Lorraine Pace : Design of the week
Over-indulgent, maybe, attention grabbing, definitely. A Guide to the Good Stuff is a vibrant, passionate and energetic A2-format brochure which resonates with alternative art created by Johnnesburg’s street artists.
The concept of advertising agency Net#Work’s Kam Naidoo and Mandi Stamelman, it catalogues the creative spirit of Johannesburg’s entrepreneurs.
Bold, big and perhaps reminiscent of i- Jusi, the KwaZulu-Natal-based graphic design power-house with a distinctive African flavour, the generous publication explodes conventional advertising into a brochure that is a visual feast of original and alternative gift ideas.
A domino motif guides the browser between screaming colour juxtaposed against a formal black-and-white photo-layout; to funky radios for Africa masquerading as buses, planes and eye-catching symbols that demand attention.
Cyberglobe lamps bring new definition to lighting up life while chickens go curio.
The agency presented the guide to clients on its third birthday and donations have gone to a fund that enables street artists.
Informal art is alive, desirable and selling on a street corner near you.