PIECE OF THE DAY: 22

This gorgeous picture of cupcakes is a tribute to my birthday.  Sad it is over because now I have to get back to reality and finish up my final projects and  exams of my college career.

PIECE OF THE DAY: its all about nature...naturally

It is the same in architecture as in all other arts: its principles are founded on simple nature, and nature's process clearly indicates its rules.

Laugier, Essay on Architecture

This picture is of Thomas Balsley Associates' Capitol Plaza in New York, NY.  This public space intrigues me because of the discussions that we have been having in my Poetry of Architecture seminar.  The study is focused on nature and architecture, and in this case its the integration of nature into the architecture of a public space.  

Public spaces is one of my obsessions.  The design of a public space is crucial for its functionality.  A space an be pretty but not function as a place for the public to be in.  There are many plazas in New York that lay barren because they physically deter the public because of poor design.

Recently there was one dead plaza that was redesigned and is now a prominent hot spot in NYC.  Yes I'm talking about the 5th Avenue Apple Store.  Originally a dead sunken plaza, it is now a top tourist destination and a eye catcher indeed. [BCJ]

CASE 4: sooo avantGUILD?

I am about to share one of my greatest resources for information and contacts.  I discovered it sophomore year of college, and have yet to tell anyone this secret.  It's called mediabistro.com.

Now don't tell me you've heard of it because that will ruin my glory.  Mediabistro.com is a network of people, ideas, skills, and education.  Its dedicated to anyone in a content or creative industry.  That means editors, freelancers, writers, creatives, graphic designers (need I go on?), and others, who all work in a variety of industries.  The site provides a place to network, share ideas, post jobs, find jobs, present projects, news, develop skills and show your work.

Seems like a great place, right?  But I bet you think there are strings attached.  Well you're wrong!  Its FREE [my favorite word].

All those aspects of the site are free at registration.  Its a great source for industry exclusive jobs and freelance work.  There are numerous online courses to help one expand their repertoire.  The have also added this new aspect, which expands the site's networking capabilities, called AvantGuild.  

A user can join other media professionals in what they call  their "new version of the 14th-century guild system." When looking through the benefits of the higher level membership, I saw where mediabistro.com gets there other revenue.  The advanced membership comes with many discounts at affiliates such as Barnes and Noble.com, Hertz, and Avis. (Just to name a few.)

CASE 3: can't stop the deviance

The pure play business that I am going to analyze is called deviantArt, a massive online art community.  DeviantART would be considered a merchant model, more specifically similar to a bit merchant like iTunes.  However, deviantART can also be categorized as a community model, because of its interaction and networking between the members.  The website functions as a place for artists of all skills to upload and share their creations digitally.  The art can be downloaded, requested for a print, bought, collected my members, commented on, and sent to your mobile.  However, many of these extra feature are part of the premium membership.  This is how the site gets its revenue, which was not happening when the company first started as an open community.  This also then puts the business under the subscription model, because of the vast expansion of features after one pays to be a member.

The types of 

work vary tremendously, from traditional to digital media, flash and sketches.  Members can also upload unfinished work, which opens the site to collaboration.  One category under digital art is photomanipulation, which with time I’m sure one could find many examples of jamming. 

DeviantART can track their success by the number of deviants (members) and the number of deviations (uploaded art) per deviant.  Success is also measured directly when a deviation is downloaded or printed.  There are counters that express that under each deviation page.  They can also measure the growth of their network by looking at the comment and chat action. 

PIECE OF THE DAY: I wanna take ya...

To Bermuda, BAHAMA!! Yes this is a picture of the sunset while on a cruise in the Bahamas, taken by my roommate Dan.  It is one of the stunning scenes that I saw during my Spring Break from school.  This is the most appropriate photograph for this installment, because I just can not get the experience out of my mind.  I with I was back on that boat cruising to different islands.  If you are interested in knowing more about cruising (and I mean specifically my cruise), go to the Norwegian Cruise Line website.

PIECE OF THE DAY: And the crown goes to...

Well not me....but one of my good friends (not even mad about it).  The piece of today is inspired by my weekend.  Here at Ithaca College we have an annual pageant that showcases senior guys competing for the title of MR ITHACA.  This year they let us ladies join in on the fun!!  Here is a shot of all the contestants (me being one of them).  What a crazy bunch!!

It was so much fun! You're jealous!

[photo from ITHACAN online]

CASE 2: Facebook settlement

Facebook has just settled the 3 year long settlement between the company’s founder Mark Zukerberg and his three former class mates, Divya Narendra and twin Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.  AP did some stealthy investigation to find out the DL of this case, which was completely closed to the public.  Facebook really did not want to get this word out.  Many large portions of the hearing were redacted from the transcript, but were cleverly recovered by the Associated Press.

            October 2007, Microsoft Corp. invested $240 million for 1.6 percent stake in Facebook and a broader advertising partnership.  According to Microsoft’s investment, Facebook’s stock was worth $35.90 per share.  This caused Zukerberg’s former classmates to oppose the primary settlement offered to them.  They demanded the share price established with Microsoft’s investment.  Facebook explained that the software company bought preferred premium stock to help their reach in Facebook and increase advertising efforts. 

            U.S. District Judge James Ware decided to enforce the primary settlement despite ConnectU’s resistance.  Facebook agreed to pay ConnectU $20 million in cash and 1,253,326 shares of common stock.  Connect U received from $31 million and $65 million, depending on whether the Microsoft or Facebook’s personal stock value evaluation. 

            The $65 million settlement amount was leaked by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, before Ware signed off on it.  The firm was fired by ConnectU.

This issue clearly started as a copyright case.  The former classmates were trying to claim  that Zukerberg stole the idea and profited from it.  Judging by their acceptance of the settlement they're finally convinced that Facebook is not worth ALL THAT.

[Article from AP]

CRASH TO THE PAST

I can't help but finding a trend in media and advertising lately.  Seems that people are looking more to the past now a days, and less to the unforeseeable future of the US in this economy and new administration.  There is still optimism in the air because we feel change coming, but it is unavoidable to be wary of the future of our economy.  PepsiCo has already aired their throw-back commercial, with the side-by-side mirror images of great things and people from the past and today. Coke has also opened the world to happiness, even to insects!

It is not just branding that is trying to look at everything but whats happening now.  The Oscars this Sunday were all about the throw-backs.  Beginning with the set, the inspiration was old band stand.  The orchestra was thrown on the stage and so were winners of the past.  The message was of look has happened, welcome to the community, and THE MUSICAL IS BACK!!  This was all through montages of images, clips and songs of the past.  However, this distraction of remembering the past did not distract some actors from the present.  Hugh mentioned the recession, as a cute segway, and Sean Penn emphasized the message of MILK as an empowerment to rights for LGBTs.

So for your brand, put a smile on!! I'm an optimist and I believe that is what we need.  

A spoon full of sugar....

I have been slacking a bit since Valentine's Day.  But I promise to get back on track with my piece of the day.

I use the term piece because it covers all types of media.  It's anything that inspires me that day. An image, video, spoken word, written word, etc.  You name it!!

TODAY: A PSA for the 2008 Architecture + the City festival in San Francisco, CA.  I came upon it while surfing one of my subscribed blogs, Curbed.  It perfectly represents the reason I CRAVE architecture and its history.  So here it is for all you who aren't as OBSESSSSED as I am.

T

REMIX: Heinz Ketchup

Another brand is joining the trend of food/bev product makeovers.  Heinz Ketchup is replacing the classic green pickle with a tomato still on the vine.  This is the first major change to their label since the 1940s.  That is a long time for a brand to go without a facelift, but Heinz didn't need it.  Its the staple ketchup brand in the nation and Britain (one of their biggest markets for Heinz food products).  

The question is:   Is Heinz food products going to remix all their brands?  Their top global brands are Bagel Bites, Boston Market, Classico sauces, and TGIFriday products.  

Because of the economy, even classic brands like Heinz Ketchup are subject to competition from less expensive store brands and competitors.  PepsiCo's new remix was centered on purity and quality of their brands.  Heinz is trying to stick to the same thing.  I'll be keeping my eyes open for anymore changes from them.

[Bye Pickle]

PIECE OF THE DAY: Crazy little thing called LOVE

In the spirit of Valentines Day, I was in the loving mood and wanted to show you this painting from the Art and Love in Renaissance Italy exhibition at the MET in New York City.  This is Venus and Cupid by Lorenzo Lotto.

Hope you're feeling the love.

PIECE OF THE DAY: Bob Krist

This is the one post that I stop talking about advertising and branding, and just share with you what I like in art. It might be a photograph or painting, any medium that inspires me.

Let me know what you think about it, and share what inspires you. I get my greatest creative energy from the people around me.

I am taking a class now about art and architecture in the Iberian peninsula. The focus is on classical architecture that is translated through a lens and than appropriated in another culture. A lot of characteristically Roman architecture was subject to this appropriation. This photograph from National Geographic is a perfect depiction of the Roman visual vocab of the column being translated centuries late. The columns (designed by Glan Lorenzo Bernini in the 16th cnetury) dwarf the pedestrians at the Piazza San Pietro.

What I also love about this photo is the candid flight of the birds and the boy playing. I prefer images that are less staged and more experience. I think thats why I gravitate to travel photos of cultures, people and animals in their natural environment. Sorry if my images graviate towards that category.

Enjoy my new installment!

Nike and Puma both banked on the "make your own sneaker" innovation but in two very distinct ways.  One classy and sleek, and the later taking a much more rowdy approach.  I am going to access the two uniquely designed but similarly functioning interactive online sneaker designers.

Nike continues its clean charcoal, grey and orange scheme on their main site.  On the main site the large tablet link for the NikeID site is in the center of the page, below the flash display of the recent promotions and commercials.  The first decision they ask you to make is whether this is a shoe for your style or a shoe for your team.  I think its great that they have this option, giving basketball players an option to design with their team colors.  I selected the stye option of course!  However, after that I was unsure as to what to do next.  But its not hard to realize that next you select the type of shoe, which are listed under Men or Women in the top bar.  After that loss of direction things become much clearer.  You can select from designs or just start blank.  What I found was that Nike was a better site, easier to follow and with more clear