DesignChart: The Designer’s “Top 40”

Like a music Top 40, DesignCharts highlights the week’s design website Top 40 by order of traffic. These are the resources used to create DesignChart’s list.
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I really enjoy this site, but to me searching the web can be compared to garage sales—sometimes the less trafficked one’s are where you find all the good stuff!

( via 30gms )

Photoshop Brushes

A plethora of PS Brushes, or as the site itself claims... “The Largest Photoshop Brush Resource Site on The Internet.”

( via WilliamAlexander )

A Rare Sunday Post

I’ve made it a point not to post on Sundays, however this post is truly an exception. Perhaps you’ll understand why as you watch Mark Schultz speak about his new song Broken and Beautiful— a tribute to his birth mother, who he has never met.

This video really drives home how courageous mothers are who give their babies up for adoption. Sounds crazy, right? Well, I’m learning that like most things which don’t make sense in this world, God has a plan for it all. And for us all. Especially if we listen.

My wife and I find ourselves spending another Sunday together waiting on God’s hand in our lives’ after 4 years trying to conceive and 4 years learning to seek His will and timing for us in these regards. Though she doesn’t know us, I thank Laura Christianson for her blog, and for her sharing this wonderful post.

Are You Beautiful?

The world sets an unrealistic standard on beauty. As a result, and to varying degrees, many women deal with low self esteem. Dove wishes to shed a more inclusive light on the definition of beauty, and has done so via the Dove Self Esteem Fund. Check out this video and see for yourself how the world’s perception of beauty is shaped in just one of many ways. Also, check out the Dove Global Study: the truth about beauty.

In my humble opinion, true beauty is better compared to a higher measure. A bar set by our Father in Heaven. In Psalms 139:14, we’re told we’re loved, and Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. I hope you feel this in your heart no matter what your weight, shape or complexion.

( via 30gms )

VSA: 2016 Chicago Olympic logo

VSA Partner’s probono work— The 2016 Chicago Olympic logo— is styled in the shape of a torch and consists of three distinct visual components. The flame, in the shape of Chicago’s skyline, reflects the international significance of Chicago architecture and speaks to the vitality of a city that rose from the ashes. The body of the torch merges a color palette that represents the blue of Lake Michigan with the vibrant green of the city’s park system — further underscoring Chicago’s commitment to the environment and sustainability. Together, these visual elements evoke the spirit of the Olympic Games and its values.

More about the effort.

( via brentter )

Illustrator Sam Weber

There’s something distinctive about this illustrator’s work that I can’t quite put my finger on. Is it the color palette? The technique? I’m not sure, but I see a lot of illustrators work, and this caught my attention. See what you think.

About Sam: Born in Alaska, Sam grew up in Deep River Ontario, Canada. After attending the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, he moved to New York to pursue illustration and attend graduate school at The School of Visual Arts. In addition to drawing, Sam works part time as assistant art director of the OpEd page at the New York Times.

( via computerlove )

Creative Showcase for Design Students

5oup is a place for creative students to showcase their work to a wide audience.

( via designwire )

The genius of Ken Garland & Associates

From the website:
The choice of the trading name 'Ken Garland and Associates: Designers' was in order to signify that the outfit didn't consist merely of one designer plus odd helpers who knocked off paste-ups, took phone messages or ran errands. Those who worked with me between 1962 and 2002 have always been designers designing - no secretaries, no typists, no donkey- workers. There were never more than three of them at any one time. I intend no criticism of larger, probably more illustrious design groups when I say that, for me, an increase in size would have meant fruitless to-ing and fro-ing, more unexplained and unacceptable overheads, and less fun.

Read their Design Manifesto from 1964—slightly ahead of it’s time, right?!

( via AceJet 170 )

Web 2.0: Giving–vs–Taking

I’m amazed by how large a percentage of friends, family, and colleagues are utterly confused by my blog. I get emails, voicemails, blank stares, and am asked “what am I supposed to do at your blog?” And since all you can really do at any website is click stuff, that’s the advice I give. Everyone wants to know how I have time for adding stuff. They want to know how can I afford it. They ask what I get out of it. And ironically they are all too busy to read it.

So on the rare occasion someone does take an interest in blogging, I offer the Web 2.0 “Give-vs-Take” model as an analogy.

...for the first time in history, the world’s most powerful form of media is about giving, not taking. The implications are vast.

( via gapingvoid )

Shirt Folding. (Yep, Shirt Folding).

That pile of shirts is calling out your name. Now get busy.

David Nasser Outreach Website

Part speaker, author, visionary and ALL minister, David Nasser’s greatest passion is to connect people to the living God. The site is really excellent, and is a result of a collaboration with AM Design.

David also has a blog.

( via DesignMeltDown )

Jewish + Christian History Timelines

Here is an incredible interactive timeline of Jewish and Christian History. And here is a static one.

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 )