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?

product trends have featured the downsizing from mini to micro in just about everything imaginable. will the next demand be for individualization? if the fashion industry is any indication products may become at least aesthetically customizable, if not an infinite smorgasbord of options, to make your next widget all yours.

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?

not really, just using it well to make our government more accessible, revolutionizing the fireside chat concept. the white house offers a blog, mobile app, live streaming, and podcasts. some of the more notable interactive features include the federal taxpayer receipt which shows you how your money has been spent; and the ability to start and participate in petitions. the newest feature is an audio series being biden, a narrated blog giving citizens personal insight into the vice presidency.

we’ve all heard the common plight of how valentine’s day is a hallmark holiday. there are several industries who’s primary profit is made by holiday sales, and many of them are food or candy related. unreal candy issued the “easter bunny apology tour,” created by crunch brands, in an effort to market their product for easter basket stuffing. while the candy only makes subtle cameos throughout the tour, this feel-good campaign does more than just push their product. unreal teams up with celebrities to show the lighter-side of the candy aisle in it’s unjunk candy movement. follow the easter bunny on his quest for redemption and sweet-tooth salvation.

Imgembed from Imgembed on Vimeo.

the democratic nature of content creation on the internet is a proverbial pandora’s box. with anyone enabled to post and share copy and images, the minefield of copyright and fair usage is in heated debate as we tread further into these uncharted waters. as the time of the blogger unfolds content becomes more proprietary than ever. for those looking to monetize and protect the usage of their content and images specifically there is a new service available to track and market your image use. imgembed’s services can bring in extra cash for creators and new options for users as an alternate to stock photo sites.

channel you inner easter bunny and get your easter egg coloring kits ready for hatch’s egg coloring contest or vote for your favorite.

march 2013 will mark the introduction of duke energy’s new logo launch. the new look comes as a result of the merger with progress energy inc. jim rogers, chairman, president and chief executive officer of duke energy notes “the new duke energy will be better able to serve our 7.1 million customers’ energy needs in a safe, reliable, affordable and increasingly clean manner,” which seemingly informs the new look and feel of the logo.

the new logo was an in-house creation that replaces the italicized red “d” issued in 1997. the charlotte observer reports that the intention of the logo was to: “‘capture the idea of forward motion and what energy means in the future,’ said duke chief communications officer ginny mackin. ‘The coloring is more in line with values, moving away from the more industrial look,’” and incorporates the abstracted star icon from progress energy. there is a fine line to walk when merging two existing brands into one. it’s crucial to know what brand elements are essential to each, how to fuse those pieces together and most importantly recognizing when to bring something new to the table.

when you think of any brand or company that consistently offers a user experience that fosters a cult-like following, apple or target might come to mind. what do they have that other groups can’t seem to capture? well google seems to be the most recently initiated member of this club, and they believe that it is a unified design culture that informs the entire brand.

here the verge addresses google’s attitude adjustment that is bringing them rave reviews:

and here allan peters [a senior art director at target] features designer, clesete prevost’s work that illustrates google’s new direction:

have you ever found yourself in a target store or viewing an advertisement for the iconic chain and thought to yourself: it would be awesome to design for target? their love of simplicity and affection for the power of white space nearly makes me giddy. not to mention their collaboration with great designers and brands of varying disciplines, like the new shops concept and the recent campbell’s warhol soup cans. target inhouse, target’s “internal creative studio” is behind much of this eye candy, and they have launched a new website that features the work of their “collective of designers, copywriters, art directors, developers, information architects, production designers, account executives, art buyers and producers.” they also have a blog where you can follow the development of many of their creative wonders.