Autodesk Universitys annual Autodesk Design & Make Platform conference in San Diego boasted plenty of new tech and software updates for animators, modelers and other digital artists and technologists to get excited about. From the buildings we live in to the products we use and the movies that inspire us, Autodesk has always been at the forefront of infrastructure and creativity for entertainment as well as the economy.While the conference hosted in-person and virtual panel sessions focused on preserving history with VR, the future of manufacturing and the frontier of film, TV and design, their Media & Entertainment Industry Keynote invited head of characters for Mikros Animations Mutant Mayhem Gespard Roch, Wonder Studio co-founder Nikola Todorovic, Digital Fish CEO Dan Herman, and others to discuss new creative solutions to animation work pipelines and how AI can be a valuable asset to a production, rather than an unwanted threat.Leona Frank, director of Media & Entertainment marketing at Autodesk, opened the hour-long panel with how story, more than any technology, is pivotal in making sure any project is successful. In her words, Storytelling is the uniquely human aspect that each of us brings to our work. It will never be replaced by any technology. But we use technology to help us release the stories from our imagination into the world. Productions like Inside Out 2 and Shgun are raising the bar. It's quality over quantity. It's visual effects that let the story take center stage. Today, we'll share with you how Autodesk is meeting the moment. We're lowering the barriers to good storytelling. For modelers, the storytellers behind the scenes responsible for defining each narrative and making them memorable, Autodesk has rolled out significant performance updates in 3ds Max.The Boolean Modifier, which combines objects into a single mesh, is now 50 percent faster, and the expansive Array Modifier, which lets you create arrays using multiple distribution methods, is now 200% faster.So, no matter if you're crafting the busy streets of the cyberpunk city or the desert landscape of your next big racing game, you can achieve more in less time, says Frank. And our efficiency updates arent just for modelers. For all the motion graphics or visualization artists out there, we've added support for SVG files in 3ds Max. This means no more manual, time consuming conversion of vector graphics. Now, if you're importing designs, like a logo or 2D illustrations, they'll be ready for use in your scene the second they're loaded, freeing you up on valuable time.Autodesk also continues to invest in open standards like OpenUSD by integrating them across their tools so you can collaborate and manage productions more easily. Universal Scene Description (commonly referred to as OpenUSD), is the most robust open-source software for data interchange within 3D scenes. This highly collaborative system can contain many different asset sources and is becoming the standard for 3D visual media production, architecture, design, manufacturing (US site) and other industries. With the latest update, users can now use USD cameras in the 3ds Max viewport box, select and edit prints in the USD Explorer and manage USD data with new controllers. One of the features of 3ds Max that makes it so popular with creatives is the flexible plugin architecture that allows users to create their own customizations and share them with the rest of the community. One example Frank referenced is tyFlows tyDiffusion, which brings Stable Diffusion right inside 3ds Max so different moods and artistic styles can be explored and then applied directly to 3D objects. It can be used to generate AI images and animations using a variety of ControlNets, LoRAs, prompt styles and other techniques, right in the viewport.Eloi Andaluz Fulla, a professional VFX artist, has been a beta tester for this tech and recently shared his experiences using not only tyFlow, but also the new 3ds Max update, Max 2025.3. The update includes bug fixes and the introduction to OpenPBR, the new material standard developed between Autodesk and Adobe, that will, in Fullas opinion, help compatibility between all Autodesk and Adobe software, making it easier to move materials around looking exactly the same.For animators using Maya, Frank announced Autodesks redesigned Dope Sheet in Maya, complementing the Graph Editor by letting animators make large scale timing adjustments to scenes. The hope is this, in turn, makes refining those moments faster and more intuitive. And Position Mode lets users post characters in just a few clicks while Channel Sets brings customizable color palettes and visual indicators to help you organize animation changes more easily.We know that animation is all in the details and that subtle change in a character's expression, like a slight eyebrow raise, can convey 1,000 words, says Frank. So, we are introducing powerful features to help elevate your craft and save time along the way. And yes, its dope. Another time saving improvement is Maya's advanced Motion Trails, which now support moving cameras and include new draw styles to visualize things, like velocity, in a scene. These Motion Trails are also now up to 100 times faster.The French studio Mikros Animation, known for the most recent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and Paw Patrol film series, is using Autodesk Maya across their character pipeline, especially in character modeling, grooming and rigging.It's a software that is simple to use and very customizable, shares Mikros Animations Gespar Roch. It actually allows us to have that creativity in our films and with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, we were easily able to create set animation to create those lines, to create hand drawn lines, and then lines that were projected in the CG space. Maya allowed us to really go beyond what we've done before, to actually create diverse projects and unleash our creativity through all the different creative styles that we have in our studio.For productions with teams spread across various time zones, that's where Autodesks production management tools come in. With efficient collaboration at the center of its inspiration, Flow Production Tracking is designed to help dispersed teams effectively track projects and optimize resources. And Flow Generative Scheduling, powered by Autodesk AI and connected with Flow Production Tracking, teams can automate the creation of different scheduling scenarios and explore how they impact production.It lets you make critical decisions in minutes, notes Frank. Where Flow Production Tracking connects production and creative teams in post, Flow Capture bridges the gap between production and post production, helping teams review footage seconds after capture and allowing them to get feedback from stakeholders during production.This year, we reimagined Flow Captures user experience, putting your media assets right where you need them, says Frank. It is now much simpler to find, access and review media all from one central place, and we'll be taking things a step further by building integrations to streamline the editing process. Editors will find a Flow Capture panel directly in Avid, making importing dailies faster. No more dealing with servers or hard drives slowing you down. With a simple drag and drop, you'll be able to bring footage into Avid and easily pull cuts and timelines back into Flow Capture. This is something many of you have been asking for, so we are so excited to be bringing it to you soon.Earlier this year, Autodesk acquired PIX, a leading collaboration and asset sharing service, and the partnership has already garnered a first integration with Flow Capture.At its heart, Flow is a data model, one that can represent all of your data and in a consistent way so that can be shared throughout the entire production process, from onset to editorial to post, and all between applications, whether they are Autodesks or from third parties, says Maurice Patel, VP of M&E Strategy at Autodesk. On top of that data model is an asset management system, one that keeps track of your data, no matter where it is or who is using it. Now, as productions get bigger and more complex, it becomes harder for one part of the production to know what the other part is doing.Connecting different teams and artists from around the world is becoming a more mainstream part of production. Enter Animating in Context, a new Flow capability coming to Maya. Today, when animating in Maya, you can only see the shot you're working on, says Patel. Wouldn't it be great if you could actually see what was happening before and after the shot you were working on and had more context? By connecting data from Avid to Maya using Flow, with Flow Production Tracking as the go-between, Maya users will see a timeline with the shots occurring before and after the one they are working on. With this context, you can better fine tune your animation and keep it in sync with the surrounding shots. This will help avoid continuity errors in the scene. By helping artists better understand the editor's creative intent, we make it easier for them to deliver higher quality content.Providing more context isnt just important for animators, its also vital for live-action filmmakers and VFX artists. Digital Fish, an innovative technology company focused on digital media and building immersive content for companies like Pixar, Disney, LEGP and NASA, is working on bringing previsualization and vision OS on top of the Flow graph right into the hands of the director.With a laser scanner in their hands, GPS, spatial video and an augmented reality lens, we wanted to see what we could do with the device in your hand and the power of the cloud, says Digital Fishs Herman. What they ended up with was On Site, a service for streamlined VFX production that connects AR capable mobile devices with Flow, enabling live-action virtual production in the field with minimal infrastructure. Filmmakers can simulate what a scene will look like and make adjustments as they film.It offers to all content creators the high end VFX simulation and compute capabilities previously available only to the larger studios, says Herman, who says it took five months to develop the tech, now ready to use. Patel adds, There's so much to be excited about, whether it's connecting workflows or teams or building new capabilities. Flow will enhance your pipeline, making production more efficient and more collaborative. Our goal is to make your life just a little bit, if not a lot easier by empowering you as storytellers.Another technology that will do just that is AI.Wonder Dynamics (an Autodesk company) just recently announced the beta launch of Wonder Animation, which is powered by Video to 3D Scene technology that enables artists to shoot a scene with any camera, in any location, and turn the sequence into an animated scene with CG characters in a 3D environment with fully editable elements (animation, character, environment, lighting, and camera tracking data) in their preferred software, such as Maya, Blender or Unreal.Wonder Animation, now available to all Wonder Studio users, aims to bring artists closer to producing fully animated films, while enabling the artist to retain full creative control unlike other generative AI tools that rely on automated outputs.See the demo here: https://youtu.be/xad1ajxln28Its been five months since we joined Autodesk, and the time spent has only reinforced that the foundational Wonder Dynamics vision aligns perfectly with Autodesk's longstanding commitment to advancing the Media & Entertainment industry through innovation, says Wonder Dynamics co-founder Todorovic. Together, we believe in using artificial intelligence (AI) more intentionally to enhance creativity and efficiency, so artists can spend more time on the creative aspects of storytelling. Rachael Appleton, Sr. Director for M&E Business Strategy at Autodesk, adds, The team is about to release a beta showcasing new underlying technology that will show how new models like motion prediction enable entirely new workflows in Wonder Studio. So, stay tuned for more announcements after AU. Victoria Davis is a full-time, freelance journalist and part-time Otaku with an affinity for all things anime. She's reported on numerous stories from activist news to entertainment. Find more about her work at victoriadavisdepiction.com.

Under a groundbreaking new partnership between Los Angeles Television Academy and New Yorks National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), qualifications for membership in their shared peer groups (Childrens Animation, Childrens Live Action, Daytime, and Documentary) will now be identical, granting automatic enrollment to both organizations, according to Variety. The qualifications cover both incoming and preexisting members for both academies.The move is part of NATAS initiative to recruit national members for the first time after a new board of directors appointment this year. The organizations new peer groups are created to mirror the Emmy categories Childrens Animation, Childrens Live Action, Daytime, and Documentary.We share a common goal of ensuring that the Emmy remains our industrys gold standard, said NATAS executive committee chairperson Terry OReilly. While our respective academies recognize different genres of work, we believe that bringing our memberships together in this way will allow us to better recognize the breadth of television professionals working today, and to open doors to even more emerging artists who seek to join their peers and predecessors in the art of compelling storytelling.The Television Academys Board of Governors enthusiastically embraced the creation of dual/national membership, commented TV Academy chair Cris Abrego. This shift enhances the membership experience for Television Academy members whose work is recognized in the NATAS administered Daytime Emmys and Childrens and Family Emmys, and unifies members from both academies who are committed to advancing excellence in documentary programming and promoting the technical and scientific evolution of our field.Although both academies have harbored a rivalry over award jurisdiction spanning nearly 50 years, they have recently begun to heal the rift as they realign Emmy ceremony award categories.Pre-registration for the newly minted peer groups opens this month, with NATAS national membership set to launch in 2025. Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologistL'Wrenbrings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

Breakdown & ShowreelsBetter Man: VFX Featurette by Weta FXBy Vincent Frei - 20/12/2024 Better Man takes an unexpected turn as Robbie Williams transforms into a monkey in this ambitious biopic. Explore how Weta FX brought this unique vision to life with stunning visual effects! The new behind-the-scenes video showcases the VFX team at work, alongside Robbie Williams and director Michael Gracey!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Weta FX: Dedicated page about Better Man on Weta FX website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

Garage Doors | Krisjanis Kazaks via UnsplashUpgrading your garage allows you to add extra storage space and helps boost your homes value for when its time to sell. Upgrading your garage will enable you to take advantage of technological advancements, which help make life easier. A garage upgrade enhances your homes energy efficiency and lets you implement new safety measures. Discussed below are five ways to upgrade your garage.1. Upgrade to a Modern Garage DoorYour garage door has a significant impact on your homes exterior. It makes a bold statement at first glance and adds curb appeal. If youve had your garage door for several years or its design is outdated, upgrading to a more modern one can give your space an instant facelift. Replacing your old garage with a modern option, including a smart garage door, can result in the following benefits:Enhanced curb appeal: A modern garage door significantly elevates your homes appearance. Whether you opt for a conventional, classic design or a sleek, contemporary look, a garage door replacement will instantly boost your propertys curb appeal and raise its value.Better energy efficiency: A modern garage door is built with better weather stripping and insulation, reducing energy bills while making your home more comfortable.Improved security: An old garage door is a security threat. Newer garage door models have advanced security features like automatic door locks, sensors, and secure locking systems.Consider leveraging garage door sales and installation services when replacing your old or outdated garage door to cut costs.2. Improve Garage FlooringEnhancing garage flooring is an excellent way to upgrade your garage. Updating your garage floor offers multiple advantages, including the following:Improved aesthetics: When it comes to upgrading your garage flooring, there are various colors, finishes, and styles you can leverage to customize your garages look and boost its aesthetics.Enhanced durability and protection: Upgrading your garage floor using robust materials ensures your flooring lasts longer without undergoing a lot of wear and tear.Improved safety: Updating your garage door with slip-resistant materials reduces the possibility of accidents on wet floors.Epoxy coatings, paints, and interlocking floor tiles are common decorative flooring renewal products you can leverage when upgrading your garage flooring.3. Update your Garage Door OpenerGarage Doors | Mr Xerty via UnsplashJakob Rosen via UnsplashInstalling a new garage door opener is one of the best ways to upgrade your garage. Switching to a newer garage door opener model offers numerous benefits, including:Improved security features: A modern garage door opener has state-of-the-art security features that safeguard your property from unauthorized access. Openers with vacation mode settings and automatic door locks ensure your homes security.Better safety standards: An old garage door opener might not have the most recent security features that are now standard. For example, contemporary openers have built-in sensors that identify people or objects in the garage doors path. This automatically reverses the door to avoid accidents4. Add Windows to your GarageAdding windows to your garage is another way to upgrade your garage. It allows you to:Customize your garage: Garage windows are available in different sizes, shapes, and finishes. This lets you decide on the aesthetic suitable for your garages design.Let in more natural light: Windows let in more natural light to enter your garage without needing to turn on the lights or open the door. Besides making your space brighter, it lowers your lighting costs.Improved curb appeal: Garage windows enhance your garages aesthetic appeal by enhancing your garage door. This adds to your homes resale value while making your garage appear more cohesive with the rest of your house.Increased ventilation: Opting for wall windows in your garage means you can open them and create airflow, minimizing the smell of the must even when the door is closed.Increase garage usability: Installing windows in your garage makes the space feel like just another room in your home. This allows you to convert your garage into a gym, home office, study room, and more.5. Install LED Garage LightsLED garage lighting is versatile and can transform and illuminate your garage. LEDs usually provide even brightness, even lighting that enhances safety and visibility in your garage. This is useful when engaging in detail-oriented tasks that require accuracy. If your garage acts as a storage space, LEDs are bright, energy-efficient, and have a longer lifespan, translating to electricity bill savings and fewer changes.EndnoteUpdating your garage can help increase your homes value and curb appeal. Installing a modern garage door, improving garage flooring, updating your garage door opener, adding windows, and installing LEDs are various ways to upgrade your garage.Tips Leave a comment

Therme Suiteroom Vals by Kengo Kuma | Ingo RaspChoosing the right mattress for a double bed can significantly impact your sleep quality and overall well-being. Many people make common mistakes during the selection process, leading to discomfort and dissatisfaction. The most frequent errors include focusing solely on price, ignoring personal sleep preferences, and failing to test the mattress adequately before purchase.Mattress shopping requires careful consideration of various factors beyond cost. Sleep position, body type, and individual comfort preferences are crucial in determining the ideal mattress. Neglecting these aspects often results in selecting a mattress that doesnt provide proper support or alignment, leading to restless nights and potential health issues.Testing a mattress briefly in a showroom may not accurately represent its long-term comfort. Many retailers offer trial periods, allowing customers to sleep on the mattress at home for an extended time. Taking advantage of these opportunities can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure a better match for your sleep needs. As the holiday season approaches, you can discover more Black Friday bed deals to find the perfect mattress at a great price.Key TakeawaysConsider sleep position, body type, and personal preferences when selecting a mattress.Take advantage of trial periods to thoroughly test the mattress at home.Balance price with quality and comfort for the best long-term investment in your sleepUnderstanding Mattress FundamentalsMattress selection involves considering key factors like type and firmness to ensure optimal comfort and support. These elements significantly impact sleep quality and overall well-being.Identifying Different Mattress TypesMattress types vary in construction and materials, each offering unique benefits. Innerspring mattresses use coil systems for support and are often budget-friendly. Memory foam mattresses contour to the body, providing pressure relief. Latex mattresses offer natural bounce and durability. Hybrid mattresses combine coils with foam or latex layers for balanced support and comfort.Foam mattresses, including memory foam, provide excellent pressure relief and motion isolation. Theyre ideal for side sleepers and those with joint pain. Innerspring mattresses offer good airflow and a traditional bouncy feel, suiting back and stomach sleepers. Latex mattresses are naturally hypoallergenic and durable, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.Recognizing the Importance of Mattress FirmnessMattress firmness affects spinal alignment and comfort. Firmness levels range from extra soft to extra firm, with medium-firm often recommended for most sleepers. A firm mattress typically suits back and stomach sleepers, providing necessary support. Side sleepers may prefer softer mattresses to cushion pressure points.Body weight and sleep position influence firmness needs. Heavier individuals might benefit from firmer mattresses to prevent sinking. Lighter sleepers may find comfort on softer surfaces. Medium-firm mattresses often strike a balance, accommodating various sleep positions and body types.Testing different firmness levels is crucial. What feels comfortable in a brief store test may differ after a full nights sleep. Many mattress companies offer trial periods, allowing customers to experience firmness at home before committing.Key Considerations for Selecting the Right Mattress Roberto Nickson via Unsplash Paola Galimberti via UnsplashChoosing the right mattress involves evaluating personal sleep needs, understanding mattress features, and avoiding common selection mistakes. A well-chosen mattress can significantly improve sleep quality and overall health.Assessing Personal Sleep Needs and PreferencesSleep position plays a crucial role in mattress selection. Side sleepers often benefit from softer mattresses that cushion pressure points. Back and stomach sleepers typically need firmer support to maintain proper spinal alignment.Body weight impacts mattress choice. Heavier individuals may require firmer mattresses for adequate support, while lighter people might prefer softer options for comfort.Consider any existing joint pain or allergies. Mattresses with pressure-relief properties can help alleviate discomfort. Hypoallergenic materials are essential for those with sensitivities.Hot sleepers should look for cooling mattresses with breathable materials to prevent overheating during the night.Analyzing Mattress Features for Optimal ComfortMattress types include memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid models. Each offers unique benefits in terms of support, contouring, and durability.Firmness levels range from soft to extra firm. A medium-firm mattress often suits a wide range of sleepers, but personal preference is key.Motion isolation is important for couples, reducing sleep disturbances from a partners movements.Evaluate edge support, especially for those who sit on the beds edge or need the full surface area for sleeping.Consider mattress tension, which affects how the mattress responds to body weight and movement.Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Mattress SelectionDont rely solely on online reviews or others experiences. What works for one person may not suit another due to individual sleep needs.Avoid focusing exclusively on price. While budget matters, the cheapest option may not provide the necessary quality or support.Take advantage of sleep trials offered by many mattress companies. This allows for a real-world test of the mattress in your home environment.Dont overlook the importance of a proper bed base. The right foundation can enhance mattress performance and longevity.Consider additional factors like warranty length and the availability of mattress protectors to safeguard your investment.ConclusionChoosing the right mattress for a double bed requires careful consideration. Avoiding common pitfalls like ignoring sleep positions, relying solely on others opinions, or neglecting trial periods can lead to dissatisfaction. Taking the time to research, test, and evaluate different options is crucial.Couples can find a mattress that provides comfort and support for both sleepers by being mindful of individual needs and preferences. Remember, a well-chosen mattress is an investment in quality sleep and overall well-being.Tips Leave a comment

As we close another year, we find ourselves reflecting on proceedings from the last 12 months: We survived another election, watched hurricanes destroy entire neighborhoods in the southeast, and continued praying for those in war-torn regions.AN editors rounded up the top news stories of 2024 that have shaped architecture and design discourse. This year, we saw follow up on stories weve been tracking for some time now. The year also had its share of new unveilings and scrapped projects. There were stories that made us smile amid a world that sometimes feels chaotic and others that had us grabbing the popcorn bucket to find out what could possibly happen next.ICYMI, check out our controversies roundup for more news from this past year and stay tuned over the next two week as we share the top preservation stories, landscape projects, reviews, and more AN covered in 2024. The Legends Tower (Courtesy AO)Oklahoma City wants to build the tallest building in the U.S.Last year closed out with news that the second tallest tower in the U.S. could be built in, of all places, Oklahoma City. In January the skyscraper from developer Scot Matteson and California architecture firm AO, dubbed Legends Tower, proposed increasing the buildings tall stature to 1,907 feet, making it the tallest building in the U.S. Its height, much like that of New York Citys Freedom Tower, has symbolic significance, as 1907 is the year Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th State of the U.S.This month the tower made headlines again for its exuberant height, with the Federal Aviation Administration claiming it would be a hazard to air navigation. Matheson said in November that construction is planned to start in early 2025.Legends Tower is part of the larger Boardwalk at Bricktown development. Its base will be occupied by a slew of entertainment-focused programming, a hotel, NBA arena, and observation decks.BIG unveiled a megaproject adjacent to the United NationsThe swath of land neighboring the United Nations Headquarters has a history of unrealized architecture visions. In February, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) unveiled the latest development to be proposed for the site, located between 38th and 41st Streets on 1st Avenue.The megaproject, dubbed Freedom Plaza, posits residential and hotel towers, a museum, and casino. Following the news announcement, AN spoke with Bjarke Ingels about the project, more specifically its Museum of Freedom and Democracy, which could be located atop the casino. Ingels told ANthe museum will be designed like an urban agora. Riken Yamamoto has been named the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize recipient (Courtesy Tom Welsh)Riken Yamamoto awarded the 2024 Pritzker Architecture PrizeThe architecture community always eagerly awaits the first week of March when the Pritzker Prize Laureate is announced. This year, all bets were lost when little-known Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto was awarded the prize. Yamamotos work is deeply rooted in engaging with community; he defines his design philosophy as a sense of sharing one space.Built works by the architect are located in Japan, China, Korea, and Switzerland and include a range of typologies, among these art museums, housing, and schools.Jersey City said au revoir, but not so fast, to Centre PompidouJersey Citys long-awaited Centre Pompidou may be a long-time coming no more. In July, the arts centerslated to be located within the citys Pathside Building, renovated by OMAcited COVID, supply chain issues, and financial burdens as the reasons why the project would be paused indefinitely.This past fall an abatement deal was proposed to revive the project. Centre Pompidou x Jersey City would be rolled into a development that comprises two 50-story towers on Pavonia Avenue. Renderings show the ulterior Centre Pompidou x Jersey City located at the base of the towers amid a sea of sculpture gardens and art parks. Bernheimer Architecture ratified its collective bargaining agreementFor the last few years, the unionization of architecture firms has been a closely followed news item. In 2022, Bernheimer Architecture, a firm in Brooklyn, formed the first functional union at a private-sector architecture firm in the United States in decades, joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) through their Architectural Workers United (AWU) campaign.In July, Bernheimer Architecture ratified its collective bargaining agreement, making history as the first private sector architecture firm to do so. In the agreement there is language about working hours and limits, wages, overtime pay, mentorship, and other employee protections and benefits.Residents of Marshall, North Carolina, gathering just days after Hurricane Helene to discuss reconstruction (Jack Flame Sorokin)Hurricanes Helene nearly decimated entire towns in North Carolina and TennesseeHurricanes wreaked havoc across much of the U.S. southeast this past year. With Hurricane Milton ripping the roof off the Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field and Hurricane Helene leaving much of Applachialong considered a climate havenwashed away.After Hurricane Helene, AN spoke with local AIA chapters and businesses about what was lost and what it will take to rebuild and brace the region for the next storm. The devastation left behind by the hurricanes showed that no region of the country is immune from natural disasters. Louis Vuitton store masked as suitcase (Dan Roche/AN)New York City saw a slew of headline-grabbing installationsA dragon wrapped around the tip of the Empire State Building, and scaffolding camouflaged as a building-sized luggage trunk are just two of the installations that had New Yorkers looking up this year.To promote the television show House of Dragons second season, a King Kongstyle homage placed Queen Viseynas dragon, Vhagar, around the tip of the Empire State Building. The inflatable dragon measured 270-feet.Of late, New Yorkers and tourists alike are gawking over the Louis Vuitton flagship currently under construction. The building is masked with a faux facade made of oversized Louis Vuitton trunks. A spokesperson for Louis Vuitton told AN that the installation was designed by the companys in-house team.In other noteworthy New York City news, the Vessel reopened this fall, after four individuals jumped to their deaths from the Heatherwick-designed staircase slash viewing platform. Visitors climbing the structures ziggurat-like steps will now be met with a mesh wrapping that was designed to be as undisruptive to viewing as possible.Stuart Graff, president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, to step downStuart Graff, president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, announced he plans to step down from his role. He has led the foundation for eight years. During his tenure the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation endured some rocky times. In 2016, students and faculty said Graff created a climate of fear, allegations which Graff denied. There were also tensions between Graff and Aaron Betsky, SoATs former president.The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture almost closed in 2019, but later changed its name to the School of Architecture at Taliesin and relocated to Arcosanti to an arts compound in Scottsdale, Arizona.Following Graffs announcement of his departure, Aaron Betzky wrote an open letter to the foundations board expressing his recommendations for the foundations future and how it could support the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright.A search for Graffs successor is still underway. We look ahead to the 2025 International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di VeneziaIn 2025, amid the canals of Venice, the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia will take hold. At a press conference this spring, this editions curator Carlo Ratti announced the theme for the event: Intelligens, which refers to the word intelligence and gens, the Latin word for people. Ratti said the exhibition will be organized around three central themes: natural intelligence, artificial intelligence, and collective intelligence.At the U.S. Pavilion co-commissioners and curators Peter MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School at University of Arkansas; Susan Chin, founder of DesignConnects; and Rod Bigelow of Crystal Bridges Museum will stage PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity. The commission will deliver a new temporary porch attached to the front of the U.S. Pavilion. An open call for exhibiting porch-related projects at the biennale is open for submissions through January 17, 2025.The 19th International Architecture Exhibition will be held in Venice from May 24 to November 23, 2025.

Studio Weave, an East London office, has won a competition to design a new Visitor Welcome Center and revamped forecourt at the British Museums flagship Camden site. Wright & Wright Architects, Tom Massey Studio, and Daisy Froud are also on the project team. The new visitor center will create a better entry experience at both egress points on Great Russell Street and Montague Place. Nicholas Cullinan, the British Museum director, said the project is essential for helping British Museum facilitate its 6.2 million annual visitors.Renderings show a sinuous plane mirrored on its underside. Below the plane, foliage abounds, suggesting a biophilic milieu for museum workers and visitors alike to enjoy.As Londoners, and long-term visitors, we are honoured to be part of this moment in the Museums history, said Studio Weave founding director Je Ahn. With the entry, our team wanted to celebrate the British Museum as both a global and a local museum, and create an internationally exemplary space that will improve the experience of Great Russell Street and Montague Place for everybody.The new visitor center will create a better entry experience at both egress points on Great Russell Street and Montague Place. (Courtesy British Museum)Ahn added that Studio Weaves proposal aims to resolve complex issues on the site. Ahn also said the project will preserve the appearance of the historic Grade I listed buildings, address the changing climate and look forward to the future of the institution. It will also introduce new soft landscaping and plants, dotted with engaging installationsencouraging curiosity and becoming a memorable highlight of every visit. The competition for a new visitor center and forecourt was part of a comprehensive master plan for the British Museum underway in London today, albeit one marred by controversy from the get go. Last January, environmental activists staged a protest at British Museum because the additions main benefactor is British Petroleum (BP), as reported by AN.After the January protests, 6a architects,David Chipperfield Architects, Eric Parry Architects and Jamie Fobert Architects,Lina Ghotmeh Architecture, andOMA were shortlisted to renovate the British Museums Western Range Galleries.The Studio Weave project should be built by spring 2026.

If you, like us, havent finished your holiday shopping and have the hard-to-shop-for folks left on your list, consider a Colossal Membership: an easy-to-procure yet meaningful gift for the creative folks in your life.Your beloved recipient will gain access to exciting stories about art and visual culture uninterrupted by ads, the ability to save articles, and discounts from our friends and in the Colossal Shop. Plus, a portion of their membership will support K-12 classrooms in need of art supplies.Want something special to arrive on their doorstep? Gift at the Patron level, and well send your friend a Colossal tote. If youd like, well even include a personalized note.Simply head over to the Colossal Membership page and click the gift option for the tier of your choice. Happy holidays! Photo by Natalie ShiloDo stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article The Perfect Last-Minute Gift for Art Enthusiasts, Education Advocates, and Your Generally Curious Friends appeared first on Colossal.

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NurPhoto/Getty ImagesWith the holiday season upon us, many companies are finding ways to take advantage through deals, promotions, or other campaigns. OpenAI has found a way to participate with its "12 days of OpenAI" event series.OpenAI announced via an X post that starting on Dec. 5, the company would host 12 days of live streams and release "a bunch of new things, big and small," according to the post. The company saved the best for last, sharing its biggest annoouncemnt on Friday, Dec. 20, the last day of the series.Also: I'm a ChatGPT power user - here's why Canvas is its best productivity featureHere's everything you need to know about the campaign, as well as a round-up of every day's drops.What are the '12 days of OpenAI'?OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared more details about the event, which kicked off at 10 a.m. PT on Dec. 5 and occurred daily for 12 weekdays with a live stream featuring a launch or demo. The launches included both "big ones" or "stocking stuffers," according to Altman.What's dropped?Friday, December 20On the last day of OpenAI, OpenAI unveiled its latest models, o3, which encompass o3 and o3 mini.As previously reported,the reason for the name that skips "o2" is the existence of Telefonica's O2 telecommunications brand, which could cause confusion and copyright issues.OpenAI said that the technology will not be available to the general public yet.o3 can outperform o1 in a variety of benchmarks, including math and science, as seen in its performance on the AIME 2024, a competition math benchmark, and the GPQA, a Ph.D. level science benchmark with biology, physics, and chemistry questions.o3 also scored a new state-of-the-art score on the ARC-AGI benchmark, which is significant because it shows the model is nearing AGI, although, to be clear, it is not there yet.o3 mini is a new model in the o3 family that will support three reasoning options: low, medium, and high. The thinking time determines the performance. At a low level, it performs the same as o1-mini on the Codeforces Competition Code benchmark, but at medium and high, it can perform comparable to o1, if not better. This performance remained consistent across other evals.In addition to internal safety testing, OpenAI is, for the first time, opening up the o3 models to external safety testing. Safety researchers can get early access to the model by filling out a form on the OpenAI website, which will be open until January 10.Sam Altman concluded the live stream by sharing that the o3 model is planned to launch at the end of January, and the full o3 model will be launched after that.The company also introduced deliberative alignment, "a training paradigm that directly teaches reasoning LLMs the text of human-written and interpretable safety specifications, and trains them to reason explicitly about these specifications before answering," according to OpenAI.Thursday, December 19On the second to last day of '12 days of OpenAI,' the company focused on releases regarding its MacOS desktop app and its interoperability with other apps.Users can now use the desktop app on MacOS to see and automate their work with ChatGPT. There will be more releases of this nature in 2025, but until then, OpenAI has been introducing the three features below.Using the "Work with Apps" button, users can now work with many more coding apps. The list includes: BBEdit, MatLab, Nova, Script Editor, TextMate, Android Studio, AppCode, CLion, DataGrip, GoLand, IntelliJ IDEA, PHPStorm, PyCharm, RubyMine, RustRover, WebStorm, Prompt, and Warp.For users who use ChatGPT for writing, the desktop app now supports Apple Notes, Quip, and Notion.Lastly, the desktop app for MacOS now supports Advanced Voice Mode while working with other apps.Features have already been shipped. All you have to do is have the latest version of the MacOS app and a Plus, Pro, Team, Enterprise, and Edu subscription.To ease privacy concerns, OpenAI says ChatGPT will only work with apps when manually prompted. When the feature is active, users know what will be attached to the message."Day 12, we have something super special, so don't miss it," teased OpenAI about its upcoming Friday release.Wednesday, December 18Have you ever wanted to use ChatGPT without a Wi-Fi connection? Now, all you have to do is place a phone call. Here's what OpenAI released on the 10th day:By dialing 1-800-ChatGPT, you can now access the chatbot via a toll-free number. OpenAI encourages users to save ChatGPT in their contacts for easy access. Users can call anywhere in the US; in other countries, users can message ChatGPT on WhatsApp. Users get 15 minutes of free ChatGPT calls per month.In WhatsApp, users can enter a prompt via a text as they would with any other person in their contacts. In this experience, it is just a text message.The phone call feature works on any phone, from a smartphone to a flip phone -- even a rotary phone. The presenters said it is meant to make ChatGPT more accessible to more users.Tuesday, December 17The releases on the ninth day all focus on developer features and updates, dubbed "Mini Dev Day." These launches include: The o1 model is finally out of preview in the API with support for function calling, structured outputs, developer messages, vision capabilities, and lower latency, according to the company.o1 in the API also features a new parameter: "reasoning effort." This parameter allows developers to tell the model how much effort is put into formulating an answer, which helps with cost efficiency.OpenAI also introduced WebRTC support for the Realtime API, which makes it easier for developers "to build and scale real-time voice products across platforms."The Realtime API also got a 60% audio token price drop, support for GPT-4o mini, and more control over responses.The fine-tuning API now supports Preference Fine-Tuning, which allows users to "Optimize the model to favor desired behavior by reinforcing preferred responses and reducing the likelihood of unpreferred ones," according to OpenAI. OpenAI also introduced new Go and Java SDKs in beta.An "AMA" (ask me anything) session will be held for an hour after the live stream on the OpenAI GitHub platform with the presenters.Monday, December 16The drops for the second Monday in the 12 days of OpenAI series all focused on Search in ChatGPT.The AI search engine is available to all users starting today, including all free users who are signed in anywhere they can access ChatGPT. The feature was previously only available to ChatGPT Plus users.The search experience, which allows users to browse the web from ChatGPT, got faster and better on mobile and now has an enriched map experience. The upgrades include image-rich visual results.Search is integrated into Advance Voice mode, meaning you can now search as you talk to ChatGPT. To activate this feature, just activate Advance Voice the same way you regularly would and ask it your query verbally. It will then answer your query verbally by pulling from the web.OpenAI also teased developers, saying, "Tomorrow is for you," and calling the upcoming livestream a "mini Dev Day."Friday, December 13One of OpenAI's most highly requested features has been an organizational feature to better keep track of your conversations. On Friday, OpenAI delivered a new feature called "Projects."Projects is a new way to organize and customize your chats in ChatGPT, meant to be a part of continuing to optimize the core experience of ChatGPT.When creating a Project, you can include a title, a customized folder color, relevant project files, instructions for ChatGPT on how it can best help you with the project, and more in one place.In the Project, you can start a chat and add previous chats from the sidebar to your Project. It can also answer questions using your context in a regular chat format. The chats can be saved in the Project, making it easier to pick up your conversations later and know exactly what to look for where.It will be rolled out to Plus, Pro, and Teams users starting today. OpenAI says it's coming to free users as soon as possible. Enterprise and Edu users will see it rolled out early next year.Thursday, December 12When the live stream started, OpenAI addressed the elephant in the room -- the fact that the company's live stream went down the day before. OpenAI apologized for the inconvenience and said its team is working on a post-mortem to be posted later.Then it got straight into the news -- another highly-anticipated announcement:Advanced Voice Mode now has screen-sharing and visual capabilities, meaning it can assist with the context of what it is viewing, whether that be from your phone camera or what's on your screen.These capabilities build on what Advanced Voice could already do very well -- engaging in casual conversation as a human would. The natural-like conversations can be interrupted, have multi-turns, and understand non-linear trains of thought.In the demo, the user gets directions from ChatGPT's Advanced Voice on how to make a cup of coffee. As the demoer goes through the steps, ChatGPT is verbally offering insights and directions.There's another bonus for the Christmas season: Users can access a new Santa voice. To activate it, all users have to do is click on the snowflake icon. Santa is rolling out throughout today everywhere that users can access ChatGPT voice mode. The first time you talk to Santa, your usage limits reset, even if you have reached the limit already, so you can have a conversation with him.Video and screen sharing are rolling out in the latest mobile apps starting today and throughout next week to all Team users and most Pro and Plus subscribers. Pro and Plus subscribers in Europe will get access "as soon as we can," and Enterprise and Edu users will get access early next year.Wednesday, December 11Apple released iOS 18.2on Wednesday. The release includes integrations with ChatGPT across Siri, Writing Tools, and Visual Intelligence. As a result, the live stream focused on walking through the integration.Siri can now recognize when you ask questions outside its scope that could benefit from being answered by ChatGPT instead. In those instances, it will ask if you'd like to process the query using ChatGPT. Before any request is sent to ChatGPT, a message notifying the user and asking for permission will always appear, placing control in the user's hands as much as possible.Visual Intelligence refers to a new feature for the iPhone 16 lineup that users can access by tapping the Camera Control button. Once the camera is open, users can point it at something and search the web with Google, or use ChatGPT to learn more about what they are viewing or perform other tasks such as translating or summarizing text.Writing Tools now features a new "Compose" tool, which allows users to create text from scratch by leveraging ChatGPT. With the feature, users can even generate images using DALL-E.All of the above features are subject to ChatGPT's daily usage limits, the same way that users would reach limits while using the free version of the model on ChatGPT. Users can choose whether or not to enable the ChatGPT integration in Settings.Read more about it here: iOS 18.2 rolls out to iPhones: Try these 6 new AI features todayTuesday, December 10Canvas is coming to all web users, regardless of plan, in GPT-4o, meaning it is no longer just available in beta for ChatGPT Plus users.Canvas has been built into GPT-4o natively, meaning you can just call on Canvas instead of having to go to the toggle on the model selector.The Canvas interface is the same as what users saw in beta in ChatGPT Plus, with a table on the left hand side that shows the Q+A exchange and a right-hand tab that shows your project, displaying all of the edits as they go, as well as shortcuts.Canvas can also be used with custom GPTs. It is turned on by default when creating a new one, and there is an option to add Canvas to existing GPTs.Canvas also has the ability to run Python code directly in Canvas, allowing ChatGPT to execute coding tasks such as fixing bugs.Read more about it here:I'm a ChatGPT power user - and Canvas is still my favorite productivity feature a month laterMonday, December 9OpenAI teased the third-day announcement as "something you've been waiting for," followed by the much-anticipated drop of its video model -- Sora. Here's what you need to know:Known as Sora Turbo, the video model is smarter than the February model that was previewed.Access is coming in the US later today; users need only ChatGPT Plus and Pro.Sora can generate video-to-video, text-to-video, and more.ChatGPT Plus users can generate up to 50 videos per month at 480p resolution or fewer videos at 720p. The Pro Plan offers 10x more usage.The new model is smarter and cheaper than the previewed February model.Sora features an explore page where users can view each other's creations. Users can click on any video to see how it was created.A live demo showed the model in use. The demo-ers entered a prompt and picked aspect ratio, duration, and even presets. I found the live demo video results to be realistic and stunning.OpenAI also unveiled Storyboard, a tool that lets users generate inputs for every frame in a sequence.Friday, December 6:On the second day of "shipmas," OpenAI expanded access to its Reinforcement Fine-Tuning Research Program:The Reinforcement Fine-Tuning program allows developers and machine learning engineers to fine-tune OpenAI models to "excel at specific sets of complex, domain-specific tasks," according to OpenAI.Reinforcement Fine-Tuning refers to a customization technique in which developers can define a model's behavior by inputting tasks and grading the output. The model then uses this feedback as a guide to improve, becoming better at reasoning through similar problems, and enhancing overall accuracy.OpenAI encourages research institutes, universities, and enterprises to apply to the program, particularly those that perform narrow sets of complex tasks, could benefit from the assistance of AI, and perform tasks that have an objectively correct answer.Spots are limited; interested applicants can apply by filling out this form.OpenAI aims to make Reinforcement Fine-Tuning publicly available in early 2025.Thursday, December 5:OpenAI started with a bang, unveiling two major upgrades to its chatbot: a new tier of ChatGPT subscription, ChatGPT Pro, and the full version of the company'so1 model.The full version of o1:Will be better for all kinds of prompts, beyond math and scienceWill make major mistakes about 34% less often than o1-preview, while thinking about 50% fasterRolls out today, replacing o1-preview to all ChatGPT Plus and now Pro usersLets users input images, as seen in the demo, to provide multi-modal reasoning (reasoning on both text and images)ChatGPT Pro:Is meant for ChatGPT Plus superusers, granting them unlimited access to the best OpenAI has to offer, including unlimited access to OpenAI o1-mini, GPT-4o, and Advanced ModeFeatures o1 pro mode, which uses more computing to reason through the hardest science and math problemsCosts $200 per monthWhere can you access the live stream?The live streams were held on the OpenAI website, and posted to its YouTube channel immediately after. So if you missed the 12 days of OpenAI and want to rewatch, you can access them all on the company's YouTube channel.Artificial Intelligence