Na, na, naaaa… Hey, hey, heeey… Gooodbye…

The beautiful video playing above was made with no keyframes at all. The animators used complex physics-driven equations and codes to create this trippy world with glowing spheres and bio-robotic plants.

Although it’s exciting to see technology advance before our eyes, one must ask the question, “What does this mean for animators?”

Are we entering a time where animation will be done solely through writing equations and defining physics parameters? Will animators go the way of the elevator-operator and soda jerk?

Will I be telling my grandkids stories about the good ol’ days when animators used to have to tell balls when to bounce? Or will we be granting Emmy nods for excellence in animation to Skynet and Agent Smith from the Matrix?

Let’s take back animation one keyframe at a time!

Designer’s Couch has a great post of some very thought/emotion provoking social ad campaigns. Many of these take a traditional form of advertising, such as a bus stop poster, and turn it on its head (while turning heads) by adding an element of interactivity. This ranges from interactive video to even live-action actors. For such powerful subject matter, it only makes sense that the manner in which it is presented is equally as commanding.

Toronto-based street artist Posterchild takes your grandma’s favorite hobby and brings it to the people by way of empty flyer boxes. It’s a nice way of making the city a bit brighter by adding some color and life to already lifeless, neglected publication dispensers.

See more pics here.

I wasn’t aware becoming an engineer required a vow of chastity. Celibacy is a hands on job.

The following is a roundup of some creative billboards that break through the fourth wall and become a sort of 3d art installation. Please enjoy responsibly.

Last year I was fortunate to set off on a journey around the world. I had this entire inventory of cities scribbled down which I longed to see… Cites listed mainly because of what defined them: Agra for the Taj Mahal. Siem Reap for Angkor Wat. The southern part of Australia for the Great Ocean Road. But from each of these places what I left with was much more than what they’re known for. Through long walks, I discovered the unique breathing “bodies” which surround the hearts of their defined histories-through-monuments. Some of my most treasured photos were not of the ultimate destination, but of the art found throughout the journey. Here are a few images which enhanced how I defined the cities I visited…

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Agra, India

Adelaide, South Australia

Next time you are traveling – or just walking around your own city, open your eyes to the unexpected art… whether it’s a faded painted wall sign or a stencil in an array of colors.

New York artist, Devorah Sperber, is recreating masterpieces by arranging spools of thread hanging from string. She starts with a pixelized jpg of the artwork and maps out the colors/thread pixel by pixel. Watch her in action.

This dad illustrates his kids’ lunch bag every day. I’m dying to know about this guy, but the blog reveals very little. What a wonderful way to exercise your creativity and show your kids you love ‘em! Imagining saving all of these bags your dad made for you and reflecting upon them years later? Priceless.

Apple touts that there’s an iPhone app for just about anything. Well, a couple of clever bakers created their own set of apps — for any appetite. Sweet!

This past week, the TED Conference decended upon Long Beach, California, just as it does every year since it began in 1984. Bringing together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, TED is like no other conference in the world.

Over four days, 50 speakers each take an 18-minute slot, to share insights in science, business, the arts and global issues facing our world. There are also several shorter pieces of content, including music, performance and comedy.

This year’s speakers lineup included authors, musicians, astronomers, biologists, maestros — each sharing a new revelation, a fresh perspective, a unique dream of a more perfect world.

To learn more, visit: conferences.ted.com

Finally, a president who understands technology. Oh, and human rights. And climate change, foreign policy, and the Constitution.

Kristina Keyton,
Pharmacy Technician Instructor*

Being the web-guy at the office, I like to stay au courant with the things going on in the world wide web (almost as much as I like peppering in the phrase “au courant” into my blog posts).

It seem that not only has change come to the White House but also to whitehouse.gov. Brandishing a new easy-on-the-eyes website, Obama and company are poised to make the web an integral part of their “transparency” initiatives. The new site embraces current digital trends by implementing a blog and RSS feed! Mr. President, I salute your dedication to technology. Blog steady sir, blog steady.

*Kristina Keyton is not a real person but part of a mock man-on-the-street interview featured on the onion.com