After reading an article in Monday nights Evening Standard it really got me thinking about the relationship between Influence and Power.
The article was discussing the issues surrounding social media and the growth of the Twitter ?community. It raised the issue of what does it really mean to have 100,000 followers compared to 150? Does this mean you have more power or more influence? An exciting experiment is taking place to test this. Titled the Influence Project you have to sign up and are then given a link to a magazine, you send this link out to your network and the more people that click on the link, the greater your influence.
I think this a fascinating experiment. We are in an age where social media commands so much of how we communicate with, not only friends, but clients too. Does this then mean we exert enough power to influence business decisions?
I am pretty intrigued myself to sign up and see just how powerful I am, not sure what the outcome will be, I'll let you know how I get on! To join in yourself just click on the link below:
http://influenceproject.fastcompany.com/
When my friend asked me to help her out by 'filling in' for one of the spots on The Asics British 10km run, I was more than happy to oblige. I do quite a bit of running already so was prepared for the race. What I wasn't prepared for was the sheer volume of people who were taking part.
To celebrate its 10th year The British 10km included 30,000 runners! I have taken part in many races before but never with this many runners. It was an amazing atmosphere and certainly made the nerves kick in. After waiting a further 15mins from the initial start of the race we finally crossed the start line and headed on a 10km route around the wonderful city of London.
With spectators lining the route the whole way the experience was amazing and so unexpected. There is nothing like a great scenic run and with the city of London as the backdrop; this scenic run was truly amazing.
All in all a fantastic experience. I would recommend it to anyone, not only if you are looking for a challenge but this is a super way to spend your Sunday!
I decided to be the best big sister in the world and take my cricket obsessed brother to the final ODI between Australia and England at Lords...and wow, am I glad I did.
I like cricket. Which helps. The atmosphere was electric, but chilled, everyone was smiling and even better, the cricket being played was fantastic.
I'm not a big football fan and in this time of world cup madness a day spent watching cricket, drinking cider and soaking up some sun was a rather lovely alternative, especially as the England cricketers are doing so much better than their footballing counterparts.
And Stuart Broad... well that makes anything worthwhile!
My first time at such a historic event proved to be a fun filled day of Champers, Pimms, Fillies, Fascinators and Finery. Lets be honest- I wasn't really there for serious betting, more for a fantastic excuse to wear a ridiculously over sized hat and a chance to people watch to my hearts content!
I must admit that I felt myself doing a “My fair lady” (yelling and screaming uncontrollably whilst watching the nail biting races)- needless to say that I lost on all three races that I placed bets on! I clearly haven't got betting down to a 'T' as I tend not to look at the odds/jockey/and horse and opt for a more risky strategy by picking out the horse with the most amusing name!
Aside from leaving the day a few quid lighter- I would really recommend the experience at least once in your life, as it's a chance to get all 'Upper class' British for a day and enjoy an insight into 'how the other half live'!
The Guys at Bistrotheque, famed for creating the most luxurious and unique pop-up dining experiences in London Town, have teamed up with the guys at Westfield Stratford to deliver one of the most unique concepts. Studio East Dining will open from the 16th June to 14th July 9 (3 weeks only). You can dine atop the 1.9million sq ft shopping centre overlooking not only the olympic park but also the skyline of London. The temporary structure has been created by award winning architects Carmody Groarke. The menu is pricey costing £75 a head but with dishes on the menu such as Dorset Crab, Endive and Grapefruit salad and Poached Chicken with Taragon and Watercress it might just be worth it....
Book quick if you want in....
http://www.studioeastdining.com/
Saw this at the weekend and really enjoyed it. UVA were commissioned by Virgin Media to create 'an immersive light installation celebrating 10 years of broadband in the UK'. It comprises a series of laser-based experimental light works which flow through the labyrinthine spaces of the Bargehouse, the four-storey ex-warehouse on London's South Bank.
You would think that in such stunning surroundings as the Austrian Alps, the desire to play euro pop at an unnecessarily loud level at every piste side café would be one that over time has lessened. It appears not. However after blasting down a black run with your legs shaking under you, sipping your 'skiwasser' and eating your 'pancake soup', the euro pop is strangely welcoming. Odd what emotions certain scenarios provoke!
My lasting memories of New Zealand will be the shear space available and the natural beauty of the place. With a population of less than 5 million it is like the best bits of The lake District and the Scottish Highlands all rolled together and amplified by 10. Massive skies, breathtaking lakes and endless beaches all there to enjoy with nobody around to spoil the view.
Experience wise traveling with 3 young children throws up all sorts of challenges. Flying with Singapore Airlines was a master class in customer service and personal attention. We were ushered to the front of queues, helped with luggage, toys and special meals for the kids and generally cared for with a smile at all times. Imagine the opposite of Easy Jet and all on just economy tickets.
Traveling around in a Camper Van meant our experiences were mostly rural but it was refreshingly different to see that even in the larger towns the individual and independents are wining the war against the big corporate brands we are so used to seeing in the UK. From coffee shops to restaurants the level of personal service was excellent, informal and always with a smile. Far removed from the rushed conveyor belt feeling that is all to often the case in London
I have decided recently that I would relish the life of one of the ladies that lunches and spend my days at leisure. There is one pursuit in particular that has inspired this change of life direction - AFTERNOON TEA.
Soho Hotel (£18 with no champagne)
I was lucky enough to be taken for an afternoon champagne tea at the Soho hotel (we sat on the green sofa in the pic) for my birthday. What an amazing afternoon, a truly delightful experience. The interiors of the tea room are beautiful; bedecked in hot pinks and lime greens it adds a modern twist to some of the more staid versions of tea rooms in London and yet keeps enough classical features to ensure you couldn't possibly forget you were embracing the somewhat formal British tradition of afternoon tea. The service was impeccable - the staff obliging, available and smiling throughout. The food was along the same lines with every detail considered - beautifully presented and deliciously fresh we were offered top ups. The sandwiches consisted of divine concoctions of crayfish and rocket, chicken and avocado and mini fruit tarts and macaroons followed on from a midle course of freshly baked scones with lashings of home made jam. When realising it was my birthday we were treated to a freebie top up on our champagne. The upshot - we spent nearly 5 hours on the sofa and spent more money on on early evening cocktails and as i don't think either of us were keen on leaving we invited friends to join us. I think there a very few other ways quite so divinely indulgent and resoundingly british to spend an afternoon and as soon as i have a viable excuse i am back there for another round of scones and cucumber sandwiches...anyone's birthday coming up..anyone?
Harrods (£24 with no champagne)
A week later and i was shopping with another friend - we have a tradition of going to coo at the Puppies at Harrods then once again resolutely deciding it is not fair on the dogs to be gawped at and besides £1800 for a puppy is ludicrous. As a late birthday treat my friend suggested indulging me in my new favorite pass-time - another afternoon tea. I have often walked through Harrods tea room and paused a moment to listen to the grand piano but never indulged in actually stopping and in the large dining room.So with the Soho hotel experience fresh in my mind i sat down expectantly and we ordered two afternoon teas from the most miserable and surly looking waiter with some form of cream wiped halfway down his waistcoat. We lapped up the melancholic tunes from the piano player but he stopped two songs in and we were left with overflowing background music and remote control car noises from surrounding departments. The lack of piano player also induced a quick glance over of the 'seen better days' interior of the, i imagine, once grand Harrods tea room. Dust laden fake flowers and carpets with ground in food and deep chanell tread marks were some of the obvious signs of neglect. It almost felt like a tea room that time had forgotten. I was hoping it would be resuscitated somehow when the tea finally appeared....but alas no it did not. Mini cheese and pickle and egg sandwiches on bread with chunky bits of crusts remaining (a real no no of afternoon tea etiquette) - other elements didn't fair alot better with cheap pots of cafe jam and stamp sized portions of cake so hard i would have been reluctant to feed it to the puppies round the corner. We battled to get the waiters attention for the bill which was about as much as both we both (the waiter and ourselves) could bare to manage and we hurried out of the tea room time forgot back into 2010 as fast as our legs could carry us.
The Soho Hotel created a real customer experience of such a wonderful british tradition and at the prices above it is a nice TREAT to go and enjoy...Harrods could learn alot from the tea room at the Soho Hotel but i fear it may be so set in it's ways it may be stuck in that dusty dining room for a good few years longer....
Livening up the plate, a new dining concept, is enhancing the sensory experience of eating out. When food is put onto the plates or liquid is poured into the bowl, sensory stimuli, such as light and fragrance, are triggered, adding a new dimension to meal times.
Adidas has created a concept store dedicated to runners in the Japanese capital. The Runbase store, which launched last week, offers showers, locker rooms, running shoes and clothing sets for rent. Runners can also design their own pair of bespoke shoes and attend running-themed weekly workshops and events. The store is also located conveniently close to a popular running area - the Imperial Palace.
We are really impressed with the collaboration between modern illustrative artist David Shirgley and Scottish Tartan legends Pringle. When i first read about the union my first reaction was 'No, really, the guy who does the obtuse and yet excruciatingly funny cartoon buddying up with High end wool and cashmere'...and yet it works - on many channels - the video is great and the outside of the store also looks fab check it out the video.
So last night saw the 'launch party' (one of many, it would seem) for the new independent designer-saturated 4th floor of everyone's favourite department store, Harvey Nichols. And I for one - despite having to trek across town to Knightsbridge on such a dark, cold London evening - was rather looking forward to the whole affair.
The evening itself ticked all the requisite boxes. PRs and media guest tapping away as Paloma Faith performed a flawless set as usual (toyed with mentioning that her album is currently on loop at my mater's, but decided that might not be the most diplomatic post-gig greeting); champagne flowed in abundance (while glasses were slightly tougher to come across); and the goody bags didn't appear to run out (the initial LFW warm-up scrum for them might have suggested otherwise).
However: issues there were aplenty.
First of all, who on Earth thought it wise to plonk the stage in front of the main entrance? When I turned up (a little late, perhaps - but this is a) London, and b) a fashion-ish event on a Tuesday night...) I had to ride the lift up to the fifth floor so that I could walk across the store to then take the elevator back down to the fourth. Hardly a hike, obviously. But logistics people, please.
Secondly, aside from the one wall at the back that was overflowing with fun, young products (and was the angle for many of the press releases I had received), The Fourth Floor - grand and bleeding-edge fashion/design as it was meant to be - looked an awful lot like, well, The Third Floor. And The Second. And The First. Note to self: when next breaking the in-house mould be sure to check how the old one looked first, and then actually break it. Properly. A mild chink in the exterior does not an earth-shattering breakage make, I'm afraid.
All-in-all, there is some lovely stuff up on the fourth, so do ignore my bitching go and have a poke about. Just don't expect the heavens to open and a glorious beam of design revelation to strike you in the face.
Once home, the guts of the aforementioned goody-bag spilled on the kitchen table like a prehistoric sacrifice, everything fell into place. Beneath the particularly cutsey wrapper lay a reporter-style notebook with an the same Hello Kitty-ish logo on the front, an admittedly impressive cookie, and an info pack containing several discount vouchers including, are you ready?, “25% off your first injectible procedure”. Yep, Botox.
So would anyone like to take a crack at their target audience then? 50 year old rich mothers with faces like trouts caught tail-first in a Dyson, all clad head-to-toe Chanel, out shopping with their perma-tanned daughters and husbands' credit cards perhaps?
But as so often happens in such events, one man's nightmare is another man's shopping destination. Just look at Westfield. And this, even with its floors (forgive me, flaws), is hardly a nightmare
I popped along to see our fine work in action at the launch of the new Comptoir Libanais Flagship store at the O2 in Finchley Last night. I was happily tucking into my Kebab and Hommos when several scantily clad ladies started writhing around me turning me a colour of crimson only reserved for such occasions! Tony, the founder and owner of Comptoir, had organised a special authentic belly dance for us all to enjoy.
What a great night had by all and lovely to see the space we have created full to the brim.
MSF is currently installing an inflatable hospital of 100 beds in the Delmas neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. More than 700 MSF staff are working to provide emergency medical assistance to survivors of the earthquake in and outside of the city.
A new hotel in Istanbul. As my cab pulled up outside I was greeted by name and given my room. Moments later I received a call from reception. Was I happy with the room? Very. And more so of the service. The next morning the delicious and unusual breakfast in a gorgeously designed restaurant made me feeling I'll be back and recommending. 8/10 for Tunel Residences on the 'i-am' Experience Ladder.
Great service as he found me a veggie meal that through my own mistake had not been ordered. He went well beyond what I would have expected to get me one from Club World. The cabin staff at BA must have had damned good reasons for calling that strike before Xmas. To Fly To Serve. 8/10 for BA on the 'i-am' Experience Ladder.
The word “Cancelled” never appears on the flight information boards in T5 apparently - is this part of a charm offensive? But flights WERE cancelled on Wednesday - all of the European-bound flights after 4pm in fact. Immediately the system went into meltdown: no Public Address system, no clear information, a queue to exit the terminal back to landside. There is a business opportunity here for an “Emergency Travel Agency” to sort out alternatives. There WAS an alternative travel plan for me - from Stansted, which we had to find ourselves with help from the 'i-am' office and CJL our travel agent. 1/10 for BAA on the 'i-am' Experience Ladder for letting chaos rule.
A fabulous experience at T5 on Wednesday. I stepped off the train at 12.47, went past Check-In, through Security (heightened following the Christmas Day near disaster) and found a seat in my favourite T5 restaurant (Giraffe) by 12.54.
There must be lots of hard work behind the scenes at BAA, BA, Immigration that mean they can do everything they need to do and still allow us through in just 7 minutes. Far better than my expectations. (if only they sorted out the escalator/elevator signage!) BAA score 9/10 on the 'i-am' Experience Ladder.
Oh no we should never have shown Bob how to do this blog. Just look what he's been up to. About four years ago 'Naked Bob' first reared his ugly - uh - head during a cross-country treasure hunt (his modesty was spared by a tree trunk; well more of a sapling actually). Now he's back, making snowmen at midnight and training his ducks to eat their food around festive message patterns. I wonder where it will all stop. Plus he we supposed to be up early braving the spot of weather we're having to fly to Istanbul. The man's got even more energy with his clothes off at -7, if that were possible.
I'll stay under the duvet, nurse the seasonal illness that's gripped me and leave the midnight snowmen to all those in -um- rude health.
The latest Extreme January Experience.... gripping the nation
Only two rules:
1. Must be made at midnight
2. Maker must be naked whilst bringing Midnight Snowman into the World
We recently met with Moroccan Restaurant Owner Khalil to talk about how we could work together and got more than a bit excited when we found out he was going to be featured on The F-Word with old Gordon the Ramsay! Take a look at how the Doukan team faired...here
Our friends over at FX Magazine asked us to put together a concept for an innovative Pop-Up retail experience for their November Issue - we have only just managed to lay our hands ona copy - have a look...
On a recent episode of BBC One's Spooks a clandestine drop-off is set for The White Cube gallery in Hoxton Square. Lucas arrives and is greeted by the receptionist with an alluring, if demure, smile. Not so surprising for someone to be received in this way perhaps, but this is perhaps the biggest step into the world of fantasy so far for this far-fetched spy drama.
You see, I have been popping into the White Cube gallery each month for years. It is just around the corner from our studio so there is really no excuse. Some of the exhibits are good, some not so impressive, but one thing that I have always noticed as totally consistent is the lack of welcome, the cold unfriendly atmosphere and the seemingly purposeful eradication of any chance of human interaction. This is a cold, leaden, unhappy space.
Anyway, back to the BBC. The production team must have lifted the receptionist's chair, lowered the barricade, tidied up the backdrop to set off the receptionist and make real human interaction possible. The current real experience is very different....
The reality of the White Cube Welcome is very different...
Perhaps the brief is “a sense of intimidation”, make the viewer feel “on their own”. If so, then I guess the brief is working well.
For us, it a great example of how the design of the interior space, the selection and build of furniture and the way staff are encouraged to interact with customers can work together to create an atmosphere.
Following a week in Geordieland, full of culture, ale, seaside strolls and blustery downpours, I headed to the fabulous Baltic Contemporary Art Centre in Gateshead for the world premier of Malcolm McLaren's latest art film 'Paris'. The 'short' film is an edited collection of Parisian adverts from the Twentieth Century set to his own soundtrack. The film is bemusing, chaotic, compelling and ultimately confusing, as you flit from one to the next; from Boursin to Lingerie to cleaning products and loo roll. But speaking through the film after, Malcolm's love of chaos, ruin and non conformist nature explains his thinking and processes. It was an interesting watch, with some tongue-in-cheek British takes on the Parisians, but not sure I could sit through and other grueling hour long viewing on gallery pews... Thank god for Newcky Brown.
Two Shoreditch restaurants have changed their positioning recently and both in a similar direction. They give us a guide to our times.
Both open at 8.00 for breakfast and stay open until last orders are long gone.
The prices reflect the current times. Wi-fi is free and easy. Both are functional and yet have a touch of the common room. "Men At Work" in one and a table tennis table give homage to simple fun and good times. Laptops mix with mugs of coffee, "butties" and tomato ketchup.
Both use the word "club" but without an ounce of pretension or elitism: Warming and comforting places. A space to call your own. We need places like these.
http://www.thebreakfastclubhoxton.com
http://www.wearetbc.com
Pete has been setting the stage alight at Mediacat's latest conference in Istanbul with his latest thinking and trend-spotting in the world of customer experience and store design.
Immediately follwiing the presentation he was mobbed by reporters from press and TV and ended up in today's Hurriyet, Turkey's biggest selling daily! But's what with the Mickey mouse ears Pete?
If you would like to see his presentation drop a line to mel@i-amonline.com
Do you love it? Or do you hate it?? Yes, I am talking about MARMITE!
It has been the hot topic in the studio this week with everyone declaring which side they fall into in the love/hate debate! Personally I am a total lover of the sticky dark brown paste. I don't even care how it comes.... From simply spreading it on hot buttery toast, or the slightly more healthier option of coating it on celery and finally a personal favourite has to be the cheddar cheese and marmite sandwich- classic!
So, you can imagine my delight when I discovered the opening of the new Marmite pop up store on London's Regent Street. Exclusively open for 10 weeks over the festive period this store occupying 3 floors sells over 100 marmite themed products from coasters to t-towels through to t-shirts and marmite oatcakes but not forgetting the humble jar of marmite itself!
The real excitement came when I discovered that there is even an in store café selling tea with toast and marmite! Brilliant! If you are even feeling slightly adventurous you can even treat yourself to a cup of tea and crumpets with lashings of marmite, beautiful!
I definitely recommend that you take a trip to this wonderful world of marmite, even if you are a hater. Right with all this talk of marmite I think it's time to get that kettle on and get those crumpets at the ready!!
Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien
Restaurants at pricey hotels like Le Parker Meridien don't often have waiters who wear their own T-shirts saying 'Brooklyn'. Nor do they have industrial-size cans of ketchup and plastic bags of supermarket hamburger buns stacked on open shelves.
But you'll find all this in the Parker Meridien's wood-paneled coffee shop, which has a few vinyl booths, a counter with an open kitchen, and sports photos tacked on the walls. Called the "burger joint,".
I'd heard of this place from friends, and finally got the chance to go on a recent foray over to NYC. IT'S SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE - If you have ever imagined, dreamed about or salivated over just how you should have a burger in the Big Apple - this is the no frills place for you that makes the Burgers the all the American Hero of the story.
written on my pavement outside my house last night. nice.
This clip has rendered us speechless and smiling! What an innovative way to get a brand message across that also relates to creating changes in people's behavior by altering their experiences - I'd walk from Marble Arch to Old Street to use that tube station on a grey Monday morning! These people show that a great experience is worth investing the time in...Just take a look - piano stairs
I went to see Anish Kapoor exhibition at the Royal Academy this weekend, and it didn't disappoint the hype. It's the most fun I've had at an exhibition since Sensations. There was a genuine buzz, with people talking and laughing and getting involved every where. It's an absolute must - and the 20 minute wait to see a pellet of wax, oil and pigment shoot across the room at fifty miles an hour into a wall IS worth it.
I was lucky enough to get invited to UP, Disney/Pixars latest creations 3D premier at the BFI on Sunday. My inner child was truly entertained not only was the animation fantastic (I cried all the way through it) but they had a giant hot air balloon styled on the main character flying house and balloon bending artists who kindly obliged me by creating a small pink poodle on a lead - yes!. Jon Lasseter (creative director for both Disney and PIxar these days) is on a mission to bring 3d viewing back to the masses. Its not about things flying out of the screen at you like an i-max movie its more about creating a roundness to the animation - you feel like you are in it. I can highly recommend it - try and catch it in 3D at the BFI.
While out perusing what the London Design Festival had to offer I sought out the Xtreme Jamie Hayon chess set in Trafalgar Square. The site saw an International competition - chess grand master vs. a relative average Joe of the chess world compete on two plinths, both signature Jamie Hayon chairs. It was a great experience to not only see the masters at work but also take in the grandeur of the chess set!
The chess set has since departed London but keep your eyes peeled for the next international showing of this or another extraordinary Jamie Hayon piece - www.hayonstudio.com
The conker fight.
I don't think there is any experience out there at this time of year that can make you feel as ludicrously stupid and childish as this...so embrace autumn and make the most of the one time of the year when you can get away with this!
And if you're really keen check this out!
As far as customer experiences go, spending two hundred pounds on a ticket allowing you to stand in a muddy field sheltering from the rain, barely sleeping in a semi-submerged tent on a half inflated lilo for four nights and listening to XFM's finest might not appeal to everyone, but to a surprisingly large number of people the Glastonbury Festival is the highlight of their summer. This weekend (if last year's figures are anything to go by) 180,000 people will begin to secure their passes for the fortieth anniversary event and cross their fingers for sunshine.
Dating back to 1970, Glastonbury is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. It combines two of us Brits favourite obsessions - the weather and queuing. The lines both into and from the festival are legendary with stories of eight-hour waits in the car park fairly common, whilst the climatic conditions over a 900 acre square in Somerset becomes a national story in the media for the last weekend in June each year.
Yet despite the expense, the regular downpours, the mud, sleep deprivation and some of the worst examples of terrible novelty headgear you will see anywhere, there is something magical about Glastonbury which takes these ingredients and somehow fuses them into a weekend unlike any other. I should admit to being something of a Glasto addict having attended the last eight and love the diversity, atmosphere and friendliness on site as well as the genuine enthusiasm and determination of the crowd to enjoy themselves no matter what is thrown at them. It is impossible not to be dragged along with it. The good nature of it's attendees, the worthy causes it promotes and donates to, the alternative cultures it celebrates are all inspiring and enlightening.
... and I haven't even mentioned the music yet.
So if you're looking for an experience to challenge and reward in equal measure as well as the chance to witness some weird and wonderful acts and the guarantee of some fantastic performances by brilliant bands then register here, buy your ticket here, pack your wellies and introduce yourself to me by the Pyramid stage, I'll be the one in the novelty hat.
He gave away works to friends, but built up an excess and left them wrapped in bin liners outside charity shops as a donation. When he discovered that they were not being sold, but thrown out with the rubbish, he started to leave them in the streets instead, with works leaning on lampposts, doors and wheelie bins, as an open exhibition. He could produce around 20 paintings a night, and around 1,000 a year. Over a five year period, he left thousands of his works in London streets.
Check out Adam Neate or see at Elms Lesters.
New York's most famous coffee shop, Central Perk, is coming to London in the form of a pop-up shop to mark the 15th anniversary of the Friends sitcom.
Central Perk will open in Soho for two weeks from 24 September to 7 October, and will feature props from the series, including Rachel's wedding dress from the very first episode, Phoebe's paintings and the Brown Bird cookies.
Central Perk in London, 24 September-7 October, 67 Broadwick Street, W1F 9QX.
"Innovative director Spike Jonze collaborates with celebrated author Maurice Sendak to bring one of the most beloved books of all time to the big screen in 'Where the Wild Things Are', a classic story about childhood and the places we go to figure out the world we live in."
Can't wait to see this! Comes out on October 16th. You can get the original book here.
To really experience a taste of quintessential British curiosity visit The Horseless Carriage of Curiosities. A vehicle for showcasing the unique flavour of Hendricks Gin (infused with rose and cucumber dont you know) comes to London this weekend at the end of it's tour of the UK. Catch up with the curisity cavalcade to check out the collection containing everything from HRH's travelling playing cards to Cucumber measureometers and Stuffed birds heads - you might even get some gin. Don your top hat and tweed and head on down on Sunday - details here.
3birds1mountain charity netball tournament took place in the shadow of Koko last Sunday. 11 teams competed and sweated it out in the name of 3birds1mountain challenge raising money for their 3 chosen charities - and raised over £800!
'i-am's' newest recruit Becky and 3D long timer Lauren went along to show off their undeniable skills. Muchos Ball fun was had by all, cakes were consumed en-mass and aching legs soon followed. (and our 'i-am' lovelies came 3rd. So Proud)
Get involved... 3birds1mountain
Pete, James and James have channelled their inner Jackson Pollocks to create this masterwork - see if you can do better on Jackson's Site
When I hear the phrase 'Motion Photography' I always envisage bats in flight or frogs mid-jump but there are a very innovative group of architectural photographers that have been applying this exciting medium to old London town. An exciting new exhibition SHIFT at The Gallery proves to be an enlightening experience as it showcases movement across the city from Heathrow to Westfield and up the Thames from four progressive photographers; Victoria Gibbs, Paul Grundy, Murray Scott and Martin Stewart. The exhibition is by invitation only so you will have to move quick to get on the list. Be there. www.shiftlondon.com
Contrary to popular belief the Protein forum has Nothing to do with your 5 a day, but is in-fact a series of talks about digital design and innovation. The 2nd protein forum was held in association with Grok which is a new-format event featuring forward thinking digital art, light installations, video and music which has just run in and around Carnaby. The night itself consisted of talks from Andreas Muller of Nanika, Marc Kremers of Digital Club and Mitch Stratten. The night was a geeks delight ranging from the wholly scripted Flower creations of Andreas Muller thats right no bitmaps , the introduction of as-found.net from the guys at Digital Club and the hightlight of the evening for me from Mitch Stratten who has just created the new Toshiba advert from a completely new filming style called Timesculpture which brings a 4th dimension to filming, 200 digital camcorders and 20,000gb of data later brings us this magical advert. For more information about the Protein Forum visit grokinstitute.com
Ever since the scary days of 'changing rooms' it seems everyone thinks they can be an interior designer and not always with the best results but now thanks mydeco.com it has got a little easier and safer. The site aims to make home design easier and more fun by letting you choose from a wide range of brands and products and even lets you try them before you buy it..well virtually. With some serious technical mastery mydeco.com will let you build and design a 3d version of your front room, fill it with the items available from the site, you can then save it, print it off, compare it to other peoples or buy the items, you can even create mood boards, so get those creative juices flowing and log on to www.mydeco.com
Fresh off the forecourt from our friends over at Diesel comes a four wheeled collaboration with the people from Fiat which sees the creation of the Fiat 500 Diesel. 10,000 of these cool little cars will get the Diesel makeover, which includes exclusive details such as Diesel branded alloys and a Diesel Denim Interior. You can customise and build your car online now at fiat.co.uk and for more information about 'i-am' and our work with Diesel, read our Diesel Case Study
'i-am' have been a fan of Monocle Magazine and were happy to hear that they have just opened up their first shop in London's Marylebone. Monocle has been in print from early 2007 stating itself as ” a briefing on global affairs, business, culture and design”. Their petit shop measuring only nine sq m contains the full Monocle range of products that have been created with design brands such as Comme des Garcon and Porter, a select number of products chosen by the editors and the full back catalogue of the magazine for those that have missed out. 'i-am' are please to see that the Monocle brand was able to re-creating the exclusivity and quality that is synonymous with the magazine in a retail environment. www.monocle.com
If you want to sample a Cuban experience in Istanbul 'i-am' recommends a trip to Tunel and you will be drawn inside The Cuba Bar by the pumping Cuban beats. The bar's light-hearted holiday vibe is helped along by the bright, back to basics interiors utilising all natural materials. The exposed brickwork and flashes of colour transport you from the streets of Tunel. This is undoubtedly helped along by the vast number of Havanna themed cocktails on offer - from Mojito's to Caribeno's and Soldadors the bar staff are more than happy to whip any patron up some Cuban spirit. Vamanos!!
