JNL Graphics used very simple corrugated cardboard printed in two colors at a ridiculously low resolution of 25 lines per inch to achieve an accessible, eco-friendly look. It worked; the Blocks are sold at Barney's New York, Paper Source and the Field Museum. A die-cut centerpiece area showcases the blocks and the intriguing factoids that decorate the sides of each cube, making the contents themselves part of the package design. p Blockbuster. Nothing has to satisfy like good package design. It must contain and explain. Convince and cajole. And above all, it must sell. Like hotcakes, if possible. How do designers tie up all of these elements into one neat, little package? Sometimes, it meansreinventing the box. So often, simplicity is the key to a winning design, and this is true of Mr. Block Wooden Blocks. The client approached JNLGraphicsduring the conceptual stage of a project. According to JNL's Jason Pickleman, "The client came to us and said, 'we want to make children's blocks with pictures of dinosaurs on them.' Period. No more direction than that. We came up with Mr. Block, himself, and the veryinformativenature of the blocks.The rest is Whenhistory."theclient asked for a four-color, glossytreatment,JNLsteeredthem toward alow-tech, retro look, instead.Thissuggestion not only saved the client money, but it prevented the blocksfrom getting lostin a sea of toys all packaged in bright, bold primary colors.With its toned-down look, DinosaurBlocks stoodoutfromthecrowd. The incredible success of Dinosaur Blocks has paved the way for Bug Blocks, Solar System Blocks, and the ever-popular Disgusting Bugs Blocks. Talk about a blockbuster.
September/October 1998 • Digital Chicago• 5
R E Getting more with less.The annual reportbudgetfornonprofitUnityTemple Restoration Foundation-one of Frank LloydWright'smostsignificantbuildingsremainsthesameeachyear.Sothebudget actually decreases fromtheeffectsofinfla tion.AsNickSinadinos ofNicholasAssociates put it, "Weare challengedto come upwith unique formats for the report to capture the imagination of donors and...reflect positively on the thoughtful managementofthefoundation." NicholasAssociatesaccomplishedthis by designing the annual report to match thedimensionsofpicturepostcardsofthe T. UnityTemplethattheFoundationsellsin its giftshopandto intersperse theactual reportamongthepostcards.Thisdecision immediately cut costsby eliminating the needtopurchaseorcreatephotographsor illustrations.Theresultisassimpleasaset ofbuilding blocks, andwithmore drama thanatraditionalannualreport. Elizabeth Taggart is a writer and editor and owner of Spark Communications. Mark Cornell is a graduate student studying design and architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Both can be reached at venturi999@aol.comor at (312) 432-9511.......... The gorgeous two-color design of this unique annual report echoes the distinctive architectural elements of the UnityTemple. ,.....,... ,..,....,. ... ,... 1\\····· If If J ,u.. u••• Actual picture postcards sandwiched between areas of the report served as both graphic interest and as a "dividend" of sorts; an accompanying message encouraged recipients to send the postcards to potential donors. In a move the architect himself would have approved, the designers chose a plain (but still architectural) font, in lieu of a Prairie-style typeface. This decision maintained the simplicity of the design and allows critical information to be clearly communicated. Letassweatthedetails.. Award Graphics is Chicago's Premier Digital Production Studio, Specializing in: Custom Digital Keylining, Production & Layout Hi-res Scanning, Retouching & Special Effects High-endTrapping, Imposition & Separations Large Format Printing, Mounting & Laminating Indigo™ Digital Short Run Printing & Bindery Custom Comping, Transfers & Proofing Callusfor samples andinformation beforeyour job makesyou sweat, and leave thedetails to us. 208 South Jefferson St. Chicago, IL60661 September/October 1998 • Digital Chicago• 21
