PlaidInc

The Curious TV : The future of home entertainment?

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:09:00 -0400

The debate over the future home entertainment experience rages on.  Mostly it’s centered around the needs of advertisers and networks. Will Google TV, Boxee or Apple TV completely replace the cable box? How will they impact the bottom line of networks, channels, broadband providers and advertisers? Really, it is understanding and delivering for the needs of the consumer sitting in their living room that will ultimately move us forward. They are looking for seamless experiences with clear and easy interactions.

Julie Tsao’s Curious Displays imagines a future where the TV literally revolves around the user’s needs, becoming an intelligent device at the center of the home. The display moves around the living room, responding to behaviors, alerting household duties and interacting with other household objects. Although this appears as a slightly whimsical experiment, the idea that objects will be able to recognize and sense our needs is already here. This is another example of where ‘smart’ objects merge the digital with the physical and the virtual with the tangible.

Fads for the Ages: A select chronology of fads

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:35:00 -0400

Last week we posted on the latest fad sweeping the nation – Silly Bandz. Those silicon rubber bands are just the latest from a long line of fads. We had a look at some other ones that have taken America by storm: How long did they last? What was their appeal? What was their downfall? We hope you enjoy our chronology of fads, Fads for the Ages, as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Click the image to view full size.

The iPhone 4 debacle tells us 2 things about brands—one good and one bad.

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:22:00 -0400

Like many people, we’ve been closely watching how Apple and its Delphic CEO Steve Jobs handle the recent uproar about the new iPhone 4. In reading the reams of news, and watching Steve Jobs’ press conference today, we’re struck by two divergent realities: This episode (which we all know will merely be a speedbump on the highway of world domination) proves just how strong brand Apple is, as it simultaneously gives us an object lesson in how brands shouldn’t act. Call it the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in Silicon Valley.

As we watch, Apple is reaping the benefit of just how strong its brand is. Despite all the news, all the dropped calls, people who are loyal to Apple believe one thing in their heart of hearts—whatever the problem, Apple will fix it. Apple’s core consumers trust Apple so implicitly, they have no doubt the company will make things right. It is that trust that brands spend decades and millions of dollars trying to attain. They usually fail. Sure, there have been brands with that kind of loyalty and trust before, but most existed in a simpler time, with more trusting consumers, and much less competition. This episode is proving that Apple has created the holy grail of brands—one that consumers believe will do the right thing.

As details of the development and pre-launch process emerge, we are treated to a classic case of a brand that thinks it knows it all. Apple so closely held the pre-launch reigns because Steve Jobs and his designers got caught up in the iPhone hype, and lost sight of the fact that people actually had to USE the thing. They acted like a category leader rather than a challenger—they acted like GM, not Mini. Our favorite part—the “stealth” phones sent to carrier partners for testing were designed so the phone couldn’t be held. Isn’t that kind of like testing a new cookie without letting people taste it? Remember Icarus?—the guy from Greek Mythology who flew too close to the sun on wax wings? Steve “Icarus” Jobs has a certain ring to it. Marketing 101: Maintain a close relationship with consumer needs and give them what they want, not what you THINK they want.

Apple still rocks—despite putting a moderately ridiculous and self-indulgent music video (full disclosure—Apple didn’t produce the thing) on its site today. But now they can add “walking contradiction” to their long list of accomplishments.

A guide to the complex world of coffee

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:33:00 -0400

We love coffee here at Plaid.

Living in NYC the complex coffee scene continues to grow more and more interesting. To make things easier we decided to create a simple guide for everyone from the Average Joe to the coffee connoisseur. We would love to know what you guys think. If you are interested in a print please contact tom@plaid-creative.com.

Recently our info-graphic for the perfect pour has been popping up everywhere. A big thanks to NOTCOT, Idsgn and Design You Trust for spreading the word. Check out the full size version here.

Three tips for making Silly Bandz a little less silly

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:39:00 -0400

Silly Bandz are the fad du jour, adorning the wrists of children and young adults all around the country - from 10-year-old girls in Kansas City to 26-year-old males in East Hampton. But can these fun, colorful bracelets that come in a variety of shapes and themes become more than just a fad? Can Silly Bandz become a sustainable business? We got to thinking about how Silly Bandz stacks up against past fads (Beanie Babies, Webkinz, etc.) and what Silly Bandz might learn from its predecessors, so it can become more than just an item for a VH1 “I Love the 2000s” countdown.

Tip 1: Make authenticity more than just a name

While it’s inevitable that any strong business will attract copycats – Zanybandz is just one of Silly Bandz’ many clones – it is critical that brands distinguish themselves from the sea of knockoffs. Beanie Babies managed to do this very well by endowing each of its Beanies with a unique identity – name, birthday and poem. And then later with the launch of Beanie Babies 2.0, each Beanie received a unique code that brought to life a virtual pet version or avatar in an interactive, online game. Ty Warner, the makers of Beanie Babies, may not have been able to stop the competition but they did manage to clearly distinguish the real thing from the riff raff.

Silly Bandz could follow a similar path as Beanie Babies and endow each pack with a unique code that activates the items within as avatars in a virtual world (more on this in Tip 2). The upside to this practice is that it doesn’t matter if the market gets flooded with a million of these colorful rubber bands – only the real things get to move onto a second world in the clouds (the computer kind).

Tip 2: Create a virtual marketplace

Webkinz (the more digitally-oriented version of Beanie Babies) and Farmville (the mega-popular Facebook and mobile gaming app) seized the opportunity to tap into customer’s pockets without having to incur a dime in shipping and offered virtual goods for purchase. Turns out people are more than willing to purchase a swimming pool so their animals can stay fit and healthy or a virtual tractor to plow their crops. In fact, the virtual goods market in the U.S. is growing exponentially and is expected to reach $1.6 billion in revenue this year (it is already a $4 billion industry in Korea).

Silly Bandz is ripe to capture a piece of this growing market. As mentioned in Tip 1, Silly Bandz could endow each package with a unique code that when registered online, activates avatar versions of the items in the physical pack. Consumers would then be able to interact with their avatars and make incremental purchases for them. Take, for example, how this might work for the Silly Bandz baseball theme 24 pack. A customer purchases the pack for $4.95; they then come home and input their unique code, which brings to life a virtual baseball team. For 50 cents they could create a stadium for their team, for 75 cents they could participate in a tournament against other teams, and for $1 they could send their team to Florida for training. In no time, the revenue from the avatars will surpass that from the physical product by simply adding dimension to what would otherwise be just another accessory.

Tip 3: Expand your product line

Creating a virtual marketplace would obviously be a form of expansion but can Silly Bandz also expand its physical product line? We think so. Crocs, those awkward-looking but mega-comfortable rubber clogs, have turned what could have been just another faddish-style of shoe into a bona-fide company with lasting appeal. The company now makes a variety of shoes out of the same crostellite material as the original Crocs. We’d love to see Silly Bandz come up with a new line of “Silly” objects like “Silly Shoez” or “Silly Chairz” – shoes or chairs that are made of the same colorful silicon rubber, come in a variety of shapes/themes and adjust to your body.

Some might say Silly Bandz belongs on a VHI countdown but here’s wishing longevity and prosperity for this fad du jour.

Opportunities to bridge physical and digital worlds

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:45:54 -0400

Smart phones (iPhone, Android) have allowed us to think more laterally about how we connect the physical world with the digital world. As we know the iPhone is a lot more than just a phone or even an information display. It is a environmental sensor in our hand: Location aware (GPS ), motion aware (accelerometer), directionally aware (digital compass) visually aware (camera for QR codes and AR) and sonically aware (microphone and speakers). Not to mention connected 24/7(wireless or 3Gs).

There is enormous potential to make our lives healthier, easier, safer and more environmentally friendly by creating a ‘smart web’ of products and services that link our physical and digital worlds. Many companies, organizations and designers have realized the huge value of this and begun to experiment with embedding sensors in their products and developing interfaces that can be used for self assessment and or compared/shared with others.

Nike+
Nike has built the largest  online running club based on its Nike+ technology. Effectively a smart shoe that monitors and communicates individual runners stats, goals, progress, routes and music choices to a community of competitive worldwide runners. Runners place a sensor directly into their shoe under their sole that connects to their iPhone, iPod, iTouch or Nike+ watch. Running activates the sensor and immediately records your progress while updating you and your community on your progress against desired targets. The Nike+ is a good example of a platform that links a smart device, community and digital resource together with products to add genuine value to runners’ lives.

Zipcar
Zipcar has created a whole ecosystem of smart objects to create a seamless car-sharing experience. The Zipcar app enables users to identify available car by type and model, reserve them, locate them through maps or make cars honk in a crowded car park. Before the car will unlock its doors, sensors in the car linked to Zipcar’s database verify that the user and car match. Refueling is done with a credit card that resides inside the car. This series of interconnected devices and back end technology make the process of connecting customers with their cars both simple for the user and secure for Zipcar.

Xbox Kinect (formerly Project Natal)
Out in November Kinect will remove the traditional game controller completely, leaving only the gamer’s actual body movements to guide the experience. The proprietary system has the potential to connect a whole array of household objects acting as an information hub for the home.

The Copenhagen wheel
Launched at the Copenhagen 15 conference the Copenhagen wheel is a bicycle wheel that has buried within it a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), sensors, a smart lock, and a Bluetooth connection to the rider’s iPhone. The KERS system allows you to capture the energy dissipated while cycling and breaking and save it for when you need a boost. The sensors capture your effort level and environment, including road conditions, traffic congestion, carbon monoxide, noise, ambient temperature and relative humidity. All controlled through a smart phone, users can access this data and use it to plan healthier bike routes to achieve exercise goals or share data with friends.

Energy Aware Clock
The energy aware clock is the most recent of a bunch of in-home smart devices that have been developed to provide residential customers with visual displays showing their energy usage and the relative costs of using it. Developed by Sweden’s Interactive Institute, the device resembles an ordinary kitchen clock with a simple graphic display. But when, for example the dishwasher is switched on it shows immediately on the display of the unit. Graphs of previous consumption fade away slowly, making it possible to compare your energy use for several periods. By increasing awareness of cost usage users could increase energy efficiency and reduce costs. This can also apply to Commercial customers to shift energy-intensive processes and production away from high-priced periods.

As we progress customers will demand the seamless and customized experience enabled by ‘smart objects’ and their network. Brands will need to think innovatively about how to deliver experiences and interactions across many more touchpoints. All brands will need to be dynamic, flexible and iconic through physical shape, display, movement and sound. Those that do will create revenue streams and position themselves for future success.

Plaid wins '365: AIGA Annual Design Competitions 31'

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:33:00 -0400

We are proud to announce that our work for Kayak.com was selected as a winner for “365: AIGA Annual Design Competitions 31”.

Out of over 2,500 entries, Plaid’s Kayak identity was chosen as #30 of the winning 126 examples of ‘outstanding design produced in 2009’. The work will go on permanent display at the Denver Art Museum, become part of a public exhibition at the AIGA National Design Center in New York and be included as a ‘historical record of notable graphic design’ in the AIGA Design Archives. We are honored to be recognized by AIGA and grateful to our clients Robert, Paul, Steve, Billo and Lincoln at Kayak for making this happen. You can see a snapshot of the work in the brief motion example shown here.

Plaid featured in Creative Review

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:03:45 -0400

Our creative director, James Sanderson was featured in Creative Review’s 2010 Annual. He was interviewed among a panel of judges to critique four websites, utilizing new advancements in web-design. The critique focused on design in a choice driven medium and balancing user experience with design freedom. Pick up the 2010 annual to see our critique and some of the best visual communications work of the year.

Google joins the web-fonts game

Fri, 21 May 2010 19:17:00 -0400

New developments in online fonts have allowed designers to move beyond typical web fonts like Verdana that have become the standard. Organizations can now have corporate faces and websites can differentiate themselves using unique typography, rather than graphics. This is particularly useful in a medium which relies so heavily on text. Designers can now incorporate traditional learning on typography and layout, which can no-doubt be an improvement to the internet we are used to seeing. An interview in Eye magazine picked up on the opposing trend, affecting design outside of web:

“People for so long have had to accept default nature of the web. Which some have turned around to their advantage. The ‘default look’ of non-flash websites has spilled into books, magazines and music design as a conscious style choice rather than necessity.”
—Simon Esterson, Jay Prynne, eye magazine

A few months back we blogged about Typekit, which is a service allowing web-designers to utilize a large variety of fonts (beyond the typical web-safe, system fonts) on a subscription basis.

Since that time, similar services have popped-up (fontspring, fontdeck) and the independent type foundry typotheque went on to develop a similar hosting service that can be licensed by individual type foundries.

Over ten years ago (in 1998) the HTML tag @font-face was introduced to bring web-fonts to the world. Sadly the plan was roadblocked by the proprietary formats that Microsoft and Netscape tried to enforce and outraged type foundries worried about piracy.

Typekit managed to divert this problem by hosting fonts online that were encoded in multiple formats to work across platforms. More recently, Web Open Font Format (WOFF, still only available on firefox) has allowed developers to upload and embed open-source, free fonts into their own websites.

Google has recently jumped into the game by creating an open-source, completely free service, allowing users to embed fonts into their websites. These fonts are unlicensed and free for anyone to use. At the moment there is a limited selection, but expect that to grow as open-source developers create more.

Many foundries and type-designers are still considering their position on the greater access to their designs. AIGA NY hosted an event last week with type-designers Joshua Darden, Jessica Hische and Georg Seifert. All seemed mixed about the new developments but there was a general consensus that more choice and better design online was a benefit to the industry overall. Eye magazine also interviewed three leaders in the type industry for their thoughts on this issue.

Some examples of designers who are taking advantage of web fonts:

New York Times Skimmer
(using typekit)
Formula 1 Racing
(using @ font face to embed SaxMono, a free font)
Objects in space and time
(using typotheque)

Some other examples are here, here and here.

An in-depth look at the history of web-font development can be found here (this site also uses Typekit).

The enduring Star Wars brand

Tue, 18 May 2010 19:25:00 -0400

The original Star Wars movie was created over thirty years ago. Amazingly the global brand that ensued from that movie is still being used to great effect.

Adidas’s recent sneaker range take visual queues from the Millenium Falcon, storm troopers Death star, X-Wing fighters and other characters.

TomTom has just released Star Wars character voices for its GPS navigation systems. Users can choose from Darth Vader available now, C3PO from June, Yoda from July and Han Solo from August. A hilarious YouTubeclip (seen above) promotes Darth Vader recording his TomTom voice that will help you ‘Reach your destination’

The Vader project features 100 Darth Vader helmets that have been reimagined by contemporary street artists, Shag, Marc Ecko, Tim Biskup , Frank Kozik and many more.
The traveling exhibition is about to return to the US after a world tour.

So how is a film made 30 years ago still able to promote modern day fashion/technology products and act as the inspiration for art projects to contemporary audiences in fresh and interesting ways. Nostalgia is obviously one thing but the enduring legacy of the Star wars brand is and probably will be for a long time to come, its distinctive visual style, tone of voice, characters and sounds. A cultural phenomenon that resonates with people of all ages the world over. Yes there have been other franchises like Batman, Bond etc but nothing else has the ability to be mashed-up again, and again and again.

The end of the (traditional) venture capitalist

Wed, 12 May 2010 10:56:47 -0400

The way good ideas come to life is changing in light of a rising tide of successful “lean start-ups,” angel investors, and social product development sites. Traditionally, innovators have sought out venture capitalists who after a lengthy green-lighting and due diligence process provide access to large sums of money (often with investment minimums in the millions) along with industry, financial and legal guidance. And, in exchange venture capitalists often demand board seats and impose complex deal terms.

But modern start-ups are bucking the traditional VC model. A new wave of successful start-ups, including the likes of Facebook and FourSquare, are following the lean start-up model coined by Eric Ries and Steven Blanc. These companies launch with little investment (Facebook started with well under $1 million), small teams, and a minimum viable product to test market response before additional investment and expansion. They don’t need millions to launch, nor do they need a board of directors. So, they rely on a new funding source, the angel investor, rather than venture capitalists.

Angel investors like Ron Conway, Dave McClure and Mike Maples Jr. are wealthy, well-connected investors without the constraints of VC firms. They don’t mandate complex terms or board seats, they are willing to invest relatively small amounts (tens of thousands instead of millions), and they are quick to make investment decisions (essential for making sure an idea does not get “out-scooped” or become irrelevant). On the downside, they typically do not provide the comprehensive business development guidance a VC firm does.

There is a second alternative to venture capital funding for lean start-ups, the social angel, otherwise known as social product development sites. Open source websites like Quirky.com, Kickstarter.com, Idealist.org, and Innocentive.com are bridging the gap between the angel investor and the venture capitalist. They cultivate innovative businesses by providing both funding and guidance. They are intermediaries between innovators and consumers designed to ensure that no good idea will be left behind due to distance, economic circumstance, or executional know-how.

As an example, the Split Stick is an idea submitted by Marc Julian Zech, an advertising copywriter in Hamburg, Germany for a double-sided mini hardrive (a single USB plug with personal data on one side and work data on the other). Zech submitted his idea for a $99 fee to Quirky.com, and within weeks, the Split Stick had a name, final design and a manufacturing launch thanks to the help of Quirky members.

As these social product development sites mature and gain traction, there is an opportunity for venture capitalists to show they too can be nimble and adapt to the times. Perhaps they can partner with some of the social product development sites to add valuable business guidance and capital. While this may be a departure from their current way of doing business, it’s markedly better than obsolescence in the increasingly successful lean start-up market.

Breaking down Obama-care

Fri, 07 May 2010 18:43:43 -0400

Here at Plaid we had friends, clients, and family asking us how the new health care bill will affect them. So we decided to create an info-graphic showcasing some of the major points of the new bill. Please let us know what else you would like to see as an info-graphic!

Expo 2010

Wed, 05 May 2010 17:40:00 -0400

Expo 2010 officially kicked off on May 1st in Shanghai, China.
The exhibition will continue until October 31st and is the most expensive Expo in the history of the World’s Fairs.

This year’s theme “Better City—Better Life” signifies Shanghai’s status as the “next great world city” with more than 190 countries representing themselves (the most ever). As the originator of the World fair (in 1851), it’s only fitting that the UK pavillion boast one of the most impressive installations: an enormous, indescribable sculpture/building by Thomas Heatherwick.
See the video below:

The World’s Fair (AKA, Expo) has been hosted in numerous countries since it’s inauguration in 1851. Showcasing all that the world has to offer in every field (art, technology, culture and much more). It’s hosted by a new country in (approximate) 4 year intervals. Historically, the Expo’s have introduced the public to numerous advancements in society. Some highlights below:

1876 Philadelphia, United States
Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone
First typewriter
Heinz ketchup
First electric light

1889 Paris, France
Eiffel tower was built as an entrance for this Expo

1900 Paris, France
First talking films
Escalators
Campbells soup
First diesel engine

1904 St. Louis, United States
First waffle ice cream cones
Peanut butter
Iced tea
Cotton candy

1915 San Francisco, United States
First steam locomotive
First trans-atlantic telephone lines (linking New York to Paris)

1929 Seville, Spain
Electric refrigerators

1939 New York, United States
GM presents ‘the highway’

Color photography
Nylon
Air conditioning

1970 Osaka, Japan
Moon rock
First IMAX movie
Early mobile phones

1982 Knoxville, United States
First touch screen display
Boxed milk
cherry coke

Benesse art site Naoshima

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:51:00 -0400

The ChiChu art museum design by Tadao Ando

In 1992 the Benesse Corp., a Japanese publishing and educational company that owns Berlitz, chose Naoshima Island in southern Japan as the setting for its growing collection of contemporary art. Inspired by the island’s stunning natural beauty and thinking beyond the typical museum they set out to create an environment that would be a ‘symbiosis of nature, art and architecture’.

Today, the entire island is dedicated to displaying contemporary art. There is artwork scattered about the coast and surrounding forest, two museums designed by maverick architect Tado Ando, one of which is part hotel and a spectacular series of installations inside some of the local village houses referred to as the Art House Project.

Clockwise from left: Yayoi Kusama pumpkin, Hiroshi Sugimoto ‘Time exposed’

Most of the artwork has been created specifically for the Naoshima environment by a host of renowned international artists. Wherever you look among the forests or along the seashore are permanent, unique, site-specific works of art. Yayoi Kusama 6 foot tall black- and yellow-dotted pumpkin greets you at the pier. Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Time Exposed photographs of the inland sea hang along the coastal cliffs, Walter De Maria’s imposing marble balls look out over the coast.

Clockwise from left: James Turell’s Open sky, Chichu museum angled architecture, Benesse Museum Oval

Although both museums created by Ando are architectural masterpieces that fit seamlessly into the landscape. It is the ChiChu Art Museum that is his tour de force of architectural expression (see top picture). Chichu is Japenese for underground as the building is below grade featuring several open spaces puncturing the hillside, which act as the only light source. The Museum was conceived in collaboration with artists James Turrell and Walter De Maria. The work of Claude Monet is also featured here but Monet (sorry Claude) is completely overshadowed by Turrell and De Maria’s fascinating pieces that play tricks on the mind. This is art that makes you sense and feel each of the pieces is an immersive experience to be treasured.

The Art House Project, although more understated than Ando’s architecture is perhaps more interesting. Half a dozen traditional village houses have been restored and turned over to contemporary artists to use as the setting for some impressive permanent installations. Many of these houses are over two hundred years old. Traditional craftsman and contemporary artists have worked together to create the final pieces.
The contrast between the traditional and the contemporary is abrupt yet refreshing.

Art house Project Exterior and interiors From top: Kadoya by Tatasuo Miyajima, Minamidera by James Turrell, Go’o Shrine by Sugimoto

Minamidera Backside of the Moon by James Turrell in collaboration with Ando involves the viewer sitting in pitch-black room where you can’t see anything or anybody until your eyes adjust and the pieces are revealed. Kadoya by Tatsuo Miyajima is one of the most stunning and fresh Art house projects. In this house a pool of water has been inserted with about 40 digital counters flickering as they count down. It is abstract, mesmerizing and thought provoking. Another piece makes uses of liquid crystal that punches opaque shapes out of stenciled numbers in the window.

Although other outdoor art parks exist around the world–Gaudi and Guell in Barcelona, Storm King and Dia Beacon in upstate New York, this is an altogether more extensive visual experience. It’s an experience designed to really create fresh thinking and inspire. Artists from all over the world compete to create work for this environment. Next year a third museum designed by Ando will open, and other islands in the Inland sea are beginning to get involved in creating an art area.

Innovation instead of acquisition in the luxury market

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:19:48 -0400

Expanding existing brands into new business areas that create new customer experiences provides strong financial incentives and an opportunity to strengthen the brand. LVMH’s Cheval Blanc venture is a testament to this. LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton recently announced that it plans to develop more resorts named after its Bordeaux winery based on the success of the first Cheval Blanc location in Courchevel, France. The move signals that LVMH is looking to grow without making pricey brand acquisitions in the notoriously saturated and costly-to-enter luxury goods market.

A few of LVMH’s competitors have ventured into the hospitality arena in recent years. Buglari has two resorts, in Milan and Bali, and Giorgio Armani recently opened a hotel in Dubai. What makes Cheval Blanc so unique is its ability to create a new experience and push its retail products in one package that leaves room for choice and expression. You can get a facial at the Givenchy Spa, purchase new Louis Vuitton shoes and a Dior dress to wear to dinner that night at Le 1947 Restaurant. Cheval Blanc offers luxury and convenience without making you feel like you’re in one big outlet.

In contrast, at the Armani hotel in Dubai everything is one style, Armani. There’s the Armani Fiori flowershop, the Armani Dolci chocolate and sweets store, and the Armani Privé nightclub. In fairness, Armani does not have a holding company like LVMH, which enables a “house of brands” approach. But, LVMH’s two key competitors, PPR and Richemont, both house a variety of luxury brands. They could and ought to follow on the success of Cheval Blanc and create new experiences that add dimension and revenue to their brands.

Helping Counterfeiters via YouTube

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:26:00 -0400

The U.S. $100 bill is one of the most counterfeited currencies throughout the world, creating a high demand for increased security features. Last week the newly designed bill was released to the public. There has been plenty of controversy in the design community over the new bill. Among questions asked, “Why must the new bill be so poorly designed despite its security requirements? “However, what I find even more intriguing is with all the talk about creating higher security measures, that the U.S. government has created an interactive $100 bill feature and multimedia video and made it available to the general public online.

The new bill contains a 3-D image strip, a quill penn watermark, a UV light sensitive strip, a hidden bell inside a foil inkwell, as well as the traditional watermark of Ben Franklin’s head. All this can be explored in-depth through the interactive feature. Now, I’m not an expert when it comes to counterfeiting money, however, it seems you shouldn’t display all of the security features of the new bill to the general public. Currently, if you go to the U.S. new money website you can explore the new bill and its security features using a number of tools ranging from UV light, back light, magnification and even a virtual tour. So in an effort to make this bill more secure it seems we have actually decreased the effort a counterfeiter must go through to find the idiosyncrasies contained within the bill, while also providing some helpful tools.

Helping Haiti Through Design

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:19:21 -0400

The Haiti poster project invites designers to donate limited edition signed posters that can be purchased for various monetary amounts. The proceeds will then be donated to Doctors Without Borders. The Haiti poster project was launched three days after the January earthquake in Haiti. The project was started by Leif Steiner founder and creative director of Moxie Sozo, a design firm in Boulder Colorado. Steiner also led the charge on the Hurricane Katrina Poster Project which helped to raise $50,000 for victims in New Orleans. There are other efforts like The Poster Cause Project which were not created specifically for Haiti, but still contribute towards charitable donations. It’s great to see the design community coming together and contributing positively towards a greater cause.

Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Route

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:15:00 -0400

Brooklyn seems to be all over the news these days. In a good way. From celebrity moves and sightings to a host of new shops and restaurants to rival the island, the borough is booming. The most exciting news to many residents is the new Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Route. This 14 mile path will connect Greenpoint to Red Hook all along Brooklyn’s historic waterfront. Sites along the way for cyclists, joggers and walkers will include the Brooklyn Navy Yard (built in 1801), the Atlantic & Erie Basin (built in 1847 & 1861), the Brooklyn Bridge, Red Hook Park and Gowanus Canal. Timing is evasive but seems to be moving.

Evidence of this was the opening of part of the route last Monday - the long anticipated Pier 1 of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. This section of the park, next to the Fulton Ferry Landing, has stunning views of the bridge, downtown Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island. A beautiful start to the Bridge Park rollout, and the greater Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Route.

Technology and Health care reform

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:58:00 -0400

Now that law has been passed to extend healthcare to nearly every US citizen it is easy to think that the job is done. However, Insurers, entrepreneurs, NGO’s, healthcare professionals and particularly the patients have their part to play in lowering costs and creating a better healthcare experience for all Americans.

Hello Health is one such idea. An online database of board approved doctors and health specialists that sidestep the exhausting rules and regulations created by insurance companies. “Your Hello Health-empowered physician will give you great care without long waits and red tape. Need an appointment asap? Wondering if you need to see your doctor at an in-person appointment or if a video visit will do? Hello Health is all about you.” The founder Dr J Parkinson has also set-up a design cosultancy The future Well which promises to use creative design to improve health

A number of Apps have also been created that empower people to take control over their own health. From monitoring and charting their eating habits and sleeping patterns to even helping the blind.

Apple vs Flash

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:31:00 -0400

People love to speculate on technology.

These days it seems that there’s an endless parade of articles claiming to predict the future impact and/or failure of Apple’s iPad.

Whether it becomes successful or not, web-programmers have taken note of the iPad’s lack of Flash support. Flash is the web technology that allows animation, video and other features not supported on the web’s default infrastructure: HTML.

Steve jobs doesn’t seem impressed by the features Flash can provide. When asked about the omission on the iPhone and iPad he responded:
“We don’t spend a lot of energy on old technology.”

Perhaps Jobs has seen how HTML programmers have duplicated Flash functionality using tricks like Javascript. Or maybe he’s seen HTML5, the new version (currently in beta) that allows Flash-like features. More likely he’s not inclined to support a power-hungry program that would reduce the iPad’s 10 hour battery life to 1.5 hours.

Whatever his reasons, as we’ve pointed out before, Steve Jobs’ speculations on technology often hold real insight on what’s to come.

More on this topic from the NYTimes, CNN and isflashdeadyet.com