WiseArts

This evening I attended the PhizzPop design challenge, sponsored nationally by Mircrosoft, and locally by mima. Five local design firms (Colle + McVoy, Hanson Inc., Moov Worldwide, Space 150, and Zeus Jones took on the challenge issued by Microsoft. Very basically, the challenge was to use Microsoft Expression Studio and Silverlight to create a multi-platform web application that integrates social media, services, and digital distribution, as well as integrating physical in-store and mobile interfaces to extend the experience. The point of this application is to create a kind of new, richer, shopping experience – one that enhances physical shopping scenarios, brand awareness and improves online promotion and traditional online browsing, selection and cross-sell scenarios, as well as building stronger relationships with online retailers. The title of the design brief was “Touching consumers: Thriving with online retailing and multichannel promotion.”

The concepts presented were incredible integrations of social media and online shopping. These were like Twitter, Facebook, Wists, Amazon, Google Maps, Yahoo Shopping, and lots more… all wrapped up into one neat shopping experience. In the basic essence, each design firm’s application was the same, as it needed to fulfill certain requirements of the challenge; however, each firm added unique features and design elements. There were concepts such as: creating a shopping list for a retail store and then generating an inside map of the store with notations on where your desired purchases are located, reserving a parking space online and having your in-store purchases ready for a quick pick-up, placing kiosks in retail stores where you could view product demos and comparisons to decide which products are right for you, lots more… Maybe not all of it was possible/practical, but very interesting ideas nonetheless. Each firm’s application had a slightly different twist on interface design. The two I liked the most were Space 150 and Zeus Jones’ designs. The name of this conceptual application was to be “Indigo”, and some of the firms really seemed to take the name to heart and make everything BLUE! Blue is nice, but when nearly everything on an interface is blue it seems so cold and austere. The designs by Space 150 and Zeus Jones were more colorful and also did some nice things with the Indigo logotype. In the end Zeus Jones was the people’s choice, and the judges’ choice to win the Minneapolis challenge and move on to the next stage of competition.

In addition to these nice presentations, there were free drinks, and trays of delicious hors d’oeuvres travelling about the room. The lighting and music created a fun, club-like atmosphere. There were a few prize drawings, and some Microsoft swag on the way out.

My only gripe about this event was that I would have like to have heard more about how the concepts were (or would be) implemented/programmed (and also some people in the back that wouldn’t shut up! Probably taking advantage of the free drinks!). I think the point of the event was really to showcase Microsoft’s interactive design products, so why not get into a little more detail there? In fact, I learned more about Silverlight from a nice guy that was sitting at my table than from the presentations. Overall though, a very fun and inspirational event.

Kimono modeled by my very patient and loving husband...

My husband and I went to one of our favorite thrift stores after work on a Tuesday (25% off day!), as we are prone to doing from time to time. Usually, one of the first things I do is check out the glass cases where they keep “the good stuff”. I was bent over the glass counter, not finding anything exciting that day, and as I stood up, something caught my eye! Long sleeves and a flash of red. NO WAY! A furisode kimono. Even better, it is beautifully embroidered, with cranes! A vintage wedding kimono! Even better, it had a tag on it for $39.95! And it was %25 off day! SCORE! This thing should be like $200! I almost freaked out, and had a lady behind the counter pull it down off the wall for me immediately.

It has a few small spots and one little hole at the bottom, but it’s in quite good shape. So pretty.

As with most things I buy second-hand, I wonder how it came to be sold. I always make up a little story in my head. For some reason, this one calls up a sad story. In my mind, it seems strange that someone would give something like this away to charity. But hopefully this lovely kimono has brought long life and happiness to whomever wore it before it came into my hands.

EDIT – 1/18/09: Jane, a talented artist in traditional Japanese embroidery, commented that she thought this design to be phoenix in pines, and I am certain she’s right! It didn’t quite look like the crane to me, but I just could not find the right bird to tag it with… Thanks Jane.

I was feeling ambitious this morning, so I decided to make something “fancy” for breakfast. I have been thinking about pannekoeken (Dutch pancakes) lately, and decided to attempt one of those!

I found the recipe at cooks.com:

I used an iron pan instead of a dutch oven. I was a little concerned because the batter seemed rather thin, but it baked up just fine. Light and fluffy. In addition to the apple slices, my pannekoeken had some frozen strawberries. It didn’t slide right out of the pan—not the way you’d think it should for having half a stick of butter—but it was coaxed out fairly easily with a spatula. I think I’ll try a different type of “grease” next time and see if that helps. Although, the butter does impart a nice crispness and flavor on the edges of the pancake…

I will definitely try making this again. Simple to make, and the options for fruity inclusions are limitless! I’m thinking bananas and carmel next time. Serve it with some whipped cream on top or a scoop of vanilla ice cream… yeah.