Tasty Tomato

I love typography especially when it's handled well. Tomato out of the UK has a firm grasp on how type can enhance, engage and most importantly communicate. More than just mere words just lying there listlessly, Tomato's type executions are sophisticated and smart. Case in point, their latest project for Smirnoff is a beautiful black and white on-air execution with typography actually floating and interacting with the product to tell the story. Nicely done.

James Jean

Once upon a time, I used to think I was a pretty good at drawing until I came across another talented artist with a really cool name, James Jean. His subject matter tends to be dark and dreamlike with an almost children's book style that really shows off his enviable draftsmanship. It's all amazing, but I think my favorite stuff is his sketchbook work.

Best Commercial of the Decade

Adweek is collecting votes for Best of The Decade regarding all things advertising. You can vote for a myriad of categories such as: Best Agency, Best Production Studio, Best Promotion, Best Brand etc. etc. There is a large range of print, outdoor and commercial selections to entertain and delight. My vote for "Best Non-Super Bowl Ad of the Decade" is split between Goodby's Comcast Rabbit and Honda Grrr (Wieden + Kennedy) as I am sucker for clever writing, brilliant visuals and rabbits. Cast your vote now!

Fresh Cherry

Thought I'd post something from my latest online portfolio for Dr Pepper Cherry that I thought turned out rather well. Now with more explosive Cherry visual impact and taste! Dig it.

chipsheean.com

It has come to my attention that designing and producing your own portfolio site is very similar to giving birth (though I am sure my wife would have a few words on the subject...). After many years of never having a spare moment to do my own site, I finally found both the time and the determination needed to get it completed. The hardest part was sifting through all the hard drives, collecting the work and trying to construct a thread or feel that told my story. Additionally, writing the copy, shooting the pieces, trying to figure out the proper canvas from which to project the work and the right navigation - it all takes time. When it came to the About page, I knew that I did not want to have a photo or one particular piece from the book tell the story - so, I decided to take something from my sketchbook which is a common exercise for me and depict it in a pictogram. A collective of images and symbols that quickly described myself quickly. Clever? No. Easy? Yes.

All and all, I'm pretty happy with the result and I've gotten a lot positive feedback and some possible projects as a result.

Jim Carrey

I recently discovered a new site devoted to all things related to the highly entertaining (and possibly disturbing) comic Jim Carrey. The site seems to have been heavily directed by Jim and incorporates all of his various film characters and personas that he has portrayed over the years. What I love about the site is that it is a content-rich, insane joyride through the world of Jim Carrey. With graphic elements and links that seems to go from one rabbit hole after another, It's as if someone peeled back top of Jim Carrey's head and poured the contents into the internet. A perfect vehicle for the entertainer and raises the bar as an authentic interactive experience.

Open Happiness

Coca Cola is launching a new social media push by sending 3 bloggers worldwide to uncover what makes people happy. The bloggers are chosen by the highest amount of votes the team receives from Coke’s “Open Happiness” campaign website. Starting January 1st, the lucky bloggers will hop from country to country hunting bliss, while Coke pays their salary and expenses. The travelers will meet with locals, attend internationally-renowned events like the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and ultimately blog about it. Wish I could take a year off and do this myself - sounds like a blast.

In an era marked by a tough economy and a spirit lacking in the optimism department, this is a great way for Coca Cola to "walk it and blog it" and hopefully shed some light as to what it is that truly puts a smile on our face.