Hyper Island assignment: Apple

Posted November 20 in , , ,

Last week I was responsible for the design specialization at Hyper Island. The 4-day course’s aim was to give all of the students at Digital Media 13 a basic understanding of what design is and how we can work with it.

We started the course with a very basic introduction to design and how to go about when solving problems. The introduction focused on the most important part of the design process: identifying the problem that we are trying to solve.

The students were then given an assignment to redesign something related to Apple, but were free to choose wether it be iTunes, iOS, the dock in OSX, physical products or even the visual identity.One of the most common questions I received afterwards was why we had chosen Apple as a brand. Our idea behind this was:

  1. - as we had very limited of time we needed to choose a brand that the students already had some sort of relationship with. Regardless if they are Android or iOS users, PC or Mac, it’s safe to say that all of them have a relationship to Apple in one way or another.
  • - Apple is somewhat considered as a brand that’s, by many, seen as “perfect”. However, when you do a good research and analysis, you’ll find that there are many small parts in the big machine that could be improved (through design, usability, etc).

The fantastic thing with the presentations was that although there was nearly 50 students, there was at least 40 different design suggestions for improvements. I saw a great redesign of Game Center, an amazing Notes/Reminders app, a great iTunes, a motion sensitive remote as well as a great improvement to AutoCorrect.

I’m really looking forward to coming back to Hyper Island in December to continue working with their great students!

Beautiful: Ólafur Arnalds – Ljósið

Posted September 20 in ,

The meaning of ‘design’

Posted September 20 in ,

In Holland, we have two words for design. One is vormgeving; in German formgeben. And the other word is ontwerpen; in German entwurf. In the Anglo-Saxon language there’s only one word for design, which is design. That is something you should work out. Vormgeving is more to make things look nice. So for instance, packaging for a perfume or for chocolate in order to make things fashionable, obsolete and therefore bad for society because we don’t really need it. While ontwerpe means, and the Anglo-saxon word, but its stronger, means engineering. That means you as a person try to invent a new thing—which is intelligent, which is clever, and which will have a long-life. And that’s called stylistic durability. It means you can use it for a long time.

—  Gert Dumbar (via banquethall)

I ♥ Adam Lisagor

Posted September 13 in ,

If I had money and a new cool app/service – I would hire Adam Lisagor to make my commercial. See a selection below and read this article in Fast Company.

AirBnb

Everyday.app

Flipboard

Flow

..and of course, Square

Client services

Posted August 22 in

When you have some extra time, do read Vinh Khoi’s post on “End of Client services” and then the response from Full Stop Interactive. It’s a great discussion on design and client services.

3 reasons to hire me as a consultant

Posted August 17 in ,

As summer is coming to it’s end, we are faced with a new season and I’m meeting more agencies for possible assignments. If you are in need of a freelancing Creative Director / Art Director, get in touch. Here’s what I think gives me an edge in comparison to competitors.

1. Advertising & Digital background
I have solid experience from the digital world and have been awarded with Cresta Award and Guldägget. I also have experience from both Bates Y&R and BBDO. I know how to incorporate a strong concept in both the digital and traditional marketing world. Naturally, I am also confident in presenting and speaking in front of clients.

2. Business minded with a design background
I have spent most of my active work life working as an Art Director and Creative Director so I have a strong background within design. The last three years I have spent as a small business owner and studying Business Management. Pål Katsler, former Account Director at Bates Y&R in his testimonial:
“Anton is a very talented creator and also a person that I have enjoyed working with immensely. A definitive strength of his is that his creative solutions are also valid from a commercial point-of-view without losing creative edge. Working with Anton means that, as a Project Manager, you can always be sure that you will be able to deliver to the client with quality and on time.”

3. I keep myself up to date by helping tomorrow’s future
Since 2005 I have been involved in teaching & managing students at Hyper Island. Although it sometimes means I give lectures, it often means that I listen to students. If I can’t listen to their problems and understand their point of view, I will not be able to guide them.

We ♥ Rick Mereki

Posted August 4 in ,



Quote

Posted August 2 in ,

“If You’re Not Making Mistakes, then You’re Not Doing Anything.”

Very nice presentation of iA Writer for Mac

Posted July 15 in , ,

Reading tips on Inc.com

Posted June 30 in ,

One of my favorite magazine’s have turned out to be Inc. It’s a fantastic business magazine that focuses on what makes businesses “work” – in all aspects.

Here are a few of my favorite articles from the latest issue:
The way I work, David Karp of Tumblr

“As a kid, David Karp, the founder of Tumblr, taught himself to code and dropped out of high school. Now 24 years old, Karp runs his company his way—and refuses to keep a schedule.”

Best Business Travel 2011 – altough I don’t travel frequently in business, I love traveling and love “comfort”.

Don’t exaggerate your size – Jason Fried covers the same topic as my latest blog post.