PSFK Author:
Nicko Margolies

A user interface is the crucial middle-man between the fluidity of use and the complex technology behind it. Often a crummy interface can cripple an otherwise fine device while an innovative approach can build a success story. Smashing Magazine lists 10 designs that range from production-ready simplicity to far-fetched prototypes. The biggest stand-out is Futuristic Glass, whcih aims to migrate the wealth of information on the web into real life through a looking glass (pictured). Other designs highlight the recent trend to expand the usable space in either larger format displays of data or enable a better tactile interaction with the user. Regardless of the probability of the these designs making it from the drawing board to a store shelf, it makes for an interesting read.

Check out the complete list here.

[via The Guardian]

Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions has come up with a series of videos that highlight the changing relationship between marketers and consumers. While it’s staged as a humorous love tryst, it does raise some valid and entertaining points on the ‘death of advertising.’ This advertising campaign begs companies to love the consumer and try their best to listen to them. Not only is it bizarre that the campaign is targeting other advertisers (rather than consumers) but it is also in the format of a full fledged movie, with a trailer and multiple lengthy episodes. However, the message of “The Couple” is clear that this long standing relationship needs an overhaul to “Bring Back the Love.” Who knows if this give-and-take will work in such a one sided environment, but kudos to Microsoft for starting the dialogue.

Google continues to challenge the old $1 billion suit with Viacom amongst privacy concerns and earlier attempts to allow advertising. Now, in another attempt to quell lawsuits and drive revenue, Google has introduced a system for copyright holders to claim and takeover popular videos featuring their content. In addition to taking the videos out of the hands of private users, the companies are allowed to embed advertising within the content.

The New York Times writes:

“We don’t want to condone people taking our intellectual property and using it without our permission,” said Curt Marvis, the president of digital media at Lionsgate Entertainment, which owns films like “Dirty Dancing” and the “Saw” series of horror movies. “But we also don’t like the idea of keeping fans of our products from being able to engage with our content” he said. “For the most part, people who are uploading videos are fans of our movies. They’re not trying to be evil pirates, and they’re not trying to get revenue from it.”

…Google has pushed the video site to innovate in the ad arena. [Google CEO Eric E.] Schmidt said last month: “I personally do not believe that the perfect ad product for YouTube has been invented yet.”

[via The New York Times]

The popular UK milk drink FRijj has recently launched an ad campaign pairing their sponsorship of a film festival with user created content. The B-Movie themed microsite calls on viewers to film their own masterpiece utilizing the brand. While the festival includes classics like Jaws and Scarface, the user videos are encouraged to pursue a lower standard of film with the clips on the site parodying not-so-classic movies like The Blob. From The Digital Mainstream:

By encouraging users to participate in a movie-making competition based around the drink, Frijj have created a genuine brand experience - something that is rare for an FMCG - that both involves the target audience and retains some inherent value. Furthermore, by launching a film festival, based around series of free screenings of classic movies in selected cinemas across the UK, to run in tandem with the competition, Frijj are providing a tangible reward for engaging with their product.

[via The Digital Mainstream]

In case you weren’t getting enough pressure about looking better, now Nintendo has made a lovable piece of software to give you pointers on improving your face. In a partnership with Shiseido, a massive Japanese cosmetics company, Nintendo hopes this little DS title will give people an incentive to become uniformly attractive. The full title of this portable “game” is Shiseido Beauty Solution Supervised Exploration Center Project Beauty and will likely stay within the insular Japanese market.

[via DVICE]

You may remember the first time you saw Hampster Dance or Peanut Butter Jelly Time, but this site visually charts over a hundred internet memes into a timeline, list, flipbook or map. Each meme is given a short description and a link to the original site if it’s still around. It is a collaborative effort run through Dipity.

Johnny Cupcakes just opened a new location in Los Angeles after amassing a line of people who waited up to four days for the grand opening. The store doesn’t actually sell any cupcakes but rather focuses on a quirky retail experience to guide you through the process of getting your paws on their coveted clothing. SlamXHype writes:

The attention to detail that went into every small aspect of the shop is unbelievable… everything from a fake stove that lights up underneath the counter where you pay for your shirts to the full wall of ovens that open and close randomly with steam coming out.

[via SlamXHype]

Last night a new shop opened on Little Portland Street in London that is devoted entirely to Vitamin Water. The brightly colored drinks adorn the walls while a whiteboard offers the chance for visitors to review the samples they’ve received. The opening night featured the renounced beatboxer, Beardyman. Exposure discusses the process behind the store design:

As well as featuring product the store also includes a ‘thoughts wall’ which allows visitors to record their initial thoughts after trying the new product.The store accommodates brand inductions, training, interviews and meetings, as well as the customer brand experience. The store’s location is great in creating a hub for media and sampling activity all over London.

[via Exposure]

Poke New York recently launched a new project for the TNT show, Saving Grace. The site (Embrace Your Grace!) has a spin on the usual TV show website layout and enables visitors to actively discuss parallels between their own lives and the show:

Fans are invited to share the moments from their own lives that they feel connect them to Grace Hanadarko, the shows fiery main character. We’ve also introduced the theme of competitive commenting, an idea that’s been buzzing around the POKE office ever since we started this project. In addition to the show’s writers, EmbraceYourGrace.com employs a group of bloggers to provide a point/counter-point discussion on each post, encouraging fans to become involoved. Not only can fans share their inner Grace moments, they can also comment and cast their vote in agreement with others’ statements as well.

[via POKE]