The Evolution of the Tablet

We’ve waited for months with bated breath for the long anticipated announcement of Apple’s tablet. In honor of this historic day, we take a look back at the evolution of this little hand held miracle.

1440 BC
The Ten Commandments according to the Hebrew Bible, are spoken by God to the people of Israel from the mountain referred to as “Mount Sinai” then later given to Moses in the form of two stone tablets.

1952
The National Secretaries Association creates a special “Secretary’s Day” to recognize hard working office secretaries and their stacks of yellow executive note tablets.

1959
The Ohio Art Company sees for the first time drawings of Arthur Granjean’s “L’Ecran Magique” or “the magic screen” and later produces the Etch-a-Sketch drawing tablet in time for the 1960 holiday season.

1984 The KoalaPad, the first graphic tablet for home computers, is invented and recommended for use on 8-bit home computers including Atari, Commodore 64 and Apple II.

2010 The iPad according to Apple Inc, as introduced by Steve Jobs via worldwide streaming video from the city known as Frisco, promises a magical, digital revolution in the form of a 9.7 inch tablet.

A faux pas for Oprah!

Just where were the scruples in 1989? Considering Photoshop 1.0 wasn’t even released until 1990, the retouching expert behind this masterpiece was likely on a Quantel Paintbox with a highly paid art director breathing over his shoulder. That art director would have had the cover approved by his Creative Director, who in turn sought approval from the cover editor who again needed the green light from the Editor in Chief. Count in Oprah and her publicist, and there were at least 7 people that thought stripping the head of $250 million megastar Oprah onto America’s red headed bombshell Ann Margeret was a “good” idea.

According to Time Magazine the manipulation was immediately detected by Ann-Margaret’s fashion designer Bob Mackie, who created the gown. What’s even more ironic is I remember this cover and thinking Oprah literally had a big head but, darn it, I wanted those legs and that dress!

Donuts Dunk Warner, Fox and Universal?

Dunkin’ Donuts sweetened their advertising impressions in November 2009 enough to crumble three of the largest entertainment studios in Hollywood. What is an image impression you ask? Any picture on a website or blog can be tracked for the number of times it is viewed. According to the latest report from Nielsen Online – via MarketingCharts.com – Sony Pictures had over double the image impressions over the nearest competition, Walt Disney Pictures.

Although Marketing Charts.com doesn’t offer any specific evidence, it appears that Michael Jackson’s This Is It could be the primary reason for Sony’s domination. What’s harder to explain is how chocolate glazed donuts out-fox Fantastic Mr. Fox, how rainbow sprinkles rained over Rhianna and how Warner Bros., the largest DVD distribution studio, was just plain slam dunked. It looks like increasing online viewer interaction means aiming straight for the stomach.

100’s of Classic Movies right in your Pocket

Turner Classic Movies has taken the lead in bringing home entertainment literally into your pocket. With TCM’s recently announced iPhone app, how long before the big guns like Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros., Universal, Sony and Paramount follow behind. The $2.99, TCM app, offers movie clips and trailers, photos and access to three months of TCM schedule.

On February 1, TCM begins its annual “31 days of Oscar” celebration. When a film is clicked, consumers will be able to read a full synopsis of the film, cast information, trivia and see any essays or other relevant information related to the film. Other Value Added Material (VAM) include film clips, trailers, photos, press kits, posters and lobby cards. The latest entries from TCM’s movie blog will even be streaming.

While the app is only designed for the iPhone right now, TCM plans to release a version for the Android and BlackBerry platforms next month.

As the home entertainment industry redefines itself amongst the downfall of DVD and the slow rise of Blu-ray, motion picture studios are redefining themselves as well. These behemoth corporations are realizing that in order to think big, they need to think small, literally. They have already been covering every marketing angle from partnering with Video On Demand providers such as Vudu and X-Box live, to cable subscriptions and now these iphone apps further capitalize on their rich catalog of film classics, it’s now become clear that the power of consumers really is in their hands.

How will this change the future of Entertainment Design? There’s no question that mobile media has become a key component to every consumer product marketing plan. Connecting to consumers is the number one mission and what better way than in the palm of their hands. But, with so many competing delivery formats, will consumers stop appreciating the films for their artistic nature and see them only as a passing time commodity?

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The Typologist is In

If you’ve taken Strengthfinder, Myers Briggs and Enneagram tests, the time has come to REALLY define your personality type...literally. From the brilliant minds at Pentagram comes an investigation into the inner workings of the mind of a graphic designer and our outward typographic expression.

Tell us... What type are you?
(Password is Character)

Top 10 Flight Tips for a Portfolio that Soars! #05

05: CHART A COURSE

Creating order in your portfolio says as much about your communication skills as each individual concept does. By weaving your distinct design sensibilities into the order of your portfolio, you will effectively propel the viewer through your body of work. Begin the tour with the project you are most proud of. Next, guide your viewer to unexpected and innovative solutions followed by a series of pieces that consistency deliver your unique perceptions. Finally, end their journey with a visually memorable destination. Your quest will be left with an experience they will want to engage with again and again!