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Back to business

Welcome to Idealog Weekly, the free email newsletter for New Zealand commercial creatives, entrepreneurs and anyone rich with ideas.

Back to business

The silly season is well and truly over and it's time to get back to business with the first Weekly for 2010. Catch up with all the stories we've published online, like this one about a Kiwi company shunning cartoonish video games to focus on the fastest-growing demographic in gaming—women. And in a surprise twist, military personnel looking for programmes to train soldiers have even expressed interest in their work. Amanda Cropp talks to the Areograph team about graphics, technology and why a “sleepy little town” like Dunedin was the ideal place to set up shop.

Forward thinking

The bright lights of London haven't dimmed designer Katie Taylor's creative spark, despite the economic climate. In fact, she welcomes a challenge—her continent-spanning career is testament to that. From her early days as a gymnast, to art school in Switzerland, she tells Sam Eichblatt how sheer grit and tenacity have seen her through.

Interactive building

This building in Tachiwaka, Japan, is a standalone user experience. Snap a photo of the exterior on your cellphone and be directed to its website; stream live tweets from inside; point a camera towards it and bring up an augmented reality layer displaying information on the stores inside and the sales they're having.

Bike in the sky

Bulgarian architect (and presumably keen cyclist) Martin Angelov came up with a concept to get bikes off the roads, and, well, into the air. Check out more of his project here. Nice idea, although we're not entirely convinced.

School for change

Just what is a social entrepreneur, and how can we enable them to thrive? Come along to the Supporting Social Entrepreneurs: What Works forum on February 9 in Auckland and discuss these issues and more with Charlotte Young and Steve Lawrence of the International School for Social Entrepreneurs.  (It's run by the forward-thinking Centre for Social Innovation, which was also behind the innovation camp held in Wellington last year.)

It's also an opportunity to connect with other likeminded leaders and share your thoughts on a potential New Zealand school, which would train and support changemakers working at the community and government levels. Book your place now by emailing samara.strachan@nzcsi.org.

Job of the Week

Design Director/Creative Director P0551

Our client is an established and prominent design company who specialise in branding and more specifically FMCG packaging design.

They have developed a fantastic team environment unlike any other and have some great 'personalities' amongst it. Their premises are fabulous and are centrally located on the city fringe.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a current Creative Director looking for a change of scene, or a very senior designer (8-10 years minimum) at the top of your game, who is looking to develop their skills in overseeing a team and the creative product coming out of a hot studio. They are looking for an inspirational, energetic and edgy person who has the passion and personality to drive and mentor a team of like-minded individuals.

You will need to be effective and comfortable in a client facing role and have a portfolio showing some strong work. It is essential this identifies your strengths in branding and profiles some of your exceptional FMCG packaging work. Your strategic skills will need to be well developed, you must be an amazing 'ideas' person, and you will be an effective communicator who is confident and shows the ability to inspire others to produce their best possible work.

Most importantly you'll have a wicked sense of humour and an outgoing personality.

If you think you have what it takes send in your application ensuring it includes your CV and portfolio as a pdf (no larger than 5mb please), or as a weblink, to debbie@portfoliorecruit.co.nz without delay, or apply online.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Living room looking a bit bare? Why not furnish it for free? Take inspiration from LA designer Ramon Coronado, who turns everyday objects into something entirely new and different. Case in point: plastic trolleys into chairs, tables and swings … frugal and eco-friendly.

You're never too old for Lego

Here’s a cleverly disguised ad for Lego that you ’t mind watching. Whimsical but not manipulative, it speaks right to the inner child in all of us.

Quote of the week

“ Choosing an investor is like hiring an employee you can never fire. You have to be very, very careful.”

— Twitter founder Biz Stone is treading carefully.

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• steer seo on Bigger, faster, more productive:
  It's got to be good for online retailers selling to the US. They will be able to offer a better multi-media experience.
• Mark on Bigger, faster, more productive:
  Fantastic! Finally some vision in establishing a key infrastructure to support New Zealand's future prosperity and commercial competitiveness. Good work Rod, Sam and Steve - your country thanks you for your patriotism!  …
• Margaret Holmes on NZ Institute thumbs down Key's agenda:
  Unfortunately it is not just red tape - it is also the laid back kiwi attitude, compounded by educators who think achieving national standards is a bad thing.
• Tim Marshall on Smile, you’re in New Zealistan:
  The target of higher GDP per capita is all wrong. Aiming for it encourages more production and consumption, often at the expense of quality of life. We need to construct a Genuine Progress Index (GPI) to guide policy. Fr  …
• Peter McL on New note:
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• Phil Wollerman on Smile, you’re in New Zealistan:
  Brilliant, insightful article, VH.
  
  This situation has principally arisen because - simplistically - the world no longer wants what we are intrinsically advantaged in supplying.
  
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