Studio 2911

I know it’s a year old, but this video is HILARIOUS! Besides it’s made by one of my favorite bands, The David Crowder Band, who I so happen to be listening to right now. So check it out and remember: “It ruins families!”

Philosophy is one of my favorite skin care lines on the market. Before the massive “green, spiritual, organic, good for the soul” movement Philosophy was packaging their products in simple bottles that carried words of inspiration. These words have such power that if they catch me on the wrong day I may just tear up. According to their own mission, Philosophy wants to “to bring its customers products that inspire them to live a better life by being better to themselves.” So go ahead, get beautified and inspired!

hope in a jar
where there is hope there can be faith. where there is faith miracles can occur.

when hope is not enough
to expect is to be disappointed. to surrender to what will be is to know peace. in each moment of our short life, we have the choice to be grateful or dwell in the unhappy space of this is not enough. the answer to all questions related to hope or disappointment is simple. practice eternal gratitude for each high and low note, and you will be dancing with the stars.

be somebody water lily lotion
if you want to be somebody, look within. you are a vibrant being full of promise. you are transformed through acts of purity and grace for the sake of others. stay rooted in your connection to all things. float above opposition with positive energy. feel your soul blossom with goodness and compassion. what you give eventually comes back to you. you can never be too good. let your beauty unfold. you are somebody.

the great mystery
the great mystery is the great debate. people ask “how” the universe was created, when the more important question is “why” it was created at all.

Sea Lion Woman or See Line Woman is one of my favorite songs. No one knows the exact origins of the song but its been covered by many different artist for decades. Here are two of my favorite versions. The first one is by Nina Simone and the other by Feist. I love how two artists can take the same song (or concept) and interpret them two different ways. On another note, watch how Simone takes control of her set and let’s the band know how it’s suppose to be done. “Don’t speed it up man.” <-- LOL!

Nina Simone's version: "See Line Woman"

Feist version: “Sea Lion Woman”
This is why I live for LIVE music!

I don’t have any of her CDs and didn’t go to the concert, but I do have a serious appreciation for the creativity of Lady Gaga. Ever since she stepped on the scene she has caused a scene. It doesn’t matter if she’s on the red carpet or doing an interview for a fashion magazine, the 24 year old pop sensation is going to make a statement. Speaking of statements Gaga’s recent statements in Vanity Fair’s September issue is causing a lot of buzz. She recently said:

“I have this weird thing that if I sleep with someone they’re going to take my creativity from me through my vagina,” she told the magazine.

Hmmm… Gaga you may be on to something.

Design Note: I love the new Vanity Fair cover. Even though they scaled back on the eccentric accessories Gaga still shines. I also like the white text with the drop shadow for the titles. The entire concept is soft but still powerful.

Here are a few other magazine covers for you to enjoy.

With music lines such as:
“One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.”
“One love, One heart, Let’s get together and feel alright.”
“But if you know what life is worth, You will look for yours on earth”

It’s no wonder the music of Bob Marley will forever be legendary. This “rebel music” continues to move hearts, bodies and records almost 30 years after his death. Marley didn’t live long enough to see the effects of his music and inherit the millions of dollars its generated. His legend has also made him a multi-million dollar brand.

Last year the Bob Marley Estate and Hilco Consumer Capital signed a contract to expand the Marley brand into new markets; i.e. Wal-Mart and Target. For years, Marley’s image has been sold on unauthorized merchandise; with the family seeing non of the profits. However, this is coming to an end. With the family selling a major stake to the rights Marley’s image will be seen everywhere.

The ironic thing is Marley’s music spoke against the evils of capitalism, yet the efforts behind his image are largely about capitalism.

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Here’s a little treat. Bob Marley and the Wailers performing one of my favorite songs of all time: “Lively Up Yourself”

It was only a matter of time before rappers and celebrities started branding their own liquor bottles. However, I never saw a bottle that blew my mind with creativity; and as I said before… packaging is everything.

That’s all changed since Absolut, Spike Lee, and The Brand Union teamed up to create Absolut Brooklyn. A limited edition vodka, with notes of apple and ginger, inspired by Lee’s childhood home in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. This is truly an inspiring concept. I loved how the text, bright colors and “stoop theme” all came together to embody the culture of Brooklyn.

Print ad by Advertising Agency: TBWA/Chiat/Day, New York, USA

Want to see how it all came together? Check out this video that includes the brainstorm session over the bottle design and the making of the trailer with poet Lemon Andersen.

Here is the final cut of the trailer featuring poet Lemon Andersen, directed by Spike Lee.

A Nike ad (top image) has recently been going around the net. People have been praising the ad for celebrating real women and their curves. But (no pun intended) the ad is a fake. The folks at AdAge did the research and got to the bottom of the story. Nike ran this campaign in 2005; where it celebrated a woman’s body. I guess the misspelled word, embassador instead of ambassador, should have been a clue. I included in the real ad below with some of the other campaign ads.

When I first saw the ad I was taken back by the contrast of black and white image with spots of color. The campaign is a true example of harmony between image, color and type.