Welcome to the Liv Design blog, an eclectic mix of great design and quirky finds

As we are bombarded more and more each day by visual images it's increasingly difficult to grab people's attention, or grab it for long enough to get a message across. Years ago it used to be much simpler – a poster, press ad or bill board was all that was needed. But now we're told that press ads are dead, TV ads are skipped through, and everything is now viewed on the internet. So what do we need to do now to advertise effectively? Well, the mediums may have changed a little but the basics are still the same whether advertising is done online or offline: Simple Keep to the point. However, or wherever, you place an ad you are competing for attention, and as human beings we naturally have a short attention span and are easily distracted. Be brief, be direct, be obvious what you're promoting or selling. Be memorable That doesn't mean you have to be funny or zany. Anything that's unique, clever, quirky, or different from what is currently out there will help to ac...

Q: So how do you get 11-18 years old interested in banking? A: Get them to design their own cards and impress their mates. Natwest have come up with a great way to capture the imagination of teenagers by allowing them to create their own design for their Adapt Account Debit Card. Not only is it fun and competitive but it could also be lucrative. If your design is in the Top Ten designs you get paid £1 for every time someone oders that design. You have to pay £5 for each card though, so the bank benefits too. There are also 'limited edition' cards featuring fantastic Hammer Horror film designs (not that teenagers will probably have heard of Hammer Horror...) It's our tip on the latest fad in individuality and personalisation. And we want one! Check out some the great designs at: http://www.natwest.com/microsites/personal/adapt/default.htm?DCMP=ILC-PersLOTeenCrdCBnr

The latest annual Top 500 Superbrands survey reaffirms the success of the fast food chains and supermarkets in the current economic downturn. Some of the brands showing the strongest year-on-year improvement in the survey include McDonald’s, which rises 227 places, Burger King, up 189, KFC rising by 164 places and Domino’s Pizza, which moves up the table by 144 places. The highest new entry into this year’s list was Krispy Kreme, further indicating the nation’s demand for relatively low cost treats as the downturn bites. The ‘Big-Four’ supermarkets make up for the ground they lost with ASDA leading the way with an impressive increase of 213 places to sit in 226th place. Tesco is the next biggest supermarket riser, gaining 185 places to reach position 116, whilst Waitrose climbs 60 places to fall just three places short of Tesco at 119 – only Sainsbury’s breaks into the top 100, placed at 92. A threat might come in the future from Morrisons and The Co-operative both of whom enter the to...

Screen icon. Racing legend. Mustang driver. World War II escapee. Cooler King. Need we say more? Check out the new range from UK clothing brand Harvey Mushman. Harvey Mushman was the racing alias of Steve McQueen, whose passion for motor racing & motor sports is the inspiration for the clothing designs. Visit www.harveymushman.co.uk

Strapline, tagline, hook, sign-off, signature, throwaway line, slogans... call them what you will. There are dozens of marketing terms for them, they all pretty much amount to the same thing – a memorable slogan attached to a brand to establish a brief summary of the company, product or service. Every consumer focussed company should have one as part of it's brand arsenal. It's an essential part of the brand, perhaps as useful or necessary as your logo. Take these popular phrases for example. Is there anyone who hasn't heard of these? – The future's bright, the future's orange. – A Mars a day helps you work, rest and play. – Vorsprung durch Technik – For mash get Smash – Every little helps Just by reading these you know exactly who the company is, you know what products they make, the quality, range, tone etc. You can remember the logo and possibly even the ads, whether on TV or printed. All from half a dozen well thought out words. Essentially, all a strapline is i...

If you're feeling a bit 'Mondayish' this morning like us at Liv Design, take a look at these at www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/07/50-beautifully-delicious-coffee-designs/ and then go and spend 15 minutes and see what you can do! Your boss won't mind, honest...