tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:29:30 +0000http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/DarrenBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-8962976956713463220Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:03:00 +00002007-12-10T17:04:17.910+01:00GatwickRed EyeGerman WingsAirportsYahooHamburgFjordAs mentioned in my previous brief post, the lack of presence here is due to a new job. It's not like I haven't wanted to post here, or had things to post about. No siree bob. My life has been a constant stream of bloggable events. Actually that's a lie. I've been working my boney white ass off. Probably like I have never done before. Or for a very, very long time. To illustrate this point I'm http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/12/life-of-international-playboy.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-7762040381464966254Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:15:00 +00002007-12-10T16:27:46.849+01:00PentagramVideo linksHillman CurtisCoudalGeoff Mcfetridge43 FoldersVirgin America Safety VideoShinning Spoof43 Folders round up their favourite videos of the year, of particular interest are the Inbox Zero presentationand the IDEO know how talk. Virgin America's unique and entertaining take on the inflight safety movie. Coudal Partners videowall. Chock-a-bleedin'-block with visual stimulus and interesting docs. Watch the 'western state' series on creative individuals, particularly the Geoff http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/12/video-links-ten-twelve-oh-seven_10.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-8638204095667418088Mon, 08 Oct 2007 08:12:00 +00002007-10-08T09:30:29.666+01:00AnimationPlay-DohSony BraviaSony The third TV commercial for Sony Bravia out does the previous ads 'Balls' and 'Paint' by using 2.5 tonnes of Plasticine, 40 animators, New York and the Rolling Stones. Just outstanding.http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/10/play-doh.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-267922710506315639Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:21:00 +00002007-09-17T20:44:17.972+01:00TouchscreensPhotographyMartin KlimasJohn LasseterJamie WieckGraphic DesignSteve JobsAndy Polainemobile designPixarDesignbyBuildappleIn Photography: Martin Klimas' photography of porcelain figures being dropped in total darkness and captured as they hit the ground. In Design: Jamie Wieck is an illustrator at Airside. He's also ridiculously good... In Graphic Design: Build is 6! Happy Birthday to Build In Animation: Steve Jobs and John Lasseter talk before Jobs' return to Apple In Mobile: Andy Polaine highlights some http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/09/links-for-september-seventeenth-two.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-4668878299280285429Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:38:00 +00002007-09-13T20:09:43.491+01:00story-tellingmobile designProduct NarrativeFjordApologies for the state of my last post, it was a bit rushed trying to get one up before I legged it onto a plane (yet again) for a long weekend away with everyone from Fjord. Currently we have 35 odd members of staff spread between the UK, Finland and Germany and we all went up a mountain in Portugal to help plan the future direction of the company (as well as consume vast amounts of port). It http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/09/monchique.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-609348766909019288Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:08:00 +00002007-09-06T14:04:39.119+01:00In my last post I said I would be writing more regularly now. I obviously haven't been doing it. The thing is, I really want to but I'm struggling to find time to do it. The last 6 months or so in the new job at Fjord has been pretty intense to say the least. I'm currently mostly based in Hamburg working on a big project for Yahoo. That's proving to be an experience I'll talk a bit more about http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/09/i-know-i-know.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-5968131332054294669Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:13:00 +00002007-09-13T20:15:18.803+01:00HaciendaSutentFactory RecordsTony Wilson One of the things I have been meaning to write about here and haven't had the time, was the sad and untimely death of Mr Manchester. Anthony H. Wilson was a proud citizen of Manchester. But he was more than that. He defined my generation. I can't think of anyone who would have such an influence on music or culture in my lifetime. Through the formation of the Factory Club, later to become http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/08/and-so-it-goes.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-4052355449812254942Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:04:00 +00002007-08-16T10:10:55.423+01:00..Because I've been here all the time. Hello, my name's Darren and I used to live here. Well, ok I still do, sort of. Over the last few months my new job seems to have taken over every aspect of my life. This is a really short first post back to try and slowly break myself into the routine of posting again.. Bear with me, I'm getting there, just might take a little while to grease the joints a http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/08/dont-call-it-comeback.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-3413137071009871200Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:18:00 +00002007-04-17T08:22:49.510+01:00FasthostsUKRegDomain renewal issuescrapArg. Finally got my domain back after a few weeks of no response from the company I used to register the domain name. No phone number on their site, no email only a form that they never seem to reply to. Oh and an expensive phone line that has cost me a fortune in calls (no matter what time I phoned i was always 9th in the queue? Go figure.. I couldn't log in because the domain I used as my http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/04/ukreg-suck.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-3370961207826202907Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:31:00 +00002007-03-16T13:19:21.536+01:00The Mentalists. go2web20Nazi Donald DuckHum PingAirsideNastuhOwnyourCMadeThoughtDonald Duck is a Nazi This version has an introduction Own Your C Something to make you smile on a sunny day The Mentalists have a new video Nice work Kim! All the web 2.0 you want Really good reference and nicely put together Airside are finally selling Hum Ping.. and the video is here Good lord..! Beautiful work by Made Thought Just lovely stuff presented so well. The portfolio site http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/03/links-for-sixteenth-of-march-two.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-2284856619681352638Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:02:00 +00002007-03-02T18:05:13.977+01:00WCRSAudiUniversal EverythingBMWWarren du PreezNick Thornton JonesJust fantastic. BMW and Audi.http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/03/cars-in-motion.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-4332482453011619143Thu, 01 Mar 2007 18:43:00 +00002007-03-01T20:00:25.881+01:00Design WritingTypePulp FictionMotion DesigniphoneappleThe Disease of Design is a great little piece on a really good blog. Great motion work from SCAD student Jarratt Moody taking a section of dialogue from Pulp fiction. Hello?The iPhone's first ad shown during the Oscars this week. Idents Parody Pretty funny stuff..http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/03/links-for-first-of-march-two-thousand.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-931780986805604938Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:38:00 +00002007-03-01T14:37:30.034+01:00IE DigitalPaul LambIan ArmstrongThis friday we said goodbye to Paul. Ian and myself were asked to say a few words about our friend at the service. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, I really have no idea how I managed to talk let alone make sense of the words I had written. It was as if I was on autopilot, I felt as if I watched myself stand there and read. It was a very emotional out of body experience and was a http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/02/saying-goodbye.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-7521599581204291204Mon, 19 Feb 2007 11:48:00 +00002007-02-22T09:31:44.387+01:00Smile MalawiPaul LambI just received this email from Paul's partner, Sally: If you'd like to remember Paul please click on this link to make secure donations to this children's charity. I can't think of anything more appropriate.http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/02/instead-of-flowers.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-2432245802652093852Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:40:00 +00002007-02-16T18:51:22.430+01:00IE DigitalIan Paul LambRichard LandIEBBC WorldwideArmstrongMulti-MediaJust in case I have missed anyone with the email out about Paul's funeral I thought I would post the details here. I know there are a hell of a lot of people out there keen on saying goodbye to our friend. The Humanist service will be held in The South Chapel of the Oakley Wood Crematorium at 1.30pm on Friday 23rd February. We'll then move to a favourite pub of Paul's in Stratford upon Avon http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/02/pauls-funeral.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-1012272157402226706Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:46:00 +00002007-02-16T18:39:00.621+01:00ImaginationMobile TechnologyWeb 2.0FjordI had really interesting meetings with two companies this last week or so. The first one was 'Imagination', a real blast from the past back to my old Uni days. Quite a few friends of mine were really keen on their methodology and belief in 'Brand Experience'. They have amazing vision, fantastic offices and excellent work plus it was great to finally get over there and have a look around. The http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/02/work-experience.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-3822107148563058400Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:16:00 +00002007-02-11T16:47:11.305+01:00LSO St LukesBBC SessionsRay LaMontagne A couple of years back I got hold of an album called 'Trouble' by a guy called Ray LaMontagne on the recommendation of a friend. It has stuck around on my most recently played tracks since then. His new album, "Till the Sun Turns Black" is even better. Last night I managed to get free tickets to see Ray play for a live recording and the best seats in the house at that. It was the most amazing http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/02/ray-lamontagne.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-8368232355616558619Sat, 10 Feb 2007 19:33:00 +00002007-02-04T18:34:03.587+01:00IE DigitalRichard LandIEBBC WorldwidePaul LambMulti-MediaIan ArmstrongIt's incredibly strange starting to write a new post here after the last one about Paul. I'm still in shock at his passing and can't even begin to imagine the pain his family and loved ones are going through right now. I have been speaking to many of his friends and colleagues over the last week or so and I think the hole we are all feeling is only going to get bigger. He had such an impact on sohttp://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/02/moving-on.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-6037419643265701222Fri, 02 Feb 2007 17:50:00 +00002007-02-19T17:46:26.651+01:00IE DigitalRichard LandIEBBC WorldwidePaul LambMulti-MediaIan ArmstrongToday I lost a friend. In 1995 when I started working in 'multi-media', as it was called back then, I met a curious fellow called Paul Lamb. He was one half of I.E Digital along with Richard Land. With another curious gentleman called Ian Armstrong they were producing some of the most innovative interactive media way before most people had heard of interactivity let alone pay for it. Thanks to http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/02/paul-lamb.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-3564559210185440089Fri, 02 Feb 2007 12:03:00 +00002007-02-02T13:05:44.575+01:00 It's not new but I've been looking for a digital version of this for ages. I think it's as near to the perfect mix of music and image you can get. The sound, lighting, direction and photography. Just so beautiful is so many ways.http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/02/nick-cave-love-letters.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-5440600448713224373Fri, 02 Feb 2007 11:56:00 +00002007-02-02T13:02:53.359+01:00Have I really not posted since before Christmas? Blimey. Ok, I'm back now. Well sort of, I'm slowly reconnecting to a life of relative normality after a stressful few months and some time away in San Francisco, Wales and Africa as well as time with the family by the coast. And of course the frightening experience of turning 33... I hope everyone is very well and I promise I'll be better at http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2007/02/its-been-while.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-7999254397446397656Tue, 19 Dec 2006 07:43:00 +00002006-12-19T10:16:45.948+01:00you tubeEvolution of computer gamesU2Johnny CashOnce apon a time I was a bit of a U2 fan, those days have long since past but having said that the new video they have released is particularly special. I could be wrong but I thought I heard Rick Ruben produced the track? Speaking of Rick Ruben, he makes an appearance (along with a few other familiar faces) in another cracking video for The Man in Black: Even though it's not to everyones http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2006/12/you-tube-links-19th-december-2006.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-6689109163611405416Sat, 09 Dec 2006 17:04:00 +00002006-12-09T18:08:49.174+01:00Well, almost if you count sleepless nights and living on a trans-atlantic body clock reality! As always San Francisco was great. It's my favourite city to hang out in and it was really good to be reminded of that. Now I just have to work on a way of staying out there for longer! More posts to come but in the meantime here is a link to my flickrstream and some of the photos from my travels.http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2006/12/back-to-reality.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-5209754432483645737Fri, 01 Dec 2006 11:29:00 +00002006-12-01T12:39:44.289+01:00It's currently 3.30 in the morning California time and I am wide awake. Damn jet lag and it's evil grip! Any suggestions on how to beat it are welcome, I can't remember ever having such a bad time of it. I am in San Francisco at the moment trying to unwind a little and recharge my batteries. I have been having a rough time of it this last few months, actually the roughest time I could imagine, http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2006/12/california-soul.htmlDarrentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11796629.post-116405364845997161Mon, 20 Nov 2006 19:30:00 +00002006-11-23T13:29:25.450+01:00It must be my age or just that time of year again for all my friends to bring little people across the world. In order of arrival we have Sophie Sarah Armstrong joining Ian and Chris somewhere past the fields in Oxford. Next up was Isaac Joseph Friddle born to Em and Mike in sunny Peckham. Closely followed by young Mae Büsing joining my favourite German aussies Tim and Kristin in Sydney. After http://www.downstairsfordancing.com/blog/2006/11/tiny-global-feet.htmlDarren