Sunday, February 28, 2010

Sameness is Goodness?

Interesting take on magazine cover design. There is definitely a formula for the newsstand
but I also think the counter can be true. Those who take the risk to avoid the formula
have the opportunity to sell the same amount of covers, more or less. So the big question is
who has the cajones to think big?
http://www.spd.org/2010/02/cover-samenessjpg.php

Eco Majority

A very impressive new site / community dedicated to sustainable building / eco friendly issues / etc. The founder just finished a custom sustainable project for he and his family and this is a great place to check out information and have conversation about all issues related to eco-building, etc. Check it out.

Design Icon : Space Needle

Thanks to David Zaitz for the video link

End of Hummer / End of Design Era?

With news of Hummer potentially coming to an end is the era of this aesthetic over?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Pre-Order iPad

Finally, some new Apple tablet rumors--life was getting mighty lonesome without them. The latest, from AppAdvice.com, is that Apple will begin taking pre-orders for the iPad on February 25, which is this coming Thursday.

iPad

How to fit iPad into your busy life and many gaddgets
http://www.psfk.com/2010/02/the-ipad-and-the-life-between-buildings.html

Monday, February 22, 2010

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Does it Matter Anymore?

More and more magazines are tapping into the technology of the RED to capture not only stills for print media but video for added value content. The old battle was between film and digital, the new battle: is it moving or is it a captured frame? I'd argue, does it matter? I think coming from a magazine designers point of view film, although old-school, trumps digital on in both print and video. I've seen plenty of expensive digital video cameras do amazing work but not hold a candle to the beauty and authenticity of film. In fact, the more technology progresses the more filters, tricks and commands become available to alter digital so it "emulates" film. I don't think it matters what you use or how you use it as long as the treatment and capture is authentic to the story. Just as big Hollywood movies have huge budgets for special effect the same movies those effects are creating for usually fall short if the story isn't there. Without story and characters you actually care about technology is just technology.

Fun Design

Much of what we see in design annuals could be simply categorized as "Serious Design". I think as a general
measuring stick, advertising creative tends to have more "fun" than straight up design firm design. This design firm
(pentagram) driven piece has some fun without detracting from the message.

Ace Hotel : Palm Springs

Headed down in a few weeks for photoshoot scouting, casting.... plan to crash at the Ace...
http://www.acehotel.com/palmsprings

Oldie But Goodie

The closer we get to the iPad launch the more I crave actual ink on paper. This piece for Dwell magazine continues to inspire. It's the process as much as the final product that draws us to creativity and design (for most of us, anyways).... I spent over half my career in consumer / trade and custom publishing so there's always that editorial itch to scratch. Enjoy.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Car Design

If this is the future of car design than I want in.....

Clients from Hell

If this stuff seems familiar it's because it is...
http://clientsfromhell.tumblr.com/

Information Supergraphic

http://nymag.com/arts/all/approvalmatrix/63775/
This is one of my favorite things every week to look forward to in New York magazine. Simply designed, detailed and well-executed. It is what works so well in print and I could only imagine how cool an interactive version of this would be online with slideshows, video, audio, etc...

Olson Kundig #6

OK Architects named in top 10 by Fast Company magazine

Olson Kundig Architects

Shortening its name from Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects in January reflects the firm's approach to architecture: keep it down-to-earth and sustainable. The Seattle-based firm received the AIA Architecture Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects in 2009 for a decade of work. Current projects include the offices for steel fabricator T Bailey Inc., which appropriately uses large pipes as architectural elements, and the Lightcatcher building for Bellingham, Washington's Whatcom Museum, a 180-foot-long building that captures sunlight and is the state's first LEED Silver building.


Top Fonts of 2009

Knockout – Probably my favorite of last year. I used it everywhere. It’s so versatile, and has so many weights, that I found it really helpful for many projects.

United – You know I love this.

Din – One of my favorites of all time. I found myself using this in just about every infographic I had to create.

Miso – It’s free and comes in handy every once in a while. Found this one popping up in my freelance work a bunch.

Plantin – One of the sole serif representatives. I used this for just about every single time I had body copy. Thanks Monocle!

Futura – Had to include this after my Wes Anderson project. Didn’t use it a whole lot elsewhere, but I always check out how things look in Futura just in case. Especially for logos — Futura comes through in a pinch often.

Trade Gothic – Especially Bold No. 2. If I hear a cool word I don’t know, I will write it down so I can type it out in Trade later just to see how bad ass it looks.


Thursday, February 18, 2010

Wired Tablet Prototype Design

Good iHype for the iPad... Wired realized on a iPad-esque device
http://www.typography.com/ask/showBlog.php?blogID=235

Sup Magazine Design

Pretty black and white. Pretty Plain. Pretty nice.
http://www.supmag.com/