That's what Forza4 is giving me. I love this game and the many types of gameplay. I've enjoyed the career mode, and the rivalries with friends (you know who you are). I enjoy getting my ass handed to me in online races as much as I enjoy getting fragged in Battlefield3 and MW3. But the elements that intrigue me about this game are the ones that hold my attention when I don't feel like getting on the track. The creative pursuits of customizing the cars in my virtual garage, and the study of cars I will never own, definitely never drive, and probably never see. 

(download)

Click here to download:

a-twitching-eye-and-sweatty-palms-DGdabcldsosogmElcGwB.zip (493 KB)

One of my favorite projects that we created for Ford last year, was "the Customizer" for the Ford Mustang. It taps into an insight about car shoppers and their need to fantasize a little bit about the ride they are considering. More important than the background that got us here is the fact that it's fun as hell to play around with. Give it a try, and take your car into battle with friends. There are more great things to come on this Customizer engine so stay tuned as we look toward the next major launch for Mustang.  Enjoy. 

Cinemagraph credit: Jamie Beck and Kevin Burg

I haven't posted anything in a while. It takes something this simple and striking to jar me our of my silence. Thanks to Loren Victory for pointing these Cinemagraphs out to me. There is something about these images that is hypnotic. They represent an ingenious blend of still photography, video, and simple Web animation (c. 1996) Click through and get lost in these little visual stories. 

From Me to You Blog

I like this perspective on accidental collaboration and the idea of institutionalizing innovation.

I've been interested in pre-fab housing for a while now: the sleek modern designs, the energy efficiency, the green construction. The only thing that is a turn-off is the price/sq ft. This makes me almost not care about the money. THAT looks like a fun house.

The Rainbow House, London from Ab Rogers Design on Vimeo.

Here's another company that I've been watching — Alchemy Architects and their Wee house.

It's not unusual for creative shops like ours (Team Detroit) to send holiday greetings to clients and partners at the end of the year. Most of us "elfed" ourselves, had virtual snowball fights, built a virtual snowman, or have interacted with some other politically-correct, flashy, interactive extravaganza over the past few years. Many are as much a capabilities piece as they are season's greetings.

"How can we add value for the audience? How can we spread a little cheer? And, yes... selfishly... How can we demonstrate a little creativity and cultural reach?" MIX TAPE!! MUSIC COMPILATION! DIGITAL MUSIC DOWNLOAD! PHILANTHROPY! We'll call it "Love, Detroit." DONE!

We started work shortly after Thanksgiving to compile holiday music from local Detroit artists to benefit three local Detroit efforts: the Think Detroit Police Atheletic League (PAL), WDET 101.9FM Detroit Public Radio, and The Dream Fund at CCS. The connections into the Detroit music scene already existed inside our walls, so we made some phonecalls. The response was great, and we're especially proud of the collection of top-notch local acts: Daniel, Lightning Love, Millions of Brazilians, The Armed, Hard Lessons, Arranged Marriage, Child Bite, and Fawn.

Take a listen at love-detroit.com and if you like the album and can spare the change, then give $5 to one of the charities and download the music for your holiday playlist.

This project wouldn't have happened without the hard work from: Tony Wolski, Chris Gruse, Ben Vrazo, Mark Learst, Amy Telinda, Doug Wojciechowski, Jamie Hurrell, Ned Johnson, Kate Barnwell, Michelle Meier, Dorota Coy, and Andy Miller. Thank You

The video above was taken from Google's Demo Slam. A collection of demonstrations of Google technology pitted against one another in an online shootout (a la Hot or Not). As a person who often struggles with creative ways to bring technology to life, and coming up with branded content; I thought this was a pretty elegant solution. I especially liked the multi-day, cross-country road race through google street view.

The consolation to working on a Sunday is that I have the whole, freshly snow-covered, parking lot to myself when I leave.

*taking mental note of positions of lamp posts*

Rory:
"Penny, do you know when skateboarding was invented?"

(No response.)

Rory:
"PENNY!"

Penny:
"What?"

Rory:
"Do you know when skateboarding was invented?"

Penny:
"No."

Rory:
(recited with great authority) "Skateboarding was first invented by surfers." (so far, so good)
"They were sick of getting eaten by sharks. So they needed to get out of the water. They invented skateboarding.

Penny:
(doing something else and barely listening)
"mm hm."

Rory:
"It all happened in 1099. That's about nine THOUSAND years ago.
That's when the first skateboard was invented."

(a long pause)

"Then, about a hundred years ago, they invented snowboarding.
They were bored in the Winter when they couldn't skateboard."

(another long pause)

"A snowboard is pretty much a skateboard without wheels."

Penny:
(leaves the room quietly and goes upstairs to get dressed)

Rory:
"Penny?"

We'll see how this launch stacks up to the MW2 launch last November, which I believe is still the largest entertainment launch in history. It grossed over $400 million in ONE DAY. Regardless, my copy arrives today and I plan on getting my game on tonight. And great spot, BTW.