On Australia Day, Google Maps did a flyover of Sydney to take low-level photos. A small ISP decided to create an advertisement in the photos. So is that spam? Or as one commenter pointed out, were they just acting on Google’s invitation to “get involved”?
What’s more British than a Spitfire?
Nothing, apparently. When designer Jeremy Fisher was creating a new logo for exclusive tailor English Cut, he wanted an image which defined “The Best of British”.
A BBC story — reminiscent of the Australian values debate — suggested everything from gin and tonic to the National Health Service. But Fisher chose the iconic Spitfire fighter aircraft of WWII.
“‘British’ used to be a byword for quality, trust, craftsmanship and innovation,” he says.
Thanks to Gaping Void for the pointer.
Animals on the Underground
Is this fantastic art or nothing more than a complicated version of colouring in? Animals on the Underground builds on a silly idea financed by plenty of merchandise — t-shirs, coffee cups, mouse mats and underwear. Thanks to information aesthetics for the pointer.
Brain-Dead Businesses
Monopoly for the 21st Century
The classic Parker Brothers game Monopoly has been “updated” for the 21st Century. In the Monopoly Here & Now limited edition, the familiar player tokens of the top hat, the boot, the old-fashioned sports car and the rest are gone — replaced by a laptop, a mobile phone, trainers, a coffee cup and a bag of fries.
Inflation has struck. No longer do you collect $200 when you pass “Go”. Your salary is $2,000,000 — but then the real estate prices are up in the millions too. The railway stations have been replaced by a cell-phone service and an ISP. Community Chest cards include “You are runner up on a Reality TV show. Collect $100,000,” and in a Chance card you get a tax break for driving a hybrid car.
But in the ultimate concession to the New Century, there’s product placement. The coffee cup token is Starbucks-branded, and the fries are McDonald’s.
Should you wish to try before you buy, there’s an interactive demo.
“Essential”? It’s all a matter of perspective…
“Essential”, says the Macquarie Dictionary (Fourth Edition), means “absolutely necessary; indispensable: discipline is essential in an army“. But the new Thursday supplement in the Sydney Morning Herald, entitled essential: Style + Home + Health (not online), must work to a different definition.
Continue reading ““Essential”? It’s all a matter of perspective…”