Design anywhere + digital culture NEWS archive

Design anywhere and digital culture NEWS // December 2004

The net would not be the same without NetBabyworld! Pixel design exploding. Luvable, huggable and durable.

Oh!!! Ok my point of view on this project: this is nutz!!! No it's not another screenshot from a well known and on-going advertising campaign... it is a Podfolio serving as an interactive experimentation... for a talented designer.

A bit hard to maneuver the commands... but... definitely worth visiting. Gosh...

Sweet, sweet, sweet and oh so well executed illos by ...organicfields... The quality of the composition, the color palette and the mastering of the tools are quite impressive. It's like revisiting the best childhood memories.

Because the future is incredibly precious in terms of leadership, vision and dedication. This is a program destined to young adults to prepare some for The Master's Commission. The Web site is cutting-edge with nice interactions.

That is a smart little flash site. Face3media - hence the 3 animations presenting the faces - is a really cool idea. I like the fact that they seem caught in the moment - which conducts the viewer to feel they're being active and busy in their agency. LUV the metaphor!

This is a little jewel. LUV the line art illos for backgrounds in Under-Constructions. The loading sequence uses words instead of images and overall, each section is different. The little bar coded box f or navigation is really cute ans so are the icons. It may look like a weird design mix but it works!

This project, The Miniature Earth, was launched in December 2001 and is the brain child of talented Allyson Lucca. He thinks that we, designers, can do something against the injustice in the world. Something that I share and believe with all my heart. Appropriate at this moment to revisit again. Available in multi-languages.

The Decline of Brands. Sure, there are more brands than ever. But they're taking a beating - or, even worse, being ignored. Who's to blame? A new breed of hyperinformed superconsumers. (That's right - you!) by James Surowiecki.

“The truth is, we've always overestimated the power of branding while underestimating consumers' ability to recognize quality... The aristocracy of brand is dead. Long live the meritocracy of product.”

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Via Brian Sooy

Awesome! What an incredibly smart idea! The new focus of Thinkcollective is to create small-batch design products for enjoyment and inspiration. The first line of products are Bricolage Books featuring fabric covers and matching pins.

Each Bricolage book is a hand-made one-of-a-kind original.

New inspiration pod en Français and English! From France with luv: French'N'Fresh (became NTMY - Nice to Meet You!)

Newly updated sites:

\ xururu

\ Andinistas

Programming as being your forte does not mean your website need be bare and boring. Return of the 45 degree angle with pizzaz for RealitySlip expertise is in back-end integration, security, and a precise fusion of function and design. The 3D backgroup is especially well executed. Nice chrome fx for content container.

Oh! Jim reminds me of my kid brother who could really be naughty and pull pranks that were almost over the top... sometimes. How about a in your face message to... the people who have loud held cell conversations whereas we (most of time) are helplessly put in the position of listening bystanders?

Some remedy (!?!?!) brought to you by Coudal.

This is an out of the box portfolio for Karlsson Wilker! Minimalist with funk! Top notch designer! LUV it!

Genial!!! Site06 is a must see! Good grief luv the storyboarding - the transition animations - the personality (even if beer bottles seems to be the preferred prop and somewhat litter the place) - how the 'identity' designs are presented...

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ndle: Don't miss the I-James TV spot - it's a little jewel!

From Russia with LUV: Letterhead foundry.

No Logo. No Brand. Pure Concept. Are you generic? relaunches.

Fab new T collection by Honkey!

Neville Brody is a British designer and art director who has now been at the forefront of graphic design for over two decades. Brody has consistently pushed the boundaries of visual communication in all media through his experimental and challenging work, and continues to extend the visual languages we use through his exploratory creative expression.

That's an intringuing and new way to present chefs and what and where they operate. Beautiful pictures! Nove Grupo culinary expertise going high design.

Ingenious! Sockmonkey is just that - stuffed toys made of... socks! Nice site.

While on the topic of raising foul mood... mmm... what happened to luv thy neighbor???

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Via NEWSPRINT

The reason I'm publishing this site - Laboratory Instinct - is because of the overlayed graphics that appears randomly while viewing projects; from an explorative point of view, it has value. On the other hand, it is an example of what not to do in ref with navigation and image mapping. Everything is way too small.

Now that is a cool idea! An Archipelago proposal to ease the cost burden of city living - single room structures atop the jolly jeeps.

Futuristic representation as unique methodology?!?!? FRUM! Although navigation is really non-intuitive - the innovative presentation cannot be missed nor the outstanding work they have done. Worth a visit.

What goes 'round must come 'round! 70's revisited today by StyleReactor. Art, Vector and Graphic Design - The Work of Kasper Ledet that compiles his work since 2002... when he was 14!!!

FungWee small to the point site with very nice illustrations with a sharp urban feel.

Although this dates a little while back - isn't it interesting that someone would collect 'favicons'? Seing these out of context shows how diverse they are. Via Delta.Bravo.Tango.

UsableType: Typography for the world wide web and style guide. How to and not to.

And the winners are? Ready at Stereohype.

1st prize: Gary Barber / Mr Milk Moustache
2nd prize: Kate Forrester / Bird
3rd prize: J+E Design / Good Gravy

Another explorative site. While loading you can play a little game and then stay tuned for nice visual fx on Les Chinois. Definitely out of the ordinary.

Ante Matijaca created Disorange in 2003 when he started experimenting with print work (posters/small prints). Simple navigation with half-transparent layer.

An hilarious chef will request pretty weird mixes to access the content on PulcoMayo. The little animations are entertaining and soo cute.

Okidoki! Just received 55 - yepp - 55 muti-site submissions from one and same sender... Just so you know those go directly in my junk directory and are deleted subito presto. Mass submissions to netdiver are unethical, inappropriate and definitely NOT welcomed.

Not only is Juan Nicieza Lavilla an extremely accomplished painter specializing in contextual and realistic portraits, his web site navigation resizes and colorizes in coordination with size and palette of each work shown.

Discover the inner worlds of Joe Sorren, master illustrator and painter, whereas his imagination is on warp speed. The palette is explosive and rich. The topics and characters weird and endearing at the same time.

It's like floating into another world.

Gotta see this snazzy little flash site called The Volunteers. Impressive the little wheel for navigation and the overall oldy cardboard feel.

A good read for a quick look at the 'web' history and reference to this “A 2002 Stanford University study on Web credibility, which included a special look at the financial services industry, reveals that consumers place more emphasis on design look and information design than on content evaluation.”

and this “Without differentiation, consumers perceive commoditization.”

and this “It is creating design rooted in quantitative analysis, driven by the insights, recommendations and experiences of people who are not trained or experienced in visual design.”

and this “Design is more than just aesthetics. It is a sensibility that is often visionary and is about seeing beyond the surface.”

The End of Usability Culture by Dirk Knemeyer

I am blown away! MadeinMTL is a touristic destination site for both visitors and locals. Although this is my hometown, I must admit that the teams (Locomotion and BlueSponge (hello Fady)) behind this little jewel have done their darndest to cover the City which is know for its load of good food and creative vibe, shopping, its underground city and lots of cultural events and festivals and much much more.

You can even make your own itinerary. Now if you plan to visit - don't forget to visit the site and give me a shout!

Here's what you can find on the site: 425 addresses, 15 000 pictures, 400 texts, 50 hours of video, 40 sound scapes and 25 shorts.

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ndle: Disponible en français, si vous désirez lire l'arrière-plan de cette formidable production - voici une coupure de presse.

Designers with theoretical research skills are better practitioners.

I strongly agree. - 61%
I agree. - 31%
I disagree. - 11%

That's what happens when somebody snitches your CSS, code and layout... a bread crumb will be left behind... and will lead the copycat's code to end up in the original site owner stats as a referrer... even our favicon/logo is hot linked! And you dare 'copyright' this to yourself?!?!? I don't care for your explanations. Shame on you! YAY! Site is now offline!

For those who missed the show The Persuaders on PBS.org is a must view. Do it over the week-end. Available in chapters. The content is something each art director and designer need to know about. Eye opening guaranteed.

Stupid Creatures: Cheaper than Taxidermy and Nothing Has to Die by John Murphy. Wow sheer delight!

Fuel Industries needs some... new fuel... their studio is growing like crazy!!! Mike Burns is looking for 2 Sr. Designers and an Art Director. Send him your resume and samples asap.

If a client insists on a design idea or detail that you disagree with, do you go ahead with it? Cast your vote!

Designless is a furniture and interior design site. Done with xtreme elegance, originality and brio by designer Sefik Kabas. Site is a bit slow to download but this is worth the wait. Like the cool little 3D effect boxes.

Some of you are probably familiar with the natural phenomenom of northern lights as can be seen in Distant Horizons.Fantastic pictures which on first take, look like surreal paintings as if straight out of the prolific mind of a science-fiction illustrator. I like the site subdued content areas and clean nav which puts the work in its best light.

Sleepycow is the home of Kate Sutton, illustrator extraordinaire who uses a lot of ribbon doodle like strokes. Don't miss the 'toys' she designed!

Rare ID knows their trade. A lot of their work was done for real estate projects and there are some kicking print designs on the roll as well. They newly launched their retail design operation as well.

View and learn from HORT about everything design, especially around visual identity. Available issues: NR1 and NR2.

Oh! You have gotta see this! MD-EXTREME has got this real looking stage metaphor with some pretty quirky and smart animations for an xtreme sport brand. See for yourself. From Poland with LUV.

Fashion illustration with cutout style. When the minimum says the maximum. Puntoos excellent line art illustrations.

I am aware of the growing new models whereas employees take over a company and run it (profitably) using a new and inventive economic model. Now at threat are the Workers of Zanon. You might or not have heard of it - but I urge you to read the information and sign the petition.

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Itnitiative by Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein.

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ndle: Never underestimate the power of your voice. Change occurs one decision by one decision! Independent self-reliance and economic sustainability are matters we face as well. Let's support them!

The future is mobile and this is a good place to read about it. Receiver hosts forward thinkers articles.

Wow! This is a cool concept and site. Cookie has more than one trick in their jar. They are engaging interactivity in a very friendly way - no pushing and their projects... the Nestle one is a pull in and I especially recommend FETA which has a draw you in interface, a simple and innovative navigation system... a peak into what new media can do. Powerful.

Tell me a story in words, sound and images... video-clip of one of my fav song now available for your viewage: PLANTAGE.

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Art directed by Jakub Dvorsky, animated by Amanita Design, music by Under Byen.

She is not a refiner. She operates on instincts; she gets it the first time or second or never. She thinks clients like to buy process (time) and are afraid if you get it instantly! She was told to illustrate with type. She felt her hands had been cut off when the puter came around. She thrives for this moment when she knows she has nailed it and lives for it!

Meet Paula Scher from Pentagram.

For people who make websites:

Style switcher revisited. Invasion of the Body Switchers by Andy Clarke and James Edwards

Oh! You have gotta see this! Reticule is a pearl. Not only is the work incredible and very dense emotionally but the site displays some neato tricks: the navigation seems to float over background, the content window shows a new way of loading content. Simple taken to the next step.

Talent-talent-talent!

Bloomblossom home of Elena Dvoretskaya who excels at both illustration and graphic design! Stunning work.

Vectorpark some interactive complex mind games and explorations and other sillies.

Pulsating clouds inhabitated by weird cute little characters in a all yellow world! Gotta luv the 'baby' one! I laughed by myself. Innovative and entertaining sealed with a solid pack of projects: Paralotna.

Another pass at the keyboard with mice metaphor but this one is hilarious, smart, in your face and a retro pop visual delight. Read the copy! Yepp this will give you Mindflood!

Melissa Crowley is one of the first Design Forte recipient for Redbean and a potent powagirrrl when it somes to design. New from m i s s y l i s, the Potion Brand #1 issue of fresh stationary.

Get an inside look at the future of what rich media entails? Root Magazine (stiff download over 55mb) includes visuals, animations, video and sound. Fresh from the street scene. This one is the best I have seen so far! Thick with awesome designs!

If you are into toy design here is a Playground. This magazine is comletely devoted to it. The site archive holds enough curiosities to make it worth multi-visits. To see novelties and all the magazine issues go to STRANGEco }}}}} self describing as purveyors of the peculiar.

What's in store? Well MONSTERISM... has got more than friendly monsters walking around. Den of illustrations, paintings, toys and an incredibly well designed and storyboarded flash animations by Pete Fowler.

Site is half-way a game-like environment with a mix of pixel like design. Must see from top to bottom.

Visual extravaganza : : SUPERDEUX! Street culture, toys, illustrations - everything they touch is sooo very good.

Lunar Design Industrial Design just celebrated their 20 years in business! As someone was mentioning - this is a rare feat - in that particular industry!

Switch to Firefox? Not so fast... by John Carroll.

“We just flipped the side. On providing a realistic view that may turn out to be quite challenging, to some.”

The Case Heidi is David Ostrowski new exhibit. Beautiful mix media paintings with a rich chromatic palette.

Nice grungy portfolio site for BFish. I really like the layer over that shows captures of projects. Well done!

What's behind a font anyway? History and more. Christian Schwartz focused on Fleischman’s exuberant angularity, carrying it to all weights of his new Farnham series.

Gotta admit this is a neat idea! Dropping lines to hang content boxes and flow navigation? Robinsson Division does so.

If you're an illustrator what best way to show your skills? Alberto Cerriteno nailed a very original and humoristic way of doing so.

Extremely well executed 3D models for Scenic II and nice travelling like navigation.

Fresh! All in blue and I especially like the discrete animations with the 'switch on' light effect and the 'forward' button. The visuals are extremely well executed. Promising: Voxhon.