designbivouac

A New Perspective

Sometimes the essential functionality of an object is best revealed from angles seldom seen. Take the redesigned 2010 R1200RT for example. Seen from the side, the bike appears familiar... a fine design iteration of the venerable long distance tourer.

However, the true genius and dynamics of the design are best revealed from a eagle's-eye view. From above, affordances for generous wind protection and ways to obtain comfort for miles on end really stand out. Undoubtedly this type of "form follows function" creativity is stirred up during long hours spent shaping the design in a wind tunnel. Regardless of how it came into being, the bivouac is once again blown away by the refinements taking place in motorrad land. Perhaps you too are thinking about your designs from all angles?

More Uplifting Elements as Stars

Key structures placed with meticulous care within video story lines have been popping up lately. See Rampenfest for a slower-paced story or take a look at this nice counterpoint and particularly uplifting visualization from Hydro's Norweigian advertisement. It highlights the promise of a new generation of young, up and coming engineers. Thanks for the link Thomas. 8)

BMW 1 Series Launch

For those of you that may not have caught the original ramp up to the US launch of the BMW 1 Series, this piece Jeff Schultz and Bite the Bullet Productions, stereotypes notwithstanding, sheds some light on how you might have missed it.

Visit www.rampenfest.com/ for the full story.

Websites as Interactive Film

Video is playing a larger role in website design as is evidenced by the recent BMW Concept 5 Gran Turismo website. Hyundai adds further interactivity and multiple perspectives as well as offers a new twist on the 360 degree view of its Genesis Coupe on its Genesis Coupe website.Thanks to Engin for pointing this one out.

BMW Concept 5 Grand Turismo

BMW provides a grand tour of its Concept 5 Grand Turismo model via its informative film format website. Take a closer look both inside and out at this new category of vehicle. View the Concept 5 Grand Turismo website

Market Places of Distinction

Conveying the richness of an offering online has long been a challenge. Muji and Hema have managed to find engaging and informative ways to feature their products online in remarkable ways.

Muji leverages video in a strikingly straightforward way...http://www.muji.com/playmuji/

Hema plays with physics...http://producten.hema.nl/

Visit here for a more searchable experience: http://www.hema.nl/

Oblong Realizes Minority Report Interaction with g-speak

It seems the folks at Oblong have been working to realize an interaction approach similar to the one featured in Steven Spielburg's Minority Report film and you can check out some of their efforts here.

g-speak overview 1828121108 from john underkoffler on Vimeo.

Echochrome offers a new perspective on video gaming

Although somewhat puzzling initially, Echochrome offers Escher-like environments that players navigate by "filling" broken pathways as they change their perspective view on the scene. This title offers a refreshing angle on brain-enhancing gaming.

Pure Visual Searching Goodness

Keen to add a visual element or some serendipity to your web searching? Try oskope.

Get Real

High fidelity rendering of girl follows your cursor. You decide on creepiness factor. Powered by Motion Portrait. This is a good exploration regarding the attention to detail and nuances needed to represent the human form in an appropriate way.

Back to the Future

Not sure just what is going on over at Cadillac headquarters these days but let's hope they keep it up! Ed Welburn and his design team continue to successfully explore the edged aesthetic reminiscent of some of Syd Mead's vehicle designs which inspired so many to think about what the future of vehicle design might hold. The CTS Coupe concept is another successful design exercise in that regard. Thanks to the folks at Cadillac for bringing back that feeling of future think once again. Now, if we could just start seeing more vehicles like this on the road...ideally with a hybrid power plant.

BMW X3 Commercial with Techniques Revealed

The masters at Digital Domain brought compelling sequence to life with the introduction of the BMW X3 back in 2004. This extended version reveals a few of the techniques used. Nicely done.

Reminds Me Of Remind Me Video

Regardless of how you might feel about nuclear energy, here is another fine exemplar of super clean and delightful isometric animations served up for the energy company Areva by Euro RSCG C&O and H5.

Your Design Here

Ever need to visualize branding or design work in context? With LiveSurface images, you can place your designs within layered photoshop files containing images of spaces or objects.

To learn more about LiveSurface visit: www.livesurface.com

Remind Me...

Thanks Susanne for reminding us of this exemplar of infographic visualization.

Before and After

Some people may have a tough time spotting the differences between the older model X5 and the all new for 2007 redesign. However, enhancements and changes are significant. This morphing promotional video clearly shows that signature character elements can be retained while achieving significant design revision.

Give A Little Love in 2007

Perhaps we should all take the message from Coca-Cola's recent video game-inspired commercial to heart this year. Created by Sheena Brady and Shannon McGlothin of Wieden + Kennedy, Portland and produced by Nexus Productions UK, the spot serves up a cool and refreshing spin on the Grand Theft Auto genre of video games.

Automobile Website Designers Get Flashy

The bivouac has spotted two vehicle websites which pushing the limits of web-based communications. Sites like these are undoubtedly keeping writers, musicians, photographers, digital video compositors, videographers, flash developers and three-dimensional rendering experts busy and working together. Supplemented with informational video clips and theatrical quality soundtracks, content is conveyed in a rich, albeit broadband requisite fashion. One similarity between the two sites is the use of three-dimensional renderings of the featured vehicles. Let's hope the new Audi R8 and BMW X5 are as impressive in the real world as they appear to be online.

View the 2007 BMW X5 website.

View Audi R8 microsite.

Let's Tango!

The Tango!, an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device created by Blink Twice, helps children who are speech or hearing impaired with communication and self-expression. Users create and customize sentences using touch screen pictograms and text. The device then reads them aloud. Vocabulary can be built upon through the use of a built in camera. The device is also useful as a tool for teaching English.

The device also has a USB connection for expanded functionality, CompactFlash, and SD, with the option to use a keyboard. Cellular conectivity is planned for later models. Current princes for the units are still very high at approximately $6899. Blink Twice hopes to get prices more accessible through meeting quantity orders in the future.

Shift in Advertising

Thanks goes to Dan Roam for spotting this notable advertisement which uses a chart instead of copy to get the intended point across...and swiftly at that.

Touring with Tourist Trophy

The bivouac recently logged some laps with Polyphony Digital's Tourist Trophy Playstation 2 motorcycle simulator. The folks at Polyphony are the same ones who brought us the excellent Gran Turismo racing series and this title is equally impressive.

Beyond convincing riding dynamics, an extensive range of motorcycles and riding gear to explore, and near photorealistic racing venues, perhaps one of the most pleasant features of the simulator is the photo mode. It allows riders to replay a race and capture memorable moments. Extensive image manipulation capabilities are available so riders can pan to a perfect angle at a critical moment in the competition and stylize their photos to their choosing. As for the level of detail achieved, the images below are photos output from the simulator.

It was remarkably easy to plug in an iShuffle USB drive into the PS2 and save the photo content. For added control and immersion, you may want to try adding a Yamaha Motor Sport Game Controller to the mix. Ride safe, smart and strong.

Thank You for Kool Titles

Shadowplay Studio's title sequence for "Thank You for Smoking" does a nice job highlighting all the attention to detail that tobacco companies have designed into their product packaging over the years.

To light up the sequence visit: Shadowplay Studios

Recognize Your Own Footprint?

Why not take this first step towards recognizing your own footprint...ecological footprint that is.

Visit myfootprint.org to take the ecological footprint quiz.

Watch Your Step

How's this for a new perspective on things. Thanks to very clever paint schemes, optical illusions appear, as you walk through the rooms photographed here. Simply stunning.

View more rooms via 2Loop.com.

Visual Complexity Made Simple

Well, at least finding inspiring examples of ways to visualize complex information is easier thanks to www.visualcomplexity.com. The site does a nice job of capturing many excellent information visualization approaches all in one place.

Hey! I'm Walking Here!

Something to ponder next time you are waiting for that light to change.

pedestrianlevitation.net

Blogpoly

A beautiful adaptation of the classic Monopoly board, Blogpoly intuitively captures many of today's top players in the internet/blogging ecosystem. For those familiar with the original Monopoly properties, this clever adaptation also conveys relative values and interrelationships. Anyone who has played Monopoly before can understand why Google and Yahoo! occupy the slots originally assigned to Boardwalk and Park Place. One wonders if a game of Twister is in the making as things continue to evolve in the blogosphere. Or perhaps an adaptation of the game of Life is in order. Nice visualization.

For more visit: littleoslow.com.

Gaining a Little Perspective

Chalk one up for Julian Beever. He renders objects in chalk on pavement. But what sets his work apart is his ability to draw objects in a perspective intended for viewing from a specific vantage point. The results are very impressive indeed. This is a long way from hopscotch numbers and smiley faces.

Browse more of his three-dimensional perspective pavement artwork here.

The Embassy Puts Citroen in Motion

Never seen a Citroen with moves like this...Take a look at the Embassy's Citroen News entry:
www.theembassyvfx.com/

BMW X3 "Mix Your Playgrounds" Campaign

The Bivouac recently discovered the work of BDDP & Fils, Paris. The agency won the 2004 Epica award for their BMW X3 "Mix Your Playgrounds" print campaign. Congratulations are extended to the agency for capturing the mix of modern elegance and technical capabilities on offer in the X3.

And special thanks to Didier for sending along the artist's name which is Jean-Marie Vives.