// M

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Behind-the-Magic : Grey Goose Vodka

http://www.d-kitchen.com/comment/reply/600

Saturday, July 11, 2009

DK : Motion House Feature

Seattle's Digital Kitchen featured in an Apple Creative Pro Series

Friday, July 10, 2009

Container Pools

The shipping container as architectural material is definitely on the trend list but how about a shipping container as outdoor pool?

Branding By Design (or not)

Nathan Reddy on 'the brand' from Design Indaba on Vimeo.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Lego Architecture

http://architecture.lego.com/en-US/About/Default.aspx

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Got Wheels?

Talented photography work covering the world of cycling

Creative Profile : Anonymous Content

A commercial for Nike about Lance Armstrong : Driven
http://www.anonymouscontent.com/commercials/frank-budgen/driven

Digital Asset Management

Very user-friendly interface (apple-esque). Check it out

http://creativity-online.com/?action=news:article&newsId=137799&sectionName=special_report
I love digital as much as the next guy but I think this profile points out the inner creative urge to make something unique and experiential in a way that is not just limited to the flickering light of a computer screen. Deep down there is a human need to interact with something real and as much as digital is a part of the landscape it is not a living and breathing thing and cannot be interacted with in the same way as say an environmental graphic, a printed piece with texture, an event or experience that requires all the senses, etc. Digital is new and fresh and next but in time like everything it will be just one bullet in the creative gun and something else will come along to supplant it as the next great things. One bullet. Many chambers. Choose wisely.

Font Fun

Two Arch Documentaries

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

TED Conference

Mentos Experiential Creative

Chair in a Box

Modern Postcard : iPhone App

Download the application here
http://www.postcardexpressapp.com/#

Monday, July 6, 2009

World's Worst Package Design

Crazy Video

The Runner -Exploit yourself- from BLR_VFX on Vimeo.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Portland General Store

Amazing typography here from typeface selection to the articulate detailing of kerning, design, etc. Nothing is left to chance here. Nice variety in visual approaches all coming form the same conceptual playbook. Click here to shop

Sustainable Pre-Fab Boating?

Modern boating has arrived for the masses. Touching the water "lightly" the metro ship
has green features abound..
http://www.metro-ship.com/

Tree Hugger vs. Apple

I'm sure Treehugger will take a bit out of Apple on this one..

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/will-active-packaging-undermine-apples-quest-sustainability

GTA Coke Ad

Tin Shed : Revisited

I blogged about the tin shed about a year ago. Patagonia does a tremendous job telling wonderful stories about the environment and always finds a tasteful way to wrap their products into the context of these tales. It's never about selling or product features but more about how to empower their customers to live a Patagonia lifestyle and give back to the earth. The art direction is amazing with no detail left out and the visual experience is seamless. Simple, wonderfully technical typography and crisp images dot the interactive landscape.

Film

Stop-Motion Video Games

Huts 101

I've written about them quite often but until you actually experience the rolling huts of mazama its all just beautiful pictures and really great PR on behalf of the architect, Tom Kundig. We took a little weekend trip and stayed overnight in two of the huts (#3, #5) and had a blast. They live up to the hype in their rugged simplicity and function to provide relaxation, comfort and a front row seat of a beautiful view and landscape. Materials are minimal and everything was carefully selected to not seem over the top. It's as close to camping without actual touching the ground and of course modern amenities (but not flashy or upscale) such as a microwave and mini-fridge come with the price of admission (approximately $80 per hut + tax). You can find out more at www.rollinghuts.com When we stayed there was no vacancy at any of the six huts. You forget you are in architecture and feel as if your floating in the fields. Nearby Delta Shelter is a peak through the woods as well but is fenced and not open to visitors.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Boys of Summer

This isn't really about objects of affection. I love whiffle ball and think it is a true hero of modern (and vintage) product design. Spherical with holes what else could you ask for. You can modify its trajectory as you wish. It's white and plastic
and the packaging is simply brilliant (and simple). It's an icon of the summertime. Go down to your local hardware store and pick one up. You won't be disappointed. Play Ball!!

DWR

Everyone has been touched by this economy unless you are living under a rock. I like the transparency I'm reading about from Design Within Reach. The CEO continues to blog about rumors, dispel gossip-mongering and, well...tells the truth. A new feature on their site is a little bit where they shared stories from the folks at the company. I think we often forget behind the pearly gates of corporate america still sits everyday people. No matter what the brand individuals with passion (we hope) for a specific product, cause, service, etc. are often the mysterious faces that drive the emotional need we all have at some point for a product. I like what DWR is doing, its creating relationships by connecting customers to creators of ideas and products. Most of its letting the outside (us) in on the conversation, the process, the decisions, etc. and its creating a connection between creator and consumer. When all else is equal and prices are the same here or there it may be the conversation, the connection, the willingness to be open that lets me, Joe consumer decide to go the DWR route over, say, some other vendor peddling their stuff elsewhere.

http://blog.dwr.com/designnotes/

Modern Home Survey

Informative modernist site on the history of architecture in New Canaan, Connecticut and the
efforts to preserve and educate others. Great photo gallery, content, etc. Digged the Irwin House,
"The Irwin House is set on a steep hill on a densely wooded site. The upper floor of the flat-roofed structure extends beyond the base of the building on two opposing sides; the side facing the driveway is cantilevered with a deck on the upper floor and the opposite side is supported on wooden piers set into concrete footers.

The front and rear fa?ades are almost identical; each fa?ade has a set of wood stairs at the center of the wall leading to an entryway consisting of a narrow-stile door with a large fixed sidelight sheltered by a cantilevered canopy, while the remainder of the fa?ade is blank. The side fa?ades are heavily glazed with fixed and casement sash and narrow-stile doors. The base of the building is finished with stucco and the upper floor is clad in flush vertical cypress wood siding. At the driveway is a two-car garage with an upper-floor studio. A brick patio and flagstone pavers connect the house to the studio. The property also includes an in-ground swimming pool."

Consequences of Creativity

Chase Jarvis CURRENT: The Consequences of Creativity from Chase Jarvis on Vimeo.

Packaging : Cannes Style

Here is the top package design as judged by the folkes at Cannes

Things I Love

Here are a few pieces I love from the folks over at Build LLC and their new special projects division furniture and wood shop. First, I love and would love to have one of their custom new benches (the longer, the better). Prices are on their site. Second, love the mini-bar with wheels that takes advantage of any space and can be inside or outside with limited effort. Finally, probably a bit more eccentric but this chair is just fun. The detail of their work is amazing and design and function are connected at the hip. Not just stuff that looks good it works and is durable. Best of all its great to buy something from good folks who you know appreciate the
investment in their work and their craft. I highly recommend for anyone in the market for furnishings for their modern dwelling...Thanks to Andrew and Kevin over at Build for always being accomodating to visits and tours, etc.