Apologies for the relative lack of action around here, not only did I want to leave my Green Label mix up for a little while, but I was also very busy working on a freelance contract for a pharma-focused communications agency called Digitas Health.  A fine change of pace for me, it was a completely different world of design, working with some very cool, very hard-working people.  Next week, I start work sessions with a brand new asphalt supply company (I know, whoop-dee-doo, right?) for a complete branding exercise.  I see this as an opportunity to add a really comprehensive new project to my design accumen, and create a stand-out brand identity in a generally very mundane industry, so keep an eye out around the blog if you’re interested.

Yesterday, I picked up BioWare’s newest game, Mass Effect 2.  Now, I’ve never posted around Blog.H34 about videogames, but if you have been through my entire portfolio, you would see in there, I love a good videogame when time permits.  I have an interesting way of playing most games, however, and it involves moving slowly through the game’s environments, admiring the visuals.  Without a doubt, Mass Effect 2 is the most beautiful game I’ve ever laid eyes on.  Screenshots and even HD videos on your computer do it no justice, when you jump into the game for the first time, the opening cinematics have you locked in, pulling you into.  For good reason, the art direction and aesthetics are like something you’d find on Sci-Fi-O-Rama, inspired by everybody’s favorite sci-fi movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Alien, and in this sequel, I’m definitely picking up on both Star Wars and The Fifth Element.  I think all designers should at least see this game if not own it, the entire experience is so fulfilling, it may well prove to be the Avatar of videogames.

Speaking of 2001, I have had this amazing screen saver for a while, and thought it would make a perfect companion to today’s post.  It’s by The HAL Project, the sort of creative project that starts small, and evolves into this wonderfully immersive experience.  I love projects like these, because you can feel the author’s excitement in the work, the absolute zeal with which they assemble this reverant homage to their grandest inspirations.  The screensaver turns your computer into one of the monitors you see in the film, aboard the Discovery One, framing through various infographics representing the various processes taking place board the ship, under the control of HAL 9000, and well…you probably know what happens.

Posted in Branding & Packaging and Design Posted by on Jan 28 2010 01:18 pm

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