The One With the Last Post

Tear.....last post ever for any new media. It's been 4 years, 4 classes. I am accomplished, at least with myself. We have come a long way my friends, and now like most fox sitcoms-we must come to an abrupt end. See you in syndication!
Lemon Out.

beeteedubs: I'M GRADUATIIIIINNNNNNNGGGG WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! PEACE SUCKAS!!!!!!! much love to all my calkins kids!! nobody will know the darkness of our days-not even twilight kelly...not even twilight.

and for my last words,



popcorn sandwhiches.

Sneak peaks...

Here are some very tint-elating ways to capture an audience with just a preview page. You don't always want to let everything all hang out.

50 SITES THAT WILL HELP YOU BE A BETTER DESIGNER

THE LINK TO THE FAB. 50 IS HERE

There's some good tutorials for all you photoshop fanatics as well as a wondrous plethora of goodies for the masters & novices alike. enjoy!

class happenings

steve is presenting his honors project...again!!! and he has a mini me!!
*enormous amount of learning taking place here.

HOW WROOD!!! (rude fyi)

One important thing to keep in mind as a designer-be conscious of your audience. Even if you work is good-check the offensive factor and save yourself from public backlash. Being banned isn't all it's cracked up to be...especially if it gets you fired. Exhibit A:

burger king ad angers mexican officials

mexico's ambassador to spain, jorge zermeno said 'this advertisement denigrates
the image of our country and uses improperly mexico's national flag'. mexico has strict
laws prohibiting the defamation of the flag. zermeno also added 'it offends mexicans
and mexico.'



burger king has since stated that 'the campaign falls fully within the legal parameters
of the UK and spain and were not intended to offend anyone' however they have decided
to scrap the campaign out of respect for the mexican culture and its people.

the company said in a statement sent to the associated press it would 'air redesigned ads
as soon as commercially possible - the revised campaign will focus solely on the texican
whopper sandwich and will not feature any characters or the use of the mexican flag'.

last year, absolut vodka angered many US citizens with an ad campaign in mexico
that depicted an early 19th century map showing chunks of the USA as part of mexico.
this campaign was also dropped.

You probably thought it was Communist when...

It's a Wonderful Life taught us that family, friendship, and virtue are the true definitions of wealth. (*deemed by the FBI in 1947.)





This was interestingly funnly albiet eye opening question posed by Mr. Godin: What do you call things you disagree with?

In the 1950s, Congressman George A. Dondero denounced modern art as a communist plot.

Every day, you market ideas that some people are annoyed with or more likely, afraid of. And in the face of fear, we lose eloquence and start calling things names, usually names that don't make a lot of sense.

Nothing is a communist plot any more, but there's never a shortage of boogy men available to the people in the community that you're frightening.

But what else do you say to the opposition??? hmmmmm?

Present with Power

vital information for you everyday life:

The hierarchy of presentations

A presentation is a precious opportunity. It's a powerful arrangement... one speaker, an attentive audience, all in their seats, all paying attention (at least at first). Don't waste it.

The purpose of a presentation is to change minds. That's the only reason I can think of to spend the time and resources. If your goal isn't to change minds, perhaps you should consider a different approach.

1. The best presentation is no presentation at all. If you can get by with a memo, send a memo. I can read it faster than you can present it and we'll both enjoy it more.

2. The second best presentation is one on one. No slides, no microphone. You look me in the eye and change my mind.

3. Third best? Live and fully interactive.

4. Powerpoint or Keynote, but with no bullets, just emotional pictures and stories.

5. And last best... well, if you really think you can change my mind by using tons of bullets and a droning presentation, I'm skeptical.
A presentation isn't an obligation, it's a privilege.

1 HOUR WITH YOUR BUSINESS CARDS

BRIEF:
Business cards, those ubiquitous 2" x 3.5" pieces of paper stock, can be the perfect vehicle for invention. Bend one and it becomes a chopstick rest, add some paper clips and a bulldog clip and create an office pet, cut some notches in a bunch and you've got a versatile construction toy.

1 Hour Design Challenge: Your mission, if you choose to accept it-
to come up with a new use for the business card. The only condition is that it's gotta be 3D in some way. You can add materials or remove materials, but it should be obvious that your design started out as a business card. Post sketches of your idea, or if you can construct it in an hour, upload photos of your creation. Or embed a YouTube video for that how-to vibe.



CRITERIA:
Judging will be based on design execution, strength of concept, and what the judges think is the coolest idea.

Forum Gallery@ core77

COOL CHARACTER DESIGN

DO YOU LIKE MONSTERS? DO YOU LIKE CHARACTER DESIGN? WELL THEN BOY DO I HAVE THE LINK FOR YOU!
CHECK OUT THE PICTOPIA FESTIVAL 2009




HERE'S A SUM OF THE PRODUCT:
What a springtime! The Haus der Kulturen der Welt and Pictoplasma are hosting this year's PICTOPIA, a unique show on character arts and design. For six weeks, Berlin is transformed a world of imaginative creatures contributed by creative minds from all over the world. Enjoy our shootings from the opening night, followed by a Character Walk along more than 30 galleries stuffed with illustrations, objects and installations.

Don't Loose This Remote!

Lenovo rolled out their new line of computers today in preparation for the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show. Among the list is an "all-in-one" desktop that includes a motion-sensing remote for gaming.




The IdeaCentre A600 All-in-One Desktop includes a 21.5-inch frameless screen, integrated speakers, digital TV tuner and a 4-in-1 optional remote controller.

"It is the first to bring PC users the ability to play games using the remote control's 'motion drive' feature, which controls on-screen objects according to the movement of the remote.

Unlike competitor's remotes, the Lenovo 4-in-1 remote controller can also be used as a VOIP handset3 to make and receive phone calls over the Internet, similar to a typical cordless telephone. The remote also serves as a media center/TV remote, and with Microsoft Vista Media Centre users can use the controller to operate DVDs, movies and TV. Additionally, the remote also functions as an "air mouse" so it can be used to operate the cursor on the screen, eliminating the inconvenience of using a wired mouse."

That seems like an odd combination of abilities, and I'm not really sure how much I care about motion controlled games on my PC. The A600 hits from April starting at US$999.

THE POWER OF Wii

Attention! Attention!!
"Real-world devices with gesture-reading abilities are set to debut next year!!" aka: Soon TVs and PCs May Work Like the Wii.

Excited are wii?? yes, pun intended...but now how amazing would it be to be able to change the channel simply by waving your hand or even yelling at it? No more panicked searches for the remote in the never ending creases of the couch my friend. What brought on such amazing innovation? Well it just so happens we have the answer: companies are looking to free consumers from keyboards and remote controls in favor of more natural interaction with computers, TVs, and mobile devices.

Due to the major popularity of the motion-sensing Nintendo Will & Apple's Touch iPhone, people predicting that mainstream electronics controlled by gestures and voices will become common in the near future. "We want to improve the user experience by using gestures and natural language," says Eric Horvitz, a Microsoft researcher.

Murals for The Library Initiative That Lures Bronx Schoolchildren

These sly foxes if I didn't already love libraries so much this would get me in there lickty split!

NEW RIDES AT GRAND CENTRAL!

But just until April 6th and they don't won't get you crosstown.

For two weeks starting this month, curious bits of automotive and art history will be in Manhattan. Four of BMW’s famous Art Cars, used as canvases by the artists Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella and Robert Rauschenberg, will be at Grand Central Terminal. The pieces are part of a collection of 16 cars, from a 635CSi to an M1, that BMW has turned over to artists to reimagine since 1975 .

Display starts March 25th.

Find stories @ nytimes here by Phil Patton & here by RICHARD S. CHANG

a GOOGLE of a mistake

Well, Well, Well...seems the almighty iPhone, and it's internet ready counterparts, have finally crossed to the dark side and managed to thwart justice in the most unsuspecting way possible. The jurors were doing research!
Say it ain't irony because most individuals are using their smart phones to increase their knowledge on the case—checking definitions, background research, etc.

"Jurors are not supposed to seek information outside of the courtroom." Stories of jurors using twitter, facebook, wikipedia, and google to update outside parties of case happenings are "wreaking havoc on trials around the country."Judges have no choice but to declare mistrials, wasting countless weeks of work, time, and money.

They are required to reach a verdict based only on the facts that the judge has decided are admissible, and they are not supposed to see evidence that has been excluded as prejudicial. But now, using their cellphones, they can look up the name of a defendant on the Web, or examine an intersection using Google Maps, violating the legal system’s complex rules of evidence. They can also tell their friends what is happening in the jury room, though they are supposed to keep their opinions and deliberations secret.

These once herald devices are now becoming an uncontrollable nuisance to our system of government despite habitual warnings about seeking outside information during trials. But these warning come too late to our all too tech savvy/obsessed generation.

original article by JOHN SCHWARTZ "Mistrial by iPhone: Juries’ Web Research Upends Trials" NY Times

Book Turned Blog??

c/o Mr. Godin again, one of those "It's never too late" stories.
So stop feeling sorry for yourself, dust off your collected box of scrapped ideas & get cookin!


Story inspired by Mr. Kevin Kelly

DUN DA NA NAAAAA!!! TIME TO TALK SUPERPOWERS

OOH YEESSSSSSSS-After all these years it is true-we mere mortals indeed has superpowers!!! Sure, they may not be the ever popular flight or invisibility, but they nevertheless can make a lasting impression & could quite possibly save you from the impending doom of unemployment.



Here are a few powers you can start developing now:

1. WEB DESIGN

Web design is probably the most valuable skill to have as a graphic designer. It will open up a large new client base for you, allow you to create and update your portfolio site and much more. Being fluent in web design and multiple coding languages will not only make it easier to keep steady work from home, but will make you much more attractive to potential employers who are looking to cut costs by finding multi-talented designers.

2. ILLUSTRATION

Designers often have backgrounds in fine art such as drawing and illustration, but end up putting their focus on commercial graphic design which can create a disconnect from their fine art origins. Keeping your illustration skills sharp or becoming a better illustrator will allow you to create more creative designs, do freelance illustration work and even sell stock illustrations online! Plus you can save money doing your own illustrations for your graphic and web designs.

3. ONLINE MARKETING

Online marketing is an essential skill for anyone looking to make the most of their freelance design business. Knowing the latest marketing tactics will help you gain exposure, name recognition and more clients. There are dozens of easy ways to increase traffic to your portfolio site and not taking advantage of them would be a very big missed opportunity!

4. SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

This is an often over looked skill for any business. Anyone who has an online business presence should research search engine optimization and even if you pay some one its good to know what its all about and how to do it correctly. Bad search engine optimization tactics can hurt your site badly and produce no results, but good SEO can provide you with a steady stream of new clients and really take you to the next level

5. BLOGGING

Starting a blog is probably the easiest and best thing you can do to increase awareness of your portfolio. Knowing about web design, online marketing and search engine optimization, which we mentioned above will help you turn your blog into a powerful and useful tool as opposed to a waste of time. You need to research blogging before hand, optimize your blog, post regularly and promote your blog posts in order to achieve maximum results.

*additional abilities & must haves
include networking-do you attend seminars??-sales, marketing, accounting, tax strategies, database management.

HAVE SOMETHING THAT SETS YOU APART FROM THE PACK!

(powers c/o youthedesigner.com)

Don't Be Dispensable

If you are going to be some type of advisory middleman-make sure you're a good one & have a reputable name for yourself. (If you don't work on making one & make it dependable).

In his blog Mr. Godin observes that, the once lucrative, agent position is dwindling down & outright disappearing. Why? Because most are "anonymous and interchangeable and virtually worthless". Most nowadays equate to a ten minute google search. Great agents provide "differentiated service that is worth paying for" and "hyper-specialize".

To thrive in a world of self-service, agents have to hyperspecialize, have to stand for something, have to have the guts to say no far more than they say yes. No, you can't publish this book. No I won't represent you. No, don't take that flight. No, I won't sell this house, it's overpriced, list it yourself

It also correlates with who the agent is selling to. What's the market? Godin believes when markets change, agents can lead the way, not follow along grudgingly.

*cough...that goes for designers too...cough*

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Class Happenings: We're Engage...ing

At this point-it's time for the infamous powerpoint!!!!-DUN.DUN.DUN!

Tips from dr.k:

1. prepare a story-the presentation should be engaging

_well...that's pretty much it. besides individual class directions (which would be not to wait until our actual device is finished to start the powerpoint.)

now if you would excuse me.

David Rockwell Does The Oscars

I saw this video about a week before the Oscars and IMMEDIATELY got excited. This year the Oscars will be under the creative direction of David Rockwell and Michael Giacchino. Set design & music direction has always been a secret love of mine. I fell in love with their talk about storytelling creating an environment to be shared by the audience and performers.

This year it was all about revamping old classics-whether it was taking an old hollywood movie theme and playing it in a new style to creating a new world that was reminiscent of the golden days of tinsel town. This was a very complete and beautiful design thought process. Which in turn, I think, produced the best Oscars I have ever scene.

When it comes to spectacle, David understands how to design the experience. Broadway sets, restaurants, hotels, malls, the Kodak Oscar interior--he gets it. Check out his book with Bruce Mau, Spectacle, about spectacle around the world and the human need for ritual. It's awesome. The design of experience is critical. Now we have to redesign the learning experience.

Nussbaum on Rockwell

LOGO SKETCHES

Here's a peek into some ideas I have for my logo for my mobil device.
I'm going with a rounded logotype with the free standing s as the final logo

NAP IN A HAT

Milano Furniture Fair: The Sleepy Beanie Share
The Sleepy Beanie Project that was excibited at the MIlano Furniture Fair in 2005.

The Sleepy Beanie is designed for the modern urban explorer. Wear the google beanie to be fully protected when exploring new exciting places or wear the Sleepy Beanie to be able to take a nap without beeing disturbed by your sorroundings (and people)

BIGGER isn't always Better.

Hey YOU! Is the world to overwhelmingly large that it seems to stifle your dreams? Well then, make your world smaller!
Yes it's possible.

BARBIE TURNS 50!!!!

WOOHOOOOO!!! Let's show some props to the elders & about gosh darn time.
What woman stays 20 something forever & not obtain a wrinkle.
Now this is a beautiful woman.


barbie's body has come under criticism for offering
girls unrealistic expectations of womanhood, and even for
inspiring eating disorders and related pathologies.
barbie performed an array of powerful careers, has a closet
full of couture, a doting metrosexual boyfriend and very little
pressure to marry and procreate. that's why barbie looks pretty
good, for a woman of a certain age. for the 50th anniversary of
barbie, designboom presents a snapshot report with over 100
images of the making of barbie, from a designer's point of view.


Original Article at designboom.com

DAG designlab

DAG-designlab is a new design studio located in tel-aviv, israel. established in 2008
by tal mor and shlomi azulay, DAG provides a creative environment linking culture,
product and industry. they aspire to create useful objects which are also aesthetic,
innovative and consequent to the last detail.


milk bottles - 2006. creating different shaped milk bottles each day using the same mold.

MOBILE DEVICE TREATMENT

Dominique Boyette
New Media IV_Klinkowstein
Device Treatment

“Untitled”
Description
This device is for the modern day spy—also known as a stalker. This covert “investigative reporter” has a desire to secretly acquire more information about their desired subject(s). Features include most standard functions of a cellular phone including a high-resolution camera and text and video messaging capabilities. But it’s crème’ de le crème specs include a real time GPS tracking system, high speed internet, face recognition software, and a voice recording/transcribing program to be used to upload immediate messages, emails, or blog posts. It also has headphone adapters so it may be concealed as a mp3/media player. If provided, the POCKET SCOUT can save desired subjects for future alerts whenever in a 100 mile radius. (Thanks to the satellite gps system).
The purpose of the device is to quickly and effectively locate subjects. It has the ability to share and help searches for/with PS PALS in various messaging styles.

Scenario
Girl awakes to a mobile alert from her POCKET SCOUT. The screen shows that her target has just entered her neighborhood and is 25 blocks from her house, headed west. She searches for immediate directions, estimated eta for quickest route to the destination point. She pulls up the map and steps out the door of her house. She plugs in a set of headphones and begins to receive step-by-step directions to the target.
While listening to the directions, she goes into saved subjects and pulls up know associates of her current target and begins a neighborhood search and scan via the facial recognitions software satellite gps locator. The PS alerts and identifies 2 local associates with pictures, both 5 minutes away from her current location and calculates the changed route.
Another incoming alert, a live video message from a PS PAL she notified earlier, he says he just saw the target and to hurry up…he’s running out of the goods. She says thanks and closes the stream. Three minutes later she has located and acquired the target, a Cold Cone truck, one of the neighborhood ice cream men. Mission accomplished.

new device option

psp for the spy in me.

No Strangers in the Rain

Here is an adorable apparatus. tired of feeling like your partner has more precipitation protection than you? Well now you don't have to worry—with Marc Owens and Jasmine Raznahan's Tandem Umbrella you'll never be left with the cold/wet shoulder.

FOR ALL MY AIRBOUND AMIGOS!!

NOW THIS IS FUNNY. THIS IS FOR EVERYONE WHO AT LEAST ONCE WOULD LIKE TO ENJOY THIER PLANE RIDE WITHOUT SOMEONE ELSE RIDING IN THEIR LAP.


How To Keep Motherfu#%s From Putting Their Seats Back from fi5e on Vimeo.

I FOUND THIS ON: GI.

process ability

You know, it's not always what you know...but you knew that. In today's (ever crumbling) world it's getting others in the know and using what you know to get what you want & need. *phew*! Sounds like a mouthful, and it should-it comes from Mr. Godin's cornucopias bloggings. But all he's really trying to say is there is a process that is much more valuable (which inherently comes from experience...and natural born brilliance) than learned skill & ability. [It]

"refers to the emotional intelligence skills you have about managing projects, visualizing success, persuading other people of your point of view, dealing with multiple priorities, etc."

A bit intimidating, but inspiring never the less. At least if you can't make a spreadsheet as beautifully as the next cubicle—now you know there's still hope...if you have the mind for it.

what are you good at?

BEACH IT!!

These inspired creations came from the inability to enjoy one's beach trip due to the overbearing presence of...ROCKS! Who said you can't bring more beauty to a beach? Architects with the same thoughts & dilemmas decided to create an oasis of their own with these wood water worlds. Also called "urban baths", "harbour baths" and "sea baths," these beaches sans sand are all the rage without the jagged edges.

check of the link

Device Ideas & Inspirations

picture this...in your hands.

HELLOOOOO!!!

I'M BAAAAACCKKKKK!!! New Media 4! Yesssssssssss....never thought i'd be here=but here i am & proud of it.
Let's get going.
As of the class happenings right now-time to find a shell for a handheld device to be used by a specific user.
Can anyone say iphone2???