TiRA for ASTRA

From London-based This is Real Art comes a project that hits all my soft spots:  space tech, information graphics, and a reserved, modern design aesthetic.

TiRA created a collection of seven documentary films for Astra – one of the world’s largest satellite operator’s, in concert (but not in direct relation) with the development and planned launch of their largest and most advanced satellite, Astra 3B – to be used for education and marketing.  The films describe everything one needs to know about the operation of a satellite: History, Physics, Control, Launch, Why We Need Satellites, Business, and The Future.

Astra is a heavyweight in providing communications to major European markets – from radio and broadcast to broadband and 3D technologies.  Thus, with society’s ever-increasing reliance on these services (i.e. broadband, 3D) and Astra’s continued growth into emerging markets, it’s no surprise to see this type of subject given this much care.

As partner and Creative Director at This is Real Art, Paul Belford has proven to be a force in the advertising world – harkening the likes of Rand, Krone or Glaser – and it shows once again in his directorial role for this project.  Reflecting seemingly innate refined design sensibilities, Paul takes a technically astronomic and thus potentially mind-numbing subject and whittles it down into a form that’s both translucently and attractively explicated – a presentation that would make Edward Tufte proud.

Motionographer was able to catch up with Paul at This Is Real Art for a more detailed look into the process.
Read more.

Posted on Motionographer

VIRGINS IN INTERGALACTIC SPACE.

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Just in case the current astronomical endeavor that Virgin’s head gazillionaire in-charge Richard Branson is planning has slipped your mind, here’s a subtle visual reminder: Spaceport America designed by Foster+Partners, will be the docking station of intergalactic tourism and every dork’s fantasy come true.  So practice your best Shatner impression and sell your liver, spleen and soul to the black market to book your $200,000 ticket here!

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ALDRIN HASSELBLADS IT ON THE MOON.

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“We” have a bad habit. Or at least one of us does and it consists of breaking cameras during moments that are intensely worthy of photographs. And not just breaking, SMASHING. Off the side of a boat, stepped on, dropped in toilets, and the list goes on. Give us (me) the opportunity to take a real picture of a bigfoot or something equally mysterious or elusive and we (I) can guarantee the camera will spontaneously evaporate in my hands. So, good thing the above headline says ALDRIN HASSELBLADS IT ON THE MOON because if it was the other way around it would be like: CLAYTON SERIOUSLY DROPS THE BALL AND SMASHES HIS HASSELBLAD WHILE TRYING TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE MOON LANDING.Picture 4

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Impactist: Parallelostory

For most people, the concept of an infinite number of parallel universes that encompass every possible outcome for any given situation brings to mind notions of impossibly long mathematical equations that describe our reality in the soulless terms of math and science.

For Portland-based Impactist, it brings to mind love.

“Parallelostory” uses charmingly simple illustrations to weave an inter-dimensional tale of attraction. As always, Impactist (a.k.a. Kelly Meador and Daniel Elwing) created everything in this short, including the music. It perfectly sums up their hand-made aesthetic and delightful sensitivity to color and form.

QuickTime version available on the Impactist site.

Thanks to two if by see for the nudge.

Posted on Motionographer