Book Design: The DesignWorks Group

Started in 1996 by David Uttley and formerly called UD Designworks, The DesignWorks Group represents a passion for great design, which shows in their work. Their entire portfolio is strong, but if you're a book designer like many of my colleagues, your jaw will hit the floor when you see how stellar their covers are. I've admired them for a long time, and once you see their work, you'll see why. I met David a few years back and he seems like common folk. But with uncommon skills.

Pixelgrazer's Jeremy Cowart: Full Time Shooter

Jeremy Cowart (of Pixelgrazer fame) has transitioned to full-time shooter. His new Pixelgrazer designed site was featured in the PDN Photography Annual issue. His work is stellar. He reminds me of Anton Corbijn a bit.

( via Pixelgrazer )

Design Entrepreneur: Resources Galore

Handy contracts, legal, management, and financial resources for freelancers and entrepreneurs looking to more successfully manage their business. A couple years old, but a great place to start. You can find them here.

Download them all in a single .zip file here

R3VOLUTION: A Community of Faith

Upon landing on this site, what immediately caught my attention were the visuals, and the overall approach. The site does a fine job of creating voice, personality and place. In my experience, faith based sites often portray a "Me-too, Johnny-Come-Lately" approach visually and conceptually. "Got Jesus," if you will. However it appears R3VOLUTION faith community has worked hard to develop a relevant and intentional sense of self. Something I really appreciate. After perusing the site further, it appears to me that's not the only thing they have right. I see a community with a perspective– fresh in terms of the way they see themselves called to do the work of the Lord. Not unlike other young ministry movements, R3VOLUTION appears to place an emphasis on action. Something that I enjoy in terms of faith's rubber meeting the road. They claim that faith is important, but only if it inspires one to strive toward rethinking societal norms, removing barriers, and reshaping the world. They state that action's vital, but it's only so when it's driven by a faith in Christ– one who modeled a life of love and service. They envision a church without walls. They strive to create a Christlike culture. They claim to be ordinary people doing extraordinary things (I suspect they mean the work Christ does through them). All told I appreciate the efforts. I don't know a single person who attends this community of faith, but I pray Pastor Eric Huffman does whatever it takes to draw people of all walks closer to the Lord, and that doing so brings God all the glory.

iPhone Demo: The Nickel Tour

Granted the story of the newly announced and mega anticipated Apple iPhone has been the number one news story on nearly every blog (Including here and here) and network news channels for the last couple weeks, it dawned on me that not everyone has the time or interest to sit through a half hour replay of the Macworld conference keynote by Steve Jobs. So for those of you who are interested in a nickel tour, I have embedded a video for you. It's just a few minutes long and gives you a rather good idea of why everyone is drooling. Gizmodo and NYT's Pogue got to play with it live. (More drooling).

( via nonstopmac )

Gina Triplett - Cool Illustrator

You'll enjoy the the work of Philadelphia PA Illustrator Gina Triplett.

( via Henry Sene Yee design )

Adtunes.com: Advertising Music Galore

Adtunes.com is a fun blog to visit. It serves as a guide to advertising music used in television commercials, shows, film trailers, soundtracks and more. Click here to see their choices for the Top Ad Music used in commercial advertising from 2006. The site also has an interesting and extensive archive going back a ways. Adtunes.com = Fun.

Inhouse Design: Simple and Complex

Can't say I know all that much about the gents at Inhouse design though their work speaks largely for itself. I love how their work is both simple and complex at the same time. They design books, arts publications, logos, web design, etc. and they're Based in Ponsonby, New Zealand. Hats off to Inhouse design.

( via ventilate )

EDUN: Who Made Your T-Shirt?

In a recent TIME Magazine article, Wendy Cole takes a look at EDUN— a for profit socially conscious clothing company launched in Spring 2005 by Ali Hewson and Bono with New York clothing designer Rogan Gregory.

Working on a micro-level to help build the skill set of EDUN's factory base, they act as a voice to encourage the fashion community to do business in Africa as a means to bring the continent out of extreme poverty, and works to help build sustainable communities.

For more on EDUN, click here, or check out the Wendy Cole article in Time Magazine here. For a video on EDUN, click the logo at the top of this post.

( small inset photo copyright Elizabeth Lippman Photography )

Hand. Picked. Feeds! Get Yer Hand Picked Feeds Here!

design-feed.net hand picks only the freshest aggregate design feeds and offers them to you in a single and convenient carrying case, for your shopping pleasure! Unfortunately they are out of BarryBlog. (Clean up in aisle #5).

Here's an explanation of what they do.

The Research Channel: Defending Science

For some scientists, issues of faith are often far fetched. To the believer, science does not provide all the answers. But at The Research Channel, you can hear all types of people discussing all types of issues (however since it's called The Research Channel, mostly you'll hear from scientists). Issues such as Can We See the Near Future - Year 2025?, Can We Imagine the Far Future - Year 3000?, Can You Learn To Be Creative?, What's Creativity and Who's Creative? and many others. As some of you know, I'm a Edward de Bono fan, and he sits on one of the panels that discusses Y3K.

I realize I drop my Biblical worldview in now and again, but hey, it's called "BarryBlog" for a reason.

( via freescienceonline )

Humanity and Truth: A Closer Look

Generally Speaking, Public Broadcasting (PBS) approaches matters from a perspective rather left of my own. Though I don't always see eye to eye with their conclusions and bends, a program I have found particularly valuable and interesting is called Closer To Truth. PBS describes it as "an inside opportunity to witness how today's pioneers in humanity's quest for greater understanding chart their expedition into the unknown- journeys that are marked by a rigorous pursuit of truth, a readiness to challenge current belief, a willingness to overturn dogma, an open-minded exploration of inferences and implications, and a tough-minded reliance on critical thinking." (And a penchant for wordiness, apparently).

Many episodes consider highly specialized subjects and are at times over my head, but one episode I especially enjoyed is entitled "Can Religion Withstand Technology?" These episodes include the likes of Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz); author Michael Crichton; Skeptic Dr. Michael Shermer and many many more interesting people. Again, this may not be your bag. But if you're into hearing deep discussions on topics such as Brain & Mind, Biology & Medicine, Cosmos & Universe, and Science & Our World, you will thank me.

If you would prefer to look at "humanity's quest for greater understanding" and "rigorous pursuit of truth" from a different perspective, here are a couple people's take on what, after all is said and done, is really Good News on all matters of truth.

The Luminarium: Your Daily Renaissance Fix

The Luminarium. A great and growing multimedia resource on the Renaissance, lovingly maintained since 1976 by Anniina Jokinen.

Social Networking: Online Personalities

Online social networking sites are wildly popular, regardless of whether you know what they are or not. Sites like Facebook, MySpace, Second Life and LinkedIn, to name a few. Instant Messaging, Blogs, Podcasts, Peer to Peer, Mashups, Amateur Video Directors, Phonecam Paparazzis— all offer people entirely new ways of self expression and reinvention of themselves. These sites allowing people to interact, trade, meet and network. In some ways this is weird to me, so much so that it would require another post to explain my take, but suffice it to say they're here to stay and are a model of what the future holds in a bigger context.

Fora TV hosted an excellent interview with four big players in this arena— Mark Zuckerberg (Founder/CEO - Facebook; MySpaces's Shawn Gold, VP Content and Marketing; Reid Hoffman, Founder/CEO - LinkedIn; and Second Life's Robin Harper, VP Community and Support. The interview was presented by INFORUM– a division of The Commonwealth Club– by and for people in their 20s and 30s, with a mission to inspire debate around civic issues.
At about an hour, this video is longer than most people's attention spans. However if you're remotely interested in this social networking phenomenon (or remotely interested in not being the last to know) and more specifically in the idea of fictional realities and online personalities, carve out some time to listen. If you are, and do, you won't be disappointed.

NOTE: In general, you may also enjoy checking out the FLORA.tv site. It's described as "delivering discourse, discussions and debates on the world's most interesting political, social and cultural issues, and enables viewers to join the conversation. It provides deep, unfiltered content, tools for self-expression and a place for the interactive community to gather online."

( via The Stingy Scholar )

Dutch Design Resource: NAGO

Beginning in 1992, the Nederlands Archief Grafisch Ontwerpers (NAGO) has been collecting examples of the graphic work of Dutch designers (or designers in living in the Netherlands) with the aim of preserving and presenting this most excellent work. I "refresh" my browser over and over so I can see the covers changing. Amazing. Unfortunately I only speak English, so I can't read a lick of what's on the site, but you'll be able to see why I'm so all over this site none-the-less. You can search by titel, ontwerper, opdrachtgever or soort object - whatever those mean?!

So if this site is in your native tongue, have at it. Otherwise just enjoy the vast inspiration. This site is THICK with good design. Book design yes, but it's not limited to that. The collection has almost anything print related that you might be interested in. Hope you enjoy this great resource as much as I do.

If you know what "opdrachtgever" means, post it in a comment.

Book Search: Google Out-of-Copyright

Google's a deeper search resource than most people are aware. Recently I discovered a specialized Google resource that specifically searches for books. I've been using this search engine for a couple of months on a variety of projects and for fun, but most recently I discovered how to use it for out-of-copyright materials. As you search in this fashion, you are offered the opportunity to download full copies of these out-of-copyright books. There are a ton of great resources. So why not try it for yourself. Make sure to click the "Full View Text" radial button for the out-of-copyright material.

( via The Stingy Scholar )

Otto Treumann: Graphic Design Netherlands

Speaking of Google Book Search, check out this work from Otto Treumann. The material comes from the Otto Treumann Archive kept at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. This is a beautiful book, and you can preview it in its entirety here.

Also, don't miss this great book by Sandberg, designer and director of the Stedelijk Museum...

Or this - H. Th. Wijdeveld: art deco-ontwerpen op papier.

The Apple Recipe: Worth a Listen

I found this NPR OnTHEMEDIA coverage of Apple, Inc.'s "Recipe" for success interesting. You might too. (Especially if you are not behind a corporate internet proxy).

James Owens: Industrial Design

I can't get enough of James Owen's design thinking. Winner of many IDSA awards, I think you'll like his work. Very unique creative approaches. Worth a look.

Post Keynote Interview: Steve Jobs

Ubiquitous iPhone post for Posterity

Should I ever be blessed with children, some day they can look back on when the ole' man posted on a "new iPhone." Man is dad old. On a more serious note, here's the iPhone rumor-mill in chronological order starting back in mid December 1999.

You Down with BBD?: Yeah, you know me!

Previously in BarryBlog I've discussed the outstanding DesignCouncil – Canada's equivalent to our own AIGA. I recommend their great site to anyone hungry for design insight, rationale, research, education and inspiration.

The main reason for this post however is to share a site with you that I've been frequenting – the Better by Design organization, or BBD – a government funded group which aim is to help New Zealand companies increase their business bottom line through the better use of design in their products and services.

Better by Design is an awesome site. Like DesignCouncil, BBD is New Zealand's authority on design value and innovation. Now don't get me wrong– I appreciate my membership in the AIGA greatly, even more so as I consider it's primarily volunteer base, but man what a little federal government funding does to make a professional design organization top of mind to the business community as a whole. Bravo to BBD.

My Testimony: Gettin' All Transparent

You've probably figured out by now that BarryBlog is an odd collection of things I find of interest— with the hope you will enjoy them too. Things such as communication design, the business and value of design, thought leadership, books and book design, publishing, well designed products and services, ideas, and at times faith (to name a few). And since it's always been about my passion for sharing, and about being transparent, I can't get more transparent than this post.


powered by ODEO
To be frank, I've had this post prepared and archived since the inception of BarryBlog. But as you'll see, it's not something to just "spring on someone" right out of the gates. But with 6 months under my belt, and a fresh year upon us, I've decided to pull the trigger.

My testimony is a humble record of the work that's been done in my heart through the redemptive grace of the Spirit of God. You can count on the fact that like myself, it sounds broken, unpolished, and incomplete. But I've been given a gift of salvation which is simply hard to explain—is something that took me 35+ years to fully understand and accept—and something I no longer care to keep to myself. And though broken and incomplete, my hope is that someone might be encouraged by my sharing.

I post my chapel testimony podcast with the understanding that should you find the Christian message offensive, you'll choose not to listen. And I trust that if you've enjoyed anything about BarryBlog in the past, you should have no reason not to enjoy more of the same in the future.

Some will say sharing this took courage. Others may find it inappropriate, too out of context, or of no interest. Should you decide to set aside time to listen, you'll get a look into my very personal story. And believe me, it's not the best story you've ever heard. But I thank God it's mine.


( Listen using iTunes. )

Book Covers: New York Times Book Review

Similar to myself, Blogger "Joseph" enjoys book design, book designers, books, and people who like book design. His blog highlights New York Times Book Reviews. Be sure to hit his Archive section. I think this blog is kind of a cool find. Bet Christopher would agree.

( The Book Design Review )

The Bible as Personal Statement

Buried in a category within a category of The Wall Street Journal's web site, Joanne Kaufman writes about variety in Bible marketing. I'll let you read it for yourself.

( via Keith's post at The Christian Mind and props to the quotable Kevin O'Brien)

Meetings 101

There's a plethora of resources, classes, blogs – an entire industry around the subject of making meetings valuable. So why post on the subject? Well, I recently came across two that caught my attention on the Signals vs. Noise blog. One by David about how they may be harmful, and another by Ryan who shows 4 steps to make them more useful. Leave a comment with other posts you have about meetings, or anything else related if you have anything.

( via the smart folks at 37signals blog Signals vs. Noise )

Documenting Domus: A Privileged Insight

Considered the world’s most influential architecture and design journal by some, Domus was founded in 1928 by the great Milanese architect Gio Ponti. TASCHEN claims domus 1928–1999, vol. I–XII is an important must-have for all design and architecture teaching institutions, practicing architects, designers, collectors, students, and anyone who loves design.

Any self-respecting design buff is well aware of the glories of Domus, but until a few years ago, only those conversant in Italian had actually read the iconic magazine. This massive 12-volume anthology represents more than 70 years of reporting and criticism — published in English for the first time — with selections covering Art Deco, late modern, and every movement in between.” Details, New York - United States

The TASCHEN collection reproduces the pages as they originally appeared, and includes 7 decades of domus: the best of the best in 12 volumes, 7,000 pages and 20,000 images. Each volume is packed with articles and include commissioned intro text that outline the history and what was happening in design and architecture during each era covered. Contributors include past editors: Mario Bellini, François Burkhardt, Cesare Maria Casati, Stefano Casciani, Germano Celant, Manolo De Giorgi, Fulvio Irace, Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani, Alessandro Mendini, Lisa Licitra Ponti, Ettore Sottsass Jr., Luigi Spinelli, and Deyan Sudjic.

TACSHEN also calls this collection "A Privileged Insight into Architecture and Design" - for which I agree...from both the insightful and the privileged angle. I don't know too many designers who will be springing for this $600 masterpiece (at around 7,000 pages that's 11.667 cents/page), but I'm certain it would provide hours of insight. I hope a library or college around me buys it so I can catch a look. I own two original single copies of Domus that I picked up here and there, and must say this publication is covetable.






( via thingsofrandomcoolness )

Moby: Christ Compels Us

I wish I did, but I don't know Moby personally. I only know him through his musical gifts. I came across a post on his blog you might enjoy reading. I believe the article strives to honor God, and sheds light on Moby's heart. Moby has developed a big stage to showcase his work and he by no means is obliged to share Christ's glory publicly; yet he is not afraid to. I love that about Moby.

• Christ compels us to be better than we usually are.
• Christ compels us to forgive those who've wronged us.
• Christ compels us to love our enemies.
• Christ compels us to be humble and non-judgemental.
• Christ compels us to care for the neediest.
• Christ compels us to be non-violent.
• Christ compels us to recognize that the material world and all of our possessions will ultimately turn into dust, so we shouldn't get too attached to our bodies, our lives, and our stuff.

( via Moby )

Strategy. Innovation. And "T" Shaped People.

David Armano is a creative director and the person behind the Logic+Emotion blog, for which I subscribe. On his personal webpage is an article called "Are You T Shaped?" In it he points to a great FastCompany article authored by Tim Brown, President and CEO of IDEO. In this article, Brown says that in order to do a better job of developing, communicating, and pursuing a strategy, you need to learn to think like a designer.
( See: FastCompany, Issue 95 | By: Tim Brown, President/CEO - IDEO )

Armano then asks...

What does this mean to traditional teams of specialists such as Art Directors & Copywriters, Information Architects and Creative Directors such as myself? It means the days of being a specialist are over. Not to be confused with a "jack of all trades" – T-shaped people have a core competency, but can easily branch out. And they possess curiosity, empathy and aren't afraid to ask "why". So what are the signs of a T-shaped person? Look for experimentation in their background. Have they worked in different areas of expertise? Have they experienced different mediums? Are they willing to place themselves in the shoes of others and throw pre-conceived notions out the window? Do they step out of comfort zones on a regular basis? Do they occasionally make you nervous? If so, you might have one on your team.

I've benefited by David's thinking immensely. When you consider his original article is from early September 2005, you can see why he's truly a thought leader. I recommend you follow the links below to view his personal site and the Logic+Emotion blog for more great insights.

( via davidarmano.com | Logic+Emotion Blog )