New Media and Twitter became a little more relevant today when I read this NY Times article regarding Comcast and it’s new media efforts. Basically blogger, Brandon, complained about Comcast on his blog and was surprised to find a comment from Comcast asking how they could help.
First off I’m glad to see a large business like Comcast step up to the plate and participate in the conversation. How long actual listening will go is yet to be seen. I know I wish my gas company would listen when I have an issue with how they deliver my service. I’ve been on the phone with a person who refused to work with me on an issue.
Secondly, I find it humorous that the blogger referred to in this article was shocked that Comcast knew what he posted. I think he even is quoted as saying something about big brother. To me this says that the average person with a blog doesn’t understand how it works or why blogging is such a relevant means of communication. Brandon if you stumble accross this post you should check out this month’s Wired and read about how to get internet famous.
While I was writing this post there was a twitter conversation about Comcast and this article, and I did receive an @ from @comcastcares. It wasn’t anything substantial but just a message saying I’m here and I can see what is going on. As of right now @comcastcares is not following me so I can only assume that they are watching the public timeline.
Stores like Hollister and Abercrombie do a great job of forcing the shoppers eye on the clothes and products. They achieve this by only using spot lighting throughout. Hollister does a better job (at Ross Park Mall). I think both stores try to get you lost in the space by making everything look the same so the exit is actually hidden. I didn’t get lost but I was impressed at how easily I thought I knew where I was going. Both stores play their high energy music so the environment felt energetic even though I was the only shopper there.
The older more adult oriented fashion stores had way less product, simple presentation. Some to the point of only displaying one size of some styles. Personally I enjoyed this shopping experience more although the amount of offers for help did get a little annoying (sometimes). I’d rather have more help then none when I need it.
The major difference that I noticed is that the adult oriented stores had your basic signs. Pointing out gender, information, size, style, sale, etc. Where as the HS oriented stores had next to zero signs. No reading. It wasn’t necessary I knew where the jeans stopped and shirts began. The men and women were separated with large photos.
Very interesting. My next viewbook will hopefully be under 500 words.
So all of you with iPhone out there what are your favorite apps? What are your favorite games? Please let me know and if there are any games that are interactive let me know because I would like to see how they interface and work.
Recently I’ve been playing Aurora Feint. It is the prequal to a MMO that is coming… sometime. The game as of now is a very simple puzzle game much like Yoshi’s Cookie. To me it looks like you play the puzzle to level up your character and when the MMO part rolls around you’ll already have a head start.
Anyway there is a way to add friends and play with others but I have no idea how this actually works. If anyone would like to add this app, it’s free, and join me in this yet unknown quest. Let me know. Here is a link to the game in iTunes store.
Last week I had the pleasure of hosting Refresh Pittsburgh at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. It was my first Refresh meeting and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. While some of the topics of discussion were not in my specific area of focus I did find them educational and interesting. I especially enjoyed Jonathan Brodsky’s musical performance through “live coding.” I was able to catch on song on my flip cam (video below).
Today we are talking about how to communicate a new and exciting bit of news about The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. One tool that we want to utilize in this communication process is video. At AiP we don’t always make videos to get messages out because we have other tools like email, and there is no limit to the amount of words someone can cram into an email. Video is different, special, you have to think about length, file size and what the heck you are saying. In figuring how to get this news out we decided we might want to try something fun. So we (I) are taking inspiration from the common craft. I doubt we will do a video in their style but they have been helpful for me in showing people the possibility of communicating complicated messages simply and clearly. Here is a fun one although not seasonal appropriate.
And so begins another summer of intensive design. I’m kicking it off with the student handbook. What is going to be interesting about this go around is two things:
1. This is my third time at this so I know the ropes and I know how to work faster.
2. I get to shape and mold the entire visual brand and I’m doing it all by myself.
I usually start with finding a voice for the new visual material. This is actually a lot of fun. I start by immersing myself in as much pop culture as I can. I’ll be seeing movies, checking out magazines, surfing the web, and yes, watching tv. On thing that I have noticed is that the mohawk, in a subtle way, is back in style. Very cool. If I were younger I’d consider one for myself.
One influence decision I’ve made is that I am going to read Juxtapose mag. I really like their clean and simple approach to such a eclectic and unique art expression. You may feel the influence in the handbook type design image above.
