Making digital work

Finally, some sense.

Much of early cinema was little more than vaudeville on a screen – it was only when it combined the theatrical legacy of storytelling with its own unique potential, that modern cinema emerged. And so it is with digital magazines, most of which either try to replicate the physical magazine, or embrace the web completely, ignoring what magazine technology has already refined over a couple of centuries of experimentation.

I understand why – it’s what clients want, and the technology hasn’t been sufficiently advanced to make a big leap forward. Until, well, next year, if everyone is to be believed. However, most of the prototypes I’ve seen haven’t managed to combine digital and magazine-ness in a convincing way.

Enter BERG, a design agency that includes on its roster Jack Schulze (he of the incredible Manhattan hamster map), Matt Jones of Dopplr and Matt Webb of all-round braininess. (Disclosure: I’ve met the two Matts a number of times, and remain in awe of their work. I’m relieved to say that this is no exception.)

I really hope that the magical consortium and the Skiffle band are listening. It contains what I like about the Sports Illustrated tablet, and takes it several steps further.
(via A Photo Editor)

UPDATE: Bobbie has an interview with Matt J and the client behind it all here.