Simplifying Complexity

Amazing video that visually shows the pace at how the world’s media landscape is changing.  ’Did You Know‘ is another update to the original ‘Shift Happens’ video created by XPLANE | The visual thinking company, with content by XPLANE, The Economist, Karl Fisch, Scott McLeod and Laura Bestler, for the Economist Media Convergence Forum in October.

Dave Gray, XPLANE founder and president, spoke recently in our Design & Business Thinking class in the new MDes Strategic Foresight & Innovation program at OCAD. XPLANE does a great  job of simplifying complexity using pictures to help solve problems. Check out his site and blogs for some great resources on the topic of visual thinking.

Big in Berlin

Little Giantess walks through Berlin, Germany on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) #

Crowds of spectators surround the Little Giantess at Bebelplatz in Berlin on October 2, 2009. (PHILIPP GUELLAND/AFP/Getty Images) #

The Little Giantess takes her first steps in front of the Rotes Rathaus on October 2, 2009. (DAVID GANNON/AFP/Getty Images) #

These puppets are stunning works of art powered by people. Created by the French mechanical marionette street theatre company, Royal de Luxe, These larger than life characters took over Berlin streets in October to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Berlin Reunion – ‘The little giantess, the wall and the deep sea diver’,  told the tale of 2 huge marionettes [15 metres high!] finally reunited after years of being separated by the wall.

“The storyline of the performance has the two separated by a wall, thrown up by “land and sea monsters”. The Big Giant has just returned from a long and difficult – but successful – expedition to destroy the wall, and now the two are walking the streets of Berlin, seeking each other after many years apart.”

To see the show in action have a look at the You Tube video. Magical.

via:  The Boston Globe

Google Doodles

I am sure everyone noticed the recent Sesame Street ‘Google Doodles’ in honour of their 40th birthday. But have you ever wondered how many of these doodles have been created since Google began?  Most designs were created by  Dennis Hwang (The official Google Doodle Design Artist and WebMaster). As of 2004, he had created 150.

Check out the  Google official Doodle page, for the very extensive and varied collection.  Many of the doodles are in honour of various National holidays that we may not otherwise know about had it not been for these curious doodles!

Enjoy!

via:  The Design Inspiration