Muscle Computer Interfaces and Air Guitar Hero

With the air guitar and guitar hero existing currently as separate activities this invention shows how the two worlds can be merged. The outcome has true potential for the gaming world, but Muscle Computer Interfaces have amazing possiblities beyond this throughout everyday life.
The video is a little cheesy but pretty awesome, I wouldn't mind having a go on air guitar hero!
Find the full article here.

Creative Meanings

My final book for the Creative Meanings project. A piece of information graphics about my radio alarm clock, title taken from its product name/code 'AJ3121'

After receiving audio feedback from Ruth, I can see where improvement can be made to this project, having said this I do still feel I had a strong outcome.

The final outcome was a book with information graphics on my radio alarm clock that sits on my window sill next to my bed in cardiff. I enjoyed almost every part of this project. The photography is something I have always been interested in and having a chance to get into the studio for a project is always great. With many different aspects being tackled I was also able to get stuck into some vector graphics to illustrate the object, something I have experiemented with before with an iPod with some pleasing results. The layout was a challenge as there was a large amount of information, I in fact had even more that had to be excluded. The information that was included, I agree with Ruth, could have been a little more entertaining/interesting and possibly flowed with a better narrative through the pages.

Aesthetically I am very pleased with the outcome, but the tint of the type is to light, an error I can learn from and one that occurred through priting. Always make the tint 10% greater as its appearance on screen is clearer than that when printed! I definitely will not forget this for the future and have learn a valuable lesson on reflection of this project.

If learning these lessons and developing skills isn’t what education is about then I’ll be flying to the moon tomorrow. This project in particular taught me some hard lessons and developed all manner of design knowledge and skills.

Pop-up Typography

An amazing discovery! A book published by French designer Marion Bataille. Exploration and experimentation taken to the extreme with the pop-out typography book shown in the video above. This book is now on my Christmas list!

FOOTMARK vs Futurestep Sneakers

A chinese footwear manufacturer has taken customising your sneakers to a whole new level with these beauties. Feel like a spot of yellow on the tongue, some pink lacing, a blue strap, just make your choice while you lace up and your away. The whole array of options comes with the shoes to leave you with hours of fun trying out different looks. Who knows when they'll hit the UK market, if ever, but they're available in a shop in a city in a country somewhere in the world this winter! Hopefully that helps.

Best viral ever?

Unbelievable! A publishing company put banners on over

200 flies to promote them at a show.

I can't even believe it worked, it's insane, I love it so much

I'm going to track down some flies for the end of year

exhibition and train them to fly in formation spelling out

my name... I think I have enough time?

Bruce Lee Part 2

Similar post to the last, but this time he's possibly more impressive. Great viral advertising by Nokia, a lesson on how it's done that's for sure.

LINK

Bruce Lee Nokia Advert

After reading Danielle's blog and trying to find the Nokia advert she was talking about I stumbled across this little gem! A Nokia advert with Bruce Lee! He's playing (and winning) a game of ping pong using nun-chukkas... amazing! But is it the real Bruce Lee...? I wonder.

LINK

Photography

Some really nice photography from a young female on deviantart.com, click here to see her gallery.

Illustrative Exhibition in Berlin

A recent Illustrative Exhibition show in Berlin has some fantastic examples of some of the best illustration in the world. Including some from MTV with a 'playground' theme.

Some of the featured illustrators

Lorenzo Petrantoni

Mario Hugo

Yoh Nagao

Paul-Henri Masson

Rebecca Meave Manley

Sebastien Preschoux

LCC

London College of Communication - A little bit tasty. Some slick design being executed at LCC, boasting a wider range of work on their website than other London universities.

Arts University College Bournemouth

Here's some nice pieces of illustration and graphics from students at Bournemouth. With the symposium approaching it's interesting to see what our southern counterparts have to offer.

This is how you illustrate

Beaudaniels.com

I rest my case.

p.s. to all those on my course, there's some really nice infographics on there you might like to have a look at.

The Link

Some of the final outcomes from latest uni project. Also, here's the script for you to read... enjoy!

good afternoon,
and for those of you who aren't students or lecturers at UWIC,
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to join us here today and view our presentation.

I am speaking today on behalf of the 'Stills Team' : whose members include Hannah Parry, Liam Gorman, Rich Hegan, Harriet Cooper and myself, Darren Evans.

------------------
To begin let me take you through the background and intentions behind the project at hand.
The Sorrell Foundation, in conjunction with the Myplace program, was set up to

Inspire Creativity in young people
Improve the quality of life through good design
Engage young people in creative arts
AND
Give opportunities and help these young individuals realise their potential


-----------------------
The brief set to us was to design a visual brand identity for a new creative centre to be called 'The Link'
With no existing branding to work from the logotype was a of course a necessity
In addition to this the internal and external space of the building needed to visually expressed in a manner suitable for the target audience of 11-25 year olds who would be using the centre.
Then there is the task of making 'The Link' famous in Newcastle.
Finally the we were given a possible slogan for the youth centre, reading 'Together we are setting free our potential'

--------------------
From being given this brief and discussing the most important aspects, we felt the slogan, although it may not be used, provided the best expression of the client's ideals.
From this our direction was to express the freedom, releasing of potential and the aspect of community, working together.

-----------------------
Our big idea is the journey!
Originating from the idea of a flock of birds, flying gracefully and forming beautiful patterns in the sky, symbolising freedom of expression and the freedom to perform.
With strong connotations to the links within a community, working together and moving forward through life.
All keys elements of brief and the ideals of 'The Link'

------------------
The logo uses the freedom of the birds throughout, to express a dynamic nature, with these abstract arrows enhancing once again that movement and passage of life which will flow in and out of the youth centre itself.
It is a chameleon of a logo, with the ability to change colour to suit its required location.

-------------------
Here the signage for the Studio, and with arrows flowing along the walls and floor guiding you with direction and colour to the facility.

-------------------
Once again with the signage for the pool the arrows flow and guide, and you may have noticed on both, the example of how posters will be used thoughout the building for all the ongoign and upcoming activities.

-------------------
The building itself will be adorned with large illustrated images of expression and freedom, most significantly seen here the dancer, and on the adjoining wall a singer.

-------------------
The posters in the external environment, advertising 'The Link' are simple, expressive illustrations of the freedom that can enjoyed and the chance to set free your potential and 'make yourself'. A concise slogan expressing the potential within all young people in the community.

-------------------
Showing here the diverse range of activities on offer are the posters for music and swimming.

--------------------
In situe the posters will be placed on the side of buildings throughout the city, and wherever they are seen there will be a stream of arrows flowing into them, as if wanting to join in and be part of the action.

-------------------
Examples shown are bus stops and the on the underground metro system. With the arrows changing colour as they travel between the two posters.
Displaying these posters in places of travel emphasises our concept of the journey.

-------------------
In conjunction with the metro system is a small booklet, about credit card sized, to be handed out free at stations to promote the youth centre. From the booklet fold a concertina of promotinoal vouchers offering free classes and sessions.
A simple facebook group will be set up in order to make all members aware of everything on offer.

--------------------
For your enjoyment, some lovely tourists, enjoying the views of Newcastle with an example of how the arrows will be used around the city to once again increase awareness.

--------------------
Our main large campaign involves a giant balloon, raised in the town centre, with a countdown timer. No logo and no indication of what the balloon is there for.
This would attract great interest and spark the curiosity and inquisitive nature of the public.
When the countdown ends everyone would want to be there to see what happens

-------------------
Within the balloon would be a large number of arrow shapes, like confetti.

------------------
With a large crowd attracted for the end of the countdown, the balloon busrts.

------------------
Releasing the arrows which will fall to the ground, towards a black pad on the floor.

----------------
The arrows will be magnetise to the logo formed invisibly on the pad.

----------------
Once the arrows have all fallen in place the logo will be revealed.

----------------
Following this event there will be street performers covered in multi coloured arrows, with their movement promoting the dynamic and exciting face of the link.

-----------------
Here we have applied the arrows into an animation.

-----------------
[Play animation]

------------------
The application of this animation would be for screen savers, viral online marketing, shopping centre screens and even teh possibility of being shown in local cinemas during the trailers.

-------------------
Examples here are the dynamic illustrations applied to T-shits which will be available to buy and also a good give away prize for any competitions.

-------------------
The finish we have applied the style to letterheads business cards and compliment slips which will enable the to convey the right image to professionals in the interest of sponsorship, funding or international links.

---------------------
End

Burning the midnight oil

Last night saw 'Team Stills' given a taste of what's to come in the graphic design industry. Starting at 10.00 we worked through the day and into the night, not leaving the studio until 22.00... woah! My housemates couldn't believe it when I returned home, with their longest days amounting a mere 5 hours, even then including a 2 hour break between lectures.

Graphic design is a tough industry, especially when projects approach impending deadlines and work falls below the desired standard, only to create yet more work. It was a long night, and despite getting stressed and tired I may not have minded it if I'd have been able to get some food between lunch and 22.00, I was flaking and the building was being locked up, our foreheads sliding slowly from the edge of our laptops, hands still locked firmly upon trackpads and command, alt, shift. So we called it a day and headed to our respective homes to refuel and continue individually on the project speeding ever faster toward the dreaded deadline, which a week ago seemed a lifetime away.

That's what it's all about. I've heard many a time of designers having to stay in after hours to meet deadlines, but was yet to truly experience it, that day came yesterday and pushed our team as hard and as far as we could go. A true lesson in what this job is all about.

I'm not on Spotify...?

A lot of people have been talking about Spotify, an online music library on which you can find all your favourite music, manage playlists and listen to them wherever you have an internet connection. This is all great apart from one thing, I never got round to making an account! Highly irritating as you now require some kind of 'token' or 'invitation' in order to sign up for a free membership. A shame because I do loves me moosique!

I just hope that, for the sake of those lucky enough to have signed up, it doesn't fall short where many others have before it and make all members pay. This would be incredibly detrimental to it's further success and ultimately lead to its demise within the online music industry and swiftly pushed aside to sit in the same corner as social networking sites like myspace, bebo, Hi5 and the likes, who have all had their 15 minutes of fame.

As your motto goes Spotify 'Everyone Loves Music', so don't make them bleeding well pay for it! Because in the long run (or reasonably short when internet is concerned) you'll be the ones paying.

Boone Oakley

AMAZING!!! Boone Oakley is an advertising agency in the U.S. They decided to make their website on YouTube... genius! By using the new features it was possible for them to use links to different videos to build their website with virtually no programming! It's incredibly simple, but ingenious and brilliant.
Their work is from the same crop, different and always flavoured with their slightly twisted sense of humour. My favourite campaign was that for Ruby Tuesday, I don't want to spoil the surprise, so go and see for yourself.

BooneOakley.click.here

Quite Interesting...

Something to note about the Creative Review website is that it has recently (within the last year) had a 're-vamp'. Amazing to think that a little less than a year ago some of my fellow students and I were set the task of analysing the website and completely slated it! Maybe somewhere in the N Block graphics room there's series of hidden cameras viewed by the creative types which somehow filtered our presentation on the CR website causing a swift change!? Nice thought.

The new site is significantly better, showing why they are a fantastic publication, the ability to change and update when needed. Although on the same note, whoever designed the original website has a lot to answer for and quite frankly did the them no favours whatsoever, the site was truly awful. With my limited knowledge of web design and anything to do with coding even I'm pretty confident I could have done better.

All in all though a win for Creative Review, your new website get my seal of approval and 5 stars as my first review of a website, bravo! Bravo indeed!

More than worth a read...

target= "blank"

... every hour! It's a fantastic way to gain the type of advice and insight normally only accessible by meeting the designers in person. I'm going to check it out again now, it'd be a shame to miss out on any gems of insight that's for sure!

Mr. Fortune

Found this fantastic animation on YouTube. The method was to simply type 'animation' into the search an see what came up, this funky orange block of a bloke is dropped into the 'real world' for a casual busk on a particularly attractive pavement. With my minimal knowledge of animation and the like I have no idea how this was done, but I love it, the soundtrack is great too, perfectly fitting for this fluorescent-fun-filled-fella.

Taxi Studio

Stumbled across this fantastic website today.

Taxi studio! Based in bristol they are a design company with very nice looking flash website. My favourite element is the wobble to the wheel... cool!

The Mill

The Mill are an Oscar Award winning visual effects company based in three of the key design capitals of the world, London, New York and most recently Los Angeles. They also have what they call 'Mini-Mills' around the world. Their design and animation is truly revolutionary, the latest audi advert and the Glastonbury TV Promos being the latest of their productions.

Their Oscar winning work was that from the film Gladiators. The mill continues to push the boundaries of creativity and possibility with its productions and easily sits at the forefront of the commercial industry.

Word of the day

The phrase of the day is:

"Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason." 

~ Novalis

The word of the day is:

'Disport'

Function: intransitive verb/transitive verb
Meaning:1. To amuse oneself in light or lively manner; to frolic. 

Yes... it's a drawing!

Unbelievably this guitar is a hand drawn sketch! Artist Nicolien Beerens from the Netherlands is exceptionally talented but in truth has seen little success, although she is only 22 so is comparable to the likes of us on degree courses.

This piece titled 'Play With Me' is my favourite of her gallery, but she specialises in portrait work and has done many commissions for frien

ds as well as drawings of celebrities, all with impeccable detail. Below is one of the best examples of this.

And yes! They really are drawings!

Find online gallery here

And on DeviantArt here

Kagan McLeod

Another great illustrator to check out is Kagan McLeod. After graduating from Sheridan College he has worked for Canada's National Post newspaper and had his work featured in magazines worldwide.

See him here at www.kaganmcleod.com

Re-Blogging

Today is the day that Gareth Dunt enters my blog. He has gone insane on his own blog, adding a crazy amount of posts. Today is also the day I post my first 're-blog' or 'chain-blog' terms I have heard but never really done. Basically blogging about a blog, spreading the word of one blog creating a chain.

All because of the fantastic post by Gaz of the illustrator/

designer Zach Johnson.

Here is an example of his extremely expressive work and a this is the link to his website, check him out people!

Word of the day

The message of the day is:

"Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart."

- Pablo Casals 

The word of the day is:

'sprung rhythm'

function: noun
meaning: a poetic rhythm that imitates the rhythm of speech 

Re-inventing the Wheel

It seems bizarre but Chinese inventor Guan Baihua has made a bicycle with one pentagonal and one triangular wheel!

Sounding like something out of Back to the Future or the Flintstones, Guan believes there is a real market for his invention as it requires more physical exertion to ride than a regular bicycle. Making it presumably more appealing to those wanting to keep fit.

Despite it's appearance the wheels of the bicycle provide a surprisingly smooth experience, not causing any oscillation as the seat remains at the same height throughout. This is down to their ingenious shape. Named after German inventor Franz Reuleaux they are Reuleaux Polygons. The side are not flat, but curve outward to echo the shape of a circle and if measured by diameter remain the same all the way round, defined as a shape with a 'fixed radius'.

Franz Reuleaux originally originally invented these polygons to be used in machines that turn one type of motion to another, but what you may not know is that you most likely come across these Reuleaux Polygons every day in the UK. The 50p and 20p coins are both Realeaux Polygons, made so that when dropped into a slot machine their diameter can be exactly calculated along with its size and weight to determine its value.

They can also be seen in Urban Planning, architects adopted the shape for manhole covers when not wanting to use the convention circular design. Problems occur with shapes such as squares which have a longer measurement of their diagonal, making them very easy to drop down the hole if turned; which is physically impossible with a Reuleaux Polygon.

Guan has high hopes for his bicycle but is already planning his next entrepreneurial quest, a social networking site to rival the greats of Facebook and Twitter, so they'd better watch out! This guy is nuts!