Opinions
Well, we did it, again. The Industrial Brand/Legends Memorabilia “PicniCANtics” took top honours in this year’s Canstruction Vancouver for the third, THIRD, year in a row (2005 Award, 2006 Award). For those not in the know, Canstruction is an international design/build competition that benefits local food banks, brings together teams of architects, engineers, graphic artists and students to build amazing sculptures using only canned food and other non-perishables. This year, our sculpture contributed over 6,500 items to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank!
Admittedly, it was a close call this year since we were all super busy (and still are). Even so, for some reason the build seemed to go rather smoothly this year (thanks in large part to our architect team member David). Over the years we’ve been refining our approach and it seems there are a few things that seem to really make a difference when it comes time to judging. In the spirit of competition, here they are:
Clear, original and creative concept.
Clean and simple – big areas of solid colour and don’t try to create minute detail.
Play with scale – make small big and big small.
Make it emotive – in character or concept, play to the emotional buttons of the viewer.
Feedback from the judges actually cited the first two specifically as contributing factors for our win. I.e. for our interpretation of the theme, “Our Favourite Thing(s)”. Speaking of which, here’s what we wrote about our sculpture:
It is safe to say that everyone loves a picnic. What could be better than basking in the warmth of a carefree summer day with good friends and tasty fare?
But no one likes a picnic as much as its most common uninvited guest, the Ant. Upon that first whiff of fried chicken or potato salad escaping the picnic basket, you can be sure of these critters gathering their ranks and setting upon your serene afternoon with the regimented force of a small army. And, with the ability to carry over 10 to 20 times their own body weight, you would be wise to keep your babies well anchored. Let them take the watermelon instead. Even an ant deserves a decent meal.
We all do. That is why we support Canstruction. Let’s all help to put an end to hunger in the Lower Mainland.
We had a good mix of people this year, some veterans (this is Industrial Brand’s fifth year participating) and some first-timers. Thanks to everyone who took time from their busy schedules to participate.
We managed to shoot another time lapse video of our 14 hour build thanks to Todd Smith. We’ll post a fully produced version complete with catchy music soon. For more photos check out our Flickr group.
We’ll see how we do when the voting for People’s Choice is tabulated tomorrow. In the meantime, our Juror’s Favourite Award means we’ll go on to the International Award competition in May. Fingers crossed to bring home some honours there and boost the Vancouver competition’s reputation.
Posted by Ben Garfinkel on March 12, 2007
Inspirations
Young at Heart is by far the best documentary I have seen in a long time.
It follows the Young @ Heart Chorus, learning new songs for their upcoming show. The difference with this group is that they are all aged 80 and up. This is not just a bunch of oldies singing songs from their youth, they cover songs by Radiohead, Sonic Youth, Buzzcocks and Bruce Springsteen.
Watching a 92 lady singing “Should I stay, or should I go” initially is a little humorous, but as that subsides you start to take the chorus seriously and get caught up in the charm, energy and pure will power of these elderly people to perform.
The chorus is led by Bob Cilman, who at times comes across as hard on the ‘elderly’ folk, but it is what a director must do to get the group ready in time for their performance. The members feel he is a little harsh on them at times, but respect him for that. You also get to see how much he cares and respects the members and his commitment to taking the chorus seriously and wanting them to succeed.
The documentary is charming and inspiring. If you are suffering from any small aches and pains the documentary puts your life suddenly into perspective.
Watch the trailer.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
There’s a new book that’s been published by maomao publications called Blogs, Mad about Design, featuring profiles and screenshots from more than 250 blogs about design-related topics—including this blog. Sort of a compendium of sorts. But is it really?
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Posted by Mark Busse
Icograda has formally announced Design Week 2010 to be hosted by GDC in Vancouver with official event profile information on their website.
Posted by Mark Busse
A little while ago my wife and I were in a restaurant. For some random reason I suddenly wondered what the difference was between ‘assume’ and ‘presume’. I asked the waitress if she knew, she didn’t. To our surprise a few minutes later she returned with a printout of the definition she had just looked up online (great customer service).
Here is the difference.
Assume: To accept something to be true without question or proof:
‘I assumed (that) you knew each other because you went to the same school’.
Presume: To believe something to be true because it is very likely, although you are not certain:
‘I presume (that) they’re not coming, since they haven’t replied to the invitation’.
Well, there you have it.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
I love when “research” time comes around at the office. It gives me a valid excuse to do what I clandestinely do the rest of the week: Surf the Internet. We’re deep into work on an architectural firm and researching all things architectural and found a documentary on West Coast Modernism called “Coast Modern: Open space, modern mind.” . It seems to fall in the footsteps of Helvetica and Objectified. No real information on the website about official release, though the blog talks of a fall release. Can’t wait to see it!
Posted by Steve Mynett
Likemind is gaining momentum in Vancouver, with over 200 members on its Facebook Group. Events the each 3rd Friday of each month, with the next gathering on June 19th at Elysian Coffee’s new location at 590 West Broadway, between Cambie and Ash. Bring your travel mug and be prepared to taste some of the finest coffee being brewed in Vancouver while enjoying casual conversation with likeminded professionals from a myriad of backgrounds and industries. If you miss the event, you can check out photos on Flickr and follow the conversation on Twitter.
Please spread the word and come join us for a coffee!
Posted by Mark Busse
Daniel Packard is a professional dating coach.
He won the National College Speaker of the Year in 2007, and from the video samples on the website I understand why. His style is funny, upfront, a little crazy but also caring and informed. Watch this video titled “Horny guy and nice guy…It’s the same guy” and you will see him in action.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
Mark Thomas is a UK comedian. He uses intelligence, research, wit and great editing resulting in a very funny and poignant message.
Watch him take on MacDonalds
Then there is just the downright silly and immature
Then there is the political, for example his stand against the Arms Trade
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
Though a relatively famous short film, I saw C’était un rendez-vous by french director Claude LeLouch for the first time this morning. In short, it’s an 8 minute tour through Paris by way of a camera strapped onto the front of sports car, allegedly a Ferrari, going by all accounts somewhere between 140-200 miles/hour. The official story was that an unnamed Formula 1 driver was at the wheel, while it has also been suggested that LeLouch himself was at the wheel and later overdubbed the sound of the Ferrari to finish the film.
Regardless, it’s a fun watch of a high speed romp through Paris! (via Scout Magazine)
Posted by Steve Mynett
If you’re familiar with ‘Inbox Zero‘ from 43 Folders you’re already aware of how problematic emails can be. How many emails do you have in your inbox? How many have you been putting off because the response is too long? Check out five.sentenc.es. The concept is to get people to respond to emails like they would a SMS message. Short and right away. In this case in under 5 sentences.
There also sites from the same family called four.sentenc.es, three.sentenc.es and two.sentenc.es.
Posted by Steve Mynett
All designers should have learned this so long ago that it’s already been forgotten and therefore in need of a refresher so I offer you The 10 Commandments of Dieter Rams. His design, and design principals, have influenced a generation of designers including Jonathan Ives who’s designs at Apple sometimes show a striking resemblance to those of Rams.
Posted by Steve Mynett
A business card is an important marketing tool, but a great business card is one that you never forget. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Which card do you prefer? Subtle or maybe not so much? Mind you one of these business cards took 25 years to design.
Posted by Alex Leynes
I recently learnt about this company whilst watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
The e-log has a foam core skinned in real wood. Compared to regular log homes, e-log is cheaper, better for the environment and better insulates your home.
A great product, check out their site.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
Big news in the web world as Typekit was launched last week. For those of you who missed news of the launch, it serves to bridge the copyright issues associated with the CSS3 Property @font-face (hotly debated issue among foundries and developers recently). Solutions like sIRF and Cufon have greatly pushed the industry in this direction and, while we have used them on projects, they have limitations, particularly when it comes to body copy. The hole with @font-face is that it makes it possible for the end user to download the font in question, which in virtually every instance violates the license.
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Posted by Steve Mynett
Those who know me know I’m a real sucker for live music. I play it, listen to it, live it…hell, I’d eat it is it were possible. The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is just around the corner this summer featuring some great concerts that we wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to hear. There are some big names coming through town playing the big venues (Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Cobb, Jose Gonzales and the Pink Martini Orchestra) but for me the best shows are always the ones at smaller venues. The sound and atmosphere is better, place I think music (especially jazz) isn’t really a concert music. You’re meant to be interacting with it (or someone on the dance floor) preferably with drink in hand.
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Posted by Steve Mynett
Design company Turner Duckworth (clients include Amazon, Coca-Cola, Virgin Atlantic and Palm) recently designed Honey Packaging for Waitrose supermarket in the UK. “Bee or honey twizzler - whatever you see, it makes you want toast and honey” says the London and San Fransico design firm.
Simple and clever.
The Duckworth site is a little clunky, but it was interesting to read that their London and San Francisco studios collaborate on every project. “Work flows freely between each to give clients a rich and nuanced perspective from both sides of the Atlantic”.
On the Waitrose site there is a value added page about their Scottish heather honey, an interesting read.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
The new movie by Disney Pixar ‘UP‘ is worth writing about. Not only because it was my first ever 3D movie but the storytelling is fantastic. It deals with the subject of death, love, integrity, friendship and loyalty with subtlety and respect whilst delivering many laughs. It is a great package of emotions. Finally, the quality of the animation is amazing.
Also, check out the trailer for Toy Story 3. Again, the quality of story telling is well done. Even if you have never seen any of the Toy Story movies you are introduced to the different characters and their personalities but more so to the rivalry between Woody and Buzz which is the crux of the movies.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
I had the opportunity a few years ago to design juice labels for Happy Planet. Yesterday on a hot sunny day I enjoyed a chilled ‘Extreme Purple’ (it was so good). On review of their website I discovered they have grown as a company, now offering a variety of drinks and soups. Great quality produce makes for a great product. They are also heavily involved in supporting the community and over the years have donated in excess of one million bottle of juice.
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood
Things have been buzzing around the office lately but we found some time to do our once a month, once every few months newsletter. Think one part news, a dash of foodists culture, and one big giant bee plus our usual array of inspiration and banter. Check it out!
Posted by Steve Mynett
There’s an old saying about 15 minutes of fame—that “all publicity is good publicity, as long as they spell your name right.” Well maybe my appearance this week on ESPN’s Jim Rome is Burning was the closest thing to my 15 minutes, but they mispronounced my first name (Mike?) and got my title wrong, listing me as an “industrial designer” as opposed to a designer from Industrial Brand. Oh well, at least I looked like a badass in my photo with flames in the background (fames to light my spliff with perhaps?). I hope fame doesn’t change me.
Posted by Mark Busse
Brittany (September 7th, 2007)
I am fascinated by your structure, what is the grass made out of?
Ben Garfinkel (September 7th, 2007)
Hey Brittany! Thanks. Actually, the grass is green (lime) KoolAid packages taped together and then mounted on wires which we attached to the ground. We folded the tops to give them a pointed look.