InSight: April 2009

Friday, April 24, 2009

Inspiration Showcase #2

As a graphic designer and writer, I always find inspiration from other artist's work among many others. Works that not only reflect a distinct concept but are innovative, affecting and beautiful. This post is part of my weekly showcase of inspiration ranging from graphic design, photomanipulation, traditional and digital art, typography and even videos that I found from all over the internet. Please feel free contribute your own inspiring art works/videos either through email or via twitter (twitter.com/johnluarca). Please put "My Inspiration" in the subject line or before your Twitter message.

Chandra7

The Story of a hundred years By Ennil

Forgotten fairytales By Zemotion

Summer's Day By Kayceeus

Hope By JustInBlackPhotos

Lady In Red By Godlike86

Adriana Gerasimova

Feel My Greatest Temptation By Fathur Rokhim

In A Maasai Dream By Foxfires

Ophelia By FallenRoseMedia

Transcendent By Shane Smart

Dream On By Manolya F

When I Feel I'm Gone By Bryan Collins

The longest way from a daydream to a dream

On November 9, 2007, photographer and student, Christoph Rehage started the longest journey of his life from China to Germany. By walking.

Although, he was not able to finish his original goal of reaching Germany as he stopped November 13, 2008. He has already achieved a very significant feat. He walked 4646 km for a year - passed the Gobi Dessert, various travel issues with local authorities, unlimited beard and hair growth and apparently zealous watchers who posed with him as he took pictures of himself during the journey.

I could just imagine how enriching this journey has been for Christoph; to travel and see the world not through the fast and dynamic advances in transportation, but through the most basic form of travel. This is a remarkable journey that only an equally remarkable man could do.

The title of this post is inspired by Christoph's statement in his website ..." There are longer ways, and many people have walked them before. So what’s the point in calling this “the longest way?“ It’s actually quite simple. Some take walks and others do other things. Nevertheless, this goes for everyone - it is the longest way from a daydream to a dream." Know more about Christoph Rehage at his website The Longest Way.

10 of the World's Most Iconic Green Office Buildings

Buildings and skyscrapers are symbols of a vigorous and dynamic economy. However, at this time, architects and engineers ought to continue in developing more environment-friendly structures in an effort to help reduce the alarming deterioration of the world. The government, too, should become more aggressive in campaigning for this development.

Here are 10 of the most inspiring and green office buildings in the world:

BBVA HQ - Madrid

China Insurance Group Shenzen

Ernst and Young HQ Amsterdam

StatOilHydro Oslo

Fusionopolis Singapore

The Okhta Tower St. Petersburg

The Cactus Project Qatar

525 Golden Gate San Francisco

The Bow Calgary

One Westminster Place London

Via Ahoy

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Pantene India's "Strong Hair" Ambient Campaign

Why not do something like (see below) this for the local Pantene brand instead of using celebrities who seem to be in a perennial state of mawkish stupor? Is it due to the Philippine's culture and general consciousness? Is Imelda Marcos right in saying "I know my little people want to see a star. Other presidents' wives have gone to the barrios wearing house dresses and slippers. That's not what people want to see. People want someone they can love, someone to set an example."? Do we need really need the "stars" to dictate what a quality product is? The bigger the "star", the better the product?

Why not try something different and smart Pantene (Philippines)?

Pantene Philippine's most recent celebrity endorses posing for Preview Magazine.

Pantene India's Ambient Campaign

Challenge: Pantene makes hair strong hair and objective was to bring the communication at various consumer touch points.

Solution: A poster with a real plait hanging from the back of a head was stuck on the doors of malls, supermarkets and beauty salons. The plait served as the door handle and each time patrons ‘pulled’ the hair handle, the core benefit of Pantene was communicated in an interesting manner.

Result: Apart from bringing a lovely smile to the lips of patrons, it created greater brand awareness and an increase in enquiries at the Pantene beauty counters set up at these touch points.

Agency: Grey Worldwide, Mumbai, India

Via Adoholik

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The Sound of Music's Do-Re-Mi at Belgium Central Station

This is a magical moment. Somehow, it causes one's seemingly unflinching despair to ebb away - to drown into warm childhood memories, when life is simple - when red means love and blue means peace.

More than 200 dancers were performing their version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. With just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt! Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23 of march 2009, 08:00 AM. It is a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program, where they are looking for someone to play the leading role, in the musical of "The Sound of Music".

Friday, April 17, 2009

Look Ma, No Make-up!

In a world and time where women featured in the magazine covers are reinvented to become dolls; transformed by the magic of airbrushing and retouching, here comes Elle Magazine(France), going back to the basics and to what is real: beautiful women WITHOUT Make-up!

French ELLE editor Valérie Toranian has given us Eva Herzigova, Monica Bellucci and Sophie Marceau sans makeup and retouching, as captured by Peter Lindbergh's lens. Via Girl With A Satchel