Needless to say, I finally got around to getting Limbo, and first independent game from Playdead Studios from Copenhagen.  Release in 2011, this game is a well polished side-scrolling platform game that is more about situational puzzle-solving. But what Limbo does differently from all of the other is keep it simple. So simple that there is no tutorial.  There are no instructions.  You are just a small boy that awakens in the forest and you are trying to find your way out.  There is a story, but it slowly evolves.

But by keeping the mechanics simple, it allows the developers to amaze you with the sounds of the game, the visual aura and beautifully haunting surroundings.  The entire game has a monochromatic look to it with a fuzzy, murky feeling to it that just is astounding and makes you want to just keep continuing in the game.

Much of the puzzles are trial and error, but the game is very forgiving and you return just at the point of the next obstacle to try again. Mind you that the “deaths” of trial and error are not childish, but rather violent, but done in a way that isn’t necessarily for mature audiences…. but this is no Mario-Kart, that is for sure.

The game itself lasts about 5-6 continuous hours, which by most accounts would be considered a short game and would turn away many gamers.  However its list price of $9.99 – $14.99 makes a priced just right and I would rather play a short game of such tremendous value and production value, than play through a game that is much longer but just mediocre or the same as so many other games out there.

Whether you play the game on a Macintosh, PC, Xbox, or Playstation, go and download this game.  Now.  Without question.  There is a reason that this game won over 90 gaming awards last year.  It is that good.

View the Trailer

Wanting a fresh, playful approach, with a hint of quirkiness, the concept was to create a logotype for Tyler that conveyed what he does and a bit of the flavor of his show – one that mixes situational humor, audience participation, and great juggling skills, all while wearing a sharp, crisp suit.

The logo below was the by-product of the design process.

The next task was to have a full upgrade from Tyler’s old site, which lacked the same quality and showmanship that one would expect from someone in the entertainment industry.

Below is a sample of the old, and a sample of the new.

Out with the old…

In with the NEW!

To see the new site in all of its glory, visit www.tylerlinkin.com

While Ron Paul has been in the political arena for years now and has run for the Presidential Office several times now, I have never really given him much thought. Until a friend asked me to simply view a video of his approach and thoughts on the affairs of the military, the role of government, and other pressing matters our nation faces.  What surprised me the most was that Dr. Paul simply “gets it”.  His thoughts and opinions are just common sense.  So many of the problems facing our nation in 2012 he warned up about as long ago as 1988. Much of the change we as a country would need to embrace in order to turn around out enormous national debt, foreign policy and domestic economy are ideas that he presents and would initiate if he was president.

However, the fact remains that he is not a polished politician.  He doesn’t have the grace and demeanor that the rest of the candidates in this election have.  I would call him the practical, common man’s political representative.  And that may be his downfall with regards to seeing enough people follow him and put him in the White House.

But that being said, after watching just a few of his videos, you may find yourself rooting for this underdog in the upcoming election. Who knows… maybe you will point others to view these videos.

Here are just some that highlights:

Unmatched Intellect

On January 30th, 2008, Ron Paul debated Mitt Romney, John McCain and Mike Huckabee at the Reagan Library. In the debate, he overwhelmingly demonstrated himself and his intellect as the right choice for the office of President of the United States. He was right then and he’s still right now.

30% of Those that View This Change their Vote

A fantastic look at the political views of this man and his uncanny views on government and the role it should really take…

Ron Paul’s Famous “What If” Speech

A very profound viewpoint…

Ron Paul’s Imagine Video

Not only another great speech by Ron Paul and very thought provoking, but this version is a beautifully executed kinetic typography video that really helps convey his message. Enjoy!….

Today’s showcasing is something rather unique in my book.  How do you envision a new, creative way of inviting people to your upcoming wedding.  Usually wedding invites are elegant forms of paper, perhaps embossings, and are fairly minimalistic in their design approach.  You say the date, the time, the location and the RSVP info.

What if you wanted to give full details about the upcoming event, including the dinner menu? What if you wanted to include some bio information on the background of the so-to-be married couple regarding how they met and eventually decided to tie the knot?  What if you are a pair of goof-balls with a great sense of humor and want to do something very untraditional?

Well that is exactly what couple Steve and Jacqs decided to do when they partnered with web designer Stephen Oldham to come up with a fun, and quirky website to promote their wedding.

With a distinct eye for vintage typography and a homage to copy layout of the late 1800′s and some fun jQuery ScrollTo functionality for the website navigation, the couple and Stephen created a fantastically whimsical online communication.  From their back-story, to the directions, the wit and humor and inside jokes (only for family and dear friends to get I assume) the site is as fun to read and explore (be sure to roll over the pair of silhouette heads), the site is such a refreshing way of getting the info out there.  Obviously not for the stranger (They don’t even list their last names anywhere), this site was a fun project for those closest to the couple and who already know them, yet they take an approach that assumes complete strangers like myself (and very soon YOU) will peruse their site and be left wanting to know more about this couple, if not want to crash their wedding, which would, I’m sure, have been just as fun and inventive.

Hats off guys!  I know by now the date has come and gone and I wish you both very many happy years ahead!  Let’s hope they decided to do a website devoted to a baby announcement in the near future!….

Visit the website here:

www.steveandjacqs.com

So take a deep drink from your mug, sit back and be prepared to ponder and enjoy!

I totally take back all of those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger

Was learning cursive really necessary?

Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died. 

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

“Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this… ever.

I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay. 

I would rather try to carry 10 overloaded plastic bags in each hand than take two trips to bring the groceries in.

How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said? 

Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone and pinning the Tail on The Donkey. But I bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time… every time!

The best part?  The deck only costs $6.95, so go and order yours today.  I may have to buy two decks; one to play with and one to gaze at in its pristine condition.  Wow!

Some church’s display such profound ways of communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ…. in a way that is creative, that is artistic, that is relevant to today’s culture.  Such is this video by The Village Church out of Texas.

Not only is the cinematography simply amazing and utterly beautiful, but the rap-style talking and the music is profound, catchy, and memorable.

Even if you are not a believer, if you have the slightest bit of creativity or artistic side to you, please watch this.  Amazing!…..

Advent: God With Us from The Village Church on Vimeo.

The most troubling thing is, I have tried but can’t track down the talent behind this awesome painting.  If anyone stumbles across this, contact me and I will give them credit where credit is most certainly due.

I love the thought of a shark lurking in the murky depths of the ocean.  But to take that concept and render it as a coalition of murky ink and fluid watercolor to depict this very disturbing image of the predator and the hunted was sheer brilliance.  My creative hats off to whomever you are out there. Keep up the great work!

I am talking about the new, up-and-coming illustrator out of Berlin, Germany: 21 year-old Niklas Coskan.  Also know as the Dee Dee Kid, this youngster is proving himself a force to be reckoned with.

From his fabulous use of thick-and-thin ink lines, great vintage low-saturated color palette, and interesting compositions that have their own innate movement and visual direction, Niklas’s style is anything but mundane and ordinary.  This illustrations have a natural look that lends itself well to letterpress printing, with its gritty grain and imperfections, and have a simple enough color palette that they could easily be reproduced in that manner or large on shirts.

His twisted, yet charming subjects have a bit of that “rat fink” style that was the signature of illustrator Ed Roth, yet Niklas has made it his own, rather than a deliberate copy.

Niklas shows that kind of raw talent at a young age where you know that given time to more completely hone his craft, he will be a dominating illustrating force in the design world in the coming decades.

Check out his full portfolio…