Let me preface this with the fact that I am extremely anti-bumper sticker. But have you seen these? A bumper sticker for every state in honor of presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Some of them are actually really funny, while others (um, Oklahoma…) aren’t that great. Maybe I could just pretend I lived in a different state – Virginia anyone??
So awfully, painfully, tragically TRUE!
:: via ffffound
Posted In graphic design
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.
I’ve never seen truer words typed on an old index card before!
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Posted In graphic design, quotes
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.
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
Love this new typography term, but I can only hope that an ex-associate creative director of mine doesn’t discover it. The world may never be the same if she does!
Paul Rand is amazing. I’m not sure how I haven’t seen this tribute film from the 2007 One Show, but this morning as I watched it I couldn’t help but think everything that came out of Rand’s mouth was so true and so quotable.
My favorite? “Don’t try to be original. Just try to be good.” If you’re good the originality should follow naturally.
:: via swissmiss
Posted In graphic design, see it
When you’re referred to industry-wide by your last name, it’s safe to say that you’re Someone. And Stefan Sagmeister in this day and age is synonymous with graphic design.
His latest book began as a list Sagmeister made in his diary under the title Things I have learned in my life so far. (On a personal side note, I found this amusing because I have one titled Things I Have Learned So Far in Life in my own.) With the support of his clients, Sagmeister transformed these sentences into typographic works, from billboards in France to sign-toting inflatable monkeys on the streets of Scotland. Accompanied by essays as well as Sagmeister’s own words, the series is a combination of personal revelation, art, and design as well as advice. This book consists of fifteen unbound images in a laser-cut slipcase. Shuffling the sequence of the signatures will produce 15 different covers.
Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far is also an exhibition on show at Deitch Projects‘ Grand Street gallery in New York until Feburary 23.
Sagmeister’s full list of 20 maxims are as follows:
1. Helping other people helps me.
2. Having guts always works out for me.
3. Thinking that life will be better in the future is stupid. I have to live now.
4. Organising a charity group is surprisingly easy.
5. Being not truthful always works against me.
6. Everything I do always comes back to me.
7. Assuming is stifling.
8. Drugs feel great in the beginning and become a drag later on.
9. Over time I get used to everything and start taking for granted.
10. Money does not make me happy.
11. My dreams have no meaning.
12. Keeping a diary supports personal development.
13. Trying to look good limits my life.
14. Material luxuries are best enjoyed in small doses.
15. Worrying solves nothing.
16. Complaining is silly. Either act or forget.
17. Everybody thinks they are right.
18. If I want to explore a new direction professionally, it is helpful to try it out for myself first.
19. Low expectations are a good strategy.
20. Everybody who is honest is interesting.
