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Proof That Great Design Can Be Found Anywhere
This remarkable classified advertisement for a kitchen remodelling company does exactly that. At first glance, it appears to be nothing more than a page of classified listings. Look a little closer and an entire kitchen begins to emerge. Through the clever use of perspective, typography, and layout, the designer has transformed rows of ordinary text into a three-dimensional kitchen scene complete with cabinets, counters, and appliances. What makes this piece especially impres
Tom at KAPOW Creative
5 days ago1 min read


When Temporary Text Becomes Permanent
One of the most common tools in a graphic designer's workflow is placeholder text. When content has not yet been written or approved, designers often use temporary copy to show where headlines, body text, or calls to action will eventually appear. You have probably seen the classic Latin filler text known as Lorem Ipsum. In this case, however, the placeholder text was a little more obvious. Somehow, the temporary copy reading "WORDS WORDS WORDS WORDS" made it all the way thro
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jun 41 min read


Humour, Illusion, and Brilliant Design in One Campaign
Some advertising campaigns stick with people because they are visually stunning. Others succeed because they are funny, unexpected, and impossible to ignore. These clever outdoor ads created for Specsavers manage to achieve both. The campaign takes the idea of poor eyesight and transforms it into a series of memorable real world experiences. Instead of simply telling people they may need an eye exam, the ads place viewers directly into humorous situations where someone clearl
Tom at KAPOW Creative
May 122 min read


Well, I find it pretty funny.
Sometimes a piece of design is not about elegance or refinement. It is about impact. This billboard leans heavily into that idea, trading polish for punch with a message that is impossible to ignore. At first glance, the layout is straightforward. Bold, high-contrast typography delivers the message clearly and quickly, which is exactly what outdoor advertising demands. The hierarchy is obvious, guiding the viewer from a reassuring promise to a sharply unexpected punchline. Th
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Apr 291 min read


Old Flames, Still Burning
This campaign for Burger King, developed by Room 23 in Brazil, is a sharp and memorable example of concept-driven advertising that relies on a simple but unexpected visual twist. At first glance, the image feels familiar. A couple in a parked car, fully absorbed in each other, evokes a classic youthful moment of romance and spontaneity. It is the kind of scene often used in advertising to suggest passion and immediacy. What makes this execution so effective is the reveal. The
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Apr 201 min read


Movie Poster Design with a double (or triple?) image
Loving this poster design for a few reasons. First, I would genuinely like to credit whoever created it, but it appears to be uncredited. Wherever this came from, it is an exceptional piece of work. A strong movie poster should pull you in immediately, hint at the story, and establish the tone in a single glance. This design accomplishes all of that with remarkable clarity and restraint. At first, the image reads simply as a glass of red wine tipped over, spilling across a cl
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Apr 141 min read


The Sign That Says the Wrong Thing
Here is a classic case of good intentions lost in visual hierarchy. At first glance, this traffic safety sign appears responsible and clear. The designer technically laid out the message in the correct reading order: “Follow traffic rules. Someone is waiting at home for you.” The problem is not the wording. It is how the eye actually reads it. People instinctively group similar visual elements together. In this case, the largest and boldest words are “FOLLOW,” “SOMEONE,” and
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Feb 121 min read


Does this pasta test?
This package design is a perfect example of how good intentions can lead to an unintended result. The designer clearly wanted to show cause and effect by demonstrating what the product does and then showing the finished meal. Unfortunately, when those images are combined in this particular layout, it looks like the pasta is being strained directly onto the plated dish. Not exactly appetizing, but definitely memorable. Sometimes a design fail still succeeds by grabbing attenti
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Feb 51 min read


Design Fail or Success?
Designing graphics for buses is a special kind of challenge. Unlike flat posters or screens, buses come with built in obstacles like lights, handles, exhaust pipes, doors, and hinges that refuse to be ignored. When designers are not provided with a detailed vehicle template, things can go sideways fast. A perfectly polished portrait suddenly gains an unfortunate nose, an armrest becomes something else entirely, and a confident pose turns unintentionally awkward. The result is
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jan 291 min read


Bold, Blunt, and Unforgettable Political Illustration
Shout out to Canadian artist Gary Taxali for his fearless political illustrations that pull no punches. Using a visual language inspired by World War 2 era graphics, his work feels both nostalgic and sharply current. The limited colour palettes, rough textures, and striking symbolism combine to deliver messages that are impossible to ignore. As a Canadian, these illustrations hit especially close to home. They carry an ominous weight while remaining deceptively simple in fo
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jan 281 min read


Only Murders in the Building…Maybe I'll Stay Elsewhere.
Similar to last week’s design fail, this one falls squarely into the category of unfortunate placement. The difference here is that this placement was clearly intentional. There was no mystery about where this massive ad was going to live. Advertising a show titled Only Murders in the Building on the side of an actual hotel is a bold choice. The scale is impressive, the artwork is strong, and the billboard itself does exactly what it is meant to do by grabbing attention. Un
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jan 221 min read


Take paws and notice this billboard
Sometimes the smartest design choice is knowing when to keep things simple. This billboard campaign for Dreamies cat snacks proves that less really can be more when it is paired with a strong idea. The packaging sits alone on a clean white background, instantly putting the focus where it belongs. Then comes the twist. Dozens of three dimensional cats climb, cling, and scramble their way toward the product. The result is impossible to ignore. Even at a distance, the scene tell
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jan 201 min read


When Placement Eats the Messageitle
It feels a little harsh to call this a design fail. Any designer knows you rarely control where an ad ultimately lives. Billboards move, street furniture gets added, and suddenly your carefully crafted image has a new and unintended context. That said, this one is simply too good not to share. Here we have an advertisement for a restaurant that probably serves delicious food. Unfortunately, thanks to its real world placement, it looks like the man in the ad is casually pullin
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jan 151 min read


When Editorial Design Pulls No Punches
This striking cover design for OBJEKTIV magazine, published by the Slovenian newspaper Dnevnik, is a masterclass in how graphic design can communicate complex ideas with absolute clarity. The image is immediately arresting, relying on a single visual intervention to carry layers of political and cultural subtext. Created and designed by Tomato Košir, the concept stands out for its restraint. There is no clutter, no explanatory copy competing for attention, and no ambiguity ab
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jan 121 min read


What Yourself?
At first glance, this headline looks harmless. But when the word “Suit” is reflected in the water below, it creates an unintended and very different four letter word. Once you see it, you cannot unsee it. This is a classic example of how typography, reflections, distortions, and layout interactions can completely change the meaning of a message. The designer likely focused on visual cleverness, but missed how the mirrored effect altered readability and tone. Design does not l
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jan 81 min read


Do You See Change?
This logo for the Florida Aquarium’s Sea Change program is a great reminder that good design isn’t always about perfection, it’s about perspective. I debated whether to share this one. At first glance, it almost reads like a handful of simple, clip-art-style sea creatures arranged beside a wordmark. It’s not overly polished, and yes, there are a few areas that could be refined to strengthen the execution. But then something interesting happens: once you really look, the des
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jan 51 min read


Vehicle Wraps Gone Wrong
When it comes to vehicle advertising, the smallest overlooked detail can turn a polished design into an unintended fail. Air vents, door seams, lights, and handles can land in exactly the wrong place. Covering contact information, distorting faces, or adding accidental “features” like strange expressions, misplaced dots, or unfortunate moustaches. These examples are a reminder that vehicle templates only go so far. Designers should carefully review all vehicle specs, map out
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Dec 18, 20251 min read


The Subtle ‘20’ That Changed How I Think About Anniversary Branding
In July 2025, Apple unveiled a striking visual to mark 20 years of podcasts on iTunes - a design that’s both minimalistic and deeply considered. By using the simple geometry of classic broadcast microphones and positioning the lighting to naturally form the number “20,” Apple achieves a clever balance of concept and craft. The rich, moody palette and subtle contrasts not only set the tone but also clearly define the anniversary mark without relying on overt illustration. What
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Dec 8, 20251 min read


When Icons Go Rogue: A Cautionary Tale in Instruction Design
Good iconography should make assembly instructions clearer—not unintentionally alarming. In this example, the designer appears to have reached for a simple cordless drill icon but accidentally selected something… far more dramatic. The result? A symbol that looks unmistakably like an Uzi sub machine gun. The mix-up creates a humorous moment, but it’s also a perfect reminder of why visual accuracy matters. A single misplaced icon can completely shift the tone of a design—from
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Nov 13, 20251 min read


Beak design!
I stumbled across this clever juice carton design and couldn’t resist sharing it. Sadly I don't know anything more about it. The spout is perfectly integrated into a bird’s beak, turning an everyday moment—pouring your morning juice—into something fun and unexpected. It’s a brilliant example of how thoughtful, playful design can elevate even the simplest experience.
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Nov 12, 20251 min read
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