, a book by award-winning editorial and infographics designer Fransesco Franchi, was released in September 2013. He talks about his vision for the future of the news and media industries. He analyzes the changes that are developing in the digital age and the consumer expectation towards the media. He also provides different solutions and strategies that may be taken by traditional media and design platforms.
Franchi’s findings were based on his research for the and other media experts such as Richard Turley from , Daniele Codega from , Steve Duenes from , and many more.
He talks about the new ways the media can contribute to the market and how media outlets can become credible news brands. He focuses on the future of editorial designers and how they can contribute to the future of media.
Something to look out about is discussions about new age media and digitalization and what can be done to approach the situation. It works the mind and sends off possibilities of what’s to come of our media industry today. An educational and insightful book that takes on different approaches towards the media.
It is also designed creatively and consists of eye catching images that make it so much more interesting for the readers.
It is definitely a useful book for those working in the media and design industries, and also a thought-provoking book to learn some new information.
is the second instalment to the first short video of , created by the in collaboration with Channel 4 and Dazed, created and directed by Becky Sloan and Joseph Pelling. If you’ve seen the first Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared video, you’ll know that you’re in for a treat for the second one. This video is pretty much about a seemingly harmless children’s show, only to provide a “special” surprise in the end. What started with a bunch of Muppet characters about to watch their show, soon is disturbed by a new clock form character that wants to explain to them about time in song, the ending turns for the worst when a lot of weird things happen like the characters’ skin peeling off and melting from their bodies.
The overall concept of the video itself was interesting in that it includes a different mix of things that doesn’t seem to make sense, which gives a unique experience to the viewers and is definitely something to remember. The imagery is unique as well, creating a whole Muppet experience and providing good animation. However, it gave off a feel of The Simpsons and Family that don’t really make any sense and no story line, but then again, most popular cartoons are like that these days.
This is the part of the video that manages to gain a good element of surprise. It definitely catches you off guard by mixing two contrasting elements of innocence and horror and gore. It creates a unique and somewhat disturbing blend, leaving a disturbed feeling of having seen somebody being mutilated right in front of you.
Having seen the first Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared though, it ruins the surprise at the end because I knew what to expect and it really wasn’t as creepy or interesting as the first. As a sequel, I feel they could have done much better.
is a photographic series by Chino Otsuka a London-based Japanese photographer. This series revolves around the childhood of the photographer and her past memories. The photographs were formed by taking Otsuka’s childhood photographs and inserting her adult self in them, creating a sense of travelling back in time. Otsuka used some photographs from her teenage year as well – inserting them with her photographs from the year 2005 to 2009. The photographs were taken in different places, showcasing her many experiences travelling the world.
Otsuka portrayed her photographs with great subtlety making it seem that her photos are one with the other. She handles the photos with precise details, creating a smooth and clear image, making it impossible to tell any signs of photos hoped work – something I would never have known if it weren’t pointed out to me. Some examples of this technique can be seen from some of her photographs like her photo in Japan with the , which presents a slightly blurry surface, which she manages to imitate, also other images like of her in Spain, which replicates the colors and grains to the exact.
Her photographic technique shows her creativity in handling the photographs creating a natural look for it. What makes this series interesting is the sense that Otsuka actually went back in time and took a photograph with her younger self. She did a very good job in creating that essence and making the experience real for the viewers. This simple yet well-created piece takes you to the past to catch a first-hand glimpse of Otsuka’s childhood.
The whole series falls together nicely – each photograph having its unique theme, but always with one similarity: all including two Otsukas. It not only allows us to view into her past but also gives us a unique concept to the possibilities of time travelling. It allows your imaginations to come to life.
This short film debuted in 2013, created as a graduation project by Parachutes.TV – written, directed, and edited by . was written symmetrically where the second half is exactly the same as the first, except it was shown backwards and mirrored. The short started off by showing many different shots of a boy and girl in their daily ritual, unclear what to expect. As the film progresses, we start to see the formation of a conflict.
The film itself emphasizes the relationship of a boy and girl and the boy’s experience in finding his clarity. After the couple got into a conflict, he runs off, only to find comfort in the arms of another woman. That was the main concept of the first part, where the second part was continued exactly the same except in reversal. The whole concept blended together nicely creating continuous shots from the beginning to end.
Some of the most creative parts about this short are its angles and length of shots. It showcased so many different angles that were framed nicely and suiting to the shots, as well as the very short shots, that surprisingly pieced together well and maintained good continuity. The short and creative angles of the shots also give a classy and mysterious field to it, creating an unexpected and curious desire towards the audience.
This film was also supported with great background music, creating a moment for every shot and created a continuous flow – especially for a film with no dialogues.
The overall flow of the film falls back neatly – creating a mind-churning film. It brings something new and fresh to the cinematic scene, so this film is definitely something to watch.
If I were to point out the highlights of Barefood's EP “Sullen” then it would definitely be its catchy tunes and incisive distorted guitar sounds. Three years after their first demo release in 2010 and the intense live gigs in between, Barefood's EP “Sullen” has finally been released last September 2013.
Consisting of two high school friends Ditto and Mamet, Barefood is a group influenced by the 90's alternative rock bands. Its first EP “Sullen” is a collaborative project with Anoa Records, a local independent label.
Compared to the songs in their Demo, the tracks in Sullen do not have many of subtle distinctions in terms of the music's atmosphere. However, the tracks in Sullen are far more enjoyable and well-developed. opens the EP with the catchy “You don't have to show your anger” and from that we will be given the continuous memorable tunes throughout the 23-minute CD. The additional woman's voice (Putriani Mulyadi) in is impeccable in giving a soft touch in the slower-paced track. is an upbeat closer that starts out pretty slow with less noisy and dirty bass and then goes up to a more dominant guitar playing towards the end, especially in the last one minute where Ditto successfully awes listeners with his impressive guitar playing. Just like how “Perfect Colour” is the perfect opening that attracts listeners to stay put with its catchy tune, “Droning” is also a great track to end the EP as it will leave the listeners mesmerized and crave for more.
listen and download Barefood's single, "Perfect Colour," via their Soundcloud and find out more about Anoa Records releases via their website below.
The Acehnese Hip Hop DJ Dangerdope a.k.a Rencong invited his old friend MC Eloops into performing in the 75th The Wknd Session! With his Akai MPCs and vinyl turntable, Dangerdope's performance was intense and was the perfect companion to MC Eloops' recital of WS Rendra's critical social commentary poems. One could really expect a stunning combination of spoken literature and hip hop from their performances.
Long before Dangerdope finally could afford a vinyl, he used to use Indonesian tapes to create his music. Using Indonesian old songs as his samples, Dangerdope hopes that his act could trigger young people to listen to more Indonesian old songs as they will dig up the original music when they're searching for the samples he use.
They are now currently preparing for an album and we're definitely looking forward to it!
See their complete performances and interview here
