It’s cute, but what is it for?

Well, that’s up to you.

If there’s one thing the giant stock photo bank Getty Images has, its - big surprise! - images.

Several thousands of which it has mashed up to create the so-called “concepting tool” Moodstream. The site, created in Flash, is a website that looks like a desktop dashboard. The control panel or ‘remote control’ allows users to set their existing or desired mood – you can choose to energise, refresh, simplify, stabilise, inspire or excite.

You can also choose to what extent you want Moodstream to project: happy or sad images, calm or lively images, humorous or serious pictures, nostalgic or contemporary photos or warm versus cool pics. You can also choose how you want images to transition on and off the screen.

Then choose how loud you want the accompanying audio to be, and if you want tunes with words, or wordless music.

Ten seconds later, you have your own “digital fireplace,” its images flickering across your screen to a flow of audio snippets. Stare into it and be inspired. Or just be entertained at the office while you put off writing that report.

“It’s a website we created for and with Getty Images to showcase all of their offerings – still, video and sound – and inspire interactive creatives. And it’s really, really fun to use,” Moodstream creator Rick Webb wrote on 10 June, the night after Moodstream debuted at an after-party of the Webby Awards.

Webb is a co-founder of the Barbarian Group, a marketing and technology team big into interactivity. It worked with Getty Images – recently acquired by an affiliate of the private equity firm Hellman & Friedman – to bring Moodstream into reality.

The Barbarian Group gabs about its approach to creativity on the site of the Webby Awards – a site which it designed.

“We believe that the best creative work comes out of a creatively stimulating and mentally rewarding work environment. We play with this the same ways most quality creative organizations do: flexible hours, friendly people, inviting workplaces, a lax attitude towards when you get to work, when you leave, and how much Grand Theft Auto IV you play. The best ideas come out of active and curious minds who aren’t burdened with troubles - in the workplace or out.”

Seems like a mantra for products like Moodstream, which serves of course as a showcase for Getty Images, but is also simply a fun tool anyone can use to quickly stimulate some free thinking. The downside? Don’t stare into this digital fireplace for too long. After about 15 minutes, the limited repertoire of music and photos becomes apparent. Regardless of what mood you project on your screen. But it seems more photos and music will be added. There also seems to be some chatter about the possibility of opening Moodstream to facilitate users uploading their own photos.

Getty Images seems to be proffering many a creative “solution” these days. Earlier this month, just seven days after the acquisition, it announced a licensing partnership programme with Flickr.

 

Published: July 16, 2008