- Sara Fida -

Salam everyone! Eid Mubarak! Anyone traveling this holiday? It's been ages since I last blogged about the beautiful *cough* ads I see around Muscat - 15 months to be precise. Been caught up with work and life in general. I just want to take advantage of my blog space and thank god for the countless blessings in my life and the hard times I've been through as well, because without them I wouldn't have given the best a chance. A big thank you to the biggest blessing in my life; my family. I love you mama, baba, sisters and bro. You've always been there for me. You are my fans, my supporters, my cheerleaders, and most importantly my comedy channel when least expected and most needed (hehe).  Al Hamdulillah. Onto what I like doing best; criticizing ads around me. Was asked to blog about a specific ad that has been released quite sometime ago here in Oman - maybe a few months now. I think you'll remember it without me even posting a picture....

As'salam Alaikom, I know it has been ages since I last blogged. Apologies. I've been busy organizing PechaKucha Night - Muscat, which was held on the 21st May. www.Pecha-Kucha.org. If you're into creative visual designs, you're invited to the next one in August. Nowadays, I just have quick short comments on ads I see around me in Muscat that I place on my twitter account @omanadvertising. Anywhooo, lets move on to what I have in store for you today;  Narwas  branding  (a telecommunication company). First let me explain what is branding?  "To understand branding, it is important to know what brands are. A brand is the idea or image of a specific product or service that consumers connect with, by identifying the name, logo, slogan, or design of the company who owns the idea or image. Branding is when that idea or image is marketed so that it is recognizable by more and more people , and identified with a certain service or produ...

It's a shame (3aib) when a college of  design  (and other majors including English) produces such booklet to showcase their portfolio, facilities, courses and programmes. Lets go through it before I start talking in details. It took me almost 3 weeks to blog this specific booklet out of my chest. Every time I sit infront of my laptop trying to put my river of thoughts into words; my hands shiver, smoke comes out of ears and my face turns into a red balloon filled with anger and frustration ready to explode! Maybe because it isn't only about this booklet, but its the whole experience, from landing a foot on the college grounds to running back to my car. The experience also has to do with the college's dean who asked me - when I went to apply for a job as a Typography teacher - he asked "What do you mean by Typography?" (!!!)  I felt like a bucket of cold water got poured over my head . I instantly thought to my self "Is this really where I want to work?...

Hala! Putting my 'ambient advertising' hat on for a change. We don't see much of ambients in the GCC as much as we do overseas, maybe 'cause we have alot of restrictions or maybe 'cause Arabs don't interact as much. People are not exposed to such things, and are a bit hesitant to go and ask or be part of, but nevertheless, this ambient idea kicks ends! So, What's  Ambient advertising?  Ambient advertising  slowly started making itself known towards the late 90's. It refers to all advertising that is out of home and non- tradtional - it is exciting, fun, targeted and engaging.  Alright, moving along.. This ad is for General's New Super Cooling (Super Wave/Super Power/ Super Quiet) Features: 5 speed control 30% improved powerful airflow 15m Long-reach airflow. (Excuse the quality of the pictures.. I only have those two crappy ones. I got caught by security. No pictures are allowed to be taken inside the mall -...

Hello, Went to Carrefour the other day for some grocery shopping. Found this roll-up banner on the way out. Not bad. The msg is clear. The design is simple. The font is....... WHAT?! Ok guys, I gave you credits for the design, clarity, legibility, and concept overall, but why isn't the Arabic font matching the English? The English and Arabic copy are acting as a unit, which is great! Shouldn't the English and the Arabic fonts be the same in design since they both convey the same msg? The English font is fantastic! You used some handwriting font on a post it, BRILLIANT and makes complete sense, but couldn't you copy the same for Arabic? It's easy to do on Illustrator; outlines the selected font, then start drawing those 1/4 hatches! Nothing else to say. Obviously the main design concept was executed in English then the Arabic translation was added to it. "Call us we'll answer" is another example at the bottom of this same banner! The Ar...

Salam and Happy Eid to all, Right! So, went Eid shopping with my sister and entered a shop called  Jeans West .  She started trying on some jeans, while I was seated on the chair besides the changing room handling her different sizes, and so, I noticed this... While the door was locked, she had her Denim Off And while the door was unlocked; she had her Denim on, so it was fine to open the door. Now seriously, how cool is this idea?! I absolutely LOVE IT! Although the production was cheap; it was printed on some home A4 paper and Impact was the font used, but who cares right now!? I'm fascinated by the idea and the way it was delivered; simple, clear, creative.  Sometimes you don't need all the extra graphics and bits. Using your guideline's colours with some simple smart copy, makes a great attention grabbing design.  Enough said. This made my day. I'm happy! With design, SF.

Hello all, The whole mall is on sale. Isn't that wonderful news?! I can look for something new. Something new like SALE signs, window displays, ads, danglers... whatever! :D Terranova  is an Italian brand gone international for  Clothing and shoe fashion.  They have branches in London and France to name a couple. Terranova is owned by some Lebanese in Oman. They've decided that this is the best way to go about their shop sale display design. According to what he said, they know exactly how to promote themselves. Fair enough. Hands down. Now lets see what they did. As you can see in the pic above. The owner was staring at me wondering why the hell was I taking pics. Then he approached me and asked, EXCUSE ME. WHY?! - I criticize ads = From what magazine are you? - No magazine. I do this for my personal blog. = Website?! - Yes. website! Your window display is intriguing!  = *chin up, very proud* Yes I did that on purpose.  -...