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Tattoos & Tentacles is a book by photographer Julian Murray… and it is precisely what it sounds like (though the octopi don’t seem to be alive)… and it might be NSFW, but there’s a SFW peek inside the book on the next page!
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Tags: animals - books - gifts - octopus - photography - shopping
Help Remedies are beautifully packaged basic remedies from headache meds and allergy meds to bandaids. While they have been popping up in design stores, gift stores, and hotel mini bars for a while now, it’s exciting to hear they are spreading their philosophy of “Take Less” further ~ heading in to bigger national stores even! An awesome press kit arrived today including a few Help Remedies and a BIG board book filled with colorful, informative, playful content to explain their vision… all surrounded by gel coatings of pills to drill in the overdosing and confusion of the current state of over the counter meds. So take a peek on the next page to see the full unboxing, playful design details of Help Remedies, and a look in to the big board book!
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Tags: books - gifts - packaging - press kit - shopping - unboxing
Fresh in from our London editor Justine.
Following on from their successful book on jelly, jellymongering duo Bompas & Parr have launched a new book on cocktails, available for pre-order here.
The launch was celebrated with a party at their studio/lab near Borough. With ‘Cocktails, Snakes and Ether’ on the invite, I couldn’t resist checking things out and taking a peek inside the studio where all the magic happens! As Sam promised, there was indeed a medieval castle (complete with separate tower for the saxophonist, an abundance of cocktails from the new book served in an assortment of glasses, teacups and jam jars as well as a wide range of curiosities from Hendrick’s (penny farthings, scrimshaw and more!). It was also great to see some props from previous events we’ve attended and a glimpse into future projects (delectable elderflower/chili candy pills!). As always with Bompas & Parr, there were surprises everywhere, even in the bathroom, which was transformed a glitter snake pit/privy! More photos on the next page!
Our London-based editor Justine catches up with the latest action from the London Design Festival!
By sheer luck and an unreliable sense of direction, I discovered Nobrow on Great Eastern Street, in East London. What a gem! Nobrow is part shop, part studio and part gallery. The folks at Nobrow run both a small press of beautifully tactile illustrated books as well as a screenprinting studio. Here’s a look inside the gorgeous shop, a peek at a few of their lovely books, and look at the Masks exhibition by Ben Newman!
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Tags: art - books - gallery - illustration - london - print - prints - screenprinting - store - studio
The latest edition of Assouline’s Proust Questionnaire is beautiful ~ leather bound and printed on vellum paper with silver foil edges. The filled questionnaire on the cover in gold is a nice touch, and it would look great on any bookshelf. This classic interview question list is quite the personality test ~ Perhaps the best detail is the inclusion of blank questionnaires you can have friends fill out… or turn it in to your new guestbook and really get to know more about who you have in your house… take a peek inside on the next page
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On reasons print needs to live on ~ some books are worth owning, and i could flip through the gorgeous new Yuki 7 book by Kevin Dart and Elizabeth Ito for ages. I’ve been following them and falling in love with them one after the other for some time now… from the posters we gave away to their first book ~ and i’m even wearing one of their shirts as i head out for a hike now! So yes, i’m a fan… but then again, who wouldn’t want to live in the magical world of Yuki 7 and her Gadget Girls? It’s that perfect mix of retro-tastic illustration that brings you back to happier place full of mystery and espionage… gorgeous locales, and crazy new technology mixed in… not to mention fabulous outfits?
In her latest adventure and short film ~ Yuki 7: Looks That Kill, she and the gadget girls will take you on quite a ride ~ and the film is beautiful! I can’t wait till they take it further than a short film and go for a full length feature ~ she’s like the ultimate animated Bond Girl ~ only she’s Bond and i guess she has her Yuki-7 Boys… So take a sneak peek in to the new book on the next page… and if you’re in LA, check out the launch party July 16th at Q Pop.
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Tags: art - books - gifts - illustration - shopping
Does it get more awesome than pulling two large volumes of old books off the shelf, only to find a bottle of moonshine hidden within? Well, actually it does when Stillhouse Moonshine customize and age the book such that all the details pull you in even further… from the 500 numbered editions, to the cover and first few pages having actual info about the story of Moonshine, nothing is out of place. In fact this beautiful packaging has me tempted to start an ACTUAL library bar… a gorgeous shelf of old books with wondrous libations tucked away in each volume. Of course each book would need to somehow be a hint at what is to be found within. Take a peek inside the two volume packaging of Stillhouse Moonshine on the next page!
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Tags: books - drinks - gifts - liqurious - packaging - shopping
On fun little arrivals ~ it only makes sense that the Print Handbook is available in print! Even with an adorable website and a digital peek at the interior available online… it’s definitely a nice little resource for the bookshelf! Take a peek at more pages on the next page…
Another london special from Justine! Check out the incredible Mighty Pencil she discovered…
If I could be any sort of artist, I would want to be an illustrator. There’s something just awesome about the medium. Needles to say, when I got back from lunch at the Worship Street Whistling Shop, I was thrilled to find The Mighty Pencil Vol 1 waiting for me and just had to share a sneak peek at it!
The Mighty Pencil is “a somewhat mysterious illustration resource, spreading their words of wisdom” and their first book - truly a fantastic piece of work that brings together so many talented illustrators. Check out a peek inside and some of my favorites on the next page!
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Tags: art - books - illustration
Spy novels + fun cars + limited edition books = gorgeous book design from 007 and Bentley for the latest James Bond book, Carte Blache. There is a die-cut bullet hole that pierces each book - inside each copy you find a single polished bullet with a distinct number. (I wonder if any other secret information is hidden in or on the bullet!)
As for the design - “The Special Edition is designed by Brett Boydell. In his ten years at Bentley, Brett has been involved in the interior design of the Bentley Azure, Brooklands and, most recently, the Continental Supersports. He also manages the Bentley Branded Goods studio, where all Bentley-associated products are created.” Additionally, the book is in a metal box shaped into outline of the new Continental GT. The look of this sleek abstracted sculpture reminds me a lot of the Infiniti Essence and Mercedes Rising Car sculptures. Take a peek at the sketches and renders of the 007 and Bentley Carte Blanche Special Edition on the next page.
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Tags: bentley - books - cars - gifts - sculpture - shopping - sketching - spy
It’s back! I felt so free again this morning when my passport came back. There’s something about not having a passport on hand that feels like being trapped… albeit trapped in a HUGE country. On fun firsts, i finally reached the point where i had to add passport pages. One of the silly things i have been curious about since i was a kid, it now looks a bit frankensteined with completely different pages sewn and taped into the center! So, of course i had to take some pics to share the details of how it turned out! Take a peek on the next page… they even had some fun with the quotes and graphics!
I love books. I love the feel of print. And with ebooks growing in popularity, design and packaging of print is as important as ever… and there are still irresistible books i’ll run into… in the case of Penguin’s Great Ideas series, i wanted them all. They are so adorable, so classic, and so gorgeous with their beautifully designed covers with that letter pressed texture that you can’t help running your fingers over. I had restraint and only bought two last night when grabbing tacos at Brentwood Country Mart when i couldn’t resist a quick look in Diesel, A Book Store. But of course with the two i purchased (a combination of content and cover design went into the decision of course) ~ i came home to look up the rest of the series and covers and my favorites are on the next page. The concept behind the series really is such a lovely idea as well: “Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are.” ~ see all the loveliness on the next page.
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Tags: books - gifts - letterpress - shopping
Mmmm, simple amusements. Adorable little design/art bookstore (La Valise in Mexico City) ~ cute little glass case ~ filled with ~ FLIPBOOKS! And not any flipbooks… but adorably cheeky beautifully illustrated ones that end with a twist that makes you giggle, then turn and make anyone around you watch it as you flip it again and again. Silly as they are, these are my favorite little goodies i brought back from the trip, and i’ve been dying to share them with you!
The Deportistas series of 4 flipbooks from Tumbona Ediciones by the awesome creative studio Eramos Tantos. AND, i was absolutely giddy when i found the animated version of all 4 in the series (Diving, Fencing, Hurdling, and Weight Lifting) set to music! (Previously i was trying to figure out how to make videos to show you as i flipped through them.) Truly an awesme homage to Tex Avery ~ we need more of this in our lives! So take a peek at the video, pics of the real flip books, and screen grabs on the next page!
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Tags: animation - books - gifts - illustration - mexico - shopping - video
Justine went to check out the Birmingham Interiors 2011 show ~ and brought back some awesome pics ~ here’s her first post!
Earlier this week, I wandered up to Birmingham for Interiors 2011. One of my favorite stands at the show was a showcase by the students at Birmingham City University. Their four trend pavilions set out four unique student interpretations of Global Color Mix Trends for Autumn/Winter 2011/12 and titled ‘Afrika’, ‘Curve’, ‘Botanic’ and ‘Fable’. Take a peek at lots more pics on the next page!
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The most incredible pop up book penthouse of a surprise arrived last week. And like a little kid, i still have it opened up on my kitchen table, and i can’t help poking at it, constantly finding new details, and pulling the tabs. This surprise came from Chandelier Creative - the bright pink box greets you with a COME SPARKLE… and the book cover has a bold OMG! It’s Christmas again! Step inside the Chandelier Creative Penthouse and Drink more Champagne than Joan Collins… Anyhow, the details and illustrations are so much fun, you have to explore the pictures on the next page, excuse me for going a little overboard, but there was far too much awesome to share!
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Tags: books - gifts - holiday - illustration - popup
Sometimes a gorgeous graphic in print form is all you need to get all inspired and giddy. Well, apparently that does it for me anyhow! Also, there’s nothing like a desk calendar to remind you just how fast 2011 is going to fly right by! As you already saw, i’m hiding out in Rancho Santa Fe with the Mercedes AMG crew this weekend and while the official fun has yet to start, i couldn’t help going through the teaser of a press kit and this calendar while on a call… and the graphics! and paper! and binding! So pretty and thoughtfully designed… and also making me even more certain that an electric sports car has to be on my life list? Or pre-30 list? Definitely pre-40 list. That SLS E-Cell is pretty lustworthy… and i’m not even usually into yellow. Anyhow, the graphics, photos, and even calendar layout itself, is so fun, you must check out the detail shots on the next page!
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Tags: books - calendar - cars - graphic - Mercedes-Benz
Wilde Dieren/Wild Animals By Rop van Mierlo. Beautiful. Odd. Book of wild animals! That sensation of watching water colors soaking into a page… just getting absorbed so naturally… somehow, Rop has embodied that in this book of strange wild animal paintings… the video really pulls it all together so mesmerizingly tonight, i keep watching it over. See it and a peek inside on the next page!
Gift Guide time! In addition to the NOTCOT Holiday Coupons and the many Holiday Giveaways that will be unfolding daily… here’s my latest gift guide dedicated to beautiful BOOKS! As much as people claim print is dead ~ it’s so so not, and gorgeous glossy coffee table books, surprising analog interactive kids books, stunning magazines, design books, graphically awesome cookbooks and more are still launching constantly. On the next page, you’ll see a pick of some of my favorites for gifting this season!
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Tags: books - gift guide - gifts - shopping
Apparently IKEA has released what may be the coolest styled ingredients cookbook ~ “Hembakat är Bäst” (Homemade is Best). Filled with 30 recipes for baked goodies broken down by ingredient… i’d love to see this in person! Rumor has it that it’s free in swedish IKEAs? (Anyone have one? or an extra?) The photos by Carl Kleiner are absolutely amazing! Don’t laugh, but its been quite the mystery guessing from the precise geometrically laid out ingredients what these pictures might MAKE! So much google image searching as i guess and see! (Don’t worry, i’ve put the google image search links in for you, so you can play along at home as well!) See the images i found at Carl Kleiner’s site on the next page ~ and if you have a copy, or can help me find a copy, do drop me a comment? Thanks!!!
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Paul Budnitz’s I Am Plastic, Too is like a who’s who of toys. Everyone’s in there And the photographs are so beautiful, for all the collectibles/art pieces you may have missed, or didn’t have room on the shelf for, you can admire them for eternity in his second book. It’s no surprise that the founder of Kidrobot has issued what looks like the ultimate glossy toy yearbook… so many NOTCOT friends and favorites are included from the Rocketworld guys to Andy Bell to Amanda Visell to Joe Ledbetter to…. really there are too many to name, and too many gorgeous pages in the book… so i tried to take pics of things that excited me as i flipped through it! In addition to rounding up some of the best toys of the year, there are also interviews scattered throughout the book with various artists. And as such a lovely coffee table book, definitely adding this one to the gift list for any toy art lover! Take a browse through the book with me on the next page!
The Geometry of Pasta ~ The Perfect Shape. The Perfect Sauce. I’m in love with this book. Geometric shapes ~ flat black and white graphics ~ its even perfect for babies! And you get the history of various pasta shapes as well as sauce recipes that pair perfectly with its exquisite shape. “The Geometry of Pasta pairs over 100 authentic recipes from critically acclaimed chef, Jacob Kenedy, with award-winning designer Caz Hildebrand’s stunning black-and-white designs to reveal the science, history and philosophy behind spectacular pasta dishes from all over Italy. A stunning fusion of design and food, The Geometry of Pasta tells you everything you need to know about cooking and eating pasta like an Italian.”
It’s really such a beautifully designed book, and everyone from college kids who may just be toying with feeding themselves to chefs, would have a great time with this one, it’s definitely going on my list for fun designer gifts. I’ve never unwrapped a book and been so tempted to frame up the dust jacket, but this one is just stunning!
Awesome teaser? “Plans are underway to launch a series of products inspired by The Geometry of Pasta featuring the distinctive graphic style used in the book, from an iphone app to kitchenwares and a range of pastas and sauces.”
So take a look at some of my favorite pages in the book on the next page! As well as a giant chart of pasta shapes!
Scotch and Photography go together so perfectly! Is it any surprise that the Macallan is incredibly inspirational to photographers? And has inspired Rankin to make a breathtaking series of 1000 polaroids of their estate? The Macallan Masters of Photography collaborations are incredible ~ after Rankin, the latest is with Albert Watson! But back to the topic at hand…
Upon moving, many things i meant to write about got hidden in boxes, and have been resurfacing bit by bit! Amongst them, this incredible book, A Photographic Essay of The Macallan Estate ~ which includes the 1000 polaroids taken by incredible photographer Rankin! These polaroids were part of the 1000 bottle series of Masters of Photography Rankin edition 30yr Macallan project, each bottle with a different polaroid image on the label, and boxed with the polaroid itself. Truly one of a kind! But sadly, when viewing the bottles a few at a time, you simply don’t get the whole picture that Rankin’s photographs as a whole tell of the place! He shot photos all around the Macallan Estate ~ of the buildings, of the stills, of the greenery, of the cows… and in many his nude muse/wife posed amongst them. I love that Rankin sees this project of 1000 polaroids more as a poem than a narrative as he created an amazing portrait of the Macallan world. It feels so meta to be sharing photos of a book of photos with you, but you really must see how amazing some of these images are! And i can’t wait to experience it all first hand! Take a peek at some of my favorites from the Rankin/Macallan experience on the next page!
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Tags: books - drinks - macallan - photography - scotch - scotland - travel
Firstly ~ i love that the British Central Illustration Agency goes by CIA. And their first book, License to Inspire just arrived as perfect Monday morning inspiration to share with you ~ (please pardon the mess behind the photos ~ mid move!!!) ~ on first impressions, i barely wanted to open the box, i was so enamored by knight in shining armor on his horse! And then within… the partial dust jacket looks lovely too! The CIA have been representing some of the most amazing illustrators and designers for years ~ (and they do the BEST weekly calendars!) and it’s incredible to see, flip through, hold, and read about their inspiration and see work from some of their stunning artists in print form! To fully appreciate all the goodness, you definitely need to check out a copy yourself, but for a quick preview, take a peek at the pics on the next page!
p.s. “It’s about allowing the artist the freedom to interpret the concept, to allow them to do what they do best and contribute in such a way that is truly inspirational…” ~ love the introduction of the book going through the history and philosophies of this amazing group!
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Tags: art - books - gifts - illustration - packaging - shopping
On unexpected gifts that made me LOL and people who’ve helped me navigate the fun intersection between design, advertising, business, online media, and more ~ Chas ran off to India for the holidays (surprisingly, not to find himself, like others i know have been) ~ as advisor and old friend of NOTCOT ~ i asked him to show me some awesome design from india ~ leave it to an ad man to find a way to mix his passion and mine ~ i was gifted with this book (and lots of pictures of india! including ads of india! But also the beautiful found throughout on his adventures.) But back to the book: Welcome To Advertising Now Get Lost by Omkar Sane. The book cover cracked me up. The idea that it had so many playful illustrations throughout was great as well. And if you read it ~ it’s a playful look at the world of ad agencies in india… from the creative directors to the art directors to the clients to the pitches and more… perhaps a lot of it is similar to how it works here. And amidst making a mockery of much of the process (filled with local references), it’s pretty funny, and an amusing perspective on how things work. And as creatives who may either live in a similar world, or tap in to it regularly ~ you’ve got to take a peek at some of the illustrations inside by Aindri Chakraborty on the next page.
I’m a bit obsessed with print recently. I mean, i always love/d print, but extra aware of it and all its design nuances at the moment. Beyond that, i can’t seem to help fixating on the way digital/online medias can translate back out to print in the real world well ~ and how integrated ads can be beautiful and/or enhance the content. Ran into this little booklet for the first time at a hotel and love not only the concept and execution, but also the design!
Daily Candy has a beautiful Los Angeles pocket sized city guide that is perhaps one of the most thorough (SO many of my favorites and many more are included!) guides to places to eat, sleep, shop, and more in LA! Design is fun and readable, adorable little icons and extra notes and illustrations tucked away in each page. It’s also light on the branding/advertisements Only a few Jet Blue ads inside with fun creative and copy of course! On the front it mentions it is in partnership with the Viceroy Group and Urban Retreats. As far as positioning, seems like great positioning to get Daily Candy in front of boutique hotel guests ~ particularly those who may not know the mailing list yet. Lovely idea, beautifully executed, i’d rather grab one of these than a Wallpaper guide, etc. if i’m sending a friend off to explore LA ~ now i’m curious what other cities exist! And how to find them! Take a peek inside this LA guide on the next page…
UPDATE: Just in from Daily Candy - there are NYC and LA guides. the NYC guides were made last year and can be found at the 5 W hotels in NYC. The LA ones just arrived in the Viceroy and Urban Retreat hotels last month! “They were penned by the NYC and LA editors respectively. It’s the first time we’ve printed our favorites in such a fashion and they are being well-received in both markets. The great thing is it’s everything we love — Not just the “latest and greatest” but they also include mention our tried and true favorites.”
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Tags: books - hotels - los angeles - travel
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