Pencil Dust.

Pencil Dust. Pencil dust is the result of a big idea; a flash of genius. It’s what comes after the “A-ha!” moment and it’s what is leftover after that moment becomes permanent. Putting pencil to paper is a meaningful task, and a journey of inspiration and creativity. Every spec of dust and wooden scrap is a remnant of an idea that can alter the course of your or your client’s business. These posts will aim to enlighten while exploring creative ideas and business issues. Inspiration and pencil dust may ensue…

[penneydesign]

[pencildust]

When it comes to web design and development, we've offered up our top picks for tools of the trade. We've shared great tips from pro developers. We've even wrangled exemplary sites to learn from. But sometimes, a healthy dose of artistic inspiration is in order. If you're a web designer (or we...

[pencildust]

Florentijn Hofman, a dutch designer, created this experimental outdoor design project of a monkey using various colored flip-flop sandals. Follow the link for the full story, courtesy of happyhotelier.com. 

[penneydesign]

[pencildust]

penneydesign:

‘Retro Games With Modern Themes’ now available to buy as posters at: http://penneydesign.imagekind.com/

www.penneydesign.com

[pencildust]

VuduQriociflix?

What happens when multiple companies create instant movie and TV streaming devices and integrated technology for On-Demand home entertainment, while all trying to one-up each other at the same time? VudoQriociflix is the result.

We are in an age of technology where major motion picture studios are constantly trying to prevent piracy while also fighting declining DVD sales and meeting consumers' demands for instant entertainment. What this means for the consumer, is that accessing new release movies and TV in beautiful 1080p HD is easier and more affordable than ever before.

However, there is now a multitude of companies creating instant streaming On-Demand access to new releases and library content. This is great for the consumer, but it can also be confusing to decide which service in which to use or subscribe. 

Vudu is one such On-Demand service. It is available through a set-top box, Sony PlayStation 3, or even integrated in some models of newer televisions with internet connectivity.

Vudu is a pay-per-view service and there is no subscription necessary to access content. The company offers content in three tiers:

HDX (True 1080p)

HD

SD

Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 where available. Movies can be rented for 24hrs at ($3.99 SD, $4.99 HD, $5.99 HDX) or bought at generally competitive prices, usually $19.99 HDX or $14.99 SD.

I've personally used Vudu to watch an HDX movie, and it was stunning. At first, I was a bit skeptical that the service would be able to provide a picture and audio quality that rivals that of a Blu-ray disc, but it certainly did.

Qriocity is the On-Demand service by Sony. It has recently launched in the US/Canada and offers pay-per-view movies from most of the major studios, not only Sony Pictures.

One differentiating factor from this service is that it will soon offer music, games, and e-books. One stop shopping for in-home entertainment.

I have not used Qriocity personally, but it looks to have a similar pricing strategy as Vudu, with movie rentals priced between $4.00-$6.00. 

So where do these new services leave Netflix? For one thing, at least Vudu does not adhere to the 28-day hold rule on new releases, whereas Netflix must wait 28 days to offer new releases for rental from major studios such as Warner Bros. Pictures and Universal Pictures. For anyone who wants to instantly rent a brand new release, now they can from the comfort of their own couch. Netflix still has the large and growing subscriber base plus a monumental library of movies and television, most with instant streaming. Growing these services will be the key to Netflix's longevity.

It will be interesting to see how these services grow in the near future and if the major studios will eventually enforce rental restrictions. Blockbuster Video is already hanging on by a thread, and services like Vudu and Qriocity could be the last straw for the venerable rental chain.

In the meantime, consumers now have instant access to new releases in phenomenal HD picture quality and sound.

[jonathanmoore]

[pencildust]

jonathanmoore:

Even companies serious about innovation can fall victim to their own, well-meaning creative process.

Thinking the answer is in here, rather than out there

Talking about it rather than building it

Executing when we should be exploring

Being smart

Being impatient for the wrong things

Confusing cross-functionality with diverse viewpoints

Believing process will save you

Taken from Ryan Jacoby, the head of IDEO New York’s practice, talk at NYC/Poly Leading Innovation: Process Is No Substitute.  Read the full overview on Co.Design.

[pencildust]

Penney Design has created some amazing screenshots for the highly addicting game, Angry Birds by Rovio Mobile Ltd., in all new 8-bit glory. 

Follow the link for all of the screenshots and check out the folio full of unique and creative work from these designers. 

[pencildust]

Kobe Bryant is seen above arriving to Staples Center in a new Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops model. 

In a somewhat odd cross-promotional move, Chrysler Group LLC has created a limited edition Jeep Wrangler based on the vehicle found in the new Activision Blizzard Inc. videogame, "Call of Duty: Black Ops", which will be released tonight at midnight. Jeep Chief Executive Mike Manley said: 

This is the first time we have produced a vehicle based on a videogame and it may be a first for the industry

It may be a first for the industry, but there may also be a reason for that... 

If the company won't include a missile launcher on the limited-edition vehicle, the least it can do is include a copy of the game! 

[pencildust]

Amex hired Conan for a new marketing campaign. The hype surrounding Conan O'Brien's new late night show, which premieres tonight on TBS, has reached a fever-pitch, and American Express Co. is one of the first to capitalize on it with this new campaign. 

Mr. O'Brien's new show will surely have very high cable ratings tonight for the premiere episode, but Amex is certainly hoping the show will maintain an audience after the initial hype subsides. 

The "Conan" brand has been built up successfully since the Tonight Show debacle at NBC earlier this year, and the funnyman has hordes of supporters and fans throughout the country. This is sure to be a successful campaign for Amex and the company is jumping aboard Conan's TBS wagon at the right time. 

[pencildust]

More and more companies are turning to social media to communicate directly with their customers. Delta is the latest airline to do so and the results are looking good for the airline so far.

Social media provides an excellent way for companies to communicate to their customers and enhance the emotional bond they have with the brand. Hopefully this trend continues...

[pencildust]

Xbox Live is one of the best places to market new gaming and media content, and now marketers will have nine more countries to add to the fold starting in November 2010. 

"The new countries included are Russia, Poland, South Africa, Greece, Czech Republic, Hungary, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile. Additional language options such as English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese will also be available."

This marks a significant expansion for Microsoft, and it comes along not-so-coincidentally with the high profile release of the gaming peripheral Kinect. 

[pencildust]

Oh, Microsoft, will you ever learn? Microsoft will try their creative prowess again with the upcoming billion dollar marketing campaign for Kinect and Windows 7. 

In the meantime, Gizmodo put together the best of the worst past Microsoft ads for all to enjoy.

Let the fun begin...  

[pencildust]

A great article explaining the business lessons learned from one of my personal favorite shows, 'Mad Men'.

[pencildust]

In-App purchasing has exploded in 2010 and has greatly exceeded advertising revenue from traditional web ads. 

Author Kit Eaton writes:

"By the end of this year, average monthly revenues per user will have doubled compared to 2009's peak--and more than 80% of that will come from in-app purchasing."

This signifies a major shift in advertising and advertisers will have to rethink their media buying strategies if this trend continues, which it inevitably will as there are no signs of decline. 

*Note: This data only covers iOS apps. 

[pencildust]

[pencildust]

Brainstorming & the Importance of Patience

Patience is a virtue. That proverb can apply to all aspects of life, especially business. 

A big idea can be realized in an instant, but it takes time to reach its fullest potential. Not every idea will be "the one", but every idea adds to the decision criteria and could lead to the best recommendation for action. 

Take the time to think things through slowly and accurately. If a quick decision needs to be reached and there isn't a luxury of much time, make sure that the decision is a reversible one, and not irreversible. A decision can be made with 70% of the information on-hand if the project needs to be moved forward immediately, however, ensure that it's possible to go back and fix a possible mistake if new information comes to light. 

When tasked with creating the next big thing in your business, or better yet, taking initiative to create game-changing ideas on your own time, think about the following tips and remember... patience is a virtue. 

1. Let your mind go 

The best ideas come from completely unrestricted thought. Write down every idea, no matter how unfeasible it may be, because it just might work or at least lead to a better option. Throw out the notion that it can't be done... just because it hasn't been done before, doesn't mean that it's impossible. See how creative you can be - anything goes. This process takes time, but it's an important step to think without boundaries. 2. Collaboration is key

There is power in numbers. A collective group of ideas will always lead to a stronger, more cohesive plan than by working alone. Set up a team and feed off each other's individual brainstorm. By collaborating and adding to the stream of thought, an ideal decision will be reached. One idea leads to another, but open communication and patience is key to arriving at the best solution. 

3. Work towards a goal with each idea

Any idea is worthless without an objective in mind. Always keep the goal in mind and have a structure to the brainstorming process. Take a planned approach to brainstorming and think about the situation or problem at hand as well as an ideal final solution. Keep that as a focal point in mind to ensure that every idea addresses a step towards that goal. 

4. Have fun

Brainstorming is fun! Take this opportunity to turn your most creative ideas into actionable items that can potentially change the game of your business. Do what your competitors are afraid to do. Take risks and write down those ideas. Nobody got to the top by keeping their ideas to themselves. Be bold and be patient throughout the thought process, but it will pay off.   

[pencildust]

How do you revive a storied American beer brand and continue to make it cool among the hip consumers?

"They need to keep doing what they've been doing," said Anthony Bucalo, an analyst who covers the beer industry for Credit Suisse (CS). "Keep the brands local, hip, and organic. They can't screw that up and lose the core hipster drinker that's brought Pabst so much success."

Keeping advertising below the radar could be essential to the brand's continued growth, says Ted Wright, who worked on the team that managed the Pabst resurgence. "

Exactly.