Tick tick tick

Last call. All entries for the 2008 ADCD show are due this Friday, the 30th. This is the absolute, zilch-exceptions, gotta-hit-it, dropdead date, kiddies. And we're happy to report that as entries roll in, many familiar faces have shown up...and some not-so-familiar faces. Lots of design firms and agencies have jumped into the fray. Lots of independent photographers, designers, freelancers, a solid medley of creative reps. Are you part of them? Should be. Enter something. You never know what you might walk away with.

Coca-Cola Unhuggables

Simple idea with numerous, refreshing, cuts. Didn't think I would, but ended up really liking these. Made for spanish speaking countries, but universal appeal.

Santo Advertising

Graffiti Art: DC Legalizes

From our friend over at current_, Washington DC takes steps to not only legalize some art, but legitimize it as well. Seems to be a step in the right direction.

Telecom: Favourites

Finally, a new way to think about the internet, the tubes metaphor was getting a bit old. DDB, Paris.

Viral Video, Cell Phone Follow up

Earlier in the week we found this:



and wondered who made it, turns out it is for Net10, a prepaid cell phone company, produced by its ad agency Droga5. Hit the site for more videos, more traditional ads, or click below:

Pork and Beans

Incredible, on target, and they get it. Love it!!!

Logo Lounge Trends 2008

I look forward to this every year. If you are not familiar with Logo Lounge, they take submission from designers all over the world, pick the best, categorize them based on type, and then publish the book. in addition, the editor, tyakes it all in and sums it up in logo trends:

We saw less emphasis on sustainability or general "greenness" in logo design. There's plenty of natural imagery, but being "green" doesn't seem all that unique anymore.

Colors are becoming more vivid. Desaturation has drained away, and the chroma factor pumped up.

There's an overall move toward cleanliness - in type, in line, in color - as if ideas are getting more and more succinct. It may be an indication of the degree of seriousness with which branding is now regarded.

Less is more common: less calligraphy, less Photoshop tricks, less artificial highlights.

Found pattern and illustration hang on and on and on. With a bottomless treasure chest of visual history constantly at the ready through retail collections and over the internet, it's a direction that's not likely to run its course soon, if ever.

These are just a few of the trends, for more, head on over to their site.

Big Shout out to Dale Herigstad

In case you missed it on Thursday, Dale Herigstad has the job we all want. He, and his company, Schematic, get to shape how you interface with technology and information. From the way you make selections on your cable box with a remote to future interactions with wallscapes by the flick of your wrists, from the iPhone to the Wii and beyond. Bringing tired old 2D menus to fully immersive 3D.

We, the lucky few, had a chance to see how he thinks, who he thinks for, and I would like to think, a peek into the future. I for one, am ready for it now.

Thanks Dale, for inviting us into your world. Class Act.

Photo Courtesy of Bryce Boyer Productions

Doritos Quest

Doritos have been a great brand example set for us all to follow lately, coming up with innovative product flavors over the last year to keep us curious. they have now launched their newest platform, The Quest. It's a full fledge puzzle experience, along the lines of Mist. Beautiful images, great (if not difficult) puzzles, and a one of a kind experience. All related in depth to the brand, even to the point where you need to buy a bag of chips and guess the flavor before you can enter. There is a shot at a grand prize in there, but the value seems to come from the experience and not the prize.

By the way, the flavor is Mountain Dew, nice family tie in. Head on over to The Quest for the experience.

This is Fun

Anyone out there have any idea what it is for (other that making me really want to nuke my cell phone)?

via Gizmodo

New Way to work in Quicktime

Found this on SciFi's tech blog, Dvice. Very interesting interactive, and may redefine how you work with movies. Would love to see more uses for it, consumer side.

Cell Phone Crash

The retouching is brilliant, the way the cars and cell phones are mixed together, and it makes for a memorable point. Impact & Echo, BBDO, Kuwait

Simple

Nice idea that didn't lose the simplicity. Well don work out of Marketforce, Perth, Australia. Too bad that the web site needs all the "." at the end though.

ILL-UUUU-SIONs

Bad advertising, fun illusions. Not sure I would want the phone, at all.

DHL Self-Portrait

The world is your canvas. There are new ideas, and excellent executions.

:: UPDATE ::

The art is fake, which means it is lame, great idea, too bad he couldn't figure out how to do it. And does he actually qualify as an "artist" if he doesn't produce the art.

Cu Chi

Makes you think re-evaluate your position. Nice writing, nice use of type.

Decades too Late

But creepy and inspired none-the-less.

Brand tags

This is Brilliant, and will go into a permanent link on the side. Brain Child of Noah Brier. Best described in his words:

Brand Tags: A collective experiment in brand perception. All tags are generated by people like you and do not reflect the opinions of the site owner or anyone else he knows. Have fun.

See what people think a brand is. If you'd rather, you can try guessing the brand from what people have tagged it or see what tags are most popular from different referring sites.

Brand Tags

Brands You Encounter

Her list seems a bit short, only the brands she uses in a day, I actually wonder if it would at all be possible to capture the brands that are vying for your attention throughout the day. Probably not. Hell, I have more brands staring me in the face sitting in my office, Apple, Nalgene, Boston, Lacie, Avaya, Sony, Charles Anderson, Pantone, House, NFL, Skull Candy, Oakley, Scotch, Skin It, Fiscars, Papermate, Post It, 3M, Renu, Buzz, ADCD, NDAC, Ready Mech, Philips, Bisley, One Club, Levis, Send Station, Veer, Wiley, TBWA, Wacom, Quaker, Royal Carribean, Duffy, Playstation, Filmlot, Holmes, Mido, Canon, Iomega, Pepto Bismalt, Verbatum, Motorola, Disney, Discovery Channel, Bristol, Sharpee, French Paper, Futurama, Nerf, Sanford, Firefox, Google, Blogger.com .....

Ok, that was a bit exhausting, only what I could see from my cube, only something with a logo on it qualified. Point well made. Original idea and time line from Dear Jane Sample, click there for more.

Spectra

MSNBC just launched Spectra, an new way to view your news, color coded and swirly. Pick your topics, and the reader will populate the vortex of news with headlines for you to dig in. I dig it, er...in. I was skeptical at first, but then, I am a visual guy, this is great. Check it out, Spectra.

Of coarse it would be soooo much better if as you click on a swirling headline, you got to read that story. Maybe they'll figure that one out next. Still pretty though.
Via NotCot.org

Update_

It would be so much better if it remembered your news feeds, gave you artcles based on what you clicked and didn't need another page to load. All in all–YAWN. Pretty graphic may get my attention, but substance will keep me coming back.

Yummmmmmmm

Maybe it's because I'm hungry.

Verbal Abuse

Poweful, creative, informative, honest. I like.

Graphic Design Festival in (the) Nederlands

Hells yeah, any one else want to go to this? Too bad its not in Nederland, CO. then again, maybe it's better that way.

Find out more here.

Threadless goes Pulpless?

Sick of tee's, looking to snazzy up your den-of-love? Head on over to Threadless.com. The user-generated T's company is now leaning towards screen printing. For what it's worth, the art and humor of the masses is usually refreshing.

Conserve

Simple, probably effective, although I question the audience.

Put on your Poker Face

Brilliant, well shot, well though, excellent casting. I only question if one of them go too far (probably less sensitive in France), but none-the-less, really enjoyed these. DDB Paris France.

Bubble Project

This was sent our way by our friends over at current_, and I have to say, such a deceptively simple idea that is well thought out. Watch the video and see what I mean, great insight into viral, corporations, advertisements, consumer dialog. Watch, Learn, Then hit the web site for more.

thebubbleproject.com

Apple Music Video

This just has to be produced by Apple, I mean it is just a features list. A really great way to show features, granted.

Street Animation

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Forget the comments, just watch this. Then go do something cool.

Get Ugly

These are great, and not only because I have always wanted to have a death match with five-year-olds. Saatchi & Saatchi Auckland, New Zealand.

Student Work

Great work, and oh, by the way, student. Miami Ad School Europe. And the Egotist's article, School of Fools, not withstanding, there are some great sudent work around town too. If you are said student, with great work, share it here and get a little publicity to go with it.

Big Bubbles

Big bubbles, big fun. DraftFCB Indonesia (there's somewhere you don't see often). Nice color, well produced, great insite.

Hansen

The site is in Dutch, or something, so not a lot of details, but the look is very retro. I'd buy these just for the illustration.

Penguin

Oh Penguin, you keep making beautiful cover art, reminding me there isn't quite anything like a well designed book. You tease and please, just like a Bond Girl. Thank you, thank you.

More here.

BUSH

Setting politics aside, has there ever been a president so "embraced" by the other side?

Advertisments with President Bush in them.

Student Calling Card

Hey kids, paying attention? This serves as a great example of how to get that first job.

As a fresh newcomer in freelancing, I wanted to approach some creative directors by delivering them a small poly-wrapped meat tray containing 'a fresh brain' = my business card. The label was personalized for each person. Number under the barcode is my phone number. On this entry the name is not a real person.

First, attention grabbing promotional piece, second, did the leg work to get it out to where he wanted to go. May not always work, but you get points for meeting with people.

CCTV Music Video

Want to shoot that music video but can't find a decent videographer? Too late , the Manchester-based band The Get Out Clause already used Britian's 10,000+ Videa cameras to shoot their video for free. And using the UK's Data Protection Act (1998) and Freedom of Information Act (2000) they were able to get the video footage from most places they played. Sure there is a bit of the digital cam in there, but overall, mostly CCTV footage. Great idea, too bad it has already been done (*by them), now. Back to finding another original Idea.

Confused?

This would be an absolute sign of the apocalypse. Litte uncomfortable isn't it.