We love films at Bluegg. Most Monday mornings consist of film chatter over coffee, discussing the latest cinema release (or the latest low budget B-movie my wife Kelly has bought – she’s mad about them). We often chat, review and generally pick apart the bits of films we love, and the bits we don’t. As a creative bunch, one part of a film that we love to discuss and analyse is the title sequence. Some title sequences are so beautifully produced they can actually outshine the film that follows them. It’s great to look back at titles and find tiny details you missed the first time around, it’s also great to read about the stories and methods behind them. That’s why we love Art of the Title.

Art of the Title is a website that showcases title sequences with heavily researched posts and interviews, often going deep behind the scenes of their production. We’ve been big fans for a while, but recently they launched a brand new site which has put them on a whole new level on our ‘like list’. The new design is beautiful. Simple, uncomplicated layout, great typography and an expertly crafted mobile experience all add up to a site that we keep going back to. But that’s just part of it.

We’re big believers that a piece of design, communication or reference is only as good as its content. And this site is ALL about its content. The depth of knowledge and research is pretty phenomenal. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read, and re-read their entry for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo sequence, which is outstanding in its own right.

One part of the new site we especially love is the layout of the individual articles. Using a flexible grid, the designers have used images and video in a number of different layouts, placements and sizes to give a really interesting and absorbing reading experience.

The grid allows some really interesting compositions and layout like this

If there was thing that we would change it would have been the logo. It’s not our favourite part, but that’s just a small quibble on an otherwise awesome site. We look forward to losing many more hours reading the articles and oohing and ahhing at the visuals.

Check out the site at www.artofthetitle.com and let us know what you think in the comments or on Twitter.

We all like to reminisce and indulge in some nostalgia from time to time. I’m sure we’ve all had conversations along the lines of ‘they don’t make kids programmes like they used to’ – remember Thundercats, Trap Door and Captain Planet! And my favourite chat about penny mixes and what are now known as ‘retro sweets’.

Well this week I was reminded of another blast from the past and it is just too awesome not to share. Pica Pic is a website that allows you to play old hand-held electronic games online. Yep, you read that right and don’t look at the site unless you have time to spare because it is addictive!

These hand-held games were around long before online game play, motion sensor controls and Guitar Hero! They are pretty simple compared to today’s standards but, for me, that is the appeal. They also have brilliant names like Fishing Boy, Octopus, Plane and Tank and my personal fave Thief in Garden!

The classic design of some of these games stands up on it’s own as being truly retro which is where their charm is, but I really like the way that Pica Pic have presented them, on a simple, white background. It really makes you focus on the game itself, with the minimum of distraction.

If you visit www.pica-pic.com you can see all the hand-held games at the bottom, simply click on one and play it online there and then. Brilliant idea and a lovely trip down memory lane. What was your favourite childhood retro game? Let us know in the comments section below!

It’s not often that the whole studio is wowed by the same thing, as we all have different tastes and likes. Such an event occurred this week though when we stumbled upon the incredible work of Bianca Chang.

Bianca is a paper artist based in Sydney, Australia and her work is indeed nothing short of a work of art! In her own words, Bianca says she is ‘inspired by the subtlety of tone on tone signage and the shadow-play of 3 dimensional letterforms’. Unbelievably, Bianca creates this effect with just paper, a pencil, a scalpel and sheer patience. As you can see from the images here and on her website, that time and skill really pays off.

Published as feature opener in May 2011 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Each piece is created by hand, ‘plotting and cutting multiple sheets of 80gsm 100% post consumer waste recycled paper’.

Having gawped at Bianca’s work this week we can’t help but think what our own Bluegg logo would look like in this form.

Here’s a stop-motion video of Bianca building some of her incredible pieces:

Find out more about Bianca and her work on her website.

Used with permission © Bianca Chang

As a creative bunch we often find ourselves ooh-ing and aah-ing over all sorts of design work, packaging, branding and websites and we’re not afraid to share the good work of others! In fact, our inspiration comes in so many forms that we’ve decided to start a regular blog post (un)imaginately titled, Stuff We Like.

Kickstarting the series we are really pleased to feature the work of Cardiff based designer and illustrator, Matt Needle.

Matt’s freelance studio, Needle Design was founded in 2008 and he has an impressive client list including Amnesty International, Hugo Boss and WIRED UK.

We’re big fans of Matt’s work, especially his lovely film posters (which you can buy in his print store). He clearly has a talent for reimagining posters for some classic films and his style is well liked here in the Bluegg studio. We may have to put an order in fairly soon!

Find out more about Matt on his site and be sure to pop along to his shop… and don’t forget your wallet!

Used with permission © Matt Needle