Hope.Act.Change.

Got forwarded this amazing site (amazing because it was created in a week) from a friend who works at Syrup.

“This website is a place where people can come together to be a part of something bigger than themselves. People are able to submit their photos (and eventually videos and words) to the site and become a part of our “collective video”; a digitally rendered mosaic super-imposed on the Yes We Can Song video. This is the first in a planned series of data visualizations that will explore human collective intelligence and collaboration in an effort to bring about change – in this case, the course of American politics.

This has been an unbelievable project to say the least: a song written and  recorded by multiple major recording artists, musicians and actors in 1 day; a video concepted, shot and produced 3 days and posted to the web, garnering nearly 30 million views in one week! …and finally a bleeding-edge website conceived, designed, programmed by Syrup and posted live on the web in 1 week.”

Blah, blah, blah. Whatever. Not really into the subject matter, but the concept’s definitely different and the creative’s fabulous (wouldn’t say bleeding edge but WTF do I know).

Should I Ski or Should I Go?

Today at lunch with a friend, I used the phrase “brand equity” and we weren’t even remotely talking about marketing. We were talking about her agency co-workers who think she’s a mindless idiot (she is). I got back to the office and decided I’m going to become a cutter. Maybe I just need a weekend away.

I love love love this expandable banner by Kelliher Samets Volk for Stowe Mountain Resorts. It’s one time I like creative that’s busy. Very nice flash – no loading – nice work.

(via BannerBlog)

I Just Want To Take A Nap

Is that too much to ask? Why do I have to go watch the stupid ass Pro Bowl? Like anyone really cares about that game. I might as well start drinking now to preempt any boredom which I might suffer.

You’ve all probably seen the new IKEA bedroom commercials, but check out the microsite. Just as good as their kitchen one. Fabulous video work, beautiful editing, nice sound design. Can only assume this was done by the same shops: Forsman & Bodenfors/Camp David/Kokokaka, but not quite sure.

Hungover and Depressed

Not really depressed. More like disappointed over the Superbowl. Oh well..Brady is still really, really ridiculously good-looking even though he’s a loser. But I am hungover. A shot for every sack was probably not a good idea.

Site of the Day on The FWA is for Microsoft’s Office for Mac 2008. I’m impressed. It’s a total departure from traditional Microsoft microsite offierings. Illustrations are well done and the lateral movement makes sense. V. nice job by Firstborn  (as usual!) and McCann Worldgroup San Francisco.

Will Have No Trouble Finding Work

Not me, dummy. I’m having a terrible time with that. Apparently, no one needs a snarky bitch like me in their agency. I can be nice, really. Not often, but occasionally. This guy, Errol Schwartz, a senior in the New Media Design program at the Rochester Institute of Technology, will have agencies chomping at the bit to hire him. Check out his portfolio. Very nice everything. Needs a proofreader, but what good creative spells well anyway?

(via The FWA)

The Best Site. Ever. Seriously.

Our art director comes down the hallway, all moody and unshaven as usual, and says, “Can you come down to my office? I want to show you something. Have you ever played doctor? I read WebMD a lot. No, seriously though..” and then he and our ACD promptly show me this fabulous site called KnickerPicker. This is how video can really work for your clients in an ecommerce environment. Our AD and ACD like it because you can zoom in on half-naked women, pick from different size women and change their bra and panties. I like it because it truly is a virtual dressing room – without those silly avatars that have been used in recent years that were unwieldy and time-consuming. The girls are not half-bad to look at either. The guys here like the girl on the right, because she’s got a little junk in her trunk (not the girl below). Now I’ve got to go to the gym tonight and do 500 lunges. Or just eat a doughnut. No clue about the agency who did the creative, but if you know, please share. UPDATE: Creative by scenestealer – again, very, very nice work.

(via The FWA)

Pikantny Kurczakbruger and Fries Please

McDonald’s went a little crazy for their Polish site – I actually like it. Tons of clickable area – fast loading. Not sure too many people spend time on a McDonald’s site other than to use a store locator, but as Adverblog notes, that’s one of the best features of the site. Poland is cropping up some pretty fine interactive agencies the past 2 years. Creative by Endorfine, who don’t wear ties and don’t use PowerPoint. Gotta love that.

(via Adverblog)

Amsterdam Is Where It’s At

Seems all the latest and greatest interactive is coming from Amsterdam. ACHTUNG! has done some fabulous work (check out their site for more), but I love this site they did for Suitsupply. You have to watch carefully in some of the sequences, but the tarantulas and the fog kill me. Totally unexpected. Nice job. There’s a naked chick on a unicorn too, so you can’t go wrong with that.

(via The FWA)

Let’s Be Like IKEA

Or maybe it’s just a northern European/home improvement thing. Don’t get me wrong – the full screen video on this site for Jotun is great (creative by apt in Oslo). Very nicely done- everyone should be doing this – video in boxes/players is so 2005. Oh damn. One of my main projects right now has a lady in a box. It’s a nice box in 3D, but still a goddamn box. Try making up what the people are saying in the video – good times. Include a strap-on in the conversation and it’s really fun. The music on the site is totally bizarre. Makes me want to watch late night Cinemax or slit my wrists. I can’t decide.

(via The FWA)

Down With Green Screen

But as long as it doesn’t have a boring solo spokeswhore, I guess it’s okay. Take Puma’s online holiday site – green-screenesque, but no actor, just a cute sweatshop robot. Here’s my little Christmas message for you as I sit with my Pumas up on the desk, drinking JagNog.

(via Make the logo bigger)

Check Yourself

Who knew a site about testicular cancer could be so funny? The most amusing (and frankly weirdest) video is “Check Em”. Nice job by Struck for the Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation.

It’s Gotta Be The Socks

Our creative director sent me a link to this site for Hertz by Publicis Digital today. He wrote “for some reason, I like it.” I like it because it’s a totally bizarre holiday piece for a rental car company. I’m pretty sure he likes it for the girls that tumble out of Santa’s car at the beginning of the clip. Nice job by the agency – and I’m impressed they got to feature their logo – who ever gets to do that!?