Shameless Birthday Gift Suggestion

My birthday’s coming up on November 3rd. If 5 or 600 of you all pitch in a buck a piece, you could afford to buy me this most excellent chair.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

( via Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe )

Hear,Hear: The Paul Buckley Interview

Published in two installments, Hear,Hear chats with Paul Buckley, a veteran art director of one of the largest book publishers in the world, The Penguin Group.

My official title is Vice President Executive Art Director, which should give you a clue that I’ve been here at Penguin Group awhile. They treat me pretty good, so I’ve stuck around. Basically, I wear two hats – I manage a large staff of very talented designers and art directors, and look over their shoulders when necessary and stay out of their way when necessary. While running my department, I try to be a Designer as well, working on my own covers and fulfilling my own artistic needs. The imprints within my department are all trade – Penguin / Viking / Penguin Press / Portfolio / Sentinel; so there is a really nice mix and always interesting projects to sink ones teeth into. —Paul Buckley

Here's a nice Flickr set of a visit to his studio.

( via Hear,Hear )

Being “Cheaper” Doesn’t Create Loyalty

Thoughts on being cheaper... according to the over-linked (but deservedly so) Seth Godin (of Purple Cow fame).

Note: I’ve avoided linking to SethBlog for the simple reason that EVERYONE else already does. But this article on price point in relationship to product brand really hits a sweet spot by me.

( via THE LATE Design View )

Tobias: The Peter Mendelsund Interview

Christopher Tobias at Outerwearforbooks has been eluding to this...and now it’s a reality...the interview with Knopf's Peter Mendelsund. As a veteran book designer himself, Tobias is uniquely qualified to ask Mendelsund the kinds of questions fellow designers will gobble right up. Things like struggles getting his work approved; too much author input; work you’re not particularly proud of; working with John Gall and Chip Kidd; how he got hired; project timeframes; trends; etc. Thank you Chris for your great blog and for this interview.

Eames Office Films: Powers of Ten

DEAD: The Simpson's take and the original Eames film are no longer available.
- - - -
The relative size of the universe from a Chicago vantage point, brought to you by designers Ray and Charles Eames (and you thought great designers just make pretty pictures)!

And then the Simpsons take.

( via Land+Living )

Eames Office Films: The Eames Chair

The making of the classic Eames Lounger Chair. I’ve always wanted one. This video makes me want one more. Click here to see video.
Note: The former YouTube link has been removed since this originally was posted.

Fellow Computer Geeks— Somebody Pinch Me!

Get this. A collection of 250 vintage marketing brochures developed during the time when computers and science fiction were running neck and neck (and the guy in the cube next to you was smokin’ camel filters in each finger). Searchable by Company, Category, Application and Decade. And to top that off, they’re all available as PDF download. Now get at it! While you’re there, check out the Computer History Timeline.

( via BB-Blog > computerhistory.org )

Set Your Seitz on This!

A 6x17 digital panorama shot (uncompressed) at about 950 MB. Granted—an amazing camera—but it would be hard not to laugh at someone using it.

( via BB-Blog )

Pando: Taking a Vegas guess

If I were a bettin’ man, I’d bet on Pando.


( via icreatethings )

A Magazine. Worthwhile?

The people behind Worthwhile believe it’s impossible to have a meaningful life without meaningful work. So, they created the first media company for people seeking a more personally fulfilling and socially responsible route to business success.

“Just got my premiere issue of Worthwhile. Wow! … This mag, as much or more than Fast Company, is what I've been waiting for.”
- Tom Peters, business guru, Boston

Interestingly, I find the thing that makes my work worthwhile curiously missing from this magazine. Leave me a comment if I’m incorrect here.

( via B L A N K )

Russian Posters Galore

A nice Flickr set of Russian Posters.

( via designwire )

Space Age Russian Architecture

Frederic Caubin, chief editor of French magazine, Citizen K, shows us photos of strange and wonderful buildings he's taken of Soviet architecture from the 70’s and 80’s. Beautiful, unique and slightly eerie. See if you agree.

( via )

A Designer's Research Manual

Looks like a must have, but I'm cheap—so let me know if you've read it. From Amazon... Doing research can make all the difference between great and good design...designers are able to bring something to the table that reflects a commercial value for the client beyond a well-crafted logo or brochure...research is the basis of all good design work...This book provides a comprehensive manual on what design research is, why, how to research, and how to apply it to design...share common vernacular with clients...The ability to execute effective research methods is as important to a career in graphic design as the ability to build a grid or layout a page...Understanding the needs of the client and the client’ market are essential components of creating value.

Publishing: So What’s Next?

“Unquestionably hip and metropolitan... overnight, the company has transformed itself from an interesting start-up to a serious player and one that understands the rules of the game.”

I’m personally very intrigued by the digital on-demand printing model. As such, I’ve embarked on an experiment of publishing one of my previous design efforts into a variety of digital on-demand formats (and price points). I’m doing so in order to begin understanding this phenomenon first hand, from the user side, so I can learn and experience the nuances, vernacular and experience the end product. Upon completion, I intend to share what I’ve learned with colleagues in a larger, more comprehensive and ongoing conversation.

In the process of all this, I’ve identified a publisher who I have my eye on. They’re called “The Friday Project.” They’re not an on-demand model, but a completely new breed of publishing house, dedicated to combining everything that’s great about traditional book publishing with the limitless possibilities offered by the Internet and emerging technologies.

Though I can’t speak specifically to their business model and/or profitability, I do generally admire them for the uniqueness of their effort(s), and the foresight and fitness that must be required of such a venture. I will post more about digital on-demand printing in the future.

Junkyard Dog Trick No. 1: Resize Photos

You need to resize photos in a pinch, and you’re without Photoshop. This is a job for ResizR.

( via WholesomeGoodness )

Candid Questions. They ask ’em, so you don't have to.

No matter who you are, there are undoubtedly questions about faith, God, and your position and place in life that you’ve thought of yourself and/or wanted to ask publicly. Well now you don’t have to! Though you may not agree with all the answers, you have to admit the discussions are very thoughtful, and are conducted without all the shouting and red faces you get in public debate. Questions such as... How can I be convinced I have heard the voice of God, so I can know his will for my life? Why did God allow the tsunami disaster? Why is there evil in the world if God is all-powerful? What About People Who Say God Talks to Them? I have been in constant pain for over 30 years and I suffer from major chronic depression. I have been a Christian most of my life. My life is anything but abundant. Why would a loving God allow his child to suffer so much?

Check it out.
Or, ask Ruth your own question!
Or, check out some other resources.

Likewise. I like.

A man comes across an ancient enemy, beaten and left for dead. He lifts the wounded man onto the back of a donkey and takes him to an inn to tend to the man’s recovery. Jesus tells this story and instructs those who are listening to “go and do likewise.”

Likewise books, a new imprint of Intervarsity Press, targeting 18-32 year old adults. When we’re skeptical about the status quo, Likewise books challenge us to create culture responsibly. When we’re confused about who we are and what we’re supposed to be doing, Likewise books help us listen for God’s voice. When we’re discouraged by the troubled world we’ve inherited, Likewise books help us hold onto hope. In this life we will face challenges that demand our response. Likewise books face those challenges with us so we can act on faith.

I’m enjoying what I see so far, including their new website which offers a free 90+ page Likewise Sampler as PDF. Thanks Likewise. May this new ministry effort give God all the glory.

( via cbaonline )

Innovation: The Power of Marginal

Let’s face it, not all that many people read this blog. But if you do, and you’re interested in the subject of design innovation, this article is a needle in a haystack. One of the most intriguing bits of thinking on innovation I’ve ever read. Period.

( via ChangeThisNL )

The Art of Versions: A Making of

Neil Ashby is an incredible designer and his work has inspired me over the years. As former VP Creative Director for the Recording Industry Association of America, Neil’s work is very visible. After a decade at RIAA, he’s gone on to amass a client list which includes nearly every notable recording studio and musician on the planet.

Neil and his friend Matthew Curry (imagefed) have collaborated on a 32-page booklet and package for Thievery Corporation’s CD entitled “Art of Versions” that shows the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a fairy nymph. In developing this project, they collected 100’s of individual illustration “parts,” then mixed those with drawings they’d done by hand.

Broken into 4 categories—Intro, Pieces, Package and Store—this site gives glimpse into this gorgeous effort.

( via NetDiver )

“Look At Me, I’m a Designer”

Frank at B L A N K gets it. His design serves it’s purpose, and he knows who he serves. In his article, “Design Not Known,” he tells it like it is...

Design is all about others, not us. Design is a servant, not the star. Design is outward focused, not inward. So, to all those designers who no one knows or will ever know; who are slogging it out in the trenches day in and day out serving others without a note of “look at what I've done” fanfare being played: I salute you. Keep going. Resist the urge to jump onto the “try to get myself noticed” wagon. And keep serving others because ultimately, it is Him who you serve.

The complete article can be found here.

( via Blank )