So I got a new job. in Ohio… yep thats right… Ohio.
I’ll be working for Abercrombie and Fitch. I’ll be saying goodbye to my home state and good buddies sometime in mid november. crazy times!
for your viewing pleasure heres a series of old time photos with Superheros superimposed into them. Surreal in a really good way.
I do a lot of searching. On a day to day basis i troll the internet for inspiration and new ideas. It’s rare that I find something as awe-inspiring and wonderful as what i found today. Sita Sings the Blues is an animated retelling of the story of the Indian epic, The Ramayana. The story is woven together with scenes from a parallel contemporary story about a broken heart. All this and it’s a musical too…set to the musical numbers of 1920’s jazz vocalist Annette Hanshaw.
I’ve always been a myth lover but this takes the cake. It’s not only beautifully animated but the story is wonderful too. The film can be seen streaming free at Reel 13 but you should also check out sitasingstheblues.com. One of the more amazing aspects of this film is that it has been released as Creative Commons. Nina the animator gives her work freely to the world to enjoy. It’s a great concept and well worth a read.
The film is a little over an hour but completely worth it. If you get a chance to watch it i’d love to know what you think. Take some time today to watch this incredible film. You won’t regret it. Enjoy
I’m suppose to be to busy sketching for class to have time to write this post but I can’t help it. I’m to interested. The other day I saw the new Fendi color it yourself baguette…(this is a handbag I’ve recently learned…not bread). Fendi typically sells their small version bags in zany patterns for around a grand a piece. In celebration of the baguettes 10th aniversary they have put together a Do it Yourself Fendi box where the user can design their own custom bag using the 10 included Pantone markers. Wanna see what some people have done? check out this NY Times article.
This morning I then stumbled across the write up on NotCot.
Really. A free classic for download on the Hermes site… i thought it was bizarre when Fendi went all DIY with its white canvas baguette that came with Pantone markers, but to see Hermes release Hermes Branded pdf’s of DIY cut+glue models of Kelly bags… i just had to laugh. Then press print. Then post.
How do you feel about it? Is it awesome that these luxury brands are reaching out so strongly to a younger demographic? Embracing the DIY/customization trends… taking inspiration from dunnys and paper craft trends? Or does it cheapen the brands? Honestly, i’m pretty out of it, and not sure what to make of it. But first impression is certainly that these could be cute (cheap) branded place cards for a girly dinner party quite easily… See more screenshots and the pdf on the next page!
I can’t help but wonder the same thing. the DIY movement has more than caught on and brands like Urban Outfitters and Threadless have capitalized on this…but what does it do to brands like Fendi and Hermes who sell bags and scarves for unbelievably high prices based on reputation and craftsmanship. Is the brand diluting itself?
I won’t go much further but if you think about it this idea has been creeping into branding for a few years…didn’t Nike have a design your own shoe application on their website…and people have been customizing their converse for years…which I think supports the brand…it’s a hazy line but an interesting question.
Before you read the rest of this post let me first give you a little introduction. Studio week is always a strange time at Portfolio Center. Tempers flair, people cry as the daunting day of their end-of-quarter critique grows ever closer. Life here is never what you would call normal…or lacking in interest and this week was no exception. Yesterday, when i woke up at 6, to start working, I noticed that my email inbox had 27 new hits. Considering I always check it right before bed, which that night was around 12:30, I was impressed with the amount of new mail. Instead of going into more detail, I’ve decided to share a few of those emails with names removed to protect both the innocent and the not so innocent. Many of the emails do contain some hard language so if you are squeamish to that, perhaps this isn’t the best blog post for you to read. If you simply don’t have time to read it all you should at least check out the awesome song clip by Cassey Walters at the end. He’s amazing and the song is too.
—————-THE EMAIL——————-
Subject: Shocking info about Obama and his stand on
abortion
This video has set in stone my opinion of Obama.
I found it quite disturbing, but worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo
————–THE RESPONSE—————
My own stance on politics aside, how can you say “politics aside” when the
video and host website are all about politics and are biased against a
political candidate?
Too many politics behind it all to put them aside.
—
On a side note,
Ninjas are awesome.
This is fact.
http://www.realultimatepower.net/
—
Maybe you could send another link regarding this? I saw “FOX news” in
the first 30 seconds & had to turn it off…
Or maybe just send the link sans commentary.
Just a thought.
—
you need to make sure that my email address is not on the list the
next time you decide to be
informative about matters of this nature.
—
Looking into the creators of the site it turns outs they hate gays too. I ‘m pretty sure they are a religious group out of NC. Here is more of their stuff if your into it.
http://www.illuminatipictures.com/illuminatitv/
http://www.wearethinking.com/main.swf
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/17/204538/024/27/517636
http://nohussein.org/
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=4900+Nc+HWY+55+STE+160-117+Durham+NC+27713&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
—
Another font request, sorry guys & gals
I need right wing ultra condensed
Its a very old typeface that my great, great, great, great
grandparents used when they used to say whatever that wanted without
the thought of repercussion
Thanks
—
Hi,
Interesting video, but completely one sided and inaccurate. I did a bit of
research and found that the group behind the video “illuminatitv,” is
actually a religious lobby group who gives money to McCain is attempting
make Obama look bad by using the sensational and sensitive issue of
abortion.
If you are interested in the truth about Obama’s relatively moderate
stance on abortion you can see it here.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm
I think as designers and citizens of the United States we need to go
beyond the sensational sources often found on youtube or Fox news and seek
non-editorialized sources of information.
Have a nice evening.
—
yikes . . . I think most of us can spot a goose in the hen house . . . .
let’s share information that’s educational, not sensational.
and then maybe collect a list of under-used colloquialisms.
—
Info. like this is better suited for the xenophobic, racist, closet-case
Baptist nut jobs who have tried their damnedest to ruin this country and
send us back to 1950. You neo-con-artists trip me out; just because you
don’t like something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Until you’ve adopted
and/or helped place a few hundred unwanted babies then you should probably
shut the fuck up about things you have no idea about. Why don’t you try
for once to be optimistic and come to the table with ideas and solutions
instead of your very Nazi-like fear tactics and misinformation?
A woman’s body is 100% hers, end of story. If you don’t want an abortion
then DON’T FUCKING HAVE ONE.
And keep this ill-informed sensationalist bullshit out of my inbox please.
If you have facts with sources that have been triple-checked then I would
love to discuss all of our great nations many problems and successes as
I’m sure most students at the school would. But lay off the soundbyte,
propaganda horseshit. It’s unsettling, rude, and extremely un-American.
—
Hey Everyone,
Politics aside, how can anyone support someone who hates Wookies? This is
something we as Americans need to hear/see for ourselves!! Check it out…
—
i usually don’t get involved in the poli game, i’m very much down the
middle…i guess like the swiss? i like to draw pictures and strum my six
string and sing songs of peace, life, frustrations, certainly ninjas…and
yes, even love ballads about wookies…
(key of d…like all good love songs)
oh lookie
oh lookie
at length did cross
a wookie
a wookie
a smile so sweet
a coiffure complete
need i say more?
it took me
it took me
we laughed
we played
as if a parade
we danced to
Sookie Sookie
i knew it was real
our love had congealed
the day
it made me cookies
and then one day
it ran away
it left me
for its bookie
i cursed the air
but i not care
i did it
for the nookie
oh lookie
oh lookie
at length did cross
a wookie
a wookie
alright…i attached a pdf that simply informs. don’t poop politics on
me…ok?
—
Well, what a ride! This is the most entertaining PC inbox I’ve had since
that time there was a picture of Hank in a red beret. And seriously that
stuff isn’t funny, my uncle is a wookie. But on a serious note:
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/supreme_court_rules_death_penalty
Caution: this is real.
—
hey. remember me? the swiss songwriter guy?
please “keep this ill-informed sensationalist bullshit out of my inbox” as
well please.
it’s hard swallowing one compare this to the atrocities of the nazi regime.
can’t we just keep this server to type requests?
respectfully,
—
i swear…this is the last you’ll hear from me. i just couldn’t resist
“laying down some tracks” over the
wookie love poem. enjoy the tune amidst the chaos that is PC.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO “the wookie love ballad”
The Ministry of Environment in Japan put out this handy infographic on how to wrap products using the furoshiki (the traditional wrapping cloth.) Great way to use eco-friendly packaging in a fresh way. I could see this leading towards a really cool projet.
Hanks send out school wide emails once in a while but this one was really well done and much needed…I will say no more.
All Cowboys and Hot Rods,
Good Saturday morning…
As you get to your emails this morning, I want to speak in a positive way to a sensitive issue that needs to be brought to everyone’s attention. Because it is something that just needs to be said. Because we are all part of a larger responsibility than just ourselves.
So as you are about creating and defining your work how important that you be very careful, evaluating your work, making sure it’s authentic as you do so. For while it may be true that there is nothing new under the sun, we must still acknowledge the difference between influence and plagiarism. And, when you are passionate about things, sometimes they can become skewed. Between memory and forgetfulness is the realm of the subconscious, where ideas can sometimes lodge and get mistaken as your own, especially when you’re being bombarded by all kinds of media every minute of every day.
Now, to purposely plagiarize is to cheat yourself–and to cheat the world of what YOU have to offer. Never let your fear drive you to that. As for the subconscious, remember that if you are doing as you’ve been taught–filtering all your work, your projects through YOUR values, i.e., the universal qualities of human experience, then that personal experience will keep you where you need to be–even accidently you cannot replicate someone else’s work by way of following this course.
So, what is so very important is to keep focused on AUTHORING YOUR VALUES — to position your signature as a style and to develop a vocabulary— a form, that is yours. Then go out and share it and, then you should channel your time and your energy by the learning you gain into establishing a unique identity in this homogenous world we live in as it is a best way to make your work engaging and empowering. Remember, there is only ONE YOU.
Martha Graham, the illustrative choreographer and dancer, imagined it this way, “There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy,a quickening that is translated through you into action. And because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is or how valuable or how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly to keep the channel open…live each day from your own creative source. Above all else, keep the channel open!”
In order to have an identity, you need to have a voice— your voice, and until you speak for yourself, you will not know how powerful you are. Every day you must do good work, and assuredly seek perfection, and seek excellence. It is important to recognize ours is a group effort, for as you might look to your own values to drive your work, then everybody’s stock goes up. Anything less is disadvantageous and will keep you from achieving as much as you might wish in life.
What an opportunity we have— we are the work we do. And it all emerges from our ideas. We can become cultural contributors and we can change our world.
Thanks for a moment of your Saturday.
Have a great day.
Hank.
…AMEN
I somewhat recently went to the Atlanta Zoo in the heat of the Georgia summer. Heres some of the cool things I saw…see if you can notice the trend. It was really hot.
this guy was doing everything he could to not be sleepy. His friends were doing freaky lemur activities and he wanted in but couldn’t muster the energy
The Panda exhibit was AWESOME. The female was napping as shown in the picture but the male was playing the crowd. He would run around his cage in circles doing summersaults then he would climb his tree take a dump and then go back to running circles and doing somersaults.
The Zoo can be a sleepy place.
Saw this on “Advertising is Good”…made me laugh…but honestly…I’d totally shop here. Who couldn’t use a handsome sandwich?
Fantastic article this morning from the New York Times that touches a lot of important topics…one in particular that I’ve been trying to convert into a blog post since I saw the film Wall-E last weekend. Besides being one of my top two animated films of all-time the movie is amazingly timely in message and approach. I’ve linked to the article Wall-E for President because the NYT’s says it way better than I could. I’d very much recommend not only going to see this movie but also to take someone with you. It’s a very poignant film that triggers discussion in all the right places. Don’t believe me check out the often harsh RottenTomato.com that gave the film an unheard of 96% approval rating. Thats amazing and so is this film.
Op-Ed ColumnistWall-E for PresidentSO much for a July Fourth week spent in idyllic celebration of our country’s birthday. This year’s festivities were marked instead by a debate — childish, not constitutional — over who is and isn’t patriotic. The fireworks were sparked by a verbally maladroit retired general, fueled by two increasingly fatuous presidential campaigns, and heated to a boil by a 24/7 news culture that inflates any passing tit for tat into a war of the worlds.
if (acm.rc) acm.rc.write();Let oil soar above $140 a barrel. Let layoffs and foreclosures proliferate like California’s fires. Let someone else worry about the stock market’s steepest June drop since the Great Depression. In our political culture, only one question mattered: What was Wesley Clark saying about John McCain and how loudly would every politician and bloviator in the land react?
Unable to take another minute of this din, I did what any sensible person might do and fled to the movies. More specifically, to an animated movie in the middle of a weekday afternoon. What escape could be more complete?
Among its other attributes, this particular G-rated film, “Wall-E,” is a rare economic bright spot. Its enormous box-office gross last weekend swelled a total Hollywood take that was up 20 percent from a year ago. (You know America’s economy is cooked when everyone flocks to the movies.) The “Wall-E” crowds were primed by the track record of its creator, Pixar Animation Studios, and the ecstatic reviews. But if anything, this movie may exceed its audience’s expectations. It did mine.
As it happened, “Wall-E” opened the same summer weekend as the hot-button movie of the 2004 campaign year, Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11.” Ah, the good old days. Oil was $38 a barrel, our fatalities in Iraq had not hit 900, and only 57 percent of Americans thought their country was on the wrong track. (Now more than 80 percent do.) “Wall-E,” a fictional film playing to a far larger audience, may touch a more universal chord in this far gloomier time.
In The Food Revolution, John Robbins calculates that a vegetarian diet requires only 300 gallons of water per day, while a meat eating diet requires 4,000 gallons per day. You save more water by not eating a pound of beef than you do by not showering for an entire year.
for more fascinating information on the water crisis and what you can do to lessen your water footprint check out this fantastic site.
