Last week, after watching Shaun White win gold whilst nailing the Double McTwist 1260 (AKA the ‘Tomahawk’) on the snowboard half-pipe in Vancouver, I remembered the stylish promo animation for the BBC (seen above). The art style reminds me of early 1920s eastern european film, Frank Miller’s Sin City and the hatched illustrations of Edward Gory. For a more recent example of this 3d animation with 2d cel-shaded styling, take a look at Mad Word. It’s a great piece. A full motion picture in this style would be fantastic.
Having said that, I still love the Beijing 2008 BBC promo, ‘Meet Monkey‘, which was based on the classic Chinese tale, ‘Journey to the West’ and animated by those responsible for the Gorillaz music videos!
Old news it may be, but Jérémy Clapin and Stéphane Piera’s 2008 Oscar contender ‘Skhizein’ is an absolute must see. For those who missed out on this beautifully realised and curious tale of Henry and his slightly displaced universe, here it is in full. Quintessentially quirky and French, it’s a joy to behold full of original ideas and visual cleverness not to mention rock solid art direction and admirable follow-through in all aspects of the execution.
Available here to buy on DVD with an insightful making of.
I love this ad. American Express have a good track record of engaging ads and this is the first TV commercial from the new international advertising campaign by ‘AMEX‘, directed by Kuntzel+Deygas (add a dog), agency: Ogilvy & Mather UK.
This video, called “Okami to Buta” (オオカミとブ) or ‘Wolf and Pig’, is a charming Japanese stop-motion animation using just stills photography and lots of ingenuity. Watch the video above to follow the chase that uses over 1,300 printed pictures!
One of my design heroes is undoubtedly British graphic designer and consummate typographer Jonathan Barnbrook. Renown and admired for his pivotal role in British graphics and his strong political views and contribution to social causes, Barnbrook strives to use the power of his design skills as a weapon for social change and for the moral good.
I was pleased therefore, when I spotted Barnbrook’s unmistakable ‘Virus’ fonts in the latest British Heart Foundation television advert. Directed by Barnbrook, “The spot features a Virtual Heart Simulator, alongside a typographic treatment by Barnbrook of various words from the voiceover.”–CR. Whilst undeniably graceful, and wonderfully paced, I do slightly wonder at the choice of some of Barnbrook’s self-designed typefaces – as beautifully crafted and animated as they are. A pleasant change and real step away from recent BHF advertising.
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