I have the honor to be moderating an AIGA/NY panel with iconic Swiss Book Designers Joost Hochuli and Roland Stieger next week. Together, they will look back at sixty years of beautiful book design in the Swiss town of St. Gallen as well as discuss the future of design.
As special guests we’ll have Aswin Sadha and Paul Shaw join the discussion.
Talk-o-Meter monitors voice conversations to show who is dominating and who is wallflowering. More.
(via curiositycounts)
I couldn’t help but chuckle when I discovered these Fake Books by Emanuela Ligabue. They are handpainted wooden blocks, made to look like a book. (Please everyone, let’s welcome Emanuela to the internet. She just launched her site *today*, oh, and she happens to be the mother of wonderfully talented Olimpia Zagnoli)
“Given that the Internet has become an indispensable tool for realizing a range of human rights, combating inequality, and accelerating development and human progress, ensuring universal access to the Internet should be a priority for all states”
– United Nations Report
(“Internet access is a human right.”)
(via ideasareawesome)
In this TED talk, Alain de Botton examines our ideas of success and failure — and questions the assumptions underlying these two judgments. Is success always earned? Is failure? He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work.
(via Brain Picker)
Found this letter from Dr. Seuss to the children of Troy over at Jack Cheng’s blog. It is a reply from 1971 to Marguerite Hart, the children’s librarian of Jack’s hometown of Troy, Michigan. She wrote to dozens of politicians, writers, artists and otherwise notable individuals asking them to send in a few inspirational words for the children of Troy on the opening of its first public library. See more letters here.
This selection of Behind-the-scenes shots over on angusrshamal.com made me look (and chuckle). Those were the days when set designs were huge and handmade, when special effects were mechanic and photographic.
(via LucLaTulippe)
Slightly silly and therefore wonderful: Rocking Lamps, by Miniheart.
“I am troubled by the devaluing of the word ‘design’. I find myself now being somewhat embarrassed to be called a designer. In fact I prefer the German term, Gestalt-Ingenieur. Apple and Vitsoe are relatively lone voices treating the discipline of design seriously in all corners of their businesses. They understand that design is not simply an adjective to place in front of a product’s name to somehow artificially enhance its value. Ever fewer people appear to understand that design is a serious profession; and for our future welfare we need more companies to take that profession seriously.”
– Dieter Rams
(in this telepgraph.co.uk article)
(via coudal)
(via amritrichmond)
These building blocks made me look. They showcase facial renderings of forty-four U.S. Presidents and also arranges into a grand American flag. Each cube presents a face, name, nickname, lifespan, party affiliation, term and number (1-44) in red, gray and blue ink. Cool 4th of July gift, in case you’re staying over at someone’s house with little ones. No?
Newswordy is growing collection of news media buzzwords and their use (and misuse). Curated (and designed) by my friend Josh Smith. Built by my Studiomates Oak.
“One is considered stupid until proven creative.” Armin Vit presents the case for stupidity. Instead of avoiding the stupid, we should embrace it, chase it and execute stupid ideas as often as possible.
“Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.”
– Susan Sontag
(via Maria’s CreativeMornings talk)
I am beyond excited to share this amazing TED talk by my wonderful studiomate Jessi Arrington. And yes, Jessi is as bubbly and wonderful in real life. She is currently traveling and I can’t believe I can’t hug her right now! This is sooo huge that her talk is up on TED. Wheeee! (I am about to burst.)
Designer Jessi Arrington packed nothing for TED but 7 pairs of undies, buying the rest of her clothes in thrift stores around LA. It’s a meditation on conscious consumption — wrapped in a rainbow of color and creativity.
Mailchimp came to our studio the other day to interview my studiomates Mandy, Erin and Jason for their Customer Stories series. Here’s the loveley result introducing us to the world of A Book Apart:
Now here’s another Kickstarter Project that made me look. Red Pop is a big red camera button that you add to your iPhone 4 – it turns your iPhone into a ‘proper’ camera and helps lessen the game of ‘find the fire button’ when you want to take pictures on your iPhone. Definitely a great idea! More info at red-pop.com
(While I like the product Idea, the video is quite tame compared to the Freaker I posted yesterday)
(thank you Kate)
Olafur Eliasson’s Rainbow Panorama Installation makes me want to book a flight to Denmark asap. RAINBOWTASTIC, as my color-loving studiomate Jessi would say!
(via chrisglass)
Our speaker at the April 2011 CreativeMornings/NewYork was Berlin based Illustrator and Designer Christoph Niemann. I think it’s safe to say that Christoph’s talk was one of the funniest we’ve ever had. See for yourself, watch the video below and share a giggle.
A big giant thank you to Sy Abudu for so generously filming and editing our talks. (We realize the sound quality is a little off in the beginning but gets better mid-way through the talk. Our apologies!)
The event was generously hosted by Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
CreativeMornings is a monthly breakfast lecture series for creative types. Each event is free of charge, and includes a 20 minute talk, plus coffee!
I know, I know, I might as well just start a blog dedicated to just robots… But bear with me, and check out Robole. What an amazing toy. The possibilities are endless as all the pieces connect via magnets. I am giddy over this and Robole just jumped on the very top of my #wishlist. Now if only I spoke Polish.
robole (prodiż © 2010) from prodiż on Vimeo.
(via Stilsucht)
I have just fallen in love with this vintage red radio over on Krrb.
(by posting it I feel like I own it a bit. #postingisthenewbuying)
These napkin ties make me want to be a man. (I know, I know I could wear a tie even as a woman…)