The Uber Game

With all the bad press that Uber’s been getting in recent months, we’re constantly reminded of the challenges that their drivers face. But sometimes it’s quite difficult to put it all into perspective. The Financial Times have sought to remedy this by designing “The Uber Game” which simulates what it’s like to be a part of ‘the gig economy’. The object is to make enough money over the course of the week to pay your mortgage. From drunk passengers puking in the back of your car, to chips in your windscreen, there are plenty of obstacles to overcome. We had a go and apparently performed better than 84% of players, while still being $400 off the mortgage payment target at the end of the week. One thing’s for sure, we’ll be tipping the driver the next time we jump in an Uber!

Turning the Old into the New

‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’: a phrase which Omar Aquil clearly relates to. His most recent project, MIMIC, includes six 3D recreations of Pablo Picasso paintings. When looking at Aquil’s work, it looks as if you could reach out and touch the objects, with each image generated by Cinema 4D-Vray, Photoshop, and Illustrator software. We absolutely love the interaction of geometric shapes, use of light, and choice of material in the recreations. Next time we check back on Aquil, we hope to see six more.

From the Stage to the Publishing House

It’s not often you hear of a rock band frontman foraying into the realm of children’s books, but Orlando Weeks, formerly of Maccabees, has shown there’s a first time for everything. The Gritterman, the story of an elderly working-class man who sells ice-cream in the summer, and grits the roads in the winter is Weeks’ new creative outlet, following the disbanding of Macabees. Amazingly, he’s responsible for the illustration and writing the story, not to mention the piano soundtrack which is written, played and sung by the man himself…..And all I can do is play ‘Three Blind Mice’ on a keyboard.

VR, AR, and R&A..Oh my!

No, this blurb isn’t about The Wizard of Oz; it is, though, about a main theme in the film: a transitional space between our standard world and a new reality. Don’t know what we’re talking about? Take a look at Stathis Stylidis’ plans for the Evripides Hotel in Athens. These plans include revamping the hotel to include experimental space for the research and applications of virtual reality and augmented reality. The hotel will still include the amenities you’d normally expect, but also new features like workshops for creation and space for a virtual environment. By combining VR and AR technology, the possibilities for the space are endless. Let’s tap our ruby shoes and see where this project takes us! 

Brilliantly Bonkers

When British designer, James Whitaker, developed a concept for a house comprised purely of shipping containers, I wonder if he thought it would ever be realised. Fast forward a few years, and his London-based Whitaker Studio have brought the vision to life on top of a mountainside in Joshua Tree, California. Each container is positioned either to optimise views of the stunning Californian landscape, or to offer complete privacy, and it’s simply stunning.