Command Shift Me

Command-Shift-3If I had a lot more time on my hands, I’d learn video. It seems like a blast. But I’m struggling enough already to keep up with the relatively static brand of design I get paid to do; a self-initiated foray into the world of motion seems expensive and time-consuming.

Still, I had fun messing about in a completely primitive way with video last month. I was invited by Jennifer Daniel, Erin Sparling and Amit Gupta to create a short bumper message for their new site, Command-Shift-3 — which is billed as being “like Hot or Not, but instead of clicking on hot babes, you click on hot Web sites.” It’s a cute idea, and in the early days, at least, Subtraction.com was a leader in the head-to-head competitions.

Short Cut

Luckily Jennifer, Erin and Amit were soliciting very short, simple movies, shot exclusively on webcams, which set the right casual tone for me. I came up with this one-take idea and knocked it out in about thirty minutes. (You can also watch several additional contributions from other Web-famous persons over at CommandShift3.com.) Like the title cards I did in November for Blue Eyes Magazine, I quite enjoy these simple, short assignments; there’s something thrilling and low-stress at once about coming up with creative ways to do a lot with not very much and within a short amount of time. Certainly, it’s a pleasant diversion from the meetings, planning and paperwork of commercial design work. Enjoy.

+
  1. Jeff

    I’ve always believed that video is one of the more challenging mediums, because it combines so many of the other ones; photography, writing, music, then adds motion. Each of these aspects is an art in itself. For example, a still photographer has the complexity of considering composition, focus, depth-of-field, etc. Adding motion, whether it’s from the subject or the camera, is another mind-blowing dimension.

    I’d say the only medium that’s more challenging is games, because you combine all that, and add interactivity.

Thank you! Your remarks have been sent to Khoi.