World AIDS Day / Google Could Have Done Better

Today is World AIDS Day. It also marks the 20th anniversary of this observance. Since 1988, the face and response to AIDS has greatly changed. While many of these changes are positive, it still reminds us of what still needs to be done. My church will again be holding services in observance of this day, followed by a sit-down dinner in the Church Hall. Many organizations will be joining us in this service, including the United Way and the nearby AIDS hospice. I was a bit disheartened by the lack of acknowledgement that Google provided for this day. What is usually typical for Google is that on the home page the Google logo usually is altered in some way to acknowledge the holiday of the day, or someone’s birthday. And if you clicked on the Google logo, you were redirected to a page that lists all kinds of websites with info about that holiday or person’s birthday. Google decided to just put a small red ribbon at the bottom of the screen and state, “Learn more about World AIDS Day.”

Link Kaboom 51

Gary Baseman and Tatiana Arocha for JWT’s GAPA/BS World Aids Day Safe Sex Campaign

1. Gary Baseman and Tatiana Arocha for JWT’s GAPA/BS World Aids Day Safe Sex Campaign: I often am very jealous that other country’s have a more fun and whimsical view of taboo subjects, namely, sex. This advertisement from In Latin America is adorable, and sends a lovely message about personal safety in sexual situations.

2. 10 Stocking Stuffers for Traveling Technophiles: Life Scoop puts together a list of some of the coolest gifts for your travel-loving tech geek this holiday season.

3. Lona, A Fairy Tale: Now out of print, this fairy tale written, photographed and modeled by children’s book author Dare Wright is a surreal, haunting journey through fable and psyche.

4. Mick Jagger is the Best Client Ever: As a designer, you quickly learn that working with clients can be a study in misery and frustration, yielding small kernels of joy when you can get them to see your vision. This letter, written by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger to their album designer, is the kind of client direction that would bring any of us in the creative arts to joyful tears.

5. 15 Best Places for Designers to Get Free Stock Photos Online: Let’s be honest - a lot of free stock photography just plain sucks. This handy resource of some of the best stock photo sites the web has to offer will make it just a little bit easier to discover that diamond in the rough.

6. Touch-Screen Gloves: I know your plight - now that it is could, how on earth will you control your iPhone, and maintain a reasonable core temperature in your fingers?? Fear not! Crafters to the rescue!

7. Crazy-Dangerous Animals Become Friends: It’s finally happened - the trimuvirate of the most deadly animals on the planet has finally formed. I am moving to Jupiter, because we are all fucked.

Finally, the Muppets doing “Bohemian Rhapsody” may just be the greatest thing to happen EVER.