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  • One McAnime, Please: McDonald’s Rebrands

    One McAnime, Please: McDonald’s Rebrands

    I couldn’t believe my eyes as I pulled into the McDonald’s drive-thru last week to get my daughter a Happy Meal. Anime characters on the menu screen. Signage with Japanese writing.

    Well, it was enough to get me to order something for myself—just to acquire the advertised packaging and to try their new sauce. And then I noticed the logo: WcDonald’s. My husband and I had a laugh. As anime fans, we had seen this misspelling before.

    In the realm of fast food, few names resonate as profoundly as McDonald’s. Since its humble beginnings as a small burger stand in San Bernardino, California, McDonald’s has burgeoned into a global powerhouse, symbolizing not only the fast-food industry but also aspects of American culture and globalization.

    In recent years, McDonald’s has embarked on a journey of reinvention, responding to changing consumer preferences and societal trends.

    Enter the WcDonald’s phenomenon.

    “McDonald’s” in Anime | Compilation by Slomo_Domo

    The concept of integrating real-life brands like McDonald’s into various forms of media, including anime, manga, video games, and light novels, speaks to its cultural significance and appeal.

    WcDonald’s, a fictional rendition of McDonald’s, has made its appearance in more than 100 distinct anime films and television shows. The concept stems from a 1983 episode of Cat’s Eye, a manga and anime franchise, that skirted copyright infringement by flipping the letter M.

    WcDonald's first appearance in Cat's Eye (1985)
    WcDonald’s first appearance as a parody in the anime Cat’s Eye (1985).

    The decision by McDonald’s to officially embrace the WcDonald’s concept, including anime and manga adaptations, demonstrates the power of cross-promotion and leveraging pop culture trends. By partnering with Studio Pierrot, known for its work on several successful anime series including Bleach, Naruto, Tokyo Ghoul, Urusei Yatsuraand Yu Yu Hakusho, McDonald’s likely aimed to tap into the loyal fanbases of both anime and fast food enthusiasts.

    Select McDonald’s restaurants rebranded as WcDonald’s, complete with themed packaging and signage, further underscores the creativity and marketing savvy behind this campaign. It not only generates excitement among existing customers but also attracts new ones curious about the crossover between fast food and entertainment.

    Overall, this collaboration between McDonald’s and the world of anime and manga seems like a bold and innovative move, demonstrating the flexibility of traditional brands in embracing contemporary trends and engaging with diverse audiences.

    With the recent passing of legendary Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, I’ll be celebrating his work tonight as I enjoy McNuggets with WcDonald’s sauce and rewatch a couple of classic episodes.


    While McDonald’s has faced its share of controversies and challenges, its enduring popularity and global reach speak volumes. The delicious WcDonald’s sauce, the anime packaging, and the direct involvement of one of Japan’s biggest anime studios are all reasons I’m going back for more. For as long as McDonald’s is unafraid to adapt and push the envelope, I’m here for it. In fact, I’m lovin’ it.

    *Disclaimer: while Jessica does endorse the pairing of fast food and anime, this blog is not endorsed by McDonald’s.

    Read more: One McAnime, Please: McDonald’s Rebrands
  • Staying Analogue In A Digital World: A Guide For Designers

    Staying Analogue In A Digital World: A Guide For Designers

    I think we can all do with a little more simplicity in our lives. 

    We designers all have to work. We also have to take care of our families, pay bills, shop for groceries, remember appointments, and keep up with an expanding network of personal and professional relationships. And all the while, we’re constantly exposed to an all-consuming news cycle—whether we want to pay attention or not.

    Our complicated lives are subjected to more information and technology than ever before. The speed and tempo of this development has definitely impacted how we live our lives. A century ago, Prohibition was in full-swing in the United States and ocean liners took ten days to cross the Atlantic. Today, I can go to a concert and watch a deceased musician perform as a hologram.

    That’s quite the jump.

    Since the Atomic Age, we have been promised a future of limitless technological potential. Around the turn of the millennium, there was the idea that technology could soon be harnessed to transform our lives with endless information available in the palm of our hands. From video calls with loved ones on the other side of the world, to anything-goes e-commerce purchases without leaving the couch. It’s all been done with positive intent.

    Fast forward to a quarter-century later and these things are all commonplace. Can I look up a recipe while at the grocery store so I can get all the right ingredients? Sure can! Can I FaceTime my wife and kids to see them while I’m at work? Absolutely! While Rosey the Robot from the Jetsons may not be in the kitchen washing the dishes, at least there’s a neat little device on my counter that can play music while I run the dishwasher.

    Yet despite all this progress with technology, perhaps having everything at our fingertips isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

    Think about our work day as designers. Those of us in a design studio typically work from 9-5. If you’re moonlighting with freelance work you’re probably adding even more hours. There’s a phrase called “digital fatigue,” and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Living in a constant digital hurricane of Zoom meetings, infinite phone notifications, and the compulsion to document every moment on social media, this relentless onslaught has paved the way for a subtle sense of fatigue to set in. What were once conveniences are now thought of as annoyances. It turns out there is such a thing as digital burnout. Perhaps it’s time to personally unplug after work.

    One of the things that I like to do as a graphic designer is to revel in the analogue. I believe it is crucial keep things in the real world as much as possible. Today, I’m sharing some of the analogue methods I employ in my daily life that I feel help me be a stronger and more creative designer.

    Sketch It First – I’ve always had a sketchbook, memo pad, or journal going—I even wrote the first draft of this blog longhand with a pen. Rarely do projects come across my desk where I don’t write it down and work out the details before I sketch. Working with a pencil and sketchbook first solves far more problems and allows for a vast amount of creative freedom. I’ll typically solve ten unforeseen problems compared to jumping into digital software and designing myself into a corner. So before clicking around with a mouse in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, let yourself be amazed by the discoveries made when putting pencil to paper. 

    Embrace the Imperfections – Analogue technology gives me a sense of warmth and fluctuation that digital technology lacks. it’s the little flaws and blemishes that add character. The tactile quality of holding a vinyl record and hearing crackles as its played. Viewing a film photograph in grainy off-balance colour. Vinyl records and film cameras connect us to a simpler time.

    Fight Digital Fatigue – When we were all at home during the early days of the lockdowns, a revival of hand-made arts and crafts quickly took hold. Many young people born and raised in a digital world unplugged in pursuit of hands-on activities: knitting, pottery, calligraphy and painting just to name a few. Tactile approaches to anything in life are far more interesting and more real than any digital activity. it’s a fresh start, paying the way for creative expression. As a designer, I usually find myself as far away from the computer as possible during my down time.

    Keep Your Mind Sharp – Useful to creatives are the ideas: inspirations, stories, resources, and courses available online. Even so, one mistake some people make is not reading often enough—or at all. Reading has been proven to improve the functions of the brain and your focus. Books allow you to look at things from a different perspective. I always have one or two books going at the same time and try to read a little bit everyday. Inspiring design sources should include stories: you’d be surprised what you can pull from a good fiction paperback or history book. If you’re struggling as a creative, picking up a good book may be the answer you’re looking for—and might even change the way you think.

    Clear Your Mind – As stated above, our complicated lives are subjected to more information and technological leaps than anyone is history. It’s hard to be creative if your head is over-saturated with stressful, anxious thoughts and constant distractions. Get off the internet and put down your phone. Implement walks, yoga, breathing exercises, or meditation. I tend to spend time outdoors when I need to clear my headspace. Fresh air and no phone alerts sound pretty sweet to me; a change of scenery can really get your creative juices flowing.

    Bottom line: when life moves fast, we could all benefit from pushing away from our keyboards, putting the phone in a drawer, and enjoying a more analogue lifestyle. it challenges us to stop, take a deep breath and let things just happen. In a tech-driven world hellbent on instant gratification from social media, food delivery and 2-day parcel delivery, adopting analogue habits into our day allows us to appreciate the view of life from the slow lane.

    Read more: Staying Analogue In A Digital World: A Guide For Designers
  • Eh! A Look At Canada’s New Passport

    Eh! A Look At Canada’s New Passport

    Canadian identity has long been defined by its mosaic culture, from its peoples and traditions, to cuisine and the arts, and everything in-poutine, er, between.

    The unveiling of a new Canadian passport design has added to the conversation of national identity; while several familiar Canadian icons have been retired, fresh depictions of diversity, wildlife, and landscapes now fill our passport’s pages. If it’s Canadian icons you’re looking for, we’ve got 150 of them for you here.

    Being the designers that we are, we were excited to investigate the fancy new features of the look for what it is—collectively wondering if the passport is maple-scented—to highlight some of its nifty features.


     

    True North, Strong and Blue

    Blue Passport

    Source Canada.ca

    Just as before, our regular passport will remain navy blue, but they do come in other colours. Want a red passport? Sorry, those are just for diplomats. How about a white one? Those are only given as temporary passports at Canadian embassies. Green? Sure, if you’re a Member of Parliament.


    King Charles III

    One of the first in the Commonwealth to do so, Canada’s new passport makes reference to King Charles III. The Coat of Arms remains the same as before, as the passport was a multi-year production process before approval of a new Coat of Arms.


    Ten-Year Tenure

    Source Canada.ca

    Our new 37-page passport is replacing a decade-old 36-page design from 2013. Before 2013, Canadian passports had a whopping 48 pages; the number of pages was reduced with the introduction of e-Passports.


    Temperature Sensitive

    Source Canada.ca

    We can’t wait to get our new passports to test this one out: the data page features a maple leaf icon that disappears when covered by your finger. Unless it’s January…and your fingers are frozen.


    Enhanced Security Features

    Source ServiceCanadaE via Youtube

    Perhaps the biggest change to our passport is the page with your information. Overtop of the passport holder’s photo is a Kinegram for an added layer of security and a custom see-through window with a secondary image of the portrait. Personal information now comes in a proprietary typeface, laser-engraved onto polycarbonate thermoplastic pages. Goodbye, ink-printing.


    Variable Laser Images

     

    Source Canada.ca

    With an emphasis on nature, throughout the passport are images depicting seasonal events and activities that appear one way in normal light and as another season under ultraviolet light. As an added treat, the designs become more vivid after exposure to UV light.


    We’re Number Four! We’re Number Four!

    That’s pretty great in terms of security and accessibility. According to the Passport Index, Canada’s passport ranks fourth in all the world, granting us access to over 170 visa-on-arrival or visa-free countries.


    See You In Summer

    Apply now, as there will be backlogs abound. If you manage to obtain one in time for your summer travels, you’ll be among the first to show off these features to your friends around the world.

     
    Read more: Eh! A Look At Canada’s New Passport

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The team at Generator Design is composed of talent, creativity and innovation. They take the time to connect with their clients and cultivate relationships.


— Kelly Blais, Media Street Productions