MEDIAKIK » Motion

Fade Out 2008, Fade In 2009

Mediakik — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:05:18 +0000

This year has been a year of great challenges and great obstacles – all of which have instilled a great sense of purpose, ambition and direction for me. Technology has been cited as the single fastest growing phenomenon in the shortest time span this century (want more incite check out “The Next 5000 days of the WEB“), however even with all these technological advancements the world still managed to fall into another economic dark age.

I could go into a 2008 retrospective but I think there have been more dark moments that shining moments – so all I have to say is this:

WE all have the power and ability to steer our own course in this life. It might be small compared to schematics of the universe. But the beauty of this world is not what we accomplish as individuals but what we’re able to change together. Sounds pretty tacky I know – but take a step back for once and see the world for what it is – just one big bubble. A bubble we’re all inside of, a bubble that is fragile, but also a bubble that is majestic and everlasting, giving us life. A bubble that surely can live without us if it were sentient enough to just wipe us all out tomorrow, but a bubble WE can’t live without.

May 2009 bring you all joy, peace and power. Power to live life. Power to live it well!

Wisdom

Mediakik — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:07:55 +0000

On Thursday I came across a piece created by Andrew Zuckerman. It wasn’t about him or about a product he wanted to promote or sell. To me – it personified the idea that the greatest gift one generation can pass onto another is wisdom, pure and simple.

Visit wisdombook.org and watch the video, watch the Making of interviews and just listen. Aside from the simple approach to shooting an interview and photography – Andrew goes into detail of why he used the mediums he used, and the method behind the scenes.

Enjoy.

Only The Bakersman Can

Mediakik — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:02:19 +0000

Bakers Precious Biscuits from Shy the Sun on Vimeo.

Growing up in South Africa, our version of Oreo cookies was Bakers Biscuits cookies, and while doing my usual perusing for cool motion graphic video’s I stumbled over this little nostalgic throwback.

Most of the talent recruited by Agency Ogilvy in Johannesburg included Shy the Sun (direction) and Blackginger (production coordination) and Cab Films (live action).

With an obvious pull from popular fairy tales – I think they’ve definitely exposed some of South Africa’s burgeoning talent.

With Bubbles or Without?

Mediakik — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:00:55 +0000

A combination of stellar special effects – Munich based design firm Velvet Mediendesign and Black Mountain Studios VFX teamed up to create this spot for Mattoni Spring Water. Nothing like Brazilian supermodel, Gisele Bündchen in a water dress to promote natural spring water. Oddly enough she used the same “water-dress” concept to promote her own line of sandals which were featured in several magazines.

Pure eye candy and pure seduction.

Tilt Shift Photography – Real Life Miniatures.

Mediakik — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:46:39 +0000

Beached from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

An interesting technique that takes wide angle and high angle shots from a high plane – and adds a depth of field to it – giving a very cool illusion that you’re focusing on the subject matter. It’s almost surreal because everything looks miniature in a way.

It’s a technique that’s becoming popular – however it’s pretty hard to achieve and there have only been a few photographers able to capture the essence of what tilt-shift photography is.

Check out Vincent Laforet – a photographer for the New York Times and Keith Loutit a photographer based in Australia.

Calling All Designers & Lovers of the Web!!

Mediakik — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:37:00 +0000

As Mediakik begins to slowly grow I’m hoping to “recruit” some publishers. The purpose of Mediakik is to share inspiration, for and from artists and designers in pretty much any community. So if you think you have some great pieces on a designer, a photographer, a motion graphics designer, or if you have some nail-biting, holy-cow news on technology then feel free to let me know if you’re interested in contributing.

Just as a caveat to all this – you should also have some presence by way of a portfolio online, demonstrating your “want” to contribute and also have some good writing chops.

That’s all folks.

This Ride Can Fly!

Mediakik — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:43:31 +0000

Okay so after a little absence I have to say that I have some pretty cool stuff on the way. Okay so – King & Country – ring any bells with you hardcore design freaks? Well these California Crazies have some sick Motion Graphic/3D skills and their latest pet speaks volumes of there talent.

Take the time to view the rest of the work – it’s worth it – Don’t believe me – check it out!

Lets Paint The Walls Blu

Mediakik — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:00:58 +0000

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo

Took me a while to find this gem, but now I’ve at least plugged it here for other short film enthusiasts. Haven’t been able to find much info on the artist known only as Blu - but I’d have to say he runs along the same obscure infamy as Blansky. Only the scale at which Blu seems to create is a true indication of his patience and vehement artistic direction. His blog has a pretty extensive collection of personal urban projects he’s undertaken. His website offers some further insight into some of his work, but still none into the artist behind it all.

I find his work rather eery but with a hint of social irony his managed to make it somewhat humorous – but aside from that his work is very, very distinct.

Don’t believe me. Check it out!

Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants

Mediakik — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:24:15 +0000

Wild Beasts – Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants. Dir: OneInThree from OneInThree on Vimeo.

I See Things.

Mediakik — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:51:00 +0000

FUEL has put out some hard hitting work in the last little while. What’s surprising, is they seem to fly under the radar enough to keep guys like me excited every time I visit their site. Check out the Mcdonalds – I See Things commercial. I’ve been raving about this little gem to a friend of mine – hopefully she and You will get to reminisce back to when your imagination ruled your world – not work, bills and iPhones.

Oh The Blood & The Sweet Sweet Tears!

Mediakik — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:44:01 +0000

Okay, so it’s finally up! Almost a year of research, learning, indecision, countless design iterations and the minor crash course in jQuery – talk about anal-retentive-perfectionism! However, I have triumphed! The first Version of Mediakik (lets call her 1.0), was a simple static rendition of what I thought was the cat’s ass, and when I think back to my perception of what good usability and design was – it’s almost as if I’ve come full circle.

Simple, simple, simple – that’s what I started with, but as the months went on and I started to think about getting people to actually visit and READ what was going on, I went into this “netherworld” of Web 2.0 knock-offs, everything complete with the obligatory drop shadow and paint splatter. When I saw myself getting bored with each iteration only after a couple of days I realized the shelf-life of the new “Fad” was pretty short.

So I went back – this is where the full circle comes into play – because I figured that if there was going to be substantial information regarding design, the web, photography, motion graphics; the posts where going to be the necessary injection of color and graphics. Also, since this was a carriage for my portfolio work, those to would be enough to create some focal point.

So, I say look around, feel free to slag,compliment,criticize,gossip,praise and plagiarize whatever you see or read. Just be sure to let me know – and I encourage you to bookmark, comment and subscribe to this lovely beast that I guarantee will get bigger and bigger and bigger!