Author Archive
…and we finally updated. As creatives – it’s no easy task to update your own logo/site/blog/twitter/tumblr etc. In fact it’s one of THE hardest things to do (maybe this is why some of the best agencies have the worst logos? No names here people…no names). Quite simply it’s torture – especially when you’re engulfed in [...]
Seeing as I’ve been camera happy recently, when I was home I took some time out to check out Exposed – Voyeurism, Surveillance and the Camera at the Tate Modern. There were some absolutely brilliant photographs and I spent what felt like an eternity watching Nan Goldin’s The Ballad of Sexual Dependency One of the [...]
I haven’t been back to England for just over a year so went on a photo rampage. Photos from my recent trip home. Ahhh just looking at these makes me homesick again. Random but I honestly think I’m becoming obsessed with signage. Yet again..props to the S90…never fails.
The last few days have been an absolute whirlwind...
Los Angeles, Good Times, XBox 360, Project Natal and most importantly Kinect.
After the initial preview of Project Natal back in Februrary, I marked my calendar for December and vowed to pre-order + MAYBE wait in line like everybody else.
Then, just over a month ago I had the best email I think I've ever received in my entire life...a trip to LA to attend the Project Natal announcement and launch (complete with Cirque De Soleil) extravaganza.
Holy shizzle - well obviously there's not a chance in hell that I'd miss an opportunity like this and for the last few weeks I've been wishing away the days like no tomorrow. Finally on Sunday 12th June 2010 - the time had come.
With a much hyped about Cirque De Soleil performance to officially kick things off, I wasn't really sure of what to expect.
The crowd outside the Gaelen Center was a mix of hardcore gamers, journos, Xbox devotees and sometime old school gamers like myself. Ryuuken!
On entering the theatre everyone was given white, shoulder padded tunics (umm religious cult anyone?) and asked to take their seats. The event itself was pretty damn spectacular…think Avatar meets Space Odyssey (yes us humans have truly been primitive with control pads and what not). I think the best part of it all was the open floor and interaction between the Cirque De Soleil crew and regular people. Hate to sound cornball - but it was definitely an interactive event - complete with dancers, fake elephants (I thought it was real for a second) and a little girl that walked on the ceiling (very poltergeist-esque).
End point? Xbox Kinect is truly amazing. No price announcement yet - but as an addition to my existing Xbox you can count me in for November 4th.
ATC MIA is officially 2 years old today...woah when did that happen?!
I guess time flies when you're having fun! It was Summer 2006, when I was first approached by Mark, Daailo and DT (founders of ATC MIA) to design their logo, business cards, promotional gear and print ad for Frank 151...obviously charmed by our blazin' design skills, the project quickly evolved into a full blown retail store design and later down the line e-commerce website (atcmia.com).
From the age of 14, Che started 'doing beats' when he was 14 and writing seriously at 16 - citing inspiration from an eclectic list of musicians including A Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West, Nas, Ice Cube, Nirvana, The Killers and Coldplay. Now, just 18 years old - the senior high schooler and aspiring rapper/producer's debut track "The Real" is a summer/good times catchy tune about life and the things that he goes through on a regular basis.
Bright eyed and un-signed I had to shine some light his way, not to mention The Real is a pretty good way to start the long weekend.
"I'm just a regular 18 year old kid from Brooklyn with a dream."
More to come…but for now make sure you’re keeping up with DJ Ruckus here and here!
Not much happens on my street…ever since the Knitting Factory closed and the infamous Pepper's bowed to increasing pressure from "concerned" TriBeCa residents and shut it's doors (it's now a church..nuff said). So it came as a surprise on a late Sunday afternoon when I ventured outside (yeah rare) and walked slap-bang into the middle of a block party. Music, kids, balloons, paper, patterns, an elephant load of wheat-paste and Shepard Fairey.
Fresh from the Deitch Projects NYC Posters Release and the Houston Street mural that went up in a whirlwind, Shepard was live on Leonard St for the City Kids Foundation Silver Anniversary Block Party. Continuing in the tradition of the foundation started by Keith Haring in the 80s, Shepard created a series of murals with 150 kids from the program.
Good vibes and good fun - for a great cause.
Flicks below.
We were pleased to work on Season 2, Top Chef Masters contestant and esteemed cuisine connoisseur Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s “Marc Burger” temporary site. Keen to keeps his fans updated, Marcus wanted a site that gave a hint of what’s to come.
DIRTY OLD TOWN: PRESENTED BY ABEL FERRARA from Blowback Productions on Vimeo. Just when I think I’m over it all I see beautiful things like this.
Work, work and more work. But that's
just not what you come here for is it?
In the last few months I've battled a snow storm, overdosed on chocolate at a photoshoot, been to Miami, ridden sans helmet on a scooter, eaten all manner of artery clogging fare, screamed my heart out, been to birthdays a plenty, hustled like a mad woman and a lot more. But of course I documented it all....with Super Cam (aka Canon S90).
New York the big city of dreams, nightmares, opportunities, downfalls, culture, elitism, exclusivity and a whole heap of other adjectives. I've lived in NYC for just over 7 years and I still haven't seen it all...when you're constantly on your grind (it's not all fun 'n' games) - it's sometimes difficult to appreciate the sheer amount of energy, diversity and most importantly history that's here
It’s been awhile. I’m sorry. This is crap. There’s nothing worse than loving a blog and then checking back to find…nothing. I’m not going to give you a Blogger’s Sob Story™ - because as you know this isn’t a BLOG – it’s big.blag.blog. Good things in the works – I promise. Miss me madly? Follow [...]
Cornball Moment over with - last night was a dream come true at the premier party for the new Xbox: Project Natal.
I came across these “Rare Photos of Famous People” on my cyber travels. Some of them you’ve probably seen before – a lot of them I haven’t. I’m in love with the Elizabeth Taylor and Christopher Walken shots…oh and Dennis Hopper? Can Steve Jobs please invent a REAL Time Machine next? Thanks.
Jennifer Green is a fellow transplant with an excellent blog on the New York-London lifestyle. Every month she interviews fellow ex-pats and gets their take on life and living in NYC. She recently featured yours truly (even though I'm from Manny) yaay!
A Creative Genius and Fashion Mastermind 16 March 1969 – 11 February 2010 May He rest in peace.
We're pleased to announce the launch of mickboogie.com
From being the official DJ for the Cleveland Cavaliers, to playing at celeb studded parties in Miami, Dubai and Las Vegas - Mick Boogie has fast become one of the DJ industry's rising stars. Mick approached us in late 2009 to help him re-tool his site and reenergize his brand.
Held smack bang in the middle of Times Square, with an adult paddle pool, inflatables, Makers, a hot as balls crowd and a live performance from NY's finest - Roxy Cottontail, the House of Jackie Brown 2nd Anniversary event was definitely not going to be your regular swimwear soiree.
I'm a big fan of surprises and I'm an even BIGGER fan of suspense and the build up. This year has thankfully (yes...I am truly thankful) been a busy year for giftd.
The full run down has yet to come - but I figured a sneak peek is in order. These projects aren't officially launching until next year but as loyal blog readers I wanted to share with you...more to come!! Oh and the image above is DEFINITELY the thing I'm most excited about.
Enjoy!
"The Mental Therapists tackle eating issues from a completely different standpoint. Using NLP, CBT, EMT and Hypnosis, we help you to understand your eating thoughts, challenge your long held beliefs and make you feel safe to accept changes."
I recently got a new camera (Canon S90) and while I'm no expert (and admittedly a beginner), I've taken on a whole new appreciation for light and the art of photography. While looking through iphoto I noticed a common theme - the light. I can't take a lot of credit because on most of the flicks I've literally gone - "point>shoot>move on", but I will say that the S90 is flippin' amazing when it comes to picking up light. Below are some flicks I've taken over the last 2 months.
My name is Samantha Edwards and I'm a magazine fiend.
On my regular field trip to the magazine mecca (Spring & Lafeyette) on Saturday, I came across Jacques and was immediately intrigued. It was sat with the adult mags, wrapped in plastic and had 'not for sale to minors' printed on the front. When I asked Magazine Man™ what it was he raised his eyebrows, so I knew instantly it wasn't your average fashion/photography publication.
I've been a member of this bloomin' marvelous community of extraordinarily talented and creative ladies for just over a year and a half. During that time I've met some fantastic and inspiring women (including founder Natalie Blacker and have made some really good friends.
So I'm positively honored to be featured as Ladies Lotto's LLady of the month.
What a wicked way to end the New Year!
You can read the interview here on how I got my start in the US.
I came across the brilliantly beautiful blog of Kate Wilson a few weeks ago and just had to share. From delicately detailed drawings and witty little bird doodles, to full on fashion adoration, photography and the documentation of her fantastic “crafty” projects – Kate’s blog makes me want to learn to draw (although my stick [...]
With Thanksgiving coming up and Christmas just around the corner – aside from family and friends, the one thing on most peoples mind is food. Coincidentally over the last week I’ve been lucky enough to have a slap up meal at Brinkleys, nosey round the New Amsterdam food market and finally try a dinges from [...]
Who said that creativity was dead?
I'll agree that the one thing missing from the internet is wild visual abandon. Previously mood-board type sites I've come across have been pretty uniform, image and justified text // small images lots of justified text // lots of justified images and no text. Don't get me wrong...each serves a purpose, but sometimes sites like flickr, dropular and notcot just don't cut it.
I'm in the market for a new handbag. Random. But true. Obviously it has to be within budget - but one can drool over the fantabulous treasures of leather...One in particular, is the Chanel 2.55
"In February 1955, Coco Chanel launched a bag that sparked a revolution in the world of luxury goods. The "2.55" takes its name from this date, and remains a synonym for elegance and exclusivity to this day
Hmmm...sounds like a DVD you'd find in your local Dirty Den 'esque store, but unfortunately my friends it's not.
Cara Walsh is a California native, great chef, good friend and most importantly - a ridiculously talented graphic designer. Cara has spent last two years working at Taschen and has had the great pleasure of designing a number of great books including; Tom of Finland, Neil Leifer, The Godfather Family Album, and the brilliantly titled The Big Book of Penis (not for the faint of heart - let me tell ya).
I'm Mancunian born and bred. I've been in New York City for just over 6 years and whilst I love it, I'm very proud of my hometown.
This time last year I was caught up in Election Fever and was back home in England tallying up scores on a US vs UK scoreboard. The UK triumphed obviously.
The latest track (Stellify) off former Stone Roses front man - Ian Brown's album is bloody brilliant. The video is set on a grey day in Manchester and leading a marching band, the man of the moment, marches on with the swagger of 10 men through the town center. To many it's a simple/basic video but I've gotta say - it makes me proud to be a Manc every time I hear the track and see the video.
There are big things bubbling at ATC (including the soon to be launched much anticipated e-commerce website!). For now though the boys in Miami are proud of their latest collaboration ATC MIA x New Era. We were pleased to be consulted on the project and can't wait to get our hands on the final product.
Get yours in the store; 1601 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida.
It's been a helluva ride. Mountain Dew's Green Label Art is officially a wrap. If you missed it? Shame on you - you missed out. Transforming the Etnies basement into a fully fledged art gallery was no easy task but it's been great working with a wicked team of individuals; Matty Ho (Subculture Conglomerate), The LTD + Crew, the artists (Pushead, UPSO, Stephen Bliss, Jeff McMillan, Nathan Cabrera and Claw Money) and of course partner in design Confid3ntial.
Ahhh internet...what will you show me next. I've done some much needed mindless browsing this weekend and as usual am loving the little internet gems that I've come across. First up: Supermarket Sarah.
Sarah take internet shopping to the next (and beautifully basic) level with her online store.
Friday saw the opening event for Mr Bliss's "Paint It Black".
Stephen took the concept of interactive to the next level with the Paint It Black Show. Artists (including ThunderDog Studios very own Tristan Eaton) and event attendees were invited to "paint by numbers" on Stephen's intricately detailed pieces which included sketch book excerpts and original workings from the infamous "Bully" video game.
"And so we follow Jay-Z through the doorway, as the microphone is handed to him, as he dons his crown – his Yankee cap – and rises from beneath the stage to the lights of the arena, and the awaiting crowd: no mere fans, but American celebrity’s cream of the crop, before which he is King."
Opening night on 09.09.09 went off with a bang (and a crash...umm this is a gallery people!)...if you missed it - no worries there are PLENTY more opening nights and opportunities to witness the Green coming up over the next 2 weeks.
29 Greene Street, Soho, NYC (12 - 7PM)
UPSO + Jeff McMillan (12TH SEPTEMBER - 14TH SEPTEMBER)
Nathan Cabrera (15TH - 17TH SEPTEMBER)
Stephen Bliss (18TH - 20TH SEPTEMBER)
Claw Money (21ST - 23RD SEPTEMBER)
Green Label Art is a creative initiative from the folks at Mountain Dewthat gives selected artists (both upcoming and established) the opportunity to design their own Mountain Dew bottles that are available for a limited period of time.
When I came heard about the recent ink blot brouhaha, I couldn't help but take a peek at the Rorschach blots on Wikipedia.
I think everyone at some point has had the debate Rocky or Rambo, Frankenstein or Dracula, Dinosaur or Deceptacon? Shia or Becks...ahem! Well maybe not the latter but you know what I mean. I came across heybendotcom's brilliant "Pick One". I think I'm addicted...nice one Ben
Yes yes...it's a been a long time. No excuse except Summer time.
Took a long awaited and much needed trip to Sardinia via London via Manchester . Absolute Bliss...I'm think I'm still in chillax (I also hate that word...but anyway) mode. So forgive the lack of commentary.
