Philip Cortelyou Johnson July 8, 1906– January 25, 2005
One of America’s most influential architects.
Known by his thick, round-framed glasses, Philip Johnson was the most recognizable figure in American architecture for decades.
In 1930, he founded the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and later (1978), as a trustee, he was awarded an American Institute of Architects Gold Medal and the first Pritzker Architecture Prize, in 1979.
Last week we touched on typography and the power it has in media, both print,interactive and in animation/cinema.
Here is a great example of design when you take a simple product such as a company/brand who sells bags (varying sizes of garbage bags) and applies some simple, elegant design principals for a cohesive and integrated identity system.
It is important to note that in today’s information age this story was representative of how people interact in today’s online society. The news was reported first online, spread online, traffic at YouTube is flowing into his posted work and thousands of others around the world are posting tributes. Google News Servers were overrun with queries about him so much so that it triggered a security measure requiring validation. Millions of people on facebook, forums and newsgroups around the world commenting and sharing, thousands of tributes posted via blogs. Twitter actually stalled over this news as it spread. As quoted hereone of the biggest where-were-you moments in the digital age, and a testament to his career and talent.
Michael Joseph Jackson
August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009
A very sad day in many ways. I have always been a fan even through the strange and bizarre, media hyped and barraged, volatile and tortured life this entertainer lead. To give him what is due – he was a pioneer for pop music, an self-realized icon with a vision to be what he became – The King of Pop.
Although I more so remember the days of being in my family station wagon and just buzzing with anticipation to head to the Record Bar music store in Wilmington, Delaware’s Concord Mall to buy OFF THE WALL. The album kids – vinyl. And so I did. I got the store, thumbed through quickly – snapping the plastic wrapped twelve inch products till I got to the J’s. There it was, after the Jackson 5, and after The Jacksons, OFF THE WALL.
I remember staring at this album as if it were a life-changing event, all over an album. I stared at it in the backseat the whole way home, only to run as fast as I could to get upstairs and place the record ever so gently on my Stereophonic, hybrid system (you all remember the kind with record, radio, casette and the really big speakers). I put it on and just stared at the record. Then a year later at the 1984 Grammy’s – seeing him do Billie Jean live on stage in front of millions – reinforcing his place in history amongst recording heroes through musical history of past and future.
It wasn’t until I got into high school, that I started to appreciate the impact that record had on me and the world (of pop/r&b music).
Quincy Jones may have been the production mastermind behind Michael Jackson, but it was his unique style, talent, voice and of course his showmanship which skyrocketed him to stardom, only to follow up his first solo record with Thriller.
Now THRILLER.
I’ll keep this short. Visiting my grandparents in Florida for holiday, and MTV was going to air the music video, with a countdown – I watched the timer – never leaving the den. Finally, it came on, and I remember preaching to my grandparents – “You HAVE to watch this”. A pioneer once again by incorporating cinema with music, and breaking all the rules to produce a half million dollar video for a pop song. Shortly after that, my father in Delaware, did a fashion show for his hair salons, and the event was produced and themed – THRILLER, at the venue (for those of you in the Northeast in 70’s and 80’s) Pulsations – just over the Pennsylvania border. So memorable a time – and backed by a soundtrack from this amazing recording artist.
Of course there have been many other highlights to Michael Jackson’s life – as well as memories we wished weren’t directly related to his character – but life was successful, challenging, isolated, difficult and above all – really, full of surprises since he was the age of 10.
We will miss his music, the ground-breaking dancing and what his contribution to pop culture for many of us.
A snipet from the first moonwalk in 1984 at he Grammy Awards and a few other highlights.
This summarizes nicely in a minute plus, how beautiful the creative process fuses with our behavior and consideration of ownership & affiliation. Further testament to understanding the language of design, the world we live in and even history & culture play a part of our decision making each day.
When you think of State Farm, you first thing INSURANCE. I then think of RED/WHITE very corporate branding, their logo which has stayed the same for a very long time and I think conservative. Then think DJ/MIX/Bonnaroo Music Festival – and you don’t think of ANY of those things. So what a wonderful way for State Farm to offer their muscle and to be associated with a less conservative demographic, all who NEED INSURANCE and now, they will be put into the “consideration set (as we have discussed before) for future patronage. It’s simple – attract and speak/relate a little more to your audience, and they will respond and be attracted to you by association. Not an energy drink, not a record label, a conservative insurance company. This is a great lesson for corporate America – wake up. It’s time for Corporate Communication 101. Enter…Olive.
I just want to go on record as saying Dr.Megavolt, or any other mad scientists out there think you got a unique shtick…
I pose this question to you. How fast can eat 1 slice of wonderbread?
My favorite is the ItalianBreadMan at 15 seconds:
As Partner/Founder of Olive Studio, I am proud to announce my record is 39 seconds.
Axe. What is there to say? They know their audience. I was watching the FUSE Network last night and caught this commercial for AXE BODY SPRAY.
New flavor is Dark Chocolate. What 14-20 year old boy (don’t acknowledge if you are older…just not appropriate) doesn’t want to have that type of popularity with the female persuasion? It’s really unique, compelling, bizarre, funny – and above all, in-line with tone/style to how their audience wants to be spoken too. It’s great branding and experience (now whether the spray really does lure women like this, I will have to ask my nephew.)
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When you think of State Farm, you first thing INSURANCE. I then think of RED/WHITE very corporate branding, their logo which has stayed the same for a very long time and I think conservative. Then think DJ/MIX/Bonnaroo Music Festival – and you don’t think of ANY of those things. So what a wonderful way for State Farm to offer their muscle and to be associated with a less conservative demographic, all who NEED INSURANCE and now, they will be put into the “consideration set (as we have discussed before) for future patronage. It’s simple – attract and speak/relate a little more to your audience, and they will respond and be attracted to you by association. Not an energy drink, not a record label, a conservative insurance company. This is a great lesson for corporate America – wake up. It’s time for Corporate Communication 101. Enter…Olive.