D&AD Blog

Because it was there.

Despite bitter cold, 300 lbs of yarn and the need for a team of people to haul it up the side of a building, we did manage to to achieve our goal this past weekend and make an icon of New York a Pencil.  

Photo: Jonathan Pilkington

I say 'we', but it was crocheter-in-chief Robyn Love and the team at TAXI who really made it happen - us London-bound people sat at home with warm cups of tea eagerly googling for pics.  Robyn's written a great account of the day on her blog. 

Merry Christmas everybody

We're loosening our belts in preparation for a feast of mince pies, mulled wine and enormous roast dinners (tofurkey in my case) over the next couple of weeks and we'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the very best for 2009.  Have a look at our card, created by the lovely people at 300million here: http://www.dandad.org/annualgreetings/

If you want to have a closer look at some of those pictures on the mantelpiece, read on and enjoy the haircuts.  The first person to post a correct guess about who's the baby in the first picture frame will win a prize.

Advertising Jury, 1976

Back Row (L-R): Chris Wilkins, Saatchi & Saatchi; David Brown, CDP; Martin Reavley, Reavley Mellors; David Abbott, French Gold Abbott.
Front Row (L-R): David Batterbee, BMP; Richard Foster, BBDO.

Radio Jury, 1978 L-R: Tom Rayfield, JWT; Peter Bostock, JWT; Graham Colliss, BMP; Kenny Everett, Capital Radio; Ron Collins, CDP.

Advertising Jury, 1979
L-R: Jeremy Sinclair, Saatchi & Saatchi Garland-Compton; John Salmon, CDP; Dave Trott, BMP; David Harrison, Leo Burnett; Ron Brown, Abbott Meade Davies & Vickers; John Hegarty, TBWA.

Direct Mail Sales Promotion Jury, 1982 (half of the jury)
L-R: Michael Peters, Michael Peters & Partners; Rod Springett, Rod Springett Associates; Ian Willis, Clarks Ltd.

Executive Committee 2002
Back Row (L-R): Howard Fletcher; Robert Campbell, Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe Y&R; John Pallant, Saatchi & Saatchi; Dick Powell, Seymour Powell.
Front Row (L-R): Ken Hoggins, Banks Hoggins O'Shea; Patrick Collister, EHS Brann; Michael Johnson, Johnson Banks.

Bob Greenberg Lecture now online

Bob Greenberg's President's Lecture given in April is now online. The founder and CEO of New York-based agency R/GA takes us through 30 years of stunning creative work, from motion picture title sequences to cutting edge interactive projects - including the black pencil-winning Nike Plus.

You can watch it here or download it through iTunes by subscribing to our video podcast (link opens iTunes).

Brighten up your water tower with a giant crocheted Pencil

 
We heard that it's not going to rain in NYC this weekend, which makes it the perfect time for 'Make it a Pencil', Part Two.  Following our construction of a giant, cardboard Pencil in Trafalgar Square a few weeks ago, come watch as a 10,000 gallon tower in Manhattan is draped with a hand-crocheted Pencil.  No, really. 
 
The 300-pound piece, created by artist Robyn Love and a team of crocheters, will be installed on the morning of Saturday, December 13 at 395 Broadway and will remain in place until early afternoon the following day.  It's almost done:

Those who can't make it down to Broadway can catch up on the story here.  We'll post pictures as soon as we get them next week.  If you're there, share your pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/966644@N21/.

Thanks to TAXI Canada, who have created this year's Awards call for entries campaign.  Thanks to Robyn Love and team for the photos and hours of work.

How the hell - final instalment

The final speakers at our "How the hell did that get in?" design event, Stuart Price of Thoughtful (Graphic Design), Nick Roope of Poke (Digital Installations) and Patrick Baglee from NavyBlue (Writing For Design) are now online. For ease of viewing, here are all of the speakers from the evening in one handy player.

When it comes to whether the right work ends up winning a Pencil or getting in-book, there is always a lively debate across the industry - and rightly so. We wouldn't want it any other way.

We hope that these short pieces give some insight into what goes on behind the closed doors of judging, and help to show just how the judges decide on what gets in.

What do you think? Did they get it right?

 

How the hell did that get in? Some more videos

Here's another batch of speakers from the 'How the hell did that get in?' event.

First up, Derek Johnston talks about some branding work.

Gareth Howatt from Hat-Trick design talks about work from the Book Design jury.

Frith Kerr of Kerr Noble takes us behind the scenes of the Graphic Design Jury of 2007.

Heidi Lightfoot (Together Design) talks Packaging Design.

More to follow next week.

Garrick and Sanky

Here's Garrick in conversation with Sanky, filmed just before the last of the Autumn 08 President's Lectures.