Five Questions with… creative Darwin Tomlinson

Darwin Tomlinson, creative director of creative design studio Exopolis steps up to answer Five Questions.

1. What are you working on today?
We’re working on a number of projects ‘ running the gamut from a network redesign to a major interactive campaign, with some smaller projects going in both the broadcast and interactive spaces. Specifically, my day involved thinking about hysterectomies, thumbs that vomit, a horrific murder, and all-weather tires. Welcome to Exopolis.

2. What have you found is the best tool or innovation that has come out in the last year?
Since the advent of Flash 8, our creative meetings have involved much less bloodshed as developers can now easily execute some of our more complex ideas, so I’ll go with that. A close second would be the awakening within the advertising world to the power of the Interactive medium.

3. The project (film, television, commercial or music video) that most impressed you in the last year? Why?
The “Birds” video by Pleix blew me away and continues to be something that I pass around to friends and colleagues. In the age of After Effects and the maximalist esthetic, I love seeing something so simple and minimal achieve incredible beauty and humor. To do all of that in a piece that’s demographically agnostic (despite Its trendy nod to the 80’s) is extremely rare and refreshing.

4. The best or favorite project that you worked on in the past year? And why?
Our redesign of Nicktoons Network is a considerable standout – the reasons are many. We had the luxury of a client who was smart, collaborative, and came to us with a thorough knowledge of their brand. I can’t emphasize enough how important that last bit is. Equally important was the subject matter or, more specifically, our affinity for the subject matter. It’s always more fun if you really believe in the product you’re branding. In addition, the Nicktoons team really respected our intelligence and abilities (the feeling was mutual), which made for a climate in which true collaborative creativity could flourish. I believe that you can feel that in the final product.

5. Name the top 4 artists on your iPod?
I’ll assume that means “today,” because that varies greatly from my “of all time” favorites. So today it’s….
Ian Brown

SpankRock
MC Chris

Arcade Fire

Creative design studio Exopolis took home multiple honors ‘ including four Golds ‘ at last week’s 2006 BDA North America Design Awards competition. Trophies were presented at the 2006 PROMAX & BDA International Conference in New York, which ran June 20-22, 2006. Most notably, Exopolis was honored with this year’s Zona Rocket Award, which celebrates new talent. Exopolis Senior Art Director Brien Holman accepted the honor, as a designer who has produced outstanding work in just four years in the industry. Holman, this year’s only Rocket honoree, also accepted the Special Recognition award for Exopolis’ Nicktoons Network Love ID. That project also received a GOLD in its category of General Entertainment, Out-Of-House ID.

To Watch the Speed Channel Nascar Nation promo click below:

Additional Exopolis work taking BDA honors included:

– Speed Channel Nascar Nation, taking home a GOLD for General Entertainment, Out-Of-House Art Direction & Design: Topical Promo
– Nicktoons Network Redesign, garnering a GOLD for General Entertainment, Out-Of-House
Art Direction & Design: Image Campaign
– Saturn Sky MicroSite, yet another GOLD for the studio, in the category of Interactive Media Website – Entertainment / Programming / Special Event
– Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, a SILVER winner in the category of General Entertainment, Out-Of-House Art Direction & Design: Topical Campaign

Along with all other winning Promax and BDA entries worldwide, the Exopolis work will be added to the permanent collection of media at the United States Library of Congress.