Artist John Baldessari believes that every young artist should know 3 things: Talent is cheap. You have to be possessed, which you can’t will. Being at the right place at the right time. This film, narrated by Tom Waits, shows you that you don’t need thousands of pounds to make a great brand film. Keep that for an amazing narrator instead.
Danish designer Michael Hansen has created specially printed double-sided vinyl records as a means of visualizing music through a stop-motion-like animation, produced naturally by the effect of the disc spinning on a turntable. The project was developed
for a two-track recording by modern classical composer Allan Gravgaard Madsen. http://www.vimeo.com/39885240
Both the album cover and the surface of the vinyl are designed specifically for the song recorded on that side– ‘waves’ or ‘crystal tapestry’. The images on the record itself (a 33 1/3 RPM) create moving animations when played on a turntable and lit with a strobelight at 50 to 60 Hz. The attention to detail is wonderful. Even the album cover is covetable.
June’s issue of Vanity Fair features a story on Paul Smith by designer Marc Newson. The accompanying image was shot early in New York’s central Park by Annie Liebovitz. For what seems such a simple image, the research an attention to detail was immense. Hundreds of pages of reference images on Paul, the pose and the props. It was refreshing to see such preparation from a photographer.
On a personal note, it was flattering to have my first (and probably last) image printed in Vanity Fair. Ironic it was of both Paul and Annie and shot on an iphone. Photographers, rest easy, the day job remains.
In advance of last friday night’s Jack White concert at Webster Hall in New York, Gary Oldman directed a short film in Nashville, documenting the pair’s meeting. The AMERICAN Express Unstaged series, paired bands with directors and a live directed feed was aired on friday night. At the end of the transmission, approximately seven million hits were registered on the site. Not bad for a night’s work, Mr. Oldman.
The view from last week in Tokyo. Never ceases to look exciting, fabulous and enticing.
Walking through the streets of Kanazawa today, the beauty of the architecture and environment was inspiring. Looking up was good, but looking down was as good. All across the city, the Manhole covers have a vast variety of beautifully crafted logos and typographic devices that are wonderful. This selection only covered about 2 streets. 
Sometimes you see something that you absolutely must have, even though you may not have enough wallspace. The White and White Clock, is one of those things for me. Designed by Vadim Kibardin is meant to be a three-dimensional version of a traditional digital clock, but it looks more modern, cooler and dynamic. 
When you are up against a tough decision between two things, objects or options, now is the time to use your Vs. journal. ‘Life is full of decisions, and our choices make up so much of who we are. The Vs. journal features over 230 illustrated face-offs of psychological import, insightful interpretations, and plenty of writing room for contemplation to provide self-awareness that you could never achieve on your own’. While you are purchasing this, check out the ‘MY LIFE IN GRAPHS JOURNAL’. http://www.knockknockstuff.com/catalog/categories/books-other-words/journals/vs-journal/
Photographer Simon Roberts was featured recently in the FT Weekend Magazine. His project documents the Economic Crisis experienced in the UK. Over the last 12 months, he has spent time looking at ways to represent these economic effects throughout Britain. The resultant images will be at The Swiss Cottage Gallery as part of the London Festival of Photography from May 23rd to June 30th. http://simoncroberts.com/news/let-this-be-a-sign-ft-weekend-magazine/
Photographer Gavin Hammond has just released some beautiful images of London, ‘reflecting’ the way that we always seem to be engulfed with grey and wet weather. This time, he uses it to his advantage, and has produced iconic images of London, without the obviousness usually associated with London Landmarks. Centrepoint, at Tottenham Court Road, will always be my favourite building in this City. http://gavinhammond.tumblr.com
Graphic Artist, Toby Neilan, is currently working on a new project called Studio XX. The purpose of the project is to illustrate the interiors of leading British Design agencies. His project consists of taking photographic images of the studio spaces, and then creating a posterised, illustrated version of these spaces. The subtitle, A look inside twenty design studios, aims to do just that. It is a project that began by contacting twenty design firms, asking them to send a photo of their studio / working space for Toby to interpret. His aim to produce a series of prints, which Toby will exhibit in conjunction with the book publication. Above, is ours, and below are images from the aptly named Studio Small and Farrow. We love the way Mr. Farrow has the timezone clocks, even one for Manchester. Vistoe shelving seems to be the studio shelving system of choice. http://www.tobyneilan.com/
OK GO have released the music video for their song “Skyscrapers”, a track from the album “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky”. Director/choreographer Trish Sie, does the tango with Moti Buchboot in black, red, cerise, yellow, green, aqua, blue, purple and white. The band have always delivered both musically and visually. Their new video isn’t as visually impressive as their previous ones such as their ‘Treadmills’ video but it is mellow and very pretty. Watch blissfully, as the couple dances through colour. Deceptively simple, but very, very arresting.
The internet throws up so many things good and bad, but the most refreshing thing about it is discovering simple series of images that make you say to yourself “Why didn’t I think of that?”. Italian photographer, Andrea Simonato, has done just that to me. http://www.ilikethisblog.net/
Every day for 100 days, BRAND SPIRIT will paint one branded object white, removing all visual branding, reducing the object to its purest form. Each object may be purchased for less than $10, something the creator owns, something another person gives them, or something they find. Simple, impactful and a great way to reduce the visual clutter that we are now exposed to. http://brandspirit.tumblr.com/
Most of the World is thankfully recovering from the onslaught that Saint Patrick’s Day brings. Despite the dyed green Rivers in Chicago, It is a time when Irish abroad, take time to think of the Country in a more pleasant light. Six years ago, our friend, artist Rob Ryan, started sending informal Saint Patrick’s Day cards to me, as we often joked that there was such a limited amount of cards available. Here is the current collection, something tells me we may have a book in this project. Thanks Mr. Rob! http://www.misterrob.co.uk/
German agency Jung Von Matt has produced the ‘Imagine’ campaign for Lego. Using only the most basic stones by Lego, the agency has constructed your favorite cartoon characters. With a little bit of imagination you get it and understand the genius behind the campaign.Amongst many, our favourites are The Simpsons, the South Park gang, The Ninja Turtles, Donald Duck and nephews and finally Asterix and Obelix. The Turtles had me guessing for a while. 
One joy of the Internet is the way in which you can stumble upon interesting work whilst looking for something else. Shaun Kardinal is a Seattle-based creative who uses found imagery and then creates embroidered icons on top of them. By using the postacrd colours as his palette, a beautiful mesh of 60s inspired imagery is created. http://shaunkardinal.com
Artist Dominic Wilcox has created a series of miniature time-based sculptures using a collection of vintage mechanical watches and customised model figures. By attaching tiny figures onto the second and minute hands of each watch, Wilcox has made unique, animated scenes from everyday observations and imagined situations. The resultant images are wonderful.http://www.dominicwilcox.com/watchsculptures.htm
Fo so many years, Advertising agencies have tried and fallen when trying to jump between great advertising and great design. The boat usually moves, and they fall head first into the water. I am very pleased to see that old colleagues BBH, have managed to create a wonderful TV campaign for The Guardian.With this commercial, they have managed to back up a very simple Communication message about the Brand with some lovely print adverts. Super minimal in typography, copy and illustration, these deserve the accolades that they will receive.
Designed by Audun Ask Blaker, the Lineær clock initially looks like any other clock, but upon closer inspection you find out that the time is written on a continually rotating scroll. The simplicity of the clock is key to the design’s success (in our opinion), there’s nothing that fancy about it – no lights, no noise, and no digital displays. The clock also comes with different coloured facades. 
