Paper Artist Fideli Sundqvist

We can't tell you how much we love paper! It's such a versatile medium and with a bit of creativity - the results can be totally amaze-paper-balls.

This fine paper artist, Fideli Sundqvist makes us swoon and squeal with delight. Precision, super crisp folds and most of all the art direction rocks. Check out all of his work here. But here's some of our favs!

Neon

We're inspired by Jung Lee's neon words that are set amongst natural environments and eerie twilight-like scenes. We love the questions that float among the trees magically. and the way "why?" is planted in the middle of no-where. We're not sure where this series of work will go from here - but it's caught our attention and we like it a lot. Makes us think how about some neon words at 31STHQ guys?

Our favourite things in July

Can you believe we're in the middle of winter already. Are you starting to ramp up the exercise and ship-shape for summer? We haven't really thought about it, clearly from our favourite things below!

1. Ice Cream Sandwiches by our desks
Totally wrong as it's in the middle of winter. But it does make our days fly by with a sugar injection. Try it out - you'll be converted.

2. Lunch at 4fourteen
This kid friendly restaurant is the latest installment by Colin Fassnidge of Four in Hand fame. It doesn't disappoint, more so, gives a big nod of approval from us foodies in the office. The presentation of the dishes is delightful and the prices at lunch make it seem too good to be true. As it's fairly new-ish and a large space getting a table is pretty damn easy - so big ticks from us.

Tea Novel Cafe Identity

We are in love with this brand identity for a cafe (not real - can you believe it?!), which extends itself to tres cute branded tea bags - very appropriately named as well. The logo uses a simple stamped silhouette effect. The feeling of nostaglia is emphasised by using linen covered menu holders with that "old book" feeling. Ahhh, that smell...

Makes us feel like pouring a cuppa... we might just do that and have a Tim Tam as well (maybe even do a Tim Tam slam?!).

Tim Tam Win a Wish

Ahhh, how fast a year goes by. Feels like only yesterday when we were talking about this?!

We had the pleasure of working on the promotion for the overarching "Truly Madly Tim Tam" Campaign. Did you catch the massive Tree in Martin Place where Tim Tams grew magically for us to take, share n' eat - crazee, hey?! We loved how this campaign grew out of one consumer's facebook post - show's ideas can come from anyone and anywhere.

Our idea was to extend upon this idea and whoa-la the "Win a Wish" promotion was born. Thousands of prizes to be won, that lived in this magical tree. Prizes ranged from a year's worth of Tim Tams to iPad 3's, movie tickets, cars and holidays - something for absolutely everyone.

 

Yellow Fever

Quite a few of us are following the tour. Gettin' all french, even whipping up a quiche for dinner to get us in the mood. As the tour hits the mountain stages we're getting our french on and bringing out the yellow... cause we're backing Cadel, of course!!!

C'mon fella - you-can-do-it!
For him // For her // For Home

31STHQ Update

We've had a really, really, really (it does deserve 3 reallys!) hectic time at 31STHQ of late. It's literally been one pitch after the other - we're not complaining. Being busy is a blessing!

Thankfully our hard work has paid off, the 4 pitches - we are at a 2 out of 3 result - which is fan-bloody-tastic. So fingers crossed we can win the last one! We celebrated, just a little... over shots.

Go Aussie Go!

We know the TV is going to be overtaken with sport soon, with the London Olympics! The office is divided - some of us are happy to see "more blood, sweat and close finishes". Whilst the other side of the office is like, "all my shows are on hold - damn you sweat n' sport!".

The branding of the London Olympics hasn't wow-ed us. But more so bored us. But this however, makes us a more excited to get out the green n' gold and cheer on our athletes. Best of luck!

Our favourite things in June

1. Mulled wine at our local, The Norfolk
Yep, it's warm. Yep it's spiced. Yep, it's only slightly alcoholic. It's mulled-fricken'-wine! And we lurve it. It's warm, so drinkable and served in teacups. Tres cute! Head down to The Norfolk for a warm mulled wine moment. While you're there have the chilli crinkle cut chips - nom.

2. Yum Cha Saturdays at The Marigold
Start your weekend off with a good dash of soy sauce along with some plump dumplings and a side of chilli (along with a heap of MSG). Then sip some jasmine tea - grab a mango pancake in one hand and a flakey-buttery egg custard tart in the other and hit the weekend head-on.

APMA Awards

It's nice to celebrate and recognise all the great campaigns at the recent APMA Awards which was held at the gorgeous Ivy Ballroom last night.

Although we weren't up for a heap of awards, we did have a finalist up for the in the Young Creative of the Year Award, our lovely designer Theresa. We had our fingers and toes crossed for a win, but alas we were pipped at the post.

Regardless, it was a top night and we were honoured just to have a nomination. Congrats to all the winners and nominees from the night and a big thanks APMA for another great night for agencies, suppliers and clients. Until next year...

For more photos from the night head over to our facebook page (and LIKE us too!).

Pentagram celebrates 40 years

Legendary design powerhouse Pentagram, created this little story to celebrate 40 years in the business. It's cute, simple and most of all draws us in graphically.

Here's hoping that little old 31STHQ get to double digits too...
For all our lovely email subscribers click here.

Brands & Apps

We've seen this trend of "brands creating apps" to engage their customers grow in the last few years. However, there hasn't been a great app connected to a brand here in Australia as yet - so it is somewhat uncharted territory.

This one is pretty unique and due to the lack of sunshine lately - we might just catch some using this app.

For our lovely email subscribers click here.

Etcher Sketcher

If you haven't heard of Kickstarter, get onto it now. It's a way to fund your crazy, ah-mazing, wacky, out-of-this-world or creative ideas. It gathers the world-wide-web community together to help you fund your projects and kickstart your adventure.

We're backing this. A bit of childhood nostalgia combined with the technology of today. Total and utter genius and I think it would keep the kids entertained for hours - mega bonus points.


For all our lovely email subscribers click here.

The Paperless Post

At 31STHQ, we are finding that we are throwing away the paper and doing most things digitally (don't worry the trusty notebook still gets a workout).

We love this site Paperless Post. Send anything from a save the date card to a happy birthday message or a random 'you're' tops' card. And the designs make that dodgey e-card look like a thing of the past.

Some of our favourites are below. By the way, quite a few of the cards are free, thanks Paperless Post! So, start sending peeps!

Would you or wouldn't you?

We are suckers for not-just-good but totally fantastic packaging. It makes us firstly, put it in out shopping baskets. Then contemplate even using the product (just to preserve the beauty of the object in it's full entirety). Then if we do open it, we keep the packaging, as-you-do. Just in case you want to look at it again. Weird. Yes.

Our question to you, is would you open and use this?
Our answer, nup.

If you are scratching your heads going - what on earth is it? They are hot chocolate sticks, designed to go into a hot cup of milk, then melt away.

Thinking Caps On!

The other week our whole-entire-team stepped away from our brand new desks (and our computers) to embark on 31st Second's first, ever conference! Cue: Applause.

It wasn't a holiday but we did get a chance to get away from bustling Sydney and stay at the magnificent Bora Bora House in Cottage Point. If you haven't been there, it's well worth a visit and only 50 minutes from the CBD - a little piece of paradise. And a perfect spot to do a whole lotta business planning, projections, set some goals, manage our growth and determine how we all wanted the company to move forward in the future.

It took a lot of brain cells but it was essential to the future of 31st Second. Here's a sneak peak of what we got up to. To see all the action head over to our Facebook page and 'like' us too!