TV - DUMPED (CHANNEL 4)

Eleven (unsuspecting) volunteers were dumped on a landfill sites for three weeks. Their challenge was to live off the waste that others have thrown out. Dumped aimed to highlight this countries ever increasing amounts of waste.

I think that this show was a refreshing change from that of your run-of-the-mill "reality" TV series. Not only were Channel 4 providing entertainment, but were also delivering a valuble message. It was good to see real people getting emotional and breaking down over real issues, and not just crying and bitching because someone else was using the hair straighteners (as seen in Big Brother!!).

Personally, I think that environmental isssues are something that everyone should take more seriously. Dumped was a brilliant idea, because it put across these issues in a way that, to my knowledge, has never been done before. This means that more people were made aware of the situation and what can be done by us all to stop it from getting even further out of hand.

BOOK - COOLBRANDS

This book contains the opinions of experts and consumers on around 100 different "cool brands". With each different brand their rise to success is analysed; the how and why of how these brands are so succsessful. The book provides insight in to many familiar brands, but also introduces the success of companies and products unknown to me.

I would recommend reading this book to anyone who is interested in branding. The varying case studies present a broad range of interesting material, to keep this information in mind would be benificial to anyone interested in this area.

PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS

Over the recent months I have been interested to watch reports on the news over the eradication of the plastic carrier bag. It is encouraging to see that finally people are doing something more to help the environment.

In April this year the town of Modbury in Devon became the first place in Britain to outlaw the plastic bag, choosing to use environmentally friendly alternatives instead. Millions of plastic are given out each year and these either end up in landfill or getting blown away, ending up in the sea.

On the 1st September 2007 Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, joined the initiative and started work on finding alternatives to the plastic bag.

At work, we have recently been using biodegradable and have now started selling 'Bag for Life'. Not only are these bags re-usable, but for every bag sold £1 is donated to Surfers Against Sewage to support their campaign for clean, safe recreational water for all.

WEBSITE - COMMERCIAL BREAKS AND BEATS

http://www.commercialbreaksandbeats.co.uk/index.asp

Ever wondered about the music behind an advert?? If so, check out this website!!

PLACE - YORK

I recently visited York for the first time since being a student here in Leeds. It costs under £10 to get there on the train and takes little more than 20 minutes, so really there is no reason not to go and check out this amazing city. There is so much to do and see, but if you just fancy a relaxing day out then York is still the place to go. If you haven't taken the opportunity to travel to York then I really urge you to do so, I had a great day and will be heading back soon for another!!

WEBSITE - WWW.TYPEWORKSHOP.COM

This website is dedicated to typography and displays creative peices created in various workshops. I seriously recommend this website; from the inspiring work that has been created to the range of useful reference it makes avialable.


The image above is a final peice created in one of the workshops. It spells 'informe', which means 'without form' in Italian and refers to the English word inform. More than 300 tiles were used to create this peice and it could only be read from the top floor of the building. I personally find peices like this interesting as materials are used in a way in which they were not designed for.

ADVERT - CADBURY'S

I saw this advert for the first time last night. The Gorilla on the drums captures your attention, it is both commical and for some reason, I find, slightly disturbing!! The fact that a gorilla playing the drums is completely unrelated to the consumption of chocolate is what makes this advert so effective. After viewing it you find yourself sitting trying to relate the Gorilla to Cadburys and in the process the advert is ingraved in to your memory.