The Mandalorian Theme Redux

The Mandalorian Theme Redux

Thanks to YouTube’s all-knowing what-to-watch-next algorithm, all I’ve achieved today is compile a playlist of my favourite covers of The Mandalorian’s theme song. It is undoubtedly one of the show’s more iconic elements that adds to its endless charm. I imagine Jon Favreau’s meeting with composer Ludwig Göransson went down like this - “make it sound space-western-y and make it insanely catchy”.

Göransson, of course, has been on an absolute tear of late, producing Childish Gambino’s ‘This is America’ and writing the score for ‘Black Panther’, of which he won an Oscar. In fact, he is currently in post production mode as the composer for Nolan’s next epic ‘TENET’, which looks incredible.

In the meantime, here are some variations on those spirited horns and oboes, with a spattering of xylophones that’ll forever live in our hearts.

First up, this 80s retro synthwave version by YSSY is the one that set me off on my path. And yes, it is perfect. This is the wave.

This epic version crosses over with a pinch of John Williams - can you pick it?

Some more examples of talented YouTubers doing YouTube things…

Designing the Stop Sign

While we may mock and laugh at the kind of briefing processes we find ourselves in as designers, it is also shockingly pathetic how we choose not to do anything about it. Are we way too jaded? Is the process to change the process just not worth it?

Whatever it is, the situation you find yourself in, is probably just as much your fault as it is the client's.

If only more clients watched this video instead.. 'The Art of Web Design' by PBS.​

How to be Baratunde

You might know by now that Baratunde Thurston, a tech-loving comedian is now a New York Times best-selling author with his book 'How To Be Black'. He is also the opening keynote speaker at SXSW 2012 which I'm quite excited about.

I came across this youtube of him presenting to a bunch of Googlers at Mountainview (the Black Googler network in fact) - he speaks of how the book came about, the processes in going from an amusing idea to becoming his life story. It's an hour long, but worthwhile if you want to get a good sense of who he is and what he is about.