R/GA: Innovation

R/GA: Innovation

R/GA is an advertising agency that serves top companies, helping them develop digital communications and strategies. The agency was founded in 1977 by Bob Greenberg and his brother Richard. Since that time, the firm has grown exponentially and now serves many Fortune 500 companies. They have offices across the world, including San Francisco, London, Sau Paulo, and Singapore. They are one of only four global advertising companies and have been very influential in the development of design and integration of advertising with many forms of medis.

While it was first a design company, Bob and Richard sought to include new technology and cutting-edge motion graphics into their products. It was through this balance that they were able to successfully take part in many films and television projects, helping to create groundbreaking visual effects. Essentially, their company was a production house and sought to use computers to better create effects. While others feared this new technology and thought it would negatively impact film, Bob and Richard embraced it and were able to create a company that quickly grew. One of their most influential projects was in the 1977 film, Superman. In it, they were able to make the titles in effect fly onto the screen. This was a technology that was unknown at the time and through their efforts made it a reality.

In the 1980s, they were able to combine film, video, and computer graphics all under one roof. This was extremely innovative at the time, and they were soon creating commercials that became iconic to Americans. It was during this time that R/GA won an Academy Award for technical achievement. They worked on over 400 feature films and 4,000 commercials.

In the mid 1990s, Richard left the company and Bob decided to transition R/GA into a multiplatform advertising agency focusing on e-businesses. He put his focus on digital, and another revolutionary move to most agencies at the time. He worked with various companies, helping them become more organized in their approach and collaborative in efforts. When IBM had 5 million websites scattered in various places, R/GA worked to create one user-centered destination.

Recently, they have worked with Verizon to recreate their brand from a phone company to a broadband company. This resulted in a do-it-yourself film campaign that circulated quickly online. They also serve Nike and teamed up with Apple to create Nike+. They are able to take a brand and combine it with technology to create a whole new product that consumers are vying for. This project earned a lot of press for the company, earning top honors at six separate design shows. Adweek even declared it the "Digital Campaign of the Decade," an impressive feat for the firm.

The company has over 550 employees and its base location is in New York. It does not outsource its projects -- Greenberg says that the strongest ideas flow from the technology itself. They are an extremely innovative company that seeks to utilize technology for new products and services. They will continue to create strong, innovative ideas that will have an impact on the world.

References

Sacks, Danielle. Reinventing the Reel. Fast Company. http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/119/reinventing-the-reel.html

http://www.rga.com/about/leadership/bob-greenberg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R/GA

C&G Partners

One firm to know about in the design world is C&G Partners. They have done work for such companies as NBC, Time Warner, Barneys New York, and Mercy Crops, among others. Their firm includes Steff Geissbuhler, Keith Helmetage, Emanuela Frigario, and Jonathan Alger. They are someone you definitely want to check out.

Type Radio

For the extremely nerdy designers, type radio can be entertaining and informative. It's not just about type though. The programs introduce you to designers and tell you about their work. It's interesting and educational. Listen to a few and you will become more knowledgeable about design and could impress people with what you know.

8 Days a Week

As a design student, it's important to keep up-to-date on everything that is going on. Especially being so close to New York. Taking advantage of events is as important as going to class. That's why 8daysaweek.org is extremely helpful. It gives you events for every day of the week. If you are bored one day and want to do something, go to this site and you will definitely find something.

Ritual Project

A really quick example of the projects done by the artists from the "Up There" film. It's amazing what they do!

The Ritual Project - final timelapse from The Ritual Project on Vimeo.

Up There Film

A new film about creating art on the walls of buildings. It's really interesting and created a whole new meaning for the paintings done on buildings, and a new respect for the artists that do this work.

GripLimited

Check out this super-cool website called Grip Limited. It's created by a Canadian ad agency of the same name. You can scroll across, close the tabs, and scroll down. It's made for touch technology, but it works really well on the computer too. New and exciting.

Amazon Changes Bestseller Lists

Remember my recent post on Amazon's top bestsellers were all free? Well Amazon is addressing the problem by creating two bestseller lists -- one for free books the other for paid titles. I think it will better evaluate the books that are selling.

Why is Google Giving Us the Finger?

In an article posted on Design Observer, Phil Patton discusses the quality control of Google books and their scanning process. While they are able to complete massive amounts of scanning in a relatively short time, should this be any excuse to the haphazard way they are completing the task? Dates are wrong, authors are wrong, and reading a book will get you a hand in the middle of the page. Although their project is worthy of notice, there is nothing like quality control. Do it right the first time or don't do it at all.

More iPad Stats

Over 1/3 of all books being offered on the iPad are fiction, says O'Reilly Radar. That's an interesting fact because we wonder if they are in fact the most popular and the ones that most people would download, or is there an undiscovered market that is just waiting to be tapped? The coming months should give us more light on the topic.

Check out these stats on the iPad

From Techcrunch - over 1/3 of the iPad applications are games. That's a huge percentage. That's 833 different games! Similarly, the favorite percentage of popularity for the iPad are games. However, the percentage here is slightly less then on the iPhone, with other categories picking up the slack. It seems that the iPad is more of a multi-use device than the iPhone and people want to use it for different reasons.

Vivian Maier

In an article posted on Design Observer by Michelle Hauser, we learn about the mystical Vivian Maier and the art she produced simply by doing. John Maloof found her negatives at an auction in Chicago and purchased them on a whim. What he found? Pure genius.
He discovered that she was a nanny/caretaker who just loved photography and took thousands of photos during her lifetime. Most of them were not printed during her lifetime -- and probably would have been thrown out if it wasn't for John. This is what scares me about the future. When these physical objects were almost casually thrown away, what is going to happen to digital content that is even more easily disposed of?
Something else interesting in the article was that Maloof did not fully appreciate her art until he tried to do it himself. I find this true of design. Even though it may look easy to do, it is not in fact all that simple.

People Want Free

The top ten e-books for the kindle are free. In fact, you have to go down to fourteen to get to one that you have to pay for, the LA Times reports.
Most of the books are over a year old and the authors/publishers hope that by giving the older books for free, people will look to buy the newer books from the same author. And is that proving true? Not really. Although the newer books are selling respectably, there is no evidence that these free books are improving the sales of other titles.
Is the concept of free that important for people? Perhaps. And that's what this group is about -- enabling people to access the content. Should we have to pay for it? I think yes.

History of Future History

I just decided to google future history and came up with the wikipedia page for "Future history." The definition is as follows:
The postulated history of the future and is used by authors in the subgenre of speculative fiction to construct as a common background for fiction. Sometimes the author publishes a timeline of events in the history, while other times the reader can reconstruct the order of the stories from information provided therein.

Also to note, it is the title of a series by Robert A. Heinlein and was first coined in 1941. Good to know!

iPad does graphic recording

You can do graphic reporting on the iPad now. This is an easier way of writing down information and keeping it graphically. Long paragraphs of writing and notes can get annoying and confusing. The technology, SBPro, even lets you do layers. This looks like so much fun!

FutureHistory Video

Check out the video I made for my community website, futurehistoryfans.ning.com. It is very basic and based on an introduction to Final Cut Pro.

Evan Roth

A few weeks ago, Evan Roth came to our class to speak about his experiences. Here's some of what we learned from him:

• Weekend projects are a good thing. Quick projects that enable you to work smarter help and keep you creative.
  
• Publish early and often online. He doesn't believe in keeping everything under wraps until it's complete -- he likes to share his ideas and allow others to work off them.
  
• Use social media. It helps get your name out there and allows other people to be aware of what you are doing.
• People can see through bullshit. Large companies are not able to show sincerity and it's what is lacking in today's over-advertised world.
• Try to get grants to do your work. He originally went to school to be an architect and then went back for design. Then he received a grant that allowed him to work on his graffiti project, which led to other great things. Kudos to him.
  

He's a really cool guy, and someone who has worked hard to get to where he is. Some of his projects:

1. Graffiti Research Lab
2. FAT (Free Art and Technology)
3. Bad Ass Mother Fucker
4. USA USB

For more check out his website!

Deliver Takeaway

An idea that originated at Milan Design Week 2010, Deliver Takeaway was conceived by Kueng Caputo, Swiss Designers. The idea is a mobile and online platform that allows people to share and take ideas. The original ideas, coming from post-its stamped on the minivan, have been scanned and posted to the Deliver Takeaway website.
It's a cool idea and one that means collaboration and sharing. Neat.

Cool New Light from Philips

Check out this new light bulb from Philips. It's called a 12-watt EnduraLED light bulb. And it saves about $120 during its lifetime, on average. It lasts about 25 times longer than the average light bulb. Not to mention it looks really cool off or on.

Early Adopters

In today's ever-changing world in which technology is always getting better soon, why would you immediately buy a product that you know is just going to be bigger/better in the next year. Why not wait? This is the topic for Damon Darlin's article in the NY Times called "Applause, Please, for Early Adopters." It addresses the topic that while we all know that the iPad just came out and is only going to get better in the next couple months (ie the release of the 3G iPad recently). It surpassed 1 million sales recently -- 28 days sooner than the iPhone. Adoption of new technology is happening more and more quickly and everyone wants the newest toy. Even if it means that it will soon be out-of-date.

Digital Takes Over

In the article in the NY Times entitled "The Ever-Widening World of Tiny Projectors," author Anne Eisenberg describes new technology that will allow you to go into a bar, look at a drink menu that is projected onto the counter, and place your order using the projected image. This takes away the need for the attention of a bartender -- you are able to do it all on your own. It's a scary thought that the world is being taken over by computerized touch projections such as these. It create less human contact. Although it is easier, it is not necessarily better.

Associate's Program at Amazon

The competition between Amazon and Apple is reaching new proportions as Apple's sales of the iPad recently reached 1 million.
And now Amazon is offering 8.5% commission on those who advertise the Kindle on their website via their new Associate's program. Hmmmmm...
What about the smaller competitors that are appearing to drown in this race? We still have Sony Readers, the Nook, and other devices such as the Cybook Opus. What reader would you buy and why?

iPad sold 1 million in 28 days

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Apple has reported that it sold it's one millionth iPad - just before its release of the 3G version of the device. This is less than half the time it took to sell the same number of iPhones. And the apps are selling like hotcakes. In fact, Apple is delaying its international sales until late May because it hasn't been able to keep up with the demand from the US. An impressive start to a device that was uncertain in its initial reviews.

Longtail

You might want to check out this blog at longtail.com...it's by this guy named Chris Anderson who is exploring the idea of content that is free...or that will not necessarily gain massive amounts of money in a short period, but over a longer period the smaller amounts will add up to more than what the big hit will be. If that makes sense. :) With companies no longer being able to spend tons of money on lots of different projects to wait for the one that will hit big/bring in the $$ and make up for the ones that lose it. Basically it's the new business model.

iPad and Kindle: Will they save publishing?

Did you see the article "Publish or Perish" in the New Yorker by Ken Auletta? It details the pricing strategies that are being utilized by publishers for the iPad and Kindle.
In the past months, publishers have been arguing with Amazon's pricing strategy in which they sell all ebooks for $9.99. This created a monopoly on the market, something publishers did not want. With the advent of the iPad, publishers saw an opportunity to change this and enacted an agent pricing policy in which the publisher is able to set the price. Now the prices are up to around $13 per title and sometimes more for hardcover or recently released items.
Do you think this has an impact on the future of history and the digital age? This price increase may cause a decrease in sales -- but are people actually willing to pay this price for the convenience and content? Only time will tell.

iPad and Advertising

Check out this NY Times article "Advertisters Show Interest in iPad" by Stephanie Clifford. It details the interest of advertisers for buying space on the iPad, released on April 3. One thing that struck me about the article was that Chase Sapphire bought the first 60 of advertising for advertising in the New York Times app. They target a high-end market. They are smart to be doing this because the only people who will have an iPad are those with money, a representation of their target market.
FedEx is also taking a strong stance in this -- and say that being included in the initial phase of a new product is extremely beneficial to the advertiser. Especially if the product has as much interest as the iPad.
The only problem is the lack of flash ability in the iPad. This is a definite negative, both for advertisers and those creating apps. Adaptation is necessary, but this pays off in being among the first advertisers on this new technology.

Going Green

There is a huge movement that is hitting all aspects of business, especially design. This is going green. Even with the recession and lack of money, green and sustainable products saw a rise in purchase. This is an indication that this is here to stay.
And in this New York Times article by Kate Galbraith called "Green Diplomacy at Its Most Basic Level" there is a discussion about embassies that are going green. Even though some are located in historic buildings and other structures that are not exactly designed for this sort of sustainability, there is a push for them to become more so. It's all about saving energy, water, and transportation.
To them, it's a demonstration of a country's core values. These should be reflected in embassy buildings - as they portray the country and give a chance to show advances in technology and design.
Design is much more than simply how something looks; it encompasses a vast array of demonstrative values and ideals.

R/GA

R/GA: Innovation

R/GA is an agency that serves top companies, helping them develop digital communications and strategies. The agency was founded in 1977 by Bob Greenberg and his brother Richard. Since that time, the firm has grown exponentially and now serves many Fortune 500 companies.

While it was first a design company, Bob and Richard sought to include new technology and cutting-edge motion graphics into their products. It was through this balance that they were able to successfully take part in many films and television projects, helping to create groundbreaking visual effects. Essentially, their company was a production house and sought to use computers to better create effects. While others feared this new technology and thought it would negatively impact film, Bob and Richard embraced it and were able to create a company that quickly grew.

In the 1980s, they were able to combine film, video, and computer graphics all under one roof. This was extremely innovative at the time, and they were soon creating commercials that became iconic to Americans. It was during this time that R/GA won an Academy Award for technical achievement. They worked on over 400 feature films and 4,000 commercials.

In the mid 1990s, Richard left the company and Bob decided to transition R/GA into a multiplatform advertising agency focusing on e-businesses. He put his focus on digital, and another revolutionary move to most agencies at the time. He worked with various companies, helping them become more organized in their approach and collaborative in efforts. When IBM had 5 million websites scattered in various places, R/GA worked to create one user-centered destination.

Recently, they have worked with Verizon to recreate their brand from a phone company to a broadband company. This resulted in a do-it-yourself film campaign that circulated quickly online. They also serve Nike and teamed up with Apple to create Nike+. They are able to take a brand and combine it with technology to create a whole new product that consumers are vying for.

The company has over 550 employees and is located in New York. It does not outsource its projects -- Greenberg says that the strongest ideas flow from the technology itself. They are an extremely innovative company that seeks to utilize technology for new products and services.

References

Sacks, Danielle. Reinventing the Reel. Fast Company. http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/119/reinventing-the-reel.html

http://www.rga.com/about/leadership/bob-greenberg

Archiver

With most media today becoming digital, there is a definite fear that the information stored in computers and various servers will disappear. And what happens when our history is lost? And what if those that control these bits of information refuse to let others see them?
This is where archive.org comes in. It is a website that enables you to search through its database of old websites and media. You can find Apple from the 90s or Google from its inception. It's a really nice idea and is important for keeping history safe. Check out their description here. Founded in 1996, it is only growing as more and more people realize the importance of a digital library.

Making of a Book Cover

A quick representation of what an art director does - from research and the broad idea to the little details that are oh so important. From Orbit Books art director Lauren Panepinto via their blog.

Mixing Fonts

Hoefler & Frere-Jones give techniques for how to combine fonts. Using their own, of course, they give four tips on combining the typefaces.
1. Use a palette with wit: use typefaces with complementary moods to evoke an upbeat, energetic air.
2. Use a palette with energy: mix typefaces from the same historical period whose families have different features.
3. Use a palette with poise: mix typefaces with a similar line quality if they offer different textures.
4. Use a palette with dignity: mix typefaces with similar proportions and give each a different role.
In a nutshell, use typefaces that have one thing in common and then experiment. Above is one example. Their variations came out beautifully.

Giving Independents a Chance

A bookstore in Colorado (Boulder Bookstore) is giving authors an opportunity that is generally only given to publishers - that of consignment. Money is paid to the store to give the book a good placement in the front of the store. This gives the book a much better chance of being bought. And it gives independent authors and publishers a much better opportunity because they can compete with other books. They are willing to pay for the option.

Most Popular Websites

In a report by Neilson and posted by BBC, the 100 most popular websites are listed. Google and other search engines are the most popular, followed closely by Facebook and YouTube, as well as Wikipedia. The New York Times is down at 61. It's an interesting look at websites and what the internet is used for - mostly entertainment.

Choosing Type

It's important to realize what type you are using - and what it conveys to the audience. A NYT article explains some blunders done by television shows and architectural signage. Especially to experts, these typeface mistakes can be grating. And to those that are not experts, it can create an aura that is not intended.
I used optima for my powerpoint presentation, a typeface that was not quite right. It did not give the presentation the look and feel that should have been given the subject. It's important to give consideration to these details, not just pick a random typeface. It should reflect the content of the piece as well.

Google's Dynamic Identity

Alice Rawsthorn discusses Google's corporate identity (or lack thereof) in her recent NYT blog post. Google changes its search logo for holidays and other special days of the year, leading it to be seen as unsophisticated and sloppy. But is that really what is being portrayed? In the age in which people are wary of giant corporations, this changing logo and dynamic identity helps keep consumers interested. As she says "Google's clumsiness makes it look sincere."

I like that it is a dynamic logo that is able to change with the times and need of design. It still can be recognizable -- the very name google conveys to its audience the company. It is not just attached to one logo.

See also, the new Melbourne logo. This was updated from a drab out-of-date logo to a dynamic one that has the ability to change color based on the need of the design.

Book Design

In a NY Times post about the blog of Craig Mod, a former book designer, discussion of the future of book publishing is a central issue. The result: it's all about the content, not the technology. The question, Mod tells us, is whether or not the e-Reader is necessarily the best means of conveying the content. Pixels versus print is not the concern - it's how you get the message across to the readers. Good point.

I Lego

Check out this video about Christoph Niemann's I Lego N.Y. It's super cool and the illustrations are extremely creative.
I remember playing with Legos as a child and making tons of different structures - from cars to houses, my siblings and I even made our own town.
This book is looking at Legos in a new way, seeing things that may not have been there before. By naming the structures, we are able to see them in the way Niemann sees them and grasp a new meaning that we perhaps didn't see before.

Northwest Airlines Redesign

Northwest airlines recently went through a redesign in which they were trying to reinvent themselves. The new one has some good elements - the use of color and shortening the name to nwa - but the integrity and ingenuity of the old one is not transferred to the new one. It's disappointing.

Film Credit Design

There is design in everything - even the seemingly meaningless credits at the end of films. Good titles can be what makes the movie that much better. In the New York Times article, Alice Rawsthorn discusses the titles in films of this year. She says that Avatar, for its technological triumph, was not well designed and this is a discredit to the film. While the creators may not realize the importance of good titles, in design every detail is important.

Some Cool Web Designs

These images are from a post from a blog called DesignRFix - it's a compilation of 40 examples of visually appealing web designs. It gives me some inspiration for my own community website, and shows how creative you can be with a website.

Rube Golberg Machine

Check out this video! It's the most intense Rube Golberg Machine I've ever seen. It goes on for 3 minutes!
This goes back to an earlier post about the increasing complexity of design and the unnecessary additions that are made simply because the product looks better or does something in a more interesting way. Completely unnecessary, but interesting to watch.

Snow

Over the course of this past week, my hometown of Westerlo, NY got over 4 feet of snow. Yes, that is over 48 inches. It was so much that we had to shovel off the roof. This was extremely difficult because there was such an abundance of snow and it was very heavy. We broke a couple shovels in the process, and I was wondering what the best shovels are. I looked on core77, and they had a post about the various kinds of shovels, shown below. However, I'm not sure any of these would be best in the conditions I was in this weekend.

The cartoon below is a good description of the situation. So much snow! And it made me want to make some wonderful creation like Calvin does with his various snowmen. What great designs can come from snow and creativity.