Friday, December 22, 2006

Happy Holidays from GDBar

End of the year adventuring will take me offline next week—safe travels and happy holidays to you and yours. GDBar will return in full force after the New Year. Here's to creative adventure in 2007!
Illustration by Pietari Posti

Make A Snowflake

Fun for Friday: Make-a-Flake, a snowflake generator. Surprisingly addictive, most people's flake-making abilities improve upon multiple attempts. [via Coudal Partners]

Favorite Last Minute Gift Idea: Magazines

As I become less and less organized in my adult life, I often find that I'm precariously close to gift-giving deadlines (such as the one looming on Monday). As a result, I've become quite the connoisseur of last-minute gift ideas. So far my favorite is the trusty magazine subscription. For roughly the price of a night out, you can give the gift that keeps on giving. It's more thoughtful than a gift certificate (the recipient will think of you, for better or worse, every time the mag lands in their mailbox), and involves zero work for your friend or loved one (it comes to them). Also, even people who love magazines are sometimes loth to pony up for a subscription and delight in the frivolity of the delivered gossip rag/political rant/lit review/industry showcase, etc. Scout out publications (such as the industry magazines above) at Amazon. And happy last-minute holidays to all!

Designer's Guide to Color Box Set

All five volumes of the popular Designer's Guide to Color are now available in a boxed set (that will not break the bank). Volume one presents innovative color combinations, volume two is concerned with brightness, volume three with pattern, volume four with tone, and volume five with the ways in which color combinations can be used to represent emotion. [via swissmiss]

BoingBoing Videos

Not to be outdone in this, the season of Top 10 lists, BoingBoing's Mark Frauenfelder has compiled all his video picks from the last couple of years. The list includes some great animation and a number of choice oddities, including Charlie White's creepy/fabulous video for Adicolor Pink (all Adicolor videos were previously featured here.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

NYT Book Design Review's Best of 2006

'Tis the season for best-of lists, and the NYTimes Book Design Review blog selects their picks for favorite book covers of 2006. Bonus: last year's list is also included. [via kottke]

Archie's Modern Makeover

Not your father's Archie comic—Drawn! takes a look at the updated Betty and Veronica.

UPDATE: Archie Comics responds to the generally negative reaction the redesigned Betty & Veronica are receiving online.

Pentagram's Graphic System for Saks

Pentagram has designed a new "graphic system" identity for Saks Fifth Avenue that has as many variations as the number of electrons in the known universe! [thanks to Alex for the link]

Guess the Logo

Can you identify the actual logo of major companies? [via Subtraction]

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

New Photography at MoMA

On now at MoMA through January 8, 2007: New Photography 2006, the annual fall showcase of significant recent work in contemporary photography. This year features European artists Jonathan Monk, Barbara Probst and Jules Spinatsch. [via kottke, who recommends Probst especially]

77 Ways to Learn Faster, Deeper, and Better

An article from the Online Education Database that proposes 77 Ways to Learn Faster, Deeper, and Better lists some of the usual items (take a walk, don't expect mental acuity after a huge lunch, etc.) but then throws in some unexpected recommedations such as use information graphics, collaborate, sketch... things that are right up the design alley. [via Make Ready]

ILM: Behind the FX

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) has launched a special website that explores the visual effects of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. The interface is fun and sleek, and much more was done by computers and digital artists than you might suspect! [via BoingBoing]

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Branding Branding

Errol Saldanha's Branding Branding blog focuses on clarifying and developing ideas about branding—including the definition of the term itself. [via DWB]

Do you actually need more megapixels?

An interesting article at Wired argues against piling on the megapixels when purchasing a digital camera. Apparently more megapixels do not necessarily a better photo make...

Observation: Lucky's Color Combinations

As a general rule, what the fashion industry says about color has either been abtractly influenced by the design industry or totally anticipates what we'll start seeing in product/web/print design (all things really are connected). The January issue of Lucky Magazine is encouraging consumers to run with some interesting color combinations: Taxicab yellow & gray, cobalt blue & black, orange & camel, fuschia & army green, violet & navy, and tomato red & dark brown.

Perhaps these colors subconsciously came from, say, the modern brights and neutrals of current web design... Or maybe they'll be popping up on Apple accessories or within the ever-changing spectrum of spatulas at Williams Sonoma. Could be interesting.

Type Buttons

Coudal Partners get in on the type button/badge trend with Pinsetter. Order the word(s) of your choice—every order comes with the little red heart. Can't get enough pinnable type? You can say it with Helvetica via El Boton or go vintage at Copacetique.

Note: El Boton also has Subtraction's Hel-Fucking-Vetica button available as part of their web design set (they're currently the only place around to get your hands on any H-F-V merchandise, since designer Khoi Vinh has sold out of his limited run of t-shirts.

Monday, December 18, 2006

The Alchemists

Advertising icons Lee Clow, George Lois, Phyllis K. Robinson, Hal Riney and Dan Wieden are the focus of an upcoming film by Doug Pray called The Alchemists. Pray insists that "this is not a historical documentary or a tribute, and it's not an analysis of the perils of consumerism and thought-control. It is a film about creative rebellion, and how all-powerful art springs forth from deeply personal, psychological sources and the need for change… even in advertising." The trailer is available to view. [via Jason Santa Maria]

Bantjes on Children's Books

Speak Up's Marian Bantjes takes a wander through her local bookstore and lists her picks for standout children's books worthy of giving as design-related gifts (to kids, to yourself...).

Absenter

Designer and photographer Nazarin Hamid showcases his photos on the lovely site Absenter. Even the most casual of his snaps become polished against the clean, appealing footer (which changes color to coordinate with the photos). The setup is intruiging yet simple enough to keep visitors clicking even through the vertical shots, where Hamid commits a big web design sin by forcing us to scroll for the menu. [thanks to Jack Zheng for reminding me about this one]

Silkscreening on Moleskines

BoingBoing's Mark Frauenfelder has been silkscreening images onto his Moleskine notebook and selling them online. What a great idea—the blank covers are just waiting to be scribbled on, but screening an image or logo onto the cover takes things to a whole new level. You could easily create small sets of these to sell, give as gifts, or to use on specific projects or as identity items.

In Phase and Vertical Rhythm

The boys over at 37signals talk amongst themselves about the typographic idea of being "in phase" (which can wreak havoc with the baseline grid) and concepts of vertical rhythm.

American Photography 23/American Illustration 26

There's a call for entries out for American Photography 23 and American Illustration 26, which are both award-winning, large format, high visibility hardcover annuals. Entry is open to students as well as creative professionals. Deadlines loom in February. [via HOW]

Darfur

Milton Glaser's Darfur poster is getting all the buzz, but I also noticed this Darfur ad for France24 news over the weekend, which stopped me in my tracks. Though both aim to increase awareness of Darfur, they are taking very different routes. Personally, I respond more to the France24 ad, because the visual is arresting and also because it preys on my own lack of knowledge—"this is something you should know about" is more effective than "this is something you should care about" (on some level I've stopped responding to that tactic). Which do you feel is more successful?

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Wooster Collective: Wooster on Spring

This weekend is the three-day only open house for the Wooster Collective's Wooster on Spring project. Hundreds of pieces of street art from the last three decades are on display—and all artwork will be destroyed after Sunday to make room for condo development. Gothamist, who has excellent coverage of the event (they are big urban art fans), calls the project "the best collection of international street art and graffiti you'll ever see in one place" and is keeping a running list of photostreams and reference links. The New York Times also profiled the project: Last Hurrah for Street Art, as Canvas Goes Condo.

Friday, December 15, 2006

Hothead Films

Fun for Friday: Hothead Films, the site of British animator and illustrator Oliver Reid, is full of crazy little videos and television spots, wacky character illustrations and a great showreel. Vibrant and fun, especially the adverts. Reid's got a history with Aardman and Passion Pictures. [via Drawn!]

Red & Yellow Fast Food Logos

The Random Connections blog observes that many fast food companies seem to use similar shades of red and yellow in their logos, and a lengthy discussion about the psychology of color follows. Honestly, my immediate thought was ketchup and mustard, but apparently most people choose to deeply analyze theories of species mimicry and evolutionary convergence first. [via BoingBoing]

Soho Taschen Store opens... again

The Taschen store is open for holiday business at their on-again-off-again location at 107 Greene Street in Soho. The store—originally scheduled to open last spring—is now open yet not due to officially launch until spring of 2007 (basically the same song they sang last year, so we'll see what happens). Meanwhile, you could conceivably do all your holiday shopping in a store full of nothing but Taschen books... something to think about.

Helvetica Movie Clips Available

The website for the upcoming Helvetica documentary now has various clips available to view that feature Erik Spiekermann, Neville Brody and others. The film is due to hit film festivals starting in early 2007.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Paper iPod Covers

If you like to dress up your electronics in paper trappings, BoingBoing features two online templates for doing just that. Use the iPaperCraft generator to upload and apply any image to their free templates, then print out a cover for various sizes of iPod. There's also a simple DIY template for the Nano. This would be a great gift idea... if Apple's packaging wasn't already so sleek.

365: AIGA Annual Design Exhibition 27

Opening today and on through February 2007: 365: AIGA Annual Design Exhibition 27, a juried selection of the most accomplished design produced in 2005 (including typographic design, corporate communications, package design, brand identity systems and other disciplines). I went to the opening reception last night—while there are many items that you've likely seen before, the exhibition as a whole is still worth checking out.

Digital responsible for letterpress comeback?

The New York Times suggests that the growing popularity of letterpress is making a comeback because of the surge in digital publishing. "Art experts say this new interest in the specialized craft is a reaction to the slick design and flat graphics common in computer publishing. '’It looks different. It feels old. It'’s tactile. People love that. It is the romance of the impression of the letter pressed into paper that people feel good about.'" [via 37signals]

Note on links to the New York Times: I generally try to avoid these because they become subscriber-only, but apparently that will soon change. Things don't seem to be in place quite yet, however (there is no SHARE link in the sidebar of this piece), so read up before the article disappears into the archives!

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Holiday Lights on Flickr

Flickr's got a cluster of holiday photos that contains over a thousand photos of lights. Some are little wonders of blur, sparkle and color—don't miss Radiance and Cups of Colours ("Mesmerizing when viewed large," raves one commenter).

Personal Publishing Resources

Kevin Kelly discusses resources for personal publishing and his experiences creating his own books from photos. I've always wanted to try this—you get a presentably produced end product and, with a little creativity, the possibilities abound. These could make for an interesting portfolio, an ongoing archive of sketches, or could be used productively for client work. As Kelly notes, "A book has an authority and weight that is not easily dismissed in this digital world. People have discovered that by mailing out nice books of their reports, business plans, or even Powerpoint presentations they got more attention and calls back because 'people won't throw a book out!'" [via DO]

Bewitched Animation

Everything you've ever wanted to know about the animated opening title sequence of Bewitched. [via Drawn!]

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Movie Posters 2006

Sam's Myth (the blog of Sam Smith) features some nice picks for the Top Five movie posters of 2006, plus some extras thrown in for good measure. [via DO]

Threadless: "People see text on a t-shirt..."

I Want To Be Friends is yet another type-based tee from Threadless. The shirt graphic starts off with this fact of life: "People see text on a t-shirt and read it all the way through expecting something clever..."

Jan Willem Wennekes: Wall Monsters

Dutch illustrator Jan Willem Wennekes, aka Zeptonn, has created a great set of vinyl decal monsters. As the wall decal trend dies down, it's refreshing to see things take this swerve towards oddball. [via HOW]

80s TV Commercials

Even if you don't remember Bonkers, Alfonso Ribeiro or Small Wonder, Giant Magazine's picks for the 50 greatest commercials of the 80s are pretty fascinating. Nostalgia and entertainment aside, watching these is also an excellent exercise in perspective—20 years from now, people are going to be laughing at your cutting edge ideas (yes, the McDLT was once a successful gimmick and yes, the graphics in that Pringles commercial really were mindblowingly modern then). What I also find remarkable is that I remember all the words to the Big Red theme song, the Tater Skins song, the My Buddy ad... behold the warped power of advertising. As the article jokes, "To this day, most kids of the '80s can still tell you it's supposed to be red hearts, orange stars, yellow moons, green clovers, blue diamonds, and purple horseshoes... but they can'’t find Canada on a map."

And—"because every great thing from the '80s gets a sequel"—50 More 80s Commercials. This set includes the infamous Chiat/Day Ridley Scott 1984 Apple Superbowl ad.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Saul Bass Titles

The iconic title sequences of Saul Bass, as showcased by Notcoming. Their feature has a writeup of each titles sequence—which include those done for Spartacus, West Side Story, several Hitchock thrillers, and many other influential classics—and galleries of screen stills. What a great resource! [via Coudal Partners]

Agility's New Dragon

Hey, David Weinberger over at Brand New actually wholeheartedly likes something for a change (pervasive negativity is my one criticism of Brand New, an otherwise fine blog—perhaps there really has been an abundance of questionable rebranding design lately, but come on...). He examines PWC Logistic's morph into the new dragon-flying Agility.

Design Magazine Survey

Be A Design Group would like to know how (and actually if) you read design magazines...

Dental Bowling

Advertising/Design Goodness spotlights this clever and mildly disturbing German ad for dental implant insurance.

Vrontikis Design Articles

The Vrontikis Design Office has a series of articles for clients, for young designers and students, and for colleagues. Excerpts are online, pdfs are available to download. [via Speak Up]

Milton Glaser puts his foot in it

Last week, at a presentation and panel discussion about book cover design, Milton Glaser caused quite a stir by calmly stating that there are so few female graphic designers because women get pregnant and go off to raise children. Debate about this issue has followed in articles and comment sessions all over the internet.

If you'd like to get involved in the discussion, the Gothamist article started things off. They then printed a follow up article in response to a New York Times blog post about the incident. Turns out the can of worms was opened by presentation moderator Michael Bierut, who has his own things to say about what happened.

Dave Eggers and Chip Kidd were also onstage—more info about the event itself is available here.

Friday, December 08, 2006

Cooper-Hewitt National Design Triennial 2006

The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Triennial 2006 starts today and runs through July 29, 2007. Entitled Design Life Now, the third Triennial focuses on the last three year's worth of experimental designs and emerging ideas in American design culture. Tip: buy the exhibition catalog online before they sell out all over the place.

UPDATE 12/10: Wired Blogs has a review of the Triennial, complete with photos.

FontShop December Calendar

The latest in FontShop's free monthly calendar is available. Each month features a different typeface—December's spotlight is Inscription, designed by Alan Meeks.

Recent Updates:

Previous posts recently updated:
Art to see before you die: votes have been tallied!
High Priority Contest: Spencer Fruhling is the winner

Bob Ross and the happy little Wii

Apparently a Bob Ross painting game is in the works for the Nintendo Wii! While there is a slight risk of this new art interface becoming the PBS of video games ("Ok, 30 more minutes, but only if you play Bob Ross," etc.), and a high likelihood of a least one hipster attempt to show Wii art in a gallery space, it still sounds like a cool idea. [via kottke]

Jonathan Yuen

Fun for Friday: the self-promotional website of Jonathan Yuen is a calm, cool interactive trip through his world of multi-disciplinary design narratives. [via Jack Zheng]

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Creative Work Environments

The Cool Hunter is looking for examples of creative work environments. "The word 'office' is no longer synonymous with a concrete bunker divided by drab, carpeted partitions. Smart employers are realizing that beautiful office space can inspire staff to be creative." Should your office be in the running? Looking forward to the final feature!