20.12.08

New perspective, new meaning; World's First Undersea Sculpture Park

Imagine diving down deep clear water to explore underwater sculpture park that sing the saga of the lost world. Is it hard to believe? Believe it, for the next few minutes you are going to explore this unique sculpture park by Jason de Caires Taylor. Some may find it eerie and some fantastic, but none can neglect them and pass away, for their tide of attraction is stronger to pull you back to the warmth of the sea underneath.

The underwater sculpture gallery is a project aiming to create a unique space which highlights environmental processes and explores the complex relationships between art and its environment. The project is a platform to promote the re-generation of marine life. It uses sculpture as a means of conveying hope and environmental awareness. It even helps us understand the need to protect the natural world. Jason Taylor was inspired by the works of Richard Long, Christo and Claus Oldenberg, who focused on the connection between the object and the environment.

Currently there are 65 sculptures in the park covering the area of 75 square meters. All the sculptures weigh around 20 tons. Jason started sculpting images from February 2006 and ended the whole project on June 2007. The sculptures, sited in clear shallow waters help the viewers to have an easy access to divers, snorkellers and those in glass-bottomed boats.
( source; www.underwatersculpture.com & http://living.oneindia.in )

Watch the movieclip to feel a new way in experiencing art..

( source; www.underwatersculpture.com & http://living.oneindia.in )

18.12.08

2008's best books on innovation

On businessweek.com i found a list of the 10 best books on innovation in 2008. I made a selection of three books, with a short introduction, that can be very inspiring for us Imagineers:


1. The Game-Changer: How You Can Drive Revenue and Profit Growth with Innovation
Authors: A.G. Lafley and Ram Charan
Publisher: Crown Business










Procter & Gamble (PG) CEO Lafley and management consultant Charan reveal how P&G and companies such as Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Nokia (NOK) have taken steps to create fresh products and new markets by making innovation a key corporate strategy. In addition, they look at such practical matters as how to best manage risk when pursuing goals that lack precedents inside a corporation.



2. Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies
Authors: Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff
Publisher: Harvard Business Press










Li and Bernoff, both analysts at Forrester Research, present a clearly written and refreshingly grown-up look at social media used by entire corporations, and not just Gen Y staff. They present real-world business narratives of how companies from Best Buy (BBY) to Ernst & Young use blogs, Wikis, and social networks to create, promote, and share new ideas, both within corporate walls and among consumers outside them.



3. Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations
Author: Clay Shirky
Publisher: Penguin Press










Author and New York University faculty member Clay Shirky describes the profound impact of social-technological tools on contemporary culture—from e-mail and blogs to Twitter and wikis. Shirky's book is an example-laden history of the development—and impact—of such tools. For instance, industries such as music and media writhe in a state of turmoil, with no clear strategies to deal with the rise of mass amateurization and cheap and easy distribution. In the author's view, we're living in the middle of a revolution as momentous as that which followed the invention of the printing press. Society and industry are being radically reshaped.

Also don't forget to look at the entire list which also includes 'the new age of innovation' by C.K. Prahalad and M.S. Krishnan.

17.12.08

Going to the barbershop.

Talking about digital entertainment, watch this movie. This is really playing with your brains isn't it?

16.12.08

Wii Music: Where is the love?

Consumers from all over the world don't seem to be blown away by the newest Wii game, Wii Music. According to an analysist of USB business bank, it is possible that Wii Music will turn out to be the first major disappointment of Wii.

Last November, an important present-shopping month, only 297,000 copies of the game were sold in the United States. Both Wii Play and Wii Fit sold twice as much copies.

A spokesperson of Nintendo Netherlands states that due to the new concept and the fact that people have to get used to it, Wii Music doesn't sell as fast as Wii Fit. He also claims that they didn't expect it would be a success right away.

Wii Music players (or musicians?) can either play instruments like tambourine, saxophone or drums alone or with others. Using the Wii remote in the right rhythm, it seems that the players are playing real instruments. Groovy!

The game doesn't contain any form of performance reward, unlike other music games (Guitar Hero!). Especially real gamers have to grow accustomed to this. They say in that way, it is not a real game. Also, the general public doesn't seem to get to concept right away.

Yes, it is all about extrinsic motivation when it comes to gaming!

Hereby a true classic game song! Enjoy! I think the drums sound pretty cool, but the other instruments...

Duracell energy drink

This is a great example of how a brand can extend their portfolio by thinking outside the box. Duracell introduced an energy drink with the looks of their battery lay-out.

I followed some blogs that also posted about this new product and the reactions/comments were very different. Some found it great and others thought that it was absolutely silly.

I think it is magnificent. The scope of Duracell, with their batteries, was extremely narrow and because of heavy competition they had to come up with something different. I see batteries as mobile energy suppliers. Therefore an energydrink, to my opinion, is a perfect combination. I am looking forward to also have Duracell coffee, fruit, energybars and maybe even sporting clothes/shoes. Why not? They all can supply the consumer with mobile energy. Direct or indirect.

What do you think of it?

Look at their website for more information about the Duracell Energy Drink.

5.12.08

Left or right thinker?

Because we were so busy with the theory about how our brain works and in particular the difference between the left and the right part i have an easy test for you.

Look at the dancer. Is she moving clockwise or counter clockwise?

Most people see the dancer moving counter clockwise. But when you focus on something else next to the dancer you can see a change in the movement.

If you see her moving counter clockwise you are using your leftbrain and if you see her moving clockwise you are using your rightbrain.



Nice and simple example. Let me know what you observe!

Function of left brain (e.g.):

- Logic
- Focussing on details
- Facts rule
- Words and language
- Mathematics en science
- Recognize patterns
- Practical

Function of right brain (e.g.):

- Uses sense
- Bigger picture (vs. details)
- Imagination
- Symbols and pictures
- Fantasy
- Dares to take risk
- Philosophy and religion