Brand Nu’s Top 10 Design Moments of 2007

Jan 3, 2008 – – by Brand Nu

18 Comments

snap
1

January 4, 2008
is it absolutely appropriate for an artist to include two of his own works in a top 10 list written for another source?

given that he already had an interview in format magazine, it just seems like pompous arrogance to me.
Someone
2

January 4, 2008
You have two of our own projects in there? Even above the iPhone? And some friends… What a limited view. Come on…
si hill
3

January 7, 2008
hmmmm something stinks in here…

…way to go and blow your own trumpet there, seriously, lost a lot of respect for this site now and i have to agree with ’someone’….you rate yourself above the iPhone? your work, although quite nice….that’s all it is, the iPhone is a groundbreaking piece of design that’s revolutionized the market.

someone needs to wake up.
Brand Nu
4

January 8, 2008
As this seems as a quite a controversial post, I would like to clarify a few points for some people.

I was asked to write list of ‘my’ Top Design moments of 2007. It wasn’t to be general ‘design world’ opinion or a poll. This list may seem slightly or much narrow minded to some but foremostly it expresses my thoughts. You, as the reader can disagree. I firmly stand behind the choices and their order.

Pompous arrogance? Sorry, but I am only proud of fruit of my labour.
mark
5

January 8, 2008
shameless self publicity.
snap
6

January 8, 2008
That may very well be the case, and I respect you heavily for responding, but if that was the angle you were writing from, then it should have been reflected in the title. “Top 10 Design Moments of 2007″ doesn’t really imply YOUR personal top 10 moments. It implies, to me, the top 10 moments in design written by someone who, presumably, has their ear to the ground in the design world.

Now, if it was entitled “Brand Nu’s Top 10 Design Moments of 2007″ I would have come into the article expecting less objectivity and a more personal focus on achievement. But to write a top 10 list for a magazine that encompasses the entire design world, all the while tossing in phrases like “Yup, I am so proud of my little achievement that I had to put it in my top three moments of 2007.” is extremely unprofessional and really just self-promotion.
amy laws
7

January 8, 2008
here, here,

if you hadn’t have written that ’snap’ i would have, although credit must be given for the other top moments that brand nu gave (the milk game in particular!) you can’t just include your own pieces in there if the title of the post is “Top 10 Design Moments of 2007″ unless you’re jonathan ive or someone with equal amount of walk on water ability.

I realise that in the design world you have to be a little arrogant but to this extent? it makes me feel a little queezy if i’m honest
Bob Tonkins
8

January 9, 2008
To be honest this is just self praise at it’s worst. You mention copying styles as well and again to be quite honest your work is just a major rip of V2 Flatliners early work, and yes they were doing this way before you (and with more substance too).

Also can you draw your own vectors or do you just rely on downloading stock?
Format Mag
9

January 9, 2008
Everyone’s comments are appreciated and understandable.

To be fair to Brand Nu, Radim was giving his personal opinion and had no involvement in the choosing of the title. The title is definitely misleading and will be changed to reflect the nature of the list.

Bear in mind, however, that all of this year’s lists are opinion based, regardless of if they appear objective or subjective. Some authors chose to pick their personal favorites, while others decided to work with a larger scope.

Thank you again for expressing your opinions. Please continue to do so. Format’s community is what makes it such a great place. If you have other nominations for the top design moments of 2007, we would be happy to see them here.
si hill
10

January 9, 2008
Ok well after that invite I thought I’d do my own list, this is a very general design list and isn’t as graphically leant as Brand Nu’s.

I’ve never actually done this before and it is surprisingly difficult to pick and choose but anyway….these are the designs that rocked my ’07.

1/ PRODUCT – Apple iPhone
http://www.apple.com/iphone/

What’s there to say that hasn’t already been written about this product? A truly iconic piece of design (again) from Apple, it does make you wonder when/if the wheels will ever fall of this company, just when you thought they might slip at such a crucial time for them, they announce the iPhone. Elegant, simple, user friendly, timeless.

2/ PRODUCT - Nintendo Wii
http://wii.nintendo.com/

Ok so for years the gaming community has been trying to figure out how to cross the boundary. The boundary being, they’ve only a tiny market, mainly being the young single male. In 2007 Nintendo blew that wide open and fought off mighty competition from the PS3 and Xbox 360…. They released the Wii to the world and with it’s user interface centred design ruled the gaming world. Even my mum who’s 53 and about as computer literate as a door knob asked for one this Christmas. Genius.

3/ AD-TV - Skoda Fabia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwBE1l6QexU

My favourite ad of the year, the soundtrack is a master stroke (Julie Andrews singing My Favourite Things) a car made of cake, the strap line? Skoda Fabia - Full of lovely stuff. I just love the way car makers are having to change their ball game when it comes to advertising these days due to the whole, killing our earth thing (ssssh) which is in turn allowing for more creative freedom and more risk.

4/ ARCHITECTURE - Re-opening of St Pancras Station, London
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/image_galleries/stpancras_dev_gallery.shtml?9

This station was always something special but it’s been given a massive makeover and was unveiled in 2007 having been nearly demolished in the 1960’s, it’s amazing and truly breathtaking inside with a roof that seems to go on forever.

5/ VIDEO-MUSIC - D.A.N.C.E. - Justice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo_QVq2lGMs

Jesus…no pun intended….Where to start about Justice, having murdered stereos everywhere all summer long with their debut Cross this year. They go and release a video so fat with creativity it had to put extra holes in its belt and walk with a waddle.
6/ ART/GRAPHIC - Shepherd Fairey
http://obeygiant.com/

Shepherd Fairey getting more recognition around the world. Which can only be a good thing, the guy’s a true legend and workaholic, maybe it’s something to do with the fact he’s been blind in both eyes and he’s suffering from life threatening diabetes. I’m always dumb founded when I find one of his more layered pieces and I try to work out how long it must take him to create it.

7/ AD-TV - Cadburys gorilla advert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKdQC-hbY7k

A guy in a monkey suit, playing the drum intro to a Phil Collins track… I’d loved to have been in the board room when they pitched this. Such a risk, well taken. Rising obesity cases throughout the UK are making junk food advertisers think twice about using images of people actually eating their products and are exploring other avenues such as….people dressed as monkeys….playing the drums….to phil Collins…which is great!

8/ FASHION - TRUSSARDI’s Conveyor Belt Showcase Preview
http://www.thecoolhunter.net/fashion/TRUSSARDIs-Conveyor-Belt-Showcase-Preview/

With the amount of time we’ve all spent waiting for our luggage at a conveyor belt I’m surprised it’s taken until 2007 for this idea to come to fruition. An amazing way to showcase a new line.

9/ AD-TV - Coca Cola the Happiness Factory Ad
http://www.coca-cola.com/HF/index.jsp

The sort of advert that has adults secretly wishing that this kind of thing happened when they buy a coke and kids thinking that this does actually happen when their dad buys them their coke. The original advert has now been made into a lord of the rings-esque adventure featuring all of the previous characters and is, of course, mental.

10/ PRODUCT - USB battery
http://www.usbcell.com/

In a world where your neighbours dog is reading up about it’s own carbon footprint I thought I’d put an eco design in here for good measure. Charge your batteries via USB, no cables just a battery, OK granted they haven’t as large a capacity as a normal rechargeable but I’d rather these than carry a charger and of course saving the planet a little as well…
Anon'
11

January 10, 2008
Now above is a real list! As for the Format Mag post, bit of a cop out but well done for defending you contributor.

Next time however get a real artist who isn’t self obsesed and can perform “new” styles that aren’t just cut n paste and multiply.
jchicalata
12

January 10, 2008
no doubt that art is one of the most subjective things and everyone will have their own opinion and a right to it… but caaahman having TWO of your own works in a top 10 list? hmmmmmmm…. i smell wak.

big up si. hill. Wii had to be in there somewhere. and i dont even play videogames.
jchicalata
13

January 10, 2008
furthermore, this guy was selected on his cred. so i still got MAD LOVE for FORMAT.
formatmag
14

January 10, 2008
Thanks a lot Si, that’s a great list.

Check out Si’s work @ http://sihilldesign.com
twright
15

January 11, 2008
I think Brand Nu’s list was an insightful and interesting list to read. The guy was asked to share HIS design moments. He did just this, as far as I can tell.

The other list above (in the comments) is also great. Loving both.
Jordan Chalifoux
16

January 12, 2008
This is the first time in history that I agree with Julia - trust me, book mark this as it is unlikely to happen twice.
bawn
17

November 16, 2008
just reading this for the first time. what a joke. “I’m so great and I work so hard, here are 2 shining moments of design from 2007 done by me because I am fantastic and brilliant.”

Corny and absurd. If you want to put a project of yours in the top 3, at least put it at #3 and have a little humility.
Jon
18

June 3, 2009
Confusion over what exactly this list is maybe? Bearing in mind a designer near or at the top of their game should be really comfortable with their style and be feeling every piece they do then why shouldn’t a few of their OWN works make their OWN top 10 moments.

He wasn’t asked for a list of things he thinks changed or moved or impacted the design world but rather a list of stuff he enjoyed or liked or that developed him as an artist etc etc… personal meaning!

I think his list has been taken far out of the context it was originally meant

Brand Nu’s Top 10 Design Moments of 2007

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