Freedom Art

8 House par BIG à Copenhague

2011-12-13T03:26:00.000-08:00

1993 interview re: Paul Rand and Steve Jobs

2011-11-20T23:10:00.001-08:00

Oof

2011-11-06T11:45:00.000-08:00

Death Cab For Cutie's "Home Is A Fire," video by Shepard Fairey and Nicholas Harmer

2011-11-06T00:00:00.001-07:00

Louie Schwartzberg: The hidden beauty of pollination

2011-11-01T01:31:00.000-07:00

The footage is AMAZING! Good job Mr. Schwartzberg!

fANTastic!

2011-10-28T13:16:00.001-07:00

These Automathings

2011-10-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Old Man Hates New Cars - watch more funny videos

Ha!

Midnight Sun: Iceland

2011-10-20T02:51:00.000-07:00

I'm in awe. Amazing.

lynda.com documentary | Doyald Young, Logotype Designer—Doyald's Story

2011-10-13T05:22:00.000-07:00

Paula Scher: Great design is serious (not solemn)

2011-10-10T15:21:00.000-07:00

In The Beginning 

2011-10-05T21:58:00.001-07:00

Here's Apple's famous "1984" Super Bowl commercial.

2011-10-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

Image from apple.com

Steve Jobs died today at the age of 56. He and his innovation will certainly be missed, but not forgotten.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

— Steve Jobs

Danger Beach: Apache

2011-10-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

I am really liking the whole package to this music video, good tune, good illustration and animation!

Streets: TrustoCorp – “Drive Through Liposuction” (Brooklyn)

2011-09-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

images taken from www.arrestedmotion.com

Get rid of those extra tires!

"When you gain the weight back, just head to BKNY and thank TrustoCorp later." — Arrested Motion

Track TrustCorp here: http://www.trustocorp.com/

Behold!

2011-09-25T05:05:00.000-07:00

Spin,Turn, Twist

2011-09-25T02:31:00.000-07:00

Are these not spiffy Gifs! I came across them online, wish I knew who created them.

A Day In the Life: Mr. Brainwash

2011-09-23T02:00:00.000-07:00

I get a kick out of Thierry Guetta (Mr. Brainwash).
If you haven't seen "Exit Through the Gift Shop", check it out.

Levi's® Go Forth

2011-09-20T23:41:00.000-07:00

Levi's Go Forth - Street Murals in Berlin (2011)

We Are All Workers: Levi's® Workshops - Printmaking (2010)

We Are All Workers: Levi's® To Work (2010)

Recently, I've been paying attention to Levi's® "Go Forth" global advert campaign as they mark their brands 138-year history. These videos above are just some of their video shorts that have caught my attention, especially the 'To Work' short from 2010!

Pixels

2011-09-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

By Claesson Koivisto Rune, at the Nobis Hotel in Stockholm.

This is what happens when you expand a mural (juuust kidding).

Trek + Shepard Fairey Team RadioShack Madone

2011-09-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

330 Sq Ft Apartment Transforms Into 24 Rooms

2011-09-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

Making A Home Out Of A Dumpster

2011-09-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

So, for those that go dumpster diving make sure you're also not breaking and entering!

A Logotype Mediator Done Well!

2011-09-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

"Foreign businesses in the Middle East could learn a lot from Mary Choueiter, who distorted both Latin and Arabic alphabets to create beautiful hybrid signage for a bilingual arts center in Lebanon." — Fast Co Design

Now that's creative!

Tokyo Police Club - Wait Up (Boots of Danger) (RAC Mix)

2011-09-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

Taking Guitars To A Whole New Level

2011-08-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

Created by Japanese artist Yoshihiko Satoh

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Sunday, August 28, 2011

Good Ain't Cheap, Cheap Ain't Good

2011-08-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

(graphic from GregPike.ca)

Let's stick with great.

“Design is the fundamental soul of a human-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.” — Steve Jobs, Apple

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Sunday, August 28, 2011

The Good the Bad and the Ugly: Theme Song

2011-08-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Are you feelin' lucky, punk?

Short & Sweet!

2011-08-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

Charles Eames sums up what you need to know about design, bam!

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Quote

2011-08-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

"Everyone likes creativity because everyone
believes they are, or were, or can be creative.
And they are right."
— Nausbaum

QUOTE

2011-08-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

"Design is easy. All you do is stare at the screen until drops of blood form on your forehead."
— Marty Neumeier

OFF BOOK | TYPOGRAPHY | PBS ARTS

2011-08-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, August 8, 2011

ACTOR ADAM GOLDBERG WRITES MUSIC???

2011-07-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

'Shush' Live

Who knew! This isn't too bad from a pretty rad actor.

You can check out more of his stuff here:
The Goldberg Sisters

Event 'til today I still can't bare to watch the scene in 'Saving Private Ryan' where he's being stabbed in the heart by the Nazi Soldier.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, July 26, 2011

ALEXANDER: NEW SONG

2011-07-25T15:06:00.002-07:00

Check out an acoustic version of "James Kent" from Alexander. The song will be featured on their upcoming album.

Also, be sure to check out their latest album, 'It's Not Always Signs, It's Not Always Wonders' on itunes.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, July 25, 2011

QUOTE

2011-07-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

‎"Design is a critical strategic asset that is most effective when employed early in corporate plans, not as a decorative finality."
- AIGA.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, July 25, 2011

ONE TASTY LOOKIN' SKATEBOARD DECK

2011-07-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

This is just too great! Would be a nice summer skateboard deck to ride (if possible)

This customized skateboard deck was created by Timothy Goodman and Luke Bartels for Collective Good's recent exhibition, Plywood for Good.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Friday, July 22, 2011

OLD CLOTHING GLUED TOGETHER, TO FORM MEGA-STYLISH CHAIRS

2011-07-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

"Far too many people toss their outdated clothes or, worse, send them to Salvation Army assuming, wrongly, that someone else wants to snatch up a pair of 1987 Z. Cavariccis. Tobias Juretzek ain’t one of them. He takes his old shirts, jeans, and other garments and turns them into something actually useful: furniture" —Fast Co Design

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Thursday, July 21, 2011

SIR KEN ROBINSON: THE PRINCIPLES OF CREATIVE LEADERSHIP

2011-07-11T01:48:00.000-07:00

"Creativity is not some exotic, optional extra," says the author of Out of Minds: Learning to be Creative. "It's a strategic issue." (Fast Company)

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, July 11, 2011

NIKE CHOSEN

2011-07-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Sunday, July 10, 2011

TALKS: STEFAN SAGMEISTER

2011-06-28T04:34:00.000-07:00

Stefan Sagmeister shares happy design

Stefan Sagmeister: 7 rules for making more happiness

Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Stefan Sagmeister is pretty much my favorite graphic designer! It's always a pleasure to hear what he has to say.

QUOTE

2011-06-27T13:31:00.000-07:00

"I define creativity as the process of having original ideas that have value."

— Sir Ken Robinson

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, June 27, 2011

Talks: Sir Ken Robinson

2011-06-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

"Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity."

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, June 27, 2011

ARCHITECTURE: IMPRESSIVE

2011-06-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, June 21, 2011

If this isn't impressive (especially for a bank) than I don't know what is! Wonderful design thinking and color palette by Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture+Design for Sugamo Shinkin Bank Shimura branch.

You can view more here ,
www.designboom.com

PLAN AHEAD

2011-06-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Well ain't that the truth, via Stork Bites Man.

STARTING A MONDAY MORNING WITH MONDAY MORNING

2011-06-20T08:20:00.001-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, June 20, 2011

STREET ART: SUPER MAN & FRIENDS VISIT BULGARIA!

2011-06-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Sunday, June 19, 2011

"Twenty years ago you would have been shot for stepping too close to this monument in Sofia in Bulgaria."— Emily Allen, Daily Mail

Yikes! But how awesome is this, I bet Banksy wished he came up with this!

HOW APPLE AND MICROSOFT BORROW FROM SMARTPHONES IN NEW DESKTOP UIs

2011-06-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

How Apple and Microsoft Borrow From Smartphones In New Desktop UIs | Co.Design http://t.co/Vti9nag

I'm looking forward to OS X Lion.

Symbols by Angus Hyland

2011-06-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

"Pentagram partner, Angus Hyland, gives a lecture on symbols at the Design Museum in London to coincide with the launch of his book 'Symbol' (co-authored by Steven Bateman)."

Part 1:

Part 2:

I NEED and WANT this book! This book features over 1,300 symbols, organized into groups and sub-groups according to their visual characteristics.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, June 7, 2011

MAKING FACES: JIM RIMMER (TRAILER)

2011-05-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Friday, May 20, 2011

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT (PROCESS)

2011-05-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Last March I was commissioned to create a 36x36in piece out of my recent series, 'Keep Strong'. Had a fun time working on this piece! I'd thought I'd show you a bit of the process and end result. Enjoy!

Medium: Collage, Mixed Media on Wood Panel

If interested in commissioned work contact info@freedomart.net

QUOTE

2011-05-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

"Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination."

— Robert Fulghum

DIALECT SILK-SCREEN POSTER (PROCESS)

2011-05-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Freedom Art, Inc. recently had the opportunity to design an 18x23in silk-screen poster for one of South Florida's popular events, Dialect.

A spiffy 2 color screen-print (yellow, white) on archival black stock. This will be a great opportunity for Dialect fans and visitors to take a piece of Dialect home with them!

Available for purchase during the May 12 (Thur) Dialect

MRKT & FREEDOM ART Present: Selected Works of Juan Travieso

2011-05-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Come and join MRKT and Freedom Art for another collaborative art show, May 14 2011 for Wynwood Art Districts' Art Walk.

We're pretty excited to exhibit the works of talented South Florida artist, Juan Travieso!

Travesio's work juxtaposes the organic flow of nature and hard lines of geometry, creating a beautiful tension.

He will be exhibiting 15 personal, original pieces at affordable prices. Be sure to come and enjoy a night filled with captivating art:

EVENT INFO:
Date: 5.14.2011 | Saturday

During Wynwood Art District's Art Walk

Time:
8pm to 11pm

Place:
MRKT: 250 NW 23rd STREET #404 MIAMI FL 33127

Cost:
FREE & open to the public

DJ:
TBA

2011-04-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Recently finished up a poster project for the folks at SunFest. On April 28 these 18"x24" silk-screened posters will be for sale during the festival, at designated merch booths (look for the one by the main stage!). Be sure to check out SunFest, April 27 to May 1 and be sure to pick up one of these prints, they're electric!

http://www.sunfest.com/

Concept for poster:
The concept behind the poster was taken from the idea in how both Music (rock & roll) and the sun contain large amounts of energy, hence SunFest. Freedom Art wanted to design something that would symbolize this concept in a strong, sophisticated yet fun way.

FEATURED IN CITY LINK MAGAZINES 4/20 ISSUE! PT.2

2011-04-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Thursday, April 21, 2011

Just got featured in City Link's 'Fresh Art' section! Thanks to Colleen and those at City Link! You can check it out online here: http://bit.ly/ebsVbT
My work can also be seen on Sun-Sentinel's City Link site:
http://bit.ly/dYQYCJ

FEATURED IN CITY LINK MAGAZINES 4/20 ISSUE!

2011-04-20T15:52:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Today is an exciting day. I've recently made it into Sun-Sentinel's City Link magazine 'Fresh Art' section as a featured artist! There is a two page spread written about me and my work, and well written at that! I am very thankful and honored to have been selected and glad to know that my work is welcomed and recognized. I'm a firm believer in persistence and high quality, it pays off! Thanks to Colleen and those at City Link! Be sure to pick up a copy of the 4/20 issue and see what the article has to say. Link to online article: http://bit.ly/ebsVbT

SUNFEST 2011

2011-04-15T10:09:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Friday, April 15, 2011

Just finished wrapping up a special limited edition, promotional poster for SunFest 2011.
The fine folks at SunFest and Freedom Art are very pleased with the end-design for this poster project.

The concept behind the poster was taken from the idea in how both Music (rock & roll) and the sun contain large amounts of energy, hence SunFest. Freedom Art wanted to design something that would symbolize this concept in a strong, sophisticated yet fun way. It is a limited edition poster of 100 that will be sold at SunFest's merch tables and main stage.

More info and photos to come. The above image is just a little taste of what's to come! Don't you just love teasers.

WOODEN XYLOPHONE IN THE FOREST

2011-04-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, April 11, 2011

This is Truly AMAZING!

If an agency creates a heartwarmingly inventive art project in the middle of the forest and there's no one around to see that it's an ad, does it still have creative integrity?— GOOD

Well put!

QUOTE

2011-04-04T15:50:00.000-07:00

"I would not say design matters, but rather design is absolutely essential. We have to have better design to move the world forward."
— Roger Martin

TOKYO POLICE CLUB

2011-04-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Sunday, April 3, 2011

"From there, we figured out that the best way to keep the public element of the session alive, while expanding on what it means to be a ‘buzzsession’, would be to have the band perform from the back of a fully equipped truck."
— The Wild Honey Pie, Buzzsessions NY

Download the full MP3 from the video: thewildhoneypie.com/mp3
Check out Tokyo Police Club here: site

ALEXANDER AT REVOLUTION LIVE

2011-04-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Friday, April 1, 2011

A bit late on posting this, but band, Alexander recently played The Revolution Live recently and I was able to catch them in action, as well as their graphic emblem (on screen) designed by Freedom Art!

Alexander did a terrific job performing, it's always great to listen to "Rivers Were Roads"
from their latest album, "It's Not Always Signs, It's Not Always Wonders"

If you're looking for great and memorable music, a catchy album you can replay over and over and not get tired of, and a band with substance than you need to check this band out. While you're at it, be sure to pick up their album, STAT!

MOVIN' ON UP?

2011-04-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

Image from New times

Basel organizers are thinking about moving Art Basel to Fort Lauderdale and even if
the person who wrote the article responded with a "Yuck" to the idea of having Art Basel in Fort Lauderdale, I think those of us in Fort Lauderdale can say YAY!

But when did Riverwalk become an "ultra cool place"?

Read more here:
NEW TIMES: Art Basel Moves to Fort Lauderdale, WTF?

I SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING BUT HERE I AM

2011-03-31T15:11:00.001-07:00

2011-03-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

To design is to communicate clearly by whatever means you can control or master.
— Milton Glaser

-

BUSINESS PEOPLE NEED TO BECOME DESIGNERS

2011-03-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

“Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, tells us how businesspeople need to become designers—designing user experiences and business models—to create something new and fantastic, and not just analyze the past.”

— Fast Company

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, FRIGHT NIGHT ON LAS OLAS

2011-03-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Freedom Art was recently asked by the Boy & Girls Clubs of Broward County to design a large scale banner and some navigational signs for their big event, “Fright Night”. The event took place on the Riveside Lawn on Las Olas boulevard and turned out to be a great success.

These are just a few snapshots of the banner that was on display on Las Olas.

FEATURED PROJECT: BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, FRIGHT NIGHT ON LAS OLAS 2010

2011-03-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, November 30, 2010

http://www.freedomart.net/work/design/1/21.php

Recently wrapped up this fun, 4x8ft sign/banner project for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County upcoming event, “Fright Night”. This big guy will be displayed on Las Olas Blvd for all the public to see.

For this project, they wanted something fun, scary but not too scary, inviting, and to meet what they were looking for the event. So, Freedom Art played around with different styles/concepts within those requests and the result was satisfying for both ends! Working with Boys & Girls Clubs was quite enjoyable, looking forward to working with them more.

I hear there will be some big names that will be attending the event along with Miami Heat players.

Good pal, DJ Adam Foster of TwilightNotes will also be spinning/performing during the event

DO SOMETHING WORTH REMEMBERING

2011-03-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, November 22, 2010

A short film done by Mickey Smith and Allan Wilson. This short has Fantastic footage, well done! I am liking this for sure. Definitely check out the short about!

Going BIG

2011-03-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, November 22, 2010

The organization, 350 EARTH, recently launched, “The world’s first ever global climate art project”. People from around the world participated in creating large scale artworks that can be see from outer space. Pretty neat, huh! Above are two pieces of art people have created.

I think this is a great concept, it’s like one massive art exhibit.

The project is from November 20 to the 28th.

For more on this project visit:

http://earth.350.org

HOW INK IS MADE

2011-03-29T12:16:00.002-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Friday, November 19, 2010

Really, really, reeally great.

VIRGIN GALACTIC

2011-03-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Friday, November 19, 2010

So, Virgin is deciding to launch people into space for just six minutes and for just $200,000. That’s right folks, for just $200,000 you too can be sent six miles above the boundary of space.

Although, is pretty fascinating to think that people other than astronauts will soon have the opportunity to venture into and experience space.

More info here:

Article: NPR

Virgin Galactic

OIL AND WATER DO NOT MIX: POSTER DESIGN

2011-03-29T12:14:00.001-07:00

OIL & WATER DO NOT MIX from Happiness Brussels on Vimeo.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Saturday, October 30, 2010

Latest poster design by Anthony Burrill using oil that’s been washed up on the beaches of Louisiana.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2011-03-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose.

— Charles Eames

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Wednesday, October 27, 2010

ALEXANDER T-SHIRT DESIGN

2011-03-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Friday, October 15, 2010

Recently finished up a new project at Freedom Art for Florida band, Alexander.- a band that you just can’t get enough of. The band wanted a graphic tee design in a form of a seal, something memorable, and reflects theirnew album artwork Freedom Art recently created, “It’s Not Always Signs, It’s Not Always Wonders”.

They’ll be playing and headlining tonight for Island Water Sports’, “Midnight Madness”. Be sure to check them out if you can and pick up a t-shirt, fresh and out of the oven!

MIND THE GAP

2011-03-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Saturday, October 9, 2010

So, Gap decided to rebrand itself with a new logo and “think outside the box” (literally). There’s nothing wrong with modifying or tweaking an existing logo, Coca-Cola and other brands do it, but if they’re looking to modify it why not just take out a few wrinkles instead of going for the full face lift. So far the response to the new logo has not been great. This will probably end up being another “Tropicana recall”.

For more on Gap’s rebrand and what people/designers have to say visit:

Brand New

Some creatives decided to respond back with how they feel about the new logo by creating a site where visitors can type in text and get their own Gap Logo:

www.craplogo.com

THE FOUR PHASES OF DESIGN THINKING

2011-03-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Wednesday, September 22, 2010

A good read. Article taken from www.businessweek.com:

Posted on Harvard Business Review: July 29, 2010 10:54 AM

What can people in business learn from studying the ways successful designers solve problems and innovate? On the most basic level, they can learn to question, care, connect, and commit—four of the most important things successful designers do to achieve significant breakthroughs.

Having studied more than a hundred top designers in various fields over the past couple of years (while doing research for a book), I found that there were a few shared behaviors that seemed to be almost second nature to many designers. And these ingrained habits were intrinsically linked to the designer's ability to bring original ideas into the world as successful innovations. All of which suggests that they merit a closer look.

Question. If you spend any time around designers, you quickly discover this about them: They ask, and raise, a lot of questions. Often this is the starting point in the design process, and it can have a profound influence on everything that follows. Many of the designers I studied, from Bruce Mau to Richard Saul Wurman to Paula Scher, talked about the importance of asking "stupid questions"—the ones that challenge the existing realities and assumptions in a given industry or sector. The persistent tendency of designers to do this is captured in the joke designers tell about themselves. How many designers does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: Does it have to be a light bulb?

In a business setting, asking basic "why" questions can make the questioner seem naïve while putting others on the defensive (as in, "What do you mean 'Why are we doing it this way?' We've been doing it this way for 22 years!"). But by encouraging people to step back and reconsider old problems or entrenched practices, the designer can begin to re-frame the challenge at hand—which can then steer thinking in new directions. For business in today's volatile marketplace, the ability to question and rethink basic fundamentals—What business are we really in? What do today's consumers actually need or expect from us?—has never been more important.

Care. It's easy for companies to say they care about customer needs. But to really empathize, you have to be willing to do what many of the best designers do: step out of the corporate bubble and actually immerse yourself in the daily lives of people you're trying to serve. What impressed me about design researchers such as Jane Fulton Suri of IDEO was the dedication to really observing and paying close attention to people—because this is usually the best way to ferret out their deep, unarticulated needs. Focus groups and questionnaires don't cut it; designers know that you must care enough to actually be present in people's lives.

Connect. Designers, I discovered, have a knack for synthesizing--for taking existing elements or ideas and mashing them together in fresh new ways. This can be a valuable shortcut to innovation because it means you don't necessarily have to invent from scratch. By coming up with "smart recombinations" (to use a term coined by the designer John Thackara), Apple has produced some of its most successful hybrid products; and Nike smartly combining a running shoe with an iPod to produce its groundbreaking Nike Plus line (which enables users to program their runs). It isn't easy to come up with these great combos. Designers know that you must "think laterally"—searching far and wide for ideas and influences—and must also be willing to try connecting ideas that might not seem to go together. This is a way of thinking that can also be embraced by non-designers.

Commit. It's one thing to dream up original ideas. But designers quickly take those ideas beyond the realm of imagination by giving form to them. Whether it's a napkin sketch, a prototype carved from foam rubber, or a digital mock-up, the quick-and-rough models that designers constantly create are a critical component of innovation —because when you give form to an idea, you begin to make it real.

But it's also true that when you commit to an idea early—putting it out into the world while it's still young and imperfect—you increase the possibility of short-term failure. Designers tend to be much more comfortable with this risk than most of us. They know that innovation often involves an iterative process with setbacks along the way—and those small failures are actually useful because they show the designer what works and what needs fixing. The designer's ability to "fail forward" is a particularly valuable quality in times of dynamic change. Today, many companies find themselves operating in a test-and-learn business environment that requires rapid prototyping. Which is just one more reason to pay attention to the people who've been conducting their work this way all along.

THE COLORS OF THE TOP 100 WEB BRANDS

2011-03-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, September 20, 2010

Click here to find out about it more.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2011-03-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

There is no design without discipline. There is no discipline without intelligence.

— Massimo Vignelli

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Saturday, September 18, 2010

COMIC

2011-03-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Saturday, September 18, 2010

Good stuff!

BIRDS & MOTORCYCLES & ART OH MY!

2011-03-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Thursday, August 26, 2010

If you’ve not heard of artist Maylda Mcllvenny of Relic Dwellers than you should definitely take the time to look at her motorcycle & bird-themed artwork. You will not be disappointed. It’s always enjoyable and fun to look at her work and to see what she will come up with next.

You can find and follow Relic Dwellers on Facebook. Right now, for Facebook fans only, Matylda is having a 25% off sale on prints.

You can visit the sale at:

Facebook: Relic Dwellers

VIDEO: WOMEN WAKES UP WITH CHINESE ACCENT

2011-03-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Interesting to think that someone can get something like Foreign Accent Syndrome.

MUSIC

2011-03-29T11:52:00.001-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Saturday, August 21, 2010

The Drums are fun to listen and work to. I wonder if the lead singer choreographed his own moves.

RECYCLE WHILE BEATING SOMEONE ELSE’S TOP SCORE

2011-03-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Now if only this could be implemented throughout the States and the rest of the world.

Who’s up for a game of Bottle Bank!

TAKING LEGO’S TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

2011-03-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

AFOL A Blocumentary from AFOL on Vimeo.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Thursday, August 12, 2010

BURN IGNITE

2011-03-29T11:43:00.000-07:00

Burn Energy Drink :: Ride :: feat Steve Berra (OFFICIAL HD) from Burn on Vimeo.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Friday, August 6, 2010

What’s not to like about this video made by Burn Productions. Minute 2:06 of this video made my jaw drop.

MOUSTACHE MUGS

2011-03-28T18:39:00.001-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Go under disguise while drinking your favorite cup of tea or coffee.

Created by Peter Bruegger

WHY THANK YOU MR. MORALES

2011-03-28T18:37:00.001-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, July 26, 2010

I received this message while checking my email this morning. Must be my lucky day.

9 Hours

2011-03-28T18:35:00.001-07:00

Capsule Hotel - 9 Hours from Christoph on Vimeo.

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Saturday, July 24, 2010

Design always plays an important role, a reinvention through design.

PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK BY ANREW ZUCKERMAN

2011-03-28T18:34:00.001-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Thursday, July 22, 2010

For you bird lovers out there check out these great photos by Andrew Zuckerman, you’ll be in awe:

www.youshow-off.com

JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

2011-03-28T18:31:00.001-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Monday, July 19, 2010

This Penguin edition of Orwell’s Animal Farm came to the door today! The book cover was created by Shepard Fairey...a reason for getting it, which is about time I did get my hands on this edition. He also did the cover for “1984”(next on the list of books to get!)

SCREW NOSTAGLIA—I WANT THE FUTURE!

2011-03-28T18:28:00.001-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Saturday, July 17, 2010

Today I will be in Pink Ghost’s upcoming art show, “Screw Nostalgia—I Want the Future”, pretty exciting. It will be an art show inspired by robots, space suits, and the artist's take on the future. A new art print was created for the art show ,Future Comfort.

New Times & City Link(ArtMurmur) recently posted articles about the art show I will be in and there’s a bit of a write up about Freedom Art and my new piece, which is pretty neat!

Date: Friday, June 16 2010

Times: 7–9pm

Place: Pink Ghost, 1888 Radius Drive

Hollywood, FL

Cost: Free

SCREW NOSTALGIA!

Written by: Colleen Dougher

View full article here: CityLink, ArtMurmur

“These two little weasels in Jose Lopez’s “Future Comfort” found their own way to adapt to nature. They’re burrowing in a space helmet. How the helmet found it’s way into their prairie remains a mystery, but they don’t appear ready to move out anytime soon. On Saturday, you can find them (and their creator Jose Lopez of Freedom Art) at Pink Ghost which is boldly stepping into the future with a new show inspired by robots, spacesuits and all things futuristic.”

THE FUTUREHEADS!

Written by: Kyriaki Tsaganis

View full article here: New Times

“The show will feature the futuristic interpretations of local artists such as graphic designer Jose Lopez of Freedom Art, whose responsible for the popular For Art’s Sake series of shows around Fort Lauderdale. Lopez's whimsical illustrations tend to be nostalgic with their vintage aesthetic, so it'll be interesting to see if his vision for the future still carries that theme despite the show's title to the contrary.”

FOR ART’S SAKE’S! ON FACEBOOK!

2011-03-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Freedom Art is currently setting up an art show called “For Art’s Sake!”. The show will begin February 19 and will be featuring 16 selected, talented, artists in South Florida. It will take place at an art space called The Bubble, located in Ft. Lauderdale.

A lot of time, strategy, and work has been put into this show so I’m really looking forward to the turn out. And as a way to help spread the word,Freedom Art has created a Facebook page for “For Art’s Sake!” for you and others to follow. It’s a great way to keep in touch and to be updated with the show! You can also find “For Art’s Sake!” on Twitter.

Yeah, we’re network savvy alright! Be sure to visit:

Facebook:

For Art’s Sake!

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/forartssake_

Official “For Art’s Sake” web site:

www.forartssakeshow.com

A REAL LIFE RUSSELL?!

2011-03-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Russell exists! I recently came across this image online, what a find. If he exists surely Dug must be chasing after squirrels somewhere!

NEW YEAR, NEW THINGS

2011-03-28T18:22:00.001-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Sunday, January 10, 2010

Hello and welcome to 2010! Still no signs of flying cars or Marty Mcfly’s fancy hoverboard, what’s up up with that!

I hope and trust you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I know it’s been a while since I’ve last updated the Freedom Art blog, but that changes today! I know, I’m excited too. Just a few things that I’d like to share from Freedom Art land. First, Freedom Art is currently working on getting up a new web site with a whole new “face lift” and I am looking forward to the new changes ahead. There will be newer work that’s been done over the past few months, plus more! 2nd, Freedom Art has been working hard these couple of months setting up, producing, directing, and designing a 2 day art show called FOR ART’S SAKE!.

The art show will take place February 19 and 20 at a 3,000 sq. ft. art space called The Bubble. 16 professional artists from South Florida will be showing a variety of elaborate artwork through mixed media. Although, Freedom Art is centered around graphic design I have much respect and appreciation for the world of art and a desire to be a part in the enhancement and encouragement of the growth of an art scene here in South Florida, especially in Ft. Lauderdale. So I am happy to team up with art and entertainment organization IWAN to make FOR ART’S SAKE! happen. It’s quite a task, but I’m having fun with the process and looking forward to the outcome. There will be live music by DJ Adam Foster of Twilight Notes, band Alexander, and more! So this 2 day art show will definitely be something special, so much talent in such an event how can it not be! For more info on FOR ART’S SAKE! visit:

www.forartssakeshow.com

And be sure to download some free and nifty desktop wallpapers from the site. Thanks to Stuart fromSpar6 for collaborating with Freedom Art!

WHAT ARE YOU SELLING, REALLY?

2011-03-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Sunday, December 13, 2009

If you're a creative business or cultural enterprise, you are selling goods or services to customers, whether it's graphic design, fashion, architecture, music, or books.

But what are you selling, really?

Or to put it another way, what is it that the customer is really buying from you?

It's often the case that there is a difference between what you think you are selling and what the customer is actually buying. Customers are often buy into a lifestyle, a feel good factor, or a 'story'.

The most aware businesses fully understand what the customer is buying from them.

For example, Tom Peters quotes the Harley Davidson executive who said: "What we sell is the ability for a 43 year old accountant to dress in black leather, ride through small towns and have people be afraid of him." A naive observer might think they sell motorbikes.

In the cultural sector, London's Victoria and Albert museum researched customers' views and recognised that one of the greatest attractions of the museum was its cafe. What visitors want is to see some of the exhibits (it's too overwhelmingly big to see everything) and to have some tea and cake with friends. Controversially and bravely, Director Elizabeth Esteve-Coll adopted the marketing slogan "An Ace Caff with quite a nice Museum attached." It's not what the Museum is supposed to be about - but it's exactly how many visitors see it.

Dialog Ltd, in Hong Kong, run a project called Hope Tees which designs and manufactures t-shirts to raise money for worthy causes. The customer is buying much more than a simple garment: they are investing in hope. Hope for the disadvantaged communities the project supports. The customer might never wear the t-shirt, but the feel-good factor they take away makes the investment excellent value for money.

In his book Buzzmarketing: Get People to Talk About Your Stuff, Mark Hughes tells the story of Miller Lite. Research found that the appeal of this low calorie beer to heavy drinkers was not its low calories at all (most were proud of their beer bellies), but the fact that it didn't "fill them up" as much as regular beer - so they could drink more and stay in the bar longer.

From my own experience of working in international book distribution and marketing, I know that many books are bought not [only] to be read, but as interior decoration or as a symbol of cultural sophistication. That's not me being philistine - it's [at least part of] how real customers think and behave.

The point is that in the creative industries, just as in other business sectors, we must learn to look at things from the point of view of customers, because it brings new insights which might be subtly (or radically) different from our perspective as the creator of our goods or services. We need to understand the customer benefits in the way the consumer sees them.

So what are you selling, really?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could see our businesses through the eyes of customers? Or, as Robert Burns wrote:

“Oh, that God the gift would give us

To see ourselves as others see us.”

To what extent are they buying into a lifestyle, a feelgood factor, or a story?

Publish Post

The answer, as so often in marketing, is to Ask the Customers! (Market research doesn't have to be expensive.) Go and talk to them, observe them and watch how they actually use your product or service.

You might be surprised...

GOOD GRAPHIC DESIGN IS TOO IMPORTANT TO YOUR SUCCESS

2011-03-28T18:19:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Sunday, December 13, 2009

The Stanford Web Credibility Project (http://credibility.stanford.edu) found that 47% of users make buy decisions based upon the site itself. This implies that if the site is professional in appearance and supplies the essential information in a clear and complete manner, nearly half your customers will be comfortable making the buy decisions without further off-site research.

The 10-Second Window

In our testing experience, when customers are searching for products or services across a variety of sites in a competitive market, decisions about a site's professionalism are often made within 10 seconds of viewing the home or landing page. In this brief time customers gather a surprisingly broad range of impressions including: company size, product range, product offering, brand, and often price. They demonstrate emotional feelings of connection or dissatisfaction, as well as feelings of anxiety and/or comfort. They often decide if they are in the "right place."

Small business sites often underestimate the importance of a good graphic look and feel. Sites often exhibit unprofessional graphic design, yet site owners wonder why so many shoppers abandon the site. A graphic designer I know who recently completed the redesign of an e-commerce site, found that the new design resulted in nearly doubled pageviews, time on site, and purchases. Good graphics can make a big difference.

If you're in doubt about the effectiveness your present website look and feel, user test your site on passers-by. Ask them to view your site alongside competitor sites. Ask probing, open-ended questions about their impressions and feelings. This will give you a good idea of the impression your site creates to visitors.

What a Graphic Designer Should Accomplish

Here's what you should expect a good graphic designer to accomplish:

1.Select an attractive, comfortable color palette which engages -- and even addresses colorblindness.

2.Include attractive product shots that are large enough to reveal important elements along with 3.informative, benefit-focused captions.

4.Deliver a value proposition or branding statement in the initial eyepath.

5.Present simple and effective navigation which shows what viewers can expect to find.

6.Drive the eye path to the important calls to action.

7.Optimize all graphic elements for fast loading and contribution to conversion goals.

8.Keep the page simple, clean, and effective.

9.Insure that viewers can "get it" in 10 seconds or less.

Good graphic design is too important to your success to risk an amateur look and feel. Unless graphics is in your blood, bring in a graphic designer to help get your site right. However, in your quest for a designer, make sure your designer pays more than lip service to site usability. Good graphic designers may charge $100 per hour -- the price of a decent plumber in New England. That may seem expensive, but great graphics translate to increased sales. Make the investment.

By Todd Follansbee

DEAL OR NO DEAL

2011-03-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday, December 13, 2009 | Posted by Jose E. Lopez

I noticed during Art Basel a lot of art dealers kept to themselves, hiding behind their lap tops and not interacting with the people who would come by to look at the artwork occupied in there space. I’m sure someone noticed as well...oh,wait, someone did and made a photo album of it! I recently came across a photo album on Flickr.com called, “Ignored at Art Basel Miami”. You’ll see proof as to what I am talking, typing, about.

Visit:

steve brown gallery

YOU COME BACK NOW, YA HEAR!

2011-03-28T18:16:00.000-07:00

Posted by Jose E. Lopez | Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Art Basel Miami was a blast! There was so much to see, so many great places to go, and I just loved the feeling of being surrounded by a sea of art from around the world! It left me so inspired and was just a great event to experience. It’s so great to have such an event come through South Florida. Sad to see it come and go, but it definitely left me with great memories (meeting Shepard Fairey and seeing his murals, getting to see Jeff Sotos work in person, Scope Fair, Converse event, etc). Looking forward to Art Basel 2010!