friday blinks – 8/24/12

Here is a list of sites we’ve come across throughout the past couple weeks that we think are worth sharing. We call it friday blinks.

2012 Type Trends
See what’s happening in the world of type this year.
(via Creative Bloq/twitter)

FontStruct
This modular type builder allows you to construct, share, download and use actual fonts that you have made, using their palette of shapes and tools. Pretty awesome.
(via Creative Bloq/twitter)

The Setup
Interviews of various creative people asking what they use to get their jobs done. Unique behind-the-screen look.
(via Tina Roth Eisenberg/twitter)

Love the Box with Timothy Goodman
An illustrated guide on how to research, deconstruct, personalize “the box,” then go forth.
(via Print Magazine/twitter) (via Timothy Goodman/twitter)

Look/See Sun God Special Edition Sunglasses
http://vimeo.com/48176732
Portland-based designer Adam Garcia collaborates with high-end eye wear maker Look/See to create some killer sunglasses with tons of small details that make these specs highly desirable…at least to me.
(via Adam Garcia/twitter)

friday blinks – 8/17/12

Here is a list of sites we’ve come across throughout the past couple weeks that we think are worth sharing. We call it friday blinks.

Cardboard Bicycle

Israeli Inventor Izhar Gafni challenges himself to create a complete, fully-functioning bicycle almost completely out of cardboard.
(via Timbuktu Magazine/twitter)

Jack Hughes’ scotch sipping, cigarette smoking illustrations
Lodon-based illustrator and designer Jack Hughes draws with a TON of style and grace. The subtle colors, shading, and beautiful textures make these illustrations even more alluring. Wonderful work, Jack.
(via It’s Nice That/twitter) (via Jack Hughes/twitter)

RJD2 AMA on Reddit
RJD2 is one of my all-time favorite DJs/producers/beat makers and although his career is based in the music industry, the create process is something that is essential in producing his music. The creative process is so different for some many people and you can find inspiration in just about anything and music is definitely a go-to source of inspiration for me. My friend Chris described AMAs as “celebrities, cool people, people with crazy jobs, people who have been through interesting circumstances come in and basically answer questions asked by the community.” The quote below was taken from RJD2’s AMA (link above):

“creative process often starts w/ sheer boredom, and resources. no planning. just doing. do do do. then throw away 90% of what you did. then do more. repeat process. then, you either have a good song or piece of shit. trash POS. release good song. easy as that.”

I realize this isn’t a music blog, but quotes like the one above is why I love RJD2’s style, music, and take on his work.
(via Chris Gustin)

20 Best iPhone apps for designers
The folks over at Creative Bloq have compiled a list of 20 sweet iPhone apps for designers, from time-management and typeface-finding to color palette collecting and simple and stout checklists.
(via Creative Bloq/twitter)

Dr. Seuss’ early advertising work
Interesting how Dr. Seuss’ style transfers pretty seamlessly into advertising.
(via Design Taxi/twitter)

friday blinks – 7/20/12

Here is a list of sites we’ve come across throughout the past couple weeks that we think are worth sharing. We call it friday blinks.

A Beast Every Week
Organized by Seattle, WA-based designer and illustrator Ellis Latham-Brown, this collection of beasts were created by some of the best designers and illustrators in the game. Check them out and be afraid…be very afraid.
(via Susan Locascio)

Making trash beautiful
Four dudes (Russian maybe?) paint, letter, and draw on people’s trash and they do a killer job of it.
(via Dylan Moore)

The most impatient book ever

An anthology by the best Latin American authors, printed with light- and air-sensitive inks that will completely disappear two months after it’s opened. You better not be a slow reader like me. The reasoning behind it is to get the names and stories by these up-and-coming authors out there in the public eye. It
seemed to work. They got lots of press and people wanting this first edition. The
producers of this book plan on making more of these types of books in the future.
(via Matt Griffin/twitter)

Zippo etching

New York-based Jon Contino hand-etched some really awesome Zippo lighters over the past year. Click photo above for full size.
(via Jon Contino/twitter)

Yume Ume branding by 160over90
160over90, a Philly-based agency does a knock-up job on the branding of a Japanese kitchen based out of Gainesville, FL. Punny copy and clever illustrations.
(via 160over90/twitter)

In other news…
The chatter is all over the twitter machine…Charlotte, NC-based designer, illustrator and creative director Matt Stevens has a new website. It’s pretty great.
www.hellomattstevens.com

designblinks update

You may or may not have noticed that I haven’t made any new posts in over a month, so I’d like to explain why.

I went to Weapons of Mass Creation Fest in Cleveland, OH. My goodness that was an amazing experience. Not only did I get to hear so many inspirational designers and illustrators, I was able to meet other like-minded designers who were just as hungry, if not hungrier, to gather as many tips and to soak up as much inspiration as humanly possible in one weekend. I will expand on my time at WMC Fest in a upcoming post.

I also accepted a new job (same university, different department), so in the past few weeks, I have been finishing some larger and on-going projects for my previous department, as well as trying to get up to speed with my new department, which included finishing the interview process, accepting the position, and picking out new hardware and software. All in all, it was a long process, but well worth the move. I was with my former department for over four years and within that time, the department restructured several times. There were many road blocks and red tape, as you may have in any academic setting, but this was a great opportunity for me to join an newly-formed, fast-growing department, pretty much at the ground level. So I will be able to help them set guidelines, organize, and write policies that they will use in the future.

Because I’ve been busy with job-related things, I have been absent from my daily social sites where I draw my usual blog content from. That’s the main reason I haven’t posted anything in the past month+. Over this “extended blog vacation,” I’ve had a rebirth of sorts; working on changing the way I do things personally and professionally. That being said, I plan on making more frequent posts, hopefully two per week.

Thanks for sticking around.

friday blinks – 6/1/12

Here is a list of sites we’ve come across throughout the past couple weeks that we think are worth sharing. We call it friday blinks.

For startups (or anyone, really), this is how design works
Great overview of what roll design plays in business, and how important it is to successful.
(via Candice Chu/twitter) (via Wells Riley/twitter)

Make a better creative brief
Keep it simple, keep it flexible and include strategy, rules, and dates.
(via Division of Labor/twitter)

Octo sketch process by Brandon Rike

Awesome process hand-drawing to vector illustration by designer/illustrator Brandon Rike.
(via Brandon Rike/twitter)

Advice for designers getting ready to start a studio
Some wonderful tips for anyone wanting to open their own design studio, or even how to run a studio.
(via Alonzo Felix/twitter) (via Rob Giampietro/twitter)

The Great Discontent interviews Dana Tanamachi
“Sometimes your limitations can be a launching pad into an unexpected story.” A wonderful quote and an absolutely fantastic interview with the extremely talented chalk artist/designer Dana Tanamachi. Do yourself a favor. Sit down, take a nice, long break, and read this interview if you haven’t already. Dana has some really good insite. She mentions speaking at some universities…wondering if she would travel to southwest VA to speak to the VCD students at Virginia Tech? Let me know if you’re interested, Dana!
(via The Great Discontent/twitter) (via Dana Tanamachi/twitter)

friday blinks – 5/11/12

Here is a list of sites we’ve come across throughout the past couple weeks that we think are worth sharing. We call it friday blinks.

Poster series designed in the spirit of public radio
Minneapolis, MN-based illustrator/designer Ross Bruggink illustrated a series of posters based on his four favorite NPR radio shows. Ross has been so kind as to provide said illustrations as high-res, downloadable jpgs. Download. Print. Share. Thanks Ross!
(via Ross Bruggink/twitter)

Aaron Draplin talks with some Young Creative Brits

The Young Creative Council sits down (via Skype) with Mr. DDC himself, Aaron Draplin. Go to art school if you can, work late, and make cool shit. Wise words from a honest, wise man.
(via Aaron Draplin/twitter) (via Young Creative Council/twitter)

NYC in (stop)motion

This amazing look at New York City highlights the fact that this city never sleeps, utilizing crazy stop-motion techniques. Photos/video by Rochester, NY-based Josh Owens.
(via Matt Knisely/twitter) (Josh Owens/twitter)

Fail Better

Very neat, hand-cut paper look illustration video showing how to keeping your nose on the grind stone…again and again and again.
(via Greg Fisk/twitter)

Ferocious Quarterly, Issue 3

Team Ferocious and friends have done it again. No.3: “Be Prepared.” The survival issue is on the presses and looks to be available next Wednesday (5/16) through their website and in stores in June. From the preview, it looks amazing.
(via Ferocious Quarterly/twitter) (via Nate Utesch/twitter)

In other news…
I discovered some designers via twitter this week, two of which just launched new sites. Their collective work is really great. Check them out and follow them on their respective channels.

Chris Rushing: New York City-based designer and illustrator
(via Patrick Macomber/twitter)(via Chris Rushing/twitter)

Brent Couchman: San Francisco, CA-based designer and illustrator
(via Evan Stremke/twitter) (via Brent Couchman/twitter)

friday blinks – 4/20/12

Here is a list of sites we’ve come across throughout the past couple weeks that we think are worth sharing. We call it friday blinks. Looks like I almost made an all-video post without trying. Huh…

Portland Creative Mornings with Kate Bingaman Burt
http://vimeo.com/31610153
Create. Share. Repeat. Draw every day. As you can see from the video, Kate is extremely entertaining and super energetic! I’m super excited to see her speak live at WMCfest 2012!
(via Adam Garcia/twitter) (via Kate Bingaman Burt/twitter)

Good Books “Metamorphosis”

An insanely-visual trip to a rather normal book website, Good Books. Also, the Behind-the-Scenes look from concept to completion. Concept by String Theory and directed by Buck.
(via Chris Allen)

Smokeable book for Snoop

Leave it to Snoop (with help from creative agency Pereira & O’Dell) to think up this doozy. A book made of rolling paper pages, a hemp tweed cover, and a matchstick striker spine. I don’t think this one will last very long in the public library system. Posted this on 4/20 without trying. Self high five.
(via Drea Zlanabitnig/twitter)

Erik Spiekermann puts the face back in typeface

This is always teamwork. Work in teams and change the place you live in. Get in there and break things open. Graphic design CAN changes lives. I hope I’m in the right place at the right time and work with some fantastic people as Mr. Spiekermann has.
(via Erik Spiekermann/twitter)

Prima Peaches packaging
Awesome 3-color packaging, label, and set of icons for southern California grower, Prima, designed/illustrated by Patrick Macomber.
(via Patrick Macomber/twitter)

friday blinks – 4/13/12

Here is a list of sites we’ve come across throughout the past couple weeks that we think are worth sharing. We call it friday blinks.

100+ Pictograms
Designer Daniel Bruce has crafted some really slick-looking pictograms for free download/use. Thanks man! Great stuff.
(via Nate Navasca/twitter)

Brian Cummings website
Designer and illustrator Keenan Cummings created a website for his dad, who is a very talented voice actor. I followed the faces as Keenan created them on dribbble (1, 2, 3), and the end result is really awesome. I love how each one of the faces ties into a specific type of voice. Oh, and check out the little flying Brian Cummings twitter bird. Nice touch!
(via Keenan Cummings/dribbble)

Mercedes makes an “invisible” car

(via Mike Metz/twitter)

Edgar Pin-up calendar
No, it’s not what you’re thinking. No scantily-clad ladies here. Just old fashioned-looking photos pared with a magical grid of dates below. WOW.
(via Under Consideration/twitter)

Weapons of Mass Creation Fest 2012 Sneak Peek
Jeff Finley, founder of WMC Fest, leaks the the speakers and most of the featured designers for this year’s Fest-tivities. It looks like a solid line-up. I really hope I can make it out this year.
(via Jeff Finley/twitter)

In other news…
Austin, TX-based type wizard Simon Walker launched his new site recently. Check it out. It’s totally bad ass.
(via Simon Walker/twitter)

I have decided to switch up the look of friday blinks. I’m going to go through the Pantone book, starting with PMS 100, and include quotes, along with the date and PMS number. Hope you like it.

3/23/12 – friday blinks

Here is a list of sites we’ve come across throughout the past couple weeks that we think are worth sharing. We call it friday blinks. And with the e-wizardry available to me, I have made it look like I didn’t forget to post this on Friday. Tricky, eh?

One Minute With Jeff Rogers
Great little interview with NYC-based illustrator and designer Jeff Rogers.
(via Jeff Rogers/twitter)

Project Re:Brief
Google introduces an amazing idea to re-envision four of the most iconic advertising campaigns with the help of their original creators, to develop a new way to experience the brand and campaign through the web.
(via Riley Cran/twitter)

Illustrated Longshot Magazine recap
Longshot Magazine’s second edition, “The Debt issue” was created in 48 hours by a team of thousands of writers, editors, artists, photographers, programmers, videographers, and other creatives. A majority of the work was done in the Gawker Media offices in NYC, but some was done remotely in Portland. This is a view of how it all went down, through illustrations and tweets.
(via Kern and Burn/twitter)

The People’s Pennant
Celebrate the everyday achievement with a hand-made in the U.S.A. limited edition felt pennant! Cool idea brought to you by Jessica Heltzel and Tim Hoover (of Kern and Burn book fame), and great identity work from Eric R. Mortensen.
(via Eric R. Mortensen/twitter)

Courage, Faith, and Cocktails
James Victore has dreamed up a doozie this time. Five full days, James Victore and 5 of today’s top creatives, and eight guests. All of these wonderful things come together for a dinner series, full of work, thinking, and discussion.
(via James Victore/twitter)

 

Jeff Staple

Jeff Staple is a creative director, designer, and founder of NYC-based Staple Design Studio, which isn’t just a creative agency. It’s a multi-faceted beast of a company that also houses clothing lines, apparel collections, a retail store, an art gallery, and a magazine. It would be an understatement to say that Jeff is a busy guy. He’s been doing his thing for 15 years now, day in, day out and it seems like he is quite comfortable wearing many different hats. Just watch these videos and you’ll see why he’s so successful. He’s super bright, talented, and very driven. Jeff seems like a great motivator and I can’t wait to hear him give a lecture tomorrow at Virginia Tech with NYC-based designer and illustrator Sophia Chang. The lecture is called Creativity vs. Commerce: Getting In and Staying In, sponsored by Virginia Tech’s AIGA chapter and the Virginia Tech Student Hip-Hop Organization. If you are near by, you really should come and check them out. It’s bound to be great.

http://vimeo.com/10258676

Jeff and Sophia, thank you so much for making a trip all the way to Virginia Tech to talk to us and our community. It’s really inspirational to know that people out there willing to take time out of their busy lives to talk with the Tech students and other local creatives.