Spotify’s Lightsaber Progress Bar Delights Star Wars Fans

A Brilliant Easter Egg

People are just noticing a cool addition to Spotify that will delight Star Wars fans – a lightsaber in place of the progress bar on all Star Wars soundtracks. This is a brilliant way to include fun Easter eggs through design, and Spotify is the perfect medium to do this to reach different fan bases. Unlike that other UI design change that drove users wild, this type of tweak is a light way of keeping a user base hooked.

Customization Options

I’ve had a play (on web browser) and you can change the colour of the lightsaber by clicking on the handle, and also change the type of lightsaber! This has delighted Star Wars fans over on Reddit, with one also pointing out the same thing happened to Taylor Swift songs but with a twinkle symbol.

Image

(Image credit: Spotify)

Conclusion

While we’re unsure Spotify is taking the right path in its brand direction, we can get onboard with these creative design decisions and would love to see more of them. For more Star Wars fun, see our list of the best Star Wars fonts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this feature available on all Spotify platforms?
A: Unfortunately, this feature is only available on the web browser version of Spotify.

Q: Can I customize the lightsaber color on my mobile device?
A: No, this feature is only available on the web browser version of Spotify.

Q: Is this a new feature or an old addition?
A: This feature was added last year, but it’s only now gaining popularity among users.

Q: Can I change the type of lightsaber on my mobile device?
A: No, this feature is only available on the web browser version of Spotify.

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AI in Advertisements: Nike’s Latest Campaign

AI-Generated Imagery in Advertising

Like it or not, AI is here for the foreseeable future. And it feels like every day that we get a new story of a big brand using it for creative ventures. Nike is the latest company to come under scrutiny for one its latest campaigns, which advertises a Travis Scott x Nike collab with a rich visual world referencing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Generative AI in Pre-Production

The creative director, Jak Bannon, has announced on X that they generated over 5,000 images on Midjourney to aid the pre-production stage. You can see how the generated images match up with the final spot below.

AI’s Role in the Production Process

It’s not entirely clear from Jak’s posts on X whether or not AI was used in the making of the film, but he does credit the VFX teams, saying: "AI is a marvelous tool for exploring ideas and digging deeper into what’s possible. It can also trigger new ideas and help concepts expand… but this spot wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing execution and craft from the VFX teams we had on board."

Hybrid Workflow

Klindparagoni reports that AI-generated visuals were then seamlessly integrated into a hybrid workflow that combined traditional visual effects (VFX) with cutting-edge AI technologies.

Final Spot

You can see the final spot below.

AI in Advertisements: A Growing Trend

Personally, I am not surprised that Nike is using AI for idea generation. At Creative Bloq, we’ve been speaking to creatives about AI for years now, and time and time again, artists and designers are saying that it is really handy for coming up with ideas (though of course, it’s not without its problems).

The Importance of Human Touch

The important thing, I think, is to know where to draw the line, and crucially, to know when a human touch is needed. Unlike the likes of Coca-Cola, whose AI-generated ad attracted much furore last year, it seems that Nike has got it right with this spot. Although it’s not super-easy to tell the overall quality of the ad from the embedded videos on X, so it remains to be seen how people will react to it once it’s widely released to the public.

Conclusion

As AI continues to play an increasingly prominent role in the advertising industry, it’s essential to strike a balance between AI-generated content and human creativity. While AI can certainly aid in the idea generation process, it’s crucial to remember that a human touch is often necessary to bring these ideas to life.

FAQs

Q: How is AI being used in advertising?
A: AI is being used for idea generation, creative direction, and visual effects in advertising.

Q: What is the role of human touch in AI-generated content?
A: A human touch is necessary to bring AI-generated ideas to life and to ensure that the final product is of high quality.

Q: What are the potential benefits of using AI in advertising?
A: AI can aid in idea generation, speed up the creative process, and provide new and innovative solutions for advertisers.

Q: What are the potential drawbacks of using AI in advertising?
A: AI can be used to generate low-quality content, and it may not be able to replicate the creativity and nuance of human creatives.

The Last of the Small iPhones? Apple’s Next iPhone SE Might Be the End of an Era

An Era of Change

Most tech companies would never get away with selling a phone with an eleven year-old design, but then again – Apple isn’t most tech companies. The ‘beloved’ huge-bezelled, home-buttoned design of the iPhone SE has been around since the iPhone 6. But all signs are pointing to it finally disappearing in 2025.

Rumored Changes

According to rumors, Apple is set to do away with the home button, finally giving the iPhone SE 4 a notch and full-screen design. And if the newly rumored name of the device is anything to go by, the device could mark the end of an era in more ways than one. As our best camera phones roundup shows, phones just keep getting bigger.

The Loss of a Smaller Form Factor

We’ve already lamented the loss of the iPhone mini, but the 2022 iPhone SE still provided a smaller form factor for those who prefer to be able to hold their phones without needing three hands. In our iPhone SE (2022) review, we commended the phone for its one-handed size, but that very concept could soon seem prehistoric.

A New Design Language

The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to be gaining the somewhat awkward moniker ‘iPhone 16E’, which suggests it’s likely to take on the design language of the iPhone 16 line up, albeit with stripped down internals.

Specs and Features

According to 9to5Mac, the next iPhone SE is rumored to feature an A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, a USB-C port, and a single 48MP camera.

Conclusion

The loss of the smaller form factor might not be entirely welcome news for those who prefer a phone that can fit in their pocket without drawing attention to itself. However, for some creatives, a bigger screen might be a welcome change, offering more pixels for viewing the best photo editing apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the rumored name of the next iPhone SE?
A: The rumored name is ‘iPhone 16E’, suggesting it will take on the design language of the iPhone 16 line up.

Q: What are the rumored specs and features of the next iPhone SE?
A: The rumored specs and features include an A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, a USB-C port, and a single 48MP camera.

Q: Will the next iPhone SE still have a smaller form factor?
A: No, according to rumors, the next iPhone SE will likely have a larger form factor, similar to the iPhone 16 line up.

Here is the rewritten article:

The 1970s were a bold, transformative decade for design, and typography was no exception. As phototypesetting matured, designers found themselves freed from the physical constraints of metal type, enabling letters to touch, overlap, and interact in entirely new ways.

More generally, designers embraced the curves, flair, and experimental spirit of the time, giving rise to typography trends such as playful display fonts, chunky serif types, and futuristic styles.

01. Baby Teeth

Famed New York creative Milton Glaser is one of those names that every graphic designer should recognise. But while he’s best known for his ‘I [Heart] New York logo, and work for Bob Dylan and DC Comics, he also crafted a fair few typefaces, and Baby Teeth was one of the most notable. Inspired by a hand-painted Mexican advertisement, it was released in 1968 and went on to become a defining typeface of the following decade’s countercultural movements.

Jessica Walsh, creative director at Type of Feeling, is among its fans today. “Baby Teeth is a standout for me,” she enthuses. “With its chunky, sans-serif design, which feels both playful and daring, it encapsulates the psychedelic aesthetic of the period. This typeface is a reminder that design can be both serious and fun.”

02. Stop

Released by the Nebiolo type foundry in Turin in 1970, Stop was one of the last typefaces produced in metal, yet its impact would be thoroughly modern. Designed by Aldo Novarese, it was launched on the market as a “new alphabetical sign… in the quest for new graphic ideas”. Its extremely stylised shapes letterforms were specifically designed to make attractive logos, initials and monograms.

As Landor’s design director Gianluca Ciancaglini observes: “Stop is a prime example of modernist design, with its simple, geometric forms and stark contrasts. Each letter is a study in precision and balance, a testament to creator Novarese’s meticulous approach, and radical departure from the ornate scripts of the past.”

03. ITC Avant Garde Gothic

Designed by Herb Lubalin and Tom Carnase in 1970, ITC Avant Garde Gothic is a geometric sans serif font family. “It was based on a logo Lubalin designed for Avante Garde magazine, whose distinctive look came to define a specific era of graphic design in the 70s,” explains Rosie Garschina, executive creative director of Trollbäck+Company,. “A suite of alternative ligatures creates several recognisable combinations that felt futuristic and forward-thinking at the time.”

Gianluca is also a fan. “This sans-serif font masterfully combines a modern, minimalist aesthetic with a strong personality, profoundly influencing how we perceive typefaces,” he enthuses. “It captures a spirit of a generation that was eager to break free from the constraints of the past and embrace the future.”

06. Calypso

Designed by Roger Excoffon, produced with the help of José Mendoza y Almeida, and released by Fonderie Olive, Calypso is an experimental display typeface with curvaceous and alluring features that could be likened to pop art. Using a pair of compasses, every character was meticulously hand-drawn dot by dot. Though designed in 1958, it found its true spiritual home in the experimental 1970s.

As Simon Manchipp, founding partner at SomeOne, explains: “The ’60s’ trippy edge might have been fading, but there were still a few notable moments of typographic radicalism in the ’70s. And this three-dimensional, dot screen, halftone stonker is my pick of the bunch. What a wild ride this collection of letterforms gives.”

07. Frutiger

In 1970, renowned Swiss type designer Adrian Frutiger was commissioned to create a signage system for the newly built Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. The airport’s vast expanse and complex layout demanded a typeface that was both legible and visually appealing, even at a distance.

The result was the sans-serif typeface Frutiger. Its design philosophy is rooted in clarity and functionality. a typeface that can be easily read, even under challenging conditions, while also possessing a distinct aesthetic appeal.

08. ITC Serif Gothic

Created by Herb Lubalin and Tony Di Spigna in 1972, ITC Serif Gothic began as a rejected logo sketch before becoming a sci-fi icon, best known for its use on the original Star Wars posters.

For Gary Whitworth, designer at The Chase, it has an immediate emotional impact. “ITC Serif Gothic is the ultimate icon of 70s typography in my eyes,” he raves. “The mere sight of it transports me into another world, or should I say universe, of aliens and creatures from beyond.”

Conclusion

The 1970s was a transformative decade for design and typography, marked by the rise of phototypesetting and the experimental spirit of the time. From playful display fonts to futuristic styles, the decade’s typography trends continue to influence design today.

FAQs

What is the significance of the 1970s in typography?

The 1970s marked a transformative period in typography, as phototypesetting matured and designers found themselves freed from the physical constraints of metal type. This led to a range of experimental and innovative typefaces that continue to influence design today.

What are some notable typefaces from the 1970s?

Some notable typefaces from the 1970s include Baby Teeth, Stop, ITC Avant Garde Gothic, Calypso, Frutiger, and ITC Serif Gothic, each of which represents a different aspect of the decade’s typographic trends.

Why are these typefaces still relevant today?

These typefaces continue to influence design today due to their innovative and experimental approach to typography. They embody the spirit of the 1970s and its emphasis on creativity and boldness, and their influence can be seen in design projects across a range of industries and styles.

The Future of Digital Twins: Simulating Complex Systems for a Better Tomorrow

Consider your drive to work. How much traffic you encounter will depend on a number of factors: the weather on any given day; the quality of public transport and cycle routes; the efficiency of the town planning in your city; how many people can afford to live within walking distance of their workplace, and so on. You can think of the workings of a city and how people move around it as a complex, dynamic system that is always reacting to changing circumstances. If we can better understand this system and visualize how it works, we can make decisions to improve its efficiency. And that’s where digital twins come in.

A digital twin is a computational model of a complex system that is continually updated with real-world data. The system being modelled could be a city, a manufacturing process, some industrial machinery or even biological systems within the human body. By creating a simulation of a system, we can experiment with potential improvements to see how well they work before trying them in the real world. We can discover and understand connections between different parts of the system that were previously invisible to us. We can predict potential points of failure and take action before problems arise, and we can develop new products and medicines.

Digital twins are being applied in a vast range of different scenarios and are giving us new ways to solve problems and find efficiencies. Here are just some of the things we can expect to happen in the future.

Whole cities will be simulated digitally

In some places, it’s already happening. For example, Virtual Singapore is a highly detailed 3D model and digital twin of the city-state that uses real-time data to model everything that’s going on. Millions of photographs and laser scans were used to capture the topography and urban environment to create a 3D replica. Data from mobile phones, sensors placed in the environment, and other sources is used to keep the model up to date.

Digital twins will bring many different data sets and technologies together

It is often the case that a lot of information is held about a system, but it’s all in separate silos with no good way of bringing it all together. Digital twins can be that way. For example, a digital twin of a city brings together visual information such as laser scans, photographs, and 3D models, and combines it with geographical information, spatial analytics, real estate data, human metrics, and predictive simulations.

Your whole body might get a digital twin

Biological processes are possibly the most complex systems we have to deal with, so there’s plenty to be gained from building digital simulations of them. Biochemists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are working on a digital twin of the human immune system which they hope will predict how a patient might respond to different treatments. It is also hoped that it will improve understanding of disease processes and aid in the development of new medicines.

It will happen sooner than you think

According to a 2023 survey of “scientists, futurists, and subject matter experts” by Tata Consultancy Services, digital twins are set to “become commonplace across business and society by 2035”. Half of the experts thought that “broad adoption” will occur in the healthcare sector within three years, although the full body digital twins are more likely to materialize towards the end of the ten-year timeline.

Conclusion

Digital twins promise a future where the complex systems that govern our lives come with a virtual safety net, so we can predict problems before they arise and try out solutions without facing risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a digital twin?
A: A digital twin is a computational model of a complex system that is continually updated with real-world data.

Q: What are digital twins used for?
A: Digital twins are used to improve and optimize complex systems, predict potential points of failure, and develop new products and medicines.

Q: How do digital twins work?
A: Digital twins work by creating a simulation of a system, which can be used to experiment with potential improvements and see how well they work before trying them in the real world.

Q: What are some examples of digital twins?
A: Some examples of digital twins include Virtual Singapore, a 3D model of the city-state, and digital twins of the human immune system and the human heart.