Global Warming, by McCann Erickson

It has to be one of the most heart wrenching anti-global warming campaigns I've seen to date. I got shivers as I watched the brilliantly executed spot unfold.

Done by McCann Erickson (Portugal), for the Quercus (National Association of Preservation of the Nature). Directed by, FlavioMac and post-production by Seagulls Fly.

The first time I watched it, after a friend emailed the link to me, I didn't bother putting on earphones (not knowing what to expect) it still tugged at my emotions, watching the second and third time with sound only made it that much more effective (Though I suppose that's obvious). [via a friend]

White Winter Hymnal, Grandchildren

I can't really remember how I found the work of Grandchildren (Sean Pecknold), but I was asstonished at what I found. This stop motion music video, for the song 'White Winter Hymnal' by Fleet Foxes is utterly brilliant.
What I find so unbelievable and what only adds to the brilliance of the video is the fact that it took only 2 months to produce. Amazing.
Based on the music video, I went and got the albumn Fleet Foxes - Ragged Wood, now if thats not the point of a good video, then I dont know what is. I've posted some stills from the video, but you can click on the images, or here; to view the video.

It's easy to see how Grandchildren produced such a brilliant video, when you look at his portfolio, awesome photography and good design. Well worth a perusing.

Sagmeister on Happiness

I was browsing the TED site the other day, looking for interesting talks by "famous" people on design, that related to my 4th year work, to include in my academic report. And I came across a talk by Stefan Sagmeister on Happiness, very cool, if a bit sentimental (but I suppose thats happiness). Anyway heres the link to the talk( Yes, design can make you happy ), its worth a look :)

Helvetica: A Documentary Film

I can honestly say, and with a straight face, that I love Helvetica. Although I'm quite partial to Helvetica Neue Bold.
One of the things that really suck about living in South Africa (and there aren't many), is that we don't get very many, if any, cool design conferences. Other than the Design Indaba.
I recently saw at Ace Jet 170 (a brilliant blog), that the Helvetica Film (Produced and directed by Gary Hustwit) was screened in Belfast.

Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2007) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. The film is an exploration of urban spaces in major cities and the type that inhabits them, and a fluid discussion with renowned designers about their work, the creative process, and the choices and aesthetics behind their use of type.

I wish I could have seen it, but I'll just have to get the DVD. Out in October I think.

Uniqlo's UNIQLOCK Viral Advertising

"The theme of this campaign is to spread the approach of Uniqlo globally through communication in fashion, music and dance beyond the language barrier." Shift

I don't even know where to begin... I am totally disgusted, amazed and intrigued that I am even posting this. On the one hand, this albiet viral advert for Uniqlo, is brilliant. I first saw it at Netdiver, a small unobtrusive moving advert. But I was hooked, I spent the next 2 hours of my day tracking down where it came from, what its purpose was etc. Then 1 more hour trying to get the code so that I could post in here.

Supposedly by posting it I stand a chance of winning a G-shock watch with their logo emblazoned on it, but I can't honestly say I want one.

"Already 5 428 users with 7 503 uniqlocks from 59 countries, and 6 472 263 views from 176 countries. " Rxbbx

The part that I can't even believe, is that I've been sucked into advertising for Uniqlo for free, even though i know that I'm doing just that. And no matter how much i justify it by saying that I think it's wonderful to look at, and a brilliant piece of motion graphics, I'm just another sucker/victim of the brilliant designers/marketers.

"The clock sound on the dance video uses original Fantastic Plastic Machine sound from Tomoyuki Tanaka." Fast Retailing

The Willowz, Jubilee

Light writing seems to be making more and more of a show all over the place they especially cant get enough of it at the Wooster Collective (a showcase of all things street art). This music video is a really cool example of light writing in effect. I especially like it when its used subtly.... as in the beginning in of this video. (the water scene). Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The band: The Willowz
The song: "Jubilee"
The label: Dim Mak
The director(s): Toben Seymour