pushing pixels

mixing media…

I am a storyteller first and designer second. And it is for this very reason that I always design in moving pictures and simply pull out stills when necessary. 

 Motion always comes naturally whereas the static does not.

The static only appeals when it suggests motion and life and for that reason it always made sense to design it moving and then simply press ‘pause’ to print.

Acknowledgement of this is crucial because people, whether consciously or not, look for the life in an image and it is that life which makes the image pretty/realistic/inspiring/real/fantastic whatever. We live and want to see life reproduced. And this I believe is regardless of however we may choose to interpret it; we want to see more life.

That being the case, why is this the first time someone has delved into the multimedia toolbox and put together one of these? (Although the image below is pretty dynamic, you really need to follow this link to see this thing in action - http://t.co/MfJ3dixc) 


So now we’re looking at the “Book Cover of the Future”… and it moves. When you touch it. About time!

Okay granted, a lot of us don’t have the budget or access to the technology to create something like this, but does that mean that we can’t mix it up a little? Adding a little motion graphics to your presentation will help tremendously. If you don’t know how much video will help your website you’re not online enough. And why is your logo static? These things don’t need to cost much but these little tweaks will help generate interest, which eventually leads to increased revenue. You don’t need a suitcase full of cash, so why not start now?

We really need to push the boundaries of what we expect and would like our clients/readers/public to accept. If it’s a good idea it really needs to work across the board - it needs to be still if that’s required but it should move otherwise.

Whenever a client will let me I’ll add motion to their work, be a logo and flyer or a brochure. Still life is frustrating and it really is time to feed the imagination with your design be it on packaging, in a magazine or wherever. It’s time to act like your competing for the attention of that special person and you really do have something to show them.

Finally, if this cover is anything to go by and I hope it is, you should really start mixing your media and bring your products and brands to life. Or you could simply watch your competition do it.