Saturday, 14 January 2012
Monday, 28 November 2011
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Fran and Kirsty won’t agree, but awards must be our biggest news
The first Da Vinci blog for five months. In fact we’re probably contravening trades descriptions by suggesting it’s a blog.
So what have we got? Well designer Kirsty finally delivered. Designer Franny tied the knot. Alex and Steve’s pool games reached City v United confrontation levels.
And we’ve done a bagful of successful work for our clients during these thin, thin times.
We’re also embracing Social Media with some ethusiasm with the opening of a Twitter (davincicomm) and the launch of Da Vinci’s Facebook site.
Oh yes, designer Mark Johnson, a D&AD award winner and former Stoke City youth footballer has joined to provide cover for Kirsty.
But the biggest news is that we’ve just clinched four great design awards. Let’s start there...
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
One ceremony, four awards, lots of smile
“This has put a smile on some client faces, and our own,” said creative director Steve Lord after the agency walked away with four awards at the Institute of Internal Communications (IoIC) (North) awards ceremony.
“It’s still an extremely challenging time for small agencies,” added Steve. “But that’s not prevented our designers delivering some wonderful work which has been recognised by the IoIC, but more importantly, has delivered for our clients.”
In the special publications category, the University of Liverpool’s dinky little booklet - 100 Facts - was class winner with the Couture of Innovation product folder, for client Fibermark picking up an award for excellence.
A certificate of merit in the website category went to the agency’s site for client HCSS Education, whilst the University of Liverpool’s corporate brochure - Making a Difference - clinched the same award in the corporate brochure/annual report category.
100 FACTS - a successful hand out for the university, and an extravaganza of Photoshop techniques from the agency’s creative team
HCSS EDUCATION - a re-designed multi functional website - design by Kirsty, development and build by
associate Lee Scowcroft
A COUTURE OF INNOVATION - a spectacular selection of fashion-based shots from Alex allied to some sublime print and finishing - silk screened and blind embossment
MAKING A DIFFERENCE - two versions of this beautiful, subtle production - one a casebound version for VIPs, the other a ‘softer’ cover - the former embossed, the latter debossed.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
It’s been a while, but we’ve now got a handful of tales to tell...
two new clients, a birth and wedding in the offing, goldfish, a pool table and some terrific design projects.
Da Vinci gets app message to 15,000 university students.
The University of Liverpool needed to communicate the availability of a new app for students.
Prompted by Computer Services Department’s remit to “make the campus more mobile” Da Vinci was briefed by corporate communications.
It was agreed that a poster campaign, supported by table ‘tents’ and door hangers was the way forward. The agency presented three concepts.
The “Should have used your app” copyline, in a font called pastel, was plumped for.
Supported by black and white photography depicting students in a range of unfortunate scenarios, including a girl in high heels alongside her wellington-booted colleagues!
A quick response code (an abstract graphic) was printed on the different pieces enabling students to use their mobile phones to instantly access and download from the app website.
On time, on budget and well received
Unfortunately we didn’t win the tender for Co-op Financial Services internal magazine last year.
But that didn’t stop this part of UK's largest consumer co-operative from commissioning Da Vinci to design, print and distribute an important brochure a few weeks ago.
The 36 page “Single terms and conditions” publication went out to more than 13,000 employees in Manchester, Stockport, Skelmersdale, London and a number of other sites across the UK.
Working closely with internal communications executives, Da Vinci’s Alex managed to achieve the tightest of schedules. The agency’s Liverpool-based print supplier Printfine also did their bit, printing an “early” 350 issues two days before distributing the main delivery.
“The brochure has been well received across the business, so very glad that everything has gone to plan. Thanks to you and your team for your help,” said Co-op communications adviser Katie Coleman.
Da Vinci and Fibermark - innovation...
at its brightest
Designer Alex continues delivering mouthwatering creative to the UK’s only manufacturer of textured papers and cloth - Fibermark.
After the success of the Fibermark sampler, the Bolton-based company wanted to replace their outdated oversized A4 folder.
Continuing the ‘innovation’ theme illustrated in both the corporate brochure and sampler, the new piece of print also reflects the corporate stable of publications using black cover and silver typography.
The folder cover opens to a sumptuous image reflecting the original sampler’s couture fashion theme.
Have a break, have a ...game of pool
All we need now is a box of dominoes (and a bar licence) and Da Vinci could open as a pub! An ebay bargain was too good for Steve to resist.
Especially when the seller agreed to “Transit” the full-size pool table all the way from Cambridge to Manchester.
It has proved to be a complete success with novices Kirsty, Leena, Fran and Steve striving to pot black against hustler Alex.
An even better way to take a 10 minute break from the screen.
Fran’s look book ‘launched’ in Berlin
Berlin’s Bread&Butter fashion tradeshow was a huge success in January. And so was Francine’s look book, designed and produced for leather garment fashion house Barneys.
Commissioned by new client Smith&Smith PR, the high gloss production featuring gritty, grainy ‘industrial’ shots, Barneys leatherware with pages punctuated with swatches of red, was turned around in double quick time.
Six hundred brands, labels and designers- including Barneys -attended the show staged in historic Berlin-Tempelhof airport.
Smith&Smith have now briefed Da Vinci on look books for two more leading UK brands.
“Our creative team would love to do more creative for the fashion industry,” said Steve Lord.
Verve - Birkdale’s bar to be seen in
No sooner had entrepreneurs Russell Powell and partner Ellie clinched the sale of a house to Liverpool football star Joe Cole...than they had their eyes set on the next project.
The couple spotted the potential to turn Woodwards bar in Birkdale into the most popular deli/bar in Southport.
And after sorting legal paperwork, the couple set about a four week refurbishment and rebranding exercise.
Today, Verve - rebranded by Da Vinci and renamed and refurbished by Ellie and Russel - is packing them in day and night.
Signage and menus were part of the agency’s brief, plus a near 30ft billboard that teased passers by in the run up to the hugely successful launch night.
The icing on the cake is a planned special launch party for Christian Audigier Wine - the incredible eyecatching bottles by Montpeyroux Estates.
Two fish in Da Vinci corporate colours and Helvetica the snail
Just don’t ask.
But it was a lot cheaper than buying a dog!
Any fish name suggestions welcome.
Not long to go now 1
Kirsty’s baby is less than a month away (latest estimate).
The venue could be Macclesfield, Stepping Hill or on the train home.
Guests - just hubby James (Argos)
Level of distraction during run up (for Alex and Steve) - 10 on the Richter scale
Outcome - a happy, healthy bouncing baby that will have to fight for the spotlight
Not long to go now 2
Francine’s wedding is just two months away (confirmed).
The venue is definitely Duisdalemore on the south coast of the Isle of Skye
Guests - close family and hubby to be Chris (Warburtons)
Level of distraction during run up (for Alex and Steve) - 3 on the Richter scale
Outcome - a happy, healthy, bouncing married couple
Great window of opportunity for the right graduate
Da Vinci is looking for a graduate graphic designer.
“This is a terrific opportunity for the right person,” said creative director Steve Lord.
“Whoever fits the bill is going to get an absolute bagful of experience - websites, e-shots, advertising, branding, corporate literature and a whole lot more.
“We’ve already had a great response to our advert. Leena and I are now sifting through to decide who we’d like to meet.”
“Where’s Sally?” said Maisy
My grand daughter continues to be the apple of my eye... and great company.
She was by my side recently as the vet put 17 year old family pet cat Sally to sleep.
In the car on the way home she asked “ Where’s Sally?”
I put on a serious face and explained that she’d been poorly, the vet had made her go to sleep, and she was now happy and in heaven.
There was a four...five... six second pause.
“She’s in the boot,” said Maisy.
Priceless.
Steve Lord
Creative Director
Da Vinci Communications
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Liverpool star Joe Cole seduced byDa Vinci brochure... and stunning home,of course
It’s only been a month since Da Vinci’s last blog, but a piece of news that touched on one of the agency’s brochures made it seem worthwhile.
Liverpool and England soccer star Joe Cole and wife Carly have finally moved into a sumptuous £2.6million Hollywood style home in Formby.
The Hollywood style, five-bedroomed mansion with swimming pool and Balinese themed gardens was marketed online, and by a stunning brochure designed by Da Vinci’s senior designer Leena.
Developer, Russell Powell said: "It was important to me that the quality of Sandhills was represented in a first class brochure rather than the typical estate agent fodder.
“Da Vinci came highly recommended, and indeed after meeting Steve it was obvious we were on the same wavelength. The resultant brochure came close to perfection and reflected this amazing property.
“The agent that approached us took brochures to pass on to Mr and Mrs Cole. They duly made an appointment and "it was love at first sight"
“On their second visit no less than 12 family members turned up!
“A fabulous home has been shown off with an imaginative brochure which did the rounds amongst Joe and Carly’s friends in Chelsea!"
Whilst on sale, the house was used to shoot some scenes for Hollyoaks’ late night spin off, After Hours.
“It was a smashing project to work on,” said creative director Steve who produced the text. “We’re now looking to do more of the same.”
Steve Lord
Creative Director
Da Vinci Communications