Cheap food, cheap design.

I have always been a value range shopper. Really, how much better can a 86p can of chopped tomatoes be than a 19p can? I don't really care that much abut the packaging either, even as a designer. However, this isn't the case for everyone.

Most supermarket's 'value ranges' main selling point is that they undercut named brands. I think throughout time they've persuaded themselves that to show this price drop they must have horribly plain and somewhat utilitarian designs. This started decades ago with Kwik Save's 'No Frills' brand. It even says it in the name. "Yes, you can have this can of beans for 7p but you also get this black and white label that tells the world how cheap you really are". This advertisment of your wealth puts some people off buying value ranges.

So why can't value ranges have some charm and engagement? Even 7 year old Harry Deverill spotted this marketing flaw. In the metro this week, it described how when eating his breakfast he asked his dad why his Brown sauce label looked so boring. His dad told him to write to Waitrose and to their amazement they wrote back saying that they completely agreed and would now be featuring Harry's own design.

That's why when Coley Porter Bell redesigned Morrison's value range in 2010 I was really impressed. The agency's research showed that consumers are embarrassed of having value products in their trolley. They hoped that the bright colours, comical illustrations and bespoke type-face would add an element of fun and I think they've done an amazing job. The new labels are so far removed from all the bland brands of years passed. It still looks plain and its consistency helps shoppers to identify that it is part of the value range but it does it while looking inviting and inspiring to the consumer.

Unexpectedly nice typography from KFC

   

Ahead of its 50th anniversary, KFC has launched this lovely new marketing campaign to promote their slow cooked, original BBQ chicken. Just about everything from this campaign screams 'trendy'. The distressed chalkboard typography, the south-american music and the summer feeling photography. Even the product itself is in fashion because these days you can't be an 'on-trend' restaurant unless your meat is 'pulled' in someway. Louise Direito, KFC innovation manager says "If pulled pork was the dish of 2014, then 2015 will become the year of pulled chicken. Influenced heavily by both our Kentucky heritage as well as the UK street-food scene, the new range is a labour of love for us." The video featured on the website is also current. The southern-American voice over, plot and hazy style is very reminiscent of the iconic Jack Daniels marketing.

The typography is very similar to recent McDonald's advertising campaign illustrated by Alison Carmicheal. I suspect that the Jack Daniels homely southern roots focus and the McDonald's new focus were key inspirations for this campaign.

It almost seems too cool and trendy for KFC, I love it because I'm a designer but will their die-hard fans feel the same way? I believe it is a bid to draw in new crowds by improving the variety of their menu and bringing it more in-line with current tastes of the 'new generation' market. In that sense I think this campaign works because it speaks to that new audience very effectively.

The responsive site design also looks top-notch and works flawlessly. See the full website here: www.kfcpulledchicken.co.uk/

Impressive flash portfolio design

Beautiful illustration by Rowan. Lovely way to present your portfolio online.

www.rowanimation.co.uk

Paper pictures

CHRISTIAN HÜCKSTÄDT

I Really admire these wonderful pictures. All of Huckstadt's pieces are created from colourful cutout cardboard. They are fun geometric creations with an unique look and stunning 3D effect.

New interior design at Leeds University Union

I have been lucky enough to collaborate on the complete re-design of the Leeds University Union brand and interior design. This is just a sneak preview of our new Vinyls which will be going up on the walls shortly.

It's all about loving your time at Leeds kids!

Screen-printed illustrations

Stunning screen-print effect design by Jamie Wieck. The three colour limitation adds to the beauty of the illustration.

Guardian Illustrations

For a newspaper the Guardian has some exciting illustrations. This brand concept for the Guardian's presence at the Hay festival literary event is beautiful. The work produced by Sian Everett design and illustrated by

Joel Holland

works well over a number of deliverables.

49 objects lurking in my kitchen drawer...

Beautiful illustration by Jamie Wieck: "49 objects found lurking in my kitchen drawer".

Katie Kirk's retro selection

Katie Kirk's retro style.

Paper wow

Absolutely gorgeous style produced by Robert Ryan. His brand is extremely recognisable and his techniques truly unique. All of his works are cut into paper then scanned or photographed to produce an individual way of presenting work. I LOVE the shop design and would happily cover my whole house in his fascinating and adorable pieces.

Election graphics

This is a stunning design for "THE OXFORD STUDENT" Newspaper. It depicts the big parties in a three horse race... not only is the concept admirable but the execution is lovely. The mixture of Illustration photography and 3d-effects makes a really stunning and simple cover.

MacDonalds drawing

Tom Pearson did this illustration for a MacDonalds design competition. I love how intricate the design is. He hoped that when produced as a wall vinyl it would visually appeal to children in the restaurant. I think it would be, it would keep me entertained for a while!

Pottery goes pop

I love this gorgeous illustration that Wood McGrath created for Pottery Goes Pop. It was designed for an exhibition case in the Design Museum London. The display celebrates the work and life of Susan Williams-Ellis, who co-created Portmerrion Pottery. All the elements of the drawing are drawn from the earthenware pottery on display and the colour pallete also reflects the colours of the raw pottery. The element which ties the design together is the geometric custom typeface.

Computer arts

Cover design for Computer Arts by Emily Alston. On the top of the image it has a lovely UV gloss of the criss-cross pattern on bank notes. Emily's alter ego is Emily Forget. She has a unique playful screen-print style to her work which makes it instantly recognisable.

It's nice that: Tell us a good fact

Emilyforgot: An elephant is the only mammal that can’t jump.

Book design

Beautifully illustrated book design by Amy Rodchester. It is simple, eye-catching and ties in neatly with the storyline of the book.