I don’t hate advertising. In my business there’s something to be said about using creativity to compel people to want something. There are ads, and then there are creative advertisements.
There’s something incredible in the simplicity and beauty of this video that makes me overlook the fact that I’m trying to be sold on something. Why? Because it’s art. The music, the timing, the incredible in-air cinematography — watch how it floats, tumbles, and spins in the sky, all from an upside-down vantage point — transcend the standard ad spot to become so much more.
I love this piece.
(via Jason Kottke)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Noses!
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Sometimes there’s just room for silliness. I bring you Teenage Mutant Ninja Noses.
Photoshop unblurs images…
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Yep, that’s right.
They’ve, like, had this technology on CSI for decades now, though.
The Past & Future of Famous Logos
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The folks over at StockLogos have compiled a funny list of logos as they’ve evolved over the years, and are predicting where they’ll go into the future. Some of these, particularly the Starbucks and GAP logos (my two faves) are the most amusing.
Music From a Dry Cleaner
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A more literal meaning of industrial music, I suppose.
His final line in the video is dead-on.
(via Cameron Moll)
Infographic: Anatomy of a Facebook Fan
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Check out Moontoast’s excellent infographic describing the various levels of user-engagement you can get with different types of Facebook Fans, and the method with which you get them to Like your product, site, page, app and so on.
It goes on to also note the potential risks in requesting too much access to a user’s personal information, something that has kept me from activating Facebook integration in Apps in the past.
Very well done.
The New Design
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For every start-up I’ve worked for, there came a point where we needed another designer to keep up with work. Every time we’d search for a new hire there was a distinct and noticeable lack of qualified Interactive Designers. Weightshift has had the same issue too:
Something I’ve noticed, and as an industry we all have, is the disconnect between “The New Design” and what’s currently being taught in schools. Interactive designers, also called UI, UX or visual designers, are in short supply. The young guns are emerging, but product-driven start-ups and companies are searching high and low for those who have experience.
They go on to not only describe the problem we’re all having in greater detail, but they outline really good solutions for students, schools and employers alike. Check it out. The article’s a great read.
Mechanical engineer Justin Jensen started up a Kickstarter campaign to get Cineskates off the ground, and I can see why. All of the best Kickstarters ideas are always so simple it makes you wonder why you hadn’t thought of it. Or, I suppose, thanks to Kickstarter, it’s not so much that you hadn’t thought of it, but if you can build a compelling video and prototype, you can actually turn it into a reality.
Not only do I wish I had thought to do something like this first, but I wish I’d had these a few years ago… guess who’s donating to the campaign?
Typographic Subway Map
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This is awesome.
As some of you might know, I have a particular affinity for subway maps. I also have an affinity for typography. What designer doesn’t? The creative team over at Fadeout Design have put together this excellent typographic NYC subway map. They’ve also got Boston, Chicago, London, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
Too cool.
I might have to pick this up.
Shiny New Business Cards!
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My business cards have arrived!
Initially, I’d hoped to order cards from some of the amazing local letterpress shops here in Brooklyn, but I can’t justify the expense quite yet. After things start picking up I’m sure I’ll revisit the idea. Even still, the team at Printing For Less — a vendor I’ve worked with often — executed quickly and with amazing precision. (Also, their customer service is Top. Notch.
I’m particularly fond of the custom foil stamps on the front and back of the card. They add just that extra detail that earns the card — and ultimately our services — extra attention.
