Pure Thinking

Facebook Idiocracy

Need I say more? - Todd

The age old debate continues...

Shepard Fairy Vs. The AP

Although this is not breaking news, it is the age old debate of who owns the rights to an image - the photographer who took the image (or in this case the AP who the photographer was working for), or the artist who interpreted the photo and added his own personal touches and emotion to an otherwise bland image.

One could argue that because Fairey has earned some mainstream notoriety over the poster and most likely a substantial amount of monies from his artwork, the AP has just now decided it wants a piece of the pie. The artwork has been around for at least a year and only now has this become news, after Fairey had tried to give credit to the photog in the first place. (Other photograhers have said they thought Fairey had taken the likeness from their photo of the president elect). The AP has sued Fairey over the ordeal stating the work is a copyright infringement. Of course Fairey is claiming that his artwork is protected under the "fair use" doctrine. Click here to read more. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

This is not the first or last time this issue will be debated. It has been discussed multiple times in our own shop when illustrating from a photograph. In this particular case, if the original photo is so inspirational, why not promote it on it's own in a free market for your own monetary gains, if you so choose. But without Shepard Fairey's artistic approach and mainstream noteriety, I beleive this would be a non-issue. What do you think? - Todd

Scraper Bike?

Here is a creative endeavor for you. The Scraper Bike! Don't ask me why they're called this (I have my assumptions), but with over 3 million combined hits on YouTube these Trunk Boiz have hit on something interesting (and hella funny). Maybe it has to do with everyone going green these days, or not. I think I saw one of these made out of our Schwinn cruiser bike that went missing driving by our office. - Todd

Shepard Fairey speaks

Shepard Fairey Interview

From the mean streets as a graffiti artist to winning Presidential campaign artist, Shepard Fairey talks about his influences, inspiration and DIY attitude that got him where he is today. An outlook and attitude that continues to evolve and influence generations to come. - Todd

Social Networkology: What Your Networks Say About You

I thought I was the one saying stuff about myself on twitter - guess not, because using it makes me "energetic, manic, and easily distracted." 'Manic" is a bit tough to swallow, but too bad - God has spoken.

Sort of silly, but if crystal balls are your forte... here ya go.

Christina Noble Foundation

Vietnam and Mongolia both face serious issues with starving children feeding from garbage on the streets, so Leo Burnett Limited, Hong Kong, created this campaign for CNF to help raise both awareness and support for the problem.

One thing that I really admire about this campaign, whether it was intentional or not, is how affordable it looks like it was to execute. While a lot of projects like this are taken on pro bono anyway, it always kind of creeps up on me that the money used to create them could have done some real good just put towards the problem. Not to say that the advertising for non-profits, etc., doesn't do wonderful things- it does, and it's important, and I don't mean to imply that these campaigns should be abandoned- I just love that this one managed to communicate effectively and cost effectively.

Pictures of Walls

Pictures of Walls is an  online record of the things people write and draw on walls, all over the world. Some are overdone, some are sucky and sappy and gross, and some are really, really good. That said, there is nothing that annoys me more than inspirational quotes written in bathroom stalls ("Love life!"-- not the time or place, thanks), but you know...freedom of expression and all that.

Via It's Nice That

glögg '08

I believe in Limited Edition. Big time. I think it has something to do with my background in trendsetting, and all the things I've seen get mad hype just for the fact that there's only 500 of them. To use a dork reference: It's 2008, and the living is longtail (in other words, tailored exclusivity is bringing some much needed life back to the doldrums of mass production).

It's no wonder then that Blossa's yearly release of a limited edition bottle of glögg, a Scandinavian mulled wine, sells out faster than a Disney pop star. The design of these bottles doesn't hurt, obviously, but what I like so much about things like this is how they can serve to medic the entire brand. In terms of brand equity, a label like Blossa can amass (in addition to whatever they had going for them prior) a measurable amount simply due to the buzz generated by each new bottle. Will every design blog (or mag) write about your booze consistently if it looks the same? No. Will lots of design, packaging, trendsetting and and alcohol blogs give you consistent, free publicity on a yearly basis if you give them something to talk about? Yes. For now, anyway. And this almost works for everybody; I literally think that if Tide were to get into super limited edition scents and designs, they'd sell. And people would talk about it.

Oh, and after enough groundwork, the "Limited Edition" aspect of these products can still almost meet demand. Production of this year's Blossa: Half a million. It will sell out. Not bad, huh?

Via The Dieline

Typolade

It’s a Thursday that feels like a Monday, and God knows we’re gonna need something to make it to Friday night. It would be super if that something was a trip to someplace where no one speaks English, but—nope—so we’re doing the next best thing: Typolade (“the sweet blend of typeography and chocolate” thankyouverymuch).  Kinda silly, maybe pointless, but that’s FF FagoMo Bold to you, sir.

Now pass me the raspberry sauce; there are posters to be made.

Via Notcot

No Hands, Mom

What an interesting way to make use of a neck injury.

I mean, what an interesting way to design a cell phone holder so it's not only hands free, but also helps you score pity stares, all of your friends leftover painkillers-- maybe even a cute girl to hold the straw in your juice cup.

Francesca Lanzavecchia, you are, uh, hmm. You really think outside the box.