teas; book clubs; community fetes and charity galas.

Handstand has worked on many pub brands over the last two years with success. Sometimes the turn around of a venue can be achieved by a lick of paint on the walls and a few clear messages on posters to a complete reposition and brand overhaul. Whether the project is big or small the message is always clear…support your local pub in case you lose it…

My issue is however one of perception. Funding has been privately raised for the project –  neither our client’s constituency association nor political party provide any financial budget (to our surprise) but 45,000 constituent households won’t know that. Infact the logical assumption is that it has been centrally funded and therefore paid for by the taxpayer…

So the challenge is to produce a contemporary, accessible newsletter design that speaks to the constituents yet also presents the subject matter – an energetic 41 year old MP who is shaking things up a little bit – in an informal and friendly manner. However, to over –design it and ignore some standard community newsletter characteristics – those of cheerful economy of production – we risk, I think, drawing criticisms of style over substance. Such is an MP’s lot in life.