train tunnels: the only place people will watch speed racer?
The tunnel between Hollywood and Universal features a special show for it's train passengers. An ad for Speed Racer, played over 360 individual LED frames. The movement of the train animates the piece.
NYC had a similar piece a while ago, but it didn't include LED panels.
The bigger whoop-de-do: People are riding trains in Los Angeles?? Like, actually using public transportation? Do they have valet parking at the train stations?
Labels: ads, newyork, technology
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:32 AM
1 comments
the electric company. awesome returns to tv?
The pinnacle of groovy kids tv is coming back for a new generation. They're shooting new episodes of the Electric Company in NYC. The show is slated to return to PBS in January of 2009.
For those not familiar, the original Electric Company was a seventies fest of visual glory laid upon kids who were glued to PBS TV, back in the days of 13 channels. (Oh, the horror.)
Thankfully, the new show will feature an online component, since today's kids only marginally pay attention to the 600 channels on their magic box.
Labels: newyork, pop culture, tv
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:07 AM
1 comments
liberty city versus new york city
Mathew Johnston has put together an awesome collection of images that compare Liberty City (from Grand Theft Auto IV, for you older people), to real images from New York City. Pretty cool.
Labels: gaming, newyork, photography, pop culture
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:49 AM
0 comments
uniqlo t-shirt promo rocks. again.
Uniqlo, the greatest store in all of the land, has produced yet another awesome interactive piece to promote their new line of t-shirts. Users can sample "beats" made from clips of Uniqlo models, and put them together in a way that it creates an original loop.
The result is a never-ending loop, created by users. While listening/watching, you can vote on favorite loops - which then pushes more popular loops further forward in the "song".
This is amazing work on so many levels. Time to go t-shirt shopping.
Labels: fashion, Flash, japan, newyork, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:29 AM
0 comments
when is your service not appropriate for ads?
So, you may or not know about this new personal cosmetic thing that's going on. If you're even slightly conservative in the sexual area, stop reading now.
Anal bleaching. (Here's a completely safe for work explanation) Invented first on the west coast (no surprise), and now it's in New York. Supposedly, there's only one anal bleaching provider (?) in all of New York City. And, he wants to spread the word about the services he provides.
People in NYC are getting upset. And they don't want to see ads with pics like the one above (from the Face to Face NYC website) on ads, on their streets. The campaign is currently running in gay magazines, posters, and phone booths (yeah, phone booths. they still exist).
My favorite quote from the TimeOut NY article: “There’s no market for anal bleaching on the Upper East Side, unless I’m in the dark.” Oh my.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:11 AM
2 comments
what people look like in denver
Someone once told me that one of the most read pages in Time Out is the person on the street interview. Where they choose a person off the street, ask them about their lives, and delve into their fashion.
The DenverEgotist points to TWO blogs that showcase street fashion, from Denver. Yeah, I know - I would have thought Denver to be more backwards than New England. But it turns out there are loads of cool people there. Check out The Streets of Denver and The Intersection, for proof.
Labels: fashion, newyork, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:04 AM
1 comments
what if everything were made of pixels
Or what if it already is, and we just don't have the resolution to see it?
Really cool pixel graffiti, found in NYC. Ironically, tagged later by another graffiti artist.
Labels: art, newyork, streetart
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:46 AM
2 comments
what the pope is doing for fun this weekend
If you're looking for a reason to stay indoors this weekend, (and live in the northeast,) here you go: New York Comic Con. A festival of geekiness about comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, television and other nerdy gems.
A handful of the dorks from our agency will be there, so keep an eye out for us. If you're too cool for this level of geekdom, then we'll do our best to give you the highlights here on BrandFlakes. Or on Twitter. Or Flickr.
(We hang with geeks, so you don't have to.)
Labels: anime, illustration, japan, newyork, pop culture, tv
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:24 AM
1 comments
reach out to the person staring at you, on the train
How many times have you fallen in love with a hottie on the N train? Now, you can reach out and connect. Providing that hottie is also reading the new subway dating site, Subway Crush. And providing they recognize your ad calling out to them.
Gothamist reports on the launch of the new site that will certainly launch thousands of relationships in the naked, gritty city.
The subway crush style ads were always the most entertaining in the back of the Village Voice - back in the day when people read print publications. So this will be fun to check in on. And I can't wait to meet "B", who obviously has a crush on me.
Labels: newyork, social media
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:59 AM
0 comments
cities realized in type
File under "wish you thought of this." Ork Design has created typographic city posters of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco. Even better - you can afford them on a creative person's salary. Awesomely delicious. Has me singing "We built this city...on typo o graphy...."
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:45 AM
0 comments
blogger social this weekend
This weekend, I'll be attending the Blogger Social event in NYC. It's a meat-space social event for some of the most interesting, popular and brilliant bloggers from across the globe. (Or anyone that agreed to participate. Like me.)
There's a really awesome set of profiles of the bloggers who will be in attendance that Steve Woodruff has put together.
The event isn't filled with panels - just social time. Old school, hang with people you have something in common with kind of social time. I'm looking forward to meeting some new friends, and learning a thing or two. I think it's another great example that the blogger community is indeed a community.
If there's anyone on the list that you'd like me to meet on your behalf, ask questions of, or push into the Hudson River, please let me know. Here to serve.
Labels: adindustry, blogging, newyork, social media
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:51 AM
1 comments
street art animals feed on subway air
Someone's creating plastic bag zombie animals, that come to life with the fresh air of a subway grate. They lie dead on the sidewalk, until the train passes through and pushes the air up, bringing the bagged beast to life. So awesome. Can only imagine what that looks like at 3:00 in the morning, on an empty street.
Labels: art, newyork, streetart
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
in march, you can wear your banana hammock swimsuit in nyc
Design Miami is coming to New York. So, we can only assume that everything else "Miami-style" will be acceptable for the month of March.
Design Miami has become the most awesome display of stuff you can't afford. And stuff that would look ridiculous in your apartment. And stuff that's completely inspirational. And now it's coming to New York.
Labels: design, interior design, newyork, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:09 AM
0 comments
freak capital of the world
Unless you're the producer of a day-time talk show, it's rude to stare or marvel at human freaks. But now, thanks to the internet, you can do so in the privacy of your home or office.
Go ahead - check out the sweet collection of freaks, both young and old, from yesterday and today. All from the past capital of freakdom, Coney Island. Today, most of these freaks work at ad agencies. I saw Lionel, the lion faced dude at Crispin Porter Bogusky last week. I think he's an A/E, now.
Labels: newyork, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
condoms for your v-day pleasure
Designer Yves Behar had made the the coolest NYC condoms. Playing off of the NY Transit graphics, the wrapper designs rock. (I'll keep the train riding comments to myself.)
You can get them for free, starting today, as a part of the NYC "Get Some" promotion.
Labels: newyork, nonprofit, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:25 AM
0 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
brooklyn gets covered in green
Street artist Edina Tokodi is installing art throughout the Williamsburg, Brooklyn neighborhood. Only instead of paint or pasted paper, she's using moss. Cool.
Labels: art, green, newyork, streetart
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:38 AM
0 comments
jwt creates giant homeless dude to take your coat
JWT in New York did a cool thing. They run an annual coat drive, for the homeless. That's a worthwhile cause, and one that any New York worker could relate to.
This year, to remind employees and visitors to donate their old coats, artist Julie Rutigliano created a massive installation in one of their lobbies, of a giant homeless dude. A homeless dude so big that he takes up multi-stories, in the JWT multi-storied lobby. A homeless dude so big, he could have starred in Cloverfield. A homeless dude that looks at a glance like...Iggy Pop?? Anyway...this homeless dude also has a wall full of hooks around him - so that people can hang their donated coats.
By the end of the drive, JWT had four times as many coats as expected, and the lobby installation was a super coated giant. Nice.
Labels: adindustry, newyork, nonprofit
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:27 AM
0 comments
what a beautiful place to crap
Paula Scher just designed the most beautious graphics on the most wonderful pay toilet ever seen by human eyes. It's located in Madison Square Park, in NYC. Hell, if it's got wifi, I might just set up and work from there next week.
They should just rename Madison Square Park to Paula Scher Park. This toilet is across the street from her Pentagram office. The park is also the home to the world famous Shake Shack, which sports a Paula Scher identity. And, she designed the identity for the park, too.
That's it. From this day forward, I'm referring to it as Paula Scher Park.
Labels: design, identity, newyork, outdoor, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:02 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
marriott gets smart, hilton gets paris.
In somewhat old news, the New York Times reports that Ian Schrager and the Marriott chain are teaming up together to make cool places to stay.
More current, Where's the Sausage does an awesome analysis of why this is great. I agree. Meanwhile, I'm sure Paris is at a party somewhere. Or in a limo, showing her cootchie to someone. To spread the Hilton brand.
(Photo by Damon Winter/The New York Times)
Labels: architecture, branding, interior design, newyork
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:38 AM
0 comments
some other people's top 2007 lists
We're far too lazy to create a BrandFlakesForBreakfast top list of 2007. We're still technically, on vacation, after all.
But we have bookmarked some other people's lists, for you. We've culled through the crap, so that you don't have to. Here's a couple of worthwhile 2007 Best of/Top Ten lists for you:
Best of Zen Habits in 2007
Top NYC stories of 2007.
Top Ten innovation mistakes. This is a good one.
Best Internet Marketing Blog posts of 2007. Another really good one.
Top Albums of 2007. (I know this is a polarizing subject - so I just took the laziest approach. Cool Hunting's list was the first in my RSS. So I now declare that one the best.)
Top Ten Ways to use Twitter.
The WTF moment of 2007.
And, while I could care less about football, and didn't even enjoy the Twitters of the Patriots game, here's a Top 10 list for the Giants fans.
And last but not least, LifeHacker's list of top 2007 lists.
Happy New Year to all of the Brand Flakes readers around the globe. May your year be filled with BrandFlakes deliciousness!
Labels: holiday, newyork, productivity, social media, twitter, web2.0, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:12 AM
0 comments
karate cop could kick your ass.
The Night Agency has just unleashed the Karate Cop. He's here to fight injustice. Or he's pissed that he doesn't know about the sale at Lucky Brand Jeans. Or something like that. Just don't you mess with the Karate Cop. Cuz he rocks.
Labels: fashion, newyork, video, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
historic graffiti wall uncovered in construction
Real estate developers uncovered a wall featuring historic work by graffiti artists Fab Five Freddy, Futura 2000 and Jean-Michel Basquiat while converting a building to luxury condominiums. Don't worry, I'm sure it was quickly covered in granite or elegant wood paneling.
Labels: art, newyork, streetart
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:46 AM
0 comments
bloggers leaving basements for window displays
So many people are blogging about the NYC window displays, that it actually hit BuzzFeed. Now you can check out all of the links to sweet window display goodness - without ever leaving your home. Or fighting the crowds. From the comfort of your basement.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:46 AM
0 comments
canada to lock people in a snowglobe
Next week in NYC, Canada will be dropping a big-ass snow globe into Bryant Park. They'll lock models inside, who will pretend to be completely comfortable and enjoying the splendorous winter scene inside.
They'll also have out-of-globe experiences - like 'take your picture with a Mountie.' Oh, the fun that will ensue. The effort is to promote Canadian tourism.
Labels: holiday, newyork, outdoor, streetteams
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:22 AM
3 comments
santacon 2007: this weekend!
This weekend looks like it could be filled with red fur, booze and joy. SantaCon 2007.
If you're in NYC this weekend, this looks like the party you should be at. Finally, a purpose for our office Santa suit. Hmmmm.
Photo from Whatisee, via Flickr.
Labels: creativeinspiration, holiday, newyork
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:38 AM
1 comments
banksy in nyc!!
Holy, mother of all street art. There's a Banksy show in NYC!!!
If you're not already familiar with Banksy - some have likened him to a Warhol of our generation. Awesome, cool, inspirational stuff that I'm sure creative directors will be borrowing in ads for years to come.
At the Vanina Holasek Gallery, December 2nd through 29th. One more reason to come to NYC for Xmas, if you live in Kansas. :)
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:10 AM
2 comments
west side rail yard architectural dreams
Five different development companies have submitted their plans for redeveloping the west side rail yards in NYC. You can check them out here. The NY Times says they suck. Regardless, it's always fun to see how other people visualize architecture and the use of space.
Labels: architecture, newyork
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:12 AM
0 comments
giuli won the ny marathon
Since Rob and I left the office early to get drunk on knowledge, I totally forgot to write a "this week at Plaid" post last week. Yes, lots of stuff happened at the agency last week, but none more important than Giuli running the NY Marathon.
And I think she won. Because all of the people ahead of her don't really count. AND - more importantly, she kicked Katie Holmes' ass. By 20 minutes. Giuli says that "if Katie had worn a sports bra, maybe she would have done better". Damn. Beat Katie, and then kick sand in her face. This competitive thing has really changed Giuli.
Thanks to the thousands of people who stood on the streets and rooted for her, so that we could stay home and avoid the traffic and crowds. (Dave still swears he can beat her, once he puts his mind to it.)
Labels: newyork, plaid, thisweekatPlaid
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:37 AM
0 comments
coney island historical photographs
Gothamist has a couple of sweet photos from Brooklyn Museum's exhibit Goodbye Coney Island? I wonder if 75 years from now, someone will be looking at our amusement park photos. In a museum.
Labels: creativeinspiration, newyork, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:49 AM
1 comments
virtual models to walk virtual runway
Target is staging a virtual fashion show next week in Grand Central Station. No models. Just walking holograms. Sweet.
(The clip above has nothing to do with Target or virtual models. But it's always fun to watch people fall into holes, isn't it?)
Labels: fashion, newyork, outdoor, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:58 AM
0 comments
shop topless at ambercrombie
Oh, how I so love this. Improv Everywhere's latest stunt put hundreds of guys in Abercrombie & Fitch, and had them take off their shirts.
The Abercrombie greeter has no shirt, their 16 foot high point of purchase graphics have no shirts, so why not the customers? Hilarious.
Labels: art, fashion, newyork, parody, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:35 AM
0 comments
what to do in nyc this weekend
This weekend is the annual Open House New York event - a fantabulous tour of places all across the boroughs that you wouldn't normally have access to. And, it's free. If you live too far away, or are too lazy to leave the couch, you can always browse the Flickr photo sets.
Labels: architecture, creativeinspiration, newyork
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:24 AM
1 comments
houses designed just like storage lockers
Metal shutter houses. Only, you could live in a storage locker in NYC for much less.
Labels: architecture, newyork
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:01 AM
0 comments
street artist rocks manhattan bridge
Check out this this amazing street art installation on the Manhattan Bridge this weekend. Good thing this didn't happen in Boston.
Labels: newyork, outdoor, streetteams
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:04 AM
0 comments
"a little more energetic?"
Robert DeNiro gives a verbal smackdown to a director asking for something that is not at all Robert DeNiro. Awesome. From adfreak.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:20 AM
1 comments
turn annoying street ads into art
Steve Lambert has a great instructables post on how to turn a wall of annoying ads into art. In broad daylight. Nice.
Labels: art, newyork, streetart, streetteams
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:38 AM
0 comments
behind the sign at the new york times
Pentagram has a typically brilliant case study on what's behind the design and production of the New York Times signage, at their new world headquarters building.
Their challenge: how do you add a block-long, 15-foot-tall blackletter logo to the front of a minimalist building without obstructing the view of the Times staffers working inside?
The answer is a sign made from almost 1000 individual pieces.
Labels: architecture, newyork, outdoor, typography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:23 AM
0 comments
another virtual world so you can stay inside.
Can't figure out SecondLife? Tired of Second Life, and miss the Lower East Side of NYC? Your prayers have been answered. Now there's a virtual LES. You don't have to learn SecondLife, and there's nothing but actual LES businesses, bands, and happenings in the virtual version. Really cool idea. I wonder how many people living in the LES are playing around in the virtual LES. Weird.
From Urban Outfitters.
Labels: newyork, secondlife
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:52 AM
0 comments
watch what everyone else is doing
To promote its new show HBOVoyeur, HBO is projecting the scenario above on a building in the lower east side, NYC. Don't live in the LES? Then checkout the website, which is AMAZING.
At first, you'll feel a little bit like a serial killer. But once you get over that, you'll spend way too much of your otherwise productive time exploring the vignettes. The site is really deep, and even extends to unexpected places like "learn more," buried at the bottom of the page (go ahead, call the number).
Labels: ads, newyork, outdoor, television
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:26 AM
0 comments
good stuff in nyc tomorrow
At least two interesting events in NYC tomorrow, if you're around:
First, James De La Vega, will be creating interactive artwork as part of the first ever public demonstration of Microsoft's new Surface Computing platform that was unveiled to major acclaim last week. (I'm dying to see this demonstrated live) This event takes place at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers at 811 7th Avenue (at 53rd Street) from 10am - 12pm.
Then, at 4pm there's a panel discussion titled The New Urban Interventionists at the Creators Series event, at the Altman Building at 135 West 18th Street in Chelsea. This will be a discussion about how street artists are changing the way they interact with the urban canvas.
Looks like you need tickets to that second event.
Labels: creativeinspiration, newyork, pop culture, streetart, technology
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:34 AM
0 comments
delta hitting the streets
While commuting home the other night, Justus saw the super cool Delta car, above. He snapped the photo with his cell phone. When he should have been paying attention to the road. That's how designers roll.
Anyway, Delta seems to be on a new kick to promote themselves in more innovative ways. They've even started a Twitter voice. And they've got a Nintendo DS download station at JFK. And iPod seat connectors. Delta might be starting to rock. Thanks Justus!
Labels: newyork, outdoor, streetteams, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:08 AM
0 comments
ninjas come to nyc
This might be worthy of a Plaid field trip. A Ninja themed restaurant just opened in NYC. Interior design looks amazing. They should unleash an army of ninjas on the city, for self promotion.
Labels: creativeinspiration, newyork, retail, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:04 AM
0 comments
japanese food package design
The AIGA NY is hosting a design exhibition of Japanese food packaging. Should be awesome. Titled Suupa Pop, the show ends May 25th. I'll definitely be checking this one out.
Labels: beverage, creativeinspiration, design, newyork, package design, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:37 AM
0 comments
desk sleepers coming to a city near you
To promote its new No More Allnighters campaign, FedEx Kinko's has produced a microsite that ties to the tv spots.
Even more fun - they've planted actors in key cities to sleep on desks. The pic above is an example of what they've setup in Atlanta, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Chicago.
Next week - they're coming to New York. Oh, the poor, poor actors who will have to pretend to sleep in some public space like Times Square. What happens if you pour soda on him? Or poke him with a stick? Just wondering.
Labels: ads, newyork, outdoor, streetteams
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:48 AM
0 comments
unauthorized art show on mta/clear channel boards
Jason Eppink has produced PIXELATOR, "an unauthorized on-going video art performance collaboration with the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority, Clear Channel Communications, and its selected artists." Totally, totally, awesome.
Labels: adindustry, art, creativeinspiration, newyork, outdoor, streetart
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:14 AM
0 comments
highline festival
There's a new arts and music festival happening in New York that sounds pretty cool. High Line Festival will be curated each year by a different artist. This year, David Bowie has the honor. The festival is a ten day mash-up of music, film, comedy, art and performance - selected by David Bowie.
The proceeds benefit Friends of the High Line, a non-profit that's helped to get the High Line - an abandoned elevated train track that runs through the meat packing district/Chelsea - approved as a public park. Construction's already begun.
The festival runs May 9 - 19, and tickets go on sale in a few days. Separately, is it me, or does Laurie Anderson look just like Hillary Clinton, with a cool haircut? (See her pic on the High Line Festival site)
Labels: architecture, art, newyork, nonprofit
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:21 AM
0 comments
paper week rocks new york
Well, sort of. If you're a paper guy, I guess. Since there wasn't a parade, or even a blimp, you might have forgotten that this week is Paper Week. It's celebrated in NYC every year. If you work in NY, maybe you should throw some paper out the window, in celebration.
Anyway, Giuli and I attended the