gamut design group's cool stuff

Doorway of 2012

2012-01-13T13:03:00.002-05:00

Did you know that January was named after some Roman god of the doorway? Now I'm not a big mythology person, but I thought that was kind of cool. January is the doorway to each new year.

Therefore the January calendar is about doors accompanied by an amazing quote from Abraham Lincoln. The doors I drew reminded me of the movie "Monsters, Inc." and for some reason I felt a little church mouse needed access to 2012 too. So, he has a door too.

I have no idea which door - or doors - I may walk through in 2012, but I do pray that my steps are lead by my God of Doors - Jesus! (KJV John 10:9)

Happy 2012 everyone!
(oh and there is only a widescreen calendar this month - but as a BONUS there is also a wallpaper without the calendar on it!)

Widescreen Version

Blank Version

MOST computers allow you right-click to choose an option like "Set as Desktop Background" which makes the whole process so much easier! Just make sure you open the large image first. Otherwise: Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as.

Impression of Life

2011-12-29T14:37:00.000-05:00

Over the last month there has been this one solitary commercial that has not left my mind. It wasn't about Christmas, it wasn't about spending money or a super savings deal. It was about life. It brought me to tears and made my heart swell with love and pride.

I decided I had to share it, just in case you haven't seen it.

(a few of) My Favorite Things!

2011-12-13T17:42:00.000-05:00

Julie Andrews aka Mary Poppins aka Maria has invaded my head this month with the song "My Favorite Things" – it mentions snowflakes and packages so that must be why it's been deemed a Christmas song.

I started to draw the items from the song, but how do you draw "schnitzel with noodles" and it actually look good? I gave that up pretty quickly. Instead I began a list of some of my favorite things.

That was much easier.

Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy my list and find at least a thing or two on there that is your favorite too. I mean really, who doesn't love Girl Scout Cookies?!

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Widescreen Version

(September and) October Memories

2011-10-07T13:49:00.001-04:00

So I drew these images for September, but didn't make a calendar (sorry folks!). I think I have heart-lag instead of jet-lag. I'm missing Ireland terribly and as any artist knows, your emotions effect your work. Therefore no September calendar...but here's the artwork used for the October calendar instead :)

I was really interested in trying this watercolor idea, and only used Illustrator to execute the idea. Why? Because I wanted to :) That's all the reason we really need isn't it?

The quote this month is actually some of my own rambling thoughts. Autumn doesn't really arrive in Florida until October or November, but my memories of Fall are from when I was a little girl in New York State. Sadly, the beauty of the leaves would cause me to be late to school – often! Ahhh, the heart of a young artist.

First choice: Darker text for screens with lighter colorization.

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Widescreen Version

Second choice: Lighter text for screens with darker colorization.

Standard Screen Version

Widescreen Version

MOST computers allow you to choose an option like "Set as Desktop Background" which makes the whole process so much easier! Just make sure you open the large image first. Otherwise: Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as.

I Love au-GUS-t!

2011-08-02T13:15:00.004-04:00

August. It's becoming a love/hate relationship :)

I celebrate my birthday during August (love!) - but the years are passing by TOO fast! (hate!) But for the most part I do love my month of August. Made even better by the cool weather in Wales. Ahhhhhh.

I did have a problem choosing the quote for this month...so I decided to let you choose which one would grace your desktop wallpaper! Have fun!

First choice: "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." - Sam Keen

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Second choice: "People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy" - Anton Chekhov

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Widescreen Version

In Honor and Love

2011-07-01T07:48:00.001-04:00

This month's calendar is for my brother. It's for my grandfather. It's for every member of my family and yours who have served our country.

Every national holiday in American that celebrates our freedom makes me a sappy-little-mess-of-tears-with-a-bursting-heart-of-gratefulness. That didn't sound like a good idea for a calendar - so I am honoring you with my own rendition of medals. Along with a quote from Benjamin Franklin that seems to sum up this holiday and my feelings very well.

With love and honor, especially for you Matthew.

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Do you love Mary Poppins?

2011-06-01T09:19:00.000-04:00

June. I brainstormed for the month of June and umbrellas ended up on my list. Why? Because of the afternoon thunderstorms that we Floridians are so familiar with during the summer months...AND...because I'm in Ireland where an umbrella can be very handy...any time of the day! :)

Umbrellas. Rain. Creative link? Mary Poppins!

Hope you love it!

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Widescreen Version

NYC MTA: Flip Book Gone Wild!

2011-05-07T00:53:00.000-04:00

View more videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com.

Thanks to my friend (a recent NYC resident) for passing along this very large scale idea of a flip-book. How I do love interactive design...sigh.

A little more story here.

May Colors Are Poppin' Fresh!

2011-05-03T16:38:00.000-04:00

I feel like the colors this Spring are especially wonderful - not just outdoors, but in advertising and fashion too. I'm loving it! The saturated color schemes, the brightness they bring to a design. Makes me so happy.

For this month I am using a drawing that I literally did...on the stereotypical napkin...:) Yep, we creatives, tend to draw on anything we can get our hands on. This was from a hospital cafeteria nonetheless. Me + Hospitals = Waiting Undefined Number of Hours Bored Out of My Mind!

The results, are now the May calendar. Good use of time :)

So, I hope the result of all those April showers is that you now get to have an abundance of May colors popping up everywhere in your life - outdoors and indoors. Have a wonderful month!

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April Showers: A Tearful Rainbow

2011-04-07T13:26:00.000-04:00

I love summer storms in Florida.

I know, it's not summer yet - but that doesn't stop Florida weather from acting like it during April. I woke up to thunder and lighting a couple nights ago and it just made me smile.

The calendar this month is actually from a drawing I did last year. I love the idea of tears and rain mixing together to water something...ideas, creativity, healing, just to name a few. Then I found this quote and knew it was meant to be...ahhhh...makes my heart smile :)

That's it for this month - not much musing - just enjoying. Ooooo and don't ya just love the black background?!

Standard Screen Version

Widescreen Version

Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as. MOST computers allow you to choose an option like "Set as Desktop Background" which makes the whole process so much easier! Just make sure you open the large image first.

Feeling Lucky?

2011-03-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

March. What do I think of? Hello! St. Patrick's Day of course :)

I honestly am not very excited about this calendar. I feel it is incomplete. So, there may be an update to it this month - yipppeee! Two calendars in one month!

I read this passage from Third John this morning and thought is was perfect for a month that is all about "luck". See, I don't believe in luck. I believe in God. And with God all things are possible ;) I also believe that you will have to work hard for what you want to achieve. No luck about it.

That being said. I LOVE IRELAND and all the folklore and mysteries about her. I enjoy the idea of fairies in the glen and leprechauns sneaking about playing mischief. It's just fun to pretend sometimes - just like we did when we were children.

Enjoy this version of the calendar this month - and pretend to see little people in the mist of the shamrocks on your desktop.

Standard Screen Version

Widescreen Version

Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as. Some computers may allow you to choose an option like "Set as Desktop Background" which makes the whole process so much easier! Just make sure you open the large image first.

My Abstract Version of a Valentine

2011-01-31T22:37:00.007-05:00

I'm not really a hearts and flowers kind of girl. So typical Valentine's Day imagery wasn't about to make an appearance on my calendar. Instead I did what I usually do, I waited for a moment of inspiration to hit me and rolled with it! Love those moments :)

I got a little nostalgic this month. My drawing reminded me of Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree" – and even today, on the shelf in my office there sits one of his books. I believe I first read "Where the Sidewalks Ends" while sitting on the floor of the library, surrounded by shelves of books I just had to be in close proximity to so I could read them on the spot. Shel Silverstein drew me into his work – written and visual – and a whole new perspective to creativity flooded my brain.

So, why "The Giving Tree"? Simple. It is in itself a story of unconditional love. I most love the beginning and the end. The middle gives me pains in my heart. But love is not all hearts and flowers is it? That would be too easy.

Okay – that's it! Enough philosophizing ;) Happy Valentine's Day and I hope you get a handmade Valentine like the ones you use to make in Kindergarten. Wouldn't that be sweet?

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Another 365 Days...

2011-01-01T01:04:00.001-05:00

full of opportunity, full of decision, full of change, full of life!

This month's calendar – this new year's flagship calendar – expresses my own desire to break away from the norm and create the life that I want and the more abundant life I believe God has for me.

I am, in general, a person who likes to take risk - and be spontaneous. But, like everyone else, I get in a rut and have to be reminded to GET OUT OF THE RUT! It takes courage to leave the comfortable. It's scary to leave the known and go to the unknown, no matter how much you want the unknown.

Happy New 365 Days!

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Widescreen Version

Bonus!

I like the design so much this month that I'm also offering a 'no quote/no calendar' version in widescreen.

Widescreen Bonus

Brrrr! Brrrr! Brrrr! Brrr! Brrrrrrr!

2010-12-01T09:17:00.000-05:00

Today is December 1st – and a cold front has hit us here in Florida. If the weather would stay warm or cold instead of fluctuating back and forth, I'm certain the cold medicine sales would plummet! So, in honor of our "slightly-cold-again" weather I created the "Decemburrrr!" wallpaper for this month – THIS morning :) Despite my best laid plans, I'm always doing things at the last minute. I've accepted this fact about me, and embrace the spurts of genius that come forth during those "oops-I-forgot-to-do-that" moments.

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Thankful for Family!

2010-11-01T07:29:00.000-04:00

When trying to figure out what to draw for a November calendar, I was determined to stay far, far, far away from cornucopias! The creating of these monthly calendars has become an outlet for my kooky drawing sensibilities – and this month was no exception. I almost decided to do a calendar that had absolutely nothing to do with November – but I was swayed to reconsider (thanks Mommy!)

Family. We love 'em. We fight with 'em. We laugh with 'em. We tease 'em. And nobody else had better pick on 'em! For better or worse – they are your family. I hope you'll find fond memories in the calendar this month. No quotes – just your own family thoughts. Happy Reminiscing!

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Autumn is here - sort of!

2010-10-01T07:36:00.000-04:00

I'm in Florida. Autumn is my favorite season. Florida doesn't have much autumn! But my memories of autumn come from my childhood in upstate New York. Walking to school in the crisp, clean air. My mother's voice ringing in my ears "Don't dawdle." Stopping to pick up all the pretty leaves - the deep reds, golds, purples! I'd bring a beautiful bouquet of them home almost every day. Ahhhh...autumn and I were such great friends.

This month's calendar quite simply celebrates the changing of the leaves. I drew the trees several days ago and then I kept trying to add things to them - but nothing felt right. I was forcing it - and the trees really needed to stand on their own. And now they are. All month :)

Standard Screen Version

Widescreen Version

Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as. Some computers may allow you to choose an option like "Set as Desktop Background" which makes the whole process so much easier!

You Are Here?

2010-09-01T10:45:00.000-04:00

September. This calendar contains a sketch that I drew in August while in Llandundo, Wales. As with most of my drawings, they generally have something to do with my life in the moment that I am drawing them. The idea in this drawing is simple: I don't know where I'm going, been waiting a long time, and it seems rocks are falling on my head BUT I may as well have fun while I'm here – wherever that may happen to be ;)

Phew! Too heavy! Let's lighten this up!

As usual, Dr. Suess makes another appearance this month in the quote. So remember, no one is "youer than you!"

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Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as.

Cozy up to CS?

2010-08-19T14:00:00.000-04:00

Just saw these AMAZING pillows via somebody's link on Facebook - had to share! Considering how much I love my career - I do believe these icons are worthy of cozying up to :)

Go see more about them over at Wired.

Summer is Breezing on By!

2010-08-03T20:10:00.000-04:00

I thoroughly enjoyed drawing the design for this month's calendar. August is a special month for me :) which is also why I put a little birthday cupcake in the design. I love the quote because I find rain to be such a soothing and refreshing element of nature. Anyone who knows me well can tell you how much I do not like sunshine - so in honor of summer afternoon rainstorms - this calendar is for me and thee!

Oh - and if you have never danced in the rain - try it - you may find you like it :)

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Widescreen Version

Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as.

Happy Independence Month!

2010-07-02T05:23:00.000-04:00

The 4th of July is definitely a wonderful American holiday! No matter where you are in the world you love to celebrate your home country and it's declaration of independence. This month's calendar is obviously July 4th inspired - unashamedly so.

The quote is from Thomas Paine, and is a reminder to me of how important it is to remember and maintain the foundation of our country - the land of the free and the home of the brave - the land of opportunity - the land of promise - the land of fulfilled dreams - my home.

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Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as.

Stop Motion

2010-06-19T14:04:00.001-04:00

I'm a hug fan of stop animation - so here's another mind blowing example from a SCAD student. With over 3 million views I think it's definitely worth watching.

Yellow Sticky Notes - completely lovely

2010-06-19T13:45:00.000-04:00

Really doesn't need much explanation - I found it to be kooky, insightful and entertaining - loved it :)

Directions for June?

2010-05-31T10:20:00.000-04:00

I was doodling at Giant's Causeway and this is what became of it - the June wallpaper calendar! It's all about direction - or maybe misdirection - actually it looks a lot like the road signs here in Ireland - and I'm only kidding a little bit. Dr. Seuss seemed the right source for this month's quote - it is from my favorite book of his "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

We can thank my sister for her loving reminder to get "her" June calendar done in time for June :)

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Widescreen Version

Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as.

May Flowers Brought by April Showers

2010-05-05T18:55:00.000-04:00

The new calendar/desktop wallpaper for May is now available! I read a quote from a Hans Christian Anderson story a few months ago, and unknowingly created a graphic to fit. Made me happy :) I wanted to use this sweet quote somehow and I guess this is it...enjoy!

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Widescreen Version

Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as.

Bright Designer Spot in My Day!

2010-05-03T06:30:00.000-04:00

Very cool hotel and the best reception desk I've seen in ages! I was very pleased to see such creativity in the design of the hotel where the Dublin church meets. Then I saw the reception desk and I knew why the hotel was so quirky cool! Words! Words! Words! Typography is such a beautiful thing - a true love of mine.

It is so hard to get a picture of it that can be read, but the hotel is prepared for that - they gave me a printout of the wall! They've received so many requests for it that they have a handy file ready just for people like me :)

Appreciation. That's what I felt. Appreciation for creativity.

Not that I wouldn't think it could be improved on….tee hee hee :)

March Madness

2010-02-28T22:17:00.000-05:00

The second in the series: March was inspired by the Ides of March, Marching, St. Patrick's Day, March Winds, March Madness and of course a few good luck charms were scattered about for good measure. Enjoy!

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Widescreen Version

Click on the desired image above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as.

February Freebie

2010-02-01T20:26:00.000-05:00

Quite quickly, after stumbling upon this idea, I decided to make some wallpaper calendars for my clients. So each month I'll design a new desktop calendar (for standard and widescreen users alike) that they can set as their computer background for the month.

This means that every time someone asks what day it is, or what is the date for next Tuesday's meeting, or how many days until...you don't have to pull out or pull up a calendar - it will be right there in front of you - beautifully anticipating your calendar needs.

Standard Screen version
Widescreen version

Click on the links above, then right-click on the image, and choose either save image as/save target as/save as.

Enjoy :)

Typography sounds beautiful...truly!

2010-01-27T13:19:00.000-05:00

Whilst researching a bit on typography I ran across some beautiful videos - ohhhhh my!

Did you SEE the Brooklyn Bridge in that one?

"Type taste good" Love that line!

This could go on for a while - I'll let you do your own research now :)

I really do "love it when a plan comes together"

2010-01-20T10:17:00.000-05:00

Have you heard? "They're" making an A-Team movie! What? Yes! No! YES! Sweet!

The hope is that the CG is not too too too too much - but other than that I'm going to watch it with no expectations - just pure fun!

Ahhhhh...I pity the fool if they messed up this movie :) *Pun entirely intended*

Chalk & Coldplay...how pleasant!

2010-01-08T14:20:00.000-05:00

Another wonderful - mind blowing - stop animation video - along with beautiful music :)

A Commerical That Made Me Stop in My Tracks!

2009-12-04T17:23:00.000-05:00

31 seconds is so short - but you can do so much within that tiny little time frame can't you?

Indeed.

This commercial for Amazon Kindle does a wonderous job of capturing the magic of the written word and the imaginations of us all as we travel through the pages and places of a book. Directed by Angela Kohler and Ithyle Griffiths. Starring Annie Little who also sang the song "Fly Me Away"

A Designer's Marketing Mayhem

2009-11-20T16:56:00.000-05:00

I've been reading this great book...The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing...very informative! It's also a kick in the booty for a small business owner like me. I am a creative. I am not a numbers cruncher. I am not alone in this. As the head dreamer/designer for my firm I would much rather be meeting with clients and working on their design needs than drumming up more business.

Sound crazy? It's simply because I don't want to analyze :) I want to CREATE! But thanks to the book above I am learning how to attack the "building my business" side of my company without losing my designer soul.

I'll let you know how it goes. I've already identified my three desired markets and have begun assembling my prospect list. After Thanksgiving...the cold calling begins!

Go get those clients!

Technology's Affect on the Advertising Industry

2009-11-20T09:40:00.000-05:00

Really interesting video! Kind of mind blowing actually.

Veering into Inspiration's Path

2009-11-13T10:54:00.001-05:00

Veer.com had a competition. I just saw the winning entry - what!?! It's amazing! Just had to share it :)

Veer Contest Submission from J.D. on Vimeo.

The CMYK Christmas of it All

2009-11-11T23:33:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again. You know, the time to start making your wish list for family and friends. Laugh if you like, but my family does this every year (now that we are all grown up and don't believe in Santa anymore).

The plus side: I like to get lists from my family that inspire me.

The minus side: I have to write a list too! Buying things on a budget for a graphic designer (that's me!) is not the easiest job in the world. Of course, any time my fam decides to go in together and buy me a Mac or iPhone they are welcome to it! But what other options do they have...hmmmm!

Like most graphic designers, I like unique items that you can't get at Wally World or the mall. You more than likely could find some of my favorite gifts at a junk yard, thrift store, used furniture shop or antique store. Then all I would need is a can of paint and I'm totally in love with my find for the day.

But how do you buy things for us - we graphic designers of the world - with our kooky sense of design humor. I delved into the internet and found some really noteworthy items. They may not make sense to the non-designer individual, but trust me, they're fabulous!

1. Kern Jacket from Veer: If you don't know what kerning is it's because you don't speak "designer"

2. Typography Coasters from Veer: You have to be a type geek to truly appreciate the beauty of these coasters

3. CMYK 95-0-85-25 Jacket: If these letters and numbers mean nothing to you - just take my word for it - this fantastic!

Now I shall veer away from Veer.com. Next item:
4. Pantone mugs! and they have plates too!

5. We use USB drives all the time. Some lose them - others...um...hit them with their foot while it was plugged into a tower and well, it got a little bent out of shape...oops! But maybe if it was really special we would take better care.

Websites with a wealth of design paraphernalia to keep your design geek plenty happy!
1. Graphic Tees, Clocks, Calendars and more at CafePress.com
2. Etsy.com has amazing AMAZING stuff created by all kinds of artists
3. Zazzle.com has some pretty cool CMYK shirts
4. For some art inspired pieces go to MOMA.com

And make certain you find out what makes your creative individual tick, what inspires them and what makes them smile even when no one is around. These answers are sure to lead you to ebay or a thrift store in search of that illusive item that will totally surprise and thrill your graphic designer on Christmas morning.

Business Cards are Be-you-tiful!

2009-06-22T15:10:00.000-04:00

I always begin designing a corporate identity package by working on the business card first. I love the challenge a business card can present. Traditionally it's just 3.5" wide by 2" high. Then there is the space needed for the margins (and thumbs!) and ALL that text the client wants/needs on it. But, if you imagine total freedom within the space that is left - well then - there are no limitations really :)

My students often complain about the "restrictions" I give them on their assignments. To a professional designer they are the norm. I can only laugh when they say things like "but there's not enough room for all that" - I then pull out a business card I made several years ago for a client. It has three doctors names, two separate offices locations with addresses, phone and fax #'s along with the license number for each doctor, it's single-sided, one color and...wait for it...the client was an optometrist! Now mind you, though this card in too outdated for my portfolio, it still comes across as clean, easy to read, has white-space for the eye to rest and boldly defies the statement "there's not enough room."

I love the "restrictions" we have as designers. What fun would it be if four-color printing was so cheap that we never challenged ourselves to produce an amazing-outside-the-norm one-color design? A business card being a prime example. You (and I) can get full color BC's printed online at insanely wonderful prices! But that does not mean that every BC I design should be full color. It also does not mean that I shouldn't take advantage of those prices though when I need to print full color cards :) I'm just sayin'!

So, in my humble effort to raise a banner of independence for the business card I direct you to this amazing source of business card images that have been compiled on Flickr. Almost everyone of them screams at me "I'M AN INDIVIDUAL!" The designers have embraced the "restrictions" and created within that 3.5" x 2" space something that is indeed "be-you-tiful."

These, my dear, are not your father's business cards :)

P.S. Offset printing cannot be beat - stop whining and pay the extra.

I Have This Compulsion

2009-04-22T13:30:00.000-04:00

I want to fix all the signs in the world. I dream of one day driving down a street that is filled with well designed company signage. Ahhhhhh. That would be nice.

In the meantime, I just wish people would at least spell things correctly! You know the signs where you put up the letters to advertise different things different days. Or gas stations that change their signs to reflect the current gas price. Those are the signs I have a beef with the most. Since when have American's become so illiterate that they put the letter "N" backwards on a sign! And then there are the numbers "3" and "8" that get put upside down all the time....grrrrr. The bigger part goes on the bottom!

So what is my compulsion? To call each place that I see has the sign done incorrectly and demand they fix it. What do I actually do? Write about it in this blog and leave the sign people blissful in their ignorance.

One day...one day...a street will be made perfect by OCD people like me. Until then we rant.

We've Planted Our Flag

2009-04-13T17:08:00.000-04:00

We started this new thing called a blog. Okay, so we weren't the first. But hey, if Al can say he invented the internet why can't we claim blogs? Movin' on...

At Gamut Design Group we try to take time in our overcrowded minds to appreciate the beauty in life, as well as make fun of the ridiculous. Some might think this a wasteful use of time - but not us!

Today's Good vs. Bad and Ugly

Target Commercial

GOOD: I can hardly say anything but positive things about Target's commercials, advertising, branding, et al. They do a great job, reach their target audience perfectly, stay current and hip without being too trendy. The songs are catchy, the timing is quick and the message is always clear. Gotta love 'em.

McDonald's Chicken McNugget Commercial

BAD: WHY! Why would you ever have Chicken McNuggets jumping into a swimming pool full of chlorinated water? and a belly flop!?! This is by far the worst commercial I've ever seen. It's nightmarishly ingrained in my mind. Since seeing this years ago, I've referred to it many times as a prime example of stupid branding/marketing done by an overpaid executive/firm. FYI: The folks in charge of the account got fired a few weeks later. There is justice in the world.