Design and digital culture NEWS // April 2004
boolicube
•°•°• is the first portfolio of Zack Dolin.
Simple vectors with a direct message. Showing enough skills to induce
interest! Some of the elements are known references but mix and match
is intriguing and interpreted in a personal and original way!
Grace,
elegance and poetic describe the art and eye of Nicole
Sloane 
photography.
The colors are so rich and vibrant you feel like jumping right in. The
nonchalance of subjects salutes her capacity to direct well and to set
people at ease, a rare quality demonstrated to such excellence.
Pay attention to the navigation and how the 'section' moves to the top.
A
corporate site? This is as close to perfection as it gets check out 31Three.
Easy to navigate, concise and to the point copy. Excellent portfolio
sections that set the projects in their best light not forsaking the
visuals which are crisp and beautiful.
As
I just mentioned environmental issues will become more and more forefront
and we, as designers, have a unique lever to raise awareness around us. Seams.la is
THE first great example on how design is applied to such a challenge.
One of the most important 'environmental' issue is one related to 'economy'.
Environmental economy has to do with the fair useage of resources...
and one resource that is too often time at the bottom is human resources.
I am most concerned with slave/sweat shops and the horrible situation
these people have to accept in order to survive. Forget about savings.
Forget about having a fund to cover school for the kids or build their
Rivieria Utopia retirement.
Seams.la is THE first great example on how design is applied to such
a challenge.
With the author permission, follows is an exerpt of the brief Adriana
Parcero followed to develop this amazing project!
“Seams uses clothing as a vehicle to comment on the garment industry,
making visible and wearable the information little known to consumers,
but all too real to garment workers around the world. Seams maps the
social and economic reality of the global garment industry onto its designs.
Seams aim is to raise awareness, educate and make us think differently
about the stories and processes behind everyday products. Seams began
when I started to think about the intersection between clothes and women.
The most interesting fact for me is not that women consume and wear
more clothes than men, but that women manufacture more clothes than men.
There are millions of female garment workers all over the world constructing
garments under sub-standard conditions.
As both a consumer and media designer I asked myself one poignant question
on which to build the project:
HOW CAN I USE MEDIA DESIGN TO GET CONSUMERS TO FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION
ON SUCH SWEATSHOPS?
Seams clothing catalog has four levels of information: the first is
factual information on the garments, which refers to the manufacturing
process.
The second level is the narrative of a woman wearing the garments, who
represents the potential customer.
The third level of information is the catalog text and diagrams that
complement the photographs, providing the reader with more specific information
about the industry.
The fourth level, the index section, deploys an innovative iconic language
that describes the complex participants in the garment industry.
Seams uses clothing as an information system to communicate socially
relevant content. The clothes themselves are narratives that give voice
to garment workers in a unique manner.
Seams places activism within higher fashion by blurring the boundaries
of the clothing industry; using high-end goods to comment on sub-standard
production practices.”
More power to you! Shall we not follow suit?
Nice
'out of the box' design for industria01 which
loads really fast. Like how the nav works and the screening area to view
projects.
High
contrast black & white shots from Toni
Rodriguez whereas the absence of color does not deprive the viewer
from a lack of details.
ISAR site
which has just been launched for a new 'contemporary urbanity' housing
development in Sydney / AU. Save one for me on the top floor! Excellent
3D renditions.
Into
music? Electa is comin' out
on Cd and dubble Vinyl and they are lookin' for new talent.
What
do you think? Didn't get my morning coffee? I did not pick the right
snapshots? You decide what is going on here: #1 or #2 which is the copycat???
This
is as cute as it gets: PVcartoons. Promising talent and original transitions
to and from different sections.
Red
the new en vogue color? M|T interactive goes Gustav. and
presents a la Roger Black their temp site with gusto. The black over
text is a good idea to get your attention towards content and to use
as a visual element too.
A
good use of flash is making it possible to operate smoothly from a single
browser window. Honestly pop-ups are beginning to irritate me a lot.
BTW there are some 'good' uses for these... but in my view - we should
shift to trying to make the user experience the site in an engaging and
simple way.
Its not always easy to find the best way to integrate content and projects.
I think, this new design firm Ionami
Design does it with brio! Excellent portfolio!
Environmental
issues will become more and more forefront around the world. Designers
can be a lever to help raise awareness. Here is a good place to start: BioGems.
Yellow,
red and visual eclectism for the music site of Air Liquide. Red is such
a difficult color to work with. This is one good application and use
of it.
Magnify
is a band who spell their convictions with stunning words: “He
loves prostitutes, murderers and thieves...” Then it all made sense: “He
sent his Son to die on the cross for us all, sometimes, you just have
to stand in wonder...”
I am told site was coded by a 16 year old!!! The music player rocks
and the music rocks and the band will rock more than your soul if you
let them.
“The
skillful pursuit and applications of artistic invention” is the
liner for Glitschka Studio and
they certainly meet up to it.
Gee they are good.
Filling
your ears Gulp Music can do that! Nice site to display the work of many
artists that supply tracks for film, TV and every other imaginable applications.
The music genre in the db is astronomous and search engine well built.
Amazing
illustrations by Fu-design. Designed
with this old comic books washed out palette and the characters are way
cute! The 'alien' character on the right mimicks human expression quite
well!
Not
your average photographer. In M.
Schwarzer pictures you sense composition was researched at length.
Patience, a lot of it, is required to capture almost trivial or mundane
subjects in a slightly weird yet very artistic way. Even the navigation
is unusual...
Describing
as industrious art & design, Thinkmule specializes
in print and is all about a grungy, spunky and retro collages style operating
under a very personal signature.
Mucho talent at work here!
“The
initial concept was to find a path to encourage diversity, promote cultural
pluralism and provide new opportunities to aspiring designers across
the world...and plug a path between East and West... Designers represented
here are commended for the depth of their thinking...”
Joyn:Design (Cyan, Jian and Frank) have done an incredible editorial
work in picking and assembling this project. The Plugzine02 - OSMOSIS
is now released.
Although I did make a review of a print book LosLogos —
it is the first time I review a digital magazine compilation and collaborative
project.
“The initial concept was to find a path to encourage diversity,
promote cultural pluralism and provide new opportunities to aspiring
designers across the world...and plug a path between East and West...
Designers represented here are commended for the depth of their thinking...”
I was stirred deeply by the approach and concept for which - after many
years of research - is confirming what I am thinking altogether: DESIGN
is a communal language the world around and given the right opportunity
- it can bloom to prove itself.
Joyn:Design approach is courageous and exciting. Asking designers to
express about a topic that is usually relegated to the atmospheric spheres
of high intellectualism which is not bad, but mostly and usually worst,
relegated to 'socio cultural' politics.
I am prompted to capture this dialogue and set it up in this permanent
installation so that - in fact - I do attempt to fill the gab and build
a bridge.
Although there are a lot of snapshots collated here - I intentionally
left out most - please take time to see the project in 'context' - only
then will this powerful concept take full effect! Some of the better
pieces hold on half-pages as well.
The essence of these designs has moved me and affected me. WE, as designers,
are NOT sleeping and drifting... That's what each piece is telling profoundly!
In this world of mass indifference fed by mass media whereas we are
told over and over how impotent we are to affect and make changes...
this assumption is challenged in this project! The spirit and heart of
designers are pulsating at a different level and are questing!
In fact, they are pointing and asking hard and harsh questions that
need answers... now! Not another massive dose of comforting and empty
advertising babble and/or corporate happy talk wanting to control culture.
In my opinion, there is a huge difference between an urge to design
and an urge to communicate! The set of skills are the same - the mindset
is altogether completely different!
We, the creative giant, is awakening... imagine what we can DO when
fully awaken...
If you have references to both Eastern/Western cultures you will see
and feel the subtle and brillant connotations. I am proud! I am filled
with hope!
Indeed we can build a better world, one design at a time, one effort
at a time, one communication at a time! To all participants thanks for
sharing your time, talent and thoughts and to Joyn:Design (Cyan, Jian
and Frank) who have done an incredible editorial work in picking and
assembling this project.
Expressing and achieving osmosis makes us strong! It grants a powerful
tribune where we can speak loud and clear!
_ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
Print version of this project is available.
PLUGZINE Where to start?
/ No 1
Stiftung
Pfadfinden is an outstanding project dedicated to the Girls & Boy
Scouts! Hyper-realist, immersive and well adapted experiment and content.
Another
Poster for Peace is about creating copyright-free anti-war posters
available free of charge to the public. Since January of last year,
hundreds of thousands of posters have been downloaded world-wide. Support!
Student
interactive installation project: The
Other Self to
engage naturally. Must see.
They
describe themselves as one stop creative boutique! Dynamo walks the talk!
Crisp grid, wonderful signature - I really like the 'ticket' metaphor.
Clients web projects mostly in the apparel industry.
[ witold
szlachta | photography | advertising | editorial | corporate |
portrait | travel ] with such a description it might be perceived as
being over the top! Well if someone is capable of photographing buses
in an artistic way... I guess it's right to think that he will be good
in a lot of other fields as well.
(The
original site is no longer online - get a look at the brief) The
Adventures of Seinfeld (and Superman???) guarantees a refreshing
moment! How about shorts (5 min) films for advertising using the product
placement model? Amex's done it!
Don't miss the behind the scene footage. What I like most about this
project is that two artists (comedian + film director) decided on pitching
to a company to do something completely original!
Metadaddy
project by Wandering-Monsters! Nothing scary about it if complexity is
something you enjoy. As Ben put it: “This a Flash/XML driven site
with dynamic sorting/filtration. It's kind of an experiment in data-mining!”
Try the different boxes on the right side to alter rendering... click
some to see snapshots of work. Genial!!! It's been a long time since
I have seen something as clever!
Modern
artist Thomas Newbolt site
begs you to explore. Based on the 'typewriter' effect, the navigation
system - is simple and non-obstrusive. Some of his paintings are breathtaking
and the soundtrack just the right classic choice.
If
you're going to do it anyway might as well do it 4REALDOUGH!
Music designers for games and new media! Crank up the speakers and hear
out their 'cover' themes! LUV it!
See
the power of shorts using flash... 20,235 frames of fun!! Use the red
cursor to move around through the projects.
Amazing videographers... photography work, storyboarding and production
definitely makes Acht Frankfurt a
top agency in their field.
Luv
the simplicity and edgy print work of ÆShoukas. Monitor his work
on D-Realm.
YEN
wants to celebrate the achievements of young women making their mark
in fields that are shaping the direction of the world we live in, and
we need you to help.
Together we want to find the 50
most influential young women in the world today in every field
from music to medicine, from the commendable to the controversial.
Sweet
and short: Media Kitchen Rules
of engagement point to 12 things to do now in ref with communication,
marketing and branding.
“Remember it's communication, not exposure”
IndustryScoop 25
principals (sic) of Success... Pick and choose - there is good
advice there. Luv this one:
“Do not go to lunch with someone who is only looking
to pick your brain”
The
Way Forward with Web Standards. Abstract: “Even though Web
standards are being embraced by many Web authors, some businesses are
reluctant to invest in standards-based Web sites without concrete reasons
to do so.
To help Web authors interested in advocating Web standards,
this article assembles arguments and information about Web standards
into one document and explains Web standards in terms of how they affect
business.”
Explorative
navigation and out of the box presentation for Page Media Design who
specializes in fashion & entertainment!
The
mill used to be owned by farmer's cooperative until the '60s and was
renovated to become the Watermill
Hotel who is running a smooth operation here. Nice site.
Check
Egill Hardar mini-galleries sections -> Tilbúningur -> Anatomy
+ The Dreams... Talent!
Into
this stuff? u-c-e-r* is a group
of instalation/video people with several upcoming shows and stuff like
weird flash games and warp zones on the site.
If
you're interested in accessing the FITC
presenters' notes online - here ya go!
In
the vein of good industrial design site, Elegant
Mouldings follows suite. Check how the navigation indicates which
section you're in. Excellent product display.
SUMOxl would
implied a 'heavy' load but this site loads in a blink! They're shooting
for the sky and from the list of projects delivered so far they're on
the way! Good work!
You've
gotta see Estudio INGENIA!
I luv the way the vector elements build up the final picture. Original!
Excellent all around portfolio.
Well
Vetted new issue #20 is out!
Publisher
dedicated to Parents & Children books. We like TARA
Publishing. Simple and to the point!
Hand Craft
Product is
to be checked out! Brought to you by powagirrrl Christine Domanic.
Fuel
Industries is looking for talented individuals for these positions:
Senior designer, Shockwave/Game Designer and Art Director. If you are
interested please contact Mike Burns - mburns@fuelindustries.com.
Retro
modern feel combined with a substantial portfolio for Randall McMaster
who happens to be looking for the next challenge. Definitely good to
be hired!
Revoir
le jardin de Jeannette is the photography portfolio of Marc
Ayrault. Amazingly poetic, the photographs of nature, the contrast
quality of the stills are like walking through a garden.
Disponible en français pour l'instant.
If
you are interested, Pixeltable has
just published its accessibility statement and sitemap. Use Mozilla to
see all the features.
Welcome
a new powagirrrl! Half-Past is
the design studio of Jennifer Stinsman. Simple and professional.
If,
like me, you are into the parnaphelia of science-fi design you will LUV
** ROBOT::MANIA **. The pictures are of incredible quality and the collection...
my gosh... how can someone ended-up with compiling such an extensive
one? I mean they seem to be all in perfect condition.
Have a look at the way it was back in the '50s & '60s. Have we come
a long way... Must see! Aside from the content - this flash site rocks!
Attention to details, the look and feel. I am wowed!
BrowserMedia (a
software and web development firm located in metro-accessible downtown
Bethesda, Maryland) is looking to hire a senior designer/flash guru for
our staff. If you live in the Washington DC/VA/MD area or you'd like
to move here, we're interested in talking to you.
Candidates should be proactive and focus on exhibiting their raw talent.
Photoshop, Flash, and Illustrator skills are required. Submit your resume,
sample URLs, or just really good digital art.
Please mail all responses to jobs@browsermedia.com.
25g
- Community für Pixelbrüder und Codingschwestern! Needless
to say you to speak deutsch! ;-D
Belated
one (1) year anniversary for Blue
Vertigo ran by Guillermo Fernandez!! I heard there is a brand new
section POSER DOWNLOADS (90 links about characters, textures, props,
morphs, poses, clothing...)
Luv
the pitch: “Kissing the paper with inky lips!” Cool retro
feel for Bargarr Letterpress!
§§§
Danny Snell §§§ is a consumate collage + illustration
artist. It's always interesting to see how familiar and retro objects
can be used to communicate a message.
Terminus1525
claims to be an open-space for emerging creators now entering Phase 2.
It is a collaborative work space brought to life on the web and on the
street, fueled by the ingenuity and imagination of a new wave of young
Canadian creators.
It is a platform for soon-to-be-discovered creative voices in all forms,
from communities across the country.
I
have a propensity towards minimalist sites. I luv design and to have
an eye-full is delightful but what attracts me towards minimal presentations
is how a group has to gathered and condensed a presentation to have the
highest impact.
The Stylo Design site grid
leaves plenty of white space. Now you gotta see their work.
Don't
say I did not warn you - 256greys is an experimental site that probably
ONLY work on IE. I find it interesting because it indicates how future
'interaction' can be immersive and stand alone where the 'browser' window
would minimize on the desktop for example. This site is NOT like that...
but...
This
illustrator has worked hard to achieve his portfolio! Check Kle
Dergi \\
Did
you know that TAXI+ has added
some new features and improved the existing ones to better showcase the
designers\' creative portfolio?
Some of the enhancements are ::
1) Enlarged Thumbnails
2) Minimal External Links
3) WYSIWYG Editor w/ Preview
4) Customisable Page themes
5) List your clientele
6) Appear on the front page with every update
7) Advanced search allows people to find you
8) Safe spam-free contact form
9) Allow others to drop your artworks to their faves folder
10) Your very own personal page and easy-to-remember URL!
Thorogoodd.kids was
launched as a sub-site dedicated to illustrators specializing in children's
projects.
April's
Fool anybody?!?!? Check what Bowman and Shea did... If you are familiar
with Stopdesign & Mezzoblue - will have new appreciation for CSS
design... and me, this am, while completely sleep deprived 'cause leaving
for FITC (btw if attending - come up and say hello) in the coming wee
hours... blasted a colleague about it... yepp, I was caught... I thought
it was true!
Recently
updated sites worth visiting again:
/
carbon design
/
expodesign!
/
Framfab|Paregos
Absolutely
original. Mike Tucker via Ludovico
il Sabato, line art illustrations are awesome. Don't miss the auto-drawing
portrait! Luv it.
Ty
latest project is now up and running. It's a collection of redrawn 19th
century Wood Type specimens.
Another
corporate site that manages some level of pizzaz. The 'puzzle' like top
area is interesting considering that these are geeks at work!
There is consistency throughout the site with attention grabbing graphics.
Well done Browser Media.
Twinsparc smart
design for web and print. When minimalist design works with User Centric
Design, Accessibilty & Web Standards concerns.
Get
some facts about dyslexia from Read
Regular. With good examples that explains what it is about.
Another
promising talent! The graphic design is awesome! Check Ashi out!
Time
to let your voice count - vote for the FITC
People's Choice Award recipient!
Force
KBK breaking the mold!!! Finally an original interface design.
Funky enough - different enough - good pictures and some movement that
is not dizzying but makes the flow enjoyable!
Subtle and elegant!
A
new kind of agency? A new kind of pitch? Both? Why not? Check the Mouse
Mechanics naughty and imaginative site. Refreshing!
Are
you into robots? Well it seems that Rabblerouser
Media has a special interest in these and other kind of illustration
as well, check the library! Incidently met Kenn at sxsw and realized
that he is the winning entry for this year's swag bag (which I think
is awesome)!
So
what do you think? Copycat or not? Have a look! Reported by Shane from Cantdesign.
Ambienta is
colors in action! A well done flash site for Comex paint company. Pick
a room and colorize it. The color controls and panels are seamlessly &
fast redrawing your choices.
This
is a cool concept. Adzone site complete
with pixel graphics invites you to play to discover their company.
A
comprehensive in-depth article: The
End-All Guide to Small-Screen Web-Dev by Heidi Pollock
“Nothing is more fun than seeing your Web page nestled
nicely into a teeny tiny handheld screen; and nothing is more excruciatingly
horrendous than trying to figure out how to get it there. The number
of devices, screen sizes, operating platforms, and support levels for
small-screen browsing is mind-numbing.”
Talent! |
skoota | retro feel is a smooth operating site. The mini-thumbs
make for a delightful exploration. The logos are simply awesome.
Early
this am I published XTR.PXL - just got an email from Joost of Renascent!
Like he said...suggesting we visit his site... mmm...make up your own
mind. As of Mar 29, matter resolved. Copycat was taken down.
MMPeople have
been around since '97 and the flash intro to one of their previous site
version is worth a look. Intriguing but makes a good pitch.
Lost
Humans another example of the age of the machines style of interface!
Somewhat busy (the grid is a bit tight) - but well executed and definitely
worth a see.
Need
a lesson in cross-culture etiquette? How-to-bow is
such an intro to the peculiars of Japanese business relationships, of
visiting a home or having a drink. Complete with 'serious' illustrations
and steps.
Go ahead learn and be amused.
In
the true tradition of classical painting so is Daniël
Douglas (1984) work. His website is like a jewel box! That is an
excellent example on how a portfolio site should be designed!
Possibly
one of the most prolific contemporary photographer Yann
Arthus-Bertrand has a deep layered site where you can learn about
is work philosophy, behind the stages and see some of his wonderful work.
Probably best known for this picture from his book: The Earth from Above.
Oh!
Tim had shown me this project in its early stages and now - Cloud
King looks glorious! CSS built (look ma' no tables) and check roster
of talent. Impressive. Like the mission statement: “Cloud King
is a place to see and be seen.
Cloud King was created as an alternative to poorly designed, mass-market
online art galleries. Cloud King is the brainchild of Tim Murtaugh, who
wanted a way to help art find eyes.”
Urban
vibe is all over NASTEE+74+ probably what I would call this new generation
of designers who can draw, tag, flash, print, web dev, design Ts, and
shoot digital photography with brio! Check his video files for a good
show of his style. A must see.
You
have gotta see this! Cool interactivity on Create
your state site. Use magnifier and voila! Nice toys!
Althought
this article is somewhat old - the topic is a hot one. A Visual Rather
Than Verbal Future by Leslie Walker
“With all due respect to fellow computing gurus
around the world, the University of Maryland's Ben Shneiderman doesn't
think speech will ever become the main way people communicate with computers.
He's convinced our eyes will do better than our voices at helping us
control the digital machinery of the 21st century.”
Well
what do you know? A marketing firm goes CSS, section 508 and validates!
Pay attention to how the portfolio displays. Luv their pitch: “Advertising
Stinks (but somebody's gotta do it)” and how the graphics supports
this... coinciding with their company's name: Fish
Marketing!
Anybody
knows what's going on with Cov3r Lab? Their site is 404.
Saluting
a new powagirrrl whose work is already on netdiver: B
R E T T, Wall-to-Wall Studios, D
S I X Design. I was completely unaware of this.
Hats off to a versatile and talented web designer Sarah
Lamont
An
introduction to early works from extraordinare illustrator Gardiana!
Indulge.
An
unusual and original interface + navigation design for a photographer!
Check smi.art.pl | simulations.
Swiss
designer gone NYC, Tina Roth is
a multi-talented powagirrrl who relaunched her project 2.0 site. Keep
it up girrrl!
While
it last March is the D7 Killer Sale -
for cool Ts!
Bakan’s
most recent book, “The
Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power”,
was written during the making of the film THE CORPORATION (Co-created
with Mark Achbar) and formed the basis of the research and writing for
the film.
Check the store section for the book and other goodies.
Update
your bookmarks The CSS Vault has changed
domain.
Oh!
A rare pearl!!! MWI is a corporate
website but... stay tune for a subdued palette which I have rarely seen,
wow factor + pictures and pay attention to the navigation. This is a
site I would have like to work on!
Nice
play on words for i_kre8 (I create) and actionscripting for visual engineer
Keith EVans. What I like most is the 'enlarge' feature well done!
Why
not share the goodies? PILLs for the
creative mind is a presentation I am giving today at FITC.
Can't attend? No problem! Access the presentation online ...almost in
sync. (To see the content just click on each current page nav button).
I will read your comments when I return.
For those interested, this is a cross browser CSS designed layout. Beware,
heavy download. Eye candy garanteed!
Core77
Discussion Board RoundTable. Topic: Design and the Media. Moderator:
Paola Antonelli / March 04
“A truly unique and international panel of writers, designers,
and editors is gathered here to discuss the role and position of design
in the media, in an attempt to learn what we can all do to give our beloved
field of action the stature that it deserves in popular culture.”
First thread: “Are
you satisfied with design coverage in the media? Are you satisfied
with the coverage of design in the large-circulation press in the country
where you live? Do you feel that design is portrayed fairly and completely,
and used for all its worth?”
-> more
news
^
