The Sketchbook Project Mobile Library from Art House Co-op on Vimeo.
people have been obsessed with davinci’s sketch books for centuries, but is this a pastoral art like diary keeping and letter writing? the sketchbook project mobile library is taking a definitive stance and bringing the creative musings of over 27,131 sketchbooks from 135 countries. you can get your inspiration on in one of the 40+ cities they visit across the country or peruse the digital collection at your leisure.
3D printing got its start in the mid-80′s on a scale much like the computer, it was large and in-accessable to the general public. fast forward almost 30 years and 3D printers are becoming a tool for makers and product innovators at a table-top dimension. people are finding a way to create and customize just about everything from toys to furniture, and now records. amanda ghassaei has explored bringing music back to “vinyl” at the individuals command.
3D Printed Record – Audio Tests from Amanda Ghassaei on Vimeo.
with records currently limited release commodities or collector oddities the art of album covers has become an even greater niche market than those that collect the music ephemera of that bygone era. will 3D printing bring record albums to a new generation and foster a new stock of cover artists in the tradition of storm thorgerson and his like?
as technology progresses, the demand for our gadgets and gizmos to miniaturize our obsession with the micro is only emboldened by our equal craving for high fidelity imagery. is this demand for such fine detail making it difficult to see the forest through the trees? fast company reviews the google art project and professor james elkins’ consideration of whether this service is in fact a detriment to art history. google art project digitizes artworks at such high definition that elkins inquires if the artists, devoid of knowledge of this technology, ever intended onlookers to view their work with such scrutiny. does this seemingly self-indulgent access to detail devalue the illusion or suggestion of a brush stroke? does it unveil the mystery and optical illusions to the extent that it devalues these works that have been treasured and studied pieces for centuries?
when we talk design we think of the tangible product that the process yields, but there is often a human application that can inform the way we think and behave. here are two projects that approach design on a more conceptual level that work to change behavior through the design of experiences.
The Starving Artists Project Film from Thompson Harrell on Vimeo.
Why Design Thinking? from Design Thinking for Educators on Vimeo.
if you are a design magazine junkie, you are in luck. “works that work” is a new magazine that promises to be the national geographic of design publications. the first edition is due out at the beginning of next year and will be available in digital and print versions. if this news gets you as excited as the prospect of christmas morning you can do your part to make this project a reality with any of the 8 levels of sponsorship.
Works That Work magazine introduction from Typotheque on Vimeo.
design and music go hand in hand. they have historically influenced each other creatively. here are two how articles that discuss designing with environmental music:
1 // music’s influence on creativity, by kevin carroll
2 // designers tell how music influences creativity, by jenny wohlfarth
and another article that talks about making the most of your music.
the reverse apparently influenced john lennon’s writing of ‘being for the benefit of mr. kite,’ shown in nick esdaile and joe fellows video detailing peter dean’s recreation of the victorian, letterpress, circus poster.
Lennon’s Poster from Make Productions on Vimeo.
is music a must to get your creative juices flowing? do you curate your music to the project your are working on?
pinterest is the place for collectors of pretty things. so it seems entirely natural that graphic design has made itself at home on this social media phenom. more specifically, you can commonly find a graphically attractive resume nestled throughout the design boards. is pinterest becoming a new employment source? are employers paying attention to the cv’s interspersed with final products? here are a few examples of pinned resumes:
leverenz, levy, suster, veloso
if you are thinking about using pinterest professionally, here are some observations and tips that may be handy:
1 // many of these documents either link back to a behance page or a personal website, this allows interested parties direct access to more information.
2 // having a pin button on your personal site will encourage people to directly pin from your site.
3 // if you are the initial pinner, make sure your pins and boards are meaningfully labeled or described, and make sure all applicable links are functioning.
for some more info and tips, here are some pinned infographics about pinning:
1 // a ceo’s guide to pinterest
2 // it’s all about the images
3 // how pinterest drives ecommerce sales
texture is a common visual tool with depth and pattern creating an interaction of the visual and tactile senses. here are some artists who have created installations that scale up the proportions of texture:
here are a few guilt-free opportunities to snoop over someone’s shoulder who is making a variety of design lovelies.
it seems like digital advertising on the web has put pressure on the television advertising industry to push the boundaries of what a commercial can be. this new race to the top is producing commercials that blur the lines between advertising and entertainment to create an experience that just might persuade you to stay on the couch through the commercial break. this particular method commercial doesn’t even employ a droning voice-over or cheesy licensed music; the visuals speak for themselves.
