1920's Advertising

So I'm working on a new graphic design project where I'm pulling looks from the 1920's. And while researching for some inspiration, I stumbled upon an amazing Flickr pool of advertising from the roaring 20's. To be honest I was stunned. I've always thought the advertising/design field has always evolved and grown in a good way. But looking at these gorgeous ads a little part of me feels like we have digressed! Look at the gorgeous colors and drawings! They could make any product look beautiful! Below are a few of my favorites. Check out Gatochey's flickr pool for some more inspiration.

Christian Audigier's Ed Hardy Wine

Mel Melcon/ Los Angeles Times

My boyfriend sent me a really interesting article from the LA Times this week about Christian Audigier's Ed Hardy Label expanding into the wine business.  Not only that, but selling their wine at Whole Foods.  

His favorite line from the article, as well as mine:

"The truth is I admire Audigier's audacity in challenging the wisdom that a brand image must convey some kind of verity about the product, however slight.  I mean, Cabernet Sauvignon at Whole Foods?  How skate punk is that?"

It will be interesting to see the demographic that buys this wine at Whole Foods as it certainly won't be the preteens purchasing their overpriced t-shirts at the mall.  I understand the idea of wanting to create an edgy wine that will appeal to those who are not wine drinkers.  But is that demographic really shopping at Whole Foods?  

I don't doubt that this could really take off, I mean they've successfully expanded their brand into so many other irrelevant markets.  If you can expand your skate punk party all night brand into toothpaste, then I'm pretty sure you have a good thing going.  I'm just curious to see exactly who will help it take off by purchasing their wine.  Who knows maybe I'll even be tempted to pick up a bottle for the kick ass label next time I'm at Whole Foods.  Then again as a twenty something professional who is just trying to get by, I don't tend to shop at Whole Foods very often.

Ikea says embrace change

While walking into Ikea I noticed this postcard scattered around the parking lot.  Apparently Ikea (like Pepsi) is trying to benefit from the inspiring messages of our newest President. This ad campaign doesn't get on my nerves as much as Pepsi's does as they are at least putting their own twist on it.  

I decided to visit their website and it turns out they take their campaign a step further where you can redecorate the oval office. In Ikea furniture of course.  Something tells me as much as Obama is instating change, he is not decorating his new office in Ikea. 

{via HOW}

Another reason not to drink Pepsi

Celebrate Pepsi-bama, originally uploaded by jsmjr.

Ok so I can't keep silent about this anymore. I can't stand Pepsi's new campaign trying to benefit off the popularity of Obama. It is completely unoriginal and just way too obvious. And they don't even explain the tie between their "inspirational words" and campaign. Living in DC, these signs are EVERYWHERE.

I think Obama's designs took a large step forward for the importance of design in a campaign. But Pepsi, if you are going to rip off their creativity, couldn't you have put a slightly different spin on it? I would be ok with them doing a take off of Obama's campaign if it was something smart and creative.  Not such an obvious rip off.