Emerging Technology

WEF: Top Ten Emerging Technologies.

It’s Friday, watch something cool and learn while you are at it. I have to admit I had watch this a few times to get all the information because I kept looking at Felipe Vargas animation and illustrations and not paying attention to all of the text on screen. The video below was commissioned by The World Economic Forum to highlight the top 10 emerging technologies. Vargas, and Pablo Gonzalez directed the short which features illustration work by Vargas who was also the primary animator, along with small but very talented animation support team. It’s a great little short with a look that really reminds me of Charlie Harper ( not the character from Two and a Half Men ).

“A diverse range of breakthrough technologies, including batteries capable of providing power to whole villages, “socially aware” artificial intelligence and new generation solar panels, could soon be playing a role in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.
The World Economic Forum requested a short Animation conveying this important message. A short deadline demanded simple, but attractive animations and graphics that could tell the story without a voiceover.”
__
Directed by Pablo Gonzalez and Felipe Vargas at SMOG
Creative Direction by Pablo Gonzalez at SMOG
Design and Illustrations by Felipe Vargas.
Animation direction by Felipe Vargas.
Animations by: Felipe Vargas, Patricio Molina, Berni Bruner, Spiro Bunster and Francisco Castro.

Razorfish’s Emerging Experiences Lab.

If you want to be a cutting edge design firm that focuses on immersive digital experiences that blend with physical products you need to follow Razorfish’s lead. The Atlanta based Emerging Experiences lab is perfect example of how Razorfish is creating cutting edge design and advertising experiences that work.

“From concept to completion, the Emerging Experience Practice is a one-stop shop for clients looking to collaborate with a team of committed, enthusiastic specialists to ultimately create custom solutions that are grounded in the reality of business. The Lab is a unifying space not only for emerging technologies, but also for designers, developers, strategists, and stakeholders too.”

Friday Inspiration. “Aurasma” a Better Augmented Reality.

After yesterday’s post about the digitally enhanced IKEA catalog, I started looking at other emerging technologies that create similar experiences. One of the things I found was from a TED talk video that was published to YouTube yesterday. What I like about this is, unlike Google Glass it already exists, and is being used. Unlike Google Glass it doesn’t need glasses or any other form of wearable technology. It feels more practical. Unlike QR Codes, and other bar code driven technology this is activated by the image itself.

Aurasma, is self-described as “the world’s first visual browser.” and based on the video below you can see why. This has so much potential, and at the end of the video you can see just how easy it is to use and add your own content to. In the video presenters Matt Mills and Tamara Roukaerts demonstrate Aurasma and, the seamlessly animated the world as seen through a smartphone. Aurasma goes beyond previous augmented reality applications , by using their “auras” to do everything from make a painting talk to overlaying live news onto a printed newspaper.