¡¡¡¡From October 10 to 19¢Ÿthe British Design Council£§s international touring exhibition Great Expectations visited Oriental Plaza in Beijing. Great Expectations showcased over 100 examples of world-leading technology and design from the UK. The exhibition covered architecture¢Ÿadvertising¢Ÿgraphics¢Ÿmedical and consumer products¢Ÿvehicles¢Ÿfilm¢Ÿnew media¢Ÿfashion and textiles. The icons of innovation were set out on a vast glowing table around which guests could wander or take a seat. Mill Film£§s post production work on Gladiator in 2001 and BBC Worldwide£§s production of Walking with Dinosaurs were most attracting in the exhibition.

¡¡¡¡Anyone who enjoyed British director Ridley Scott£§s biggest recent hit¢ŸGladiator were fascinated to see that it was made with the cutting edge input not only of the director himself but the team from London-based Mill Film. The exhibition told visitors the recreated ancient Rome and several of the film£§s most dramatic set pieces through the efforts of animators and compositors. Besides¢Ÿvisitors saw products ranging from Ford-Cosworth£§s XF V-8 Engine to Richard James£§menswear range and the Biomega bike by Marc Newson Ltd¢Ÿshowing how Britain£§s most successful businesses realize competitiveness comes from a never-ending cycle of innovation.

¡¡¡¡In Bartle Bogle Hegarty£§s Levi£§s commercial¢Ÿa car£§s passengers literally and disconcertingly unwind¢Ÿcourtesy of revolutionary production techniques¢Ÿin a play on the twisted seams that feature in the new range of Engineered Jeans. The film¢Ÿrun on TV and in cinemas and part of a campaign including print¢Ÿposter and digital work¢Ÿwas an instant favorite with its young and discerning audience and collected a coveted Gold Award from British Design£¦Art Direction this year. It£§s worth noting too that the visual effects simulating the¡°wisting¡±limbs were a British affair¢Ÿdeveloped with help from Mill Film.

¡¡¡¡The businesses behind the stories in Great Expectations were but a small part of an ever-growing wave of companies¢Ÿboth new and well-established. However¢Ÿit told people that these were the differentiators that made those businesses stand out in a global economy where¢Ÿmore often than not¢Ÿthey would be beaten on price.