Computer Animation Arts

Below you can find a series of production videos released by Imageworks  which reveal the impressive pipelines behind the intricate VFX seen within 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'. These range from the build up of each shot, through to animating the characters and compositing each pass.

Philippe Starck Philippe Starck is, like many designers, somewhat controversial. A man who is seen at extremes, normally loved or hated, but clearly a man of passion. The Parisian born designer is an icon of the industry, partially for his designs, but often for his fire and zest. Like the real icons of the industry, he has designed almost every product imaginable, from tables and chairs, to yachts and restaurant interiors. The Starck brand has made its way across the world to symbolise simplicity in design and function. The now famous lemon juice demonstrates these ideals to the core, a beautiful and elegant product, that simplifies function yet still holds it's own in any beauty award. The simplicity and cleanliness of these designs is definitely something to be admired. There is an analysis at the centre of these products, they have been cut down to their core. They disregard extraneous details and additions, concentrating on the key use. This is ...

Jonathan Ive This week we look at the designer that changed the face of Apple Macintosh computers. Whether you love or hate Apple, it would be hard to argue that Jonathan Ive hasn't changed the face of not only a company, but also modern industrial design as we know it. The sleek, elegant and simple form factor that Apple products are so closely linked with, all started with the ideas of Jonathan Ive. He is very much a man who seems utterly devoted to the process of design and is completely focused on making products that are simple to use and yet also stunning. What I love about the creative process, and this may sound naive, but it is this idea that one day there is no idea, and no solution, but the next day there is an idea. I find that incredibly exciting and conceptually actually remarkable. - Jonathan Ive Ive's rarely speaks to the media or gives any kind of interview, but from the short moments we see of him, it is immediately noticeable t...

Go here for a great assortment of concept art, production drawings and design sheets from the Wachowski's latest movie Cloud Atlas , courtesy of the invaluable Film Sketchr blog .

Marc Newson "I'm proud to say I'm a geek. You have to be a geek...Good designers are geeks." Born in Sydney, Australia and growing up in the age of the moon landings, Marc Newson combines retro and futuristic design to create products that are hugely unique. He seems a man who is incredibly influenced by the want for things to improve. The annoyance of bad design, bad products and bad interaction have motivated him forward to simplicity. The simple principles of design are clear with every piece he creates, merging simple function and sculptural form. From chairs to cars, cutlery to spaceships, Newson has worked on projects of all scale but retains this simple and modernist form that instantly stand out as his own. "For me it's design...it's the same skill that you apply to all of these thing. The materials change. The scale changes. But beyond that, really, I solve the problem as it arises, or as it is presented to me." ...