I came across the new Absolut Vodka ad the other day and was amazed how Sagmeister-ish it was. I wonder if they wanted him to do it but were turned down due to Sagmeister having his re-accuring year off. So maybe they just thought “Let’s do a Sagmeister thing anyway”. Either way, TBWA made a beautiful commercial but I think it’s too close to the obvious inspiration (Stefan Sagmeister’s “Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far”).
There are various theories in the industry as to why Absolut would do something so close to Sagmeister’s signature style. Some people think it’s an obvious gimmick to draw attention and get viral effect from people discussing it online (in which case I’m jumping right in). But if that’s the case I think it would be a lot more sympathetic to do a really great creative ad to draw attention on it’s own, rather then relying on negativity due to plagiarism to do it for them.
Let me know what you think.
The Absolut ad:
Two Sagmeister examples:
Filed under: Motion and Video
I don’t feature film often but I think I must feature my fave director of all time, Mr. Jonathan Glazer. Ever since I saw his video for “Street Spirit” by my fave band Radiohead I was a fan. He has made loads of fantastic work since, musicvideos, commercials and films, and recently did a very controversial video for Jack White’s new band The Dead Weather. I love this video showing a rather graphic portrail of two lovers quarrel. Be sure to check out other work on YouTube, here’s just a few.
Check out Brooklyn based designer and illustrator Bryce Wymer. I love his sketchbook compositions but he has also done amazing motion work in cooperation with my fave motion agency Digital Kitchen. When I see his sketchbooks I am tempted to repeat something George Hardie said once at a conference “I don’t keep a notebook, but I think everyone else should!”
See more:http://www.brycewymer.com/
Filed under: Motion and Video
If you, like me, have a weakness for opening sequences you should drop by The Art of the Title Sequence. A blog dedicated to showing great title work. You can find everything from legendary Seven titles to older Saul Bass work, brilliant! Shown hereunder is 23 and Catch Me If You Can.
See more: http://www.artofthetitle.com/
Filed under: Motion and Video
Visit Danish motion designers Thank You they have a pretty impressive portfolio concidering the scale of things in tiny Denmark. I am especially fond of their piece for Morgunblaðið which is all type and great work with contrast. Every composition is spot on!
Be sure to go to the site and watch the video.
See more: http://thankyou.dk/
Filed under: Motion and Video
If you’re into motion design you have to check out Psyop based in New York and California. They have done so much great work, among other things the Adidas campaign for the Beijing Olympics.
See more: http://www.psyop.tv
Filed under: Motion and Video
Check out designer Nando Costa from Brasil, he does all sorts of work but I think he does motion graphics best. Check out the Nike Holiday sequences.
See more: http://www.nandocosta.com
Check out Mate Steinforth, a German designer now based in New York. He does wonderful motiongraphics and I am especielly fond of his piece for MTV with the birds. It’s so dramatic and elegant.
See more: http://www.matesteinforth.com
Filed under: Motion and Video
If you’re into motion graphics you have to know Kyle Cooper, he is the founder of the company Prologue and is the designer behind numerous legendary title sequences like the one for the movie 7. There’s so much fantastic work on the website and it’s well worth a visit.
See more: http://www.prologue.com
Serial Cut is a Spanish agency based in Madrid and was founded in 1999 by Sergio del Puerto. There is lots of great work on the site but be sure to see the reel which is really nicely put together and represents the agency well.
See more: http://www.serialcut.com/
