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.

I was charged with creating a Halloween-themed image of our company mascot to put into the monthly newsletter. This was probably the most exciting thing I did all day, so I thought I’d share a little bit about my creation process.

The art starts with a sketch on a crappy lined notepad that came from the office supply room. I didn’t draw very large, or get into much detail on this one. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.

The sketch is scanned and brought into Photoshop. I use my Wacom pressure-sensitive tablet to draw line art on a new layer atop the sketch. I’ve decided to add in a bucket-o-treats, so I made the canvas a little larger to accommodate it.

When the lines are done, I drop out the back layer and save it. Then I open up Adobe Illustrator and place the Photoshop file into the Illustrator file. I use the trace feature in Illustrator to vectorize my line art. I expand that and ungroup it. Then I use the magic wand to select and delete all the white areas.

I create a new layer underneath the line art layer. Then I lock the line art layer and start adding in the blocks of color underneath using the pen tool. And, that’s about it. The company mascot is a rubber chicken, BTW… hehehe I made him look a bit too lively, I think.

Not too long ago, I acquired a Family Circle from April 1956. The cover price was only seven cents! (I paid $1) How could I pass it up with great ads like these!? When you flip open the cover, the first thing you see is this poor outcast. If only she knew the answer to all her problems was mouthwash. (Click each ad for a readable size!)

Readers of this issue are also treated to this appetizing ad for green pea soup. Can anyone say Exorcist?

I am also led to believe that people in this period in time are incredibly obsessed with their digestion. There are five ads in this one magazine about various laxatives and indigestion relief products.

Even children are not exempt from the worries of *gasp* constipation. Children of all ages even!

The kid in this laxative ad looks like he just crapped up a storm and he couldn’t be prouder! Don’t you love how dramatic the facial expressions are? The headlines and body copy have a tendency towards uber-dramatic too.

Look at the brow furrowing on this chica! I cannot imagine a more dramatic look of discomfort.

Finally, here’s another dramatic ad for the ladies! Why be old-fashioned!? Make sure you’re not sadly behind the times! haha