Creativity Block Busting

I was just browsing around today and found one of those adspace posts on facebook that I never click on. But this one was for www.build.com and I thought it looked interesting and harmless. They used the "word cloud" method of gathering ideas for a bathroom remodel and then materialized it in a nice looking well laid out image of text that to me resembles a fish or whale. Some words are larger than others, some bolder than others, and the design as a whole was a work of art in itself. I'm not able to connect you directly to the original link, but this is the image that got my attention.

That got me looking into finding more examples of word clouds and mind mapping. Of-course, my next step was to search Google for "word cloud". I found the Tagxedo site and many images like this one.

I really like the concept of brainstorming using a word cloud or a mind map. The whole idea of it becoming a piece of art in itself is just incredibly ingenious. Adding to my findings today, I received an email from Learnist with links to even more of what I was looking for. Are the stars and planets aligned or what?

Steal Like an Artist

This semester's blog assignment is to find a section in this book, read, live and practice what is said on your chosen page(s). Then we bring it back and post results here for discussion in class.

Page 64 - Steal Like an Artist | Austin Kleon  "The work you do while you procrastinate is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life" – Jessica Hische

Wow! I don't know how much more true something can ring in my head. This is definitely an issue with me. I procrastinate. I have heaps and loads of ambition, and I can start something that will be one of the wonders of the world when I'm finished. But, then it would be a miracle if I ever really finished something. I don't have any miracles laying around, but I do have a lot of unfinished projects.

First Sample Post for Typography I

Canvas Rider

This site was featured in the January 2011 edition of Practical Web Design.  The designer used HTML5 and canvas to create an online, interactive game.  The game, called Canvas Rider, requires people to race on tracks designed and uploaded by other players.  When I initially pulled up the website, I was impressed by the header and background artwork, which is sketch-quality illustration.  It's simple, yet intricate, conveying action with a storyboard feel.  Immediately, the center box flashes different screen shots of the game, drawing you into the action.  The other interesting feature is the use of a font style that is reminiscent of the old Commodore 64 choose-your-own adventure-type experience.  The website claims that the site is entirely written in JavaScript and HTML5 and hundreds of new race tracks are submitted daily.  So, of course, I attempted to play the game. Maybe that wasn't the best thing to do since I really need to finish my homework!  The website does warn that it is an addictive game!

Hair Campaign?

The outdoor campaign for Rogaine featured in issue #53 of CMYK caught my attention because of the one-word slogan.  However, it took me quite awhile to figure out what the posters were trying to say.  Designed by students at the University of Colorado, this ad campaign is very bold and simple - one word, quick and easy to read while driving.  The company's slogan is in the lower right-hand corner, in case you can't quite figure it out.  If you still can't figure it out, take a closer look at the unfilled letters in each word.  You guessed it - hair.  I can only assume that this campaign is saying that with hair (if the letters were completely filled) you would be charming, handsome, and enchanting.  The converse of this concept, of course, is that without hair you are none of these things, which I, of course, take some offense too, having some years ago elected to shave my head in lieu of cutting and trying to style the remaining hairs on my head.  Regardless, it's a very interesting and clever design.  The word I had the most difficulty with was "handsome" because the "i" was part of the "d", which was hard to read.  The "r" as part of the "n's" and "m" in all three words, was a bit easier to figure out.  Nonetheless, a creative play on words and letters.

She & Him Poster

The poster below, printed in issue #53 of CMYK, is for a She & Him concert promotion.  One of the reasons I chose this poster is because my wife loves Zooey Deschanel (the "She" in "She & Him") and the show, New Girl, in which she stars.  My wife has played some of their songs for me, although it's not really my style.  Aside from the subject matter, the poster is very interesting.  The first thing that caught my eye, were the large circular objects with "She" & "Him".  Upon closer examination, I saw that the image on the left was actually a hand, with jeweled fingers.  Following the thin blue lines of the hand, you start to see other outlines, including the chain of the necklace with the date and then looking back up at the "She" & "Him" circles you realize they are actually earrings with a woman's hair and lips above.  It's very subtle, but clever.

Toyota - Interactive

CMYK magazine, Issue #53, highlighted the "Toyota Find Your Match" website, designed by Florence NG, Art Director, and Nick Platt, Executive Creative Director.  The magazine included several screen shots showing the color scheme and continuity throughout the site.  When you first access the site, there is a spinning globe that asks you, "What Drives You?"  The globe spins while the site loads and then shows you options for your driving needs (see below).  Hovering over each button lights up the platform beneath it.  When you click on a button, the screen shifts over, following a road drawn through a city as the screen moves.  The road ends at new buttons with new choices and so on and so on.  Essentially, this site is an interactive form.  Instead of checking boxes that bring up new options with each selection, the page is programmed to draw roads taking you where you should be - finally, ending up with the car that will get you there.  It's visually appealing and loaded quickly and without glitchiness.  I've included some other screen shots below.  I tried to take shots while the screen was moving to show some of the graphics. Check it out!