June 23, 2008

A Century of Olympic Game Posters.

A little known fact about me? I’m obsessed with the Olympics. Summer or Winter Games, I don’t really care. But for the two weeks they take over the airwaves I rarely leave my house or my television. I videotaped the 1992 gymnastics competition (I was 13) and re-watched it several times. Did I think the outcome would be different? Who knows. I just dig the Games that much. So you can bet when 08.08.08 rolls around I’ll be glued to my seat and wishing I were in Beijing.

I came across a great book last week on Cool Hunting. A Century of Olympic Game Posters “offers an intensely visual representation of the modern Games, and shows the evolution of the Olympic Games poster as well, from the first official poster for Stockholm in 1912 right up to the present.” I just might need it.

Posted In posters, read up
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June 19, 2008

PaperBack Swap.

With all the packing and getting ready to move I’ve taken a lot of inventory and realized just how many books I actually have in my possession. The answer is a resounding too many. I’m proud to be a bibliophile, but at least a third of my collection is comprised of one time reads that I’ll never pick up again but just can’t seem to part with.

I’ve vowed to slim down my library once I get into the new house and think I’ve found a great way to do it – PaperBack Swap. Basically you list all the paperback books you own and are willing to part with online. At the same time you compile a list of books you’d like to read from what’s listed. When someone requests one of your books you mail it to them and pay the shipping – generally around $2.13 – and in turn when a book is sent to you the postage is paid. Everything is run on a credit system, for every book you send out you receive a credit to get a new book. Seems fair enough and a great way to save some money at the bookstore which can be a major money suck in my life!

:: via Rare Bird Finds
:: image via Veer

Posted In online, read up
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June 2, 2008

ABRACADABRA Bookmark.

I’ve mentioned before how I’ll use almost anything I can get my hands on for a bookmark – be it a magazine subscription card to (gasp) a sheet of toilet paper. And though I rarely purchase real bookmarks I always keep my eyes open for interesting ones.

Meet the ABRACADABRA bookmark. It’s meant to help you find your bookmarked place and open it with ease by squeezing an air-filled chamber. When squeezed said chamber puffs up with air giving you just enough space to slip your finger into your reading spot. Currently this product is only in its conceptual phase, but keep your eyes peeled!

Posted In grand design, read up
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April 30, 2008

Black Book.

Black Book is an 800-page overview of design shop Pentagram’s recent work. The book is a compilation of over 400 projects from the last several years, arranged in alphabetical order, like a dictionary, and printed on “Bible paper,” complete with tabbed sections and ribbons for bookmarking. It covers everything from architecture to graphics, buildings to websites, branding to signage, interiors, packaging, exhibitions, interfaces, furniture, products, brochures, magazines, and houses, all in simple picture-and-caption form.



Posted In graphic design, read up
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April 29, 2008

Beacon Bookmarks.

I read. A lot. More in the winter when the weather isn’t cooperating, but just a lot in general. My love of books leaves me forever looking for something to mark my place – be it a receipt, a magazine subscription card, or a tissue (unused!). I had a lovely pewter bookmark my grandmother gave me a few Christmases ago, but it went MIA somewhere in the moved from Cleveland to Oklahoma City.

I’m loving these wooden bookmarks from etsy seller Beacon Bookmarks. They look sturdy and are coated with a water-based clear satin finish for protection. I may need to order myself a K.



:: via Roadside Scholar

Posted In read up
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April 18, 2008

Identity Crisis.

Everyone questions who they are at some point. Identity Crisis takes a fresh look at the subject of logos by exploring the process of redesigning existing identities. Get an inside look at the challenges of redesigning identities and see the creative and strategic thinking behind the work.

Posted In graphic design, read up
0
April 11, 2008

Listography Journal.

I need this!

List-makers rejoice! This quirky and imaginative guided journal is the ultimate tool for creating a unique autobiography entirely in list form. Some lists are obvious (greatest accomplishments, best friends, favorite food), others obscure (guiltiest pleasures, greatest acts of kindness, personal fashion trends), and each list is accompanied by hilarious illustrations. Listography is perfect for getting down all the details of a life less ordinary.

Posted In read up
4
March 26, 2008

Fingerprint.

As a designer I’m forever looking for ways to get more hands-on with my work. To take it out of the computer and make it more about the process. In portfolio school I not only created a piece of “stained glass” with my headline embedded in the art, but I also dabbled in actual graffiti for another ad in the same campaign. It’s just so much more satisfying to create something tangible with your own two hands that takes on additional value when you’re actually paid to do it.

Fingerprint is about just that.

A new approach to design is gaining momentum as more and more designers seek to combine the power of the computer with the personal qualities of hand-made elements. Fingerprint offers insight into this fusion of the digital and the hand-wrought, with dozens of examples of some of the best work in the industry, including design that includes hand-lettering elements and design that incorporates collage.

Posted In graphic design, read up
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