To celebrate the opening of his documentary premiere in SF last month, a number of  Banksy murals popped up throughout San Francisco. The simple and poetic  stencil-based images combined with the surprise and accessibility that comes from the public context make for a powerful visual delivery.

These are some of my favorites from the BAGP mural walk. Check out this map for a complete list of Banksy murals in San Francisco. (courtesy of Graffiti Photostroll)

7 seconds: How Battlestar Galactica gets pulses pounding

Every time you tune in to a TV show, whether it’s your first episode or you’re coming back for more, title designers typically have less than a minute to set the tone, establish the context, and get your heart racing.

The title sequence of Battlestar Galactica begins with serene chanting juxtaposed with violent images that define the central conflict. Then something interesting happens.

At 33 seconds, a flash. The soothing voices fade away, replaced by pounding drums, and you’re exposed to a 7-second peek into the future as major events from the episode you are about to see flash before your eyes. This tiny glimpse into the future is enough to turn what would otherwise be a canned title sequence into a jolt to the imagination.

If you’re designing an experience that calls for setting a tone, establishing a context, how can you give your audience a peek ahead to get their hearts racing without giving too much away?