Digital “Cloud” for 2012 Olympics

This project seems to be one of the most epic and large scale interactive instillations to date. Intended for the 2012 London Olympics, this digital “cloud” will provide London, with up to date Olympic stats, dynamic city-wide information, and a rad looking structure. And it seems like Londoners will be able to enjoy it whether you are attending events or not.

Saturated with real-time information displays, the Cloud will broadcast breathtaking Olympian moments and a broader range of events. Its real-time relay of our climates and communications reveal the connective networks of our united humanity, and the world itself.

The design of the structure makes me think of Syd Mead (one of our favs) and the countless illustrations and prototypes he has done throughout the years- storyboarding and concepting for movies like Bladerunner, Short Circuit and 2001 Space Odyssey. He has been called a “visual futurist” but can he predict the future? Possibly a time traveler? Seems so. Either way, I think he is super human. Check out more on this project here.

Un-official Grizzly Bear

This is a beautiful fan video by Gabe Askew, not to be confused with the official music video, but damn its pretty hot. He used 3ds Max, Vray, and After Effects. And painted all the textures in Photoshop. I am really digging the sense of space and depth in this piece. And in general, I am loving the exploration of dimension in design. Enjoy!

The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics

On Tuesday nights I teach Design Elements at SVC and last night was our second class together. As we were doing some point, line and plane in-class excersises, one of my students directed me to this animation, and watched it as a class. I know I have seen it before, but has been a long time. Nevertheless, I was stoked and the class was stoked, not only because it’s nostalgic, but because it is a really wonderful teaching tool. It clearly explains the dot and line’s fundamental role in graphic design in a way that a wide audience can understand. This was made back in 1963 and is still relevant and inspiring today.  Well done Chuck.

p.s. I’m really psyched about this new class. Yallz rock.

Felling Too Big Bang for Your Britches? Watch This.

Want to trip out on how small humans are within the universe? This nice little video from Dr. Janna Levin dives into the Big Bang theory and a quick explanation of the creation of the universe. Man, this stuff freaks me out. I love it.

via GOOD

Just Imagine: City Visions

A positive and empowering look at the future of our cities and their important role in sustainability. Ken Yeang and Ross Lovegrove talk about their process and how nature and efficiency is their main inspiration.

It was good to wake up to this optimistic clip. Over the weekend I watched HOME for the fourth time. HOME (produced by PPR) is a bit like Planet Earth, but focuses on the natural patterns of the Earth, both visual and biological. Those we can see and those that happen over time. Half of the documentary focuses on how we have made more of an impact in the last 50 years than all the previous years combined. It is extremely informative, but I left the couch feeling like there is no hope for our planet. They did spend the last fifteen minutes talking about all the good things humans are doing to slow our rapid expansion, however I still felt defeated. I can appreciate the “tough love” tactic, especially since the planet seems to be at the end of its rope. However, this little piece makes me want to be a better designer, think about projects on a global level and use my skillz toward something good.

The Geography of Design

Here at Highlighter, we are obsessed with process. We are always interested in learning how designers and artists arrive at their final product, and often times the process stories and materials are more interesting than the final product. However, that is not the case in this situation. Here Paula Scher talks about how she found herself making “maps” and the limitations that created the idea. Again, another example of restrictions creating awesomeness.

Art Show Post Card Design

Promotional post card design for a local art show that didn’t end up seeing the light of day.

Return as an Animal

I love this motion piece!! The style is so simple and rough while the movements of the animals are silky smoothy. Word to Bruno Dicolla. And it looks pretty good with our site in the background, I must say.