Yesterday I was invited by Creative Social to join their Amsterdam event and sit in on a presentation by Rafael Rozendaal. Very cool stuff.
Creative Social was founded in 2004, by Daniele Fiandaca and Mark Chalmers, as a collective of the world’s most pioneering interactive creative directors & business owners, a collective who recognized that collaborating in this digital landscape is the way that we’ll advance the industry and enjoy the life work imbalance even more. The aim from the outset has been to inspire, promote and educate the industry. Twice a year they meet up face to face, just 35 individuals each time, making it all the cooler that I was there.
The presentation I saw was by digital artist Rafael Rozendaal. An all round very inspiring guy. His fascination with online, and using it as an art platform has led to some amazing work. When Rafael has an idea, he executes it and buys a URL where this idea is hosted. This allows you to actually buy his work, making his digital art an exchangeable good, just like old school art is. Be sure to check out his work here.
Unfortunately I couldn’t be there today, but who knows, maybe this humble blogger will be there next time when it is hosted in some sunny city on the other side of the world…
I’d say keep your eyes on this collective and follow what they are up to (via their blog). Trust me, it is a very interesting group of people. And check out the book they published not that long ago on the history, present and future of digital advertising.
I guess we should call this the best of both worlds. Moleskine, the guys who made notebooks cool are now moving into the digital realms. They have designed a cover for both the iPad and iPhone. The covers hold your digital best friend as well as a traditional blank notebook. Moleskine themselves call it analog-digital ultra-portable workstations for the contemporary nomads. And I like them. The only question that still remains Moleskine: Where do I put my pen?!
As I wrote last year, Polaroid is making a comeback. The great instant camera which I becoming a larger cult item with every digital camera sold will soon be available again. The Pic-1000 will be available in two version: A plastic metal look alike, and my favorite, the wooden edition pictured above.
It has been updated with a flash, timer and red-eye filter and thanks to the people who kept open the production facilities there are going to be plenty of films available. Even the price is friendly, estimated around $100,-.
The folks at Obscura Digital have taken their interactive projection knowledge to Vegas, and have created a new, next level pool table; The Cuelight Pooltable.The setup uses a projection system and a few sensors to track the balls and display effects on any pool table you supply.
Nice… Also be sure to check out their other work, which is pretty impressive here!
I think it was over a year ago when Polaroid announced it would stop producing their instant development film. It immedatly popped into my mind that this was an opportunity to see Chris Andersons’ Long Tail in action.
Although the lion’s share of the market has been replaced by cheap digital camera’s, this is a classic product for communities. Based on nothing more than my gut feeling, I’ll bet you that there is are many communities of Polaroid lovers out there (besides the guys selling roses in the streets of course), willing to spend money on their beloved film.There is just something magic about waving those little pictures around and see them instantly develop.
The digital revolution has swept a way the mass market appeal of the Polaroid, mainly because it is far more expensive. Nevertheless, in its slipstream it has created room for the Polaroid as a niche product, focused on zealous users. If the people at Polaroid had been smart about it, they would still be making money on the films. It just requires a new perspective. Although the market may be smaller, it is definitly interesting enough to continue production in a smaller (i.e. more efficient) way.
That’s exactly what Florian Kaps must have thought when he heard the news. Together with former Polaroid employees he is currently trying to revive an old factory in Enschede, The Netherlands. They have managed to get hold of the factories old film production machines so the are on their way to success. However, the complex chemicals needed for the films Polaroid camera’s use are hard to obtain as the production facilities for these chemicals have also been shut down. However, I am sure Mr. Kaps and his friends will succeed, solely based on their love for the product.
I am sure they will be able to find their niche in the market if they succeed in finding and marketing to the existing communities of Polaroid lovers out there, and if Mr. Kaps needs help marketing the products: Get in touch, I volunteer!
