The Craziest Brochure Ever Designed...
In 1968!


Here at Essence Design we're a bit partial to the odd brochure, the occasional design, and every now and then a bit of psychedelia.
Oh yes! Our minds may be looking to 2009, but our hearts reside firmly in the late 60s – Well, this writer's anyway.

mazda brochure cover
The front cover. Clearly copyright wasn't an issue in these innocent, less cynical times.

So when something comes along that combines all three of these things, well it's like listening to Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit on a perpetual loop for the remainder of eternity. It's that good!

It's Supercar  dove of peace
The eyes have it. Extra marks for the nice incorporation of that old psychedelic standard, the dove of peace.

Straight from 1968, when psychedelic designs were emerging from the underground into the mainstream, what we have here may be the bizarrest brochure you'll ever lay your "kaleidoscope eyes" on. It's for a Mazda 110S and the work of Tadanori Yokoo, a 'Pop artist', who has been called (some might say unfairly) the Japanese Andy Warhol.

gadzooks image
Gadzooks, indeed. Did anybody ever really say "Gadzooks!"?

If this brochure's design is anything to go by, what is clear is that like Warhol, Yokoo was one for seeing a trend and exploiting it.The brochure has clearly been influenced by the work of designers such as Peter Max, Milton Glaser, and Heinz Edelmann who was responsible for the design and animation on The Beatles' Yellow Submarine film, another more immediate influence that was out at the same time.

psychedelic dashboard
My personal favourites. The funky psychedelic dashboard...
psychedelic cows
... Then the old switcheroo and a brace of funky psychedelic cows.

Which just leaves the question whether the intended market for the Mazda 'Supercar' were quite ready for such a psychedelic sensory explosion when all they wanted was a new car?

the absolute end

The "Absolute End". Indeed. The groovy cats jettison the scene, and fly off into the tricoloured horizon; leaving us safe in the knowledge that wherever mundanity may manifest itself, the 'Supercar' brochure will be on hand to swiftly dispatch it back to the generic, grey doldrums from whence it came.

Heavy! Peace and love.

Looking for brochure design? Find out more about the brochure design services that Essence Design offer, get in touch through our contact form or give us a call on 0121 355 3627 to discuss your requirements.

Comments

I love the funky psychedelic cows :)
Bunny got Blog on Friday, 08 August 2008 16:26
Doesn't it seem were headed in the same directly regarding graphics and advertising?
Freelance Web Design on Sunday, 10 August 2008 16:37
I love this - I know it's cliche to say that design/fashion trends have a 30 year odd rotational life span but this looks so retro it's almost modern. Love it.
isabelle newton on Monday, 10 November 2008 14:08
Really great brochure.
brochure design companies on Wednesday, 30 September 2009 06:36
Probably the most valuable blog post I've read all week. Thanks.
Brochure Prints on Friday, 13 March 2009 05:22
Im sold on that dashboard as well, where can i get one?!
Web Newcastle on Thursday, 08 January 2009 06:08
Great brochure!!
brochure design companies on Monday, 12 October 2009 06:41
Nice that you came up with this cool stuff, this was something I am going to use it for my reference purpose. You have really shared a good deal of information, thank a lot.
charlie on Tuesday, 15 December 2009 11:30
What an unusual brochure for selling an automobile! The question of the target market’s readiness for such “psychedelic sensory explosion” is certainly a valid one. From what I know of the 60’s, the retro look of this vintage brochure was right on the money. It would be interesting to know what their ROI for this brochure was… we’ll probably never know.
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srishti on Wednesday, 20 January 2010 09:04
http://google.com
[url=http://google.com] http://google.com [/url]
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playedonline on Saturday, 13 February 2010 12:29

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