Updates

We flew to the rescue of an OOH campaign for Pearson Airport this past month. From inception to placement we worked together with Pearson to deliver this 'By the Numbers' summer campaign in record time. Inspired by airport way-finding, the campaign is designed to help Torontonians feel closer to Pearson by sharing interesting statistics around passengers, coffees sold or flowers purchased.

‍

Summer's officially come to an end, but we managed to squeeze in a sailing trip during one of the last sunny days. Thank you Captain John for taking us on your beautiful yacht! We all loved living an afternoon of nautical leisure, especially Sara who was totally there and didn't miss it.

‍

Music

Mixed by Emblem Vol. 3: Spooky

Does this playlist have the Halloween tracks you’d expect?

Yes.

Will is make you feel like you’re in a bar run by a witch doctor?

Also yes.

‍

Inspiration

“The helpful thought for which you look is written somewhere in a book.” - Edward Gorey

Edward Gorey was an American illustrator, author, and a Tony Award-winning costume designer who worked on over 200 book covers throughout his lifetime. Occasionally Gorey would publish pen names based off of anagrams of his name; Ogdred Weary, Ms. Regera Dowdy, are just some of the dozens of names that he wrote under.

Gorey’s work is recognizable with his pen-and-ink illustrations inspired by Victorian and Edwardian stylings, making his style more than fitting for haunting stories.

Here is a small selection of the book covers Gorey has worked on!

‍

Illustration and typography by Edward Gorey. Edited by Alan Ryan. Doubleday, 1987.

‍

Illustration and typography by Edward Gorey. Edited by Angel Flores. Doubleday, 1959. (Available to read if you make a free account on Internet Archive).

‍

Illustration and typography by Edward Gorey. Edited by Marvin Kaye. Dorset Press, 1990.

‍

Illustration and typography by Edward Gorey. Edited by Raymondt McNally. New York Graphic Society, 1974.

‍

Illustration by Edward Gorey. Edited by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston. American Theatre Press, 1977.

‍

Reading

“Are rebrands starting to look the same?

The challenges defining commercial design”

It’s Nice That

‍

This week, It’s Nice That published a feature that posed the question “are all rebrands starting to look the same”? We’ve seen it happen, what was once a unique, characteristic logo has suddenly been stripped down to a sans serif, minimum viable product. Is this just a fleeting trend, a sign of current client-creative relationships, or is it indicative of consumer behaviour?

The article features and analyzes a range of brands, from IBM to Olivetti to Westinghouse and goes over their numerous phases.

‍

Work

The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work.

We work with Tavanberg on their marketing and communications. Here are a few of our favourite bits from this summer.

Find more of our work with MCF here.

‍

Free Food

What do I do when projects feel almost done, but they’re missing that extra final touch? Textures.

Using textures in illustrations or posters are a great way to add some life and grit into your work. It helps make your work feel a little less flat when working digitally.

‍

Download here!