• about
• portfolio
• contact

Pedigree: “Catch”

Dumped in the Ads pile on March 10, 2010.

This spot by TBWA Toronto captures the beauty and elegance of these pups catching a tasty treat at 1000 FPS using the Phantom camera. Stinkin’ awesome. Great emotion grabber. You’ll laugh; you’ll cry…

Single Take Music Videos

Dumped in the Music and Video pile on March 4, 2010.

I’m totally blown away at the audacity, creativity, planning, detail, and precise execution of single take music videos. I recently saw the OK Go and Katie Chastain spots below and was reminded of the 1234 spot by Feist that had the same effect when it first came out. Just incredible, inspiring, and aspiring work.

• ENTERTAINING:
If you don’t think your familiar with OK Go, does “the treadmill video” ring a bell? Yeah, they’re experienced at this sort of thing (though I think there were a few more engineers recruited for this one).

• ECLECTIC:
In sharp contrast to the tv-bashing, paint-cannon-blasting, domino-effecting video by OK Go, is this very chill and eclectic, hand-made number by Katie Chastain. Great video. Reminds me of being in a Oregonian cabin in the dead of winter (even though I never have been in a Oregonian cabin in the dead of winter). And if you like the finished product, you’ll love the making of, also below (as one who’d likely be behind the camera, that video is especially inspiring).

• ENUMERATE:
And this classic video by Feist was brought to the center stage when it appeared in the Apple’s tv ad when the 3rd generation iPod Nano made it’s world debut. Though this technique may have many predecessors, this spot may be the first that caught my attention.

Justin Gallagher - Filmmaker

Dumped in the Ads and Film and People pile on February 25, 2010.

I recently came across this Shoe Biz/Asics spot by young filmmaker Justin Gallagher. I love the single-minded focus of TJ, the rider (a legit bike messenger), as he books down a quintessential San Fran street, showboating the bona fide durability of the Asics ‘66 Mexico style shoe on a fixie (of course). All sweet action. Cue the contrapuntal soundtrack by Doolan Roobenstein and you have a seriously fresh and straightforward package that delivers a noninvasive sell for the client. Heck, I even bought a pair—and fixies scare me to death.

Be sure to check other projects by Justin on his website/blog, http://gallagherfilms.blogspot.com. I also love the Adidas Celebration Commercial where Justin highlights power moves that remind me I never should have given up breakdancing (bitter sweet).

Shoe Biz x Onitsuka Collaboration - Commercial from Justin Gallagher on Vimeo.

Fail Harder Wall

Dumped in the Design pile on February 15, 2010.

This “Fail Harder Wall,” located at Wieden+Kennedy in Portland, is created using over 100,000 clear pushpins. The message “reminds us of the importance of failing during the creative process.” Apparently there’s one lone red pushpin in there somewhere.

I must have missed the wall on my visit to W+K in 2007.

When in Spain, say “Pesi.”

Dumped in the Ads pile on February 5, 2010.

See original post on AdAge, here.

Sharp Cheddar

Dumped in the Personal and Random pile on February 2, 2010.

view larger

Puma: World Cup Foosball

Dumped in the Ads pile on January 19, 2010.

As a foosball lover, this one was an immediate post.

Agency, Zula Alpha Kilo, and Puma, hosted a life-size Foosball tournament to promote Italy’s World Cup Qualifier. I dig the refs handing out violations to passersby. Not sure about the life-size foosball “game” but hey, it drew the crowd.

I think it’s time for Dynamo, my foosball goalkeeper, to come out of retirement. It’s been way too long.

The Shamrock Cup

Dumped in the Design and Innovative pile on January 11, 2010.

What’s an eco-friendly caffeine addict to do? Enter, Shamrock Cups.

• Eliminates Plastic Lids
• Improves Security of Closure
• Improves Speed of Service
• Reduces Inventory
• Renewable Bioplastics
• Corn Sugar Coating

Can’t wait to see what clever designs emerge using this cool packaging.
More about Shamrock Cups on the TreeHugger website.

shamrock cup from Lloyd Alter on Vimeo.

squeeze test on shamrock cup from Lloyd Alter on Vimeo.

Major technological advances in the office this year

Dumped in the Random pile on January 6, 2010.

A Merry Cultural Christmas

Dumped in the Design and New Mexico and Personal pile on December 25, 2009.

Nothing says Merry Christmas in New Mexico like a candle inside a bag of dirt. A fun illustration for our holiday cards, sent to our clients local and afar.