Fiat: ecoDrive

Latest to spark my interest is the sharp website design by AKQA, for FIAT. Done for the Italian automobile maker's new ecoDrive initiative that clocks how you drive your FIAT ultimately to reduce the driver's carbon footprint by analyzing the results and changing habit. Basically, it's Nike+ for your FIAT. The website has fresh graphics and though buying a FIAT isn't in my near-future, exploring the website was definitely worth it.

Book Cover Design

Great book cover image for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Unsure of the designer.

Bento Box

This is the Bento Box from L.A. based Plastica. Love the design and practicality of this snack box set.

BMW Expression of Joy

A few weeks back my friend was reading the architecture and design magazine, Dwell when she showed me the brilliant media and creative placement BMW had done. To coincide with the launch of the automakers Z4 Roadster (also a sweet design in itself, the first BMW roadster with a retractable hardtop), Expression of Joy is how artist Robin Rhode used paint, a massive canvas and the Z4 to create a piece of art.

With help from GSD&M Idea City in Austin, Texas, and Dotglu in New York, Expression of Joy fuses innovation with raw creative talent. The paintbrush became the tires of the Z4 and the brushstrokes depended on however Rhode manuevered the vehicle. The website contains several videos to show the process, along with the entire canvas. Visitors to the site can create their own Expression of Joy by disecting the canvas. My Expression of Joy is below.
An article from Brandweek discusses the media used, including the cover takeover of Dwell's June issue that originally sparked my interest.

Random Findings

I got these images from a friend. I enjoy both visuals, the top was taken in Paris and the bottom was taken in Ireland.

Sand Dancer

Director Valerie Reid does an excellent job showing the work and passion of New Zealand sand artist, Peter Donnelly in this short film, The Right Step. Better known as Sand Dancer, Donnelly creates huge pictures in the sand, remarkably, without ever seeing the whole piece until he is done. Reid gracefully illustrates Sand Dancer's beautiful outlook on his artwork, which is washed away with high tide. He sees the piece's birth, life, and death and then the cycle continues with a new work of art and in that, he finds his peace.

Polar Bears

Director Tim Godsall of Biscuit Filmworks for Ogilvy New York received plenty of gold stars from the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) by winning in the Viral/Web Film category and the Audience Choice at AICP's Next Awards. The Next Awards "honor multidimensional brand promotions in the moving image." "Polar Bears," done for the Environmental Defense Fund and Ad Council, follows the trend of recent environmental PSAs with a poignant delivery of the message. Worthy work for a worthy cause.

Portland State University Logo

It took me a second, actually a few, to figure out Portland State University's logo. But now that I have, I love design. This is probably in part because it reminds me of a Celtic symbol of some sorts, not to mention the flawless fit of the lettering.

The Ugly Truth Poster

So I'm not sure if this movie will be any good, even though Gerard Butler is nice on the eyes...but I do like The Ugly Truth movie poster because the message is immediately clear. Words are unnecessary.

Where the Wild Things Are Trailer

I saw the Where the Wild Things Are trailer awhile ago and loved everything about the it, from the typeface to the music. It looks like the film will be a visual adventure, just like the book.

Illustrator Zara Picken

The images below are done by talented illustrator, Zara Picken out of Bristol, England. Picken's website has a tons of sweet work. Intelligent illustrations, love them!

A quoi ça sert l'amour

Simple. Charming. Nice job Louis Clichy.

Go with Visa: First Global Campaign

Back in March, Visa with the help of TBWA\Chiat\Day, launched their first global campaign, "More People Go with Visa" changing from the previous , "It's everywhere you want to be." Morgan Freeman smartly remains their spokesperson, the always comforting voice of reason. I like both of the two commercials below because of the tone and the visual story. The first is in a pizzeria and shows the stylistic flair of an old school pizza-making joint, something you don't get from a chain restaurant. And I love Mambo Italiano as a backdrop. The second spot, features an aquarium visit and has beautiful color movement. According to a Visa press release, the global campaign reflects "the company's evolution to a single, global company" and now enables the brand to use one unified marketing tactic. Not only is this money saving for Visa, but it also reflects how Visa customers, (specifically in the U.S.) are cutting back, and being smarter about their spending.