Pudsey Bear's Makeover

I have just found out that advertising agency Fallon has redesigned BBC Children in Need's Pudsey Bear. The idea was 'to create a fresh new look' and create something that was 'exciting and accessible enough to make people want to get involved'. He was also redesigned so that Pudsey could be used digitally - online and in animation.
Unfortuntely I am not a fan of this redesign. Having grown up with the previous design, introduced in 1985, it seems a shame to change something which is so iconic. It is a design which appeals to all ages whereas this new design looks quite childish, created in a similar style to children's characters such as Miffy. I also think it looks more like a Gummi Bear than Pudsey!
Above is the new design and below is the old design.

Visit London

I saw the St Paul's version of this advert on the Tube at the weekend. Having done some further research I have found some more examples created by Oscar Wilson. I think they are clever, interesting and eye catching adverts. The use of typography to create the image is different from their other campaigns and makes them visually appealing. The coloured typography against the plain blackground is simple but makes it more eye catching. Another exmple of when simple can sometimes be more effective. The image depicts something related to the attraction being advertised and the type making up that image displays things to do and see at that attraction.




Agency: RKCR Y&R, London.
Art director: Neil Durber
Copywriter: Ben Hartman

Sharon Pinsker

Another illustrator I have found which I really admire the work of. Her work is more subtle whilst still managing to use these bold colours. The result being a delicate yet powerful image. I like the way it almost looks unfinished. However, there is also so much detail in these illustrations.

Sean Rodwell

This style of illustration is quite different from most, it is quite realistic but with an abstract side to it. I really like how the area around the image is used to help create the right tone and message for the image. The use of lighting also helps create these dramatic images, especially in this first example shown above.


I also think they have an almost dreamlike quality to them with this bubble style used. The colours, although quite bold, blend well together creating a harmony within the image.

Leo Burnett

I found the link for this website whilst looking at Holly's blog. It is a very interesting website and worth taking a look at if you have time. I particularly like the McDonalds work such as the sundial and also the spanish christmas eve advert - both simple yet effective ideas.
It is a fun site to look around. It consantly changes and makes use of motion and sound and has a fun element to it with the pencil.
Leo Burnett

Marian Bantjes

I looked at the work of Marian Bantjes when I was working on my D&AD Land Securities project. I was looking at how text can link to other things and become more than just text.


I love the way she makes the typography become part of the image. Each character flows perfectly with the next creating harmony within the image. I like the way that, in some of her work, the viewer has to really look and pick out the text amongst the illustration. It shows just how effective Bantjes is at combining the two. She calls herself a typographer but I think her work shows more than this.