Limited Editon Print

Gary Hustwit, director of Helvetica, debuted his second feature film, Objectified, last week at the SXSW Film festival.

Objectified is a documentary in interview form with 30+ product designers. Each telling how they came up with their idea and little appreciations of those products that we commoners may have never noticed. From the rubber gripped potato peeler to the first laptop and onto the iPhone.

Just having had a conversation with someone about materialism before I read about this film, timing couldn’t have been better. As technology and even household items are becoming more advanced, surely people are going to have a closer attachment to their belongings, causing some to worry they’re becoming too materialistic.

Does Objectaphilia (a person who is sexually attracted to objects) really exist? An episode of Boston Legal shows a woman who leaves the man she is dating for an iPhone. Jokes were of course made that I would do the same. With mobile phones & laptops now becoming a common extension of ourselves, would we really want to let them go?

The film isn’t about people in this day and age being too materialistic, but rather it’s about the appreciation for the products we love and why we love them.

The question I’m putting forward to you is the same asked at one point in the film: The hurricane is coming. You have 20 minutes to grab the objects in your house that are most important to you. What do you reach for first?

For screenings check here

Cross posted

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They aren’t the easiest to read, but it was bound to happen eventually as product placement in films has become more and more prominent in today’s culture. Almost annoyingly actually and seeing as the James Bond films are almost a two-hour commercial for Sony Vio and Audi oops, I mean Aston Martin, I’m almost not looking forward to the new film…

These are definitely worth a look at, especially to see if your opinions match what the posters say.

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source Quipsologies images Antrepo

Glasgow NHS Stop Smoking ad

Look similar?

Twitter – the original Bird in Blue

And, the NHS60 has brand guidelines. How quaint. Well, I suppose as long as no one copies /them/. And there are subtle differences, so I guess it’s okay (read as: dripping with sarcasm – and if you didn’t catch that, then you might miss read a lot of my posts!)

Being this designer, to me, would be slightly embarrassing. I dunno. I know twitter isn’t huge amongst the non-computer obsessed, but still, those are the ones who judge designers most often. I would think a designer should know better.

I’m always waiting for someone to show me, when something is done so similar to something else, that it’s in cahoots, in a good way, and I just missed it.

Maybe the stop-smoking ad is sponsored by Twitter!

moo cards = SO much fun!

Über psyched. Even though my handmade ones have been quite the party favour. To see my actual Moo card: you have to find me and ask for one! They’re fab – or better yet, make your own (and get one of mine too!).

Also, if you haven’t bumped into them yet and you’re a flickr user/fan, check out fd flickr toys, by Big Huge Labs. So much cool stuff to do with your pics – whether or not they are on flickr!

Blake E. Marquis, Designer of GreenNYC logo

A company in New York, GreenNYC, has put in a trademark application for their newly designed logo above. Apple has thus since, filed an opposition to said application.

Firstly, will apple take it further if they’re denied, let’s hope not. Secondly, are they really similar enough to warrant Apple Inc. caring so much? The GreenNYC logo is, well, green, has lots of negative space, has a stem and the leaf is thinner and goes in the opposite direction. Then there is the fact that the two companies offer completely different ‘products’.

Check out the discussion over on Brand New and see what others think.

Get a close up look

Saw this unique answer for Couple Therapist client, Marisa Schmit Silva, on adgoodness.

What a clever way to combine a business card with, as they say, a publicity piece. Very simple, yet intriguing and impactful. Nice one.

Agency: Master Promo, Curitiba, Brazil
Creative Director: Marcos Minini
Art Director: Renan Molin
Designer: Renan Molin

Off to Amsterdam on Monday. Am über excited. Our hotel (as seen above) has just finished being built and from the pictures, looks flash. I’ve been told from people who frequent the place that it is in a great location and from the maps it is right on the canal.

Each room is bespoke designed and they come in three different sizes. A large ‘cozy’ lounge near the reception area with chillen’ tunes, free wifi and mac computers, of course.

The Hotel V‘s are run by home grown Amsterdamers who embrace their city and especially the quirky, funky bits. It states that they’ll “… be more than happy to show you the trendy and unexpected side of our wonderful town”. What else could one ask for really?!

However, I can ask for more: Tips! Last minute, but, if I haven’t picked your brain already and you know some brilliant place I shouldn’t live without seeing, please, let me know.

Also, if anyone out there is in the NL area and wants to meet up for a chat, feel free to get in touch.

We are purchasing 72hr iamsterdam cards which encompass all public transport, free admission into museums, discounts and as they say “more!” Well I say, bring it on.

Prepared to be bombarded with photos on my return, but don’t fret, most will be saved for flickr.

I’ve spent almost all day designing my new site – and it’s only one page! It’s really just an intro that is going to link to this blog. Good god, I’m amazed it’s taken me so long and there are still a few glitches, but hey, it’s cool. The html is quite sloppy and could be cleaned up as well, but just don’t look and we won’t have to worry about it.

Insanely, and I know fonts with sites work depending on the persons computer, browser etc, but it is COMPLETELY different in safari and in firefox. One example is that it’s in all caps in firefox. This is extra strange to me b/c none of the fonts I chose were all cap fonts… hrm.. all well, I kinda like the two different versions. You never know which one you’re gonna get – kinda like yours truly!

The inspiration came after I meet some great people for their weekly coffee morning and became all jazzed up about being around other adults that talk back, rather than just my cat, who could care less about the internet, other than he wishes my mac would quit taking his place on my lap.

Check out new Post Secrets today.

Scathing, isn’t it?!