Exploring the ways in which artists, artisans and technicians are intelligently expressing their creativity with a passion for culture, technology, marketing and advertising.
If you have a passion for architecture, photography or film you must watch this video. If you do not have a passion for architecture, photography or film, you will after watching this. Some of the most gorgeous, evocative visuals I’ve seen. Just awe-inspiring. And none of it real. This is absolutely 100% CGI work done by Alex Roman for The Third and The Seventh project, exploring architecture through the cinematic lens.
The textures, the depth of field manipulations, the elegance of it all, Alex did it all himself. The modeling, the renderings, the music, the sound design, all of it.
This. Is. Big Brother. Your group task for the day is to re-brand reality television. You have four hours for this task. Your task begins. Now.
Over the weekend the latest edition of Celebrity Big Brother began in the UK. For the next several weeks a group of “celebrities” will be locked in the infamous Big Brother house performing ridiculous tasks while recorded around the clock. Though most of the houseguests will not be recognizable to anyone outside of the country they include Stephen Baldwin, Sisqo and Heidi Fleiss.
I have to confess, I do not like Big Brother and the US variation of the “game” is particularly boring to me. My favorite “reality game show” is The Amazing Race, where contestants go all over the world performing tasks and bickering while I wonder how on earth the crew is producing the show, let alone filming it while constantly on the run.
Dislike of Big Brother notwithstanding, as soon as I heard about Celebrity Big Brother I had an idea. I would love to see a Creativity Big Brother. A group of unlikely creatives locked in a large house, every one of their working habits recorded for us to see, solving problems as their tasks.
The house would be a creativity dream space. A studio with rows and rows of drafting tables with lots of Field Notes available for doodling. The best in Apple computers set in a Genius Bar - Apple would probably be a sponsor of the show. A library with all the classics of literature, design, music, and all the best reference books. All the rooms in different Pantone colors. On everyone’s desks those new bladeless Dyson fans. Because fitness is important to creativity, the gym would be the only source of energy for the computers, do 40 minutes on the bike or no Photoshop for you. And the ubiquitous confessional room? Made out of legos, with tables full of Playdoh, the better to squeeze their frustrations out of their systems.
And not just end-of-year but also end-of-decade. Here are some of the most interesting lists I’ve seen, interspersed with some of the best work I’ve discovered this year and some suggestions for creative gifts.
• Pixar’s Up: It delivered what is perhaps the most poignant animated sequence ever created. This heartwarming video shows the evolution of Carl and Ellie’s relationship from the first concept sketches to the final shots of the movie.
• Google Wave continues to confound most everyone. And then you see this:
• GE Plug Into The Smart Grid: This is the first example I encountered of Augmented Reality actually implemented. A whole creative department stood huddled around a computer, mouths open, uttering small cries of disbelief.
• Tarsem’s The Fall: For the visual artist in you. Produced by David Fincher and Spike Jones. Incredibly rich visuals used to tell a simple, universal story. Exquisite.
• I love dance. I watch this on tv and realize that I may be witnessing the evolution of the dance form:
And then I learn there is more.
• The LXD is launching an online, episodic series, with hints of graphic novel myth-making all told through dance. This is a creative endeavor that is practically custom made for me.
• The Top 10 Flash Mobs Of 2009: If we are ever together in a crowded public space and music starts playing, people start dancing, there is a very big possibility I’ll be joining in.
• Paloma Faith is the latest eclectic British singer to do the soul thing. A former magician’s assistant, she delivers a great record that feels a bit like the anti Amy Winehouse’s Rehab. Do You Want the Truth Or Something Beautiful
• Jill Taylor’s My Stroke of Insight recounts a neuroscientist’s experience with a stroke and her recovery. It is an inspiring exploration of human consciousness.
In his kinetic talk from the 99% Conference, expertise theorist Jason Randal discusses how to use “stretching” to increase memory and focus, the relationship between play and learning, and the transformative power of surrounding yourself with enthusiastic, passionate people.
These 12 things that he believes can lead to quick learning strike me as powerful. You are probably already using some of these techniques. But the best advice continues to be: reduce everything to an action you can do right now and do it.
: It delivered what is perhaps the most poignant animated sequence ever created. 
is a brilliant comedy series about what it takes to run a Shakespeare festival. And what it takes to be creative. 
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: For the visual artist in you. Produced by David Fincher and Spike Jones. Incredibly rich visuals used to tell a simple, universal story. Exquisite. 
. Which in turn gave us the innovative transmedia marketing campaign for the movie. 
is a must read.
Chandler Burr renders the complex science of fragrances into compelling poetry.
by Ken Robinson will inspire you.
recounts a neuroscientist’s experience with a stroke and her recovery. It is an inspiring exploration of human consciousness.