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10 creative documentaries to watch on YouTube

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CreativeBloq/~3/DJzYN0SsRAs/10-creative-documentaries-to-watch-on-youtube

Once, documentaries were only of interest to academic and intellectual types. In the 2000s, though, they went mainstream, with slickly produced docu-movies like Bowling for Columbine and An Inconvenient Truth scoring big at the box office. Since then, the trend has only heightened, and nowadays documentaries regularly top the charts on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.

Even if you have no money right now, you don't have to miss out. Here, we've rounded up the 10 best creative documentaries currently available to watch YouTube for free. So whatever your discipline, you're sure to find something to entertain, inform and inspire you.

01. Abstract: The Art of Design

Lavishly shot and beautifully edited, this documentary series truly has something for everyone. Directed by Scott Dadich and available on Netflix since 2017, it’s recently been made free during lockdown to watch on YouTube. 

Abstract: The Art of Design consists of a series of eight standalone episodes, each around 40 minutes long, and profiling in turn graphic designer Paula Scher, illustrator Christoph Niemann, Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield, stage designer Es Devlin, architect Bjarke Ingels, automotive designer Ralph Gilles, photographer Platon, and interior designer Ilse Crawford. Watch the first of these above, and access the full playlist here.

02. Inge Druckrey: Teaching to See

Born in 1940 in Germany, Inge Druckrey is a designer and educator credited with bringing the Swiss school of design to the United States. This 37-minute documentary from 2012, directed by Andrei Severny and produced by Edward Tufte, explores her teachings and provides some fascinating insights into graphic design, typography, composition, form and visual arts education. Whether you’re an aspiring designer or a veteran, there’s much to learn from this beautifully put together documentary.

03. Infamy

Infamy is one of the best documentary films we’ve ever seen on street art, so it’s amazing that it’s available to watch free on YouTube. Directed by Doug Pray, this one hour 30 minute movie, first released in 2005, includes interviews with six of the most exciting graffiti artists of the time: Saber, Toomer, Jase, Claw, Earsnot, and Enem. While street art has moved on since then, this snapshot from earlier in the century remains an energetic and inspiring watch.

04. Naughty Dog 

Based in California, Naughty Dog is the video game studio behind such influential creations as Uncharted and The Last of Us series. In 2014, it celebrated its 30th anniversary by releasing this intriguing look behind the scenes of the award-winning studio. Covering the full history of the company, from its early developments to its recent triumphs, this is a worthy tribute to one of the best game developers of a generation.

05. PressPausePlay

It’s undeniable that the rise of the internet has democratised global culture. But is this leading to better music, film and art overall, or is mass culture dumbing everything down to the lowest common denominator? That’s the question posed by this one hour 24 minute documentary film, featuring interviews with some of the world's most influential creators and entrepreneurs.

06. Everything is a Remix

Where do you draw the line between inspiration and copying in your creative work? That’s the subject of this 37-minute documentary by Kirby Ferguson, which was first released in 2010, and remastered in 2015. In it, he argues that creativity is based upon three three elements – copy, transform, and combine – and that these building blocks are the basis for all new ideas.

07. Shenzhen: The Silicon Valley of Hardware

Remix or copy culture isn’t just something that influences music and art, but increasingly the whole of the economy. This one hour seven minute documentary looks at the evolution of 'Shanzhai' – or copycat manufacturing – in China, and how it has transformed traditional models of innovation. Taking us inside the bustling Chinese city of Shenzhen, it asks what the rest of the world can learn from this so-called 'Silicon Valley of hardware'.

08. Raising Creativity

Raising Creativity is a documentary about how we can raise the level of creativity in education. Made in 2014 by Rebecca Zak, currently co-founder and VP of ArtResin, as part of her PhD in Educational Studies, it takes a comprehensive look at existing research, makes some incisive observations, and offers some constructive ideas on the way forward. Running for one hour 17 minutes, this is a must-watch for anyone working in design education.

09. John Lasseter: A Day in a Life

First released in 2011, this 25-minute documentary details the daily routine of John Lasseter, chief creative officer at Pixar/Walt Disney Animation Studios. The films Lasseter has made have grossed more than $19 billion, making him one of the most successful filmmakers of all time. So while this typically sanitised Disney doc doesn’t go into a huge amount of depth, it’s still fascinating to see what his working day looks like, from choosing the Hawaiian shirt he’ll wear to fixing last-minute production errors on Cars 2.

10. How far is too far? The age of AI

This 34 minute documentary is part of a larger 2019 series of YouTube Originals looking at the latest artificial intelligence technologies and where they're taking us. In this episode, presented by Robert Downey Jr, Oscar-winning VFX artist Mark Sagar and pop star Will.i.Am explore how AI is providing us with new ways to be expressive and creative. 

Read more:

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Disney's Splash Mountain needs a rebrand, but what should it look like?

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CreativeBloq/~3/tH8FvggW1Ms/disney-splash-mountain-rebrand

Pressure has been mounting on Disney to rebrand Splash Mountain, one of its most well-known rides. Built in 1986, the ride is based on the 1946 film, Song of the South, which has not been released on home video in the US (and does not appear on Disney Plus) due to its glorification of slave culture and inclusion of racist tropes.

One detailed rendering shared on Twitter replaces the current ride's theme with the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog – a film praised for its celebration of black culture and the first to feature a black Disney princess. Many petitions have been launched calling for the rebrand of Splash Mountain, and over 21,000 people added their support to using The Princess and the Frog as a suitable replacement. 

If you haven't yet seen The Princess and the Frog, here's how to try Disney Plus for free.

Created by a self-named "Disney Park Aficionado" and podcast host, Frederick Chambers, the concept art tracks the journey through the rebranded Splash Mountain. Instead of the backdrop of the Reconstruction Era, the setting would be New Orleans in the 1920s Jazz Age. The Princess and the Frog's plot is centred around a river adventure, and so Chambers' design builds on the existing setup and space of Splash Mountain, negating the need for expensive remodelling – just "retheming". 

Detailed written description of the scenes accompany the rendering, from the queuing space, through to the launching area and the ride itself. Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox (the current Splash Mountain residents) are replaced by the cast of The Princess and the Frog, with Chambers' description setting out how that would work.

Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog features the first black Disney Princess

"There is a huge need for diversity in the parks and this could help fill that need," the petition states. "Princess and the Frog is a beloved princess movie but has very little representation in the parks."

However, some commenters disagree, suggesting that The Princess and the Frog may not be the ideal theme for a thrill ride. Though the film does deserve more representation in the park, they say, its target demographic of 3-5 year olds would be excluded from riding due to height restrictions. The films Moana and Emperor's New Groove have also been suggested.

Splash Mountain

The current Splash Mountain theme

Disney has yet to comment on the mounting pressure and increasing chatter surrounding Splash Mountain, but the company has been known to rethink rides for cultural progression before. The Pirates of the Caribbean ride was redesigned to remove images of pirates auctioning off women for marriage, and a female pirate was also added to the scene.

In the midst of a wave of global protests in support of Black Lives Matter, creatives are standing together against racism. With the world re examining cultural symbols, this concept art is an example of how creatives can use their talents to enact change. Watch this space to see how Disney reacts.

Read more:

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Motion Design for Rio Tigre “Olympiades”

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/abduzeedo/~3/XI6Yr7CE1jE/motion-design-rio-tigre-olympiades

Motion Design for Rio Tigre “Olympiades”
Motion Design for Rio Tigre “Olympiades”

abduzeedo06.23.20

Olympiades is Rio Tigre’s first music video, created by Raphaël Pazoumian, also singer/songwriter for the band. The Music Video, created in 3D with Cinema 4D was shaped around a song composed in between Paris and New York. Inspired by Greek Mythology, the video illustrates the singer’s journey, reinventing the band and his life 3500 miles from home.

The black & white virtual world breaks into pieces that will never touch the ground. The heavy feeling of having to start from scratch when everything you created seems to fall in front of your eyes, your own foundations getting weaker by the seconds are transcribed into this ancient world that breaks to be rebuilt someplace else, like an eternal loop of new beginnings. 

I will make this happen
Broken glass and freedom
I will lift my heart off the ground
Heavy rocks fall without a sound

Motion Design

Video

Stills

 


Basics to Designing Great Visual Content

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Designrfix/~3/CbsEe9uFktI/basics-to-designing-great-visual-content

They say a picture says a thousand words and that is absolutely true. Visual content generates a more profound effect that written word because it immerses the audience and makes the concept more relatable. How can you create visual content the right way to get maximum engagement? Leave some white space When an infographic or […]

The post Basics to Designing Great Visual Content appeared first on designrfix.com.

Apple AirPods sale: Amazing deal cuts AirPods Pro price to all-time low

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CreativeBloq/~3/yO2olRrrxT0/apple-airpods-pro-june-sale

It's rare to come across decent discounts on Apple products, which is why we were super-excited today to see these top Apple AirPods deals. In the US, right now you can save $30 off Apple AirPods Pro over at Verizon, and if you're in the UK, Amazon has also shaved £20 off the popular Apple headphones. 

These great deals take the Apple AirPods Pro price tag to an all-time low, so you'll need to be quick if you're interested. We've also found a great saving on the equally brilliant 2nd Gen Apple AirPods too, with a whopping £40 off at Amazon – taking the price down to just £159.  

The Apple AirPods Pro are the most recent, high-end of all the Apple AirPods, with an in-ear design that comfortably fits all, cancels noise and produces quality sound on the go. They come complete with a solid 4.5 hours listening time, with a quick 20 minute-charge giving you three hours playback. And with the AirPods Pro's sweat/ water resistance, these are great earbuds to use when you're down the gym, off for a run, or just for when you want to hear your favourite music when you're out and about.

Browse AirPods at Apple.com
The best Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods deals in the US
The best Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods deals in the UK

Not in the UK or the US? No worries. Our clever price comparison tool collects the best deals from around the world…

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The best left-handed mouse you can buy in 2020

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CreativeBloq/~3/SMXb6mg2nSU/best-left-handed-mouse

Looking for the best left-handed mouse can be difficult, as even in 2020, many mouse makers seem to neglect southpaws and churn out loads of right-handed mice, and hardly any for lefties.

This can be incredibly frustrating, as the humble mouse is one of the most important peripherals we use when interacting with our computers. For creatives, it's especially important to find a mouse that's comfortable to use, and for left-handed people, that can sometimes be a struggle.

This is where our guide to the best left-handed mice can help. We've collected the best mice for left-handed users, and listed them right here, so you can easily find the best one for your needs. 

Not all of these mice are designed just for lefties. Many of them are ambidextrous in design, so they can be comfortably used in any hand, and you'll still be able to reach every button. You'll notice that some mice on this page come with plenty of additional buttons. These can be configured to help speed up your workflow, and help you be even more productive. Of course, we also have left-handed mice that favour simplicity, and so still with that tried-and-tested two-button design. 

For more ambidextrous options, take a look at our main buying guide to the best mouse in 2020.

Left-handed mouse: the best options available now

Logitech G903 Left

The Logitech G903 is a wireless gaming mouse that does it all. Thanks to 11 programmable buttons and up to 12,000 DPI of accuracy, this left-handed mouse offers more than most could even use. The mechanical button tensioning (which gives you physical feedback through the button clicks) lets you personalise it exactly. Even more useful are the five profiles you can switch between – adjust settings like sensitivity and button uses to enable you to hop between designing, browsing, and gaming uses. Wireless charging using the PowerPlay mat is another great feature that makes that 32-hour battery life even less of a worry. You can leave the lighting on, lowering battery to 24-hours of use, without worry.

SteelSeries Sensei Ten

If you're after a left-handed gaming mouse, then your options are limited, but the good news is that many mouse makers are now embracing ambidextrous designs, which means their mice are comfortable to use for both left- and right-handed people. SteelSeries is one of those manufacturers, and the Sensei Ten combines a left-hand-friendly design with a brilliant sensor that makes it fast and accurate to use. There's loads of customisation options, and it comes with a Tilt Tracking feature, which keeps tracking your movements even when you’re lifting your mouse and putting it back down at tilted angles.

Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600

The Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 is the best left-handed mouse for people on a budget. It's compact and affordable, but crucially, it's well built as well. It's ideal for people who travel a lot and want a dependable wireless mouse that they can easily carry around.

Its ambidextrous design means it's a great choice for left-handed users as well. Microsoft has a formidable reputation when it comes to peripherals, and the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 is a great example of this.

Mad Catz Rat 1

The Mad Catz Rat 1 is a wired mouse that's impressive to look at but somehow remains low in price. The quirky aesthetic is functional too, as the design means the mouse can be adjusted to fit any hand for perfect ergonomic comfort. There are only three buttons, but that keeps this mouse light for travel (it can even be split to make it more compact). With multiple colour options and a very low price, this is a tough mouse to beat.  

SteelSeries Sensei 310 Left

The SteelSeries Sensei 310 is a mouse built for gamers, meaning it’s crammed full of useful tech that designers and general users alike can benefit from. A whopping 12,000 DPI capability makes this super-sensitive (if you have it set to that high level). An ARM 32-bit processor – once a dream even for smartphones – helps compute all this data so you end up with the smoothest end result, which is what it’s all about really, isn’t it?

Evoluent VerticalMouse 4

The Evoluent VerticalMouse 4 has gone through many generations since it first appeared in 2002, and it's still going strong. The ergonomic design keeps your wrist from twisting thereby creating maximum comfort and promising long-term wrist health. The optical sensor and pointer are adjustable and buttons are available for fingers and thumbs (there are six in total). This mouse isn't cheap, but as a designer it's worth shelling out a bit more if it means keeping your wrist and hands happy.

Read more:

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A look at the making of Google Pixel 4

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/abduzeedo/~3/yHCjmj0Enjw/look-making-google-pixel-4

A look at the making of Google Pixel 4
A look at the making of Google Pixel 4

AoiroStudio06.22.20

Arthur Kenzo is an industrial designer working in the Google Industrial Design Team. He shared a look of the making of the Google Pixel 4. I do own the Pixel 4 and it’s quite fascinating to see some of the behind-the-scenes of what went through the process and designing Google’s flagship phone. There is a line from Arthur’s story that I really like and as I quote: ‘Pixel 4 was designed to be soft in the hand and approachable, human.’ I do agree that when holding the Pixel 4 feels just right in your hand, the back glass is not retaining any fingertip smudges which makes the phone really defined in terms of everyday experience. Whatever you like its design or not, I think it’s always rewarding to get a glimpse of its process.

Links

http://www.arthurkenzo.com/
https://www.behance.net/arthurkenzo

Pixel 4 was designed to be soft in the hand and approachable, human. The form has been carefully sculpted out of aluminum and curved Gorilla Glass 5. Pixel 4 design is confidently different, approachable and simple. The sophisticated yet fresh approach to materials, colors and finishes is uniquely Google.

Credits

Designed by Google Industrial Design Team
Image courtesy by Google


Why Are All Sites Optimizing For Smartphones?

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Designrfix/~3/1MdfNVEnVI4/why-are-all-sites-optimizing-for-smartphones

Sites were developed for desktop devices at first but as the worldwide smartphone usage rate increased so did the site developers look for other ways to fit the desktop sensation into the much smaller screen. Mobile optimized sites offer a better experience via mobile devices than those that are not. There are millions of optimized […]

The post Why Are All Sites Optimizing For Smartphones? appeared first on designrfix.com.

Fun Animated Brand Film for Supernova Design Studio

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/abduzeedo/~3/xVdA24Sz4YM/fun-animated-brand-film-supernova-design-studio

Fun Animated Brand Film for Supernova Design Studio
Fun Animated Brand Film for Supernova Design Studio

abduzeedo06.18.20

Supernova is a Boutique Design Studio that helps innovative brands and businesses tell their unique stories in playful and creative ways. Founded by sisters Asavari and Shaivalini Kumar, Supernova employs a multidisciplinary approach to branding that draws upon their collective expertise in communication design and animation direction (…and all things cat.). They also have a shiny new brand design with a colorful video to showcase their new identity. 

Branding and Motion Design

Creating magic through collaboration. 

Supernova we believe that building a memorable brand requires cultivating a meaningful connection with its audience. Through intelligent strategy, beautiful design and memorable storytelling, we help wonderful products and services cut through the noise so they can change the world.

Goodbye stuffy, formal meetings and flowery pitches! At Supernova we want to skip the small talk and really get to know your hopes and dreams. Think of us as an extension of your team. We cultivate close relationships to collectively define a scope of work and collaboratively solve problems to create bespoke design solutions tailored to your business goals.