44media

The Onion

2008-04-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

A gallery of The onions weekend supplement magazine covers.

The Onion is also worth a read every now and then for a laugh!

I know you got Saul!! (Sorry)

2008-04-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

You may have come across the new advert for ITV4's new action movie season.
This is a well put together advert which pays homage to the great work of Saul Bass.

You can see more of his title sequences here

You might also notice someone has given the Star Wars title sequence the 'Saul Bass Treatment'

Enjoy!

Five Alive

2008-04-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

What a Stone

2008-03-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

A great piece of concrete!

Save The Trees.

2008-03-03T11:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a useful site explaining the issues facing designers and their clients, looking to be more environmentally aware.

The site contains lots of useful information on how to improve and limit your wastage from types of paper and printers to ink and recycling.

Good Stuff!

World Record Sale

2008-02-22T14:19:00.000-08:00

How did i miss this!!!

The Worlds Greatest Music Collection

It ended yesterday
Not that i could afford it, mind.

Listening to.......

2008-02-14T13:37:00.000-08:00

Just came across this little beauty

Red Bull Music Academy

Looks like a host of mixes to keep us entertained in the office for the next couple of months

Can i get a rewind

2008-02-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a while since our last post.
We've been busy working on and pitching for new projects, doing the annual planning and tidying of the office and working on our new site.

Yes that's right, a new site.

In-between the long hours we've managed to start working on our new site, which should hopefully be up soon. Fingers crossed!
Hopefully we might be able to post a few sneak peak images of the new site, so watch this space.

If of course anyone has any objections and would like us to keep our existing site then let us know and we'll mull it over.
Alternatively, just like all good refurb sales, you can buy your own piece of the old 44media website.
Contact us with details of the bit you would like and for how much.

Remember, EVERYTHING MUST GO!!

Anyway i digress, apart from all the work, i've had the chance to go to the cinema a few times over the past couple of weeks.

I would recommend seeing Cloverfield, the new film from LOST creator J J Abrhams. Bar all the hype it is just over 80 minutes of intense entertainment.
Nothing more, nothing less.
If you are expecting an insightful film full of intelligent scenes and writing without any plot holes, then forget it.
The films role is nothing more than to take you on a ride through a city under attack by an unknown monster.

The audience views the action through the lens of a video camera held by one of the characters.
Of course you would ditch the camera after 5 mins, but hey this is a film.
By viewing the film through the camera and characters viewpoint, you are placed right amidst the action and are never given the opportunity to see or understand what's going on. This provides the sensation of being placed right in the middle of the action. You very rarely get to see the monster from close up as the chracters never go near to it (apart from the end, for the obligatory hollywood pay off).

There are of course a few 9/11 references as the film is set in New York under attack and the characters don''t know what is happening or why.

But this probably adds to the film and i would highly recommend it.

I've also had the chance to see

No Country for Old Men, the new Cohen Brothers film - a quality film and well worth seeing.
Talk To Me - the story of Petey Greene a radio Dj from the late 60s - cheesy but entertaining.
Balls Of Fury - a ping pong comedy - Don't see it!

Another film I'm looking forward to is Be Kind Rewind, the new film from Michel Gondry.

Michel Gondry is responsible for such films as 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', 'The Science Of Sleep' and music videos including Daft Punk's 'Around The world' and The White Stripes 'Fell In Love With A Girl ' Lego video.
If you have had the chance to see any of his work, you will know how imaginative and talented a director he is and if not I'd recommend buying this DVD / Video which showcases his music video work.
Check out the rest in the series, if you get a chance.

The film stars Jack Black and Mos Def as it's lead characters. The premise, centres around 2 video store owners who recreate their own versions of famous films after all the tapes in the store become erased due to Jack Black being magnetized!

Due to their very small budget the recreations of the films are based on their imagination and their limited resources.
Films Sweeded - the term used to describe thier re-interpretations in the film, include KIng Kong, Ghostbusters and Driving Miss Daisy to name but a few.
As part of the movies promotional website, they've applied the same process to the website and to some other popular sites.
Including IMDB

and Google

Be sure to check out the trailer and the films interpretations of films such as Boyz in The Hood, Rush Hour 2 and Ghostbusters.

Rob Bailey / Common

2008-02-01T05:32:00.000-08:00

I had the chance to go to the launch of the new Rob Bailey exhibition in Manchester last night.

The exhibhition is hosted at and by those nice folk at Common, who regularly hold exhibitions from talented artist and illustrators.

Be sure to check it out if you get a chance, it's on until the 30th April.
Why not grab some lovely food and drink whilst your there too!

You can view some of his work here.

This is the news!

2008-01-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

The BBC have just released the beta version of their new website.

The design allows the user to move and change the content they see on the home page.
I quite like the annalogue clock at the top, but i'm not sure about the overall design.
It doesn't seem to reflect the serious content contained in the site but maybe my opinion will change in time.

Xmas day out

2007-12-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

I was recently banished from the 44media office to make this years Christmas cards.
Here's some shots of the print coming together.

Hopefully if you made the 44media xmas card list you should be getting one in the post any day now.

Merry Christmas

Go Go Gadget

2007-11-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked about what i thought of the new apple iphone.

Now i'm a bit of a avid collector for all things gadget, such as often getting the latest gadget as soon as it comes out.
I also own quite a few apple devices, but I hadn't felt the desire to rush out and buy an iphone.

These days the trend is to converge all our devices into one, in an attempt to make our lives simpler by not having to carry or buy more than one device.

It was whilst discussing the features of the iphone that it was pointed out that it lacked certain features.
The iphone web browser doesn't support flash, for one and the ability to send multiple text messages, were just two of the simple features missing.
Being limited to one network and not being able to change the battery, also removes that element of choice.
I'm sure all these features will be included in the next generation iPhones as the technology improves.

But it's because of this need to cram it all in and the limits in technology that somethings had to go.

With all the improvements and convergence, products are suffering.
Improved functionality often has to be sacrificed in order to reduce cost, keep a product size down or just to get it out in time.

As the old saying goes "Jack of all trades, master of none".
It's better to have a device that does what it does well, rather than trying to do a bit of everything and failing.

Now convergence can't always be bad, certainly when it enhances the primary function of the device.
For example, the advent of camera's on phones has turned everyone into a photographer and has provided them with the ability to record and send images to friends.

The original purpose of putting cameras on phones was so that people could make video calls (does anyone actually do this?). The functionality of the phone can't get much better but with the addition of the camera the phone has been enhanced for both good and bad (happy slapping-!!??).

Another fine example, is internet connections and wi-fi in games consoles. There has always been that extra enjoyment when playing against a friend rather than the computer, the interaction, the challenge, and the ability to gloat!
Now the ability to play anyone all over the world has opened up the arena and the chance to play and interact with someone else.

Television watching habits have changed over the last few years with the combination of a hard drive with a TV set top box. People can now chose when and how they watch and record there favourite TV programme.

These are good examples of a secondary function being added to a product to improve it.
This is all part of good product design.
Thinking about how to improve on a product, device, service is what design is about not what can i add.

So when you think about it, do you really need just one device to fit into one pocket?
Next time take a look at your new device and see how it works, however i might add i did say the iPhone look good!

Two products i have come across recently which caught my eye was the glo pillow and the new Samsung NV digital camera.

Now i often feel particularly tired in the mornings, especially in the winter months. But if i was to to treat myself i would get one of these.

The glo pillow is an alternative to the traditional alarm clock. It was designed in response to a brief to create a product which helps to combat the pressures of a "24 hour" lifestyle.

The pillow uses an LED fabric below the surface to wake the user using light. This fabric also functions as a display, showing the time on the pillows surface using the grid of LEDs below.

40 minutes before the set alarm time the pillow begins to glow and gently brings the user out of sleep. This natural waking process helps to set the circadian rhythm or "body clock" and results in more healthy sleep/wake patterns.

The second product is more from a aesthetic perspective. The new Samsung NV digital cameras are a just thing of beauty. Whilst the technology inside the camera is up to date, the styling harks back to the 1970's style SLR cameras. The old roll film SLR cameras were rarely messed with when it came to functionality. The choice of buttons and speed settings were rarely changed, with only the lens being updated.
Digital cameras are constantly being improved with the number of pixels being upped everyday. Samsung have combined the latest technology with a simple design which has gained recognition, having been recently included in the current Best Design and Advertising exhibition at Urbis, Manchester.

Record Covers Pt.3

2007-10-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a great blog about record covers - Sleevage

A lot of time on their hands!

2007-10-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

Fashion Trends

2007-10-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

For those people in the Manchester area looking to spruce up their wardrobe, should go and check out the Fashion Weekender at Urbis, 4th Oct - 7th Oct. The event promises to showcase the latest up and coming design talent out there. There will also be the opportunirty to buy some of the clothes on show.
So for those of you who are looking for something a bit different and not your usual mass produced high street shop, then it's worth checking out, you'll aslo be supporting the up and coming talent.

On a side note, 44media's very own Ty Abiodun will be taking time out of his busy schedule to supply the music during the event. So if you're there, why not say hello and let him know if you like his music or not!

44media Update

2007-09-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

There has been a distinct lack of posts from us recently due to work commitments.
We've been quite busy over the last few weeks producing Comments Cards for Urbis, an Annual Report for 42nd Street (not the club!), a Map and Promotional Material for Odd and Odder Bar and a Website for Pau Brasil (a new Brazilian restaurant in Manchester, which is worth checking out).
Hopefully when we get some time we will update our site with the latest work. So keep checking back to view the latest work updates.

Whilst we think of some musings that you might be interested in, why not have a look at these beautiful illustrations by Stina Persson.

We also bought this book Two Faced.

and this one, If you could......

Both books contain quality illustrations and the 'If you could' book asks the thought provoking question, If you could do anything tomorrow, what would it be?

Both these books are worth looking at and will make a wonderess edition to your bookshelf or coffee table.

Listening to.......

2007-08-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

Space Beats

Strange mix covers but quality music on offer.

Tony Wilson - R.I.P

2007-08-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

Its every so often that you hear of the passing away of someone famous, who you don't really know and you just can't quite belive it.
Tony Wilson's passing away last Friday was a shock to all.

Tony Wilson was a staunch ambassador of Manchester and as a Mancunion it was always easy to relate and feel proud of that regional patriotism.
I remember from my younger days seeing him on Granada News and being aware that he was somehow behind the music that i listned to from Factory records.
It's testimont to his eruditeness and personality that he could have achieved what he did in the south, but he was keen to promote the North as a place of creativeness and industriousness.
It was Tony Wilson's can do attitude and creative entrepeneurship which kick started the revival in Manchester's fortune. With a host of the current Manchester creative entrepeneurs being in some way influenced by one of Tony Wilson's products.

He was often referred to as a W@!'$r, for his comments on scousers, the south and religion, but considering what he had achieved, he had every reason to be smug.
From the development of the cool independent record label to the hiring of a young talented designer to the precieved music mogul of a 'Madchester' scene to the co-owner of the first superclub, his influence runs deep.

He will be remembered for lots of reasons good and bad, but he surely must be considerd as one of the most important people in recent times, to have a influence on the 'Mondern' city, music and culture.

His importance to Manchester was so important that I'm sure there will be some kind of celebration of his life and his influence.
I'll see you there!

The Inter web

2007-08-07T15:55:00.000-07:00

I finally got round to installing Google Analytics yesterday. If you haven't installed it or seen it, then it's worth checking out.
As well as providing the statistics you need for your site, It also presents them in a more intuitive graphical way. We have the standard stats software on our site but Google Analytics gives a nice clear visual representation of where your users are and on which links have been clicked and how many times.

When the leading search engine provides are web statistic tool like this, it's worth taking note.
It seems Google can do no wrong.

While putting this together it got me thinking of the other useful sites and tools that i use on the internet.
So i thought i'd join the list brigade and compile my top sites and resources.
That's of course if you are interested!

In no particular order

1) Google - need i say more.

2) Wikipedia - Whenever you're stuck for that bit of knowledge.

3) Newstoday/ The Serif - Design forum/blogs which provide a daily link to great work and resources.

4) BBC - This is the news!

5) SXC - A great resource for free quality images.

6) IMDB - For when you can't remember that film or what that actor has been in.

7) Alluc - Films, Television galore.

8) Kuler - Adobe colour tool.

9) Flickr - A site to create an online archive of your digital photos and share your images.

10) Any site that has list of useful links and resources.

Record Covers Pt.2

2007-08-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

An album cover trying to be clever.

Read and see more here

Say What

2007-07-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Contains strong language.

One laptop each

2007-07-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

Nice!

2007-07-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

Nice site

Thanks to Serif

Always wondered who...

2007-07-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

did these.

It's Adrian Johnson.

visual treats

2007-07-20T16:24:00.000-07:00