01.28.2010
Sheila Crosby /
Creativity /
Graphic Design
Over the holidays, my family and I traveled to Ohio to visit relatives. In the southern part of the state, I snapped this picture as we drove by.
I didn’t realize at the time that much has been researched and documented about the Mail Pouch barns, as they are referred to. I just thought it was a cool nostalgic image. In my quick search for more information on these barns, I discovered a book called Advertising Barns: Vanishing American Landmarks by William G. Simmonds. From this book, I learned that this campaign lasted 100 years and this ad has been painted approximately 50,000 times. (The words along the bottom of this barn used to say “Treat Yourself to the Best.” )
Growing up in Ohio, I can’t say I recall seeing these barn advertisements but I’m glad I had the chance to learn a little history about them. I hope they continue to stand the test of time.
01.19.2010
Sheila Crosby /
Graphic Design
While in my neighbor’s garage last week, I happened to glance down at a stack of clear storage containers and noticed this sticker on the inside of each lid…
While I realize that silly warning labels have been well documented, seeing a new one always makes me laugh. Are there people out there that would store a live baby in a clear storage container? A toddler? Maybe there are and this company felt it was their responsibility to point out the obvious dangers of doing so.
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11.03.2009
Sheila Crosby /
Consumer Products /
Usability /
User Experience
I’m starting to pay more attention to how sound is used in product design. When it’s good, I don’t notice it. When it’s bad, it’s all I focus on. This brings me to my coffee maker.
Coffee is a big deal at my house. When it was time to buy a new coffee maker, I was concerned with two main things: how it looked (as it’s the only appliance, other than my mixer, that sits out on the counter) and an auto-start feature. I loved the idea of prepping the coffee maker the night before and having fresh coffee made and ready when I woke in the morning. Sounds good in theory, right?
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09.15.2009
Sheila Crosby /
Trends /
Usability /
Web & Software
I recently attended an open house at my daughter’s middle school. It was one of these events where you get to wander around the school campus and learn about the curriculum and school environment. We ended the evening in the media center. At first I was looking for a computer lab, only to learn that what I saw as the library is now considered a media center. It was there that the differences between my education experiences and that of my children will be worlds apart. But it didn’t start in the media center.
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07.27.2009
Sheila Crosby /
Green Technology /
Local
Less than four miles from our office, McDonalds has built its first “earth-friendly” restaurant which opened on July 14th. I love everything this new place represents. I can charge my electric car at a charging station while I eat my burger at a table made from sunflower seed board. I’ll have the benefit of natural light provided by solatubes while I enjoy the educational video kiosk on the restaurant’s design features. The exterior materials are just as healthy as those used on the interior. For more details, check out http://www.mcnorthcarolina.com/7501/.
It’s great that McDonalds is taking this step. Now if they would just make the food as healthy for me as the table I’m eating on is healthy for the environment, they might see me swing by for lunch from time to time.
06.19.2009
Sheila Crosby /
Interaction Design
One of the challenges we face with our clients is how to visualize large data sets. Today, NY Times published an interactive map capturing homicides in New York City from 2003 to 2009. Subject matter aside, this is a beautiful presentation of the information. The layout is clean, simple and easy to navigate. It encourages exploration by using the familiar Google way to navigate a map.
The reader gets the good news at a glance. Homicides in New York have dropped from 597 to 162. The presentation of the data enables the reader to sort by a variety of specific measurements, i.e. month of incident, information on both the victim and the perpetrator, age of the individuals involved, etc. The map features exactly where the homicide takes place, allowing the reader to see where large pockets of activity have taken place. The design enables the reader to dynamically update the map according to year and even offers the feature of entering in a specific zip code.
I learned a lot about a subject matter that I normally wouldn’t have spent a great deal of time researching. In a perfect world, this would be a map showing the reader where to buy chocolate.
06.18.2009
Sheila Crosby /
Consumer Products
Source: Red Envelope
What do you get for the man who has everything? Well, a popular online gift site has the answer. The beer holster is now available! (Note there is a limited quantity.) The site actually says that it keeps with the spirit of the Wild West, which means I guess you get to treat your beer like a gun? For a “quick draw whenever the need arises.” Yep, you’re supposed to treat your beer like a gun. I’m sure it’s just me, because this product has a 5-star rating.
Would anyone want to advertise their addiction by strapping it to a body part? Not to mention what message this sends to your friends and family. I can’t understand why it should cost $49.95 (not including shipping and handling) but the bigger question is…what happens when you sit down?
I think I’ll stick to a nice tie…maybe some cuff links…
06.10.2009
Sheila Crosby /
Web & Software
What is BillMy Parents, you ask? Well, according to the company, it allows teens “the freedom to shop online, but parents still control what is purchased.” My favorite marketing tag line on the site is, “Where teens are in charge, but parents are in control.”
source:billmyparents.com
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