The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) has been a cradle of enlightenment thinking and a force for social progress for over 250 years.

To learn more about the RSA, visit: http://www.thersa.org/

This is a great video plus animation by the RSA Group which discusses motivation and what drives us. A great visual storyboard is presented on a whiteboard to convey the narrators point. Definitely worth a watch.

The moving image has always been likened with magic and mystery, paired with the idea that filmmakers and photographers play tricks on the viewer through manipulation of the image. I love the idea that creating graphics and engineering each frame is the same as a magician carrying out a trick, it is all about creating a feeling through illusion.  Motion graphics and special effects might seem like a recent pursuit of designers and cinematographers but it is surprisingly almost as old as the medium itself. I present to you Exhibit A…

1856 - The first ever example of image manipulation is known as “The two ways of life” by Oscar Rejlander.

Courtsey of http://www.museeniepce.com/

Oscar Rejlander’s ground breaking picture is made up of 32 different negatives, a completely new technique in his time. Today, this would be less then a hours work for a skilled Photoshop designer.  To Oscar Rejlander defense, he was the first and if it wasn’t for the spark of creativity he started, todays image manipulation programs would most undoubtedly be lacking. his Innovations can be attributed to many such as…

George Melies 1861-1936
He was known as one of the first “Cinemagican”  because he created and help develop much of the in-camera tricks used today. Any film lover should know “A trip to the moon”, a great example of Melies ability to use special effects and motion graphics. I believe wikipedia puts it best,

“He was very innovative in the use of special effects. He accidentally discovered the stop trick, or substitution, in 1896, and was one of the first filmmakers to use multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, dissolves, and hand-painted color in his films.”

Courtsey of wikipedia

Could you imagine what film and media would look like today without the advancements in special effects and motion graphics that these founders of Illusion made. In a lot of my work I still use techniques like timelapse photography and the stop trick…

An example I did of the Stop Trick a while back

As a consistent iPod user and Apple enthusiast, I constantly find myself looking out for the latest and greatest applications. I’ve tried a multitude of personal productivity applications over the last year, however, it wasn’t until recently when I found Diacarta that I felt like I had one that I actually want to use. Other applications at times, seemed confusing while being overloaded with advanced options that in turn make them less intuitive. The user interface is so clean, simple, and intuitive that it literally takes you a few seconds to add another task into your day. With a library of over 50 different icons, the interface also does something I’ve never seen in another personal planner — visually map out your day! You can very easily drag-and-drop these icons to the appropriate time of day and it will snap in place, automatically adjusting the time. How much easier can you get!?

Another neat feature of this application is the ability to switch between your AM and PM tasks or even days, with only the flip of a finger. I liked this personally because if you’re as busy as I can be a times, all those tasks pile up and get to look a little intimidating! So in a way, this is feature is helping to organize your day, and ease your mind.

As a designer, one of the most interesting things about this application was reading about the development of it in another review. Created by Jake and Georgia Yanchar, two former New York City lawyers, Diacarta is said to have evolved from daily organizers that Jake would draw daily in his Moleskine notebook. I think this only says alot about the application and its simplicity. If one person can organize their life from a few sketches in a notebook, and turn it into a iPhone application, it just might be worth a try! You might be surprised!

Now that Facebook has crossed the 500,000,000 user mark (that just looks like too many zeroes, doesn’t it?) its even more important to get out there and brand your organization properly.  This means using the “Like” box on your blog, your website, or basically anywhere you publish content online.  Today, I’ll show you how to style the “Like” box using common CSS tags and the Facebook Like Box Form.

You’ll need:

CSS Edit
Facebook Like Box Form

and fill out the info you want.

Click Get Code:

Copy the URL that the iFrame option gives out and load it up in css edit

Select an element and open up it’s respective stylesheet.

Style the elements that you want and paste them into a new stylesheet.
Save this style sheet on a remote server.

In order to reference your new stylesheet you are going to have to use a little FBML. Go back to the “Get Code” dialog box and copy the XBML snippet.

Replace ‘like-box’ with ‘fan’

Add your css url to it and voila!

Example:

<fb:fan profile_id=”1855986685″ stream=”1″ connections=”3″ width=”190″ height=”480″ css=”http://www.yoursite.com/style.css?2“></fb:fan>

Be sure to add “?” and a number at the end of the URL. Facebook caches the stylesheet. Adding the ? and number allows to see your changes.

Finale.

Follow the directions on how to enable XFBML on your site and paste in your short-code for the like-box and you’re done!

Note: So far i haven’t figured out how to do this using the frame method.

Regardless of the context in which it is used, typography plays a huge role in our everyday life. Especially in our generation where technology is reaching new heights, its only becoming more and more apparent how profound of an impact that typography makes on us on a day-to-day basis, whether it be on an iPhone application, e-mail, a website, street sign, a book, etc. Its impossible to deny its existence, but the key here is the effectiveness of its use. As a graphic designer I’ve seen many beautifully designed documents as well as many poorly designed ones. A well-designed document should draw the reader into the text, or at the very least, not put them off reading, no matter what type of media.

Typography in Learning

One of the main ways we use typography in our daily lives is education. Schools rely on heavily on the use of printed type on a daily basis to educate their students all over the world. From students simply learning to read and write to college students striving to earn higher education, type helps to make this all possible.

Typography between Friends and Family

Beyond spoken language, typography has always played a role in personal relations between people, whether it be through the use of handwritten notes, birthday cards, friendly e-mails, or even scrap booking. Although we may not always think of these as normal uses of typography in terms of design the very nature of typography and design is communicate so with that being said, this is a very successful use. Typography in personal communication gives people control of how their communication will look and even the feeling that could be transferred though the medium.

Typography in the Workplace

In the business place, typography plays a very important role in day-to-day operations. From simple correspondence between e-mails or letterheads, business cards, e-newsletters, or even blog posts like this one, typography helps lay the foundation for the way this information is presented between co-workers, clients, or even complete strangers who are recently finding out about you. A uniform typeface throughout a company’s stationery can help create a voice and a sense of consistency for the way it is represented to others.

Another important use of typography within the workplace of course is marketing. The importance of trade and the communications that are needed for trade to exist are all due to the use of the right type. Advertising and a connection to the customers both rely of how the product information is showcased. The wrong kind of type can cause a product promotion to fail in the consumer market. A good example of this would be the Coca Cola typeface. Regardless of where you are in the world, the Coke typeface is recognized all over. This is due to clever use of typeface and strong execution. Whether or not you happen to drink Coke, I’d be willing to bet if you saw their logo you’d know what it is almost instantly, and this is great use of typography.

Taking all of this into consideration, pay closer attention to your surroundings and see if you notice how much typography is a part of our daily lives. Although it might not all be good, because there is definitely bad design out there, look around and take in how typography is designed around us to present information. Look at an ad and try to experience how the typography is intended to make you feel, or look at a street sign and consider that someone designed it to make your life just a little easier.

In this post I will be discussing the strong marketing strategy TBWA has created for Absolut Vodka and what makes it successful. Absolut Vodka started in 1879, is produced in Ahus, Sweden and has a long running advertising history spanning different medians to create a strong brand identity. TBWA has managed the Absolut account for almost thirty years and is responsible for the majority of all of their ads, marketing programs and for the brand they are today. TBWA has created over 1500 ads (the majority of those being print) for Absolut and the main idea behind the ads being based around the unique shape of the bottle and usually using some variation of the tagline “Absolut Perfection.”

Website: www.absolut.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2370223690#!/ABSOLUT?ref=ts

The strategy of the brand was to avoid affiliating the product with one particular lifestyle and the ads were to have a timeless yet contemporary theme to them. Absolut Vodka prides its ads in crossing the line between advertising and art using different medians such as paintings, limited edition bottles, shirts, and sculpture. Many famous artists have done work for the company, including Andy Warhol and Keith Harris. TBWA’s branding campaign for Absolut Vodka was listed as one of the top ten campaigns of the twentieth century by Advertising Age and many awards including an Effie and Kelly awards which are possibly the most prestigious awards in the advertising business. Below are examples of some of the more famous advertisements created by TBWA for Absolut Vodka and really illustrates their strategy of targeting a broad audience and not one particular lifestyle.

The following is one of their controversial ads depicting an image of what Mexico controlling the territory the had control of during the Mexica-American War. This was part of the 2007 In An Absolut World campaign in which the company posted various scenarios of what their audience might think a Utopian or “Absolut” reality would be.

The company also hired Actor, stand up comedian Zach Galifinakis along with writers and stars of the Tim and Eric show to write, direct and produce three viral videos called A Vodka Story to expound farther into the online media world. Embedded is the first of the three videos with links to the second and third below it.

AVodka Story Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p0QtJMKt1s

A Vodka story part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EQcvKCFFW4&feature=related

A Vodka story part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx6LAT-FqxU&feature=related

The final piece of media is a little bit more recent marketing move which involved collaborating with Jay-Z on a benefit concert on September 11, 2009 which also coincided with the release of his newest album the blueprint three, which is now officially certified platinum. Just yesterday TBWA released a mini documentary they produced called “NY-Z” which was 15 minutes long and was all about that show. This documentary originally premiered on Abolut’s web page. Here is the video embedded from Absolut’s Youtube page.

You can also find a large collection of their print ads under the Absolut Gallery link at www.AbsolutAds.com.

Why not look everywhere around you; three places to look for inspiration.

Inspiration can change frequently, depending on a designer’s reasons, influences and interests. Frequently, when lacking creative ideas, most designers turn to design galleries to find new inspiration.

This is a horrible solution, let me explain why.

The biggest problem problem with this method is the continuous blending of creative mediums and ideas. Designers tend to look at online galleries for new creative ideas and trend, but there is a fine line between “being inspired by” and “copying.” Eventually, the majority of the web will begin to look alike. Looking at other designers creative ideas can be very limiting, especially when you’re looking for a new solution. Try walking a path less traveled instead; after all, you’re a designer!

There are many inspirations that designers can look for outside of design galleries. I’ve listed ten places where designers can look for inspiration below, along with where to find inspiration for each of them.

Fashion

Fashion has had an artistic influence since its beginning. Trends change on a seasonal basis and reflect the sentiments of the designer. Taking inspiration from both modern and vintage fashion to incorporate into your new design. Keep your eye out for scaling, color schemes, textures, and most importantly to keep an eye on lines. Attempt to emulate these lines in your work.

Where to Find Inspiration

Magazines: Take a look inside your local grocery store, there will be a dozen magazines dedicated to fashion. I particularly like GQ magazine and Enquire magazine.

Style.com or GQ.com: This is the home of the Vogue magazine and GQ magazine; it has the latest and up-to-the-minute coverage of the fashion world.

Style Blogs: Millions of and billions of blows exist out there. A few excellent one’s to take a peek at are The Satorialist and Valetmag.

Photography

There are millions of photos online that you may browse through if you need a bit of inspiration. Sorting through photography by colors, sizes, themes, and particular artists is easier than ever on the web. Look for key components of photography such as composition, color, balance within each image to get ideas. Observe carefully. Do not forget to see what the image is about, that may spawn new ideas. See if something else similar could be applied to your own design project.

Where to Find Inspiration

Flickr: Flickr has a billion of photos. Use groups, pools and galleries to catagorize or narrow down your search. Search for events and don’t forget to visit the Library of Congress’s Flickr page.

DeviantArt: Creative and artistic photographers post their photography to DeviantArt. You’re likely to find a higher proportion of “artistic” or “alternative” images than Flickr.

Bookstores: Check the discount or bargin bin at your local bookstore! You’re guaranteed to find at least one coffee table book in there. Keep you’re eye out on older books if you’re working with retro design. Often filled with images of all kinds, you can pick one up for really cheap.

Packaging

Packaging design is the distant cousin of web design and it is often possible to find inspirational pieces you can easily adapt without copying. The fact that the format is being changed, it can lead to surprising adaptations that extend fare beyond the original work.

Where to Find Inspiration

Stores: The most obvious place to go for packaging design examples is the store. My advice is to visit higher end stores; the stores feature products from around the world giving you a peek into international design. Don’t forget to visit foreign food stores as well for designs that do not mimic our own.

TheDieline: An amazing blog that features some of the most innovative, creative and best packaging designs. The best part about this website is the fact that it is updated daily which certainly leads you to come back for visits.

Architecture and Interior Design

Architecture and interior design is a very common form of inspiration because it is literally, everywhere. There is likely an aesthetic style for every aspect a designer yearns for every project. Take a look at vernacular architecture to modern minimalism to art deco and possibly anything else that comes across as interesting. Each style can be adapted into your project.

Where to Find Inspiration

Outdoors: There is a good chance their is a architectural beauty not too far away from where you work, live or commute to. Take a closer look at the buildings that may surround you; be sure to observe details such as form, shape, and defining characteristics.

Magazines: Venture out and purchase magazines such as Architectural Digest or Dezeen.

Design Blogs: There are a ton of blogs that cover every aspect of architecture. Check out Dezeen or even Inhabitat for future inspirations.

Take a step back from the places we normally seek inspiration from can lead to new, creative and more innovating ideas. All of these ideas now have new creative sources that you can tap into whenever in search of something new. Try keeping a file on all of the ideas, images and other materials gathered from these sources. When pressed for time, simply revert back to these inspirations for new ideas.

Lets face it, starting your own company can be difficult. In the early stages of all businesses, owners need to learn how to squeeze maximum value out of every dollar they spend. Social media is the key to saving money while still having the ability to deliver value. With the right strategy, social media can be used for community building, customer service, or product marketing

Community Building

Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are great for rapidly building a community and company awareness. Providing support, invites, encouragement and general engagement will build a sense of community between the startup company and their client. The key here is to establish actively engage users and attempt to organically build relationships with the industry’s influences.

Building relationships via social media is commonly talked about, but a key aspect that is commonly overlooked is the relationship building that takes place outside of social media. It is important for startups to take their online encounters to the next level; startups should go out and talk to customers in person.

Customer Service

Every startup company needs to utilize social media for customer service. Real-time responses is what makes customer service top-notch.The instantaneous access to customers via Facebook and Twitter is invaluable to any startup.
Responses to an issue on Twitter within a few minutes is extremely beneficial for the customer and the startup alike. Customers receive real-time responses to their dilemmas and startup companies receive feedback on products or services. This social interaction improves life for the customer and overall customer experience.

Customer Support from TOMSshoepport

Marketing

Using social media platforms as a form of marketing should be a no brainer for any startup company. With the wide variety of social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Slideshare, marketing a service or product is extremely easy.

Social media use should be centered around company leadership within their field allowing potential customers and journalists to have quick and easy access to information about products, services and industry. Startups which plan on using social media for marketing need to be in it for the long haul. Think of it as commitment or a strategy but not a campaign. Its like having a conversation, once you start a conversation with someone, you cannot just turn around and walk away.

Remember to concentrate on value while providing for others through social media tools. The gimmick is not to just sell, sell, sell but rather attempt to establish wholesome relationships with your customers, become a leader in your field, and become an inspiration for others.

The past few weeks I have been researching for a major motion graphics piece contracted by one of our clients. After a while I noticed all effective works had a very clear and crafted style, in concept and cinematography. Exhibit A

Every stylistic aspect of motion graphics needs to aid in the feeling and message of the piece. Everything from the muted colors to the split screen shots helped create the mood of wonder and allow the viewer to become more engaged with the piece. It sounds obvious but its  surprising  how little it is used in application. Motion graphics are still riddled with stock images and white backgrounds, not to mention the abuse of gradients and drop shadows.  The main reason for using motion graphics in the first place is because of its amazing ability to convey information visually.

My best bit of advice, When doing research on different styles jot down observations you notice . What is the color scheme? Muted or contrasting? what types of shapes are reoccurring? Are most the shots wide or close? How does the camera move from one point to the other? If you have to go, back and watch an animation frame by frame(it really helps). A great way to create better design is to understand how to look at design better.

So I was stumbling around the internet looking for something clever when I found these amazing redesigned movie posters. More after the jump.

Image by Ibraheem Youssef

Image by Brandon Schaefer

Movie Poster Redesigns have been a recently new trend. A quick search online will pop of various poster redesigns from Olly Moss , Hailmika, Eduardo Prox and many more talented designers.

We here at Rocket Pop Media like them so much a few of us decided to make our own, check them out below.

“The Departed” was designed by our newest intern Casey Starr.

“Evil Dead 2″ by Josh Jackson