Is VISA and MasterCard as internationally accepted as they both claim?

In Japan last week, neither of these cards were what I would call widely accepted. Cash was still the only usable currency.

In Denmark today, none of my three cards (two VISA, one MasterCard, from three different banks in two different countries) worked at the industrial design museum; an institution that presumably entertained the odd international traveller. And one …

This is one half of a two-page spread Nokia ad in the November issue of Monocle magazine.

What an odd choice of image given the strap-line shown on the phone screen.

Why is the technology actively getting in the way of me making a connection with (I cannot see his face or his eyes) the person?

Is this a deliberate use of reverse-psychology to emphasise the …

I noticed today that I could often tell whether a CD jewel case is empty or not just by picking it up. A CD only weighs around 15g, against the almost 100g of a complete package with booklet.

I think we often take for granted our sensitivity to subtleties in the environment around us. We do it so well we simply don’t pay it much attention. And yet, the …

Someone calling himself/herself Craig has been posting these whimsical, compelling and slightly voyeuristic posters in Melbourne. Click on the image below to see more.

Thanks to Martin Apte for this link.

Would telemarketers do what they do if they were subject to their own practices?

Clearly not for at least one establishment:

Another example is the manufacture and use of recycled slop oil (with gross pictures).

A good test of ethical business must be: would you (the owner of the business) use your own services or products?

There’s something for everyone on the interwebs. Headset Hotties is a case in point.

Who would have thought an over-used, cliché design element can be taken to these new heights!

“The popularity of “Headset Hotties” is fascinating to view them from both the perspective of someone who is familiar with their widespread use and as an internet viewer with fresh eyes. While they can be …

Kraft Foods Australia has recently named their latest Vegemite product the “iSnack 2.0″

When I first saw this I thought it was a prank. But sadly no, it is for real.

The following thoughts came to mind: wrong, lame, does not conjure about anything to do with food, trying too hard to be hip and cool (and completely missing the mark), a shallow …

Photos of the hoarding around another shopping centre development on Orchard Road in Singapore:

Thanks for these Tanneke!

Urinal-based advertising for Sasha Baron Cohen’s Brüno, snapped in The Cathay in Singapore. Very apt. Very clever. Can’t wait to see it.

I wonder if they had to use special glue given the challenges of the deployment environment?