Colour the Box Packaging
Design: Alice Clair
Client:
Date: 2010
Add comment September 3rd, 2010
Games and Toys
Flybarless RC Helicopter System
Design: Skookum Robotics
Client:
Date: 2010
These highly technical miniature remote control helicopters are apparently famously tricky to handle and often end up in pieces on the flight field. This Canadian company is an innovator, providing one of the only products in the world offering hobbyists a flybarless system that features a wondrous self-leveling technology. This ensures the heli levels out quickly and solidly, even in windy conditions, and allows the most rookie beginner to operate a model without destroying it and in . Skookum has also created a data logging feature that produces a digital reconstruction of the model’s flight on the user’s computer – a miniature version of the 747′s “black box”. The system will be even further improved when they come out with their GPS accessory.
- Hannah Wise
Add comment August 30th, 2010
Game Developers Conference Canada Logo
Design:
Client: Game Developers Conference Canada
Date:
The Canadian Video Games Awards were the kick-off to this week’s Canadian Game Developers Conference. GDC Canada is a spin-off of the GDC, which originates from California with others in Austin, Shanghai, and Cologne. The logo instantly brought to mind the Toronto Unlimited logo, which was wrought with a storm of controversy. Did we ever find out if it was a direct rip-off from the Island of the Bahamas campaign by Duffy & Partners?
-Hannah Wise
Add comment May 7th, 2010
Assassin’s Creed II Video Game
Design: Ubisoft Entertainment
Client:
Date: 2009
The inaugural Canadian Video Game Awards was held in Vancouver this week and Montreal’s Ubisoft Entertainment took away four of the eleven prizes for Assassin’s Creed II: Best Game Design, Best Console Game, Best Visual Arts, and Best Technology (shared with Prototype, created by Vancouver’s Radical Entertainment).
The video game world is beyond my realm of experience, but since Canada is at the forefront of game development and design, I figured this was well worth mentioning. I have not played this game, but it looks like the graphics are outrageously good, and from the trailer, it looks to have all the requisite blood, suspense, dark cloaks and T&A to keep gamers interested until the next big thing is launched. If anyone who has played the game cares to comment, please fill me in on what it is that makes this game so good.
-Hannah Wise
Add comment May 7th, 2010
Calgary 1988 – Skating Star Barbie
Design: Mattel
Client: OCO/Mattel
Date: 1988
Calgary was the beginning of a few trends that would come to dominate Olympic design. In contrast to Montreal’s International Style, these games returned to a regional aesthetic, referencing local forms and Western themes. Applying now familiar marketing tools, Calgary abandoned the exclusiveness of past Olympics and positioned the games as a mass culture event. Popular brands like Mattel, Coca-Cola and more, participated in the games like never before.
-Michael Erdmann & Todd Falkowsky
Add comment February 26th, 2010
Build A Cootie Bug Game
Design:
Client: Schaper
Date: 1949
Via the excellent Hindsvik Vintage.
5 comments December 31st, 2009
Souvenir of Canada Spinning Tops
Design: Patty Johnson
Client: Motherbrand
Date: 2005
1 comment December 14th, 2009
Trudeau Dolls
Design: Ola Rahatka
Client: Souvenir Shop, Motherbrand
Date: 2007
1 comment December 12th, 2009
10 Year Anniversary Kim Jong Il Mega Munny
Design: Tam aka Okedoki
Client: Foosh
Date: 2009
1 comment October 11th, 2009
Daisy Pogo Stick
Design:
Client: Victor Recreation Products LTD.
Date:
Add comment October 8th, 2009
Laurentien Pencil Crayons
Design:
Client: Venus Pencil Company Ltd.
Date: 1951
Although Laurentien (then spelled Laurentian) pencil crayons were made in Canada right from the start, The Venus Pencil Company Ltd. also marketed the same pencils under the brand name ‘Paradise’ in the United States. Both brands were developed for Colour-By-Number kits, and they both kept the same colour names and numbering system. This would explain some of the more exotic colour names like “#2 Sarasota Orange”and “#4 Hollywood Cerise.”
During the 1960’s, a couple of Canadian innovations were made: The packaging was changed to the portable vinyl pouches, and space for labeling on the pencil was introduced to deter theft from classmates.
In 1972, a year before Faber-Castell bought Venus, the French spelling “Laurentien” was trademarked in an attempt to increase sales in Quebec.
Sanford acquired the brand in 1994, and in 2001 they changed the packaging and discontinued the vinyl pouch. The Laurentien website states that the move back to the cardboard box was motivated by the fact that “consumers were more likely to put the coloured pencils in their own pencil case,” however it is possible that the issues of cost and PVC’s recent bad press played a factor as well.
Nevertheless, aside from some minor name changes to several of the colours, the pencils themselves still retain their iconic design.
-Michael Greco
11 comments September 23rd, 2009
