For those that haven’t had a chance to attend, Planning-ness is described as an “un-conference” for creative thinkers who want to get their hands dirty. Each session is half teach and half workshop where participants put the presented ideas into action. This year a two-day, two-track event was hosted at the Annenberg Community Beach House in sunny Santa Monica.
In our session, we mapped the ever expanding Internet of Things landscape, broke down the “anatomy” of connected objects, and described how personal connected objects have the ability to encourage new behaviors, even increase human potential.
After which we gave the following assignment:
Think of a personal object. Imagine how you might embed sensors, log interesting data and connect it to the Internet for analysis. Consider what insights this new information would bring to light and what behaviors, or ideas those could inspire.
All of the participants embraced the challenge with passion and enthusiasm — generating ideas that sparked imagination, laughter and smart thinking for where the Internet of Things may go.
It’s true Tesla is a client, but that’s far from the only reason I love ‘em.
In a large part it’s because they behave much more a lot like a Silicon Valley software company then an automotive manufacture. And, in addition to weaning us from our costly dependence on oil, Tesla on a mission to create the most connecting car. Ever.
Based on the videos from this Engadget post, it looks like there on track to do just that.
Sure, there’s that sexy 17-inch touchscreen in-dash display. That along with a full Webkit browser operates everything from the climate and navigation to the cloud-connected entertainment system. However, it’s the demo of the native app above that’s really got me ready to burn the $50K+ hole in my pocket when it rolls into full production in 2012.
The Agricultural Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, the Atomic Age, the Jet Age, the Space Age and the Information Age — every technological era has brought about profound effects on socioeconomic and cultural conditions. They’ve reshaped human behavior and reset reality.
But, before the full effects of each of these technological developments have taken hold and fully permeated the collective understanding, people and businesses undoubtedly found themselves navigating a strange “in-between” time — a time where future visions are uncomfortably mingled with legacy artifacts and pre-existing expectations.
Today, in the Connected Age, technological innovations are bringing about seismic shifts in our reality every day. The dust is far from settled, and perhaps, it never will be. For businesses and brands this uncertain and unpredictable landscape is rot with danger. Red herrings, pitfalls and fruitless dead-ends surround us, while opportunity is elusive.
But fear not, Larry Johnson (Odopod’s Associate Director of Strategy) and I have been hard at work cataloging the common mistakes, collecting helpful techniques and distilling best practices to survive and thrive in today’s in-between times. We’ve compiled them neatly, into a presentation of course, and would love the opportunity to share them with you, our industry friends and peers at SXSW 2012.
In advance of my participation at the upcoming Storyworld Conference, I’ve found myself debating the meaning and usage of the term Transmedia. Sometimes with my colleagues and peers, and sometimes with myself.
Without a doubt the “T” word is frightfully overused—and with its growing popularity with marketers, and the like, it’s becoming increasingly misused. Or at least, contorted from it’s original definition.
In a recent post from Henry Jenkins, the Provost’s Professor of Communications, Journalism, and Cinematic Art at USC, the man who who first popularized the term, he outlines the range of uses, definitions and reflects on it’s continual evolution.
Ah, the business card. Evolving from the calling (or visiting) card, made popular by 17th Century European aristocrats, they’re truly one of the oldest tools for social networking and most basic examples of marketing collateral.
By the late 20th century, business cards had transformed into a real art form – becoming the topic of countless design books and a true capitalistic status symbol.
I’ve certainly belonged to the cult of the business card. I’ve designed more business then anyone I know. In fact, it was my first paid design job in high school. Since then I’ve designed cards for just about every business I’ve been associated with, sometimes a multiple versions for the same agencies. One of these days I’ll publish the collection.
But times, they’re a changing – and it’s time for the business card to be reconsidered. And, no, I don’t mean like this!
Recently the app 3-UP caught my eye. Today, it’s an event-based social networking game, but I like the territory and certainly hope they continue to develop it.
While I’ve have yet to see an application that makes my heart flutter like beautiful type, deeply letter pressed on a fine-toothed heavyweight cardstock, it is easy to imagine how the digital calling card could evolve into an art form all it’s own.
I’m ready to take my experience into the digital age. Any developers game to take on the challenge with me?
In the meantime, here are five, not so amazing, solutions:
Just about a year ago Nokia launched PUSH. Ostensibly to leverage the modder/hacker community to develop inventive applications for their open source platform, Maemo.
Recently they announced a collaboration with Burton – the oldest and largest snowboard brand. Their expressed goal is to create “a new type of connected snowboarding.” Whatever the heck that means.
It’s hard to tell from the video. Perhaps some sort of ARG combined with the progress tracking and social sharing of a Nike+?
Who knows.
Regardless, I’m intrigued by the shots of telemetric data sensors and the nonsensical infographics look neato.
I'm Guthrie Dolin. I'm a seasoned creative director, connector of dots, marketing strategist and insatiable entrepreneur. I’m Principal and Director of Brand and Strategy at Odopod in San Francisco.
