Although using simplicity as a tool is oftentimes a fantastic way to create an effective watch design, sometimes raw mechanical finesse just overrules all. Here's a collection that was crafted for the Swiss watchmaker Mare Monti in Geneva, from concept to prototype.
Every once in a while you'll find something that grabs your attention like a pair of sugerglued mittens. These fantastic works of graphic design by Skinny Ships, a little studio lead by Californian designer Richard Perez, have a strong focus on geometry and shapes, whilst maintaining the vintage vibe that I've grown to love.
Public service announcements - whether it be from school, or from TV, we all know the ads that attempt to curtail negative behaviour (i.e. drunk driving) that poses a danger to ourselves and to others.
The problem is, while the cause of these advertisements is worthwhile, they are notoriously ineffective. Why? Any number of reasons. Often, in order not to be deemed too graphic or too offensive, even public service announcements are toned down to a degree where they end up sugarcoating the problem they are trying to fight, rather than presenting it accurately. Other times, they rely too heavily on statistics and data that, while portraying a grim picture, just does not affect the average person. The danger the PSA is trying to warn of does not become tangible.
Below, I have collated a small sample of public service announcements that I think work - at least more effectively than most of what you would commonly see on TV. If you agree or disagree, or have come across another great PSA, your comments are appreciated.
Warning: some of these are rather graphic. But I guess that's the point.
Drunk driving (Australia)
Texting while driving (UK)
Cocaine use (New Zealand)
Speeding & risky driving (Australia)
The Victorian Transport Accident Commission in Australia has been responsible for many of the best driving-related PSAs I have ever seen. The two shown above are only a small example. You can check out many more on their Youtube page, and have a look at their '20 years of traffic safety ads' montage below.
As beautiful as California is, the area is occasionally visited by floods and earthquakes. Under the motto (probably) "it's only a nuisance is you're unprepared", Studio Peek Ancona created this flood-proof house that shields its inhabitants from potential dangers. They claim it's a concept that isn't unique to this particular sample and similar designs can be deployed where deemed appropriate.
Although the practicality of the construction takes the leading role, the aesthetic quality is genuinely impressive. The large amounts of wood is balanced by an occasional addition of stone tiling and concrete and the several terraces are the perfect spot for a relaxing time outside - whilst remaining flood-proof.
Colt + Rane have brought out three mixes so far (on Soundcloud) and this is probably my favorite. It's half an hour long and features music that you probably wouldn't hear otherwise. There's some stuff on there that reminds me heavily of deep house but with a slightly psychadelic nuance, give it a listen.
Monday, September 6, 2010 at 2:35AM 
