Hello

This is interesting. I think a lot of digital agencies struggle when building their own websites. But I think the root of this problem lies a little deeper than the often quoted 21st century conversation killer 'way too busy'. I think its about a fear of being crap.

This website neatly sidesteps the situation by offering users the opportunity to make the decision for them. The attention to detail and execution indicates that Nonsense, the agency in question, have plenty of time. But, perhaps what they are lacking are the stones to make a decision themselves.

I've always thought the difference between commerce and art was that, in art, there was no need to compromise. And you could do what you liked. Maybe art is about being compelled to do what you like.

Anyway, when introducing ourselves, maybe we should fess up about the kind of people we are. And if that means turning up in a rare pair of plaid pantaloons and pink blouse, then so be it.

nonsense. High Time We Had A Website.

Posted by audiobuffer at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Not to put too fine a point on it, this is bonkers. Apparently, the 'Washlet' will make you feel fresher and happier than you've ever felt before.

It's a toilet seat. Sold with a Scientologists zeal.

The company name is Toto, a reference to The Wizard of Oz, extending the sense of wonder and magic this toilet seat is designed to offer. The many aspects of the seat are sold by a multicultural group of impassioned and enlightened individuals who are initially introduced with their clean, refreshed and toned buttocks pointed directly at the viewer. Unashamed and unafraid. You know why? Because their asses have never been cleaner. This is self-realisation, through the introspection, vulnerability and, ultimately, cleansing of one's bowels. I wish I'd thought of it. As some kind of perverted campaign to highlight the absolute bankruptcy of our civilisation.

Clean is happy

Posted by audiobuffer at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Andrew Keen has written a book called The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet Is Killing Our Culture. I can't comment on it in any detail, because I haven't read it. Nor am I likely to, because I find that the most outspoken cultural analysis is often deeply conservative in nature. This book appears to be no different, in that the author apparently laments the loss of professionalism in favour of an emerging culture of 'the amateur'. This sounds ominously familiar. It sounds like the voice of a cultural elite fearing the erosion of their influence due to the democratisation of the arts. I, for one, am happy that we have a culture of amateurs. I am happy that dissident voices can broadcast from war-torn or oppressed countries, that - with very little training - minority or disenfranchised communities can begin to tell it like it is in their own voice. I'm happy that the power of the Daily Mail is being diminished by the progressive and liberal voice of the digital community. That teenagers in their suburban garage can make truly revolutionary ideas real. Get over it, Mr. Keen - wake up and smell the daisies.

Internet Smackdown: The Amateur vs. the Professional

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Almost a century ago and without the aid of any pixel-generating computer software, the itinerant photographer Arthur Mole (1889-1983) used his 11 x 14-inch view camera to stage a series of extraordinary mass photographic spectacles that choreographed living bodies into symbolic formations of religious and national community.

Cabinet Magazine Online - Dead Troops Salute

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"Have you ever wanted the forum to discuss any topic you wanted? Can’t find anything worth listening to on the radio? ubroadcast’s Station Manager Software lets you broadcast LIVE and uncensored content quickly and easily with no broadcasting or technical experience."

ubroadcast™

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Using photos of oft-snapped subjects (like Notre Dame) scraped from around the Web, Photosynth creates breathtaking multidimensional spaces with zoom and navigation features that outstrip all expectation. Its architect, Blaise Aguera y Arcas, shows it off in this standing-ovation demo. Curious about that speck in corner? Dive into a freefall and watch as the speck becomes a gargoyle. With an unpleasant grimace. And an ant-sized chip in its lower left molar. "Perhaps the most amazing demo I've seen this year," wrote Ethan Zuckerman, after TED2007. Indeed, Photosynth might utterly transform the way we manipulate and experience digital images.

TED | Talks | Blaise Aguera y Arcas: Photosynth demo

Posted by audiobuffer at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Very nice, tongue-in-cheek stationery. (You don't get to say or write that very often). First seen on the quite sensational design blog The Big Noob. Boy, what a thing of sheer typographical wonder and grid-like perfection that is.

Knock Knock

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These shots of storm clouds are extraordinary.

Extreme instability

Posted by audiobuffer at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I always had this notion of creating an e-commerce site where every product was placed in some kind of context. Could be someone's life, some kind of abstract dreamscape, something poetic or political. Come to think of it, maybe the notion is nothing more than a rather high-brow version of an infomercial. Anyway, this site uses short video clips to bring the tees alive. Much better than squinting at a thumbnail.

Cicatriz Clothing - Summer 2007 Collection

Posted by audiobuffer at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"If there’s one thing I’ve learned about community-building, it’s this: Do Not Lie. People are too smart and well-connected to believe a lie anymore. So, with that in mind, the story I’m about to tell is absolutely true as I experienced it."

Derek Powazek – The Real Story of JPG Magazine

Posted by audiobuffer at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. Helvetica will screen at film festivals, museums, design conferences, and cinemas worldwide, followed by the DVD release this fall.

Helvetica

Posted by audiobuffer at 12:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A website that was the culmination of a lot of work with American Express - strategy, brand, design and development - has been nominated for a Webby. If I'm honest, we needed more time with the website, maybe a week, to fully realise the potential of the design. But, it's nice to get a Webby nomination.

Webby Nominees

Posted by audiobuffer at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There are no vowels in web 2.0, or in this case, blogging 2.0. Tumblr offer a digital publishing platform called a tumble log and, although it looks like a blog, its designed to make adding content to your site much, much easier. And it is. Embed video, quotes, images, links, headlines just by clicking a button on your browser toolbar or even direct from your mobile phone. Using it makes you realise how much stuff piques our interest, tickles our fancy and sauces our noodle. You can hoover content from all over the place. Issues of copyright and ownership fly right outside the window, but as you build up a head of steam, a patchwork of ideas from across different disciplines, linked only by what you subjectively consider interesting, emerges.

http://audiobuffer.tumblr.com/

Posted by audiobuffer at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've been doing this stuff for 6 Music, and - as well as the usual stuff like scouring blogs, downloading tunes, spanking millions on iTunes, that kind of thing - I've also been registering and re-acquainting myself with music communities. Returning to Last.fm, brilliant though it clearly is, I was struck by the sheer size of it. It takes time to wrap your brain around its functionality and, ultimately, its purpose. Mog is an alternative to Last.fm, and for its ease of use and relatively small, but welcoming, community I think it's something I'm going to stick with over Last.fm. It's a little more mischievous, a little less academic, a little more, I dunno - you'll see it when you visit - cosy. Like a ripped up couch that embraces you lwhen you plant your cheeks upon its tweed exterior.

MOG - Discover people through music and music through people

Posted by audiobuffer at 05:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)