John Lewis Christmas Spot

Mary Blair

I had never heard of Mary Blair before she was honored with today's Google doodle:

She was a Disney artist who created concept art for some of my favorite early Disney films, as well as character design for It's a Small World.

Newton Thomas Sigel, DP

I recently watched Robert Redford's movie The Conspirator, and was struck by the cinematography. So I looked up the director of photography on imdb.com and was amazed that I had never paid attention to him.

Newton Thoms Sigel has been the DP on most (if not all) of Bryan Singer's films, including the first two X-Men movies, the Superman reboot, Valkyrie, and a movie I consider one of the best directed, shot, and edited films I've ever seen, The Usual Suspects.

Sigel's latest movie, Jack the Giant Killer is in post-production. Directed by Bryan Singer and staring Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci and Ian McShane (not to mention Warwick Davis), seems like it's one to look forward to.

Video Tour of the Saatchi Gallery

I came across Charles Saatchi's book in the gift shop of the Getty, and really enjoyed it. Here's a video tour of the Saatchi Gallery Duke of York's HQ.


Saatchi Gallery Newspeak II exhibition video tour from Saatchi Gallery on Vimeo.

Dave Eggers and 826 Valencia

I think about this TED talk all the time.

Pacific Standard Time

Jason Schwartzman and John Baldessari in this piece by TBWA Chiat/Day for Pacific Standard Time.

Theo Jansen's Strandbeest

I've always liked Theo Jansen's kinetic sculptures.



And now, miniatures are available for 40 Euro...

GoPro be a Hero

Just learned about this little camera and the awesome videos people have made with it.

Back to the Start

I really like this short piece created by London-based Johnny Kelly.

Bert and Ernie and George

From the 1983 TV special Don't Eat the Pictures.

Playtype

Playtype has created a brick-and-mortar typography store in Copenhagen.

The original plan was for this to be open only for a year. Looks like it may be extended. I hope I can get to Denmark while this place is still open.

Olaf Veltman

I've admired Olaf Veltman's photography for a long time. He was profiled in in the 2011 Design Annual of Communication Arts.

World's Smallest and Largest Stop-Motion Animation

Both created by Sumo Science and Aardman for the Nokia N8.

3 Videos from Rick Mereki

If you thought Where in the Hell is Matt was cool, check out these three videos. No idea who Rick Mereki is, but I want to be his pal.


MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.


LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.


EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

The Kennedys

Watched this mini-series on Netflix, and really enjoyed it. All four leading characters were very convincing. JFK comes across as seriously flawed and Bobby seems like the real deal.