"Speak Up" Design Blog

It's worth it to spend some time poking around this blog . . . by designers, for designers.

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup

I really enjoyed the entry in which designer Armin Vit self-analyzes logo designs that didn't get used:

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/003536.html

Poe in a Party Hat

Casting recognizable historical figures in a playful environment usually works for me. There's just something really funny about it. Like Poe in a party hat, used on the U.B. English Department end-of-semester party flier.

This link is my take on this technique, which I used for a Flash Animated banner project. I attempted to bring Shakespeare into the current scene by making him the quintessential lover-boy.

Shakespeare Flash Banner

It's a short process

Check it out . . . found this ad for a Sobee beverage that employs a simple process diagram as the main concept.

The use of briefcases just made me laugh (and think of Kerry's project).

Remember when . . .

. . . doing two "Phase 4" projects in a week seemed like a good idea?

Paper in 3D

Real Simple and HOW magazine have recently featured the work of Matthew Sporzynski, who describes himself as a "pretend structural engineer." His paper sculptures are very creative and, frankly, pretty freakin' amazing.

Real Simple Slide Show

What I used to believe

OK, class. Getting in touch with our inner child can only help us be more playful and daring in our design choices. Especially for those of us tending toward a "corporate" look [raises hand].

So . . . sharing time. I'll go first.

When I was a kid, I used to believe the animated "scrubbing bubbles" on the TV commercials were quite real. Since cleaning the bathrooms was my primary chore around the house, I used to beg my mom to buy this product, because wouldn't that just make my life a whole lot easier.

I'd like to think this belief was the result of really terrific marketing rather than me just being a dimwitted kid.

Now I know I'm not alone. When you have a few minutes, you gotta visit this website -- a wild list of things people used to believe as children. Pretty amusing stuff. I found there are others who had the same conviction regarding the "scrubbing bubbles."

http://www.iusedtobelieve.com

Admit it -- if those bubbles really did what they did in the commercial, it would be totally kick-ass.

The gift that keeps on flipping

I came across this website that creates flip books out of your short video files. I have no idea what the quality is like, but I'm going to order one as a Mom's Day gift for my wife (with a clip of Jordan, of course).

Thought you might like to check it out for yourself.

http://www.flipclips.com/