Augmented reality? Mobile Visual Search? We. Love. It.

When creating a campaign to promote well, just about anything, a still image tends to be necessary in one way or another. Whether it’s a page in a magazine, a poster on the side of a bus stop or even a billboard in the heart of Times Square, it takes something special for a static image to come to life. Well, fear not advertising executives across the globe… Mobile Visual Search (MVS) apps, like the much talked about Aurasma, bring motionless images, symbols and objects to life through your smart phone. Taking technology and advertising to a whole new level.

You may be thinking that this sounds suspiciously like the ‘Scan’ app that reads QR codes (Quick Response Codes) which are already being used in marketing. However, there are some profound differences. You know that peculiar looking grey and black box that sticks out like a sore thumb on everything from fast food boxes to subway maps? Well say goodbye to them, barcodes are so 1952. MVS apps have the technology to recognise images and objects as they are and interpret them before delivering relevant content that has been pre-attached to the matter of interest.

For example, a film company promoting a new flick publishes a page advert in this week’s Independent Film pull out. Using your smart phones camera, GPS system and internet, just hover the phone over the advert to ‘snap’ it before sitting back and enjoying a whole world of moving images, sound and animation. That 2 dimensional advert has just become something else entirely. Why stop at just showing the trailer? How about interviews with the stars and director? Or maybe even the ability to purchase tickets for the movie online. MVS can make this happen in just a few simple steps. Everything in one place with one simple click of a button, headaches are a thing of the past.

Once the app is understood, the list of possibilities is endless. A restaurant looking for the edge over the competition could create ‘Auras’ through the images on their menu. A customer ‘snaps’ the image and suddenly they are transported to a video showing where in the world the ingredients are sourced from. Next, how about a clip of the chef cooking up that specific meal. This creates a whole new dimension to your eating experience. Competition? What competition?

So with the world moving at an incredible pace, technology is there for us to take advantage of. And this is something that can save time for one and all. From the consumer getting a thrilling three dimensional insight into a world where motionless images are a means to an end, to companies being able to get pieces of paper to come alive*. With a world that uses MVS, everyone is a winner.

*No paper really comes alive, this is not physically possible. Yet…

Blog by Sean Taggart

Sean has joined VU-tbg on an intern placement, having graduated from University.

TOP TIMELINES

Whether you have embraced the recent changes to the Facebook profile and instated your timeline or not, there is no denying the increased creativity that the change allows. Here are some of my personal favourite timeline designs..

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SCHOOL’S OUT

At the end of the summer, the Andrew Grene Foundation travelled to Haiti to witness first hand the realisation of their first two major projects.  Fred Attrill, from VU-tbg volunteered his time to accompany the team from the AGF, and was on hand to take video footage of all the activities, leaving the AGF with valuable films of the celebrations to share with supporters and friends of the foundation.

The trip was truly inspirational and one that will not be forgotten.  Fred met many Haitians from all areas, and what was overwhelming was their sense of pride and hope for the future of Haiti.  The AGF remains passionate and proud of its achievements to date, and will continue to try to make a transformational difference to the people living in Haiti. Please check out more on the Andrew Grene Foundation here.

BABIES, BOYS AND BISCUITS

So it’s nearly a year since two became one and we merged with The Bridge Group. Not a long time in merger speak and we certainly think it’s gone pretty quickly.

Two new staff, two new babies and a scary amount of celebratory tea and biscuits later, we can safely say we’re chuffed to bits with progress to date.

Firstly a big welcome to our new boys – Graphic Designer Nathan Nightingale and Web Developer Robert George. Nathan joins the design studio after working on brands such as Volvo, Sandvik and a midlands-based rugby club. Meanwhile Robert brings seven years’ development experience to the web team having worked in sectors ranging from restaurants to telesales.

But the new arrivals don’t stop there. Congratulations to Leigh, Creative Design Director and Michelle, Regional PR Manager, on their beautiful, bouncing bundles. Prepare for the ‘ahhh’ factor….

GREEN FINGERS IN THE DESIGN STUDIO

Here, Leigh Cunningham, Creative Design Director for VU Creative and The Bridge Group shares with us his top design trends for the autumn, and shares some of his team’s trend topping design pieces…

TREND ONE
NATURE-INSPIRED

Whether it be an obvious use of leafy patterns and natural colours or the more subtle use of nature inspired tones and textures an increasing number of traditional and web designers are turning to Mother Nature for their inspiration. The result is often fresh and clean and has been making a refreshing change to many over cluttered design pieces of late. Read more…

THE LEFT BRAIN VERSUS THE RIGHT BRAIN

And now for something a little bit different. Here, Creative Design Director for VU-tbg, Leigh Cunningham, gives some thought to the age old left brain right brain conundrum.

The human brain is the most complex entity in the known universe and despite the best endeavours of scientists, there are still many mysteries about the 1.5kg crinkled blob between our ears. I remember first hearing that we use just a tenth of our brains in the 1970s when I was at school. And how amazing, I thought, that there might be a way to unlock that whopping 90% of unused brain capacity. What would not be possible with all of my grey matter in action? It was nonsense back then, and technological leaps in brain scanning has now proved this for all to see. “Functional imaging has shown us that there are very few parts of the brain that can’t be activated by something,” says Professor Sophie Scott of the Institute of Cognitive Science at University College, London. Read more…