Last night saw Whitenoise represented at the 2008 ICAD (Institute of Creative Art & Design) awards, but unfortunately we didn’t get to repeat our success at the IDI awards a few weeks back.

Book 5: Identity was one of over 300 entries for the year, which the judging panel shortlisted to 140 final pieces which which are currently exhibited in the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield, Dublin (running until 4th December, see below), and from that 140 around 60 were actually awarded bells on the night. The standard was exceptionally high, with the judges only awarding 3 golds, a handful of silvers and the rest being bronzes.

Naturally we were disappointed but still consider it an accolade to be the only Northern Irish studio to be in the annual exhibition (and to be published in the ICAD 2008 Annual early next year!), and are delighted that the project is Book 5 – a truly collaborative piece worked on by everyone in the studio – so well done everyone.

Onwards and upwards – next up is the Creative Review Annual and the D&AD awards – Woohoo!

on another note, our fine work for the BBC continues, with more ‘Teethgrinder’ work coming off the production line courtesy of Peedy and Ryan – and in this case, a little graphic inspiration from Clemency:

Not matter how many times I look at this it always makes me smile. Next up, here’s a lovely little flyer for our mates at NICFC, with some of Kerrie’s charming illustration work:

Mark Canavan has been busy on NICFC work too:

And lastly here’s the redesigned BCC Development Brief e-newsletter, courtesy of Ingrid:

Loads more work to tell you all about, so expect to see some big updates next week.

Over and out.

Mark C

And here’s a nice way to end the week. Take a quick look at the title sequence for the new BBC Northern Ireland TV show, ‘Teethgrinder’ with some lovely graphic agitation courtesy of Peedy and Ryan…

And here’s the shorter sting…

God bless Auntie Beeb I say.

Hey! It’s the weekend!

Mark C

Last night saw me down in Dublin checking out the shortlist exhibition for this year’s ICAD (Institute of Creative Advertising & Design) awards, at the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield. Despite strong competition from Ireland’s leading design studios and advertising agencies for a place in the exhibition, I was delighted to see that Book 5: Identity, had once again made the grade. 

In our category we are one of three entries, so we’re feeling confident.

The really interesting thing for me though is that, out of over 300 projects submitted and 145 shortlisted for the awards and exhibited last night, Whitenoise were the only Northern Irish company to make the grade. 

This situation was similar to the IDI Awards a couple of months ago, where Whitenoise were the only Belfast studio to win. Come on, guys – where are you? Belfast has some great studios producing great work, and we have good reason to be collectively proud of our contribution to the Northern Ireland business landscape. In these troubled times we should be celebrating the talent we have and the difference we can make. Here endeth the sermon.

On a completely unrelated note, congrats to Rory Jeffers and all the other artists (several Whitenoise staff amongst them) whose exhibition; ‘At least thirteen ways of looking at a blackbird’, opened in the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s last night. Check it out if you get the chance.

Right – back to work.

Mark C

With the passing of time this inevitably becomes less and less newsworthy to us, but publishing schedules means it still rumbles on for a while after all the dust has settled. Take a look at the piece in the latest edition of Business Eye talking about the studio in general and the recent IDI win for “Identity” in particular. And yes, my arm got very tired in that photoshoot – bless.

As it’s a Friday, unless something really nice gets a client sign-off before 5pm this may be the last post of this week. If so, have a great weekend, and I’ll see you all bright and breezy next Monday.

Mark C

Say hello to the new identity for ‘Generator’ the Business Banking development programme for senior branch managers at Northern Bank. Internal projects such as this don’t always see the light of day so it’s nice to get a chance to show how great creative ideas can work for an internal audience as well as external customers…

So that’s it for today. Live long and prosper.

Mark C