NEWS // May 2007
And we're back!!! Flashware directory
reopens!
Fresh takes on rich media, motion design (most) using flash as well as
experimental websites containing explorative code pushing the limits of
interface design and user interaction.
Dating back or new, dazzling!
What
a treasure! If you are considering a career in editorial design... or
even cherish the dream of publishing one day, you're very own magazine,
this book is loaded with examples and a must have.
I gulped it down and found so many relevant insights about the creative
processes involved around publishing. Mostly covering the indie scene,
which makes it infinitely more attractive to me, I was overjoyed that
it contained so much disclosed information about the behind the scenes
and the vision of their founders.
Learning about the editorial guidelines, limited edition or large scale
circulation, the why(s) of their particular art direction, the search
for collaborators, budgets, funkying up the production to deliver and
keep a high level of uniqueness are invaluable knowledge.
Mag-Art
one of the best book I've read so far this year!
UNStudio
is an international architectural practice, situated in Amsterdam since
1988, with extensive experience in the fields of urbanism, infrastructure,
and public, private and utility buildings on different scale levels.
Check out the little quotes available when a color dot appear on a page.
Nice way to pique curiosity and pass on some of your philosophical bites.
New font resources! For more visit the Design
Toolbox!
/
Blue Vinyl when you buy one and get a free license for all free to
download fonts to use in your (commercial) work!
/
Font Bros
/
Astigmatic Font Institute
/
Iconian Fonts
/ Font Lover is all about type
news!
Past,
Present and Future... Creating for the Web
“There have been many discussions about Form vs. Function
on online forums and live speaker events, and old as this topic is, it
never seems to settle down because opinions will diverge most of the time
from a technical minded person to a visual one.”
Read what a panel of eight (Eric
Jordan, Jakob Nielsen, Lynda
Weinman, Nick Finck, Todd
Purgason, Sodaplay, WeWorkForThem
and Matt Mullenweg, four developers
and four designers think of what the hype is about.
Were
I to vote for the most minimalistic portfolio I've seen, and by that I
don't mean smallish almost non-legible usage of screen fonts, or very-very
smallish non-wowing thumbnails where I'm suppose to figure out the brilliant
talent hidden in them.
Hats off to Julie Bayard
not only does she beautiful graphic design but having had the wits to
make her portfolio website cater to its audience: showing her skills to
potential clients!
B_CUBE
is another architect studio based in France with a stunning flash web
site. Appreciation for how the the listed projects zoom out to show bigger
visuals. The sense of user interactivity is high. Check the team area
and mouse over the pixelized pictures. Heads are turning towards you,
invite user to click.
Testament as too how architects are possibly the most progressive in
using the web to their advantage.
We need to convey this high web value to clients of other industries
and markets who seemed to be stuck in pre-98 years still counting on their
high-school nephew to design their company website instead of hiring a
professional.
When pitching be ready with excellent arguments to do so.
Tale
of How is a surrealistic animation where technical prowness and illustrative
skills are displayed. The music track is less desirable... and feels out
of place in regards with what you see.
Visit the Reel *Shorts
directory for more shorts, adverts movies.
Juicy
fruity and a whole lots more! Think
outside the box online advert is another ramping up award winning
project. View the whole introduction and then pick either choices you
see in the second thumbnail and... enjoy some more.
Another demonstration of the power of flash! Man do I luv the expanding
possibilities afforded dreamers, thinkers and designers!
Now go back to your on-going project and create something!
Some
of the reasons I don't use Google
ads and why publishers must get a bigger piece of the cake
and why Yahoo should pick
up their act are well explained by Sramana
Mitra. She is an entrepreneur and a strategy consultant in Silicon
Valley since 1994 and has Masters degree in EECS from MIT and a Bachelors
degree in Computer Science and Economics from Smith College.
Pimping her credentials so you have faith enough to heed
her wry and dry sometimes opinions and because the business side
(of design) is all too important to overlook..
Talking
about the business side, what about the freelancers?
Well a group of them have discussed some of the issues.
CSS2.2?
by Andy Budd
“.. that same year, Bert Bos and Hakon Lie postulated
that CSS3 would arrive sometime in late 1999.. (sic) Over 7 years later,
and we’re still waiting. This begs the question, what went wrong?”
Magazines
vs. The Web: End of an Era by Josh Norem
“There was once a heyday in which print magazines
flew off the shelves when a new piece of hardware was released. These
days, readers flock to their favorite website, and instead gauging public
interest in terms of the number of issues sold, we measure it in page
views.”
The
Future of Magazines Has Never Looked Better by Paul Cloutier
“Josh Norem, a former editor of Maximum PC, says that the web is
going to make magazines extinct because they can't compete with the timeliness,
the infinite amount of space, and the cost structure of the web.
This should be of concern to us, after all we are a new
publishing company that is betting on the future of the printed magazine.
Well, we pretty much agree with his points. But rather than seeing this
as the demise of magazines, we see this as an opportunity to embrace the
web and make magazines better.”
Julius
Popp is the astonishing brain behind Bit.Fall.
And what is it exactly??? Well it seems to be part scientific exploration
and part artistic exploration in order to generate some clues into what
is life and society about...
Big questions, very partially unveiled and answered. You've gotta see,
hear, read how he goes about it and how he came up with it!
The
profession that dare not speak its name by Jeffrey Zeldman
“If web design makes the new information age possible—if
it creates new markets and new products, generates significant global
cash flow, changes the way companies and non-profits interact with the
public, and employs untold legions of specialists—why, until now,
hasn’t anybody tried to find out more about it as an industry?”
Tradition
in action is a very nice animated advert design by Dimenium creative
lab which veers towards a retro/kitsch looking interface on their website.
New website is up gone is the tonal beige palette and small icons.
For
all office furniture needs and usages, here's a slick Alternativ!
If
you're willing to be a bit patient, be ready to be surprised! ImageNation
is into building images using photography stock. Choose the portfolio,
click one of the small squares and use the little handle to visualize
the transformations!
Now that's something!
The
Web Design Survey, 2007 by ALA Staff
Designers, developers, project managers. Writers and editors. Information
architects and usability specialists. People who make websites have been
at it for more than a dozen years, yet almost nothing is known, statistically,
about our profession.
Who are we?
You can't miss this interview
with Kylie Matulick and Todd Mueller of Psyop. Have you seen the Happiness
Factory? executed for Coke and agency Wieden+Kennedy, which won the
2006 film Epica d’Or.
Ground breaking animation, storyboard, a true chef d'oeuvre!
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
More interviews are in the features
section! Good job Justin!
Evolution of agencies or freelancer to (re)discover!
/
Giò Forma architecture and environmental design
/
Satellites mistaken for stars not just daydreaming!
/
IdealWord the one of a kind brilliant work of Pedro Pablo Azpeitia
/
ourmachine prolific production of lifestyle urban design
The
School of Design (S.D.) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University is offering
postgraduate study opportunity in Hong Kong, our Master
of Design programmes (MDes).
BTW courses are given in English.
99
Silhouettes is an accessible visual resource for designers and creatives,
whether simply looking for inspiration or interested in commissioning
artwork and illustration in this genre.
This little book is truly great, loads of examples and some, were of
striking beauty and quality. Always important to have what I call a particular
design style referenced both for future ideas or for knowing a starting
group of designers who have done so.
As I was introduced to the (many) different techniques, it was quite
an eye opener, realizing how little I knew about it. Ain't that what makes
a book worthy?
Début Publications is offering Netdiver audience a nifty 50%
off regular price!!
When
I visited Barcelona a couple of years ago, I fell completely in luv with
the city. This site features a minimal design, which is something really
different from what most of the hotels are doing on their websites.
chic&basic® hotels
are a different experience!
JUST
RELEASED by Stereohype an online boutique offering limited editions and
rare products:
B.I.O.
(by invitation only) button badge series 6! Now here's your chance
to get some eye candy. There's also an exclusive
collection of 4 buttons I designed just for the LUV!
Help yourself!
Here are some talented folks to visit for inspiration:
/
Jeans take shape photography and animated overdrawn line arts by Gerald
Mark Soto
/
Guy McKinley detailed street style illustrations! Wunderful!
/
Action Sports Awards by Shilo
/
Fables 64 illustration process by James Jean
Focused? by
Eric Karjaluoto
“..you are better off to choose what you are strongest
at and dedicate as much as you can to mastering that discipline.”
They
know their trade: design and typography! View a simple and nicely designed
web portfolio by Seven25 ran by
Isabelle Swiderski
our new powagirrrl!
Design Matter Live with
Debbie Millman: don't want to miss the one with Marian
Bantjes
who was featured on Netdiver, past March.
Didn't
make it to Milan for the world’s biggest design fair?
See all the action at POL Oxygen
dedicated web portal. Their art director Marcus Piper has been trawling
the streets of Milan for the best new products, events and brightest designers
in town.
Now,
that is such a great idea!!! Check it out! A new Live
Surface category which are blank advertising spots to show client
mock ups.
Designed and created by the good folks at Shift.
Do
you Last.fm??? It's a way kewl social
/ community based website where you can find likemind music lovers and
discover new music.
Vitamin does an interview
the developers Matt Ogle and Anil Bawa Cavia.
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
BTW they are hiring! London
calling to all PHP gurus, C++ wranglers, sysadmins, marketeers, and more...
Presenting
two movies designed by ultra talented Cubadust. As you can see he has
a fascination with floating bubbles and spheres who often morph into colored
blobs, fast drawing lines and ethereal atmospheric backgrounds.
/ CAP&Design
Magazine
/ Electrolyte
At OFFF two years ago - I presented on the topic of What
NeXt? the Future is connected.
At the core of my message was that I firmly believe designers can change
the world, which happens to be my modus vivendi since writing my life
manifesto at 14.
Introducing a kewl initiative that I fully support!
“Design can change is
an effort to bring together the world’s graphic design community
to address the issues surrounding climate change.
Designers craft much of the world’s products/media and as such
are well positioned to build awareness around this issue while encouraging
more sustainable industry practices.”
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
Suggested readings:
Transcript of presentation by Susan
Szenasy who is editor of Metropolis mag, while addressing the AIGA
2003 crowd of designers. She had some pretty strong words for us backed
up with solid facts.
“But I say that you—collectively, as graphic designers—are
starting other fires, metaphorically speaking... You are responsible for
helping to create 40% of North America's solid waste; paper accounts for
81 million tons of waste annually..
Furthermore, the pulp and paper industry is the third largest industrial
buyer of elemental chlorine. Chlorine is used to whiten paper, a process
which is linked to a proven cancer-causing chemical called dioxin.”
_ _ _ _ _ _
Green is
the new Black / 2006 / a short essay
_ _ _ _ _ _
Unassigned,
the Future Calls for Submissions / 2005 / a manifesto
Love
Lied (but hurt me most) is a lovely short on the many stage
and facets of loss.
Deloudis
is a company involved in the furniture business. For many years now it
has had a core intention of finding the best out there. If you're into
furniture design, or interested in finding out who are some of the most
influential designers who have redefined contemporary, good place to start.
nau
is a “small group of people, committed to the power of business
as a force for change. Defined by what we love, and how we work and play,
we're not just looking to make some new clothes..”
Trek
Bikes showcases their new bike called Lime!
Very kewl flash website!
Sunday
past was Earth day which was endorsed by 184 countries. The WWF came up
with what I think is a unique way of getting this message across in Beijing
where it seems the skies are dakening due to pollution:
“Drive one day less and look how much carbon monoxide you'll
keep out of the air we breathe”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
via Computerlove
Blew
me away! Check the delicately intricated paper sculptures that Richard
Sweeney does!
Luxuriously
simple, all in black & white, Peter
Edison website is a jewel of minimalism. He has rose to be recognized
as a talented young deejay owing his luv for music to his uncle. There
are 3 different mixes available lasting more than 1 hour.
It takes time to become good at what we do and as I've often said, the
dreams of our youth can become the reality of our adult years.
PingMag
is a bilingual online design magazine that writes about ideas and inspiration
coming from both world class designers, and from the little store on the
corner.
From Tokyo with luv!
SHIFT
is celebrating their 10th anniversary online with a redesigned interface.
Articles are now divided into 4 categories: people, things, happenings
and place.
Another
stylish and minimalist web site portfolio for Lucio
Rufo, who art directed amongst others, the now famous Campana Brothers
website.
Some
have started a reflextion on the future of our home, earth. Ryuichi Sakamoto
is behind the campaign Stop-Rokkasho
because Japan plans to open a nuclear-fuel waste reprocessing plant and
is a disaster in becoming.
I invite
you to visualize, ear, see, read what artists are contributing. Follows
Rokkasho
main video of a beautifully hauntingly emotional rendered song.
Additionally,
check out Mono No Aware experiments
which loosely translated, means 'sensitivity to things'.
'vE-"jA
is a compilation of what is going on the VJ scene and if you're interested
in getting a bird's eye wolrd view, this book is just what you will get.
Complete with stunning pictures and videos. In interviews with each of
the artists featured in the book, the importance of live performance is
echoed repeatedly. The live setting is where the art evolves.
Well documented as to how VJ makes on-the-fly interpretations of all
the external elements in front of a live audience.
This
is a brilliant show opener movie for Tokyo
Now. Tokyo buildings and street scenes morph and fuse through a variety
of 2D and 3D graphic styles.
This episode of the program, broadcast on the Japanese public television
network NHK, focuses on three keywords: connect, combine, and create.
Smooth
operating Somersault
reel. Luv the liquid chrome 3D fx in the opening and ending sequences.
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
via Fubiz news
Are
you a freelancer? Then Freelance
Switch should be a first stop to find advice, tips and community to
enhance and advance your career.
For
your listening pleasure, Fubiz
publishes a broadcast where you can sample up to 30 min variety of music
compilations.
foldschool
is a collection of free cardboard furniture for kids, handmade by you.
The downloadable patterns can be printed out with any printer. Follow
the instructions and assemble a stable piece of furniture.
TOWBS
(The one week-end book series) from an original idea by Martin
Lorenz will be showing at the upcoming OFFF Festival in Barcelona.
Burton
is looking for a couple of web designers to join it's stable of creatives
based in Burlington VT and Irvine CA. Checkout the postings.
The
extreme imaginary world of Sam Weber
is filled with beautiful and sometimes scary darkish characters.
Thinking for a Living
was created for those who believe that while design is a profession, it’s
above all a passion.
This collection of resources illustrates the wide variety of tools modern
designers have at their disposal and the breadth of influences we should
all have.
Created by Duane King, creative director BBDK, Inc. and probably better
known as pioneer10.
5ive
just published his NORWAY series
#2.. and that would be? A photographic essay. Some of his pictures are
in fact pretty good. Luv the color saturation and some of the compositions.
His self-portrait is awesome!
Baby
you can ride my bike! Tadidanadina... it's time to Switch
to high performance!! Very well executed flash website.
Dylan
Gibson has got the brilliance and talent to cover with semi-realistic
characters the whole spectrum of illustration needs.
Can
cameras and computers lead to better health? That's what the National
Film Board of Canada (NFB) and Subject Matter Inc. have worked together
to create an online documentary experience that tells the story of an
innovative new program called Filmmaker-in-Residence.
Media and storytelling hand in hand for good causes.
Igloo
definitely chose a different approach, which I would describe as fancying
a more corporate feel for putting together their company reel.
-> more news
^
