International Design Awards.
Extended deadline: November 7, 2008. Architects. Designers. Interiors. Fashion. Graphics. International Design Awards Call to Entry
Apple Netbook(?)
Many people are trying to decipher the latest comments by Steve Jobs. The rumor out there now is a new product. Think MacBook Nano or iPhone Slate? Or is it the coming of the NetBook?
Remember, the iPhone was spotted online in Web traffic blogs. So many this is going to be the real deal.
Gizmodo hypothicizes what we might expect:
“Instead, if this is indeed a new unannounced Apple product, here in Gizmodo we are thinking about an iPhone HD with an updated 800 x 480 pixel display, probably coming in 2009. That resolution is something between the iPhone’s 480 x 320 pixels and MacBook’s 1280 x 800 pixels, which is completely reasonable: Other phones—like the HTC Touch HD—already have these ultra-sharp screens.”
Jobs says, “we don’t know how to build a sub-$500 computer that is not a piece of junk”, and this is believable. So rule out the computer. Maybe ramp up the iPhone to another level because Apple has sold more iPhones than computers this year.
“Although Apple said it sold more Macintosh computers than in any other quarter in the company’s history and more iPods than in any other non-holiday quarter, it is clear that the iPhone is quickly becoming its golden goose.
Sales of the iPhone accounted for 39 per cent of the roughly $7.9-billion (U.S.) in revenue Apple posted in the quarter.
Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., has now sold more than 13 million iPhones this year, easily eclipsing the company’s stated goal of selling 10 million in 2008. Apple raked in $1.14-billion in profit for the quarter, or $1.26 per diluted share.”
New York Times reporter, John Markoff, adds to the mystery with this bit of information:
“UPDATED: That would seem to confirm findings that a search engine company shared with me on condition that I not reveal its name: The company spotted Web visits from an unannounced Apple product with a display somewhere between an iPhone and a MacBook. Is it the iPhone 3.0 or the NetMac 1.0?”
Whatever. Expect Apple to introduce a “new category” product sooner than later.
via new york times new york times gizmodo report on business
Chicago Spire not spared.
Another USA financial crisis casualty. This bit of news not about Joe the plumber. On the contrary, it’s an example of the very wealthy feeling it. Make you feel better? Probably not.
Architect Santiago Calatrava is in the news suing the developer of the Chicago Spire.
Mary Ellen Podmolik and Blair Kamin, Chicago Tribune reporters spell it out.
“The Chicago Spire’s penthouse may be sold but there is growing doubt whether the project will rise out of the hole that’s been created at 400 N. Lake Shore Drive.
Consultants on the project are starting to line up seeking payment for their work on the development, designed to become the tallest skyscraper in the United States and one of the tallest in the world. The most well-known of the consultants, architect Santiago Calatrava, filed a lien on Oct. 8 through his Lente Festina Ltd., seeking more than $11.3 million in payment from Spire developer Shelbourne Development Group Inc.
Separately, Chicago-based architectural design firm Perkins+Will Inc. filed a lien against Shelbourne for almost $4.85 million in payment. The two liens were filed with the Cook County recorder of deeds.
The liens suggest the project’s financing, as well as its feasibility, is shaky.”
Recently, Donald Trump was in town to top off his 92-story Trump Tower. Here is an excerpt from the Chicago Tribune
DA editor’s note: Struggles of this scale and stature have not happened very often in the U.S. In other parts of the world it may be more commonplace. One enjoyable and very enlightening exhibition I attended at the Art Institute of Chicago was on Russian architecture. All the buildings on display were never built! Things were ( are? ) so bad in Russia at the time that the frustrated architects, who never could get funding, had competitions of concepts only. The guest architects laughed about the great deal of vodka drinking and story-telling taking place at these competitions. Creative therapy in action.
Let’s hope everything works out in the end. From a design perspective, Chicago would like to see a Calatrava somewhere in town – his work, inspirational. If it has to be utilitarian in this economic environment the city has many needy bridges. Until then, the Milwaukee Art Museum, an hour away, will not disappoint, especially at sunset when the “wings” unfurl.
( above ) Image found one week after original post: dynamic architecture next big thing! Inspiration strikes in the most unlikely places.
more information via chicago tribune wikipedia chicago spire
Lego radiator.
Italian company Scirocco presented a new decorative home radiator where technical innovation is combined with design and with the desire to have fun and continue having fun. Designed by architect Marco Baxadonne, Brick is a small colored block with a technological heart, a radiator in aluminium that internally conceals copper pipes and aluminium plates, making the product highly versatile and thermally efficient. But the novelties do not end here: each Brick has a double plumbing connection: one for the heating system and the other to connect the various bricks together. Just like connecting the Lego blocks …
via trendir
T@b XL.
The premium T@B for epicures has meanwhile taken over the editors of the first league: Auto, Motor and Sport.
( below ) The T@b.
You are an individual and a non-conformist.
You don’t drive on holidays.
You drive into life.
You don’t stand at the ocean shore, look out at the blue and say: “It’s beautiful here”. You stand at the ocean, close your eyes and feel the beauty of the ocean.
Holidays aren’t the most beautiful time of the year for you. For you, the year is the most beautiful time.
You are you.
Others have caravans.
You have T@B.
via T@b
Eco. Eye
New eco-company Kayu handcrafts sunglasses from pesticide-free bamboo.
The shades are oversized in a retro-stylish way (think Jackie O. goes green), but the best part is what’s behind the lenses: for every pair purchased, Kayu donates enough funds to cover one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world. So the shades are not only green, they give back the luxury of sight.
Producer:
Branding Obama. Perfect storm?
The final stretch. Our feature article leading up to and thru the election will recap what many “branders” have concluded: Obama’s campaign is case-study worthy. ( collage on left from special edition – Creative Marketers Report 2008, Creativity; campaign logo/button from on-line store on official Barack Obama website. )
( above ) logo design: collaboration – mo/de and sender llc
If you are a creative and have been following the election, you have seen this stuff. If you are a creative not following the election, you have probably seen this stuff.
Is this a perfect storm? The economic environment. A war. The candidate. The marketing team. The technology. The financial resources. When all the stars are in alignment.
Speaking of “financial” resources, Obama raised a great sum of money by declining public campaign funding. A bit more intangible were the “intellectual” and ’emotional” resources: the generation of creative marketing materials that became available, and may be still is arriving, which is unsolicited, donated. It’s what possibly sets branding a president apart from introducing and marketing, let’s say a product like the new iPhone or a service, Virgin America, a new domestic airline.
We know that Apple consumers can easily be classified as cult-like. It’s possible Virgin America will also attain a fanatical following in the near future. But, it’s hard to imagine Steve Jobs or Richard Branson being bombarded with donated print ads, apparel, signage, videos, graffiti, twitterings from uber-fans of their companies. ( Of course, we might find out differently from someone who knows… )
At first glance, that what it looks like. The bulk of the effort looks good too. Though some application control is lost the campaign is an evolving marketing-mix that’s strategic, creative, curated by a talented and experienced Obama team. We’ll strive to identify contributors as this post develops.
Even if creatively challenged but you read, shop, jog, walk your dog, you have seen this stuff. But if not, enjoy a sampling of images. It’s just a tip of an iceberg.
( above ) designer: tom fox from louisville, kentucky
( above ) designer, shawn hazen
( above ) street artist, shepard fairey from los angeles, california
( above ) from juicy couture
( above ) designer zac posen
( above ) designer: lisa marie regan from tulsa, oklahoma — this is a signpost
( above) documentary filmmaker: errol morris
( above ) parodies of fairey
( above ) photomosiac artist” charis tsevis
( above) artist: dee
( above ) autographed sticker, upper playground artist: munk one
( above ) fashion designer: marc jacobs
( above ) designer: tia salmela keobounpheng from minneapolis
( above ) designed by” artmags.com from oregon
( above ) design firm: thunder dog studios, long island city, ny
( above ) tribute to warhol, artist/designer: terri bell
( above ) fashion designer: jean charles de castelbajac.
( above ) screenshot 30-minute ad, october 29, 2008
( above ) robocall from cincinnati
Official logo
An official presidential logo and it’s usage. Innovation is not a design criteria requirement though it’s said the circle bucks convention. Familiarity, mass appeal is important and it succeeds on many levels of perception expressed by many. Colors for one. Less obvious, Pepsi another easily recognized, friendly image.
A good logo permits a wide range of application and it succeeds, giving a credible, official imprimatur and doesn’t get in the way of the messaging. Despite good visual qualities we find applications sans logo as the logo isn’t a mandate. Creatives enjoy artistic freedom. Hats off to a non-cookie cutter visual rule book.
New Media
Four years ago it was new media vs old politics. John Dean was light-years ahead of the pack establishing a grassroots network via the Internet to get out the word. In 2008 both candidates are better Internet matched but there is a big difference and many voters “won’t get” the difference. If you aren’t a blogger, don’t have a Facebook or Flickr account the savvy Obama site will be unappreciated. ( New media director Joe Rospars powered Dean’s 2004 Website and co-founder of Facebook, Chris Hughes help to develop Obama’s site. ) But the creative community says Obama “gets it” with how Web savvy users, social networkers, communicate, interact, organize, raise money, and respond to the media.
Integrated design
The campaign to date has successfully integrated both online and off messaging. Creative director of DIGO Brands, Mark DiMassio, “the Obama brand is the social creation of the community rather than the creature of the media or ad people of the campaign organization itself.” This bottom up approach aligned with the mantra of “change” is what truly sets the campaign apart.
Creative sources
moveon.org
meaningful distractions
obama art report
creative review
more pro-bono election work
tale of obama
shepard fairey: progress
the learning curve
logobama
upper playground
democracy, designers, and obama
artist spotlight: dee
rene wanner poster page
thunder dog studios, obama bike
terri bell, tribute to warhol
jean charles de castelbajac
new hope, switzerland
the obama art report
design and political communication
Media sources
npr.org
huffington post
washington post
blog.newsweek
new york times
freshness
counterforms for obama
people in the middle
all that glitters
salon: obama’s infomercial night
crain’s chicago business: 30-sec ad – nbc’s best
politico: designer’s like obama
politico: obama cuts radio ads for dems
businessweek: election designs 2008
obama’s 2008 presidential campaign staff members including campaign manager, david plouffe, and chief strategist, david axelrod.
official presidential sites
barack obama
john mc cain
Siemens Porsche TT911P2 toaster.
It’s a toaster from Siemens and Porsche and it means serious toasting business.
The TT911P2 2-Slice automatically adjusts itself to the thickness of the bread, has an LED display that counts down until the toast is ready, has 11 different degrees of browning, and it can remember which one was used last. The quartz heating element is one of the most efficient available, plus it has cool wall technology, variable browning, and of course a crumb tray. All that plus it’s styled like something out of a space ship.
Product: TT911P2
Producer: Porsche Siemens
Tea-off. Kettle competition.
It’s a tea kettle design competition. Cash awards. Winners to receive expense-paid trip to Chicago for the International Home and Houseware Show in March 2009. Competition details.
The Laptop. Underground stadium.
We’ve seen the splendor of China’s Bird’s Nest, now check out a new contender for the prize of most unique stadium. The stadium design by MZ & Partners Architects has already earned the nickname “The Laptop.” The main stand is upright with most of its height coming from the underground field. All lights will be embedded in the surrounding architecture of the stadium. It is hoped that the underground stadium will help keep the players and spectators cooler. It is expected to be completed in 2010.
If all goes to plan, ‘The Wall’ stadium in Doha, Qatar’s capital city, will claim two firsts: The world’s first underground stadium and the world’s first open-air, air-conditioned stadium. There’s a long way to go however and the stadium is not due to be completed untl 2010 at the earliest, however if the finished product looks anything like the plans released by MZ & Partners Architects then paying spectators are in for a treat.
After looking at the stadium from above you can immediately see why The Wall has already gained the nickname ‘The Laptop’. The stadium’s main stand sits upright, the majority of its height emerging from the underground pitch as if having been lifted opened by an enormous referee. There will be no traditional floodlights, a feature the architects seem to be quite proud of, as all lights will be embedded within the surrounding architecture, adding to the stadium’s mystical feel.
So why underground? Obviously it’s a great coup to have the world’s first underground stadium but there’s one invaluable benefit, especially in a climate such as Qatar’s: temperature control. A subterranean stadium should ensure that the pitch and its spectators retain a cool, bearable atmosphere naturally without the need to spend millions of pounds on air-conditioning.
The stadium is apparently part of Doha’s forthcoming bid to host the 2018 World Cup and if the location was decided purely down to stadium architecture, they may have a chance. The one concern? The Wall will only be able to seat 11′000 people.
Designer: MZ & Partners Architects