Ikea Handmades
30th
May '10
We’re quickly approaching another end of term rush but instead of having just one project to finish I’ve had to work on two. I have to admit I enjoy having multiple projects on at the same time. This way you always have something else to do when you get stuck. Still that doesn’t change the fact that it probably will be a deadline day rush but I’m pretty ahead of schedule at the moment.
So the first project of two is a campaign for Ikea and their new 2010 catalogue. That pretty open brief lead me stumbling upon a site called Ikea Hacker. It’s a pretty crazy blog that posts the weird and interesting concoctions that people devise from Ikea products. This could be simple things like turning a Billy bookcase into a pantry or the smart things like turning an Expedit into a hamster’s dream.
I created a mailer (seen above) that features five of the more ingenious hacks from the site.
Between every page is a sheet or two of red acetate. The acetate cleverly masks any of the yellow print, while leaving the black to shine through. The user is then allowed to reveal the hack between each page. For example…
…at first, with the red acetate on top, the page just showcase’s the original Ikea product…
…then as the reader turns the red page they start to reveal ‘sketches’ for the hack…
…the detail what the hacker has done to the product. The text on the left takes the story (from the blog post) and adds a bit more detail to the whole thing.
Here’s a great example of the red acetate at work, it’s quite effective.
These would be mailed out and allow people to return a strip of paper to Ikea in return for the full catalogue (otherwise known as ‘your canvas’). At a future date I’ll probably work a website into the campaign where people could submit their own designs straight to the Ikea site.
9 Comments to Ikea Handmades
Jules Said...
Hey Sam
Nice work. I like it. I’ll be up on my site soon.
On June 7, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Kat Said...
That is awesome. I’m impressed. Great job, really.
On June 11, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Cassie Said...
FANTASTIC!! I would love to have a copy of this. How (and to whom) is this being distributed?
On June 11, 2010 at 3:20 pm
aimi Said...
brilliant! keep it up!
On June 11, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Tina Umlauft Said...
Interesting use of “low tech”. Do you have any more photos of the mailer?
On June 11, 2010 at 6:22 pm
JD7 Said...
Excellent idea. Great presentation
On June 12, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Natalie K Said...
I just want you to know. I completely stumbled onto your website from the Ikea Hackers site and I have to tell you.
YOU ARE AN F$%(#$^%#^ GENIUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
The handbook you created, not only is it informative but the way you put it together????
Wow! That’s all I can say!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! So original, so cool!
Keep it up!
On July 7, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Danielle Said...
I followed from the Ikea Hacker site (to which I’m devoted). This genius. Simple, creative and effective. I’d love to see more photos of the book and I hope you sent this to Ikea corporate.
On July 8, 2010 at 6:10 pm
anukexpat Said...
Cool idea!
On July 17, 2010 at 2:07 am