where we are today.
The 21st Century = Mass Innovation. I couldn't say anything more profound or more appropriate than what is said in this video. So just watch it, already.
Found on View from the Bottom.
Labels: creativeinspiration, social media, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:15 AM
2 comments
what happens if your parents meet in the voice studio
Here's what life might be like if your parents were professional voice artists. From AdFreak.
Labels: adindustry, creativeinspiration, viral
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:02 AM
0 comments
pixels are the new black
Pixels rock. And everyone says so. So, you should go out and get all pixeled up, right now.
If you're not man enough for a pixel tattoo, then check out the sweet pixel jewelry. Who cares if your mom doesn't understand it? That' the coolest mom's day gift ever. Or just enjoy the pixel perfect collection of pixel goodness that BuzzFeed has assembled for you. Mmmm. Pixels.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, pop culture, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:31 AM
0 comments
yesterday is so today
70's and 80's are the new 90's. But if you love graphic design from the 20's through the 80's, then you'll love this gallery of retro-design.
Labels: ads, creativeinspiration, design, illustration, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:04 AM
0 comments
overpasses finally get their photo glory
Sure, everyone takes photos of the mountains, and the flowers and the animals. But what about those impeccably designed, human engineered roads in the sky? Why does the overpass always get treated like the ugly kid at the party?
Finally, the overpass gets its day in the sun. Ironic Sans has dedicated a portfolio of shots devoted entirely to overpass beauty. Overpass in the day, at night, naked, it's all there. It's like concrete porn.
Labels: architecture, creativeinspiration, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:22 AM
0 comments
the sky is waiting
This is the coolest invention of the week. A device that spits out foam and gas in the shape of type and artwork.
Flogos lets users publish their artwork and ideas to the sky. The gas blaster can send art into the sky at a rate of every 15 seconds. Who needs Twitter or Microsoft Word, when you can just type your message across the atmosphere?
They're affordable too - renting out at about $2500/day. Not a horrific expense to the right event budget. They come in versions that produce 24", 36" and 48" flying logos.
This has so many fun possibilities - from retail, event promotion and creative art installations. We need one for our agency's roof. Oh, the fun we could have.
Labels: creativeinspiration, outdoor, stunts
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:49 AM
0 comments
what to do with that useless watch
The Naughty Secretary Club has a fun DIY project for those old, broken watches. Paint them in florescent colors, and make them the hottest fashion accessories. Such a cool idea. You should even do it to that brand new watch. Everyone knows that watches are so old-school, and nobody needs them for time anymore.
This might also be great for sneakers. I've seen a famous Plaid employee paint some sneakers silver once, and they rocked.
Found on BoingBoing. (They don't need the link, and I'm too lazy to go find it right now. You know where to find them.)
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, fashion
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:40 AM
1 comments
in the old days, creative people actually worked for a living.
On your most stressful day of slamming out emails, or creating wonderful things by clicking a mouse, take a look at this piece on how they made the HBO show open. In the old days, before computers.
This would be a funny concept for a behind the scenes piece that shows the making of something obviously digital, but pretend that it was produced in an old school way. I can already see this in my head, and trust me, it's genius.
Labels: adindustry, creativeinspiration, video
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:31 AM
0 comments
stop fixing your hair
Super vixen CK just nailed one of the best realizations about photographing life's wonderness.
At any event, there's always the "we need a photograph" moments, where everyone stands in a group, arms over shoulders, and does their best not to blink when the flash pops (I am not capable of this, and it's ruined my modeling career.) In the end, it's these photos that always suck.
The photos that make their way to the top, and into people's hearts are the shots that capture real human emotion. CK writes a beautiful post about the above photo of her meeting Arun for the first time.
If you're a photographer, you're probably saying "duh" right now - but for the rest of us: can we all just refuse those group shots from here on?
Labels: adindustry, blogging, creativeinspiration, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:25 AM
3 comments
what kids read before the internet
The NY Times has a gallery of all of the Mad Magazine fold ins. Fold ins were interactive entertainment before the internets.
Readers see a folded out version, that would include a question, and some imagery related to the topic. When folded in, the page would reveal another illustration entirely - revealing the "answer" to the question.
Great, creative stuff from the time before computers and Flash animation. Found by Mave Gibson, via Facebook. (Damn Mave, you find the best stuff!)
Labels: creativeinspiration, illustration, politics, pop culture
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:41 AM
1 comments
reward all customers, not just some of them
Andy Sernovitz has an excellent point: In grocery stores, why don't they have a 'super lane' for shoppers with $200 of groceries? Two cashiers, two baggers and they're treated like stars. Instead of rewarding only the shoppers with 10 items or less.
I say - why not reward all shoppers? Have the super lanes for overflowing carts, and the 'lite' lanes for shoppers with a few items.
How could you make your customers feel special, in an industry changing way?
Labels: branding, creativeinspiration, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:28 AM
1 comments
the store for tomorrow
Wolff Olins has created a cool project in London and New York titled BrandNext. The show takes place at The Store for Tomorrow which explores the idea of brands as platforms for action, and inspiring people do more and do better.
An exhibit where the people attending are a part of the show. The New York 'store' opens later this week. From Brand New.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, inspiration, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:55 AM
0 comments
photos of places you can't get into
A cool article in Everywhere Magazine led me to Jonathan Haeber. The Everywhere Magazine piece has some cool shots of an abandoned cruise ship from the 1950's. Awesome yes - but then I discovered Jonathan's site. And then his Flickr page.
Jonathan has the ability to get into places you're typically not allowed entry to. Maybe he's invisible. However he does it - he's captured some stunning shots of odd and beautiful places. Like Neverland Ranch, above.
Labels: architecture, creativeinspiration, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:36 AM
0 comments
don't you wish your moleskine looked like this?
Mike Rohde took some really good notes, while at SXSW. Yes, he captured the most salient points of the panels he attended. But unlike you or I, he managed to beautifully illustrate them.
These super glorious notes weren't done after-the-fact. This was done LIVE, during the panels, sometimes even in the front of the room, on a huge sketch pad, for all to see. I watched them myself during at least one of the panels. And now you can enjoy them all, in his Flickr photoset. Amazing.
You should invite him to your next event's keynote, and then give limited edition prints of his notes to all of the attendees.
Labels: creativeinspiration, illustration, sxsw
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:12 AM
0 comments
what's the difference?
While David, Rob and I were at SXSW last week, one of the events we popped into was 20x2. They ask 20 people a question, and each person gets 2 minutes to share a response. The question for this event was "What's the difference?"
One of the best responses was presented by Thomas Crenshaw, with a video, which just found its way to YouTube. Enjoy. (Conservatives: Contains the F word in it's printed form. Hopefully you won't faint.)
Labels: creativeinspiration, social media, sxsw
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:09 AM
0 comments
cubicle decorating ideas
Lifehacker is having a cubicle decorating contest.
We still believe that cubicles are the biggest lie ever presented to employees. A false sense of privacy. Sure, you won't see your co-worker picking his nose, but you still have to listen to music in headphones, and can't have a private conversation. If it's not private, why pretend to be private? Why not celebrate collaboration, instead? But don't get me started.
We love it when workers break out of cubicle boredom and annoy their neighbors with tacky, stupid decorations. Bring it on. Paint the grey orange. Light your khakis on fire. Revolt, and celebrate creativity. Bored cubicle dwellers, unite!
Labels: creativeinspiration, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:24 AM
2 comments
what people in khakis do when they're drunk
Don't you just want to put on a corporate logo embroidered polo shirt, slam down a few beers and do a presentation?
The hottest new happy hour is all about PowerPoint Karaoke. Drunk office workers, geeks and marketing people take completely random powerpoint slides, and attempt to tie them together as best they can. Hilarity ensues. Sweet.
Labels: creativeinspiration, trends, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:23 AM
0 comments
how to find your way around middle earth
Since it's not available yet on Google maps, how are you supposed to find your way around Middle Earth, while on vacation?
I'm pretty sure that GPS units don't work there, either. Thankfully,
Chris Taylor has created a scalable, vector-drawn map that you can print - as large as you can imagine. For your navigating and adventurous fun.
If you're going, you might want to wait. This week is spring break, and it can get kind of crazy there.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:40 AM
0 comments
the most annoying and relevant game
This is the most annoyingly stupid yet totally relevant and complete waste of time game ever. ForumWarz is an interactive game that plays off of everything current and past and relevant or annoying on the internet. It's as awesome as it is annoying. A perfect picture of internet pop culture.
If you're an internet worker, you'll get this. If not, you may look puzzled at your screen and wonder what all of the fuss is about. From BuzzFeed
Labels: creativeinspiration, gaming, pop culture, social media, technology, trends, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:23 AM
0 comments
twitter at the moma
Twittervision, the totally addicting Twitter mashup has been included in the "Design and the Elastic Mind." exhibit at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Finally, a reason to leave your computer, and go outside.
I want to go to the exhibit, and then tweet my friends while watching it. The show runs now through May 12.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, social media, twitter
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:08 AM
0 comments
unscrew america
It's a pretty rare event that conceptual, strategy, copywriting, design, illustration, sound design and flash development all converge to produce something great. Unscrew America is just that type of project.
The goal is to inform people about energy-efficient CFLs and LEDs - and also make sure people know that CFLs contain mercury and have to be properly recycled.
The incredible online component to the campaign feature beautious Flash animation, video, audio, writing, and everything else. Boom Design Group and their sister company Fluid did the Flash and sound design and video.
There's also print ads and even a tv component, which includes a role for Paul Reubens. Can't wait to see that. Nice campaign, by GSD&M. Nice job!!
Labels: ads, copywriting, creativeinspiration, Flash, illustration, nonprofit
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:43 AM
0 comments
people who only wear one color
I saw this lifestyle piece breaking on Twitter, as the reporter was looking for subjects to profile. So it's pretty cool to see the piece live now. While I admit that the colors charcoal and black pretty much totally rock, I just can't commit to 100%.
Labels: creativeinspiration, fashion
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:47 AM
0 comments
how all magazines should be released
Bones Magazine has the right idea. It's released on line - and dependent on your preference, you can download a PDF (and even print it, if you hate trees), download a 30 minute audio podcast, or a 5 minute video podcast. Or download all three and dedicate your day to Bones Magazine.
This issue is chocked full of really cool photography, illustration, art and inspiration. Enjoy. Stuffy corporate types might not dig this - so just move along...nothing to see here.
Found on MWM News Blog.
Labels: creativeinspiration, illustration, photography, podcasting, video
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:08 AM
2 comments
identify yourself with a barcode
Maniacal Rage points to a really useful tool. A personal barcode maker. How many times have you been at the checkout register, questioning your self worth? Now you can create your own personal barcode, and carry it around with you all the time. You'll always know your current retail price.
Mine is pictured above. (I think I'm about to be marked down.) Please don't steal my barcode and clone me into an army of internet barcode bots. That's not how I want it to go down.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:48 AM
0 comments
cool promo idea for geek events
Design firm Mule found a really good promo idea for internet workers. Temporary laptop stickers. Promotional stickers that you can put on the back of your laptop for a week, a month, or an event. Mule will be giving them out at SXSW. Sweet idea.
Labels: branding, creativeinspiration, sxsw
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
ice hotel snapshots
By now, you've certainly heard of the Ice Hotel. BLDGBlog has some stunning pics of the place. And maps/diagrams, so you won't get lost when you arrive!
Labels: creativeinspiration, hospitality, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:25 AM
0 comments
ads so good you can lick them.
Holy, sweet mother of David Ogilvy. This has to be the greatest invention in the entire history of advertising. Lickable ads. I can't wait to incorporate this into a campaign. Sweet, deliciously good idea for so many applications.
In the meantime, I'm just going to begin licking all of the ads in the subway stations and in the magazines at the doctor's office. Just to see how they taste. Field research. Thanks Maura!
Labels: ads, creativeinspiration, directmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:04 AM
3 comments
having trouble getting started this morning?
This ought to get you moving around the office. It's like the extra caffeinated version of Ronald McDonald.
Labels: creativeinspiration, mashup, video, viral, youtube
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:09 AM
0 comments
get out of your element
One of the classic traps marketers fall into is making assumptions, strategies or decisions based on personal experience. "I wouldn't do that...so the audience for this product wouldn't do that..." We recently had a client who actually said "I don't use the internet that much - so I'm pretty sure my audience doesn't, either." (His audience was teens and 20 something males.)
We're humans. A multitude of cultures, personalities and interests. We're also born with this weird sense of thinking everyone else thinks just like we do. And that's not true.
At our agency, we're on a constant quest to learn and experience new things. To do something outside of our element. We even schedule occasional company "field trips" where our staffers get to partake in an activity that they haven't done before, or wouldn't likely do on their own.
AdLab has a great reminder of a classic technique to get outside of your element: Magazines. Magazines are a super way to experience a different audience on the quick. Visit a good newstand or bookstore, and browse the sections you don't normally browse. You'd be surprised at what you can learn about...humans.
Labels: branding, creativeinspiration, design, marketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:44 AM
1 comments
how to produce saving private ryan
How three graphic designers re-created the infamous Saving Private Ryan scene, on a shoe string budget. Technology is wonderous. You can do anything. From Mave Gibson, via Facebook.
Labels: creativeinspiration, film, video, viral, youtube
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:31 AM
0 comments
what can you do with a ballpoint pen?
Artist Juan Francisco Casas creates stunning, larger than life pieces of art using a ball point pen. The image above is not a photograph - but a drawing, using a standard blue ball point.
Hello Bic - this is an incredible opportunity - an easy sponsorship deal, just waiting to happen. What better way to position a product and show what's possible with a device that is otherwise taken for granted?
Are there people using your products in unique ways? Show the world!
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, illustration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:39 AM
2 comments
tooth type. the next big thing.
While flipping through the new issue of Future Snowboarding, I found a really cool idea. A feature piece on snowboard star Bryan Fox, featuring the killer portrait featured above.
You've seen diamond and gold fronts on rap stars; and writing on, or customizing your body is far from new. But hand lettering on teeth is cool. Haven't seen a lot of that.
How could you make this cooler? How about a video, with the entire message written on different mouths? Just an idea.
(Awesome photo by Brian Craighill)
Labels: creativeinspiration, photography, sports marketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:24 AM
4 comments
meet chumby.
A few weeks ago, we purchased a Chumby, for our office. We were intrigued by the buzz this little device has been getting.
What's a Chumby?
It's a streaming internet player in a plushy shell. You program your Chumby channel, picking from a variety of RSS streams and widgets. Stream your Flickr photos, Facebook newsfeed, YouTube videos, local weather and so much more.
Chumby also has a touch screen, and motion sensors.
So, why do you need a Chumby? You don't...but you might enjoy it, if you do. We've got a couple of fun ideas, that might be good for your brand:
+ As a door opener for sales calls and promotions. Sure, it's expensive, but if your sales leads are few, and your average sale is big, the investment would be worthwhile. Imagine having a cool device sitting on your potential client's desk that's streaming videos of your product or event, photos of your product, or a live webcam from your event.
+ As a retail display device. Get a few Chumbys, and put together an interactive display that enhances your brand. Utilize the touch screen to create a fun Chumby application that customers can interact with.
+ As an employee motivator or informant. Place Chumbys around your office, and program the Chumby channel to feature company photos, your company's YouTube channel, or webcams from field offices.
Rob and I do our best to show you the Chumby and talk through these ideas, in the video above. (Oh yeah, don't worry - I got a haircut this weekend.)
How could you use a Chumby?
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, technology, webdev
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:25 AM
1 comments
slowing down grand central station
Improv Everywhere has pulled off another wonderful performance. A while ago, they did the people freeze thing at a Home Depot. But it's sooo much better at Grand Central Station.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, newyork
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:35 AM
1 comments
awesome quotes found on twitter
My Twitter lovefest continues. Here's a handful of twitteriffic quotes I've found in recent days. From beautious and inspired to downright hilarious. Enjoy.
From Chris Brogan's feed:
"Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless."- Mary Kay Ash.
"What's your twitter bio < 140: Me? I stay up late and come up with ideas for brands, and pretty much anyone else." From MTLB
"more people die for love than from cancer" crimes of passion are common. From LoicLemeur
"Just saw on poster: avoid pregnancy during alcohol" From JJProjects
"But will Obama do something about uneven sound levels between TV shows and commercials, that’s the thing. You know, the important stuff." MTLB
"My boss's boss just came in and asked me if he could borrow a few Leadership books. What's wrong with this picture? :)" From bradjward
Someone should do a Twitter book. Think of all of the cool quotes, the legendary conversations that have taken place....that would be sweet.
Labels: creativeinspiration, twitter
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:27 AM
3 comments
jj abrams inspires at ted
Watch JJ Abrams, the man of the moment, and his presentation at TED. Totally inspiring. See JJ's mystery box, learn about tools, tricks and be inspired. Will make you want to dive into the tools you're surrounded by, and create things.
One of the things that amazed me: the original episode of Lost was written, cast and produced in ELEVEN weeks. I'll never bitch about a production schedule again.
Wanna go to TED yourself this year? There's a pass for sale on eBay.
Labels: creativeinspiration, technology
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:28 AM
1 comments
after the dinosaurs died, there was ansi art
Geek goddess Irina Slutsky stops by the coolest geek art show - an entire gallery show devoted ANSI art. This is a wonderful tribute to the artists of the earliest days of the world wide interweb - who typically used this art as headers to their bulletin boards. It's especially inspiring when you learn how time-intensive the production process was.
That's what the internet was like, before there was internet, and when we all lived in caves. Without wifi.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, technology
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
furniture made from melted rope
In all of my teen years of lighting plastic rope on fire and watching the flaming plastic drip off like fireballs, I never imagined that you could build furniture using the same technique. The chair pictured above was crafted from one giant ball of rope.
You can watch a video on how it was made here. The feature site is down now, thanks to the massive traffic of the original BoingBoing post. I need some matches.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:50 AM
0 comments
waterfalls on the east river!
This spring will bring possibly the coolest art exhibit ever to the East River, in New York City.
Artist Olafur Eliasson plans on creating A 60 - 70 foot waterfall. While his 20 foot waterfall in Scotland is really cute, I'm sure that's nothing compared to a 65 foot tower of sculpture, spewing water, sewage, junk and bodies through the air. How romantic.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, newyork
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:03 AM
0 comments
sign language, told with matchbooks
Here's the entire sign language alphabet, done in matchbooks. Just in case you have the need to strike up a conversation. Hardee harr harr. From Urban Outfitters Blog.
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, typography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:36 AM
0 comments
signs, signs, everywhere are signs.
Eye Candy points to a sweet Flickr pool of sign photos. Signs can tell you so much about the culture and the times of their creation. One of my all-time favorite things to photograph, and view. This Flickr set is awesome.
Apollo sign above shot by Anglerove.
Labels: creativeinspiration, design, inspiration, outdoor, pointofpurchase, typography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:18 AM
0 comments
wow.
That's the sun! From NASA!
Labels: art, creativeinspiration, holiday, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 10:06 AM
0 comments
sugary goodness that's art, too.
Later today, I want to photo document all of the sugary goodness that's graced our office this week (or what's left of it.)
As an inspiration (or just a reason to show beautiful yummy cakes), check out the Cake Girls. They're Chicago's hottest baking duo. Sisters Mary and Brenda Maher make the most awesomely delicious cakes you've ever seen. But if you want to taste the CakeGirl sweetness, you'll have to buy a plane ticket to Chicago. They don't ship. :(
Labels: creativeinspiration, design, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:37 AM
1 comments
wish we thought of this
Such an awesome idea. Compliment cards. Why not give someone a compliment everytime you hand out a card? Why not make these your business cards?
Of course, in the U.S., you can't actually tell anyone in corporate America that they look lovely today - because it could possibly be construed as sexual harassment. (Way to go, HR attorneys.)
Anyway, this would be an awesome business card concept for a church, health care or non-profit organization, with a slight copy twist. That is, if someone else didn't already think of it first. ;)
Labels: creativeinspiration, design, identity
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
what to do with all of those business cards from the trade show
Artist Sharon Mount creates wonderful buildings out of paper and card stock. Things like business cards.
If that wasn't enough, she creates a blog entry for each piece, detailing the background of the building or place it represents. Awesome. From swissmiss
Labels: art, creativeinspiration
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:03 AM
0 comments
a place for all your polaroid pictures
Check out Polanoid - a community devoted to the love and sharing of Polaroid photos. Their goal is to produce the largest collection of Polaroids on the planet. Looks like they're already there. Found on Hip.Young.Thing.
Photograph by lorseau, at Polanoid.
Labels: creativeinspiration, design directmarketing, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:22 AM
0 comments
good morning. welcome to monday. I have a bad case of diarrhea.
Immodium should get their licensing people on this right now. Would be soooo awesome as a tv campaign. Isn't it fun to sing about diarrhea? From Christopher Price, via Facebook.
Labels: creativeinspiration, healthcare
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
awesome architecture
Check out this post on nine unique structures that are about to be built