Cutting edge Flash

We know the power of Flash as it relates to a rich experience on the web.  We use Flash to create user interfaces for web sites, and we use Flash to view video on sites such as YouTube and Google Video.  But the depth of Flash can be much, much deeper.  Paul Neave is pushing the limits of Flash in a fun and visually creative way.  His online lab has games, and plenty of eye candy - check it out.  Neave Labs

Flicking the Light: The Fall

The Fall is a visually stunning movie. While there is a definite plot and some decent acting, this is more about the scenery and locations. This movie was shot entirely in 26 locations in 18 different countries and contains no computer generated special effects. From an artistic standpoint, it's spectacular to watch. Almost like watching a giant painting that goes on for nearly 2 hours. A definite must for the eye-candy enthusiast.

The Power of Paint

Browsing through the book called Trompe L'oeil At Home I found this one of a kind masterpiece. Artist Thomas Masaryk has created this piano to look like it has been inlaid with stones such as tiger's eye, lapis, lazuli, and marble. I have never seen such a colorful and detailed instrument. Unbelievable!

To see an outstanding variety of images and techniques view the book:

Trompe L'oeil At Home by Karen Chambers

Forewood by Jocasta Innes

Published by Rizzoli

Data as Art

Any time a large amount of data is collected, we tend to see patterns emerge - these patterns can easily be put into bar graphs or a pie chart and the significance of the data is easily apparent.  But sometimes data doesn't easily flow into a chart because it is too complex, or sometimes it overlaps other parts of data that have equal or more importance relative to the first data set.  This requires a special display of the statistics that, when treated with a creative eye, can become visually rich and even beautiful.  More examples of beautiful data can be found here.  Hat tip to Shawn for sharing that link.

Design for All?

A new hive catalog arrived in my mailbox this week. Hive sells products by some of my favorite designers - Charles & Ray Eames, George Nelson, Eero Saarinen. There is this clever wall clock that I’ve been eyeing for some time. It’s the Nelson Ball Clock and hive sells it for $337. This got me thinking about the idea of good design being set a price point where only true design enthusiasts can afford to purchase it versus Target’s motto of Design for All. Target sells what they call a “wooden ball clock inspired by George Nelson” for $40. What accounts for this price disparity? Is it simply the result of one product being an original George Nelson design? Is there a difference in the materials used to produce these two products? Does the price difference indicate a discrepancy in the labor conditions and environmental standards under which the clocks were manufactured? Does buying a well-designed product at a higher price point ensure that the lifecycle of that product is ethically and environmentally sound? Does it guarantee that you can be proud to display the product as a statement of your design taste as well as a statement of your humanity?

Electric Arguments

If you like your sonic landscapes so thick that you can actually see the ridges and valleys, then the upcoming new release by The Fireman is for you. "Electric Arguments" will be their first album to feature vocals and their third offering in fifteen years since their debut album, "Strawberries Oceans Ships Forests" (1993), and their sophomore release of "Rushes" (1998).

To coincide with this new album, they have just unveiled their first website: The Fireman Music. Fresh out of the bubble wrap it still has that new site smell. The effort poured into the sonic experience has spilled over to the effort put into the visual experience of their site. Check it out!

[album image taken from Amazon.com]

Cultural icon

Bond's appeal has remained global since the release of Dr. No, launched in 1962.
Even today, almost anyone from any generation can name their favorite Bond.

"James Bond" movie posters - the official collection from Tony Nourand captures the graphics that defined the legend. If you haven't seen this book and you love Bond and classic movie posters this will be a favorite. The featured Poster is from designer David Chasman - Date of release May 1963