Design anywhere and digital culture NEWS // June 2006
Tokyocube just
opened their online store where you can find a marvelous collection of
japanese imports! If you're into toys... many cuties available.
Too
much? Not enough? Just right? W/Portugal flash
site is brimming over with different actionscriptings. I particularly
like the project section but I think the dog replication could have been
replaced with excerpts from past projects.
You decide.
Bogdan
Mebel is a Bulgarian leading company in manufacturing upholstered
furniture and their website is an exquisite showroom. For all interior
designers, this company's projects are like a dream come true.
The photography is of top quality! Drop your fav image, enlarge the
thumbnails.
You have gotta see this!
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ndle1:
Brought to you by RIZN a talented
studio specializing mostly in corporate communication.
Were
I asked to name some of the of the greatest and most progressive typographers
in the world, I would probably put Oded
Ezer at the top of my list. Have you ever seen what he does?
OH!
Sensational Shortcut to
unknown! Hitting this link is indeed a jump into the unknown.
First, never saw a navigation system designed like that: numbers kind
of sliding almost over each other while hiding nav links and minimizing
use of interface space! Although a tad slow to load, it's worth the wait!
Explore! You won't be disappointed.
Second, check out the awesome design skills in the projects sections.
Let me hug the little doggie!
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ndle1:
via Computerlove
Recently
launched studio MIKMIK!
Never get tired of looking at well put together portfolio sites.
Nice clean white on white interface with just the right amount of pull-in
effects.
From UK with luv.
Welcome
to the new Ric Stultz completely
updated website, an illustrator with an intense unique style.
It's always interesting for me to see through the years, how an artist
grows, expand his signature and conquers new area of expression and markets.
M
I V newly redesigned website! Absolutely scrumpidelicious photography!
Great ambience and light captured!
Kirsten
Muenster 
designs
beautiful organic stones and stylistic modern settings into awesome
jewelry.
What talent!
Luv
the concept! The key to Pecha Kucha
Night is its patented system for avoiding the fate (of having an
architect or industrial designer ramble all night long).
Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each
- giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up.
Organized in chapters, check for a city near you!
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ndle1:
via Alberto Villarreal who is the
co-organizer of the San Francisco chapter.
Bundled
together outstanding illustration,
design and new media portfolios to
discover.
/
Karen Jane thinks
she's not bad for a girl! I concur!
/
Martin Madsen abstracts floating forms paintings are rich in texture
and color palette.
/
Hangar is a new agency on the block! Luv the avatar! Luv the work!
/
Tavo Ponce art direction is of a rare quality with an incredible
list of accomplishments! Saluting mega talent!
/
Fabrizio Ricupito is into sportswear design big time! Fab! Press
mouse to view larger pics.
/
Marcel Wanders quirky industrial design! Check these out: domino
speakers!
/
Passvite is an exhibit site of young designers replete with interesting
thoughts.
\ RMAC
aka Ricardo Mealha is into brand design and does it well!
A
little while back start receiving cute monsters postcards. Discover the
unique and peculiar art of Motomichi.
Can you tell? Black, red and white are his favorite colors?
After
3 years, The Emperors strike again!!!
Today, 2Advanced launches v.5 The
Attractor labeled to be the most robust version so far and the
company’s most complex blend of user aesthetics and backend technology
to date.
Marked up with a sophisticated balance of Adobe Flash 8, actionscript,
XML, content management, and localization which reflects the highly evolved
skill set of the team and dedication to setting the standards for highly
functional, highly usable experienced-based solutions.
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
The backgrounds are largely inspired by original digital matte paintings
by Eric Jordan and keep in the ethereal overall style of previous version.
Don't
be chicken view FiveStone! What
a cool site. Luv everything about it especially the palette which is
not one that is used a lot, the simple vector graphics and animations.
Unorthodox navigation blended into a familiar interface. Must see!
Superb
talent! Ghostco is newly relaunched
as the newly graduated illustrator shows his incredibly promising work!
Must see!
He's
talented, prolific and has been doing art direction for the past 15 years. dzialifornia retrospective
of graphics, color and curiosity...
After
some time in hiatus DO (Designate
Online) relaunches!
_ _ _ _ _ _
cool above Young & Free illustration designed by xtra talented Drew
Flaherty.
Introducing ChariTees:
Fashion for a cause!
Two students set out to create this new concept: “We style, you
dress, they win!”
“A certain fixed amount from every sold garment will be donated
to a charity project. Moreover we produce with FairTrade textile
manufacturers only; this is much more expensive but ensures that every
worker involved gets decent wages.”
Something
reminescent of the Cubique movement mixed with today's minimalist line
art style spawns from Julie West illustrations.
From
a simple seed can happen the most implausible situations, the only thing
that you need to do is to go up, up and up.
Presenting, the school of creatives El
Semillero which means seed plot.
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ndle1:
Brought to you by Grupow.
Do
you protect your IP (intellectual property) as part of your
design business process?
17% -> Yes. It is part of my contract with all clients.
7% -> No. My contracts do not include IP rights.
80% -> No. But I would like to know more about how to include it.
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
via Icograda
Nazario
Graziano operates under NGD Design and
is the founder of Revolver online
design mag.
What talent he has, and as you will see is inclined to use birds abundantly
in his designs. Edgy, urban and trendy graphic treatment in most of his
projects. Particularly like the Pasta fashion label and the logo for
upcoming ANTI magazine.
A
new Close-up interview is available: meet Andy
Budd!
Don't we luv design! Indeed! But we luv code too!
Find out what are the driving passion, interests and career
path at the heart of a user experience designer and web standards developer
living and working in Brighton, England. Be you recently have taking
on to learn CSS design and standards or a long-standing roadie, his candid
insights will prove valuable to keep the flame burning high.
What
happens when you assign a whole bunch of talented illustrators to portray
sport teams, to be exact, football teams?
Well you can expect no less than having a whole bunch of character interpretations
and maybe if you are one of the players, not a fragile ego. From look
alike to completely off the wall, this is what Fussballhelden is
about.
50 illustrators from 17 countries and how they see the worldcup and
the phenomenon of the player stickers.
Follows, examples of a few illustrators' vignettes:
Look
what I just found: Vitamin,
a resource for web developers, designers and entrepreneurs. Check the
topics! Check whose on board!
What
do you know! Now you can own a Gauguin!
Available in Open Text too!
Levels
of HTML knowledge by Roger Johansson
A tongue-in-cheek and personal take on levels of knowledge or attitudes
towards HTML and coding in general.
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ndle1:
via Mau Sandoval
Major illustration portfolio
update by FUPETE! Versatility,
exhibits, puppets and cardboard robots.
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Via his website discovered FLYER an outstanding W3C
compliant flash site! Now that is something!!!
Randomly appearing quirky characters or vectors. Check the navigation
system. By alphabetical order, by year, by industries. Wow! I'm impressed!
Either
monochrome or exhuberant with colors Sugarrhyme is a mix of chaotic smashing
lines, curves, 45 degree angled 3D like illustrations.
What
happens when you pair up the most talented and influential creative's
of the last decade to create portraits of each other? That remains to
be seen!
TWO FACED presently
brewing by WIWP.
Shiraz
Fuman is
a talented illustrator transposing recognizable (retro like) contexts
into unpredictable and poetic settings. Shown one of her character
design. Cutie!
Have
you ever visited the Box Doodle Project?
See how designers rearrange a box to make any kind of figure or object!
The box doodle project helps to sharpen the powers of observation through
the discovery of resemblances between geometric and natural forms.
Feel free to send them your box doodle!
To
Hell with WCAG 2 by Joe Clark
Although WCAG 2 has its supporters, and although good people have worked
hard on it, Joe Clark believes “the fundamentals of WCAG 2 are
nearly impossible for a working standards-compliant developer to understand”...
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
Must read article as to why the new accessibility features may throw
us all in nowhereland.
A
new meta site has launched having for mission to promote and market Scandinavian
Design. Rich with details and useful information both about the whole
spectrum of objects and furniture as well as the design firms and designers
who have for years, created an enviable reputation and influenced the
trade.
Even one of my fav all time designer, Arne Jacobsen ant chair is available!
Zantzu by
Loreto Velasco, who is a contemporary jewelry designer, showcases gorgeous
items and top craftmanship. The website truly serves as a perfect jewelcase.
His collections can best be described as eclectic and span from interests
towards ancient eras as well as modern pop.
Presenting
the new site for Aksident, a multidisciplinary
team of Belgian actors. Well well, when your product (err service) is
people based, then why not build the whole concept around them!
What a great idea. Simple does it! Luv it!
Part
of Getty Images project interactive 10 ways, invited artist Andries
Odendaal (previously with Wireframe), has created these two astonishing
photography based projects.
“As media evolves at a breakthtaking pace, imagery is more vital
than ever to the way we communicate.”
Be dazzled, mesmerized and impressed by the sheer magnitude of the work
involved both from a scripting perspective as from a conceptual point
of view.
Wait till you see up-close what this is all about! Simply jaw-dropping
jewels and well deserving of a design forte!
A never seen before!
_ _ _ _ _ _
/ Light by
Andries Odendaal
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ndle1:
via Mau Sandoval
Montréal,
Canada appointed a UNESCO
City of Design!!!
“Not only has Montréal demonstrated that design can be
a powerful tool in promoting inclusion and plurality of values, but the
city has also called upon its citizens to play a critical and active
part in mobilizing design to inspire more innovative living environments
that enhance daily life and existence.”
_ _ _ _ _ _
“Montreal is a city where design and designers, be they involved
in the fields of interior, industrial, graphic, fashion or architectural
design, represent a dynamic force of cultural and economic life.”
ndle1:
via Icograda
Just
in time! Last Thursday while it was pouring I had a freak accident: slipped
on my wet balcony and ended-up breaking a foot and tearing a ligament. The
Inbreeders landed in my inbox and provided me a sane moment of humor
and laugh.
Customize and send yours! Thumbnail is as close a self-portrait can
be of hopping around me!
Project brought to you by a group of HyperIsland students.
Net
Neutrality Gets a Boost (via Wired)
“The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved legislation
aimed at preventing broadband providers from discriminating against unaffiliated
services, content and applications.
The Commerce Committee has already sent to the House floor a measure
that includes provisions that would codify principles the Federal Communications
Commission adopted last year that encourages ISPs to ensure consumers
can go where they want to on the open internet.”
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
That's good news! Although the whole situation is not resolved. Tx Fortunato for
the heads up.
Pandora created
by The Music Genome Project, will help you discover the music you like.
Like they say jokingly, they can become your personal DJ. BTW they've
got a couple of job opps,
if you're interested.
Over the past 5 years, they've carefully listened to the songs of over
10,000 different artists - ranging from popular to obscure - and analyzed
the musical qualities of each song one attribute at a time.
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
So I tried it. One of my fav all time band is Crowded House. They suggested
2 album tracks and then, oh joy, was suggested new artists I did not
know about. So cool!!!
“Then
there’s this statistic that every mother should know (or not know...)
A recent study determined how much it would cost to pay professionals
to replace a mother’s work at home. In other words, how much should
a stay-at-home mom get paid, should she pull in a salary?
According to an estimate from Salary.com,
mom’s would be paid for being…mom’s, $134,121/year.”
_ _ _ _ _ _
ndle1:
via Coudal
Founded
by graduates of the Columbia University (Jeffrey Taras, Kenneth Tracy,
William Mowat and Amy Stringer), 4-pli (play
on word about the thickness of a plywood sheet?) is located in a 4,000
square foot industrial space..
They are all builders as well as architects, and their office doubles
as a workshop where they (happily) get their hands dirty every day.
Amy
Helfand is
an artiste who applies her talent to illustration? To print? As in
textile? All the above and more.
Shown, it's a rug! WOW! Personally don't like rugs but when they become objets
d'art I guess it makes me reconsider.
Successfully crossing-over the artistic _ commercial divide, is an objective
that we should all consider. How can you apply your designs to every
day objects? Ever thought of doing so?
Eye
candy marvels! New illustration portfolios
recently submitted:
/
BKR Studio is a dynamic flower power luvin' duo specializing in
mix-media illustrations and motion graphics.
/
Colorblok cute
mini scaled animations and
character designs
/
Jillian Tamaki intensely
moody and somewhat satiratical illustrations
/
Boygirlparty whimsical
and dreamlike illustrations
/
Dave Werner utilizes a formula that you either luv or hate. In
my opinion, it takes guts to put yourself in a movie to describe a
project.
Newly
added website by the extra talented folks at 3rdedge.
Just
when the price of oil barrels is skyrocketing, it seems that automobile
manufacturers are accelarating towards the finish line, which is to extract
the last bit of profits.
What's the new fad in town?
Offering a shiny new surface like the one of a car (in this example,
the Quicksilver) to be
designed. Leave designers complete creative control and they will set
up to splurge on the opportunity.
No doubt, one can expect to be delivered crazy (or beautiful) visuals...
although I find it a tad bit ironic that 'skulls' are given so proeminent
space?!? Makes you wonder. Is there a hidden message?
Whereas our culture is raising to the awereness of impending environmental
disasters, isn't it time we do the same for environmental cars?
Is there an ethical issue here? What would you choose to do?
Media-Mix is
a flash portfolio web site that offers exactly what the names says: media
mix!
Using a cardboard egg box as navigation may be somewhat odd, but definitely
attention grabbing! The central concept revolves around the section animations
using the egg box as starting point.
Extremely well executed!
100
sites reviewed and awarded it's time for Web
Standards Awards to move on. Cameron Adams, Andy Clark, Andy Budd
and Johan Edlund decided just over two years ago, to set up a divingboard
to encourage the community to design web sites that would meet with standards.
They have set up a beacon that will, in web history books, be recognized
as an ardent advocacy group for a better web.
It was both an honor and pleasure to serve with them the advance of
this worthy cause.
Meet
the cute, silly and weird little robots from Robowerx who
is a young 3D illustration aspirante. The quality of the renderings and
the background stages are staggeringly beautiful and the executiion,
near perfect!
Can well imagine the days when we will have these bots walking the streets
of our cities.
Definitely someone to watch for!
Frankenstyles aka
Stephen Kelleher currently lives and works in Los Angeles. The one thing
that impressed me most about his portfolio is the unique style and diversity
of projects.
Originality + originality + some naughtiness too.
Is it because he is pursuing a double career? (He designs for extra
cash in between auditions.) When I need to overcome the 'blank' state
usually walk away from my screen and do something else. Just so my imagination
chills and creativity can soar.
I suspect same happens during his design process as well.
Whatever
they set their mind to accomplish, KAPITZA does
it with style, edge and talent. Their print work is outstanding and I
like their visual rigor and minimalist approach. Some of the projects
are captivating.
They've just recently released the Blossomy font
which makes the present NOVUM issue
cover. Appeared recently as well in Computer Arts, Eye Magazine and Cap&Design.
-> more news
^
