Creative Barcodes

wow, see how cool and creative the Japanese Barcodes, they all works! They are designed by japanese firm d-barcode, who specialize in designing these unique barcodes.
[Via Popsop]

Lettering Sketches

I love read people's sketch Book, you can find lots of fun and secret there... these lettering sketches are neat.


hey, my favorite number!


see more lettering at Linzie Hunter Illustration website

Baidir

Nice color and style animation! the BG and color remind me of tekkonkinkreet...

BAIDIR
by slimTUGG

“One morning Nayah is playing hide and seek with her big brother Baidi, when suddenly the room is destroyed and Nayah has disappeared. Baidi sets off on a wild quest in a fantasy world.”

Teaser for the animated series created by Charles Lefebvre / Thierry River / Slimane Anis

“What makes good information design?”

I agree! [via Information is Beautiful]

This is very nice book about infographic "The Visual Miscellaneum" for pre-order

Singapore Poster

AstroBoy opens on Nov 5 in Singapore

Tim Biskup's AstroBoy

AstroBoy and the Darth Vader paintings by Tim Biskup
[via Boing Boing]

Typography Sculpture by Ebon Heath

Brooklyn based artist Ebon Heath creates complex mobiles made out of beautiful jumbles of letters and words. His typographic sculptures free text from the confines of 2D space and where it can engage with the larger physical environment.

Heath explains one view of his work:

The structures are a physical representation of our language as object. This “visual noise” permeates all aspects of modern culture, especially urban living. From the signs, billboards, stores, and t-shirts that yell with type for attention as you walk down any high street. All the audio and verbal noise, from music we plug our ears with to the din of countless conversations, screams and whispers. With new media of texting, online, and transmitted technology there is even invisible noise silent to the eye surrounding us all. It is this cozy womb of information, data, or chorus of cacophony that my mobiles hope to represent as well as reveal. Making the invisible visible.

[via illusion.scene360]

Astro Boy China Final Poster

...此款海报完结版中将阿童木与机器人之间的紧张战斗气氛表达的淋漓尽致，让看过电影的观众脑海中又浮现出机器人大战的壮烈场面，同时也引起了未看过电影的观众的好奇心。...
"《阿童木》海报完结版" 有趣的描述... 無論如何, 中國票房已經是最後防線... [via Sina]

MINI Minimalism Calender

I love this calender a lot, it contains all elements I like: MINI, nice Graphics, white + green + orange palette.

Hipsters by Felt Mistress x Jon Burgerman

The presentation of this series of toys are unique . If you familiar with Jon Burgerman , you definitely will love it .

Hammel.

K8ty.

Grrrf.

see more interesting characters images and making of process at Felt Mistress Flickr

RTHK - 《純粹繪作》 interview‏‏‏‏

靠早前接受了香港電台 《純粹繪作》 的綱頁訪問, 今天出街, 在那裡還有很多插畫家朋友的作品及訪問, 有興趣可看看。(在此謝謝Kenny及CM Lui!)

"Facebook Vs Twitter" illustration

Funny illustration and characters. [via JESS3]

East Meets West: An Infographic Portrait

I always like the infographics how impressive, straightforward and powerful to bring out a message. The following brilliant infographic series Chinese-born, German-raised designer Yang Liu is a good example! It depicts cultural differences between Eastern & Western mentalities.


Lifestyle: Independent vs. dependent


The volume of sound in a restaurant


Problem-solving approach


Size of the individual's ego


How to stand in line


Complexity of self-expression
[via Brain Pickings]

KRINT MINI

Legendary New York street artist Craig “KR” Costello customized a Mini Cooper S with his signature KRINK aesthetic. The car was shown today at Erste Liebe Bar in Hamburg, Germany. A vernissage takes place at Vicious Gallery on October 31st.

See more photos at the gallery site and visit KRINK. I love his work, especially the original drip street art and this laptop sleeve.

MINI x> Halloween Poster

This are the posters for 3rd annual Motor-Tober celebration in Oct. Theat's very fun how mini images combined Halloween. : )



[via Motoring File]

HalloAstro

Frankin-Astro

NTT x Tetsujin 28 CM

A short TV commercial for NTT Dococo wireless internet featuring a modern interpretation of the Tetsujin 28 can be seen in NTT's stylish website. The website was very well design, you can find cool wall papers there. Nice AD! via: Anime News Network

Writing Rules Poster...

thats's fun... now I have to go to write something XD

AstroBoy comic cover by Ashley Wood

2 cover illustrations did by Ashley Wood are very cool! Check below...

10 Things Parents Should Know About Astro Boy

this is a very interesting review on Wired Magazine:

Will I like it?
Yes. Unless of course you hate robots then maybe not. There is a lot to this story that will appeal to the entire audience and a good mix of side stories that appeal to kids or parents.

Will my kids like it?
Absolutely. I don’t believe there is a kid alive that won’t like this film. The story is exciting, full of suspense, and intrigue without being startling or too scary.

What’s the geek appeal?
Robots, super hero action, morality plays, and a good dose of advanced technology. Also, plenty of nostalgia for us older geeks and a chance to share some of our past in a form our kids will enjoy.

Who’s in it again?
Kristen Bell, Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, and plenty more. The voice actors all fit the part, and did a great job. The animated characters in the movie all carried some likeness to their voice actors, except maybe Zog, he didn’t look much like Samuel L. Jackson.

Any memorable previews?
A couple that didn’t appear either memorable, or for kids. A very short teaser for “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” that might be good. “Old Dogs”: A comedy with Robin Williams and John Travolta that could be funny if they didn’t use up all the funny scenes in the trailer. “Spy Next Door”: Another comedy with Jackie Chan, Billy Ray, and George Lopez. This one looks like a cross between Spy Kids and Rush Hour.

Will kids want to see it again?
Yes, again, and again. Mine are both talking about catching it in the cheaper local theater in a couple weeks.

Does it ruin the original manga?
Not at all. Though I must admit I haven’t seen the original Japanese series (first aired in 1963), but I did thouroughly enjoy the US release in the 80s. A few plot points, like Toby’s death (and even his name) have been updated but overall it remains true to the original, and may even surpass it in some ways.

Is it a rip-off of the old Pinocchio story?
Certainly not. While some reviews have drawn that analogy, I think they are wrong. For starters, Astro is a lot more than a dim witted wooden doll that likes to lie. I’m also certain that Geppetto never dreamed of putting machine guns in any of his creations, let alone in their butt.

It’s PG, but how PG is it?
Not very. There is plenty of action, peril, and some mild language, but neither of my kids or their friend were scared by it. I don’t know if the creators pulled a few punches, but the darkest and most intense parts of the movie still remained optimistic and possibly a little predictable.

What’s the best time for a bathroom break?
There is really only one good time to take a break. Just past the half-way point when Astro Boy uses his blue energy for the first time. You have about 4-5 minutes before the action starts back up.
via wired

《阿童木》今天香港上映!!

《阿童木》影评

《阿童木》10月23日歸來 七大看點全解析
...據媒體表示《阿童木》的中國元素比《功夫熊貓》更多，像阿童木最好的伙伴是中國小朋友，而最滑稽的那只機器狗──垃圾桶也產自中國，它為了揭露阿童木身份 居然在沙土上刨出『他是機器人』的漢字。而片中還有很多商店的店招和標語都是用中文寫的。此外，阿童木的性格也很中國，片中的阿童木含蓄，跟女友歌娜是細 水長流的低調感情，跟父親天馬博士則是『愛你在心口難開』式的溝通方式。此前，在《阿童木》舉行的媒體試映會上，大多數記者在看完片後都表示《阿童木》超 出了他們原本的想像，飽yt溫情與誠意，喚起一代人對童年美好時光的集體回憶。

《阿童木》：儿时情怀不见踪影
“结尾看到阿童木飞天战斗，我才被自己的回忆感动了。”75分
“机器人三剑客太逗了，各种机器人都很逗。”72分
影片最后总算找回曾有的感动。80分
比想象的好看，挺感人的，就是故事有点平。82分
能一口气看下来不走神而且还能不时让人笑出来，已经不错了。75分

《阿童木》获影评人一致力荐
谭飞(资深影视、广告策划人、经纪人、推广人、娱评人)
.《阿童木》是一部适合5岁到50岁观众观看的动画电影

宋子文(职业策划人、编剧、纪录片导演、影评人)
. 纯粹、干净的动画电影 不一样的娱乐冲击

曾子航(电视制作人、主持人、影视酷评人、专栏作者)
《阿童木》唤起了很多人的儿时记忆，有种回到过去的感觉。电影里有很多中国元素，故事贴近大众，动画技术有好莱坞水准。我们可以感觉到，阿童木也在与时俱进。

王旭东(著名影评人)
中国动画电影的分水岭之作

鸿水(职业影视音乐评论人)
看完影片，感觉非常出乎意料，让人越看越兴奋，有好莱坞大片的感觉。最兴奋的地方在于，这部影片有中方投资，里面融入了很多中国元素，也集合了众多好莱坞特点，是一部全民都爱看的电影。

震撼父子两代人的动画大片
西安晚报：《阿童木》宣传五大理念
阿童木之死最难忘
阿童木长变了

《阿童木》即將上映 海外媒體好評如潮
闲周刊:30年后阿童木翻拍 变与不变

Astro Happy Meal Toys

These set of McDonald's AstroBoy happy meal toys will be release very soon in US. You can see more detail on HappyMeal.com, including the action features of each of these individual toys.
via Astroboy world

AstroBoy TV Spot (US)

Astro Boy HK Promotional Event

Interview of HK voice actors of Tenma and Astro.

AStroBoy HK TV spot

AstroBoy Movie Promotion @ HK

There is a AstroBoy Promotional Event "阿童木夢想實驗室" (AstroBoy Dream Lab) was set up at TsuenWan Plaza in HK. The voice actors of Mr.Tenma and Astroboy were there. There are many interesting set up and games there. It lasts until the end of Oct. Go to take a look if y0u have time.



Aron Kwok, voice actor of Dr.Tenma


Flying Astroboy at the backdrop. (he looks little too tall than the design, especially the neck...)




Kids love to take photo with AstroBoy


wow! 2 AstroBoys


Interactive games.



Blue core enegry means +ve energy, thats what we need now!




1:1 Orin




Thanks Mable to provide photos.


AstroBoy at Diamond Hill Shopping Mall, it occupy the wall above elevators


AstroBoy on Bus, I saw the TAXI version, but I am not fast enough to take photo


Huge Billboard at MongKok
See AstroBoy big billboards in NY
AstroBoy AD in Japan

John Ottman's ASTRO BOY

Diego Navarro conducts the Tenerife Film Orchestra & Choir, performing selections from John Ottman's score to ASTRO BOY on July 24, 2009 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
As I remember, this is the theme song in the movie when he found the new power. Very Touching!

《阿童木》創港奇迹 許勝不許敗 票房決定意馬命運 動畫師飯碗

本月23日，由香港人繪製的動畫《阿童木》正式上映，萬眾期待，皆因兩年來其製作公司意馬（00585）的股價像小飛俠般飛高飛低，共向香港市場集資逾6億，由400個香港動畫師在柴灣日夜趕工畫成——《阿》片票房將決定一眾投資者的血汗錢、動畫師的飯碗。

　　該電影的誕生歷程比阿童木的大冒險還要刺激，意馬創辦人兼創作總監高偉豪形容《阿童木》得以完成，是香港創造的奇迹。

　　高偉豪其實比阿童木更有冒險精神：開拍《阿童木》要5億元，意馬由03年至今卻已虧損逾4億元。借貸、配股、供股、重整管理層、甚至辭任主席，拉投資者跟他齊齊「坐艇」，也要完成《阿童木》。也許他不是好主席，但肯定是個標準動畫迷。

高偉豪：成功發圍 超額圓夢

　　「我最愛高達，暑期時到東京看1：1高達模型。」他笑說。他是美、日動漫迷，把日本經典動畫《阿童木》變成荷里活美國動畫，是他10年來的夢想。「10年前，《寵物小精靈》突然在美國大熱，我就想在港製作如此成功的動畫，香港人最善於結合亞洲和歐美文化。」

　　飛機、大炮、外星人都打不低阿童木，但去年金融海嘯，卻令《阿童木》差點飛不起。高偉豪坦言：「整個拍攝歷程中，最難受的一刻，是今年初開支無法負擔，要跟同事說『對不起，我們今個月出不了糧』，但結果沒有一位同事離開，還拍手支持公司，我們都相信自己的作品。」

　　多次集資後，他辭去意馬主席一職，只留任創作總監，大股東地位不再，他卻淡然面對。「有甚麼好可惜的？是主席還是總監，都不過是表面，重要的是我10年前在香港製作全球發行動畫的夢想已超額完成，《阿童木》能拍成，已是個奇迹。」

　　他深信創意產業要發圍，不是靠政府，是靠有眼光、有膽量的投資者──就像他一樣。「政府可以幫到我甚麼？搞數碼港？我現在大本營還在柴灣；電影基金？基金有多少錢？製作《阿童木》要5億元！」

夢工場主管 辭厚職回港冒險

　　動畫部副總裁張漢寧也被他感動，他本在美國夢工場（DreamWorks）任職主管，那兒製作一套動畫代表未來5年收入無憂；但在意馬2年，他每天聽着公司財務消息，一邊心驚肉跳，一邊要不露聲色，安撫下屬。

　　「年初時我望着年輕的動畫員想，如果我們失敗，香港就沒有動畫業，他們就會失業了。太高遠的想法可能不合生意邏輯，但若沒有人肯冒險，香港動畫電影就走不出第一步。事實證明我們成功了，各地試映反應也很好，手塚家族也很滿意。」

　　前晚試映所見，《阿童木》動畫流暢，情節惹笑吸引、畫工達國際水平，場內小朋友反應熱烈。劇終，400個香港動畫師的中英文名字在工作人員名單上逐一出現，令人動容。

　　《阿童木》票房尚待揭盅，意馬現正製作《神勇飛鷹俠》，會加入大量港式武打場面。「香港人兒時都愛扮演武打場面，對畫動畫很有幫助，我們還會請來著名武術指導。」張說《神》是以日本漫畫向香港武打電影致敬。

轉載自: [blog.zkiz.com 湯財文庫文章]

Ready?

Only 11 more days to go, people around me keep discussing about the box office, I hope it does well. Hey Astro, pleass fly as high as much you can!!

Reaction of AstroBoy in JP - 新生アトムが意外な高評価！『ATOM』！満足度の平均は大人91点、子ども99点！

AstroBoy releas today, there are some feedback from audience on msn.jp. I can't read the Japanese but my friend told me that so far the reactions are good. 91% of adults rated the film satisfactory or better and 99% of children. That would be great if anyone can translate and tell me more about the details :)

　10月10日公開の映画『ATOM』の親子試写会が7日行われ、上映後には絶賛の声が相次いだ。

　角川映画試写室で行われた親子試写会には、台風上陸をにおわす不穏な空模様にもかかわらず、『ATOM』を一目観ようと多くの親子が訪れた。ハリウッドと香港合作の“新生アトム”の一足早いお披露目に目を輝かせていた親子たちは、上映終了後10万馬力の笑顔で試写室から出てきた。

試写会終 了後実施したアンケートで本作を100点満点で評価してもらったところ、大人からは平均91点、子どもからは平均99点という高評価が得られ、大人にも観 るように薦めたいかとの親限定の設問には、全員が「はい」を選択した。「古いアニメーションの印象があったけれど、きれいな映像とキャラクターの表情がと ても繊細で驚いた」と語るのは、8歳のお子さんと来場した40代女性。漫画「鉄腕アトム」の絵は見たことがあるものの、アニメはこれが初めてだと語るお子さんは「全部面白かった」と笑顔で答えてくれた。

　30代女性は、死んだ息子トビーを秘密裏に ロボットのアトムとして生まれ変わらせたテンマ博士とアトムの親子関係について「普通の人間の親子にも通じるものがあって、親子のきずなの大切さを改めて 考えさせられた」と述べ、「子どもに観せてよかった」と満足気。テレビアニメでアトムを観たことがある10歳のお子さんは「これまでとは違う新しいアト ム」と技・質共に高い本作を評価した。

　親のほとんどが鑑賞前と鑑賞後では本作に対する印象が変わったと答え、 「ストーリーが子どもっぽいと思っていたけど、大人が観てもワクワクドキドキ」（34歳女性）「感動して涙が出そうになった」（31歳女性）と予想外の好 印象を抱いたことがわかった。また子ども用アンケートの感想欄には「アトムの心の強さと素直さに心を奪われました！　人間を見直しました」（10歳女子） 「子どもでも飽きずに座って観ていられた」（6歳男子）と太鼓判を押すコメントの数々が踊り、続編への期待も膨らませていた。日本生まれの作品が海外で映 像化されて落胆するのは多々あること。しかし手塚プロの意見を徹底して取り込んで仕上げられた本作に、それは当てはまらないようだ。

映画『ATOM』は10月10日より新宿ピカデリーほかにて全国公開

source: msn.jp

AstroBoy Taiwan Promotion Materials

via kenmoo

Very Nice Ink Effect!

CCTV Ink TV Commercial - Directed by Niko Tziopanos from Troublemakers.tv on Vimeo. the effect is very nice!

Ambassador for Japan’s World Cup Bid!

Astroboy was chosen to be goodwill ambassador for Japan World Cup bid after losing the losing the chance to host the Olympics for 2016, Japan is now focusing their efforts in the World Cup. Japan is aiming for the 2018 edition.


via Cartoon Leap

DOMO Promotion in US 7-11

There will be big promotion of Domo, the Japanese stop-action character and meme celebrity, some of items are pretty fun.

I really like this idea, clever and silly, very match the character.Via Eat Me Daily

check the DOMO mini site with few webisodes there

AstroBoy French Poster

French Poster, AstroBoy will release in French on December 9.
See more AstroBoy Posters at other areas
Final US and Japan poster

AstroBoy Wind Up Tin Toy

Museum of Shanghai Toys will produce the Astro Boy Tin Toy. It should be out by November. The price is not fixed yet but is affordable, so not to worry. In Singapore, this toy will be on sale at TANG’S STUDIO (VIVO CITY only) and Museum of Shanghai Toys, Singapore. For other countries and cities like Europe, Australia, USA, Hong Kong, Japan..etc, are not confirmed yet.

I like it very much, the face looks really cute. Please go to tin-toy producer's website shanghaitoys to get more updated information

AstroBoy Billboards

AstroBoy huge billboard at New York Times Square, actually this is the windows of Toys R Us.



Another AstroBoy Billboard at Hong Kong MongKok, still impressed.

The Legend of Zelda 3-Poster Series

A must-have for fans of The Legend of Zelda™ series! The Collector’s Edition History of Link Poster has been designed exclusively for Club Nintendo, and features each version of Link from the original The Legend of Zelda game for the Nintendo Entertainment System™ in 1987 through The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for the Nintendo DS™ in system in 2007. via Club Nintento

New AstroBoy Manga

「アトムちゃん」(c)DAISUKE Nishijima2009/角川書店(c)手塚プロダクション
Tezuka Comic published new comic book of astroboy on tomorrow in Japan. I don't know what kind of the story it is but seems like a comedy. via

Mademe opening yesterday

click photo above to read the news at Yahoo HK

Celebrating the cinematic rebirth of the character that has created a cult following locally and internationally since it first appeared in manga in the 1950s and on television in the 1960s, the launch of Astro Boy at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is the result of a successful collaboration between the attraction; Imagi Studios, the movie’s producers; and Tezuka Productions, the licensor of Astro Boy.

Astro Boy’s figure joins the “world famous home of the famous” on September 29, 2009, in the World Premiere section. Guests to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong can also participate in an interactive display where they can literally step intothe boots of Astro Boy and feel as if they are flying over Metro City.

Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Imagi Studios, Francis Kao said, “Bringing everybody’s favourite robot boy back to Hong Kong has been in the works for us for some time now. We are so excited that he will finally be here in cinemas on October 23, and we can share with others the joy he has brought us. Thanks to Madame Tussauds, fans in Hong Kong will be able to get even closer to their hero. I know they are going to love him as much as we do.” via etravelblackboardasia

I've just come back from vacation in Osaka today so I missed the open ceremony and I couldn't see the final product, but I can tell the wax figure is really close to our original design. The crew who made this is really professional and they ask us lots of questions about the details. Thank them so much to making this.

Official Website of Madame Tussauds (Hong Kong)

Exclusive Guide to AstroBoy

There is a Exclusive Guide to AstroBoy at movietickets.com
There are some new images and description on the main characters like: Cora, President Stone, Peacekeeper, Zog, Hamegg, Dr. Tenma and Dr. Elefun.

BTW, there are lots of new content at the official website includes the home page animation, tranistion animation and 2 mini-games, and the detail character description as well.

AstroBoy Booksss

AstroBoy books for kids are already on the shelves! This was taken by our artist in LA Rob at the B&N in Tribeca. I find few of them in HK bookstore as well.
check the full list of books published by Penguin

AstroBoy 3.5mins Clip "Escape from MetrocIty"

Summit Entertainment & Imagi Studios have released a new three and a half minute clip from “Astro Boy” called ‘Escape from Metro City’. The clip is from the beginning of the movie, right after Astro Boy learns he’s a robot and not a real boy and being chased by Army. via collider.com

This is one of my favorite sequence, I like the action camera and the humor. Besides, there are few Tezuka manga characters in this sequence, can you find them all?


do you remember this character on billboard?


Tezuka!!