August 26, 2009

Never Use White Type on a Black Background.

For the design rebel in you check out Never Use White Type on a Black Background: And 50 Other Ridiculous Design Rules.

Design has many rules that claim to be big truths and full of wisdom. Designers all go by rules that work for them. However, their rules may not work for someone else, or for a particular piece of design work. When a rule is forced upon you, it stops working and becomes a joke, like “Never use a PC,” or “Leave it until the last minute,” or the most famous of them all, “Less is more.”

The problem is that every rule related to, or governing, design is ultimately ridiculous. In this book we have collected the most talked-about rules and the viewpoints of designers and thought leaders who live by them or hate them.

Posted In graphic design, read up
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August 25, 2009

Sweet & Saucy Shop.

Although I’m nowhere near Long Beach, California I thought I’d show off Sweet & Saucy Shop anyway. Their custom desserts look beyond delectable and I’m drooling over their gorgeously designed site. If you’re in the area swing by and say hello to owner/head pastry chef Melody Brandon. And don’t forget to pick up a treat for my sweet tooth, too!

Posted In food, web design
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August 24, 2009

Art & Copy.

I’m stoked to see Art & Copy! Four years in the making, it’s a film about advertising and inspiration (yes and yes!) directed by Doug Pray. Art & Copy reveals the work and wisdom of some of the most noted ad creatives of our time and the cultural impact their work has on society. (Psst… it’s already open in select cities as of August 21st…)

Posted In graphic design, see it
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August 21, 2009

Found My Animal.

Yesterday I received an email from Bethany at Found My Animal and could hardly wait to share this awesome business endeavor with you! Found My Animal creates really cool leashes and collars for your pups and an astounding 25% of the profits go towards Louis Animal Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to spaying/neutering and providing homes for animals who have not yet ‘found’ their people. Both my cat, Peanut, and my dog, Piper, are rescues so this is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart.

Let’s not forget to mention how unbelievably cool these products are either! The leashes are custom-made rope crafted by New England rope-makers and guaranteed to withstand thousands of pounds of pull (not to mention a great alternative to leather). The individually-numbered, stamped brass tags on each leash serve as a reminder of the uniqueness of your animal and allow FMA to keep track of the number of animals helped. The collars are made from waxwear, a cotton canvas that’s coated with animal safe wax for weather resistance and increased wear. Stayed tuned because harnesses are being released next month!

Posted In do good, pets
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August 20, 2009

Mallard Tearooms.

UK designer Sarah Walsh put together some gorgeous packaging for Mallard Tearoooms. Me definitely likey.

“Mallard is a specialist tea company which sells loose leaf tea through its shop and tearoom in Knutsford. The mix and match branding is inspired by the eclectic feel of the establishment which is quirky, eccentric and unmistakably English.”


Posted In food, packaging
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August 20, 2009

Vale Design Paper Goods.

I’m thrilled that Erin, of Vale Design blog fame, has opened her own shop – Vale Design Paper Goods! The store is all about printables, which I love – no shipping required. Currently being offered are stationery and three favor box templates with more designs expected to roll in over the next few weeks. If you haven’t tripped over there yet, now is the time to do so. Congratulations Erin!

Posted In blog love, paper goods
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August 19, 2009

Personas.

Personas is an application that searches your name on the web and returns a profile of what it finds. Check out mine above – it found my online and social presence and all my mentions of books, fashion and art. The fame and sports mentions are sort of puzzling, unless I’m a big pro athlete in a foreign country and just failed to mention it to you all…

Personas is a component of the Metropath(ologies) exhibit, currently on display at the MIT Museum by the Sociable Media Group from the MIT Media Lab. It uses sophisticated natural language processing and the Internet to create a data portrait of one’s aggregated online identity. In short, Personas shows you how the Internet sees you.

Posted In online
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