Two 3D movies in the space of a week!

Just back from Toy Story in 3D and it was every bit as good as it was when I was five. In fact it was better, and not just because it was in 3D. The film is a masterpiece and paved the way for loads of CG films since. It is astonishing that the animation Pixar were producing 15 years ago still has us "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" today.

Toy Story truly is a timeless classic. Go see it.

Helvetica Documentry

I had been wanting to see Gary Hustwit's Helvetica documentary for over a year now so was pleased to find out that we were going to see it with uni and for a reduced price. The film is about the iconic typeface, Helvetica, it looks at how designers have used it over it's lifespan of fifty-two years and how peoples attitudes towards it have changed and differed over the years. I have always been wary of using it in my work as I knew that many designers argue passionately both for and against its use. I on the other hand have never been sure what camp I lie in.

Watching the documentary helped me see the bigger picture, Huswit interviews renowned designers from the UK, America and Europe to find out how and why they use the typeface, or why the avoid it altogether.

The designers that are pro-Helvetica are of the opinion that no other typeface is needed when you can use Helvetica. It's clean, sharp and extremely legible. It is a perfect communication tool which does not interfere with your ability to read or understand the product. It has become a subliminal typeface, used so often in our every day lives that we barely notice it. It has become the typeface of consumerism and conformity. It gives the impression of a large powerful brand, yet one that is still welcoming and approachable.

It is conformity of the highest order. It's a safe choice.

And this is exactly what the anti-Helveticans have against it. Some believe it is simply a cop out, it has become the default font for the lazy creative. Huswit interviews German typographer, Erik Spiekermann who argues passionately against Helvetica, claiming that the uniform appearance of the font was reminiscent of Nazi soldiers marching in line. Others believe it represents, Communism and the Vietnam war.

I believe that Helvetica is an outstanding piece of design. I consider it still looks fresh, modern and extremely usable after fifty years. And although I still might hesitate to use it within my work, I can certainly appreciate it as a design icon.

Here are some fun typography related links:

10 Common Typography Mistakes

What font are you?

Cheese of Font?

Crazy hard kerning game

Typography Quiz

Another font game

fun, fun, fun :)

Oaty Cookies

I love baking and although the sinfully chocolaty brownies I made yesterday are delicious, they are not very healthy, so I decided to make some more virtuous ones to pack in my lunch box. Here is my recipe:

around 85g Oats

couple of handfuls of raisins

200g butter

some sunflower seeds

1 table spoon of golden syrup

1 tea spoon bicarbonate of soda

100g plain flour

about 70g light brown sugar

Heat the oven to 160c fan. Put the oats, flour and sugar in a bowl. Melt the butter on the hob and stir in the golden syrup. Add the bicarb soda to 2 tbsp boiling water, then stir into the golden syrup and butter mixture.

Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the butter and golden syrup mixture. Stir to mix with the dry ingredients.

Spoon the mixture on to a baking tray, leaving room for them to spread out in the oven and bake for about 10 mins in the oven.

And enjoy.

My first 3D movie

On Saturday night I went to go and see my first 3D movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - Pixar's newest animated film to hit our screens. I presumed it was just going to be another CG animated kiddies film with not much story line, however it proved me wrong and I really really enjoyed it. It had me laughing out loud and even in tears at the end, and the animation and attention to detail was amazing. The 3D was very impressive and I secretly think that the 3D glasses are quite cool.

It is about Flint Lockwood, an aspiring inventor whose inventions are always getting him into trouble. His ambition is to invent a machine which turns water into food as his town is stuck eating surplus sardines after the local factory closes. Miraculously Flint's machine actually works and the heavens start raining food, everything from burgers and hot dogs to steaks and ice cream. Flint goes from outcast to local hero and community savior, but all he really wants is the respect of his dad and the love of Sam, the weather girl/love interest. However the greed of the community threatens to destroy the whole town, and Flint is left to save the day.

InDesign Paragraph Styles

To be honest Paragraph Styles have always mystified me for some reason and I always tended just to use the toolbar at the top or the eyedropper tool if I wanted to recreate a style. However this morning I had a tutorial on how to use them properly which really refreshed my memory from college, now I will try to use them all the time.

Why Beige Tomato?

A while back I came across Design Company Naming Generator from Breadline Design, it pokes fun at how many design studios are using animals and colours to name their agencies. It's a very fun way to pass 10 minutes, and some of the combinations are very realistic sounding. I'm starting a design blog and needed a name, and so where better to find one... The Beige Tomato Blog is born.