Design anywhere and digital culture NEWS // December 2006
The
Graphic Glass Ceiling by Michael Bierut
“Why do you — all three of you — suppose there are
so few female graphic designers — or at least so few female superstar graphic
designers? Is there a glass ceiling in graphic design?”
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ndle1:
More than pink design - our Powagirrrls 
section!
Julie
Blackmon Domestic
Vacations is a photographic essay both biographical and fiction,
in the current social situation that represents a home in disarray,
full of rowdy children and boisterous family gatherings.
These reflect not only our lives today and as children growing up in
a large family, but also move beyond the documentary to explore the fantastic
elements of our everyday lives, both imagined and real.
LUV
architecture! It's been one of my passion for many years and am attracted
to modern design and solutions. View Studio
3lhd works!
Great! From Croatia with LUV!
The
top 20 mistakes marketers make when rebranding - and how to avoid them by ReBrand a
forum for case studies and programs focused on effective rebrands.
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ndle1:
via Icograda
Since
acquiring Macromedia, Adobe has wasted no time in recuperating flash
to forward brand itself. The
Creative Mind is such an attempt geared towards the hit generation
that is their targeted audience.
To their credit, they have done a pretty darn good job. Use the I
want to navigation to pick a section and click your heart away
and discover sweet illos, animations and a quick overview of CS2 capabilities.
More than a great stunt!
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
Produced by Unit9
Pendulum
circle, background changing colors and a most unusual interface experience
awaits you at Artless, which
btw is anything but art less.
If
you wonder? This is a partial screen capture of an interesting website
called the MoMB (short
for Museum of Modern Betas) that has crossed the 2,000 barrier back in
October.
If you're interested in the latest (techno based) betas launched, check
it out!
AixSponza specializes
in designing moving contents. They focus on communication solutions for
broadcast, advertising, events, fairs, presentations and more.
Chek their new winter reel! Absolutely gorgeous!
And
the winners are? Stereohype just
released the shortlist (roughly in alphabetical order). There were a
stunning 593 entries from 232 individuals/studios/collectives, which
for us judges was borderline crazy to pick and choose the best!
Have a look!
POTIPOTI is
celebrating their 3rd anniversary and offers this Christmas every order
place through their website, delivery free of charge.
If you want cool sweaters and other cuties, look them up.
Flash
on warp! Eeee Section Seven attempts
to corner another book concept and method. Careful, panning is very fast
and can be dizzying.
It's
the time of the season! Wanna do something extraordinary?
Kiva.org lets you connect with and loan
money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing
a business on Kiva.org, you can sponsor a business and help
the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence.
Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive
email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are
repaid, you get your loan money back.
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ndle1:
via Ready Made - Oct / Nov
issue
For
visual goodness, Lee Hasler operates under Eyeport and
has redesigned and reloaded his portfolio. You've never seen pixel designs
quite like his!
And still rank has one of the best in this category!
Another
monsterish character on the loose to identify Mutanthands that
has more than hands mutating. Delicious, luscious, technically advanced
and a great sense of staging.
Check their reel.
It's
the year of robotica and a return to hanging tv panels for ingreme who
specializes in post-production. It's kitsch gone techy.. and it's ok
and funny. Some clips in the 3D section are pretty good.
From Lisbon with LUV.
Worldwide
Identity by Robert L. Peters
Profoundly insightful, contextually relevant and outstanding production
for this book published by Rockport.
Including contributions from 40 countries and 300 identities this is
a monsterish load of data come true, an almost impossible summit to attain,
and surely a potential nightmare to manage... but to author,
who has fun (experience?) climbing real mountains, this topic is just
the right challenge for him... a natural extension!
Forever curious, well travelled and a man of heart, his thirst to understanding
and his openness makes this book probably one of the most relevant, not
because super brands and logos are (again) disserted about, but because
of his aptitude to convey his passion and knowledge in the most valuable
way: words.
To be honest, I was a bit reluctant because... well... you know, not
another one. But within a couple of pages reading (just the intro is
worth the book) - I was floored. Really!
This is not a gorgeous book to only look at. It's a book to
take to your fav spot and read... and reap. It's a feast for the eyes
and the mind. In fact, that is exactly what a great book should be.
If I was a writer, this is the book I would have
like to have written!
MUST
READ!!! Anti–Social
Media by Andy Rutledge
“Mediocrity is the only possible result of a wide sampling of
opinion or input. The “highest” anything is largely held
by the masses as being discriminatory and elitist.
So only the lowest common denominator wins out. The point is that in
this sort of environment excellence does not survive.
Excellence is not the sum of opinions. Excellence is not born of consensus.
Excellence is by its very nature something far outside the average. In
fact, not even good is found in the average. Average is comfortable.
Average requires no great effort. Average requires nothing exceptional.
Average anything is…, well, just mediocre.”
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ndle1:
Couldn't have said it better. For years, mediocrity has been
my pet peeve. In fact, in a recent interview that's exactly what I said.
Mediocrity, is the mother of all ills.
One thing I've always favored is excellence.
Not perfection. Excellence in giving 100% to anything and all in life
that is pursued.
YOUARE is
an ongoing research project documenting and cataloging global diversivity
and aims to become an earth-wide map of the relationships between the
infinite diversity of things and places.
cool website and luv the navigation system!
Celebrating
the brilliant minds behind Enigmind.
Juan Carlos says that “with 2,500 lines of ActionScript, it took
them a full year to develop develop and organize. Idea was show the profile
and portfolio of our advertising agency with a very unique style.”
Well they certainly achieved their goal!
Oh
my!!! If you're into shoes and would like to funky up how you lace them,
then 31 Different
Ways To Lace Shoes by Ian W. Fieggen, is just what you were looking
for.
The Sawtooth Lacing, Double Back Lacing and Zipper Lacing are my favs.
Get
ready to see stunning pictures taken by Vincent
Fournier. In the tour operator section - he's well travelled - you
will discover that his vantage point of view turns out compelling compositions.
For the viewer, some of the apparent dichotomy between forefront and
background are both beautiful and unsettling.
Huan
Tran has a stunning illustrator portfolio Leakingfaucet who
often uses overdrawn lineart to define the message in the compositions.
Must see.
Stickfort is
home of Adam Haynes. He has a penchant for putting automotive items in
the most unexpected compositions.
Another
artist that has got a fascination with automotive parts, with somewhat
of a grafiti style to it and embedded in urban settings. Meet Jason
Thielke.
Nick
Brandt luvs animals and his sepia tinted photography is breath
taking. You sense the fierceness of the wild as well as the common
thread between all: this is where these creatures inhabit. How he did
to capture these is quite a feat in itself.
Fantastic!
ME
studio is a recently launched small print design agency based in
Amsterdam. Nice projects, promising talent!
Storyville?
A stunning concept around a special reserve coffee coupled with a going
on the road mentality.
Fantasy
abounds in Hypehopewonderland.
The mini-scenes comprises so much details - you're drawn in the interior
world of the artist.
After
the immense success of Bravia,
following suite is Coca Cola Blak new
FR campaign... this time it's not multi-colored balls thrown down a San
Francisco hill but all shades of brown illustrated bubbles... hum...
circles that are filling the screen.
To their credit - it's fantastic use of flash! Luv the transitions and
all the very in the now youth with attitude style. If nothing
else, they've nailed their target audience by feeding them lots of the
stuff that appeals to them.
As for the beverage itself...
Secret
Santa reveals his identity by Maria Sudekum Fisher
For 26 years, a man known only as Secret Santa has roamed the streets
every December quietly giving people money. He started with $5 and $10
bills. As his fortune grew, so did the gifts.
“Even
in literature and art, no man who bothers with originality will ever
be original: whereas if you simply try to tell truth (without caring
two pences how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out
of ten, will be become original without ever having noticed it.”
quote by C.S.
Lewis
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ndle1:
via Modern Dog Design
The
exhibit, Seeing Red (35 designers
confront contemporary issues), is a forum for designers to speak out,
raise awareness and affect change. It is an opportunity to discuss the
issues we care most about in a format we all recognize: posters.
More than an exhibition or
even a dialogue, Seeing Red is also a fundraiser, as all profits from
poster sales benefit a charity of the designer's choice.
IF
stands for Imaginary Forces and
imagination they've sure have got plenty of, have a look at their reel.
The website is in flash with skewed panels for the visuals and easy navigation
- that is if you figure out to click on right or left end side of the
pictures.
The spectrum of projects is large and they've turned out some pretty
amazing work.
Although
they're announcing that a new website will be available soon, Hula+Hula present
site explores whimsical navigation systems that are differenst for each
portfolio sections.
From Mexico with luv.
Fork
Unstable job opps. Got a hot portfolio and too much time on your
hands? They're looking for just a few good men. And women.
What
design means by Henning von Vogelsang
“Clients asking for variation happens out of natural reasons.
Clients are insecure about their choices, just like you are insecure
about which is the best mountain bike you can get for money.
You want to do some research before you settle for a solution, and so
does your client.
In order to make him understand why you chose red over green, you will
have to guide him through your thought-process.
You will have to show him what made you think red was better than green
and have him agree with you.
Following this pattern, selling your work will become a lot easier.”
Mediafix redux
book (portfolio)! Quite a feat, the print version is as the website.
Also, if you interested they're on the lookout for des créatifs!
From France with LUV!
I
don't know if you've watched The
Inconvenient Truth film yet, if you didn't, please do. Why? Because
as designers we are (in)directly contributing - well at least those doing
print projects - to one of the highest source of pollution which is the
print industry.
Sustainability, change and environmentally conscious choices are top
on my list of priorities, and if you visit Renourish,
a resource dedicated to us, you will find information and alternatives.
Why care? Because as communicators, we can influence and make substantial
changes by our choices.
/
Azul de Corso has
gotten ahead since first being listed. Her work has been featured in
books, magazines and a recent portfolio spot in Computer ARTS.
Way to go!!!
An agent
de photographes, Lise Goldfard has
surrounded herself with only the best of the best. Shown in the backgroun
one of Denis Felix photograph! You're invited! If you're a pro or a
serious amateur, see what these fantastic photographers show and learn
from them.
Another must see!
Metropolis
Magazine is celebrating their 25th Anniversary and have released
a collection of their covers. Go back in time and see their first issue
July 1981 which included articles about sustainable design which became
an on-going topic through the years.
Many more years to theym who have consistently covered the architecture
design culture evolution.
One
the most creepy but harmless creature and character creator, one that
uses dazzling colors and chaotic layouts organized à la Paul Klee
(influence?) and prolific illustrator and toy designer Tim
Biskup relaunched his new website!
If you've never seen his stack pack vinyl toys - you must!
Make
TJ Drink is an hilarious marketing stint. Two guys testing combinations
of 168,894 drinks that you choose. Mix recipe will appear.
Try it and see for yourself what they think of your choice! Fun!
A
flamboyant product designer Patrick
Norguet collection of works is a must see. His style is modern classic
with a touch of retro lines and funk especially in textile choices and/or
surface treatments!
Pay attention to his chairs! Sleek and elegant! The transparent Rainbow
chair looking like a bar code is simple eye candy.
SYRUP/NYC is
looking for a Flash Developer/Creative Technologist and a Designer to
work in New York. Now that's a way cool opportunity since that studio
develops great projects.
When
there is no end to imagination and experimentation, the field of typography
has got a chief scientist. Created by Oded Ezer, Typosperma is
the second experimental typo project in his biotypography series.
The
Ultimate Portfolio by Mark Ramshaw
“.. As a designer, you need to look at yourself as a product.
The key tool for active self-promotion is the internet, where a website
can provide visitors with instant access to a digital portfolio.
.. If you want to make your mark with a portfolio, then you need to
be creative, but there are eight million ways to blow it.
.. A unified presentation is always preferable to a comprehensive
folio of half-baked ideas.”
Brilliant
portfolio for Kevin Robertson.
I especially like his print pieces most of them carry outstanding concepts
with a very clean and minimalist approach.
Nice,
very-very nice corporate website for Tolleson
Design. Luv the simple visual interface with lots of white space
and well presented projects.
Is
it a lamp? Is it a new discoball? Both and more? When kitchen fans go
bling-bling as you can see in the Elica
Collection, you know that industrial design has crossed another threshold
and stepped into a much in need territory.
When I think of the boxy white and boring (and useless) fan above my
stove... mmm... Why in the first place did they have to be so ugly?
Exhibition
'MIX06 : One Step Back, Two Steps Forward, the culmination of an
Indigenous/Immigrant exchange project between students at the Hartford
School of Art and Monash. There's a full description of the MIX06 initiative
(Migrant Indigenous eXchange 2006) in the about section of the website
and view the website gallery of student works.
When design is at the service of addressing pressing issues.
studio804 specializes
in alternative building techniques. Most interesting is the 20 weeks
study of Modular3,
an experiment housing project done by the firm and interns.
“In the end, this year's house is more than prefab construction.
Modular3 explores the potentialities of prefab: expedience, solidity,
and beauty. An experiment into what is possible and what should be demanded
out of our built environment, the dynamic spaces and experiences modular3
offers show how architecture can be a subtle mediator between the tangible
and intangible.”
From this to this!!! Amazing project and amply documented.
Desudesu has
got nice visual funk! Luv the opening sequence and some of his short
animations are spunkily delicious.
Ann
Woo pushing
photography to its outmost limits. Shown: a splendid composition and
the lighting is so beautiful!
Piu
Studio is an architectural firm based in Italy. Nice projects,
that even included restauration of a couple of palazzo.
Intense
and vivid colors. Sharp compositions. Jamie
Kripke has got this edge and an eye to capture the uncanny. A point
of view that would be completely missed by most of us.
The beauty and power of photography is that the eye of the photographer
is lent to us, the viewer, and permits to see through the mind of another
person the world, people and life's moments in sometimes profoundly new
ways.
Grungy
and edgy website for Open
Source and electronik musik festival! Edition 2007 is in the making.
Wow! Javier
Ferrer Vidal has not only an excellent eye for photography but
his website is one of the most original I've seen built for a photographer.
Unsung as
in unsung heroes? You bet, nice CSS for a website dedicated to promoting
emerging designers, as in fashion design from all over the world complete
with a listing of all designers with a small bio.
cool! LUV indie projects!
Migy is
home to long nose (sausage?) like characters and sweet other children
book illustrations.
The
Wonder Association is a collective of talented illustrators where
refined line art are superimposed over brash and broad backgrounds
with intention to surprise viewer by some of the perspectives used.
Rojkind
arquitectos taking on the future of urban design. Innovative and
modern views mixed into nice results.
If
you were given 2-5 years to live, what would you do?
“Be a founding member and key part of a landmark
motion picture about what it means to be alive, what it means to die,
and what is important in life.”
What
is Latex for Fun?
“The project started with a simple idea: create disposable designer
toys with pure d.i.y. ethics. We started drawing over balloons
what we would like to draw over vinyl toys, but we couldn't afford.
So we tried it and liked it, and decided to spread out the idea and
make something else out of it.”
Ora
Ïto is a fantastic product designer and his website follows
suite! The mosaic is constantly refreshed, so not all same projects are
available.
Must see!
What
do you know? He ponders the infinite. Veers off course. Has an idea.
The next big thing from Gary? Go-HiFi!
Check the Genesis 2.0 section.
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ndle1:
Site developed by Planet Propaganda.
In2media has
got two job openings for freelancers: one for a Senior Digital Designer
and the other for an ActionScript Developer.
Nice
limited edition stencil Tshirts by CIOOMOYOKO.
Luv the single color ones with empty space that uses the shirt color
as complementary color.
Dave
Torres via LAB25 is into young fahion
& lifestyle design mostly related to extreme sports. Don't let the
skull deter you, there is a cool flash website
and loads of projects.
See design trends? Probably the skull theme is ranking ex-equo with
the Rorschach inkblot test like designs.
Thorsten
Konrad is young and already dabbing into multi-discipline projects
with a consistent level of quality. Someone to watch for.
His website navigation is a bit tricky, but once you get the hang of
it, it works.
He
says: “I'm a fellow atmosphere maker.” Check Yew Kee Chung
aka Matte digital art portfolio complete
with small slide shows.
Where
do great talent go? At AREA17, home
of extra prolific creative execution master Arnaud Mercier (who was listed
as a design forte recipient back in 2002) et al.
Luckily for us, most of his outstanding past work is still available
for viewing.
Now what do you think of the information tree-like navigation?
Again, LUV his work!
Want
to adopt a My Misio and place this
luvely crochet knit kitten in situational pictures and build a fantasy
story around it??
Childish? Then why not? This is a cool idea.
A
mesmerizing illustrator, Riki Blanco portfolio
website holds a large quantity of work. Meant to provoke and enchant,
visual constructions defy usual perceptions.
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ndle1:
via Diseco.es
If
and only because of the rotating portfolio pieces, Zago Design won't
disappoint.
Smooth
operating is the portfolio site of Bob
Corporaal which has gone through many transitions and versions. His
work is really good and consistent.
Another
evolving studio, red design is
still red hot!
A
working duo has updated their website in a new simple version: Practicing
Farm
Les
Chinois recrutent!
Ils sont à la recherche d'un directeur artistique.
Just
found a fantastic flash site! Fluid which
titles as dynamic media design is a little visual and code marvel. Luv
the tiling navigation and the popping up of the miniature project section
that contains information about it.
Basically, no efforts spared to make the interface and information displayed
enjoyable.
-> more news
^
