Making function beautiful

February 17, 2012 //

Last fall I started looking for a jacket that could handle the bad weather we were having, and by coincides I stumbled upon a small shop in Oslo that had some interesting jackets. The price was a little on the steep side for me, but they went on my “one day I’ll own one” wish list.

Recently Norwegian Rain got the Nåløyet prize from the magazine Henne for their collection of rain-jackets. Alexander Helle and T-Michael have designed rain-jackets that don’t look like rain-jackets. Japanese nano technology to make it waterproof, combined with norwegian design. A beautiful mix of form and function. I hope this prize will give them more publicity and get more people to look into their products.

So if your looking for some stylish jackets that keep you dry check out: Norwegian Rain.

Rimi gets close, but no cigar

January 17, 2012 //

Rimi is a chain of cheap food store that have a campaign going on that I think I know where they got their inspiration from. Tesco did something similar in South Korea not to long ago. But there is one difference. Tesco tok the store to the consumers. The Rimi version stil needs customers to get to the store.

The Rimi app is one that lets you scan the products with a QR code, and them adding it to you Rimi shoppinglist. The list can be shared, will guide you so that the route inside the store will be the shortest, and some other small gimmicks.

My only problem is that I still have to go to the store.

What about if I could send the list to my local store and just pick up the bags at a seperate counter. Or even better they could deliver to my address when I get home. Well done Rimi, but no cigar, yet.

Redjecting bad logos

January 31, 2011 //

Lately the social media world has been having a fun time with new logos that aren’t that great. The Gap logo was probably the first to get a bashing so bad they went back to the old one. Recently NBC Universal also changed their logo, and have gotten a small bashing, but they will probably stick with their new logo. Why are big corporations making so bad decisions? Where has the brand identity gone? The new Gap logo looked like a computer company and NBCU looks more corporate then a law firm.

It’s time for people to put some identity back into logos. By looking at the logo everybody should know something about the brand. Is the brand innovate or traditional, old or young, cheap or expensive. Comedy Central ditched the cartoon look, but they kept it fun, and it works. On a redesign you can make a bold move, but stay true to your core values and make your users/fans proud. If our brand has been around for a while, that means people like you, don’t go and act like you are somebody else.

Get the celebrities off my screen

January 6, 2011 //

First Lefdal with Pamela Anderson and now Coop Prix with Anna Anka. Seriously? Someone wise once said that if you want a celebrity in the story, the celebrity should only be in it for for a little extra flair. The story should be great even without anybody famous in it. But sorry, these just dont cut it.

The Prix ad has other versions without a celebrity in them, which proves my point. Hope they do better next time.

Social media done right

November 11, 2010 //

Keenan Cahill has become a youtube-hit for his lip-syncing. This is a perfect example of how 50-Cent and his team managed to use the social media buzz to launch his new single on the Chelsea Lately Shown. Being able to react fast and to know what is happening is even more important now that a lot of the buzz is user generated. Maybe Bogusky is on to something, time for consumer to take control.

Desperate help via pizza order

October 20, 2010 //

This is in Norwegian but it is so daam good I have to post it. I cant think of anything negative to say about it, nothing, it’s that good. And it’s for something serious. Listen to Trys radio ad for Norsk Krisesenterforbund (an organization working to prevent violence in ones close relationship, like family…) made by Verdens sterkeste mann.

Norsk Krisesenterforbund, Try og Verdens sterkeste mann – Nødtelefon

For those of you that don’t understand Norwegian this is the short version. A woman calls the police emergency hotline, and orders a pizza. The officer reminds her that she has called the police emergency hotline. She replies by specifying the address a second time. He then understands that she has called who she wanted to but can’t say anything.

Mashing up the mix

October 7, 2010 //

Ålesunder Peter Bull has since his early mixes refined the art of mash ups. His newest one is a gem, pure genius, witch in my case even exceeded “2 many djs” mix sessions (or at least how innovative they once were). If he keeps pumping out stuff like this he should be destined to make it big. Check out his youtube channel for for more music. Would be fun to hear a Scandinavian mash up with Røyksopp, Robyn, The Knife, A-ha, Roxette, Mew, Saybia and more…

Savy slick Swedish super screens

September 30, 2010 //

The Astonishing Tribe are a bunch of Swedes that are looking at how user interfaces (screens) can interact with our daily life, without changing our daily life. Love the idea of expandable screens and easy sharing. The mirror screen I have seen some places, but not with the Minority Rapport way to use it. If this is the future, I’m eagerly waiting.

When ideas copulate

September 23, 2010 //

Where is the RSAnimate logo? By using an established and trusted form of storytelling Steven Johnson promotes his new book. He gives a good, quick, talk about some historical aspects of generating good ideas. The important part here seems to be, cooperation. Don’t sit with your big ego and nest on some idea that you think is good. By talking to somebody, it might become great.

Welcome to dystopia

September 6, 2010 //

Norwegian band Röyksopp have released a video for their single “The drug”. A very un-Norwegian and actually disturbing video. Together with beautiful music, one is taken around an apocalyptic and surreal landscape. I can’t help but think this is a kick to the western world and how we treat others.

“The Drug” comes from Röyksopp’s forthcoming instrumental album Senior, due September 13.

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