Category: design

Talk to your kids about art school

by Daryl Lang

A new ad campaign for the College for Creative Studies in Detroit lightheartedly gives its academic programs the D.A.R.E. treatment. Stay off the art, kids.

1 in 5 teenagers will experiment with art

I found this in your room. We need to talk

Doodling is a gateway to illustration

How long have you been Photoshopping?

Your son has been sculpting again

Know the warning signs of art

Your mother and I raised you better than this

I’m not sure if/where these ads are running, but I’ve seen them kicking around online for a few days and I think they’re terrific. (Update: Copywriter Joel Wescott tells me they’re running in the local metro paper and stills at the local movie theater. There’s also a radio spot.) I’m not even sure I want to critique this, since it’s a hell of a lot better than anything I’ve done lately.

Overall, this is a pitch-perfect satire of anti-drug PSAs, down to the over-dramatic, obviously posed photos of gravely serious family situations. It’s also done in a way that elevates and glorifies art school. By laughing at anyone who considers art education unwise, impractical or even reckless, the ads remind us of what a reasonable choice it really is. Of the seven ads in the series, the only one that falls flat to me is “Your mother and I raised you to do better than this.” It doesn’t fit because the dad isn’t expressing displeasure that his kid is doing art—he seems to be mad that the art isn’t good enough. This doesn’t match the rest of the ads, and could have been fixed by applying the same copy to an image where the son has actually created something impressive. Other than off note, this is really nice work. Go to art school and make ads like this.

* * * *

Who created this campaign?

Advertising Agency: Team Detroit, Dearborn, Mich.
Chief Creative Officer: Toby Barlow
Creative Director: Gary Pascoe
Art Director: Vic Quattrin
Junior Art Directors: Michael Eugene Burdick, Brandi Keeler
Copywriter: Joel Wescott
Account executives: Tim Galvin and Ashley Budchuck

Who signed off on it?

I’m guessing CCS president Richard L. Rogers. Update, via comment below: And closer to the campaign, probably Marcus Popiolek, the college’s director of marketing and communication. Update 2, via Wescott: Also, Kate Lees and Megan Mesack at CCS.

Credits and images via Scaryideas.com and Tek1Now.

Britek / Brian Russell’s Energy Return Wheel

by hipstomp

0erw1.jpg

Inventor Brian Russell’s Energy Return Wheel is another non-pneumatic tire, but whereas Resilient Technologies’ NPT is passive, this one active absorbs and releases energy. As its name implies, the ERW spins shock absorption events into a modicum of forward motion. And interestingly enough Russell came up with the idea while designing sneakers whose soles would deliver energy returns.

The following video, which I’m guessing was produced by tire and rubber manufacturer Britek after they licensed the ERW technology, uses a little more CG to give you an idea of how the thing actually works:

ERW stopped updating their website around ’08 or ’09, so I initially figured this was another tech that had fallen by the wayside; but someone from ERW has still been fielding queries on YouTube as recently as yesterday, so presumably the product is just trapped in development hell.

Fasano Hotel : Rio De Janeiro

THOUGHTS ~
‘ah’ love Rio…count the ways and so on.

by Ani Tzenkova

 

We were lucky enough to make a trip to Rio before the end of the year work madness. Rio is one of those places that every time I land I feel at home. A trip there can never be disappointing. While visiting with friends and hopping from wedding to wedding, a usual weekend social event in Rio, we stayed at the Fasano Hotel the hippest and most desired hotel in Rio.

The Fasano is a boutique hotel centrally located in the heart of Ipanema beach with an 180 degree view of the ocean and one of Rio’s best surf breaks, at Arpoardor Beach. The hotel is designed by Philippe Starck and every part of the hotel has been designed and considered with impeccable taste. The rooftop pool area is perhaps the most coveted part of the stay and experience.

A wide open view of Rio’s beaches from one end to the other as well as all the landmark mountains and even the Corcovado are in plain view as you sit poolside with great food and drinks at your service. There really is not a better place to hideaway as the beaches start to fill up on the summer weekends. And to add to the allure of the experience the pool is limited to guests only.

The Pool

The Entrance

The Spa

Telephone Center

In Bedroom Breakfast

 Deluxe Suite

The Lounge : Baretto Londra Bar

More information & Reservation at www.fasano.com.br
Address: Av. Vieira Souto, 80
Ipanema Rio de Janeiro
RJ, 22420-000
Brazil
Tel: (0xx)21 3202-400