Here’s a quick administrative post - many design sites haven’t been as fun as i’d like lately, and i think i might be missing some good ones you guys know about - so i’ve finally built a basic links page ! So here’s a chance to send in your great links/reads/etc and i’ll post them up there for all. Or if you HAVE a great site and have been asking to swap - here’s your chance.
The cosmetics line Bourjois Paris has nice little design details and fun products that always drew me into their displays… just noticed this game/promo on their French site you need to go poke around! Not to mention it uses the work of Genevieve Gauckler, one of my favorite artists ever, to show “les anges contre les demons” in some great animations. I will even admit that my french is lacking so the card game probably lost much of its point on me, but clicking away for the animations was well worth it. (Feel free to post notes on the goal/how it works/etc!)
Colette is one of my most pleasantly inspiring sites to visit, no matter what mood i am in when i stumble upon it, those 2d black and white dogs just put a smile on my face. Not to mention the incredible little world they live in that is the store, etc - as well as the incredible collection of great designer goods. New things there are —- Smiley Perfume by Ora Ito, “first ever happiness factor in the form of a perfume” Who could say no to that? Imagine walking down the street spraying it on grumpy people… and then there is the Bourjois mini kit - now the trend the last few years has been the mini lip glosses on keychains (which i still believe is a brilliant idea since a) seldom do i finish a full sized lip gloss before moving on to the next and b) saves space and is always handy) Well with the trand of having electronic keys picking up, or your cellphone as your key - this lipgloss is ready as your phone/zipperpull! Cute twist on the current trend.
A lot of people seem pretty down today. So this one is for them - when you sometimes just regress to that point that cute soft cuddly - and amusingly designed are comforting. Jellycat Truffle Sheep and Highland Cow.
KarmaSoup’s Gary Gao has some great illustration and graphic design work - you probably know his infamous Threadless tee with the Pet Human (girl and giant robot, or robot and mini girl)… But check out his new tee with the girl and the octopus! and what looks like mini baby octopi that are poking at her toes? Very cute.
Did you know Bloomberg apparently makes most of its profits on a single product/service? Well that was news to me. As far as design/tech inspiration - take a look at this Bloomberg B-Unit. At first glance, it seems like a wallet sized camera/battery/id gizmo. But upon closer look, you will find that it is apparently “one of the most advanced personal authentication devices available. The credit card sized device integrates a biometric sensor-a finger image scanner-to verify the identity of BLOOMBERG ANYWHEREusers, allowing them to log in to their BLOOMBERG TERMINAL from any internet-ready PC, anywhere in the world.” This is the B-Unit: Bloomberg Personal Authentication Device, and i want one. Not for any reason other than, at this moment my wallet and tech filled purse feels an inferiority complex coming on - thats so sleek and pretty, and a nice implementation of tech (although honestly, couldn’t it be even thinner?).
Life Lessons have never been easy, that’s why they are life lessons. But TLC (yea The Learning Channel) - has created this ad campaign utilizing these gorgeous little “Precious Moments”-esque figurines in hilarious ads on tv… but best yet is the e-cards, you can change the hair color, skin color, eye color, and best of all - the message on the plaque. And you can even buy a few of these as real figurines, shipping in June.
Doodling is healthy, and it happens any/everywhere. This is a very impressive collection of “Dollar” doodles also at ATYPYK.
The designers over at ATYPYK have a sense of humor - Take a look at their “magic wand” for fly swatting, the book cuttingboard, and my favorite - the “cherry on top” candle. If you have to put a candle on it, might as well let it be more interesting than the standards/sparklers. Although a cherry sparkler could be fun - and have other maraschino cherries on the cake/cupcake as well?
Quickie - little slow on posts today - been working on setting up these new ads for you. But this neccessary evil make more possible for notcot! Hunted for some that are more visually appealing - and pretty interesting actually! So, check them out and thanks for reading~ more regular content in a few.
Felt Rocks! When you get upset - throw these against something? Then again condensed felt rocks may not be that soft, actually i guess it might be rather painful. But on felt, this was a unique use of the material… just not quite sure what one should do with them. The Molo Design site shows a little girl tossing them around and playing with them.
What is it about alcohol putting so much effort into design and stories? Well newest one i found - is Hendrick’s Gin - and i must admit reading about the infusion of “a lovely hint of Bulgarian Rose, which is extracted by gently pressing essential oils from the petals. Next comes the coup de grace — Cucumber, the essence of which is obtained by mashing the fresh fruit, then mixing the pulp with cold water.” just makes me want to try it. Not to mention the way the site sucks you into this old school time with music and playful imagery (that is a bit over the top, but fun none the less)… and then to top it off - you can check out their hilarious newsletter… with old pictures and silly stories. Oh, and i nearly forgot to mention the bottle - very medicinal like - but it works - and certainly has a distinct look. I found this from an ad in BusinessWeek.
CalTech Loses their cannon - swiped and relocated 3,000 miles to MIT’s campus where it now wears a giant “Brass Rat” MIT class ring… and points at Pasadena. The “Howe and Ser Moving Co. is an accomplished national moving firm known for its excellent customer service. It has been described as, “assertive, low-key, and really willing to go the extra 3,000 miles to ensure a bang-up job.”’ Whatever will they do to retaliate? I’m sure it will be good.
Hm. Remember art school - the “medium is the message” stuff - and how video art first started? Well - take that and add a dash of high end fashion photography + Metropolitan Hotel + couture + top models put to bed in their own rooms and filmed/photographed. Yes thats what those stills are from - Nick Knight in 2001. Check out the vids here. [yea thats devon aoki in the first one apparently]
On the same note - have you seen the motion photography style project with Kate Moss pretty much jumping around topless in fancy jeans rocking out to loud music while ripping up the red paper she is posing in front of? In Paris 2005, she did this piece with Nick Knight.
Amazing - thought provoking - beautiful - and well designed shirt + poster placement. I’m a big fan of Full Bleed which i just discovered thanks to Prickie. The work of Rob Dobi grew into Full Bleed in the summer of 2004 as a side project - and apparently his following began due to his eye catching work with bands… letting “the music i listen to influence the work”. I love his mentality that “you pay enough money for a shirt, why have it act as a billboard?”. Love the site as well, great use of space and colors.
Also - this main image i like is “work is for the birds” poetic, punny, and i must admit it reminds me of that threadless shirt of the girl blowing her brains out and out comes butterflies - but i love this one so so much more.
