2011 February | T2 + Back Alley Blog

Latest Tweet

February 23rd, 2011
by Lindsay Howgill
, , , , , , , ,
4 Comments
Retweet

Picasso In the Digital Age

Picasso, Virginia Museum of Fine Art

With the help of QR codes, augmented reality and marketing in Starbucks stores, even Picasso is making the leap into the digital age.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) unveiled its highly anticipated show, “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris” on February 19th. Art shows of prolific artists like Picasso seem to draw a decent crowd on their own – so why use technology to promote the show?

Accessibility. VMFA was the only east coast venue selected for the exhibition’s seven-city international tour. By leveraging QR codes and virtual galleries, VMFA is able to share this exhibit with thousands that otherwise might not have been able to see the exhibit.

To pull off this feat VMFA teamed with Martin Agency, a Richmond-based advertising agency that helped them create virtual “galleries” in Washington D.C., New York and Philadelphia. To create these virtual galleries Martin tapped Layar, an augmented reality app developer.

How does it work? Simple. If you’re in the vicinity of these select locations, your phone will detect it, and the app will allow you to view one of Picasso’s works hung virtually in your surroundings. In addition to the augmented reality app, they also provided QR codes to 33 Starbucks locations, enabling coffee seekers to scan the code and view Picasso’s works while waiting for their coffee order.

We here at T2 + Back Alley are pretty excited about this clever and innovative promotion of the Picasso exhibition. For us, art is something that can transcend time and societal limitations and inspire.

In our book, smart digital marketing is proving to help make so many aspects of life – including art and music – more accessible to consumers.

February 21st, 2011
by T2 + Back Alley Team
, , , , , , ,
2 Comments
Retweet

Experience Design in an Angry Birds Cake

Angry Birds

Great experience design served up in an Angry Birds Cake? Oh yes – and we’re just jealous we didn’t think of it first. A techie dad in the UK has provided not only an example of great experience design, but whetted our collective appetites for all things Angry Birds.

Perhaps the greatest time suck on the planet, Rovio’s Angry Birds app is a huge success. Now, with a working cake in the mix, we’re going to go ahead and call it a piece of experience design.

Electricpig’s Mike Cooper is responsible for the amazing cake, concocted for his 6 year old son’s birthday. Cooper has a rep for crafting imaginative birthday cakes, and it’s easy to see why. Not only do we get to see how the cake is constructed, the look on the little boy’s face as he realizes what it is, is pretty incredible.

With more than 12 million sold, most coming from iPhones and iPads (at .99 each, nice) and more than 30 million downloads of the free Android version, mostly on Google’s mobile OS, that’s a whole lot of popular.

Rovio’s whopping success with this app, generating over a million dollars a day via the ad-supported Angry Birds on Android, probably means a whole lot more Angry Birds in our futures. In fact, the Birds are coming to Sony’s Play Station and Play Station 3, the Windows Phone 7, Wii and even a 3d version of the game is expected later this year.

And Mike Cooper? Well, he can not only bake up a pretty stellar cake experience, he’s managed to throw some viral video in the mix as well. Well done, sir.

February 18th, 2011
by T2 + Back Alley Team
, , , ,
1 Comments
Retweet

Infographics, Advertising and Design Strategy

In our book, infographics are not only cool, but a great design strategy. Clients and prospective clients can often process information easier when it’s presented to them visually, in addition to or in place of text.

While this infographic touches on a topic that may not seem all that important, it doesn’t take long to dig down and see that lack of sleep is a big deal – and contributing to lots of … well you get the rest.

As a designer, if you can create a killer visualization, you are definitely showing that you have some serious skill.

But don’t forget designing infographics is an art - and in order to do it well, be sure you’re getting enough sleep.

February 17th, 2011
by T2 + Back Alley Team
, , , ,
1 Comments
Retweet

Mobile Apps – One Hit Wonders?

Apparently first impressions are very important on first dates AND with those using your mobile app for the first time. According to a study released by Localytics, 26% of apps are downloaded once and never used again. You heard that correctly – never! Talk about one hit wonders. And taking into consideration the cost of developing an app, that’s a big deal.

The good news is that the number of SmartPhone users has grown from 42.7 million to 61.5 million over the last year alone. The bad news it that usage stats show, roughly 35% of SmartPhone users that have access to apps add them to their phone, and only 24% use them.

Bottom line is clear. Although the market for mobile apps is strong – and growing on a daily basis, it’s really important that you (or your clients) have a strong sense of strategy in place to market the apps you develop.

Also, be sure and spend time analyzing your user data so that you know who your ‘loyal’ users are and how much return traffic you have. That will go a long way toward showing you (and your client) how the app is working in conjunction with the rest of your marketing efforts.

February 9th, 2011
by Teri Rogers
, , , , , , , , , , ,
1 Comments
Retweet

The Dark Side of Chocolate

Chocolate. Everyone loves it. But is there a dark side? This documentary film produced by Danish journalist Miki Mistrati explores the dark side of chocolate. Is it produced with child and labor trafficked children? And, if so, will it change how we feel about it? And more importantly, will it impact how we consume this tasty treat?

The Dark Side of Chocolate / Schmutzige Schokolade from We Know Music on Vimeo.

At T2 + Back Alley Films our love for documentaries and the people who produce them is endless. The Dark Side of Chocolate is no exception. It’s a compelling piece, expertly executed and, most importantly, inspires thought and conversation.