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Cool
Stuff ... Very Cool Stuff
By Cynthia
L. Ironson
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| You
know promotional products work, but have you stuck with
traditional designs and looks for yours? You might want to
consider spreading your marketing wings a bit more. Call
or e-mail your counselor (who sponsors your Imprint
subscription) or visit their Web site for imprinted
products that can be cutting-edge as well as
cost-effective. |
Innovative design in fashion, architecture, cars,
clothing, furniture and much more has been part of the
country’s cultural landscape for decades. So why, in the
past few years, has there been such a fuss about high
style? Not long ago, the cover of Time proclaimed that
Americans are dazzled by “The Rebirth of Design.” GQ
followed a few months later with an article on the
“Democratization of Style.” A story in Wired featured
a bicycle made by a small Danish company. But it wasn’t
your ordinary two-wheeler. It was a glow-in-the-dark,
super-plastic/aluminum model described as an object
“almost too pretty to ride.”
Mostly, the media has been recently crowing about design
because it’s no longer accessible only to the rich;
it’s now the privilege of John and Mary Average to
browse for stylish home accessories at discount department
stores like Target or order sleek office furnishings from
IKEA.
More Than Expected
Which leads us to this magazine. What about design in the
promotional products arena? Once upon a time it may have
been considered the ugly stepsister of the retail/gift
markets, but today it can match anyone else style for
style.
The Counselor recently asked a few promotional consultants
whether products attract more attention if they’re
well-designed. “I think design absolutely makes a
difference,” says Eileen Montalvo. “People are always
looking for a higher perceived value, and design can give
that to promotional products.” Bill Peck notes,
“Design is the most important factor in catching the
eye.” To which Gil Levitch adds, “A product is only
well designed if the recipient thinks it is.”
What follows is a representative selection of some of the
industry’s latest offerings in stylish, eye-catching
design. And the best part? Your counselor can hook you up
with any of them with just a phone call or two.
Cynthia L. Ironson is a
contributing editor to Imprint. |
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| This
colorful tin CD holder may look square, but take it from
us, it’s way cool. Ask for (asi/38140) |
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Stuck
at your desk all day staring at drab accessories? Not
good. Try this eye-pleasing frosted green desk set. The
functional grouping (clock, letter opener, business card
holder and key tag) has style to spare. Ask for (asi/38140)
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The
“Next Generation Cyber Radio Receivers” fit on the ear
via an adjustable “hanger,” and feature a one-touch
pop-up antenna. Scan the dial using the big button at the
center, and control power/volume with the small switch to
the right. Ask for (asi/38140)
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These
eye-pleasing plastic “Modern Totes” close with two
snaps and are strong enough to be loaded to the brim.
Colors abound, and single-bottle sizes are available. Ask
for (asi/44558)
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A
truly different way to store and protect CDs, allowing you
to see the titles and enjoy the artwork on them. “CD
Paper” is available in many fabrications and colors, and
in two different sizes. Ask for (asi/82470)
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This
shocking yellow “CellGrip” adds a splash of funky
color while making a cell phone non-slip and protecting it
from minor bumps and scrapes. It also comes in clear,
purple, red, metallic and custom colors. Three versions
fit Nokia, Ericsson and Audioxov cell phones. Ask for (asi/46189)
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Clean
up your mouse’s act with the “Mousewand.” It keeps
computer mice dirt- and dust-free. The rubber gripper
bottom helps remove the tracking ball, while the opposite
Velcro-covered end gently cleans the inside rollers. In
six colors. Ask for (asi/46189)
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Beyond
their unique shape and opening mechanism, “Ion”
ballpoints come filled with one of gel-ink colors like
orbital orange, electron red and galaxy green and more.
The clip attachment also allows them to hang on a chain.
Ask for (asi/47520) |
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For
the wine or brandy aficionado, these high-tech bottle
stoppers offer a very classy way to preserve those
spirits. Ask for (asi/46190)
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This
substantial, satin-finished, metal “Tri-Arc” alarm
clock is over three inches high with an acrylic clock face
viewable from above. Ask for (asi/47550)
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For
an added touch of style, a high-perceived value keytag can
nestle in a felt-lined hinged gift box of
high-tech-looking brushed aluminum. Or, the box can serve
as a gift all by itself. Ask for (asi/62820)
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Rubber
has become a futuristic, funky and favorite material for
desk items. Witness these colorful rubber clocks, which
also come with alarms. Ask for (asi/99100)
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The
satin matte finish over metal alloy and leather
easel-backs give these travel alarm clocks a look that’s
equal parts nostalgia and new wave. Ask for (asi/62820)
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They
look interplanetary, but these items – the “UFO”
digital clock, AM/FM radio and voice recorder – are
purely earthly in origin. Ask for (asi/33910)
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Cool
Curves. These metal desk accessories are very contemporary
in design. Shown is the pen. The matching clip holder and
desk clock can be ordered with it as a boxed gift set. Ask
for (asi/33910)
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Looking
like something from Robocop, the “Zeus Hanger” is a
fold-out hanger that can remain attached to a car’s
headrest. Also in gym and traveler models. Ask for (asi/62082)
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The
“Daytrek Backpack Cooler” is made of genuine wetsuit
material and ballistic vinyl. It features an insulated
main compartment, exterior pocket and adjustable straps.
Ask for (asi/66887)
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This
line of recycled products employs eco-conscious design by
using materials like “post-consumer” (i.e., recycled)
metal and rubber. The “Hubcap Duffel Bag” is all
rubber with authentic chromed hubcaps. Ask for (asi/66887)
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Must
a computer mouse be … mousy? Nope. This stylish version
comes with a matching pad. The set’s available in gray,
pink, lime and blue. Ask for (asi/38480)
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Two
years ago, the rubber radio was a major hit. So why not a
rubber calculator? This number-cruncher goes by the name
“Tykho.” Ask for (asi/38480)
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Here’s
an AM/FM radio design that will definitely pique
curiosity. The paddle-like levers control the volume and
tuning. Ask for (asi/91435)
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They
look like metal, and they’re called “Titanium,” but
these CD/DVD cases are semi-hard shells in matte silver
with contrasting black piping and hardware. The holders
are see-through fabric with curved die-cuts. Ask for (asi/79028)
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“Toothpick
Man” is one of the more innovative kitchen, table and
gift items. It’s made of black plastic and aluminum, and
comes complete with picks. Ask for (asi/87560)
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Tools
are also enjoying a design renaissance. This steel tape
measure comes in neutral tones, as well as red, blue and
translucent blue. Ask for (asi/88156)
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“Travel”
tape dispensers are available in one of six colors and
feature a protective guard that swings up to cover the
steel cutter when not in use. Ask for (asi/88156)
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These
aluminum thermometer’s blue or black accents and black
temperature scale help contrast the elegant metallic body.
Ask for (asi/88156)
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The
“Supernovae” pen sits in a mesmerizing spiral holder,
a shape that’s echoed in the cigar-shaped ballpoint’s
top trim. The frosted color adds to its otherworldly
appearance. Ask for (asi/76832)
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These
stainless-steel coasters can be filled with imprintable
suede foam (in 11 colors) or recycled rubber inserts. Or,
you can imprint right on the stainless or use die-cut
inserts. Ask for (asi/90252)
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Both
for the conference room and for the home, these
contemporary carafes look so good you can hardly take your
eyes off them. Ask for (asi/90252)
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For
those not into leather, or if you just want something
different, aluminum attachés can fill one void. These
three sizes offer storage
pockets and accessories to protect contents as delicate as
PDAs and laptops. Ask for (asi/90519)
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This
metal cow-print purse is simultaneously stylish, sleek and
sophisticated. Ask for (asi/90519)
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Tape
dispensers in unexpected shapes, such as these translucent
gears, will attract attention on any desktop. Ask for (asi/91780)
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“Big
Head” digital watches sport plenty of features, among
them a dual time function, stopwatch and calendar. Ask for
(asi/91435)
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The
“Dome” calculator is composed of rubberized plastic
sandwiched between aluminum plates. The imprint goes,
natch, under the dome. Ask for (asi/91435)
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Closed,
it looks like a pod-like paperweight. Opened, the zinc
alloy “Morpho” alarm clock looks like a Star Wars-era
spaceship. Ask for (asi/91435)
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These
comfortable, colorful foam-grip pens are actually metal
rollerballs with a twist-off cap. Very hip. Ask for (asi/91435)
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