(this is an up-date from a post of last year because our ”father of the nation, the tiger, center of the party and the universe, the most faithful incarnation, the glorious, admirable leader and father of the people” is no longer with us)

Kim Jong-Il looking at things, the funniest niche blog around. I’ve been following this blog for a while and you’d think all pictures of Kim Jong-Il looking at things would’ve been published by now. But updates are still poring in.

This man seems completely alienated from the world and tries really hard to show some interest and tries to understand what the world is made of outside of his unidentified flying object. Not very convincing though ….and always surrounded with this group of Umpa Lumpa’s, totally agreeing with whatever remarks he’s making.
Isn’t it a sad thought that soon the “father of the nation, the tiger, center of the party and the universe, the most faithful incarnation, the glorious, admirable leader and father of the people”, will soon be replaced by his son. I would hope he has the same fascination to worldly produsts as his father.
Have a look and a lough. Check the website

Nice online interactive video/game project from Mercedes England. Get the girl out of the map before she fades.
The interaction isn’t that spectacular, but I love the concept.

You can watch the film/game here and read the full story and credits here.

Check full credits or watch the full HD version here

THX Raymond Burger for the tip

Wünderful stuff. I’m in my over-the-top-brilliant-lovely-happy-happy-place. Like

During a 3-day-build-up to the UEFA Champions League finals 2011 in London, sponsor Heineken dominated the city’s advertising space.
I was asked by Heineken to translate the global ‘open your world’ print campaign into dynamic animations that would enrich and maximize the campaigns impact .
These short videoclips where shown on single- and multiple screens in underground- and train stations all over London. With that taking the full advantage of the digital outdoor media possibilities in the city.

Check my website for this- or more cases

Wondering what I’m doing? Check my website www.benheppener.nl. This will soon carry my business name Make It Heppener.
It’s been extremely busy (and that’s good news for a start up) so inspirationspam suffered from that. But enough talk about me, let’s get back to the blogging.

A hypothetical project. We all know that smoking is bad and that we probably shouldn’t do it, but how can design help communicate this more effectively to actually change behavior? In the U.K., where cigarette packages already scream out SMOKING CAUSES FATAL LUNG CANCER, a new law is being considered that would eradicate the branding from packs, making all packaging a generic shade of brown or grey.

Question is: Is this good design? Is it going to help to be more aware of the health issue of smoking or even discourage buyers?
Unfortunately, no, if you’d ask me. Damn, the ugliness is so beautiful I would consider to start smoking again. That’s the problem with us designers. We don’t dare to make really ugly things.
And viewed from the brand-side : Marlboro has been able to claim red + white and gold + white so well, that I can still tell it’s Marlboro. But that probably won’t count for a younger generation. I have already been brainwashed to much over the years.

This project was featured in ICON magazine. You can read more about the designers and the project on wearebuild blog.