Designers think they’re in the artifact business, but they’re not . They’re in the consequence business. — Allan Chochinov
Designers think….
Commited Citizens
Never doubt a small group of thoughtful, commited citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
— Margaret Mead
Broadcasting from the Feast
They just showed the below video at The Feast Conference which I am currently attending and covering over on twitter/swissmiss.
So you think you can tell Arial from Helvetica?
David Friedman took 20 Helvetica logos, redid them in Arial (blasphemy!), and made a quiz out of it to help people hone their ability to differentiate them in a hands-on way.
Portrait of a Koi Breeder
Joseph Zuritsky: Koi Breeder, by Michael Cogliantry
Working hard is overrated
Much more important than working hard is knowing how to find the right thing to work on. Paying attention to what is going on in the world. Seeing patterns. Seeing things as they are rather than how you want them to be. Being able to read what people want. Putting yourself in the right place where information is flowing freely and interesting new juxtapositions can be seen. But you can save yourself a lot of time by working on the right thing. Working hard, even, if that’s what you like to do.
Read the full post: Working hard is overrated, by Caterina Fake
(via @konigi)
Envelop
I am *so* excited to have discovered Envelop. It’s an online store filled with illustrated cotton goodness. Here are just a few examples:
Napkin 'G'
The Weirdo
How funny is this Weirdo Pillow Cover? Made me laugh!
The Story of a Beautiful Failure
In January 2009 Information Architects (iA) were invited to take part in a paid pitch for the print redesign for the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger. All in all five agencies took part in the pitch. iA was the only web oriented agency. Yes, this is the story of a beautiful failure.
(thank you bb)
It’s Not About Web Traffic Anymore
Tim is pointing to an interesting article by Barbara Scala, founder of Bloom:
“It’s not about getting people to come to my web site anymore. It’s about getting my content; my videos,my articles, my event promotion announcements, on YOUR web site. That’s what I’m paying attention to now.” – Barbara Scala, Founder of Bloom
It’s Not About Web Traffic Anymore, by Barbara Scala
How a Sewing Machine Works
I have been staring at this animated gif for the last 5 minutes. Fascinating. How a Sewing Machine Works.
Look, a sailboat!
I love how our studio-mate Chesley Andrews keeps finding fresh ways of documenting the marine world outside our studio. Her latest picture on EveryDayEastRiver made me smile. And yes, our studio view is pretty darn amazing. Lucky us!
Book an appointment with Setster
I just learned about a fantastic new service called Setster which is targeted at service providers, consultants, and freelancers. (= People like me!) Setster allows you to list your availability in an online overlay widget on your site and allows customers to book appointments, pay for services etc. (I love to hear hat Setster integrates with Freshbooks, to allow service providers the ability to invoice from within the Setster Application. Yes, I am a Freshbooks Fan!)
You can see what a sample/pretend Setster widget overlay on swissmiss would look like by clicking here. It is a free service with upgrade options, clean UI and very designer friendly, non intrusive button that follows users around the site until they decide they want to book 60 minutes of your time for a gazillion dollars.
They just launched the widget so they do not have too many sample sites but check out this Designer’s Site with the Setster widget installed.
Fantastic!
The Meaning of Photoshop
Khoi posted an interesting article over on Subtraction about whether France’s proposed Photoshop retouching notification law is a valuable idea in the interest of the public good or a misguided example of government overreaching. I agree with Khoi that it’s a debate worth having.
Earlier this month fifty politicians put a law in front of French parliament under which digitally manipulated images would bear the somewhat rueful label “Retouched photograph aimed at changing a person’s physical appearance.” The goal is essentially one of public health and consumer expectation: don’t try looking like this at home.
Read the Full Post:The Meaning of Photoshop, by Khoi Vinh
Embrace by John Green
John Green’s Embrace Shelf/Table had me gasp for air upon seeing it over at MinorDetails. Embrace can start off as a great table and bench for junior then a shelf/bench for the big kids down the road. Yay for adaptable furniture.
Lodovico Bernardi
This beauty of a minimalist table folds seriously flat. Designed by italian designer Lodovico Bernardi.
Get a custom ‘Peace of Mind’ Set
Remember the lovely personal Peace of Mind Gift I posted a few weeks back? I was excited to have a chance to meet the creator, Bryn, who runs a Calligraphy & Design Sho just a few blocks over from my studio. While talking I kept insisting that she should offer ‘Peace of Mind’ as a personalized gift service. And it has happend:
Peace of Mind Gift Card Set: Think of all the little to-do’s, house annoyances, tasks and errands that pile up and nag that someone-you-love every time they come to mind. You know those things, the random photo that you keep meaning to frame or that annoying bump in the rug that you see every time you come home. Make a list of all those things — and do them. Paperfinger will create an appealing package by which to present the gift of “peace of mind.” Assembled and gift wrapped, the box will contain an card for each item on your list. Each card will be individually handwritten in a fresh, modern script with an accompanying hand-drawn illustration to match. Check out Bryn’s original blog post to see how she created and used this gift herself!
Question for my readers:
Do you know where I can view some of the original 1971 Big Apple Tourism Campaign posters here in the city?
A 1971 campaign to increase tourism to New York City adopted the Big Apple as an officially recognized reference to New York City. The campaign featured red apples in an effort to lure visitors to New York City. It was hoped that the red apples would serve as a bright and cheery image of New York City, in contrast to the common belief that New York City was dark and dangerous. Since then, New York City has officially been The Big Apple.
Real Life Video Game
(thank you peter)
Cloud Shelf
I agree with Jennifer: The 6″ laser cut Cloud Shelf by Estela Lugo is sweet and simple.
What Facebook Is For
(via tim)
Oldest Living Things
Photographer Rachel Sussman has been researching, working with biologists, and traveling all over the world to find and photograph continuously living organisms 2,000 years old and older. Sussman, who is fiscally sponsored by the Brooklyn Arts Council, is endeavoring to raise funds for an expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula to photograph 5,000-year-old moss this winter. She is hosting an Antarctic Expedition Benefit Party tonight at the fabulous Galapagos Space in DUMBO.
If you’re into Music, Trapeze, Dance Performances, free Vodka, Haircuts and free Grimaldi’s Pizza, you should venture to Galapagos tonight!
Use Discount Code FRNDS for $10 off on smarttix.com or at the door!
The new (media) workout plan
I’d be one fit lady if I’d follow this New (Media) Workout Plan. Made me smile.