As the world gets flatter, clueless marketing folks around the world provide clients and onlookers with disastrous/comedic campaigns.
Here are our favorite hilarious translation disasters:
Parker Pen. The pen is mightier than the sword, but it’s not a contraceptive. When Parker translated their “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you” campaign into Spanish, they translated the word embarrass to embarazar which means “to impregnate.” Final product: “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.”
by Graphic Design Intern, Tim Burford
About me: I go to school in Albany, New York, at The College of Saint Rose, where I’m majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Art History. I chose the Lancaster area to complete my internship over the summer because my wife is a doctor at Lancaster General Hospital, currently completing her medical residency in Family Practice.
by Art Director Jenn Grybowski
My best friend, Christina, is getting married on August 13th. Her theme for her wedding is handmade everything. Naturally, I was all over this theme. Loved it from the beginning. I offered my help in whatever way she needed and about a month ago I got an email from her with patterns and directions for about 20 different types of paper flowers that she wanted to use as decoration at her outdoor wedding for 225 people. Paper flowers! Every graphic designer’s dream. I love paper. All kinds. Read More
This is the second installment in our ongoing series of posts highlighting the artwork of Spencer offspring. By the looks of things, there will be no shortage of art directors in the next generation.
The masterpieces above were created by Anja, daughter of Art Director Amy Shepler. Anja, a pre-school student at Montessori, just turned five and already shows great use of multi-media and 3D composition. Markers and tape are her favorite media, along with quality papers, courtesy of Spencer paper and print vendors.
Creativity comes in many forms, and Spencer Account Executive Megan Balmer’s unique baby gift tradition proves it.
More than five years ago, when a high school BFF became the first mother in her circle, Megan created a cross-stitch sampler as a baby shower gift. “I wanted her to have something to hang onto as a keepsake to her baby boy from ‘Aunt Megan,’’’ she explains.
The one-of-a-kind present was so popular that a store bought baby gift from Aunt Megan became unthinkable. So far, she has bestowed samplers on one little boy and three baby girls. Knowing how busy new parents are, uber-thoughful Megan has even had each matted and framed.
Of her revival of the nearly lost art, Megan says, “Yes, it’s time-consuming, and I gripe every time about why I got myself into this, but I’m always pleased with how the gifts turn out and my friends are always very grateful.” And, although she won’t be putting down her needles anytime soon, Megan jokes, “Now, all I ask is that my friends space out their pregnancies so I can catch a break between births!” A reasonable request considering the payoff.
