One of my favourite clients and campaigns during my time as Creative Director in Canberra was Old Parliament House. I loved to hear all the fascinating stories from the Curators heading the exhibitions – many of which appeared in our ads – here are just three of those ads from a long popular series.
We were given the task of revitalising the old building and increase foot traffic inside. Our first brief was to dramatise the role of a Prime Minister’s wife as well as featuring highlights from the exhibition, which included Sonia McMahon’s famous ‘White House’ dress, romantic love letters from Joe and Enid Lyons and a shanghai slingshot owned by Pattie Menzies (apparently she used it to shoot at Currawongs for fun!).
With next to no budget to shoot, we used archive imagery and a distinctive animation style that became instantly recognisable in digital, print and outdoor. It worked a treat and Canberrans arrived in droves.
Mrs PM – Public Image, Private Lives Exhibition
OPH Mrs PM from Ken Buchan on Vimeo.
‘Mrs PM’ won a finalist at The 8th Biennial AGDA AWARDS (Australian Graphic Design Association) against over 2,700 entries from Australia, UK, Germany, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand, as well as a Platinum REMI Award in the ‘Low Budget’ category.
Old Parliament Press Gallery – Leaks Scoops & Scandals Exhibition
When Old Parliament House opened its Press Gallery to the public, we brought to life the offices, corridors and gallery from where the major political events, leaks, scoops and scandals were reported by journalists between 1927 and 1988.”
OPH Press Gallery ‘Leaks Scoops & Scandals’ from Ken Buchan on Vimeo.
‘Leaks Scoops and Scandals’ won a highly commended at The MAPDA awards (Museums Australia Multimedia and Publication Design Awards) under a multimedia category against prominent cultural institutions throughout Australia.
The Great Depression – Scarred & Strengthened Exhibition
This ad explored the theme of the exhibition, how the Australian spirit was forged during the hard times of the Great Depression between 1929 and 1932.
OPH The Great Depression from Ken Buchan on Vimeo.
This silent movie, pop up style animation became synonymous with the Old Parliament House brand and endured until the house was finally renamed ‘The Museum of Australian Democracy’ in 2008.
All four OPH animated ads won a Platinum REMI award in the ‘series/campaign’ category at the WorldFest International Film Festival. With a second Platinum REMI award going to the ‘Talking Walls’ commercial in the ‘institutional identity’ category.