I got Physical on The FWA today... had to give props where props were due. My excitement for the medium cannot be contained, its like getting new toys to play with every single day!
Check out this new article I wrote for The FWA
Enjoy!
Go Green Today! Drink a Beer and Hug A Tree!
March 17, 2008
March 16, 2008
NIN Sees Dead Places...
NIN took a major step forward with the new album entitled Ghosts. Although after downloading and listening to the track I feel that it is simply an instrumental version of their typical industrial style, what I do think is important is that Trent Renzor has applied his talents to the Interactive realm by producing a body of music that is meant to accompany places that are meaningful to him.
I think it is also important that he is using an alternative method of distribution via the web for his new release and that he is being sensitive to the fact that there are people who will pay top dollar for a premium product as well as those who will certainly download it for free. Rather than making it illegal he has embraced those fans as well and given them a means of attaining his music free of charge and perfectly legal.
I also like that with his free download he gives people web graphics, backgrounds, icons and similar branded media as a means of allowing a very vocal group further market his NIN brand and to help it develop into the web cult that it seems to be heading for. Reznor has been waiting for the web his whole life. Its a playground for him and a place for him to thrive. And there is plenty of room for many people like him to do so.
I applaud this move by Reznor. I hope to see more artists take this route when releasing any type of medium be it music, video, art, animations, whatever!
I think it is also important that he is using an alternative method of distribution via the web for his new release and that he is being sensitive to the fact that there are people who will pay top dollar for a premium product as well as those who will certainly download it for free. Rather than making it illegal he has embraced those fans as well and given them a means of attaining his music free of charge and perfectly legal.
I also like that with his free download he gives people web graphics, backgrounds, icons and similar branded media as a means of allowing a very vocal group further market his NIN brand and to help it develop into the web cult that it seems to be heading for. Reznor has been waiting for the web his whole life. Its a playground for him and a place for him to thrive. And there is plenty of room for many people like him to do so.
I applaud this move by Reznor. I hope to see more artists take this route when releasing any type of medium be it music, video, art, animations, whatever!
Behind the Times
Being an artist, a designer and a true innovator a person MUST be one step ahead of the game.
2.0 is upon us and its purpose is to finally establish standards, design practice and solid medium for the platform. It is about ease of use and data visualization. Flash, video, layout online and a maturation of the platform as a whole. 2.0 is about being comfortable in our skin and laying down another foundation for the most rich and robust medium in history.
I think that we need to focus on philosophy, analytics, and delve deeper into the human mind for 3.0 we will see motion sensors, touch screens, reaction and emotion. Databases and data visualization will also be sent to the forefront of this push. Things will be smarter, faster, more engaging and strategic.
We are on a fast pace towards the future, everything is accelerated and it is upon the designers, the developers and the innovators of the world to keep up with that pace in order to make sure the future is well organized, pretty and makes sense...
2.0 is upon us and its purpose is to finally establish standards, design practice and solid medium for the platform. It is about ease of use and data visualization. Flash, video, layout online and a maturation of the platform as a whole. 2.0 is about being comfortable in our skin and laying down another foundation for the most rich and robust medium in history.
I think that we need to focus on philosophy, analytics, and delve deeper into the human mind for 3.0 we will see motion sensors, touch screens, reaction and emotion. Databases and data visualization will also be sent to the forefront of this push. Things will be smarter, faster, more engaging and strategic.
We are on a fast pace towards the future, everything is accelerated and it is upon the designers, the developers and the innovators of the world to keep up with that pace in order to make sure the future is well organized, pretty and makes sense...
March 14, 2008
Motion sensors
It takes a real belief in the medium to put something like this out there.
Check this out! Make sure you have a web cam active. go to HRP.com
Publicis & Hal Riney deserve massive props for taking the first step into the split sea....
Way to go guys!!! Took a simple execution to change the future!
Check this out! Make sure you have a web cam active. go to HRP.com
Publicis & Hal Riney deserve massive props for taking the first step into the split sea....
Way to go guys!!! Took a simple execution to change the future!
March 12, 2008
SoDA
SoDA, you're so full of bubbles, when I drink you you solve all of my troubles.
Those RFPs are so naughty forces us to be real haughty.
Big bad agencies throwing their weight, but thats not going to seal our fate!
We will not budge on that second line, and indemnification should be just fine!
2 directions are all you'll get, thats what we discussed when we first met.
SoDA, you're so full of bubbles, when I drink you you solve all of my troubles.
Those big agencies are starting to learn, our proposals are no longer difficult to discern.
Our rules are simple they benefit all, you have that site by early fall.
Our ideas were never free, and another design will incur a fee...
Day and night we break our neck, and you still expect our work on spec??!
SoDA, you're so full of bubbles, when I drink you you solve all of my troubles.
Those RFPs are so naughty forces us to be real haughty.
Big bad agencies throwing their weight, but thats not going to seal our fate!
We will not budge on that second line, and indemnification should be just fine!
2 directions are all you'll get, thats what we discussed when we first met.
SoDA, you're so full of bubbles, when I drink you you solve all of my troubles.
Those big agencies are starting to learn, our proposals are no longer difficult to discern.
Our rules are simple they benefit all, you have that site by early fall.
Our ideas were never free, and another design will incur a fee...
Day and night we break our neck, and you still expect our work on spec??!
SoDA, you're so full of bubbles, when I drink you you solve all of my troubles.
March 10, 2008
Squeeze me
I had gotten tons of feedback on an article I wrote a few years ago called Art Vs Design and this is one response to that article that I really enjoyed.
You can check it out here
I especially liked Jennifer's conclusion:
While this article does a great job of defining the basic distinctions of the Artist vs Designer, it doesn't take into account the entire 21st century role of Postmodernism in art. While the Modernism movement might have agreed with the distinctions between the two types of visual composers, Postmodernism is defined by it's antithesis.
I like what she said because I strongly disagree with it!
First of all this whole "modernist' and "postmodernist" bullshit is simply that! Bullshit.
Art transcends all "terms" and these terms are usually added to subjects because of the desire for people to organize things in such a way. Art is expression, and expression is not only timeless but time bound, it lives in the moment and hangs there as time passes. You may mark its creation but it lives on regardless of that mark.
So to use terms such as modern, or post modern only strangles the subject and makes it even more elusive.
To me the very term POSTMODERNISM is absurd. Everything that isnt yesterday is modern, postmodern is just a distinction that helps those who need to tag and clarify for the sake of organization, do so. The question still stands. Am I an artist or am I a designer?
The roads remain parallel yet they seem to be crossing at every turn.
"The term is closely linked with poststructuralism (cf. Jacques Derrida) and with modernism, in terms of a rejection of its bourgeois, elitist culture
This is a complete farce... Art begs for attention, it is the deep desire of most artists to have their expression accepted by the world and to be lavished with the riches of the bourgeois and the elite...
You can check it out here
I especially liked Jennifer's conclusion:
While this article does a great job of defining the basic distinctions of the Artist vs Designer, it doesn't take into account the entire 21st century role of Postmodernism in art. While the Modernism movement might have agreed with the distinctions between the two types of visual composers, Postmodernism is defined by it's antithesis.
I like what she said because I strongly disagree with it!
First of all this whole "modernist' and "postmodernist" bullshit is simply that! Bullshit.
Art transcends all "terms" and these terms are usually added to subjects because of the desire for people to organize things in such a way. Art is expression, and expression is not only timeless but time bound, it lives in the moment and hangs there as time passes. You may mark its creation but it lives on regardless of that mark.
So to use terms such as modern, or post modern only strangles the subject and makes it even more elusive.
To me the very term POSTMODERNISM is absurd. Everything that isnt yesterday is modern, postmodern is just a distinction that helps those who need to tag and clarify for the sake of organization, do so. The question still stands. Am I an artist or am I a designer?
The roads remain parallel yet they seem to be crossing at every turn.
"The term is closely linked with poststructuralism (cf. Jacques Derrida) and with modernism, in terms of a rejection of its bourgeois, elitist culture
This is a complete farce... Art begs for attention, it is the deep desire of most artists to have their expression accepted by the world and to be lavished with the riches of the bourgeois and the elite...
February 29, 2008
Great New Design Book
Come one come all... Oprah has her list... here is where I start mine...
Graphic Design: A New History is a great new book that is helping to kick off the new age of design. Interactivity has posed new challenges to designers and they have stepped up to that challenge. Check out this very well written book by Stephen J. Eskilson
http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Design-Stephen-J-Eskilson/dp/0300120117
Graphic Design: A New History is a great new book that is helping to kick off the new age of design. Interactivity has posed new challenges to designers and they have stepped up to that challenge. Check out this very well written book by Stephen J. Eskilson
http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Design-Stephen-J-Eskilson/dp/0300120117
February 25, 2008
congradzulations...
To Diablo Cody for her breakthrough script that I personally didnt care for but adore her story...
To the Europeans! Viva Them!
La Vie En Rose was one of the most powerful lessons I learned all year.
Bardem was evil!
Coens are JEWS!
To the Europeans! Viva Them!
La Vie En Rose was one of the most powerful lessons I learned all year.
Bardem was evil!
Coens are JEWS!
February 18, 2008
Michael Jordan off the court...
The following is one of the most articulated and honest advice given by a sports star and it shows why MJ really is much more than JUST a basketball player...
The NBA doesn't have an image problem. It has young guys who have young ideas. Maturity comes later, and sometimes too late to realize you should've done this or you should've done that. Kids shouldn't come out of school as early as they do. A year in college isn't enough. They shouldn't be allowed to come out until they are adults—21 years old.
Now, why shouldn't a black kid who isn't wealthy have a chance to provide for his family? That is an issue; I'm not walking away from that. The problem is some kids are mature and ready to deal with the whole NBA atmosphere, but many more kids are not.
I was a mature guy coming out of North Carolina, so when a negative thing happened—someone misinterprets what gambling means to me—it didn't stick. I stepped forward and said, "This is what I did, this is not jeopardizing anything, this is not an addiction," and the public listened. But I was a lot more mature when it happened. If I'd been in that position and had been asked that question at 18 or 19, I may have had a very different way of handling it.
When I turned pro, the league was looking for a change. I had the personality and the game and a style of play, and all that came together at the same time. All the stars lined up and catapulted everything that came after—23 different shoes, Jordan Brand, everything. It's a phenomenon. How do you explain a phenomenon? You can't. The only advice I can give to someone in the league now is to be original. The consumer isn't dumb. He or she can sense things being knocked off. Originality is what lasts.
David Stern hates when I say this, but in some ways he created his own problem. Look at the way the league markets its players. When I came in, they marketed the athletes themselves, how they performed, what they accomplished. To reinvent someone is very difficult. When you say a player is today's Michael Jordan or today's Magic Johnson, the first thing the public will do is compare him to the real Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson. When the public doesn't see the same degree of success, you've just dug yourself a deeper hole.
You have to show the consumers something they haven't seen before, someone about whom they can say, "Hey, that guy is pretty cool." Magic, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, myself—we didn't start out as the league's partners. We evolved, then the league made us its partners. That's what the league has to do now—find guys who can grow up to be partners. Don't take guys and force them into our mold.
One thing to learn from me is that everything I've ever done has been me, not something that someone calculated me to be. It goes to my upbringing, my parents. I didn't grow up in the inner city. I grew up in a rural area, where values were magnified. You were taught how to operate in society, to be articulate, honest. Kids growing up in the city, they're more materialistic. My kids are going through that now.
I can wear a suit today and jeans with holes tomorrow, and yet people know they are seeing the real me in either outfit. I had cornrows when I was a kid, but it was before anyone knew who I was; would the public or corporate America accept me if I had them today? If I was willing to say, "This is who I am, I'm not trying to be so-and-so," maybe, but even then I'm not sure. When you see Michael Jordan today, you see Michael Jordan as a totally honest person, and when I say honest I mean real, genuine. I am who I am, and that's comprehensible to the masses and in many languages.
It's a tough task for the league to create a similar image for itself. It has to find the right mix between corporate and street, believe in what it's doing and live with whatever the response may be. Too many of the league's decisions are made based on the bottom line. People pick up on that. You can't be afraid to fail. The stars you have now might not live up to the icon of a Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, but maybe they will create an image that delivers an impact for you 10, 15 years from now.
All I know is—for the league and its players—don't try to duplicate something that has been done before. Do it your own way, and see where it goes. It might not hit the way you want it to. You may not make as much money as you want to. But there's value in remaining true to yourself.
The NBA doesn't have an image problem. It has young guys who have young ideas. Maturity comes later, and sometimes too late to realize you should've done this or you should've done that. Kids shouldn't come out of school as early as they do. A year in college isn't enough. They shouldn't be allowed to come out until they are adults—21 years old.
Now, why shouldn't a black kid who isn't wealthy have a chance to provide for his family? That is an issue; I'm not walking away from that. The problem is some kids are mature and ready to deal with the whole NBA atmosphere, but many more kids are not.
I was a mature guy coming out of North Carolina, so when a negative thing happened—someone misinterprets what gambling means to me—it didn't stick. I stepped forward and said, "This is what I did, this is not jeopardizing anything, this is not an addiction," and the public listened. But I was a lot more mature when it happened. If I'd been in that position and had been asked that question at 18 or 19, I may have had a very different way of handling it.
When I turned pro, the league was looking for a change. I had the personality and the game and a style of play, and all that came together at the same time. All the stars lined up and catapulted everything that came after—23 different shoes, Jordan Brand, everything. It's a phenomenon. How do you explain a phenomenon? You can't. The only advice I can give to someone in the league now is to be original. The consumer isn't dumb. He or she can sense things being knocked off. Originality is what lasts.
David Stern hates when I say this, but in some ways he created his own problem. Look at the way the league markets its players. When I came in, they marketed the athletes themselves, how they performed, what they accomplished. To reinvent someone is very difficult. When you say a player is today's Michael Jordan or today's Magic Johnson, the first thing the public will do is compare him to the real Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson. When the public doesn't see the same degree of success, you've just dug yourself a deeper hole.
You have to show the consumers something they haven't seen before, someone about whom they can say, "Hey, that guy is pretty cool." Magic, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, myself—we didn't start out as the league's partners. We evolved, then the league made us its partners. That's what the league has to do now—find guys who can grow up to be partners. Don't take guys and force them into our mold.
One thing to learn from me is that everything I've ever done has been me, not something that someone calculated me to be. It goes to my upbringing, my parents. I didn't grow up in the inner city. I grew up in a rural area, where values were magnified. You were taught how to operate in society, to be articulate, honest. Kids growing up in the city, they're more materialistic. My kids are going through that now.
I can wear a suit today and jeans with holes tomorrow, and yet people know they are seeing the real me in either outfit. I had cornrows when I was a kid, but it was before anyone knew who I was; would the public or corporate America accept me if I had them today? If I was willing to say, "This is who I am, I'm not trying to be so-and-so," maybe, but even then I'm not sure. When you see Michael Jordan today, you see Michael Jordan as a totally honest person, and when I say honest I mean real, genuine. I am who I am, and that's comprehensible to the masses and in many languages.
It's a tough task for the league to create a similar image for itself. It has to find the right mix between corporate and street, believe in what it's doing and live with whatever the response may be. Too many of the league's decisions are made based on the bottom line. People pick up on that. You can't be afraid to fail. The stars you have now might not live up to the icon of a Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, but maybe they will create an image that delivers an impact for you 10, 15 years from now.
All I know is—for the league and its players—don't try to duplicate something that has been done before. Do it your own way, and see where it goes. It might not hit the way you want it to. You may not make as much money as you want to. But there's value in remaining true to yourself.
January 1, 2008
the year that was 07
I remember 1987 and 1997 both very important years in my life. 2007 also followed suit. They all hold very important shifts in my life. My parents divorced in 87, my first marriage was in 97 and my second marriage was in 07, very big events, many other things happened that I am not getting into but it seems that the 7th year in the decades of my life are significant times.
07 was the year maturity finally hit me, i moves on from FB and stepped into my new role at Touro. Produced some of the finest projects ever and really felt good in my skin.
OH! forgot to post this link for the Merit Award at the One Show for FILA
Its always good to make your resolutions public because then people can hold you to them.
I expect 08 to be the beginning a a creative renaissance for me. Writing, film making, designing, producing, directing and creating in many ways...
A year of focus, maturity, responsibility, growth and mucho love.
I want this year to be somewhat peaceful and nurturing, exciting and above all creative!
just needed to get that off my chest
07 was the year maturity finally hit me, i moves on from FB and stepped into my new role at Touro. Produced some of the finest projects ever and really felt good in my skin.
OH! forgot to post this link for the Merit Award at the One Show for FILA
Its always good to make your resolutions public because then people can hold you to them.
I expect 08 to be the beginning a a creative renaissance for me. Writing, film making, designing, producing, directing and creating in many ways...
A year of focus, maturity, responsibility, growth and mucho love.
I want this year to be somewhat peaceful and nurturing, exciting and above all creative!
just needed to get that off my chest
December 31, 2007
New Years Resolutions
Penned a new article for The FWA today. Nothing very profound, but a nice little piece for the new year.
I apologize mostly to myself for the lack of activity on the blog. One of my resolutions this year is to try and post something each day.
Enjoy and Happy New Year!!!!!
I apologize mostly to myself for the lack of activity on the blog. One of my resolutions this year is to try and post something each day.
Enjoy and Happy New Year!!!!!
November 13, 2007
November 4, 2007
Finally!
Worked really hard to get this project. Its my last project with Firstborn and McCann SF. I'm really proud of it because its wonderfully executed and really fun. I admit I am a huge fan of the iPod but the new creative for the Zune campaign is really cool...
...regardless, the ZuneJourney.net site is wonderfully breathtaking and a true step in the right direction for MS. The site is vibrant and ripe for additional content, a media platform for all that is Zune.
The player may have a tough road ahead but its on that road and willing to take on the mighty iPod with small jabs, creative kicks and a website that will give it a bit more credibility.
The site tells the story well, an exploration inward, its smart in a very creative way. What I especially liked was the seamless convergence of audio, video, depth, movement, interactivity and product.
I will not be putting down my beloved iPhone anytime soon but I definitely have a new understanding for the product philosophy behind the Zune.
Check it out here
Huge props to Mathieu, Joon, Eric, Tim and the rest of the Firstborn team for bringing this to life and for all their hard work on this.
...regardless, the ZuneJourney.net site is wonderfully breathtaking and a true step in the right direction for MS. The site is vibrant and ripe for additional content, a media platform for all that is Zune.
The player may have a tough road ahead but its on that road and willing to take on the mighty iPod with small jabs, creative kicks and a website that will give it a bit more credibility.
The site tells the story well, an exploration inward, its smart in a very creative way. What I especially liked was the seamless convergence of audio, video, depth, movement, interactivity and product.
I will not be putting down my beloved iPhone anytime soon but I definitely have a new understanding for the product philosophy behind the Zune.
Check it out here
Huge props to Mathieu, Joon, Eric, Tim and the rest of the Firstborn team for bringing this to life and for all their hard work on this.
class act
Recently saw a post on The FWA for a site done by Mark Ferdman's shop Freedom Interactive for the Matthau Company
Its really well done, great use of typography and imagery I was very impressed.
Its really well done, great use of typography and imagery I was very impressed.
October 21, 2007
little known trick
7:10am on a Sunday morning, its quiet, peaceful, quiet.
My first week as Director of Online Services @ Touro has been really interesting. Still waiting on a programmer, I took out my design hat and tried it on for a bit, was pretty impressed when I whipped up a new logo for the Law School and blew out some 2.0layouts that looked pretty sharp.
This new week should prove to be solid in both my direction for the new medical school in Harlem as well as the business school downtown. Still need a programmer.
Keeping my eye on Zune over at FB, I still feel extremely connected to the old account, I feel its my responsibility to look after it, although its in good hands with Tim.
I guess when you lead a charge you want to make sure its finished up properly.
Otherwise, all is all, wisdom is coming, stay tuned.
My first week as Director of Online Services @ Touro has been really interesting. Still waiting on a programmer, I took out my design hat and tried it on for a bit, was pretty impressed when I whipped up a new logo for the Law School and blew out some 2.0layouts that looked pretty sharp.
This new week should prove to be solid in both my direction for the new medical school in Harlem as well as the business school downtown. Still need a programmer.
Keeping my eye on Zune over at FB, I still feel extremely connected to the old account, I feel its my responsibility to look after it, although its in good hands with Tim.
I guess when you lead a charge you want to make sure its finished up properly.
Otherwise, all is all, wisdom is coming, stay tuned.
October 11, 2007
Never Say Goodbye
Dear Firstborn,
Well the time has arrived.
I figured I would send this email out today because tomorrow I’m sure most of you will be incoherent from the massive hangovers we will all have induced on ourselves after tonight’s bash.
Based on the intranet I have been here 2 years and 5 months but it seems like it has been much longer than that.
As most of you know I will be leaving Firstborn to take on position at Touro University as the Director of Online Services.
It wasn’t an easy decision for me to make but one that will allow me to pursue personal endeavors as well flex the muscles I have attained here at FB for a great cause, education.
Coming to FB after selling the business that I ran for 6 years wasn’t easy, there was a lot of adjustment for me, but I felt like I was really able to carve out a place for myself here. One thing I can say about FB is that it is like an interactive boot camp, the intensity, the passion and the standard of excellence helped me grow both professionally and personally in all aspects of my life. Every project I have produced has been a valuable experience that I don’t think I could have attained anywhere else.
I have worked on some memorable projects over the past few years, from the Fila Experiment to Zune and everything in between. It has truly been a pleasure working with the finest talent in the business. Every designer, developer, producer and intern I have worked with here has enhanced my life in a multitude of ways.
Firstborn really is a very special place, no one should ever take for granted the environment and atmosphere that Michael helps to provide here. It is a place of growth and of self awareness, responsibility and accountability and the payoff is priceless.
I don’t ever want to lose touch with my connection with FB and even though I will be starting my new position on Monday it does not mean that I will not be in touch and keeping a close eye on all of the wonderful work that I know will be coming out of FB in this next decade of its life. I am both proud and honored to have worked at FB and to have contributed to its history.
I wanted to leave behind some wisdom that I learned while being here and hopefully it will help all of you going forward.
This is not an easy business to be in, tight deadlines, picky clients, long hours and emotional stress are all issues we face every day. When a person is in training for some sort of physical event they work out their bodies by adding resistances to help them build up muscle, those deadlines, hours and stresses are all simply that, resistances that make us all stronger and better people. Keep that in mind, know that when it hurts it hurts because growth is taking place.
I became accustomed to writing up articles and notes on every project I have worked on, I do this selfishly because it allows me to look back and see how much I have learned, it gives me an opportunity to not only review what I have done but to also share that knowledge with others. I encourage everyone here to always look back at successes and mistakes and to keep a journal as to how you have grown and what challenges you have overcome, you will see that through all the stresses you will always come out a better person after every piece of work produced and it will carry over into future projects making them that much better.
Secondly, have fun, be passionate and love what you’re doing. Always go into a project wanting it to be the best it can possibly be, keep a positive attitude no matter what and never let a challenge go unconquered. Always try and do things better, create challenges and work to overcome them, always strive to be greater. The path of least resistance will never pay off as much as facing intellectual and creative challenges, challenge yourself and don’t get frustrated along the way, embrace the challenge because you have chosen it not because you think it has been cast upon you.
Clients will always be clients and we are in the service industry, an industry that requires us to create and deliver the best possible work and service we can, one thing that has always stood out at FB is the respect we have for ourselves and our work. That shines through in every project we do. Always maintain that self respect and never let anything compromise the quality that FB is known for. I can tell you as a producer clients always recognize this in us and even when we fuck up, the client sees the respect we have for ourselves and the accountability we take upon ourselves to make things right.
Lastly I want to say that FB is about good people. Everyone I have worked with during my time here have always been “good people” no divas, no superstars, no assholes and most importantly no egos. This is something that I personally feel is a secret to the success at FB. From the owner to the management to the designers and developers and even interns, everyone here has always been real , down to earth, honest and good people. FB is a filter of sorts, I have seen less talented people thrive here because they wanted to grow and improve and succeed without having to put up some false persona and in the end they have become superstars. I always tell people that FB is about hard work, nothing less. Integrity and honesty is what all good business are built upon and is what I believe has kept FB afloat in this crazy industry. Don’t ever let that slip away!
I want to thank you all for making the past few years some of the most cherished and memorable for me.
Tonight is an opportunity to set the tone for the next ten years so let’s really do it up! I want to leave this place with a bang!
Keep in touch!
Craig
---------------------------------------------------------
f i r s t b o r n
PRODUCER
CRAIG ELIMELIAH
o: 212 581 1100 ext 254
c: 646 915 4293
e: craig@firstbornmultimedia.com
http://www.firstbornmultimedia.com
---------------------------------------------------------
October 1, 2007
Moving Forward
The time has arrived. The past 3 years at Firstborn have been awesome. Worked on some very cool projects, made great friends, had a hand in a lot of things and now I will be moving on to become the new Director of Online Services at Touro University. This is a tremendous move for me because it will allow me to take ownership of large long term project that will allow me to flex everything i have learned over the past 12 years.
My goal is to set the bar for other Universities by creating a unique online experience for Touro. There is tons to do and im psyched to get started!
Stay tuned.
My goal is to set the bar for other Universities by creating a unique online experience for Touro. There is tons to do and im psyched to get started!
Stay tuned.
July 30, 2007
Mind Controled
HP's newest push for back to school is called The society for Parental Mind Control. This is a very interesting campaign that really empowers teens and gives them a cool site to send messages to their parents for a new computer as they head back to school.
This is the first full Flash 9 site I have produced and it was really interesting to learn all the new nuances of AS3.
Take a look - HERE
This is the first full Flash 9 site I have produced and it was really interesting to learn all the new nuances of AS3.
Take a look - HERE
The Lame Game
Most of the interactive ad games out there are a silly waste of time and they simply don't drive the brand message into the minds of the consumer and they end up patronizing the consumer to add another notch on its "hits" list.
What is lacking is a complete brand experience that represents the essence and purity of the brand rather than the duel of the dominatrix demanding that you buy the car they are trying to sell you.
Absolut did a nice job in their newest mini site (http://absolut.com/search).
I have been saying for years that every product and service will have an extension on the web, something that embodies and adds value to the product rather than dummy it up with some silly game that simply wastes time. I am more likely to buy a product that can be supported by a fully interactive website than one that doesn't have one. If I am trying to decide on a digital camera to buy I will most likely buy the one that has a comprehensive website that is also interactive that will basically teach me how to use and even optimize the use of my new camera, there are two kinds of sites the sell and the support. Most people don't realize that the support also sells as well.
This can work with anything, Burger King can support their product by offering interactive menus based on diet as well as offering fun and easy ways to cater on a budget and so on... you see where I am going with this. Impact is great and I love the fluff as much as the next guy but it needs to be backed up with technology and design that also aids and adds value to the stuff we buy.
Clever sites can be highly viral and spread word like wildfire BUT all the people I know who follow these sites and love the content and the entertainment rarely ever think twice about now buying the actual product.
Technology and design have eloped and didn't bother telling anyone so were all recovering from the news. I think it will take a few more years before the agencies realize that cute mini sites need to do more than just entertain the user but to completely engage them in the brand message and give them the best possible value added online experience. The cool stuff is fun and exciting but I also want to know how easy it is to roll down the seats in the SUV I am considering buying or how fresh the food at the latest fast food restaurant is
What is lacking is a complete brand experience that represents the essence and purity of the brand rather than the duel of the dominatrix demanding that you buy the car they are trying to sell you.
Absolut did a nice job in their newest mini site (http://absolut.com/search).
I have been saying for years that every product and service will have an extension on the web, something that embodies and adds value to the product rather than dummy it up with some silly game that simply wastes time. I am more likely to buy a product that can be supported by a fully interactive website than one that doesn't have one. If I am trying to decide on a digital camera to buy I will most likely buy the one that has a comprehensive website that is also interactive that will basically teach me how to use and even optimize the use of my new camera, there are two kinds of sites the sell and the support. Most people don't realize that the support also sells as well.
This can work with anything, Burger King can support their product by offering interactive menus based on diet as well as offering fun and easy ways to cater on a budget and so on... you see where I am going with this. Impact is great and I love the fluff as much as the next guy but it needs to be backed up with technology and design that also aids and adds value to the stuff we buy.
Clever sites can be highly viral and spread word like wildfire BUT all the people I know who follow these sites and love the content and the entertainment rarely ever think twice about now buying the actual product.
Technology and design have eloped and didn't bother telling anyone so were all recovering from the news. I think it will take a few more years before the agencies realize that cute mini sites need to do more than just entertain the user but to completely engage them in the brand message and give them the best possible value added online experience. The cool stuff is fun and exciting but I also want to know how easy it is to roll down the seats in the SUV I am considering buying or how fresh the food at the latest fast food restaurant is
June 1, 2007
Interactive Marriage
Here is an article I wrote for Daniel Shutzsmith's site Graphic Define... a bit sappy but I think its a decent read.
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