Fontplore

Fontplore Showreel from Mphasize on Vimeo.

There is some great thinking here. Love the idea of how to search the fonts and there are some definitely experimental interfaces going on. Would like to see the evolution (whether it is us or the tech) and how this becomes practical.

Budwieser

Fun, great filmation, not sure why its for Budwieser. DDB, London, United Kingdom

Mimes are Popular

Both ads were on I Believe in Advertising, both seem to have been briefed by the same people. Nothing new, either way, although the mime babies seem to make Bose's ads better. VW: Ogilvy, Cape Town, South Africa Bose: Euro RSCG, Singapore

Augmented Reality Hits Mainstream

Couple thoughts, the technology is really catching on in the states, finally after years world wide. People are now beginning to find meaningful uses for it. Playstation has the hardware to really beef it up which is the pro, the con, it still seems removed form your interacting with it and, right now, seems to be best used on a mobile device that allows you to move around any where. Great start, we may be seeing a shift in interactivity towards leaving screens, just not there yet. Oh, and the reporter in the video sucks, there is no reporter on the table, again, there is no reporter on the table.

Palm Pre

The Ads for the new Palm Pre are at best, different when different is good, at least people will pay attention and talk. Then there is this "fan-boy" remix that completely changes the mood. Amazing what a little editing can do, but you already knew that.

A to B

Snubbing obstacles is old strategic territory conquered well by Jeep, Hummer, and Land Rover. Magazine ads and commercials have shown this time and time again. So it's interesting when it trickles into new media, as this iPhone App shows that getting from Point A to Point B can be devoid of kinks.

Interesting in that cute and clever (and likely unrealistic despite its tongue-in-cheekness) is now moving into unfamiliar media vehicles.

What do you think? Does it work?

Things that make you go hmmmmmmm

White Swan

This is very beautiful. Who knew cotton candy dissolving in reverse could be so mesmerizing, even with the half frozen, coal mine hidden, nearly naked woman with the strong voice.

Men Posters

Whimsical, beautiful. I have a soft spot for really great designers that get away from the computer, or at the very least, appear to do so. But to do so and have such a wonderfully honest approach to manly insight raises the bar. See more of the work from Omar Tehawkho on the Behance Network.

Old School Beats

DGENERATE NATION - Skate With Me from DGENETICS on Vimeo.

It was only a matter of time, wonderful.

Altered Reality

555 KUBIK | facade projection | from urbanscreen on Vimeo.

We've posted work from Urban Screen before, but nothing as involved and as well art directed as this. Really want to see this state side.

Inquiring minds want to know.

We're excited. We're putting together the book for the annual show, and the work is drool-inducing. Lots of fun stuff, and glad to say the future of design and advertising in Denver is looking pretty darn good.

Which brings us to an important topic: the future. We at ADCD have ideas in the oven on what to do for the rest of 2009 and all of 2010. But the C in our name stands for Club and we want to here from our friends across the Front Range.

What do you want to see? More interactive? More design?

Who do you want to visit?

What programs would you be interested in?

Let's fill up that comments box below with your ideas.

Yum and Achoo!

Found this deliciousness over at commarts.com today, and while these Kleenex boxes have no nutritional value, the design value is packed with goodness. Created by L.A. illustrator Hiroko Sanders.

The Vendor Client Relationship in real world situations

Gareth Kay

Tonight only: NDAC Presents Gareth Kay, former @ Modernista! now Director of Digital @ Goodby

Register for Gareth Kay's presentation in the New Denver Ad Club's Outside Voices speaker series.

Your members will be identified in our system so all they have to do is select "member" as the option in the drop-down menu when they register to get discounts. Click away.

Advertising Isn’t Working. Why Ideas Need To Be Different. In 2009, The New Denver Ad Club delivers the biggest names in advertising right to your front doorstep. Please join us for an evening of cocktails, appetizers, and networking with Gareth Kay, head of planning for Modernista. He will deliver a provocative presentation on ideas and the ingredients of a good idea. Find out why big budgets are the enemy of this new type of idea. And be prepared to see great work from the UK.

WHEN Thursday, July 23, 2009  5:45 PM  - 8:00 PM   WHERE The Curtis Hotel 1405 Curtis Street Denver,  CO 80202

Full of Surprises

We've been doing this for 54 years. I have been heavily involved in this club for 5+ years. In that time, I have been privileged to see, meet, discover some of the brightest of what Denver has to offer. I have always found that leaving a board meeting, a speaker, an event leaves me full of hope and inspiration (I encourage everyone reading this to find out for themselves if they have not already). In the time spent with ADCD, I have always received more then I gave. Then, events like last night do even more to surprise and delight me.

Pecha Kucha is an experience I'd highly recommend to anyone wanting to discover Denver. Whether it was learning more about Cypher 13 or Double Butter or just being encourage to hang out under the bushes, Denver once again showed its best side, the side that is brimming with talent and potential and unknown to varying degrees. One that I encourage you to see. Explore and discover.

Last night was wonderful, a big thanks to Pecha Kucha Denver, Buntport Theater, Double Butter, Cypher 13, Bruce Mau, Lawrence Argent, Charles Carpenter, Scott Lary, Ted Schultz, Brandi Shigley and Ravi Zupa.

Beyond Burgers

Subservient Chicken. The Whopper Virgins. Whopper Sacrifice. The King. Crispin may do volcanic work for their clients, but Burger King still rides to the top for me. Simply because they reintroduced an old strategic recipe: have it your way. An idea that was so radical thirtysome years ago, and yet today fits so perfectly with the self-indulgent society.

That now has moved beyond burgers with the inception of BK.com. Just like you can put whatever on your burger, you can enjoy the fast food behemoth's Web site the way you want.

Nice work, CPB. Simple. Clean. The fun beings at BK.com.

NEXT Program

A nice addition from our friends over at the NDAC. This program helps with blah portfolios.

PechaKucha is not the next wave of Japanese Animation.

It is a night where designers show off 20 images of their work to an audience. Here’s the catch: they only have 20 seconds to present each piece. (Nice and succinct, doncha think?) The first PechaKucha Night was ignited in 2003 at a Tokyo Nightclub and became an immediate sensation roaring into 200 cities worldwide, Denver included.

The sixth PechaKucha (means chit-chat in Japanese, BTW) will be Tuesday, July 21 at the Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan Street. Dozens of presenters will be there including cypher13, EBD, Bruce Mau Design, Argent Studios. You’ll see sculptures, fashion, furniture…the list goes on.

It’s a FREE event, folks (suggested donation of $5). It starts at 8 and the first presenter begins at 8:20. But keep in mind, this is an outdoor event. So bring a blanket or a chair. If it rains, it will be moved indoors with limited seating. Want to learn more? Go to
www.pechakuchanightdenver.com/about/.

Uhhhhhh...

Now I'm confused, first, work to win the awards, now, make more work after winning to make fun of being in the shows?
Nice job on your 5 Lions... now get back to work. Not sure what we are supposed to feel about this.

Nature of Battle

The Nature of Battle from Nat Dart on Vimeo.

Gorgeous animation from Nat Dart, a cross between Film Noir, Charles Anderson and Shepard Fairey.

Book Learning

These are... viral, beautiful, odd and promoting a book about the financial industry, so they are timely and cathartic too. I'm entertained, informed and maybe a bit smarter. Ok, not smarter but definitely entertained.
Advertising Agency: Breed London
Illustrator: Neal Murren @ Breed London
Production: Mainframe

Ink Calendar

Developed in 2007 by Oscar Diaz this prototype is part genius part art, completely innovative. I'm even in love with the functional typography. Check out the fresh portfolio of the same guy who brought us the recycled soap bottles.

It's all about the Music Videos

Not sure what to think, other than it new for Taco Bell and I thought it was for Smirnoff at first.

Uniqlo Calendar

The clock they did last year was amazing. If this even comes close, it will be great. The Japanese "Gap" clothing store design team has a wicked sense of humor and an eye for design to match. This may be one of my personal favorite companies. Enjoy.

Locktite

Simple, clean. Let's say its simplean. DDB, Milan, Italy.

Phi Risbeck: The Poster Exhibition

Emmanuel Gallery is pleased to announce our second summer show featuring the graphic designs of Phil Risbeck.  We will open Phil Risbeck: The Poster on Thursday, July 16^th with a reception for the artist from 4:00-7:00pm.  Featuring almost 40 posters from the 1970’s to the present, this exhibition will be the first to showcases the graphic talents of Risbeck for the Denver community. 

Risbeck has recently won several recognitions including a distinguished professor award, an award for service to the performing arts, and legacy and teaching awards from the Art Directors Club of Denver. In 2004 he was recognized by the UN for outstanding contributions to the international poster movement. In 2008 Moscow artists formally recognized his efforts in “poster diplomacy”. In 2009 he was appointed an honorary faculty member of the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts in Wuhan, China. 

Emmanuel gallery is always free and open to the public. Hours are Tuesday – Friday from 10-6 and Saturday from 11-5.  Join us for Phil Risbeck’s first Denver show!  For more information visit our website at www.emmanuelgallery.org.  Thank you!

What's working right now

Finding work in a "tricky economy" like this one isn't easy. It's takes a lot more effort to get the work that's out there. So now is the time to be creative with the business side of your business. You need to hustle and get as close to that line between persistence and pestiness as you can get without going over it. That's how assertive and visible you need to be. Most freelancers don't have (or haven't developed) what it takes -- the marketing skills – to do this and they usually give up early on.

Read on for some new ideas and good reminders from Ilise Benun of Marketing Mentor.

Press the Eight

Smart political poster will always have room. Great concept and timing not to mention design and illustration. Grey, Milan, Italy. Illustrator Paolo Rui.

A Local Illustrator You Should Know

Received in our inbox, Tod Kapke is a local artist doing some very interesting work mixing photography and illustration. Here's an article via Ape on the Moon that describes his work process and philosophy.

Tod also has a photoblog that's worth looking into. I really enjoy the whimsy and thoughtfulness in his compositions.

CREATIVE CYCLE

Yep, that's definitely insightful. WTD.

SyFy

Wasn't entirely sure of Scifi's transition to SyFy, but this is beautiful and lots of fun. Worth watching to see what's next.

Uncut

Great idea, take Star Wars: A New Hope. Cut the movie into 15 second pieces. Let your audience calim those pieces and refilm them, submit them and then put them back together. that last part, is currently in the making. We'll keep an eye on them, this should be fun.

Tough Table

DoubleButter Say What? from DoubleButter on Vimeo.

Doublebutter's write up is best:

Prisencolinensinainciusol, the name of the track playing over this stop-motion video, is, in an incredible coincidence, the cockney term for Armadillo Product Testing. Or at least that's what Darnell told us and if you've met him you'd admit that does seem like the sort of thing he'd know. Fittingly, the Horsehead Crating crew (DoubleButter's in-house strangeness group) orchestrated some product tests on our Armadillo coffee table to accompany the song. The table shown is a prototype square version (the casters are just there to help it roll for the towing segments), and it's the same table in every scene. We performed the tests (with the help of a few friends) while the Tillmans worked the cameras (Clovis, Darnell, and, in her DB debut with the HH crew, Hollah Jean). The results: if the table can handle a Molotov cocktail we're sure it can handle your wussy mojito.

It's Denver, cool and they have a web site. What more do you want?

Webcams

SOUR / 日々の音色 (Hibi no Neiro) MV from Magico Nakamura on Vimeo.

Very entertaining video using some clever edits and some good neo-old fashioned webcams. Enjoy.

Open Call for Illustration

Hello Creative Community. We here @ ADCD are as concerned as anyone about the current state of the economy and jobless rates. We are trying to do all we can to help, and one of our initiatives is a neat lil' book that we are producing on how to brand yourself and (hopefully) get that dream job.

To that end, we'd like to showcase some illustration work in the book to give it that extra something. If you're interested in helping out, we'd love to talk. Please contact Jarrod.

thanks

More Local Talent in CA (online)

Just came across this from Denver agency Cultivator. Eye-catching, make-you-look-twice kind of stuff. Ads help kick off high-tech camping company Brunton's new campaign, "The Future of Camping." Cool.

commarts.com

Simple Ideas

This has been going around the intertubes for a few days. Just goes to show, the simple ideas can be very sexy to the audience. Get yours here.

Real

Great message, although I think the population may not really believe it, but that is what the great writing and effects are for. The shoot for this had to be really fun. Venables Bell & Partners, USA

Letterhead Fonts

Do you like rare, vintage type? Do you like your rare vintage type in quality executions? I hope you do, or you may be in the wrong place. Or, maybe you can head over to Letterhead Fonts and change your mind.

Shaw Nielsen is in CA

Shaw Nielsen, a Denver illustrator, has made it into the pages of the newest Communication Arts and we say congrats. His style is mirthful and fun, quirky and thoughtful. If you don't know Shaw, check him out here. Love seeing local talent getting national exposure.

When You're a Giant

It's easy when you're a giant, the animation, the range of energy solutions, everything but the copy. Still worth the watch.

HP Open Brief

Very fun idea for D&AD and HP 's Open brief by students Matt Robinson and Tom Wrigglesworth. This is worth the watch.

Finally, My Fingers are Burning

Axe does it again, or at least has the ability to have some fun. Bravo to the cop writer, great look at headlines and tagline that pulls it all together. Ponce, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sour

I've seen something like this before, or at least the idea, but the illustration style is what really helps this come alive. Ogilvy & Mather, Mumbai, India

Chase Jarvis to ADCD Members: Create, Share, Sustain

Chase Jarvis CURRENT: The Consequences of Creativity from Chase Jarvis on Vimeo.

The video from our Speaker/Judge at the end of May.

I was recently invited to speak to the Art Director's Club of Denver and the ASMP about creativity, and subsequently delivered that keynote two weeks ago. This video is a recording of that talk. Hope it strikes a chord with you.

I had a blast connecting with some of the creative community in Denver/Boulder while I was in town, and it was also a great honor to judge your annual advertising awards show with some rather distinguished ad gurus from around the country. Thanks to the ADCD for being such gracious hosts.

Additionally, the video should be downloadable via my iTunes podcast within the next 24-48 hours.

Big thanks to Chase (and all our Judges) this year.

I heart infographics

Good Magazine—like so many of us—loves infographics. They have a collection of them here, where you can learn about everything from Supreme Court nominees, the credit crisis, Obama's garden and how few fish there are in the sea. (Good occasionally holds contests, so keep an eye out!)

Have you seen your mail lately?

It's filled with postcards from photographers, Val-Pak coupons for window installations, and overdue Xcel bills that---hey, who turned off the lights?

Bad jokes aside, your mail might now have a little 'ol letter from ADCD announcing that (cue the trumpets) your work got into the 2009 ADCD Annual Show. If so, congrats. Hundreds entered, but only several dozen made the cut.

And those several dozen are going into one helluva book. Of course, we'll need digi files (300 dpi and 8"x8", por favor) to the ftp site listed in your letter.

One more thang: go to the show, September 25. Lots of surprises this year. Lots.

The Economist

The Economist has always had some great advertising, or at the very least, they are not afraid to let you think and are pretty sure you can, if you are their target. This however may be my favorite, an very understated point, classy and wonderful. Really dig the metaphor they draw here. AMV.BBDO and directed by Tom Carty.

Children Do

Insights and infographics, great combination if both of them are actually good. Quite possibly making them infosights.
Del Campo Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, Buenos Aires

Vancouver Olympic Games

These are just beautiful. Really looking forward to the full blow out of design for the rest of the games now. But if you need reasons why these are great (and can't do it from looks alone) here is the description:

The Vancouver 2010 official poster represents both the beauty of the Host Region and the spirit of Canada’s Games. Cropped within the shape of a maple leaf, the bold Vancouver 2010 graphics are inspired by Canada’s cultural and environmental diversity as well as the energy and spirit of the Canadian people.

For the first time in history, both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games official posters are represented in a unified manner; when displayed together, the two halves of the maple leaf join to create a whole.

Created by hand using paint and mixed media prior to digital composition, the techniques employed to produce the original piece of art complement the modern and dynamic style of the Vancouver 2010 graphics.

The Look of the Games graphic elements in the poster were created by members of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) design team, while the concept of the poster and the unique interpretation of these graphics were brought to life by designer Ben Hulse.

You can get your own Giclee prints online here.