Blog #2

THIS ONES FOR WILLY!

So I checked out the site Feed and found this link to Special Guest. "Special Guest is the playful alter ego of 1st Ave. Machine, a visual storytelling outfit based in New York and London featuring work by Aaron Duffy, Vinicios Costa and Asif Mian." 

I was impressed with all of the work I found. It is hard to just talk about one piece that has merit because to me they all had it. They were all great examples of what we are trying to achieve in motion design. Great stop motion and use of After Effects. I would highly recommend that you check out their site. You can find the link for Special Guest on Feed.

The piece I want to talk about is the one for MTV VMAS Brazil. I believe it was done in After Effects. The use of music plays an intricate role in this piece. It has great rhythm and pace and goes perfect with the music. It also makes great use of three dimensional space, as well as camera angles. It pushes and pulls out and into images with a great use of control. This is a great example for what some of us might be trying to achieve in After Effects. I don't think this is the most technical piece but clearly inspirational to me. I just love the feel of electronic music interacting with digital media, especially motion. They just seem to go very well together. I would recommend all of their pieces on their site. Check em out! I promise it won't take long!

  http://www.specialguest.tv/

LODGER

Trevor Brooks Blog #1

www.lobo.cx

Process

The website doesn’t give to much information regarding their process and their methods of creating their various pieces. What I did find though, was that in the beginning the overall jive of the company was “to have a good time and maybe get some work done”. This concept is evident in all of their pieces. Even in the overall website layout while being very simple and seemingly less intensive on the users end, it leaves a lot open to the imagination and a lot of freedom to adapt the layout of the site without really changing the site at all.

Artistic Need

Overall the company houses the basics that you would find in any production house. The key ingredient that they all share and would have is a desire to not only have fun with the projects and products they are working with, but to also see things outside of the box. Utilizing a variety of forms in production (animation, stop-motion, collage) they all have a different aspect of solving the problem of the client’s needs while maintaining the enjoyment of the work.

Clients Needs

The clients that would seek Lobo would be in the market for something non-traditional. I don’t see Macy’s, Sears or any real bank asking this firm to do any work. Simply put the clients would have to be willing to have fun with whatever it was they needed because if they couldn’t then they wouldn’t like the overall piece that was done.

Product

The products all are motion based. The pieces range from stop motion, to traditional animation even to what appeared to be a combination of stop-motion and collage.

www.xylemdigital.com

Process

“We make smart brands smarter” from the title of the homepage you get a strong sense of what the firm is. The overall feel of the firm is that it is not just another faceless firm, but instead it is a living breathing, thinking creature that is aware of itself. Overall it seems like they tend on focus on not only revamping a image, but at the same time making sure that those in the field when they see that brand, logo or site they know it was Xylem.

Artistic Need

While alike most firms the artists need to have a sense of freedom and ability to play around with ideas it seems though while freedom is important their needs to be a sort of similarity between the brandings and designs. By doing so they reinforce the overall ghost branding if you will they Xylem does during its work.

Clients Needs

This is a firm that I think the clients would be out of the creativity room completely. They would say what they are looking for, who the audience is, and what they want it for, and maybe they would have a say in the beginning stages but until the near end product was their for review they wouldn’t be in the picture to much. It was said in another blog that it seemed like the clients were larger business, I agree. What I would like to add to this statement though is that all of the clients at the same time after the project was finished seemed to have a smaller / locally owned business feel. They all had the sense that anyone could do this, look at us we did.

Product

Their primary products are websites and what appeared to be brandings. The two major similarities that I noticed was the sense of static motion (the central objects appeared to be coming out of the background due to the ragged outlines or brightly colored shadows of the image), and the use of high contrast colors and fonts.

www.trollback.com/#/work

Process

In the first few sentences in its bio they send out their credo: Expensive and Purposeful graphics. Relaying on this statement their images and products have a wide range of sense and style that would suit each client.

Artistic Need

The artists would need to define their own style. While the important aspect is in making the client happy and giving them what they want, it seems that some pieces have a style that matches another completely different piece and such. This influence of individual styles gives the clients the mind set that while expensive and cocky they have the right to be.

Product

Their products range from various concepts. Like they say at the beginning they are expensive but the clients would be getting what they pay for. No two projects come out the same and each client can leave with that feeling

Katy Ermak Blog 1

• Process=
LOBO “seeks to employ the full extent of its capabilities to the craft, with the constant objective of doing unique work every time around”. They do this with a solid set up of designers, animators, illustrators, editors, a writer and a sound designer.
http://www.lobo.cx/

• Artistic Need=
I think the most important thing about LOBO is that they are aimed towards quality more than quantity. They seek to employ the “full extent of its capabilities to the craft with the constant objective of doing unique work every time around”. The information explains that their intention is to have a good time and maybe do some work.

• Clients Needs=
LOBO presents itself as an animation studio. Its clients include Panasonic, Boomerang Channel, Toyota, Sony Playstation, Anime Channel and much more.


• Product =
Animation projects. Example: They did a “2 day sale” for Target, which included a 23 chapter Flash-based multi-choice game. Here’s the link to play the game http://www.atmospherebbdo.com/work/target/2dayRace/race.html

Process=
Curious Pictures creates commercials in a unique way and some of their clients have included AOL, BMW, Coca Cola, Disney, Google and many MANY more.
http://www.curiouspictures.com/index.html

Artistic Need=
After reading the bios of the eight producers, they all are very professional and very fun. And all of them seem to have big dreams and goals, most of which they have already accomplished. Like the Curator of Art and Design, Dominie Mahl, created her own line of successful greeting cards in just one year.

Clients Need=
Clients who use Curious Pictures work are looking for a modern, contemporary, upbeat but professional commercials. Some of my favorite are their Target commercials and the Steve Madden commercial. http://www.curiouspictures.com/services/design.html#

Product=
Curious Pictures produces live-action, special effects, graphics, comedy, and animation of all types. Animators create TV commercials, on-air graphics/titles and television shows (recently including, Codename: Kids Next Door, Little Einsteins and Hey Joel). The best part is that their motto is “great work - make money – have fun”.
http://www.curiouspictures.com/info/index.html

Process=
The VFX Company Specializes in Motion Control. This site was kind of frustrating because unlike most of the others it doesn’t say anything about the artists or the company’s work ethic.
http://www.thevfxco.co.uk/index.htm

Artistic Needs=
Since it doesn’t explain much about the artists or production team, I will say that the work that the artists have created with their high end technology is awesome. Check out this reel. http://www.thevfxco.co.uk/commercial1.htm

Client Needs=
If a client wants an awesome commercial with many effects, this is the company to go through!

Product=
Motion Control operation for Feature Film, Commercial, Miniature, Corporate, Promo, TV and Ident work. They also offer high level of technical service and creative input simple “pack-shot” set ups to complex multi level live action scenes.

Katy Ermak Blog 1

Blog 1

1. 3AM Design http://www.3am-design.com/

Process

It is evident through the projects that 3AM Design displays on their website that freedom is an important element in their design process. 3AM looks at a product and transforms it so that it inspires imagination. The site also advertising a "ready-edit" suite with HD. 3AM features a simple site and simple examples of work. Thus, this hints towards the idea that simplicity is a huge influence on their design process. However, 3AM's projects are far from boring. The design process includes different ways of twisting products and concepts so that they catch the viewer's attention.

Artistic Needs

3AM has a distinctive style that yields a combination of reality and imagination. Once again, it is evident that freedom is a huge part of the design. The firm also defines itself by the use of simplicity. The firm utilizes the simple element of color selection to create the feel of each video project. For example, the Pop Tart commercial features bold but bright colors. The colors give the commercial a "fun" and "playful" feel. Another project that exemplifies this technique is the commercial for "Pretty Dangerous." The entire project is shot with dark shadows and dark reds. The colors itself provides the show that it is advertising with a dark and mysterious feel.

Client Needs

This design firm creates projects that advertise everything from products (Pop Tarts) to television shows. The client's are seeking this firm to place their products in the spotlight and give them an entertaining twist. My favorite project from 3AM is the Pop Tart commercial. By themselves, Pop Tarts are pretty boring. The commercial turns them into a fun breakfast food. A client would bring their product to this company because they get the job done without any frills. The end result is an advertisement that is modern and appealing to consumers because it appeals to the consumers imagination.

Product

3AM offers a variety of different products that they have created for different clients. The dominant product that is featured on the site is television shows. Each product, no matter what type, is delivered in a unique but simple manner. The commercials don't exactly focus on the product itself, which perhaps makes the product more appealing. An example would be the commercial for "Pretty Dangerous." The focus of the work is the emotions inspired by a sexy character and visions of blood. It does not give much specific reference to characters or events in the show. Thus, an audience would be intrigued by the mystery the show appears to offer.

2. NoWhere Lab http://www.nowhere-lab.net/index.html

Process

NoWhere Lab features projects that are quite different in comparison to the previous design firm (3AM). Their design processes feature bold designs with a lot motion. Fun and energy are also concepts that this design firm aims for. This is once again apparent from their busy and bold designs.

Artistic Needs

The artistic goal of this firm is to immerse the audience in the product. The designs capture attention through the utilization of motion with a distinct "retro feel." Each commercial features so much movement, that the viewer's eye is moving over the entire production space. The firm also uses simple shapes with bright colors and places them together to form complete designs with a retro feel. The reality of the product is completely exaggerated through extreme color, shape and motion. Every production exudes an extreme sense of fiction.

Client Needs

The three projects portrayed on NoWhere Lab's website feature the clients of MTV, Legos, and what I believe to be a cartoon television show. These clients chose this firm because they want their products to stand out from the rest. Instead of trying to be modern and edgy, this design firm designs commercials that make the product feel retro. An audience will be attracted to the bright colors and the busy motion of the commercials.

Products

The products advertised by NoWhere Lab are all television oriented. These products are best presented in a form that depicts their motion and actions. NoWhere Lab specializes in enhancing the motion of the products.

3. http://www.stardust.tv/

Process

Stardust creates a unique environment that is a combination of reality and cartoon worlds for the projects that they are representing. Stardust utilizes a design process that takes a product and exaggerates its qualities and/or features through the use of animation. The projects produced by Stardust embody the idea that the imagination is truly endless. Although the designs that combine the reality of the product with the fantasy of design are complex with color and movement, the elements are brought together in such a fashion that a simple idea such as "fun" is easily presented through the work.

Artistic Needs

The combination of illustration and real products creates a very artistic reality. Stardust uses animation to highlight the ideas surrounding the product. Most of the projects presented in the site use bright colors and "happy" animations. The animation also aim to illustrate what might be going on inside the head of the character if there is one. This brings the audience in touch with the product being described. The audience can better relate to the character and/or the product.

Client Needs

The clients of Stardust include Scion, Microsoft, Nissan, BMW and many others. Judging by their impressive list of clients, it can be assumed that many companies like the artistic style of Stardust. No matter what the company or product, the same style of reality and animation is used in all the commercials. Clients that come to Stardust need an innovative way to reach out to the intended audience and allow them to relate to the product at hand.

Product

Stardust creates projects for a variety of products that range from automobiles to computers. A common trend shared by all these products is that they are modern creations. The cars are of the latest designs and the computers boast the latest technologies. The artistic style used by Stardust brings such products close to the audience. The commercials present the idea that these technologies can be used and loved by everyone.


-Laura Hemler

All around design

PSYOP:

Process

PSYOP takes its name from the Government’s Psych Operations Div. and furthered their inspiration by also adopting the (in this case artistic) statement of “Persuade, Change, and Influence.” The company seeks to engender a positive feeling from the media they present to consumers, hoping that they will seek out the work that PSYOP presents and promotes of their own accord.

Artistic Need

The company seeks to have fun with their work, and they have a “painterly” style which is loose and dynamic. They want their market audience to enjoy the product that they have presented them with, instead of feeling bombarded by the constant onslaught of “sellsellsell” that they are used to.

Client Need

Clients of the design firm are generally seeking a creative and pleasurable solution to their marketing requirements. Clients of PSYOP should favour a forward thinking and optimistic approach to advertising, and if they are using the firm to the best of their abilities will have a variety of print, digital, and web media.

Product

The final solution to the issues that the designers face tends towards both being casual and professional, balancing on a fine line between the two. The “Lugz” commercial is a great example of this, keeping a creative idea flowing throughout while still presenting a sharp and memorable experience.

 

Xylem:

Process

The artistic statement of the company is “We make smart brands smarter.”  They work with big brand names such as Jimmy Johns and Einstein’s Bagels in order to create a sharp, popular design.  Primarily it appears that their work is on the digital field, specifically site design.

Artistic Need

Xylem seeks to be on the cutting edge of style, focusing on clean cut and “high fashion” styles of art that follow the current trends in western society.

Client Need

Clients, as mentioned previously, tend to be corporations instead of small businesses. They generally require a style overhaul in order to bring them into the current generation of design.

Product

Xylem delivers a trendy, flashy and clean cut product for their consumers. They press the envelope but don’t try to stand outside of it, and this is what their clients are looking for.

 

Trollbäck + Company:

Process

“Trollbäck + Company is a visual and conceptual creative studio producing expressive and purposeful graphics, design and live action for advertising, broadcast, and entertainment.” The company dabbles in a myriad of types of design as well as styles.

Artistic Need

The design firm focuses mostly on rebranding and brand creation for companies. They want to create a “compelling and focused message” as well as combining high profile work with up and coming companies in order to keep their incoming work as diverse as possible.

Client Need

Both large and small companies who require either branding or re-branding will seek out this company in order to create a refined image to present to the public.

Product

The outcome of each project depends upon the needs and the desires of the company who is seeking them out. The style of the company incorporates versatility with refinement.

Design Houses Entry #1

::BUCK::

Process

Buck has offices in both Los Angeles and New York, creating a broad range of clients. They collaborate with there clients from concept to delivery. Specializing mainly in motion design, Buck utilizes animation, visual effects, and live action to produce they most pleasing results. 

http://buck.tv/about-us

Artistic Needs

It seems that Buck tends to throw their own flare of humor in each piece. They even do their own shorts just to show their viewers that they are fun people. This also comes out in their about us section where they show a bunch of silly pictures of themselves.

Client Needs

A lot of hip-happenin' clients seem to be attracted to Buck. They are young and energetic and now how to make sexy designs. Their aesthetic definitely appeals to the younger generations. That is the type of client that looks for a design house like Buck.

http://www.buck.tv/work/damn-gravity

Product

Buck's products are clean and modern. They have smooth transitions and appealing aspects that makes a viewer interested in the company. 

::PSYOP::

Process

Psyop creates beautiful projects that can appeal to all audiences. They mostly have huge corporate clients that need extremely high quality final products.

Artistic Needs

Psyop has personal work on there page. This work is mostly political. It comments on the economy among other thing is an extrememly appealing fashion.

http://psyop.tv/psyopanthem

Client Needs

Contrary to there political comments, Psyop has very big clients. 

Post 1

Eye ball NYC

http://www.eyeballnyc.com/

 

Process

They believe is creating powerful and innovative work. They create their work through the use smaller groups of designer. The believe this approach will give them more ‘powerful and unexpected’ results. http://www.eyeballnyc.com/ (under company)

 

 

Artistic Need:

Eyeball uses creative and elegant ways to create they’re work. They use create imagery through their work that in turn makes the product more believable. They do primarily live action and motion design, which makes the create artist need more demanding. The CG selection has a movie that is played when it is open that encompasses their point.

 

Clients Needs

Under design the target reel- The function of the client needs is to invoke responsibilities Sin the designer. The designs are clean, to the point, and beautiful. The client wants that from any firm it work with.

 

Product

Under design the target reel- The product is target the store. It’s like the Volvo commercial we saw in class. It was ideas create a profile for what Target is, without says what it is. All of their products are clean and nice to watch.

 

Trollback + Company

http://www.trollback.com/#/work/

 

Process

They believe that they are a ‘visual and conceptual studio.’ They want to create meaningful works. The designs team creates with the design and live design. Trollback + Company create for clients as well as themselves as artist. http://www.trollback.com/#/about-us/

 

Artistic Needs

The Trollback + Company use their works to express their art. The Trollback design is creative and innovative. In come across as simple solution to a harder problem. The art is created through their own elegant and creative styles. They did motive piece called no words. It’s a looping piece that changes change time it goes to. The beauty of the piece in its simplistic nature and changes in the way the piece is perceived. http://www.trollback.com/#/work/NoWords/

 

Clients Needs

In all they’re endeavors they create a sense innovation as well a sleek look. The clients needs are met though simple solution and creative design. The product is never unclear. In the Volvo-Safety pin commercial, the design draws the view for the simple reason that it is not part of a car. It is a risky commercial but the client in this instance wanted a clean cut design and that’s want they got. http://www.trollback.com/#/work/Volvo-SafetyPin/

 

Product

All of their design have an avant-garde quality to them, be it small or lager. The commercial, for TED 2005, cerates an interesting view of the product. It very abstract, but in this case works. It’s clean and has very distinct theme.

 

3AM design and film

http://www.3am-design.com/

 

Process

The 3AM design and film create mostly motion design work. They want to create visual narratives throughout all their pieces. Their goal is the effectively communicating the clients ideas through their work.

 

Artistic Needs

They’re artistic needs are reflected in their videos. They have a non-traditional style that interplays with the clients needs. The videos have a sort of old feel them. They’re needs are to create a narrative representation of the concept for the work. First video under works (combination of all videos)

 

Clients Needs

 3AM design and film creates a specific type of clients. The firm a type of artistic style that, I think, limits their client types. The work that they have for clients are unique. It in turn makes them unique as a firm

 

Product

The 3AM design and film create a product that makes them distinctive. The video for the VH1 rock marathon work well with what they want to show. The video is balance of live action and graphics interlaced in them. Then tie a smaller narrative into the bigger picture of what they are sell, VH1.

Design Houses

Tronic Studio

 

Process

            Tronic studios believe that the process is the key element in creating an amazing final product. Their mission statement says, “By actively shaping all projects through a rigorous conceptual process, we transcend preconceived notions of how to arrive at a particular creative solution within any of the media that we work. Ultimately, by privileging our ideas and promoting ourselves as thought leads”. I really think that following our train of thought can lead to some amazing things and Tronic really follows that to a tee.

            http://www.tronicstudio.com/media/shell/shell_big.html

Artistic Need

            Tronic’s artistic needs are to “explore the overlapping condition of these fields (media and the environment) through creativity and technology.” Overall this group wants to bring in what influences them in their world and use technology to communicate that in an artistic way.

            http://www.tronicstudio.com/media/shell/shell_big.html

Clients Needs

            The clients needs will be met at Tronic studios because they have an immense background of knowledge. They have the “ability to leverage various backgrounds as architects, designers, art directors and directors” to meet the challenge head on and excel at the task they were given.

               http://www.tronicstudio.com/media/shell/shell_big.html

Product

            The product that Tronic will deliver is a “collective fusing of ideas, images, movement and experience” should be face melting. Tronic takes all types of different media’s and molds in into one experience.

            http://www.tronicstudio.com/media/shell/shell_big.html

 

Imaginary Forces

 

Process

            The process of Imaginary Forces is all about their approach. They come at it as an “opportunity to be innovative and always strive to create something that's never been done before”. Overall their process is a new adventure every time. They ask themselves what is fresh and new? How can we come at this problem with a different angle and still get the message across?

            http://www.imaginaryforces.com/company

  

Artistic Need

            Imaginary Forces main artistic need is to tell a story. Their desire to get out a “compelling and relevant” story is what makes them do what they do. I think that is awesome because a story allows people to relate and connect to the piece no matter if the story is about a soda or the newest technology.

            http://www.imaginaryforces.com/company

 

Clients Needs

            The clients needs seem to be very well met at Imaginary Forces. They have a wide variety of skill sets, “whether it be a main title or a journey through an immersive architectural environment, complete with audio, video, giant puppets and acrobats” they can get the job done. No matter what the client needs from this company they will come at it with the skill set to get it done.

            http://www.imaginaryforces.com/company

 

Product

            I like to look at the product of Imaginary Forces is exactly what’s in their name, imagination. “We research, we write, we draw, we design, we paint, we photograph, we sculpt, we program, we talk, we argue, we collaborate, we pitch, we imagine.” The last suggestion is the one that pops out to me the most, imagination. Like Einstein said “imagination is more important than knowledge”, so if you know every tool in Photoshop but can come up with some creative ideas, then your knowledge is useless.

             http://www.imaginaryforces.com/company

 

3AM Design and Film

 

Process

            3AM “strives to develop compelling visual narratives by communicating mood, thought and message”. Through the process of combining a mood that can relate to a thought and a message 3AM comes through with a piece that can cause you to feel a certain way about the product, if successful it is a positive feeling that makes you want to use the said product.

            http://www.3am-design.com/ (about section)

 

Artistic Need

            3AM’s “thinking thrives with new technology, creativity, innovation and usability”. The desire for 3Am to create art through new technology and forward thinking allows them to create successful pieces and push their artistic limits with each final project.

            http://www.3am-design.com/ (about section)

 

Clients Needs

            3AM Design and Film, work with their clients to provide a unique product to get their product above and beyond the competitors. 3AM and their clients do this through “communicating their ideas efficiently and effectively, evaluation long and short term goals”, and creating powerful solutions.” From working professionally once, I learned that the most important thing to keep a relationship with you and the client a happy one is communication. It seems that 3AM gets that, and that is probably why there are some of the leaders in today’s design and film.

            http://www.3am-design.com/ (about section)

 

Product

            Simple and plain 3AM “generally produces cool shit”. Though this is broad I just choose this quote because it is blunt and to the point. You can look at their product and realize that their statement is not a lie. Their product is very attune to pop culture and cutting edge. They are not afraid to push the boundaries to produce their “cool shit”.

            http://www.3am-design.com/ (about section)

 

 

Blog#1 Tyler Kellogg

Imaginary Forces

http://www.imaginaryforces.com

Process:  At Imaginary Forces process is a key element in creating new and innovative projects that have not been done before. Whether it is a new film title, commercial, or live action process is the key in creating a new piece. Collaboration is also a large piece to the puzzle when working on a new project with a client.

(http://www.imaginaryforces.com/company)

Artistic Need: In order to create innovative designs Imaginary forces uses a wide range of mediums in order to create a finished product. Mediums include Paint, Photography, Sculpture, programming and many more.

Client Needs:  When Imaginary Forces is working on a new project they try to create new ideas that have not been done before. When working on a project no matter what it is they are always trying to tell a story that is compelling to the audience.

Product: The product that Imaginary Forces creates is mainly commercials, film titles, and live action that tell a compelling story in order to present their message.

(http://www.imaginaryforces.com/featured/7/493)

LOBO

http://www.lobo.cx/

Overall I would have to say that LOBO’s site aesthetic was one of my favorites that I came across while looking through these sites.

Process:  LOBO’s overall process is stated on the overall idea of “fun, and to get some work done along the way”. When creating this work the goal is to create a piece that is unique each time around on a broad range of products.

Artistic Needs: LOBO has teamed up with a unique group of artists in order to cover a broad range of productions for anything from print to 3D Work. This requires that the people involved with the project must have a large skill set in order to complete the piece.

Client Needs: When LOBO produces a project for a client they are sure to receive a high-end design that is sure to please their audience whether it is a broadcast piece or an interactive site. LOBO has won many awards for both their broadcast and interactive work.

Product: LOBO’s portfolio of work mainly consists of TV commercials for clients such as Panasonic, Sony, Toyota, Disney and many more. LOBO’s portfolio of work provides a broad range of artistic ability and quality design.

(http://www.lobo.cx/)

Expolis

http://www.exopolis.com/home/about.php

Process: Exopolis concepts, develops and executes many different kinds of projects, with different types of clients, industries, platforms, and technologies. Expolis believes that its production is all about agility and flexibility in a changing environment.

Artistic Need: Expolis combines broadcast, Interactive and print design in order to create new and innovative designs for clients. Expolis believes that creative vision executed across both broadcast and interactive pieces means stronger work, consistent messaging, which results in a more effective response.

Client Needs: Original concepts combined with innovative designs to create an interesting finished product.

Product: Expolis creates award winning broadcast and Interactive work that is intended to serve a diverse audience.

Sam Wilson Blog#1

The Embassy http://www.theembassyvfx.com/

 

The Embassy does amazing work with 3D. It is hard to imagine with some of their commercials, that the 3D models ARE 3D models.

 

•  Process

The Embassy spent a year making the Iron Man suit used in the escape scene in the Iron Man movie. “Shot by shot, rivet by rivet” they created the suit. http://www.theembassyvfx.com/

 

•  Artistic Need

The Embassy creates high quality animations for commercials, television, and movies. They use 3D CG models and edit them so perfectly into their videos that the 3D and video look seemless together.

 

•  Clients Needs

From looking through the videos they have created for clients, The Embassy’s clients require a high quality of production combined with innovative and original ideas to sell their products.

 

•  Product

The Embassy’s works are astounding visually and creatively.  Their eye for detail is amazing and the quality of their works and ideas make their commercials interesting for the viewer. Viewers would actually watch the commercials instead of flipping to the next channel.

 

 

 

Imaginary Forces            http://www.imaginaryforces.com

 

This is a high profile company that has worked on film to commercials to the Victoria Secret Fashion Show. The quality of their products is precise, new, and fun.

 

•  Process

Imaginary Forces describes their process as:

 

“We research, we write, we draw, we design, we paint, we photograph, we sculpt, we program, we talk, we argue, we collaborate, we pitch, we imagine.”

 

•  Artistic Need

Imaginary Forces need to tell a story in all of their projects. They also feel the drive for innovation in their work. Through their videos, I feel like they accomplish these needs of theirs.

 

•  Clients Needs

Imaginary Forces clients need original ideas for their marketing campaigns.  A way to make people think about their products without blatantly realizing “they are trying to sell me something”

 

•  Product

Their products consist of high quality commercials that are interest compared to most commercials; also they produce film title sequences and movie production companies’ logo sequences.

 

 

 

 

Curious Pictures            http://www.curiouspictures.com

 

Curious Pictures has a long client list that includes a plethora of huge companies like IBM, Nike, Sony, Toyota and much more. They produce commercials, toys, and television shows.

 

•  Process

Curious Pictures uses main different combinations of art and digital art to make their commercials and videos.

 

•  Artistic Need

Curious Pictures need fun and creative expression within their artwork.

 

•  Clients Needs

Curious Pictures clients go to them for Curious Pictures’ fun take on everything they touch.

 

•  Product

Recent television shows that Curious Pictures have created are Sheep in the Big City, Codename: Kids Next Door, Little Einsteins and Hey Joel. They use Cel Animation, CG Animation, Character Animation and many other forms of art.

Design Studio Blog!

-Nexus Productions

1. Process

Nexus Productions is a very interesting production company that creates its work by collaborating with many different teams of designers. They use any and all different mediums and often combine them together until they get a finished piece that they and their client are satisfied with. 

"We work in a wide range of techniques including 2D, 3D, Flash, live-action, and even puppets. These vary from project to project, but the constant belief is that good design and strong storytelling are the important virtues."

They produce animated work for commercials, music videos, television, and film, and work with teams around the world. 

2. Artistic Need.

The Importance of a strong story line is the most important thing for the Nexus production team. Their work undergoes an elaborate preproduction process and a project is not begun without a storyboard being created first. This as well as being able to work with many different designers is what makes a successful finished product.

3. Client Need

When a client comes to Nexus with an animation project they are generally looking for something spectacular and over the top. Their first commissioned project was for the U2 "Pop Mart" tour where they created an animation that was projected on the (at the time) worlds largest television screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMR9N3wxs6Y (clip from the concert with projection in background.)

4.Product

The product that Nexus produces are typically commercials that have elaborate storylines http://www.nexusproductions.com/main_latest.html Watch the video for the Department of Transportation.

-Transistor Studios

1.Process

Transistor studios creates motion graphics for commercials, broadcasts, entertainment, as well as print media. They are known for their unique sharp style and designers flock to their studio just to be a part of the creative team.

2.Artistic Need

The designers at transistor studios require a talented group of people that are willing to think outside of the box.

3.Client Need 

Transistor attracts many big name clients, and they require the designers to create an entirely different and very individual project just for them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_MWQ6V_RWU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgBmcId1Myc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT2q0zduu70

4. Product

I love the ads that are produced by transistor studios, they use wonderful colors that are contrasted so much by black harsh lines. This produces an effect that is so much fun and really striking. When you see their commercial for Coke, it makes you want to go out and purchase one. 

Shilo

1. Process

Wow! Shilo draws from so many different sources and inspirations to create their work, its incredible! They describe their work best by calling it "Design Infused Storytelling." They are a film based design firm that consists of designers from all different backgrounds and say that the key to their success is that they dont stick to one key style or trick, that they approach each project as a new challenge and opportunity to create something brilliant. 

http://www.shilo.tv/#/about/

2. Artistic Needs

The fillmakers at Shilo rely on the world around them, their friends, family, hobbies, pretty much whatever they see to create their pieces. They need the collaboration between themselves as well as that with other directors and designers to produce their work. They focus on touching peoples lives to sell a product by using events that effect them. They need to tug at peoples hart strings in-order to be successful.

3.Client Needs

At shilo they really really take the time to consider what the client is asking them to produce. They bounce ideas off of one another, and figure out what is the best way to sell the clients product.  For this section i highly recommend going to the site and reading about each one of their pieces.

Their commercial for cartoon network is a wonderful example of how they really take into consideration what the client wants as well as how its going to be recieved by the audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G5XOdQ6y-s"Elijah Rap

Stemming out of our first collaboration with Cartoon Network, we directed this spot featuring the young and talented Elijah performing his original rap. Really, Elijah made this super easy - once everybody saw him at auditions, we knew we had our star. Directing isn’t just about giving people orders; it’s as much about finding the right people and letting them do their thing.

Even though we were making this piece for a primarily younger audience, we shot, directed, and produced this spot with a sophisticated tone. Kids are smart. They know what’s hip. We worked closely with Cartoon Network to animate some of their characters (like Scooby-Doo and Shaggy) in our own original way. By bringing them to life within Elijah’s world, they served as an extension of his imagination and a device to interact with. We also paid special attention to the typography and animation to bring a fresh new level of style into the piece. 

Elijah’s rap was accompanied by original beats from our partner-in-crime, Darrin Weiner."

4. Products

Aside from fillmaking Shilo has a side project if you will called We Make It Good, here they take normal everyday objects or something that could be considered ordinary and flip it completely. This work ranges from sculptures made from records to coin purses made from cassette tapes; and all of it is extraordinary.

http://www.wemakeitgood.com/

Blog 1

1. 3AM Design http://www.3am-design.com/

Process

It is evident through the projects that 3AM Design displays on their website that freedom is an important element in their design process. 3AM looks at a product and transforms it so that it inspires imagination. The site also advertising a "ready-edit" suite with HD. 3AM features a simple site and simple examples of work. Thus, this hints towards the idea that simplicity is a huge influence on their design process. However, 3AM's projects are far from boring. The design process includes different ways of twisting products and concepts so that they catch the viewer's attention.

Artistic Needs

3AM has a distinctive style that yields a combination of reality and imagination. Once again, it is evident that freedom is a huge part of the design. The firm also defines itself by the use of simplicity. The firm utilizes the simple element of color selection to create the feel of each video project. For example, the Pop Tart commercial features bold but bright colors. The colors give the commercial a "fun" and "playful" feel. Another project that exemplifies this technique is the commercial for "Pretty Dangerous." The entire project is shot with dark shadows and dark reds. The colors itself provides the show that it is advertising with a dark and mysterious feel.

Client Needs

This design firm creates projects that advertise everything from products (Pop Tarts) to television shows. The client's are seeking this firm to place their products in the spotlight and give them an entertaining twist. My favorite project from 3AM is the Pop Tart commercial. By themselves, Pop Tarts are pretty boring. The commercial turns them into a fun breakfast food. A client would bring their product to this company because they get the job done without any frills. The end result is an advertisement that is modern and appealing to consumers because it appeals to the consumers imagination.

Product

3AM offers a variety of different products that they have created for different clients. The dominant product that is featured on the site is television shows. Each product, no matter what type, is delivered in a unique but simple manner. The commercials don't exactly focus on the product itself, which perhaps makes the product more appealing. An example would be the commercial for "Pretty Dangerous." The focus of the work is the emotions inspired by a sexy character and visions of blood. It does not give much specific reference to characters or events in the show. Thus, an audience would be intrigued by the mystery the show appears to offer.

2. NoWhere Lab http://www.nowhere-lab.net/index.html

Process

NoWhere Lab features projects that are quite different in comparison to the previous design firm (3AM). Their design processes feature bold designs with a lot motion. Fun and energy are also concepts that this design firm aims for. This is once again apparent from their busy and bold designs.

Artistic Needs

The artistic goal of this firm is to immerse the audience in the product. The designs capture attention through the utilization of motion with a distinct "retro feel." Each commercial features so much movement, that the viewer's eye is moving over the entire production space. The firm also uses simple shapes with bright colors and places them together to form complete designs with a retro feel. The reality of the product is completely exaggerated through extreme color, shape and motion. Every production exudes an extreme sense of fiction.

Client Needs

The three projects portrayed on NoWhere Lab's website feature the clients of MTV, Legos, and what I believe to be a cartoon television show. These clients chose this firm because they want their products to stand out from the rest. Instead of trying to be modern and edgy, this design firm designs commercials that make the product feel retro. An audience will be attracted to the bright colors and the busy motion of the commercials.

Products

The products advertised by NoWhere Lab are all television oriented. These products are best presented in a form that depicts their motion and actions. NoWhere Lab specializes in enhancing the motion of the products.

3. http://www.stardust.tv/

Process

Stardust creates a unique environment that is a combination of reality and cartoon worlds for the projects that they are representing. Stardust utilizes a design process that takes a product and exaggerates its qualities and/or features through the use of animation. The projects produced by Stardust embody the idea that the imagination is truly endless. Although the designs that combine the reality of the product with the fantasy of design are complex with color and movement, the elements are brought together in such a fashion that a simple idea such as "fun" is easily presented through the work.

Artistic Needs

The combination of illustration and real products creates a very artistic reality. Stardust uses animation to highlight the ideas surrounding the product. Most of the projects presented in the site use bright colors and "happy" animations. The animation also aim to illustrate what might be going on inside the head of the character if there is one. This brings the audience in touch with the product being described. The audience can better relate to the character and/or the product.

Client Needs

The clients of Stardust include Scion, Microsoft, Nissan, BMW and many others. Judging by their impressive list of clients, it can be assumed that many companies like the artistic style of Stardust. No matter what the company or product, the same style of reality and animation is used in all the commercials. Clients that come to Stardust need an innovative way to reach out to the intended audience and allow them to relate to the product at hand.

Product

Stardust creates projects for a variety of products that range from automobiles to computers. A common trend shared by all these products is that they are modern creations. The cars are of the latest designs and the computers boast the latest technologies. The artistic style used by Stardust brings such products close to the audience. The commercials present the idea that these technologies can be used and loved by everyone.

Blog entry #1-wendy meyer--continued

Eyeball NYC:
Product & Clients Needs: They offer "compelling visual experiences" to clients in corporations, advertising agencies, and broadcast networks. They take a basic idea, and create a visually stimulating advertisement for it. One of the examples was advertising a basketball event.

Artistic Need: By reading about the people who work at Eyeball, they are very educated in visual effects, motion design, and still imagery. It takes an artistic eye to create those types of projects.

The VFX company:
Artistic Need & Process: I feel that their artistic need and process are one in the same, meaning that they are about visual effects, and the way they create this is by using computer technology. Their "creative input from simple 'pack-shot' set-up's to complex multi-level live action scenes" is not only the way they work, which to me is their process, but the diversity of their work is their artistic expression.

3am design and film:
Process: Their process is combined with "technology, creativity, and innovation". They create to satify their clients.
Product: The type of work they do are ad campaigns, showreels, music videos, promos, award shows, and show packages.
Clients Needs: 3am provides their clients with animation, design, and direction, and they use these skills to create their product.

Design N' Snuts

http://www.attik.com/#/menu-overview/?expanded=true

With our team of some of the brightest, most passionate and most tenacious creative problem solvers out there, we collaborate to express the values and personality of a brand through every channel that makes sense, and a few that don’t. In an ideal world, we like to partner with clients at the earliest stage possible.

The process of Attik, focusing on collaboration and based upon the insight of a panel of creative designers, allows many possibilities and ideas to flourish and shape the outcome of the design. I appreciate this approach because it relies on teamwork to utilize some of the best ideas from each designer to create something magnificent.

The Artistic need that Attik provides is visual conceptualization and brand understanding. Their Scion project (http://www.attik.com/#/menu-advertising/scionunited) puts actual owner cars on display for the “United by Individuality” campaign. This fulfils a client’s needs by allowing a personal connection to the ad, and tapping at two of the most crucial things essential to happiness, community and individuality. The product rendered is a very artistic and stylish concept that is easily accessible to the public viewership.

http://www.shilo.tv/#/about/

Internationally known for creating original and commissioned work that is powerful, provocative and visually extraordinary, Shilo's deeply held passions for design-infused storytelling and innovative application of live-action, design, and animation techniques deliver breakthrough experiences for screens large and small.

Live-action narrative allows viewers to be a part of the action and story. This ability to draw people in allows a company using Shilo’s talents to infuse a product with a person’s daily affairs seamlessly. Shilo’s process is deeply rooted in film, and the narrative derived from this method allows an immersion-effect to wash over the viewer.  The nature of their filming gives the viewer an intimate point of view, which can help the client deliver their point very close to home.  It doesn’t appear as though Shilo is concerned about taking full artistic responsibility with a client’s idea, and more often than not, the outcome is completely unlike any presumptions that the client may have had. In turn, a detail-rich aesthetic is created, rendering an intense and sometimes ominous product.

 

http://www.tronicstudio.com/  

The strength of Tronic lies in our ability to leverage our various backgrounds as architects, designers, art directors, and directors to establish a collective fusing of ideas, images, movement and experience.

The process of TronicStudio appears to involve a good amount of pre-visualization and a fair amount of precise planning. Based upon the work presented, it is clear that the 2 designers of Tronic pay close attention to any previous marketing established from previous firms, and seamlessly intertwine overall themes. A client could rest assured that the message of a company would not be muddled in artistic fluff. It is helpful for a client to utilize a design firm that has a foundation in traditional art forms, which is infused with newer technology.  A client would be able to take advantage of a variety of services listed on the website, such as broadcast, film, print, internet and the environment. According to their site, “Our goal is to explore the overlapping condition of these fields through creativity and technology.” The product is a creative metaphor in visual form.

 

http://www.dixonbaxi.com/tv_panel_a.html            

As a directing team we write, art direct and direct for commercials, channel packages, promos, and screen graphic systems. As comfortable with live action direction as we are with motion graphics, we split our time between the disciplines using the experience from both to enhance the work we produce.

The process is difficult to identify based upon the minimalistic nature of the website. I would assume that DixonBaxi is able to take on the style of the product that they are presenting rather than have a cohesive style that weaves through each and every design they take on. There are just as many pros as cons to this approach. It is good for the client’s, who wish to remain solely independent to their ideas and vision of the company, but this technique is also an inhibition to creative growth. This link is an example to something that looks like a typical Sci Fi ad: http://www.dixonbaxi.com/tv_panel_a.html  The reel that DixonBaxi provides is comprised predominantly of commercials for some major television stations, including SciFi, MTV UK, and TMF.

Process

The first firm I looked at was the Attik in San Francisco. They pretty much focus on branding for large clients like Nike, Sony, and Lexus to name a few. 

"When It comes to building brands, we don't have rules, but we do have beliefs". 

A few of their beliefs

• Print is not flat. It can be dimensional and in your face. It should reward the audience for taking the time to look at it.
• Broadcast doesn't have to be broad. Everyone doesn't have to get it.
• Alternative media is not an alternative to an idea.
• Design goes beyond look and feel. It transforms an idea, product or service, into a living breathing brand.
• It's not about creating a style its about creating a solution.

Artistic Needs

Creative problem solvers! They focus most on brand recognition through advertising, design, and interactive experiences. They like to take an unorthodox and often provocative outlook towards design while keeping it new and FRESH!

Clients needs

Well, like I said earlier this is a pretty big Design Firm with even bigger clients. To add to the above list they also work for clients such as Adobe, Scion, The NFL, and EA sports. These are some big dogs so you can only imagine what their expectations could be. Their clients expect branding, advertising and interactive solutions geared towards specific demographics. Scion for instance, looks to focus on individuality with their new campaign for the personal customization of their new cars.

Product

The products they focus most on generate results that engage consumers and drive sales. They approach creative problem solving with both sides of the brain. They succeed at delivering work that makes consumers think, and feel.  
Check out the slides from that new Scion commercial! http://www.attik.com/#/menu-advertising/?expanded=true

Process

"The Hillman Curtis, inc. team is known for bringing simplicity, design elegance, and no-nonsense functionality into everything they touch."

Kim Isola, Creative Director, Adobe systems.

Artistic Needs

 "Their emphasis with combining simplicity with elegance to create sophisticated and intuitive designs has earned their shop some of the industry's highest awards and distinctions." This is another BID DADDY with clients like MTV, Apple, Microsoft and Sprint. 

 They work with some of the world's top brands. They approach each project with a fresh, collaborative spirit to ensure the best, most compelling work possible.

Clients Needs

"Hillman takes our concepts and adds the perfect touch...making them better than we hoped for." Kim Carter, Creative director, EURO RSCG DSW

Product

Hillman Curtis is a film and web design firm from NY City. Focusing most on television commercials and short film as well as interactive media. They recently produced a short film With David Byrne and Brian Eno about their latest record.

Check it out! http://www.hillmancurtis.com/index.php?/film/watch/byrne_eno

Check out all their awards! http://www.hillmancurtis.com/index.php?/about/honors/

Process

"From its studios in New York and La Jolla, California, where recent projects have spanned short films, commercials and music videos, Shilo has the capacity and experience to originate ideas and handle all aspects of production."

Artistic Needs

Shilo caters to a wide range of clients stemming from The cartoon network to HBO's Def Poetry. Clearly some amazing animation on this site. They definitely push it to create something thats never been done before.

Check this spot for scion out! http://www.shilo.tv/#/work/scion+fable/

Product

Shilo was my favorite site. They are a creative production company led by filmmakers. They focus on creating products with design-infused storytelling and innovative application of live action, design, and animated techniques delivering breakthrough experiences for screens large and small.

Check out their ad for Guinness. Cool Effects! http://www.shilo.tv/#/work/guinness/

Desing Houses

Process
Tronic studios believe that the process is the key element in creating an amazing final product. Their mission statement says, “By actively shaping all projects through a rigorous conceptual process, we transcend preconceived notions of how to arrive at a particular creative solution within any of the media that we work. Ultimately, by privileging our ideas and promoting ourselves as thought leads”. I really think that following our train of thought can lead to some amazing things and Tronic really follows that to a tee.
http://www.tronicstudio.com/media/shell/shell_big.html

Artistic Need
Imaginary Forces main artistic need is to tell a story. Their desire to get out a “compelling and relevant” story is what makes them do what they do. I think that is awesome because a story allows people to relate and connect to the piece no matter if it is an important story or not.
http://www.imaginaryforces.com/company

Clients Needs
3AM Design and Film, work with their clients to provide a unique product to get their product above and beyond the competitors. 3AM and their clients do this through “communicating their ideas efficiently and effectively, evaluation long and short term goals”, and creating powerful solutions.” From working professionally once, I learned that the most important thing to keep a relationship with you and the client a happy one is communication. It seems that 3AM gets that, and that is probably why there are some of the leaders in today’s design and film.
http://www.3am-design.com/ (about section)

Product
Blind’s product is forward thinking and very encouraging. They are “constantly challenging ourselves to develop great images and unforgettable visuals for our clients”. The idea of self motivation to create what you think is the best that can be produced is awesome. It is very hard to push yourself past the point of acceptable if you are busy, but if you can then you are on the verge of greatness.
http://www.blind.com/about

dixonbaxi
To me, dixonbaxi seems to really focus their process on pegging the clients needs and image. They create a type of branding that is easily integrated from broadcast to web. They centralize their themes on a common idea/color/motif and use that to creatively explore the brands. The Product is a collective set of pieces that flow well together in order to represent the company as a whole. Their work incorporates a variety of styles, most of which are very kinetic and translate well into motion. Their 'about us' states it very well that they are, "Well-versed in all forms of creative execution we're as happy to direct a TV campaign as we are to design the logo".