I have yet to try this app, but from what I read it sounds somewhat genius. I mean, sometimes you just need a clean bathroom that isn’t out of order, and doesn’t include a line of every Starbucks customer within a four block radius. So this app apparently tells you where the nearby restrooms are, and whether or not they are open; including ratings and features. This is all sponsored by Charmin, so I’m sure they have some agreements with the companies in the listing as to only stock Charmin toilet paper- perhaps? Genius though. I’m going to download it right now, even though I only use public restrooms as a very last resort kind of thing..

A very strange website appeared in France, roulez-leko.com featuring the great car designer Christophe Grozs standing next to a car draped with the word LEKO and the tagline of “la voiture selon IKEA”. A countdown also adds to the anticipation of the unveiling. Really? Really? An IKEA car? This is an stunt right? The name LEKO obviously came fromL’eco, right? It’s too meaningful compared to IKEA’s other product collections with names like Klippan or Malm or Pax. And what’s up with the World Wildlife Fund? Are they behind this? But anyway, only 4 days… I’m excited to find out what it really is.

Gimme back that that thar fillet o’ fish.

Is all the rage in our office.

Street guerrilla marketing agencies still have time before there’s real competition but Dutch media architecture collective, Urban Alliance, have created ‘urban wallpaper’.  Movement from passersby urges the lights on the walls to react, thereby shaping new designs.
via PSFK

So another booze beverage has hit the shelves; this time a fancy sake called Ty Ku.  Hailing from Japan I can only guess, it’s new promo campaign, “Show us your skin’ asked a bunch of tattoo-heads to send in photographs of their body art.  The prize; star in a new ad campaign starring ‘you’ with a party thrown in your honour at your most loved tattoo parlour.  A tad naff I hear you mutter, but check out this dude -

So yeah, naked dudes that risk a needle going anywhere near their nether regions fascinates me - all the way to the dog tracks.  The judges are a bit suspect - Creative Director of Inked (check), Mario Barth (renowned tattoo artist, winning a gazillion awards - check), but um, Neyo?  Richie Rich? Dhani Makalani Jones?  Oh that last one is an American football player.   I’m all about segueways but really??

This ad ran in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette briefly before they noticed the phallic resemblance of that tan colored bicycle seat. Oh Arkansas, how you put a new meaning to “Dirty South.”

I’m always fascinated by the process designers go through (it’s why I’m pumped to be here everyday!).  Check it out.  I’m really glad they meandered away from integrating the “8″ into the graphic…

Also, interviews with Sol Sender, who led the design team, below.

Part 1

Part 2

I happened upon the special edition in Pittsburgh when I stopped into a Walmart on a M.A.S.H hunt (a new obsession of mine).  Mountain Dew Aluminum Bottles were positioned right near the registers.   It may not be as riveting a display as the GLA bottle display but it is Walmart.

Good article from TrendWatching on pop culture and some of the hot topics that brands and consumers are gravitating to these days. Print it out and read it when you poop.

One of the first video pieces we produced back in ‘03, a tongue-in-cheek jab at the Microsoft creative during the dot com years. I still can’t believe we shot this for under $1000. Those were the days.