iPhone Arrives

Some companies understand the value of an exemplary user experience. Apple is one of them. Does the iPhone deliver? Here’s what the critics say. I do know that people are lining up at stores around the country hours in advance for a chance to buy one. No worries. I’ll just bide my time with my [insert some derogatory remark here] phone as they work the bugs out. *wink*

For the gamblers among us, some companies are setting iPhone odds. Could our world get any crazier?

Children See, Children Do

There is such power in motion pictures. This time that power is being utilized for a good cause. Cheers!

Visualize Web Traffic in Real Time

A picture like this doesn’t need much explaining. Visit their site for the full-size, and more importantly, functioning display.

Online Communities Map

I love stuff like this. I should do one where the countries were sized according to the amount of time I spent on each Internet property.

Escher Animation

“A drunk man trapped on M.C. Escher’s infinite staircase.”

Dubai Considering a Rotating Skyscraper

Now, here’s something you don’t see every day… or in this case, ever.

Leave it to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates state known for wild architectural endeavors, to be the planned home for such a tower. The $350 million Dynamic Architecture building, a project of an eponymous Florence, Italy-based firm led by architect David Fisher, will literally spin–with each individual floor self-propelled, voice-controlled and even capable of generating environmentally friendly power. [link]

It might be worth the trip to Dubai to see this dynamic architecture in motion.

The Style of ’300′

I’m not sure how many of you saw the movie 300. It’s the epic tale of how 300 Spartans stood up to overwhelming odds when Xerxes brought his massive Persian army down to conquer the Grecian Peninsula.

The movie is one part Braveheart and one part Sin City. Not for the faint of heart either as the violence is intense and throughout. But it’s also the ultimate underdog’s story set to a fantasy backdrop; more fable than history in this telling. If you can stomach the violent scenes, I recommend it.

What’s so dramatic is the movie’s design style. StudioDaily does a piece called Stylizing Sparta in 300 which does a wonderful job showing what the team did behind the scene did to create the distinctive flair of this film.

I was curious if I could create the same effect on a single frame. So I selected an image from Flickr.

Opened it in Photoshop and went:

1. Change mode to Grayscale
2. Change mode to Duotone with a sepia-like color
3. Added some Gaussian Noise
4. Adjusted the Levels to emphasize the highs and lows
5. Tweaked the Curve a bit
6. And finally increased the Contrast

It’s not spot-on but a close facsimile. Of course, they had fabulous scenery, camera work and special effects that when put together created an otherworldly feel. It’s a very fresh style that worked amazingly well for this kind of movie.

The Astounding Power of the Human Mind

I’m consistently amazed by what people can do. This chalk artist shows both amazing creativity in coming up with his scenes, but then combines it with uncanny precision when actually drawing the piece. Then, I posted about Stephen Wiltshire back in November and how he was able to draw Rome essentially from his own memory. Magnificent!

Today’s post is about how Christopher Fahey created the above map the world from his own memory. While not on the same tier as Wiltshire, it’s still very impressive. I couldn’t begin to name most of those countries much less put them in the right spot with the right shape.

The human mind is an incredibly powerful thing.

LineRider Master Artist

The amount of time that went into the production of this short must be enormous. If you haven’t tried LineRider, it’s harder than it looks. Very well done.

How People Use the Internet, Or Vice Versa

Good design reinforces the message. Here’s a very informative piece whose design is so good it doesn’t feel like learning, as much as, entertainment.

VW Commercial Sports True Art

Not all art is created equal. And by that I mean, some art is amazing and some just plain sucks. This advertisement for the VW Phaeton is the former and is well worth your attention. [via kottke]

My Dream Car Continues to Impress

*drool*

iPhone Knocks ‘Em Dead

The new iPhone is so amazing, I almost have to buy it, don’t I?!? Big problem though… look who they’ve chosen as their exclusive service provider:

“They’re going to be our exclusive partner in the US — it’s a unique partnership though. We’re going to be doing innovation together. We worked on visual voicemail, the first fruit of this collaboration. We’ll be selling iPhone through our own stores and Cingular stores.” [link]

Cingular consistently gets very low ratings from groups like Consumer Reports and my brother isn’t so happy with his service since he switched. What’s a tech-geek to do?

In related news, Cisco sues Apple over iPhone trademark. I think Apple’s track record of using the “i” + item type will help them with the judge. Cisco is likely just looking for a settlement.

Update: Now that I’ve been gushing about the Pros, here come the Cons Thanks to Jeff I’ve gone in search of info on Cisco’s iPhone.

Fans of Good Design

I’m a big fan of design. So are these guys! With their own awards, resources and more, they’ve got a lot to offer. Don’t miss their link to Grey Holiday Clock.

Aluna: High Functional Design

Billed as the world’s first tidal powered moon clock, Aluna is most certainly a work of art. Except, that it isn’t… yet. It seems they’re working a grassroots effort to generate the funds to create one in London and also in Australia. I think it’s marvelous.