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Rediscovering "Thief"

Rediscovering "Thief"

In 1981, well before making another critically acclaimed film featuring thieves, Michael Mann created Thief, starring James Caan. The film’s cinematography, storyline, location selection, and soundtrack from Tangerine Dream set the tone for many action dramas that followed in the 1980s, including the series Miami Vice.

Film, StorytellingDanny StillionOctober 12, 2023Film, Visualization

Here's to 2023 and Beyond...

Here's to 2023 and Beyond...

As we begin stretching to return to our moon, land on Mars, and venture beyond, let us never stop believing in the promise of the future as embodied so poetically by Stanley Kubrick and Johann Strauss II in their times and together in ours.

Aerospace, Film, Future VisionDanny StillionJanuary 12, 2023Future Vision

The Unreal Work of William Faucher

The Unreal Work of William Faucher

This process video by William Faucher does an excellent job of capturing the process of photogrammetry and applying remarkable digital visualization skills to capture a scene inspired by Norwegian fishing villages.

Architecture, Art, Film, Storytelling, VisualizationDanny StillionNovember 16, 2022

Through the Myst: Creativity and Constraints

Through the Myst: Creativity and Constraints

The bivouac recently came across this War Stories video by Ars Technica in which Rand Miller recounts how challenging it was to publish the seminal interactive title Myst.

Art, Film, Innovation, Interface Hall of Fame, Music, Notable Products, Storytelling, TalksDanny StillionMay 6, 2020Higher Education, Interaction Design, Interactive Media

Just How Big Is It?

Just How Big Is It?

Tim Dodd, Everyday Astronaut, and some colleagues have created an excellent video showing rocket renderings in relatable places. It provides familiar contexts to help us better grasp the actual size of today’s impressive space vehicles.

Aerospace, Film, VisualizationDanny StillionApril 4, 2020Astronaut, Visualization

Prospective Perspective

Prospective Perspective

Given the bivouac's interest in alternative futures, it is great to see more sophisticated provocations in videos like "One Hundred Hunters" from Nigel Stanford.

Film, Futures, Visualization, MusicDanny StillionMay 4, 2018Visualization, Space

Star Wars Figures Bring a Large Figure

Star Wars Figures Bring a Large Figure

Whether you are a fan of George Lucas's Star Wars saga or not, one has to respect this collection of Star Wars figures. Displayed creatively, it strangely evokes some modern Bayeux Tapestry.

Film, Futures, Notable ProductsDanny StillionJanuary 23, 2013

The Future of Phones

The Future of Phones

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of contributing some thoughts that informed Alexis Madrigal's Atlantic article "iPhone 5? Yawn. What Will the 'Phone' of 2022 Look Like?"

Design Thinking, Futures, Film, Science FictionDanny StillionSeptember 14, 2012

Final Fantasy Holographic Interfaces

Final Fantasy Holographic Interfaces

There are many excellent examples of holographic interfaces interspersed throughout the film “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.”

Film, Future Vision, Information Design, Interaction Design, Interface Hall of Fame, Science FictionDanny StillionDecember 31, 2011

What Is Your Project Space Like?

What Is Your Project Space Like?

And how are you getting on with your mates in it? We all know that space matters...and so does gravity, as Paul Harrison and John Wood delightfully illustrate in Tate Shots Issue 12.

Architecture, Minimalism, Visualization, Film, StorytellingDanny StillionFebruary 9, 2011

Seiko and Final Fantasy

Seiko and Final Fantasy

Seiko has produced a limited edition of watches similar in appearance to the one Dr. Aki Ross wore in the film "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within."

Notable Products, Science Fiction, FilmDanny StillionFebruary 26, 2008Science Fiction, Film

Reminds Me Of Remind Me Video

Reminds Me Of Remind Me Video

Regardless of how you might feel about nuclear energy, here is another fine example of super clean and delightful isometric animations promoting the energy company Areva by Euro RSCG C&O and H5.

Advertising, Film, Television, VisualizationDanny StillionSeptember 28, 2007

Give A Little Love

Give A Little Love

Perhaps we should all take the message from Coca-Cola's recent video game-inspired commercial to heart this year.

Advertising, Games, Television, Visualization, Film, StorytellingDanny StillionJanuary 1, 2007

Thank You for Kool Titles

Thank You for Kool Titles

Shadowplay Studio's title sequence for "Thank You for Smoking" does an excellent job highlighting all the attention to detail tobacco companies have designed into their product packaging over the years.

Film, VisualizationDanny StillionApril 9, 2006

A Moving Piece of Motion Matching

A Moving Piece of Motion Matching

The 2004 X3 launch advertisement is an excellent example of how to use video motion matching to tell a story.

Automobiles, Film, Visualization, BMWDanny StillionDecember 11, 2005

HAL 9000

HAL 9000

An essential entry in the Interface Hall of Fame, the HAL 9000 and its associated information displays remain impressive nearly 40 years after their creation

Interface Hall of Fame, Film, Future Vision, Information Design, Minimalism, Science FictionDanny StillionJune 15, 2005

Final Fantasy Surgical Interface

Final Fantasy Surgical Interface

While "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" was panned by many critics as being overhyped and having an unsatisfying storyline, it is hard to deny that, at a visual level, the film certainly has its moments.

Interface Hall of Fame, Future Vision, Film, Information Design, Interaction Design, Science FictionDanny StillionJune 15, 2005

Aliens Sentry Gun UI

Aliens Sentry Gun UI

The sentry gun interface from the film “Aliens” makes the Interface Hall of Fame.

Interface Hall of Fame, Film, Information Design, Interaction Design, Minimalism, Science FictionDanny StillionJune 13, 2005

Red Planet (HAC Flexible Display)

Red Planet (HAC Flexible Display)

The flexible display-equipped HAC units resemble the Tube concept put forth by a team of designers from IDEO in their 2010 technology forecasting project conducted for BusinessWeek.

Interface Hall of Fame, Film, Future Vision, Interaction Design, Science Fiction, MarsDanny StillionFebruary 19, 2005