June 2017

June 30, 2017

These Simulations of Rolling Shutter Perfectly Explain How It Works

If you gave up trying to understand what rolling shutter is and why it makes fast-moving objects look so weird, then today is your lucky day.

It’s always fun to see someone’s confused face when they check out an image they’ve captured that looks melted, bent, or chopped up in midair. “It’s just rolling shutter, guy,” is what I usually say—other times it’s, “Hide the children. It’s the end of the world.” Rolling shutter, which is a method for capturing images, has a real knack for distorting fast-moving objects in pretty hilarious ways, whether it’s a propeller, speeding car, or even a fidget spinner, but understanding why it distorts them is not quite as hilarious. In fact, it can be pretty difficult to grasp for some people—for me—it’s difficult for me (and hopefully for others).

But Destin Sandlin of Smarter Every Day and Henry Reigh of MinutePhysics joined forces to create a simulation in After Effects that is probably the all-time greatest explanation of how rolling shutter works, as well as how it manages to distort your images.

Source: NoFilmSchool

June 30, 2017

Photography & Architecture: Colorful University in Paris

After yesterday’s feature of a basketball court in Paris, now let’s explore via the medium of photography a colourful University also located in Paris. This series has been photographed by Ludwig Favre, a French professional photographer from Paris, France. The whole architecture seems to be pretty simple but it’s a play of colours of each single floor including pink, yellow, blue and purple.

Ludwig Favre is a professional photographer from Paris, France. Check out his Instagram, you will notice that he specialized his photography into cityscapes and landscapes. His work has been published on a variety of platforms and mediums of advertising campaigns to magazines editorials.

Photography & Architecture: Colorful University in Paris

New Music! SXSW Artist Releases – Friday, June 30

Summer is just now getting into full gear here in Austin and we’re already working hard planning SXSW 2018. If you’re interested in being a part of the event, apply to be a Showcasing Artist or enter a PanelPicker session idea.

While we sort through your great ideas and songs, let’s take a little time to recognize all the past showcasing artists that are releasing new albums today. This week, new electronic pop albums arrive via Calvin Harris, Baio, and Washed Out, as well as a more idiosyncratic release from Mark Kozelek & Sean Yeaton called Yellow Kitchen. Beach House also releases B-Sides and Rarities for their fans. See Below for the full list of SXSW Artist Releases.

New for this year, each week we will be picking one of the album releases and making a playlist to complement their new music. Since we know you’ll want a sun-soaked playlist for your weekend BBQs, we’re selecting music inspired by Washed Out’s new album Mister Mellow. Go ahead and get jammin’ because these playlists will only be active for one week before we pick a new artist to focus our ears on. Follow us on Spotify to keep up with our playlists each week.

Release of the Week Playlist

Past Showcasing Artist June 30th Releases

Washed Out – Mister Mellow
Doldrums – Esc
Mark Kozelek & Sean Yeaton – Yellow Kitchen
LANY – s/t
Beach House – B-Sides and Rarities
Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1
Baio – Man Of The World

Washed Out at SXSW 2014 – Photo by Alyssa Gonzales

The post New Music! SXSW Artist Releases – Friday, June 30 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Music

June 30, 2017

The Daily Chord Weekly Recap – Friday, June 30

Each weekday, The Daily Chord offers a concise list of links to stories, posts and features about music and the music business. This week’s essentials included a great mid-year best-of list from NPR, a look at Ed Sheeran’s efforts to stop ticket scalping, and a feature from Pitchfork about how countries fund music. Check out this week’s links below and shoot us your email for our email blast.

Monday, June 26

Pandora CEO Tim Westergren plans to step down
Post from Recode
Glastonbury 2017: ‘The best one yet’, declares organizer Emily Eavis
Post from The Guardian
How countries around the world fund music – and why it matters
Analysis from Pitchfork
Disputes over Prince’s estate throw the future of his vault into question
Story from NY Times
On the charts: Lorde lands first number one album with ‘Melodrama’
Story from Rolling Stone
Songs as skills
Post by Benji Rogers via Medium

Tuesday, June 27

How TV’s best music supervisors picked their Emmy submissions
List from AV Club
Foiled by Facebook: Austin kidnapping suspect caught at Iron Maiden concert
Post from Austin American-Statesman
Music: The good, the bad and the ugly
Post from Discover
Jimmy Iovine shares stories of John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre and why he hid Stevie Nicks in his basement
Post from Howard Stern
Priests: The punk group caught up in Trump politics and Pizzagate
Profile from The Guardian
Why the far right wants to be the new alternative culture
Post from NY Times

Wednesday, June 28

New app Stationhead could be just what the streaming business needs
Post from Billboard
#FreeFader hashtag emerges after publication’s Twitter suspension
Post from Mashable
Apple Music’s first personalized playlist wants you to chill
Post from TechCrunch
NPR Music’s essential songs, albums, performances and videos of 2017 (so far)
List from NPR
With one raw, irresistible song, James Brown found the sound of the racial unrest of 1967
Post by Natalie Weiner via Medium
Geri Allen, pianist who reconciled jazz’s far-flung styles, dies at 60
Obituary from NY Times

Thursday, June 29

MTV News shifts toward video, targets younger audience
Post from Variety
Small-town festival on a Bonnaroo budget: Why Karoondinha failed
Story from Billboard
Radio 1: Why is the station struggling to find new DJs?
Post from BBC News
Sony to start making records again 30 years after abandoning vinyl
Post from The Guardian
Music industry welcomes landmark ruling in Google delisting case
Post from Complete Music Update
In a first, bird uses tools to make sweet music
Post from National Geographic

Friday, June 30

Ed Sheeran ups fight against ticket touts with strict rules for 2018 gigs
Story from BBC News
Official Singles Chart changes rules to help new artists break through
Post from The Independent
Sharon Osbourne and Notorious B.I.G.’s mother hit out at Kylie and Kendall Jenner over new t-shirts
Post from NME
Jay Z has used his latest albums as corporate bargaining chips
Post from The Verge
Compromise proposal to fix streaming royalties, licensing, notification
Guest post from Hypebot
Kelan Phil Cohran, influential Chicago composer/bandleader, dies at 90
Obituary from Chicago Tribune

The post The Daily Chord Weekly Recap – Friday, June 30 appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Music

June 30, 2017

8 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR DATA VISUALIZATION AGENCY

This article originally appeared on Column Five.

Data visualization is an incredibly valuable tool for marketers. It helps you communicate important insights in a visual way, helping you deliver your message more impactfully. But not everyone does data design right—even if they say they do. A good data visualization agency knows data is about more than charts and graphs; it’s about bringing your data to life.

HOW TO FIND A DATA VISUALIZATION AGENCY

To make the hunt a little easier, here are 8 great questions to ask to help narrow down your search for the right data visualization agency.

1) DO THEY DEMONSTRATE THEIR DATA EXPERTISE?

Many agencies can churn out an infographic, but a great data visualization agency knows the fundamentals of data. They don’t just design; they can analyze and dig into the data to uncover interesting insights. They should also demonstrate that knowledge and share their knowledge and expertise freely. You want to know you’re working with true experts.

2) DO THEY TURN DATA INTO STORIES?

Data analysis is only step one of creating a great data visualization. Turning those insights into a solid narrative and using data visualization to support that narrative is what will make your project truly successful. You don’t just want a data visualization agency to plug your data into a design program. You want them to help you create the most impactful narrative possible.

3) DO THEY DESIGN DATA ACCORDING TO BEST PRACTICES?

Now here’s where a lot of agencies fall short. Yes, you can design a chart. Yes, you can add a pretty illustration. But this is not what true data visualization is.

The entire point of the art is to make data as comprehensible as possible, to present it in the most easy-to-digest format. There are subtle but very effective ways to do this. The way you label, order, or use color can help or hurt your data visualization. (You can find out more about best practices in the Data Visualization 101 e-book from our sister company, Visage.) Ask them about their data design philosophy to get a sense of how they approach it.

4) DO THEY WORK IN DIFFERENT MEDIUMS?

There are many ways to present data visualizations, including infographics, interactive experiences, video, and more. The format you choose is informed by your data story, which is why it’s so important to work with someone well-versed in data storytelling. They should be able to design whatever the data requires.

5) HAVE THEY CREATED SIMILAR WORK BEFORE?

If you have a specific idea in mind, you want to work with a data visualization agency that has the skills and experience to execute it for you. (You also want someone who can tell you if your idea doesn’t serve the data well.) Take a look at their portfolio to see if they’ve created similar work or have experience with similar clients or industries.

6) DO THEY HAVE A GOOD RESPONSE WHEN YOU ASK THEM WHAT THEIR FAVORITE TYPE OF CHART IS?

You want to work with people who are passionate about their craft. Asking this question will give you a sense of their knowledge and enthusiasm for data visualization. Trust us, any self-respecting data nerd will have an answer. (And if you want to hear some very strong opinions, you might also ask them which side of the pie chart debate they’re on.)

7) WHAT RECENT PIECE OF WORK ARE THEY PARTICULARLY PROUD OF, AND WHY?

You can comb through their portfolio to get a sense of what they do, but if you aren’t the most data literate person, it’s likely you’ll miss the nuance and craftsmanship that goes into a strong data visualization. Having them explain their thought process behind a design or what they did to help enhance comprehension will give you a sense of their creative process and problem-solving skills.

6) DO THEY HAVE THOROUGH AND THOUGHTFUL PROCESSES?

There are a lot of moving parts in a major data visualization project. Content needs approval, brand guidelines needs to be communicated, data need to be double-checked. If these responsibilities are unclear, if they fall through the cracks, or are ignored completely, it can affect the quality—and credibility—of your data visualization. Make sure you are clear on how they work, and how they expect to work together with you.

7) ARE THEY TRANSPARENT WITH YOU?

You want a creative partner you can rely on to produce good-quality work. If they seem less than confident, if their pricing is murky, or if you get a general bad vibe, it’s best to move on. Again, a lot of agencies claim that they can do any data visualization, but it is a very specific skillset that requires true expertise.

8) DO THEY APPROACH PROJECTS AS COLLABORATIVE?

You don’t want an antagonistic partner, but you don’t want a total yes-man either. A great piece of data visualization happens when the best ideas make it to the front—regardless of ego. If you have a great design suggestion, they should be open to it. If you’re heading in the wrong direction, you want them to tell you so. The goal is the best project possible. Work with a data visualization agency that puts that value above all else.

REMEMBER: YOU WANT A PARTNER

When looking for the right data visualization agency, don’t look for a gun for hire. You want an intelligent, thoughtful, creative partner to help bring your vision to life and steer you in the right direction.

To learn more about the value of data visualization, learn more about why data-driven storytelling helps brands, find out what 9 great sources of data you should be using, and learn about why our brains love data visualization.

Source: Visual News

June 29, 2017

Interactive Priority Tracks for SXSW Conference & PanelPicker Tips

Want to help shape the SXSW 2018 programming? PanelPicker is your opportunity to enter session proposals for the SXSW Conference through the Friday, July 21 deadline.

The SXSW Conference includes eight Interactive-priority tracks presented in a variety of session formats. Each track explores its close relationship with technology and allows attendees to delve into the latest advancements and ideas from the worlds of business, government policy, healthcare, design, and beyond.

2018 Interactive Tracks

Brands & Marketing (March 10-15) – Explore the constantly evolving world and work of agencies and their clients. From applied neuroscience to conversational storytelling to data-driven creativity to reaching emerging economies there’s something for everyone.

Design (March 9-13)– Design mediates our interactions, shapes our experiences, and plays a critical role in problem solving. The Design track examines the field’s evolving responsibilities and disruptive opportunities in our increasingly frenetic world.

Code & Programming (March 10-14) – Representing the traditional heart of Interactive programming, this track covers the process of development in every aspect for engineers, developers, coders, and programmers across all skill levels.

Government (March 9-12) – Explore areas related to government policy on all levels as well as privacy issues on both the personal and corporate level. Specific topics include policy and civic engagement on the local, state, and federal level; the relationship between government and technology; big data tracking; and surveillance concerns.

Health & Wellness (March 10-14)– Examine innovations that build and support the ecosystem of patients, providers, payers, policy makers, designers, entrepreneurs, and investors to improve outcomes in health and healthcare.

Intelligent Future (March 9-15) – Dive into the realm of future possibilities where intelligence is embedded in every aspect of life. The goal of this track is for technology to empower and enable new possibilities like smart transportation and cities, deep machine learning, and intelligent devices.

Style (March 9-11) – Step into this platform for creatives in the fashion and technology community to converge, learn and innovate while exploring topics ranging from the future of retail, sustainable fashion, wearable technology, and design.

Workplace (March 10-13) – Tackle topics from career development, work-life balance, co-working, future of work, diversity, inclusion, HR issues, and employee rights in an ever-changing working environment within this track.

Browse through all 24 tracks of programming at the 2018 SXSW Conference plus our SXSW Eco curated Cities Summit.

PanelPicker Proposal Information

PanelPicker proposals can be entered in variety of session formats including panels, solo presentations, workshops, and more. Visit the SXSW PanelPicker page to learn about the application process, watch our helpful PanelPicker Walkthrough video, and read the FAQ to gain valuable insight into making the most out of your proposal.

Explore 2017 Interactive sessions and take a look at a few examples of 2017 Conference sessions below representing the range of session formats and Interactive-priority tracks.

Remixing Architecture with Hip Hop Culture (Design Track) – Architects and diversity leaders in the design industry discussed how they introduced accessible technologies to inner-city communities, encouraged creativity, and lead underrepresented youth to become design professionals.
Dude, Where’s My Data? Privacy and Consumer Rights (Government Track) – We all love and embrace our digital services. But in an era when usability is everything, why is it that this doesn’t apply when it comes to consumer friendly terms and transparency on data gathering? Finn Lützow-Holm Myrstad, Director of Digital Policy at The Norwegian Consumer Council, shared cutting edge analysis of these challenges and solutions.
The End of Disability? Neurotech’s Future Frontier (Health & Wellness Track) – With nearly 50 million Americans living with a disability, the emerging discipline of neurotechnology is giving disabled Americans a new hope, healing conditions that just a few years ago were considered incurable. From a leading science correspondent to a neurosurgeon whose implant enabled a quadriplegic to move his hands again, the panelists discussed the progression and future of this next great frontier.
The Future of Work: How to Innovate with Inclusion (Workplace Track) – Pinterest’s head of diversity Candice Morgan talked about her journey to Silicon Valley and the lessons she’s learned while building a diversity and inclusion program from the ground up. Morgan shared insights on recruiting underrepresented talent in a competitive market, creating a sense of belonging on teams, and influencing decision-making.

Help shape the 2018 SXSW Conference programming – Propose session ideas through PanelPicker® from Monday, June 26 through Friday, July 21.

Enter Your Idea Now

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 1 when registration and housing opens for the 2018 SXSW season. Starting on August 7, the SXSW Community will have the opportunity to browse PanelPicker proposals, leave comments, and vote on what programming should be included in the March event.

2017 Conference panel, AI: Actually Still Terrible, with Kate Darling, Nilesh Ashra (Intelligent Future Track) – Photo by Kurt Lunsford

The post Interactive Priority Tracks for SXSW Conference & PanelPicker Tips appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Interactive

June 29, 2017

SXSW Film Festival Favorite The Big Sick In Theaters Now

“You know, when I heard the story of their romance and their relationship, I just felt this would make an incredible movie,” said Producer Judd Apatow.

Kumail Nanjiani and Apatow met at SXSW in 2012 and that is where the seeds for The Big Sick began to grow. The last week of 2016, Apatow posted about the experience on his Instagram page, “The week Girls premiered five years ago. I did Pete Holmes‘ podcast with Chris Gethard and Kumail. I didn’t know these three men. In 2016, I got to work with Pete on Crashing for HBO, Chris’ one man show Career Suicide also for HBO and Kumail’s movie The Big Sick. You will see all of those projects in 2017. I am glad Pete’s manager Dave Rath strong armed me into doing the You Made It Weird podcast. It was meant to be. Or I am lazy about meeting people to work with.”

The Big Sick is based on the real-life courtship between Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon (script co-writers), and tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail, who connects with grad student Emily after one of his standup sets.

The film is directed by Michael Showalter, who co-wrote and directed the SXSW 2015 Audience Award-winning film Hello, My Name Is Doris. Apatow and Barry Mendel serve as producers, both of whom have had several projects screen at the SXSW Film Festival including Knocked Up (2007) Girls (2012), God Help the Girl (2014), Trainwreck (2015), and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday (2016). Apatow also had a cameo in James Franco’s The Disaster Artist (2017). Additionally, two features Apatow had at the festival this year, May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers and The Big Sick won Audience Award accolades.

Be sure to check out our Q&A with Apatow, Mendel, Gordon and Nanjiani below, moderated by SXSW Director of Film Janet Pierson. Comedian Hannibal Buress also makes a surprise appearance!

Explore More Content From SXSW 2017

Get inspired by a multitude of diverse visionaries at SXSW – browse more 2017 Keynotes, Featured Sessions, Red Carpets, and Q&A’s on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, recaps, late-breaking announcements, and updates.

The post SXSW Film Festival Favorite The Big Sick In Theaters Now appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

June 29, 2017

Qualcomm’s VR headset to act as a reference for HTC and Lenovo’s Daydreams

If this year’s Lenovo and HTC Vive stand-alone Daydream headsets look a little similar and work much the same, it is because they are both being built on the same reference design: Qualcomm’s.

The post Qualcomm’s VR headset to act as a reference for HTC and Lenovo’s Daydreams appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

June 29, 2017

Palmer Luckey pledges $2,000 a month toward the development of ReVive

Oculus VR co-founder Palmer Luckey has reportedly pledged $2,000 per month to a Patreon campaign funding a workaround that allows Rift exclusives to be playable on the HTC Vive headset.

The post Palmer Luckey pledges $2,000 a month toward the development of ReVive appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

June 29, 2017

Insane Artworks by Luke Dixon

Time for some dope illustrations! Get your coffee and start your daily inspiration rituals looking at these insane artworks by UK based artist Luke Dixon. These are totally awesome, very detailed artworks by Luke. He’s got a great attention to details, what makes his pieces quite unique!

For more of it, you may visit his shop and even buy some prints! I hope you enjoy these as much as we did! Cheers. 😉