SEA

May 29th, 2009
9 Comments

SEA
SEA

GF Smith Promotional Poster
Design SEA

Early last year, after a much heated discussion, I decided to prohibit the usage of the word “exclusive” in the context of this site, because it seemed somewhat arrogant. However, “fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony” as today I find myself contradicting what I had previously said by posting some “exclusive” /images kindly sent in by SEA ;)

The poster was designed as part of a campaign promoting GF Smith as a truly independent British company that has been around for, believe it or not, 110 years.
Printed in an edition of 100 by K2, these posters will be sent out to select human beings.


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9 Comments

  1. May 31st, 2009

    Jesse Kidwell

    I forget who designed this, exactly, I’ll have to check when I get home; someone from Total Design, I think. Looks familiar though…

    http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/485141328_18bb2a050b.jpg?v=0

  2. Jun 1st, 2009

    A. Nonymous

    Well done Crouwel, Bos and co.
    Oh dear.

  3. Jun 1st, 2009

    David

    Indeed, the resemblance is uncanny but that doesn’t mean this idea (which suffice to say isn’t exactly new) was plagiarised; this is SEA we are talking about – the same SEA that hosted a Wim Crouwel exhibition back in 2003.

    http://www.seadesign.co.uk/#/projects/archive/wim-crouwel/

  4. Jun 1st, 2009

    A. Nonymous

    Doesn’t that mean they’re more likely to be familiar with the work and have some Crouwel/Total Design books knocking around the studio?!?

    Hmmm…

  5. Jun 2nd, 2009

    David

    Quite true, but I still find it hard to believe that the designer of this piece simply copied the original concept straight out of the book. Surely the CD would notice this before sending the work to the printers?
    Either way, If I were to take a guess I’d say that the concept was based around the generic, hyper-patriotic souvenir shops you see everywhere in London that sell Mugs, Hats, T-Shirts etc. emblazoned with the Union Jack and “I Love England” slogans.

  6. Jun 2nd, 2009

    Jesse Kidwell

    It does seem hard to believe, especially for a group as talented as SEA, but I think this one is undeniably lifted. The piece doesn’t even deviate in style or form, it’s exactly the same as the Total Design work, just swapped with different words; rather unfortunate.

  7. Jun 5th, 2009

    u_helv

    Aware or unaware, similar or the same, reverence or rip off.
    Personally I think it works as well for SEA/G.F Smith as it did for Total Design.
    Just enjoy it.

  8. Jun 5th, 2009

    Roger Chasteauneuf

    talent borrows genius steals I guess.

  9. Oct 19th, 2009

    Ryan

    Guess they just borrowed this then.

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