He should know. Neil is a cyborg. He was missing out on a fundamental human experience -the ability to see color - and he solved this by developing a on onboard (on his body) hardware and software system that senses color and converts that color into musical notes which are delivered to his ears. He hears color. This has allowed him to create visual ‘sound paintings’ for various pieces of music and he gave us a performance.

Bruce Nussbaum: is the author of Creative Intelligence. An excellent book that draws from the fields of anthropology, psychology, education, design, and business. The book explores creative intelligence as a new form of literacy and a method for driving innovation. He spoke on various topics from design to Google glass.

Bruce has proposed an evolved look at the dogmas of design. Having studied Cultural Anthropology, this work resonates with me and recalls some of Joseph Campbell’s work in The Power of Myth. Specifically an emphasis on “aura” versus “technology,” “wants” over “needs” and “rituals” over “market data.” It’s an evolved and distinctly more human way of looking at the things things that we do and the tools we use everyday.

He also commented on the emphasis our industry has placed on failing. “This fetishizing of failure makes me sick.” We agree, failing sucks. At WINTR we like to view what is commonly called “failing” as prototyping, testing or gaming. A critical part of our projects, but in the end we need to succeed. Bruce feels that brainstorming doesn’t work for generating big, original thinking. It leads to marginal results and incremental innovation. Connecting just a few dots is where innovation happens.

Surprisingly, only 9% of US corporations do product or service innovation. Not surprisingly this is likely because the tools that are commonly used -brainstorming for example- don’t lead to innovation.

Rachel Schechtman: Rachel is the Founder of http://thisisstory.com/ and they do some absolutely amazing work in retail innovation. STORY is a retail space that has the point of view of a magazine, changes like a gallery and sells things like a store. Among other things, they create video heat maps of store experiences to determine what’s working and what’s not. Literally what’s hot or not.

Zach Lieberman: Zach works at the intersection of art and technology. He’s a hacker, artist and teacher. And a leading developer of Open Frameworks. Zach has co-founded the School for Poetic Computation. I think this is an excellent name that aptly captures the potential for creative coding. I look forward to learning about the curriculum and meeting some of the students.

Finally, founders Neil Blumenthal of Warby Parker and Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani related fascinating stories of their businesses. 

Neil is a sharp dude and a damn good storyteller. Warby Parker - named after mashing up names from Jack Kerouac’s personal journals- among other interesting points, beat their first year sales targets in the first two weeks they were open for business. They also discovered that the established high cost of eye-glasses is largely due to the fact that the same company owns almost all of the recognized brands as well as the largest eye insurance company. More on their story here. 

Hamdi recounted http://vimeo.com/65761672 intimate details of Chobani’s start-up days, including that he had no actionable plan for how to achieve his idea of making Greek yogurt for people to enjoy. And so he started by buying and repainting the walls of a factory. The key lesson in that being rather than sitting around and thinking about what to do next, solutions were found by taking a small step forward, that created greater and greater progress.

About the Davey Awards:

The Davey Awards is an international creative award focused exclusively on honoring outstanding creative work from the best small firms worldwide. The 2012 Davey Awards received nearly 4,000 entries from ad agencies, interactive agencies, production firms, in-house creative professionals, graphic designers, design firms and public relations firms.David defeated the mighty Goliath with a big idea and a little rock. That is the sort of thing small firms do every day. The Davey Awards honors the achievement of the “Creative David’s” where strength comes from ideas, intelligence and out-of-the-box thinking, not a “Giant’s” bankroll. Great work is about fresh ideas and exceptional execution, not the biggest budgets. The Davey levels the playing field so entrants compete with only their peers and can win the recognition they deserve.

Who is behind the Davey:
The Davey is judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA).The IAVA is an invitation-only member-based organization of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media. Current membership represents a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms including:  Conde Nast, Coach, Disney, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Estee Lauder, HBO, Monster.com, MTV, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Victoria’s Secret, Wired, Yahoo! and many others.  See http://www.iavisarts.org for more information.

Judging and Awarding:
Entries are judged to evaluate distinction in creative work. In determining Gold and Silver winners, entries are judged on their merits based on a standard of excellence as determined by the IAVA, considering the category entered.  A category may have multiple Gold and Silver Winners,or may have none. Entries are scored on a ten point scale by the judges. Generally, Gold Winners receive a score of 9.0 or above and Silver Winners receive a score of 7.0 to 8.9. No more than 10% of entries will be awarded a Gold Davey.  Best in Show selections are made by the Academy, from the pool of Gold Winners, based on their scoring and other elements of merit as determined by the Academy. The judges will award 11 Best in Show honors, one for each medium.  Please visit www.daveyawards.com for a complete list of winners.

Motion Capture was extremely expensive, those days are near history. Enter iPi Soft, a new company that has developed what they call Motion Capture for the masses. We were really intrigued on the quality of the animation so we downloaded the app, hooked it up to some Microsoft Kinects and took it for a test drive.

The results? Mind-blowing. Even at it’s early stage of development we managed to get some complex animations in hours that would’ve taken days to animate by hand.

What does this mean? It means we can now deliver realistic, precise animation in a fraction of the time. Tremendous benefits both in terms of budget and turnaround times. Everybody wins really.

Here’s a video we made of the process of our experiment. We can’t wait to show you the results of it in an upcoming ‘super rad’ video we’re working on, but more on that when the time is right.

And our video for the cloud texting service, Zipwhip won a silver in the branded content category.

Yeah, we are going to party.

We think it’s awesome. A confluence of factors is driving the adoption of responsive design. Chief among these factors are; a dramatic shift to mobile and a proliferation of new screen sizes. This creates a tremendous opportunity for brands, or anyone with a message for that matter. Allowing people to access your content in their choice of venue. And letting the content adapt to that venue. Awesome and truly powerful for effective storytelling. Over the course of the past two years, we have developed a methodology that we find works extremely well for identifying needs, executing responsively designed projects. We recently had the opportunity to present to a packed house on this subject at http://www.webvisionsevent.com/ and wanted to share the presentation here.

What is Responsive Design? Well, here’s the description of our presentation. And here is a link to the slideshare presentation to help explain.

Simply put, users expect their experience on a website to adapt across all their devices - including mobile, tablet, laptop and desktop. The demand has coined the industry term - responsive design. The ideal effect is a satisfying and relevant experience to users on every size of display. Is this so much to ask?  

What users don’t see is the behind-the-screens, starting with the people crazy enough to craft experiences that inherently respond to users demands - designers and developers. 

For progressive developers, this is an easy to grasp evolution. For designers, it presents a new host of challenges with some serious digital land(scape) mines. 

To create a successful responsive web experience - and not cause any friendly fire in the process -  requires design and development be in lock-step, harmony rather. Matt and Taylor will talk through the fundamental need-to-knows from a developer’s and designer’s perspective, respectively and respectfully (well, mostly). 

This 45 minute presentation / micro-workshop will benefit all levels of experience. Depending on levels of attention some combination of the following can be gathered, 

+ The fundamentals developers want designers to know when designing a responsive experience 
+ The cornerstones of a successful process for engineering a responsive web experience 
+ A real-time working example for attendees to access on devices during the presentation- we’ll review key points of common responsive design layouts and the associated code 

Plus, alarming statistics about why a responsive web experience is critical and helpful responsive design resource.

If you are interested in learning more about responsive design and how it might help an upcoming initiative, give us a shout at business@wintr.us.

Here’s a pretty bad photo from the Webvisions presentation:

// Research:

As always,  we get to know the product and it’s competition inside out. In this case, we identified a few key differentiators that would inform our creative execution. Ultimately, the story was simple, send a text message from your wireless phone number using your computer or tablet instead of your phone.

// Distinct Creative:

During our research we learned that the history of of text messaging was unconsidered, almost accidental. (Oversimplification alert) An engineer discovered some extra network availability and needed to find a use for it. Voila! Text messaging was born. This informed our first concept which used texting history as a device to illustrate a past to present comparison showing what texting can be when liberated from the mobile handset.  This direction was primarily typographic, 2D and illustrative in nature starting with a vintage treatment.

Our second execution, and the winner, was based on creating a completely unique piece of video content.  This goal informed every decision including scripting design, voice over, music, typography. Our script -uniquely- allows the Zipwhip brand voice to communicate through on-screen text bubbles in an exchange with an initially confused (but catching on as the video progresses) consumer. This unique approach to scripting allowed Zipwhip to be informed and cool when responding to the confused consumer. There is no Zipwhip ‘voice’ in the piece other than what is represented by the text bubbles. The visual execution relies on quirky (nearly hand made) paper looking sets and characters used illustrate scenarios focused on the value that the Zipwhip service can add to the daily routine. 

// Experimentation informs final execution:

After experimenting with characters in all shapes and sizes we came up with a minimal quirky design where all emotion was expressed through full body movements, eyes and hair (sadly for them they were mouthless - all the more reason to send a text message). Also, rather than traditional scene transitions, we would flip the rooms on sort of a carousel to get from one scene to the next.

Finally sound was a major consideration - it needed to emphasize the personality and punctuate on-screen activity.  Audio design elements were used to accentuate various actions like doors slamming, toasters popping and scenes transitioning for comedic effect.  We also decided to go for a cartoonish, confused delivery and worked closely with the VO artist to develop this tone.  As well, the music was originally composed for this piece, and a style was chosen that seemed initially incongruous with the visuals. But it adds another unique detail and a sense of urgency and discovery.

Well considered video content can play a key role in activating brands online. Whether for brand awareness, lead generation or sell through. If you want to discuss how this might work for your brand or project please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

Zipwhip Consumer Launch Video from WINTR on Vimeo.

+ Creative Content thinking.

We believe that presenting information in compelling, original and interactive manner is an effective strategy for raising awareness and engagement. Recently there have been numerous posts across the industry that champion the case for creative and cutting edge content marketing - a key service offering of ours. Mashable explains that “content marketing encompasses new techniques and methods of sharing information. Spreading unique, helpful bits within the industry or with consumers creates brand awareness, new customers and client loyalty.”

We agree. And we welcomed this challenge with open arms. Presenting an alternative, even experimental execution merging interactive and motion techniques.

+ Storytelling, Interactive and Motion skills - together in harmony.

In addition to presenting the information in a fresh, sit up and notice way it was essential that we crafted an experience that engaged and motivated people beyond the non-profit and philanthropic communities. A key objective. Creating relevant content can capture attention from your audience, both new and existing, we needed to create something with inherent shareable value - an interactive experience to bring the message to life. Narrative was key. By focusing on just one woman we could craft an experience that enabled the user to discover just how this investment could create positive results for one woman, her family and her community - ending with the message that investment ultimately leads to a better world for us all.

With our creative direction set we knew bringing the story to life would be technically complex, calling for our interactive and motion teams to work closely together to provide a seamless, cutting edge solution. The result? An original experience that came in the form of an immersive, interactive infographic, told through chapters for a user to navigate, or sit back and watch as an animated sequence. And it works across devices and platforms. Here’s how it came to life:

+ Production details.

The main animation sequence in the Women in Agriculture infographic is created in the 3D modeling software Cinema 4D. Once the design and basic animation was nailed down, each frame of the sequence was exported from Cinema 4D as a separate image. This gave us a frame sequence of 26 images. The next step was to create a javascript-based playback mechanism for the sequence. Using Coffeescript (http://coffeescript.org/) and jQuery, we created a custom class for running the sequence. With it, we were able to play, rewind, and jump around the sequence easily and efficiently. The class also allowed us to preload the next stage of the sequence in the background to ensure a smooth experience, relatively free of recurring preloader interruptions. 

In addition to the playback of the main frame sequence, the experience features some short looping animations at each of it’s “stages”, such as chickens pecking the ground and children hopping up and down. Another Javascript class was created to run these for each stage. The code allowed for easily increasing (or decreasing) the randomness of each animation, creating an organic, natural pacing, allowing for a delightful experience where control is in the hands of the user.

+ In conclusion and to the future…

Women in Agriculture is just one example of an in house tailor made solution that fulfills our clients objectives around content marketing. If you’d like to find out more about the thinking, the process and the impact we’d be happy to chat further - reach out.

+ Twitter activity at launch.

In a recent experiment we’ve driven mobile or desktop users to interact with an application to receive an image, tag or other piece of branded content that they then take into the retail store. Using their mobile device, they present this content to a webcam enabled display to unlock a reward or clue.

Here’s are the basics of how this works:

1) Traffic is directed to a campaign web application (with desktop and mobile views) using geo-targeted and Facebook ads:

2) Here, we incentivize users to interact with the application to receive unique content in the form of a ‘marker’ that will ‘unlock’ additional content in-store with an augmented reality experience:

3) Users take the ‘content’ to a physical destination to “unlock” it. This “unlocked content” could include a whole host of things - instant wins, game accomplishments, character creation or any other brand appropriate incentive. A natural extension of branded games, contests or online competitions:

To further illustrate a use-case, we’ve created a story for how this might work to drive consumers in store for a promotional campaign. Let’s say, HTC is sponsoring the American tour for Niki & the Dove (we recently created a video for this band), both Niki & The Dove’s record and HTC devices can be purchased at retail partner Best Buy. Yes, you can still buy CD’s at Best Buy… How do we drive fans to Best Buy with this experiment?

Here’s how our story unfolds.

1) Like we mentioned above, traffic is directed to a campaign application. Likely a mobile web/facebook app.

Consumers learn about the promotion on their favorite websites, from their Facebook feed, Facebook ads, geo-targeted ads or maybe an in store promotion.

2) The campaign application (mobile web or Facebook) to deliver promotional content ‘marker’ to user’s mobile device .

Interacting with a mobile web or a mobile Facebook app, leaves consumers with a unique promotional content ‘marker’ saved right to their mobile device. This promotional content can contain valuable marketing messaging for HTC and Niki & the Dove and visuals, for example information of how to “redeem” this special collateral in store at Best Buy. This ‘marker’ is what will be recognized in an augmented reality experience. Consumers may be instructed to visit at a specific location and/or time to redeem the promotion.

3) In-store augmented reality experience.

At the physical Best Buy store, an HTC branded digital kiosk, is set up with a camera and a monitor.  When consumers holds up his or her phone with the marker to the camera they will see their “redeemed” promotion.

In our use-case, consumers would see an interesting 3D animated object, text, or even a clever mask from the band’s latest music video release, placed over their head. An opportunity to meet the band!

When the environment changes so does the object displayed. And, since the augmented object reacts to how you’re moving a specific marker you’ll literally walk away with a completely unique experience. Consumers are engaged in a memorable experience they are likely to share.

With the wide spread adoption of mobility of technology there is both a huge opportunity and audience for augmented reality, opening the door to bring many types of campaigns to life. It’s here to stay, and will help define a new, immersive and relevant space for consumers to engage with brands. Interested? We’d be psyched to have a conversation about how this can work for your next campaign.

A few technical details:

In this instance we’ve chosen an adaptable framework that can accommodate a wide range of hardware and integration with internal fulfillment systems. This includes the Processing platform, Processing is a powerful open source programming language for developing interactive applications. Initially developed to serve as a software “sketchbook”, it allows for very rapid prototyping with a strait forward syntax. Processing is on the forefront of bridging the gap between code and the physical world, from Arduino to interactive displays, processing allows you to truly bring interactive ideas to life.

More About Hyper Island:

During the last 15 years Hyper Island has been designing learning experiences for students and industry. Starting out in what used to be an old prison in the small naval town Karlskrona we now have offices in Stockholm, London, Manchester and New York and are present in almost every corner of the world – from Amsterdam and San Francisco to Tokyo and Berlin.

During this time digital has gone from being another channel for communication to an integrated fibre of the fabric that surrounds us. Hyper Island has been at the forefront of that journey, by working with industry leading pioneers. We have recognized that in this fast changing landscape people will need a different type of education where they can pick up a more dynamic, richer skill set that goes beyond the traditional craft. So, after years of acquiring experience and knowhow, always in close collaboration with the best agencies around the world, we launched the first Hyper Island Master Class in August 2008.

Our educational philosophy “The Hyper Island Way” is founded on Problem-Based-Learning, Experience-Based-Learning and the Case Method. We have high ambitions to break down the traditional walls that separate education from it’s surroundings, society and the work place. We design learning experiences that give the participants the opportunity to work close to reality and coach them through their experiences. The courses themselves are rich practical experiences, both in content and process.

Hyper Island offers the Master Class out of our offices in the UK, USA and Sweden where we also run the following long-term educational programs: Digital Media, eCcommerce Manager, Interactive Art Director,  Mobile Applications, and Motion Graphics.

”Here in the UK Hyper Island is regarded as the pre-eminent breeding ground for top-class digital talent. A Hyper Island student is practically guaranteed a job the moment they walk through the doors.” - Gavin Gordon Rogers, Creative Director, Agency Republic, London

WINTR SEA > NYC for Fashion Week

WINTR and Spotify have teamed up to sponsor the sounds for designer Logan Neitzel’s upcoming Spring Summer 2012 collection with a live collaborative Spotify set on 09/09 starting at 7pm EST.

Collaborate on the playlist for Logan’s show and after party and follow @WINTR_US for live updates during the show.

Need Spotify?

After party? Check our Facebook where we’ll post the final playlist enjoyed live by Spotify, Vogue, W, Style.com and other peeps at the exclusive event.

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