I'm still trying to figure out if Pinterest is going to take over from Facebook and Twitter as my primary waste of time or if it's going to end up being a damp squib like Google+ in the end. Time will tell, but it's got a good hit rate so far, this week introducing me to the inspirational site: goodfuckingdesignadvice.com
I love it's minimalistic styling and the clarity of the messages is just brilliant and clever. I might even order the mug and poster, but I will definitely be taking the GFDA Pledge.
For some God knows why reason this web site is getting tons of traffic for the search term 'Comic Sans Batman'. It links through to the article Andy wrote last year and whilst we are always grateful for a little exposure, I did wonder why this term in particular seems to yield results at the moment. I Googled it myself and whilst the answer to this puzzle is still a mystery to me, I did spy a link to an article highlighting DC comics have launched a new logo. I have never really been interested in comic books, but I do like Batman since he's teamed up with Michael Caine and so I thought I'd take a look in customary 49th Floor, low-fi style.
DC's existing Star, swooshy, shieldy thing was designed by Brainchild Studio's Josh Beatman in 2005, which wasn't that long ago and frankly hasn't aged that well in my opinion. In brief, I think it's impeccably put together and has obviously taken cues from the company heritage - but I think the conceptual post-modern approach suggests a company coming to terms with the end of the nineties rather than one marching proudly into modernity. I presume that this is why DC felt they wanted to revisit their logo, with a fundamental rethink and shift in creative objective. It could just be they didn't like blue or something, but you'd have to ask them.
I haven't read Creative Review or any logo blogs yet and therefore I don't really know whether I'm sUpPoSeD to like it or not yet, but I can tell you that I really do like the new logo. I don't think anyone could argue that it's not well drawn, but upon first glance the new DC logo is kinda grey and it does look VERY corporate when viewed out of situ. When DC title-specific colourways and characters are applied to the logo in situ, for me it really comes to life. The concept of peeling back the cover to find what's underneath isn't really new - but I think it's perfected here and the way in which it unifies DCs vast array of characters and stories whilst not compromising their own identities is really clever and refreshing.
Identities that integrate with brands and campaigns as a whole rather than concentrating on wowsers logos, gradient-meshed to the rafters sitting in arrogant defiance like it's the most important thing on the page are the way forward for me. I wonder what everyone else is saying about it?
So, Christmas is done and the New year hangover has faded and all we are left with is the unending bleakness of the UK January skyline and the irritating inevitability of having to deconstruct the plastic tree and assemble the component parts into the cupboard Tetris-style. Holiday seems a long way away (or non-existent if you are me or Andy) and now the wind has started howling through the empty pockets and wallets throughout the land it really must be about the right time for something to cheer us up.
We've posted about logo fails before and how not seeing the wood for the trees can lead to unfortunate results. As it never fails to put a smile back on my face, it's a pretty decent place to start and this year we have been fortunate enough to be blessed with a real high profile howler from Stumble.
One of my favourite films of all time is the 1983 classic Karate masterpiece: The Karate Kid directed by John G Avildsen. Since 1983 I have watched this film about 10,000 times and bored my friends to death in the process. I'm aware that in reality it is a fairly average take on well trodden narrative, but due in part to nostalgia and in part to just a magical x-factor which even it's own sequels struggled to match, I love it. Even today, like a true saddo whilst typing this I am wearing one of many Karate Kid inspired t-shirts whilst listening to 'You're the best' by Joe Esposito - a truly terrible 80s horror that in context makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Why the heck am I bringing up the Karate Kid at this point, nearly 30 years later? This week some new footage of the original Karate Kid was brought to my attention and it's the 'thing that we love, not done by us of the week'. It appears that during the rehearsals of The Karate Kid, everything was filmed by the director and a rough cut of the movie put together to aid the actors going forward. Please see the first part below, followed by a series of links for where to watch the rest on Youtube. I can't believe that this hasn't made its way to DVD as an extra before this - but as a fan, it's made my day to watch it and offers an insight into the filming process.
I would like to thank Matt Powell for introducing me to the post (Please take a look at his site: BlockPunch) and to Germain Lussier for compiling it in the first place - http://www.slashfilm.com/watch-the-karate-kid-comprised-completely-rehearsal-footage.
Watch the whole of The Karate Kid in rough cut below:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=EZQkwpqFN2E
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CS3P8KaEamA
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MNTzA7QQvAM
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7aaB3geliNM
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=5Kwv0RQWb8M
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mtzv20OaGow
7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-c2NQMLsiMs
8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UfB6140Mxl4
9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yfVkWkfcdoo
10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mHdWarcK0hU
11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pLIiHFyHWVQ
12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BogMLXeYjPI
It's a week of firsts and today is the first post in the 'Stuff we love that wasn't done by us' weekly series.
I'd like to introduce you to The Surreal Paintings of Vladimir Kush. A really beautiful Dali-inspired selection of ethereal classics. If I had more time to look into the metaphysical nature of these and discuss the real meaning I would. Sadly I'm too busy, so just appreciate the damn picture, say ooh isn't it pretty and then assume he really liked eggs.
Surface art appreciation, naivety - it's the new black.
By the way the rest of this fabulous collection is available for view at Designer couch.
Please follow this link: designerscouch.org/view-log/the-surreal-paintings-of-vladimir-kush-687
