EXP

The New York Times: All The News That's Fit to Post by Gestalten TV

2010-07-20T21:44:08Z

Watch this great video by German gestalten.tv that gives an inside look at the NY Times Graphics team, makers of some of the most inspiring interactive graphics on the web.

Die Gestalten: "The New York Times: All The News That's Fit to Post"

Gnarcade: Analog + Digital Video Genius

2010-07-14T02:26:38Z

Did I also mention skateboards?

Outstanding:

Old Spice in Real Time

2010-07-14T01:49:19Z

Isaiah Mustafa, the star of the Old Spice "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" is now the star of dozens of personalized videos on YouTube responding to bloggers, celebrities and others who have complimented his videos online.

The writers are responding to consumer generated content and inspiration as close to real-time of anything with this high production value. The writing is as great as the acting. I think they are posting something like a new video every hour. In any case, it feels real-time and is very enjoyable.

I Agree With Cannes

2010-06-25T15:31:03Z

Yesterday, at the annual ad agency confab, Cannes Lions, two of my favorite campaigns of the year won Cyber Grand Prix awards. Wieden & Kennedy's "Chalkbot" for Nike and DDB Stockholm's "Fun Theory" for VW took the top honors. Both of these campaigns are brilliant executions of strong ideas. Chalkbot continues to be a totally unique concept and one of the best uses of social media and real-time marketing that I can think of. Fun Theory is just that -- fun. Both were given awards because of their use of invisible technology and interactivity. One of the jury members was quoted saying "The stuff that was so innovative was the stuff that seemed magical. It had technology, but that's not what was showing." Most importantly, I think, is that these campaigns were clearly designed with the technology considered at the very beginning. This rarely works in traditional agencies and I think that's another reason for the high honors.

Just a few days ago, VW in Germany released three new videos clearly based on The Fun Theory called Fast Lane, produced by DDB Tribal. The ads follow the same motif as the Cannes Winners -- real world interventions that cause people to pay attention, experiment, and smile. The tag line "Driven by Fun" says it all and is garnering a ton of traffic on Facebook and other places. I particularly like the slide in the subway station, but I am sure that my son who is a fan of rocketships and glass elevators would find that one more enjoyable. Which one do you like?

Thanks, Ad Age.

Unilever's Smile-Activated Ice Cream Machine

2010-06-22T16:13:19Z

Unilever and agency SapientNitro demonstrated a new ice cream vending machine yesterday in Cannes that has a built-in camera, monitors people who walk up to it, and if it determines that they are smiling, rewards them with a free ice cream. If the user gives permission, the system posts a photo of the smiler on facebook.

The machine was first demonstrated at Rock in Rio in May and this week was shown to the global advertising community, which I really hope motives people to think this creatively for every marketing project.

Thanks PSFK.

Visualizing the FIFA World Cup in HTML5

2010-06-22T15:59:49Z

Now that FIFA World Cup frenzy is upon us, there are a slew of sites out there trying to visualize various aspects of the tournament. The New York Times does their usual top-notch job of creating useful interactive data visualizations, so be sure to check them out. Another one that I like is this very simple HTML5-based interactive experience called Visualizing the World Cup.

Robert Ivan, a web developer in NJ, took a similar project designed for the NHL and modified it to display the teams that have reached the finals of the World Cup since 1930.

Inamo Restaurant in London

2010-06-18T03:29:36Z

Two of my best friends are traveling in London right now and I wonder if they are going to eat at Inamo Restaurant. Customers at this digital dining extravaganza order from an interactive menu projected onto the table from above. Images of food are projected onto empty plates to give the diner a preview of their meal. That's not all the table does either. It allows diners to pick the decor on the table, place their order, watch a live streaming video from the kitchen or play games.

Eric Archer's NYC Night Drive with "Sound Camera"

2010-06-08T23:31:13Z

This video is so simple, yet so creative, I watched it twice in a row. Eric Archer, a resident of Austin who makes music and electronic devices combined both in a brilliant experiment. He hooked up a photodiode to a video camera, transforming the electrical radiation of light sources into sounds and then went for a nice long drive in New York City, where he discovered a huge variety of different light sources, each generating a unique sound.

Like a virtual synesthesia device, his modified old 8mm film camera seem like a load of fun! Below is the video he made in late May 2010 in NYC. Let me know what you think!

ArchDaily's Coverage of Shanghai 2010

2010-06-08T13:57:02Z

ArchDaily has a ton of amazing photos and videos from the Shanghai 2010 World Expo. There really isn't much more to say except WOW. Which do you like the most? The UK Pavillion? Shenzen? Denmark?

EXP: Upgrading Server

2010-06-07T14:57:34Z

Sorry for the confusion but for the next day or so, I am going to be upgrading my server and constantly breaking this blog! When it is all done, things will work much better. Thanks for your patience,

-- cmk

NYT: An Early Triumph in Information Design

2010-05-28T15:46:13Z

From the "I thought this was a good idea" department, the New York Times today, in writing about a new exhibit in London, recognizes the incredible growth in information design. The exhibit in the new Galleries of Modern London in the Museum of London features the seminal maps of philanthropist and social reformer Charles Booth created from 1886 through 1903. The maps, called The Descriptive Maps of London Poverty, color each street to indicate the income of its residents. If it weren't for pioneers like Booth, information design wouldn't be anywhere near what it is today.

Oli Scarff/Getty Images

EXP: We've moved!

2010-05-27T13:45:27Z

Incase you didn't notice, this blog has moved to this new location, http://www.exptheexp.com

Stay tuned for some more little and big changes over the summer.

-- cmk

The Real "LOST": CNN's Iraq and Afghanistan War Casualties

2010-05-24T13:37:31Z

In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day, CNN has created an emotionally impactful data visualization called Casualties all about the deaths and injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan in the recent wars. This interactive graphic does more than any words-only article could ever do to illustrate just how widespread the damage has been to the participating countries, in particular to our youth.

With stories like this, CNN shows how news stories will be reported in the coming years. Excellent job, CNN.

Project P.I.W.O.

2010-05-20T17:33:34Z

Transforming their dormitory building into a light show extravaganza, the students at Poland's Wroclaw University of Technology demonstrated their tech-savvy skills with this large-scale installation of pixel-like flashes set to an equally animated soundtrack.

Called "Projekt P.I.W.O.," (the acronym means "beer" in Polish), it's simultaneously humorous and beautiful--particularly the Michael Jackson tribute about seven minutes in.

Part of an impressive series that shows off the school's technological virtuosity, this video depicts a spectrum of influences and creates a dynamic landscape within the solid world of dorm buildings. Recently highlighted on Good Magazine, the spectacle brings to mind other light-infused architectural feats such as Aukland's "Night Lights" demonstration.

via Cool Hunting

Choose Change ATM x Charitable Giving

2010-05-11T21:12:47Z

Here's an idea who's time has come: an ATM machine network that donates $1 (from the $2 transaction fee) from every withdrawal to one of eight charities, chosen by the customer. Choose Change. The New York-based organization doesn't have much information on their site. Anybody out there seen any of these?