Design news | Nov 03
Inspired by The Age of the Machines and cacti, surrealist illustrations by Jeff Soto are quite a mind trip.
Due to bandwith problems the site is no longer displaying the artwork but you can still he's amazing work via this link.
What is interesting in this photographer's site Visual Tablature is the color treatment achieved without any soft correction. The 'turquoise' shade is beautiful.
We have a new Design_Forte recipient: Sighttwo raising design bar and social conscience. They “take the art of branding very seriously. Dedicated to communicating messages in the language of typography, forms and colors.”
A pearl just landed in my inbox. Thanks to Nakara for the referral. In his own words “Tom Tor is an Avant Grade inspired designer and he also a refugee and raised in the Khmer Rouge's camps. Said no more...”
As usual did a little research and found out that Tom Tor is along with Welly Lo, co-founder of Sighttwo. This is their work. This is my review.
What struck me first is their self-description: “Take the art of branding very seriously. Dedicated to communicating messages in the language of typography, forms and colors.”
Now as pared down and simple as it may seem, they have put upon themselves a huge challenge and as you can see, they have met it not only with brillance, with mastery, with creativity but were able to balance commercial projects with social awareness ones... without ever compromising neither beauty, neither form, neither color, neither message... neither nothing!
I am floored! As you will see shortly in an upcoming project, design is a powerful tool for social campaigns and Sighttwo (luv the branding: 2 heads, 2 sights are better than one!) is living proof of this.
Another obvious, is their sheer amount of talent and professional prowness. All the projects deserve a review by themselves. This is what communication design is about! You don't need to 'explain' anything. The work 'speaks'.
This is a humbling and inspiring experience. Looking at their work should challenge all of us to follow up in their steps.
Respect!
Business Techonology: There Hangs The Tale, On Two Questions by Bob Evans
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ndlr: Although the article is really IT related the questions and some of the thought routes to follow are forefront to what designers are confronted also.
Another navigational exploration - pressing space bar to select number that opens picture: VECTOR.IZE ---{00.3}
Portfolios that were recently updated. Time to visit again.
\ nykris digital design
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\ 149design
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\ murphy design
Patent office to re-examine Eolas patent by Paul Festa
“The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has stepped squarely into a fight roiling the Web by agreeing to re-examine the Eolas patent for a browser plug-in, a development likely to bring cheer to Microsoft and software patent foes alike.”
Mozilla Firebird is a speedy, full-featured browser that makes browsing more efficient than ever before. It is a redesign of the Mozilla browser component, similar to Galeon, K-Meleon and Camino™, but written using the XUL user interface language and designed to be cross-platform.
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ndlr: Mozilla Firebird 0.7/0.7.1 is a Technology Preview.
Good design and polyvalence - that's what you get a e-origami.
Check twothirty. It's about time corporate goes this way. (a 'Look 'ma no tables' site).
Internet radio anyone? Check agencyradio which offers marketing opps for theiceberg which in turns, offers over 200 listening channels.
Another design magazine (italian) Design|Radar! Great compilation of splash designs.
Hip, cool and slick industrial design you can see at Squeeze design. Richard Starck with a softer side!
Manuel Sordo performs design with brio: Perfornika.
Absolutely awesome flash site for Pedestrian design (gotta luv the anim in the tv screen) to present their projects.
For any architect or interior designer Ian Schrager Hotels are a dream come true. When viewing thumbnails let roll other images will display as well.
Touring all locations will prove a real treat.
Tx Rek for suggesting Lineto font site + lego font builder! BTW not as easy at it may look, the perspective is tricky to evaluate and achieve.
Fun!
Want to run multiple versions of IE? by Joe Maddalone
I am not a happy camper! Found out through my server referrers, these two sites (a) + (b) are linking back to netdiver's images directory and stealing bandwidth! Now it takes 2 freakin seconds to do a save as if you're going to snitch graphics... but to piggy back on our bandwidth is... disgusting!
Now if someone knows how to block their url without having a 500 internal server error, please let me know asap.
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ndlr: Resolved! Tx Marco for the help.
Interesting minimalist site and navigational transitions on Wax Wreckaz produced by Georg Gruber of Inflex.
Extreme Programming vs. Interaction Design by Elden Nelson
“Familiar with extreme programming? When two development design visionaries meet, there's room for consensus—but not much.”
Came across ms4 visions and exercises of design newly launched magazine which tackles the 'blank page' syndrome.
Since this is an issue that I cover in a creative coaching session I designed, thought I would pass it along.
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via: ventilate
This is an interesting visual exploration site for Pivot Design! Excellent projects.
Found this great resource for technical books: Bookpool.com - the discounts are more than what you get at other online book stores.
A voir absolument! Diplomatic-cover outstanding all around! Must see!
New powagirrrl! Talent + and dreamy illusration site for Nicole-is-online
Mixed media collage with a now style at Keepmesane!
And what about running Multiple IE's (browsers) in Windows? by Joe Maddalone.
An extension to same concept as Blogwork - Gluebalize puts the emphasis on 'The network is the artwork'
How an artists should then attempt to use the web to promote his work? Have a look at Audrey's site. It's lean, clean and to the point and you get some goodies too for your desktop.
Describing themselves as usability experts - I really like minimalist approach and Core basic style!
COMPASS 360 have freshen up. Good to see positive evolution and resillience.
Bureau for Visual Affairs is driven by the functional aspect of design and its implementation. What does it mean? Be ready for an explosive use of color for links and finding your way through a multi-layered maze of pages.
Surprisingly it works.
Cinderbud is a collaboration between musicians and digital designers. Don't hesitate to explore!
How far to take a concept? Well Texelse Boys seems to know no limit. When I ask Fonz he said the story goes like this:
“Texelse Boys is an international community of designers, musicians and artists driven by the sole purpose to create. That either happens by individual contributions, collaborations or even remixes. It's non-commercial and maintains itself and its publications through the support of its members and third parties willing to sponsor.
The kind of main source of inspiration is this bag that the founder Marcel Kampman found on a fleemarket. The dark blue bag that has the name of a soccerteam on it called Texelse Boys (Boys from Texel - which is a small island in the north of the Netherlands). The team doesn't exist anymore.”
Humorous presentation and an excellent introduction to Why tables for layout is s... by Bill Merikallio
Noise has been redesigned / relaunched.
I had the pleasure to meet the designer, Marshall Heald (who is also a film producer involved with i_TV projects) and work with him while at the x_media_lab in Sydney past June.
Designing for the Future, and the Training Gap by Ian Lloyd who runs the excellent Accessify site.
Accessibility: Build it, and They Will Come by Nic Steenhout, a long time disability rights activist.
Tom Roch's photography is so luscious and vivid you want to touch and grab through the screen.
Possibly this is the most enigmatic site I ever visited. I had to do a lot of digging to finally figure out what is it they are doing. D B O X is full of surprises.
Actually when you visit their studio you discover they design 3D environments for architects and real estate developers, as well as advertising, photography... and lots of other good ideas.
Swivelhead is a well designed to the point site with excellent projects completed. They know what 'design' is about.
diveintoaccessibility.org accompanying site to Mark Pilgrim new book.
A must bookmark for those interested in answering this question: “Why should I make my web site more accessible?”
A most impressive and unusual collection: Aerosite airline logos.
Take a walk on the wild side - grunge with social statements on V E I G.
Sagmeister's answer to students. Advice from an experienced designer.
Meanwhileinnowhere ... mean?... minima... minimalist. Another promising talent especially in illustration design.
You may want to read this interesting Rainbow Youth Fasion Taste research paper on ideas, trends, brand future and intelligence from The Future Laboratory.
Exploring and accessorizing her limits in tandem with original visualization methods by Johanna on 7ONE8
In fact ++URBAN9++ has been consistently exploring and pushing their design talents and capacities over the years. Their new projects are just hitting overall excellence levels.
Gosh just click on everything clickable - you won't regret it!
As a designer be ready for a sense and sensibility shock. Nonetheless the challenge remains for all of us.
Visit CSS Zen Garden and let's beat the esthetic limitations out of 'css coding'. This site shows some... well... huh... impressive style switching but gosh... the 'design'... the 'graphic' treatment is enough to make me... well anyway, this is a public call - send in the results. Team up with somebody if need be. Are you a programmer - find a good designer! Are you a designer - find a good programmer!
Please refrain from sendin' in your first 'look ma - no more table' renditions. I mean - kicking design css driven sites this is what we need! Have a look at k10k (yeah - hum-hum).
Man, I mean it - we've got to be able to do something 'more' with these and then? Why not dream again?
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ndlr: A list of interesing ones in no particular order:
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10
Tinkering with a site redesign? Why redo a website? by Carole Guevin
One of my all time favorite artist and design visionary is Amy Francheschini, founder of ~Futurefarmers~
She again redesigned her main site. My trying to explain why her enchanting style is so would not come close to covering the spectrum of either her imagination nor of her achievements: flash, books, magazine, environmental design, toy design, storyboarding, character design and more (even wedding invitations)...
The childlike innocence appeals to everyone.
Have a nice trip!
Found a link to this *disclaimer* page on a blog. It might be usefull to some.
“Do not assume that you know everything there is to know about a writer simply because you read their weblog on a regular basis...”
Couture design is known to be excessive but Silke Scholz has got class!
Get ready for retro kitsch mixed with grunge garage and some highly elegant style and font useage design through it all. Duh... does that make sense?
See for yourself what Ronnie Koff does.
Get ready for the aim Acme Icons all pixel designed some of which can be modified and customized on the fly!
This is an interesting visual concept for Kopfblog folio: old burnt plate drawing mixed with pixel design; soothing blue - good projects - xhtml tableless site that includes a text size switcher.
Well done! A 'Look Ma' no tables' site!
Looking Toward a Networked World by Leander Kahney
Technology publisher Tim O'Reilly has seen the future of software...
Catch a glimpse and defystructure, a well rounded portfolio. CRC splash titles are quite indicative on how he approaches design.
Welcoming a new powagirrrl hana*bi to our gallery. Thais Ueda's work is fresh and sometimes edgy and I guess her signature is in becoming.
Someone to watch!
Wasn't the era of the swoosh dead and gone?
When I saw logobyte site... I have to admit I thought uh-uh, then I saw their work and I have to admit, it's a swoosh with a new curve so to speak, and the concept works well for them and their clientele.
Eola's patent suit updates:
US Patent Office '906 Letter sent on October 28 / 03 by Tim Berners-Lee, Director, World Wide Web Consortium
Web group backs Microsoft in patent suit by Steve Lohr
I really like the palette for studio threefiftyseven and their presentation is simple but overall it looks really classy.
Jin Lee's Designscent just launched the Brain Division a well organized general overview and close-up look at our brain. Find out if you are LT or RT?
Guess what I am?
Sharon Lee has been a long time powagirrrl and has now launched her Richapplefool section!
Delicious and professional. Don't forget the play section after her portfolio!
Macs vs PCs by Dan Kaufman
“For some people, computers aren't a tool - they're a religion...”
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ndlr: Can't resist this one :) read the results of a recent study. If you think I'm biased, my worstations are PCs.
Have a look at Veniko Fachkebia art direction projects on FREEFORDESIGN. The controls area (to view the screenshots) is certainly an innovation - while you one-click to view the movies as well.
Feds grant DMCA exceptions by John Borland
“The Library of Congress created on Tuesday four narrow exemptions to a controversial digital-piracy statute but faces criticism from free-speech activists, who had hoped for more exceptions.”
New Ways to Skirt DMCA … Legally! by Katie Dean
The Pricing Wormhole by Kevin Potts.
“As the market of available designers continues to inflate, many desperate professionals begin to work for pennies on the dollar. They're shorting themselves, and they're eroding the industry.”
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ndlr: This is a must read article which sums up a lot of what I have been thinking lately.
Fresh from the indie font scene + added to our design toolbox:
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and the humorous but handy mockup text:
/ The Greeking Machine: pick from Hillbily, Classic Latin, Metropolitan, Pseudo German, the Matrix or Techno Babble.
Keep out the clutter. Multi-utility cellphones and the need for user-friendly websites herald the era of interface design by Shelley Singh
A lot is going on at A list apart! My fav ALA v_2 has been consigned to the x_pired directory.
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ndlr: Numerous articles linked from netdiver are now fixed and pointing to the right url.
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For people who make websites:
Found this little piece of nostalgia. Aren't we out yet? “It’s ugly out there, but how bad is it, really? We asked 40 colleagues to share how they were coping (or not) with the layoffs and business failures plaguing our industry.”
Survivor! (How Your Peers are Coping With the Dotcom Crisis by Jeffrey Zeldman (circa: January 2001)
Napster 2.0 goes live by Tony Smith
+ the cat is back!?!?
But now you need to buy it!
Fullscreen minimal architecture, minimal web design for Ramon Esteve. The color treatment is beautiful and the projects are really sleek.
Berlindruck has a fast loading site - the flash intro is definitely an excellent storyboard; produced by iwishihadaname studio.
What You Don't Know About Dell by Andrew Park
“A look at the management secrets of the best-run company in technology.”
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ndlr: Don't let the negative title fool you. This is a good article regarding how top management should do some introspection and rekindlrd the flame.
Microsoft settles six more antitrust cases by Richard Waters
“The software giant still faced three significant legal challenges and that it was too early to conclude the company would escape without being forced to make important changes to its business practices to settle the antitrust claims.”
Minimalist letter based logo + iconic system for Work.ac who's architectural projects are everything but minimal.
Interesting flash navigation + web projects for ::: gridex :::
A picture is worth a thousand words. How about words being as good as pictures? Check Balance Images for a threat.
New powagirrrl Daisey Kat interest balance between web design... and music!
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Check Heanvenly noise her pre-album release site.
Ok it's not that Netherfield Visual Ltd has reinvent the wheel for its site but... huh... well the company specializes in an unusual service, to say the least, which is building glass boxes to hold such as these...
In fact, the 360 tours in the portfolio are worth the detour!
Interesting interview with Amanda Levete of Future Systems who designs contemporary & environmental & cutting-edge projects.
The loss of hallucinated wealth by James Howard Kunsler
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ndlr: This is an interesting essay. For years now, I have been predicting that the social contract passed on as *the* way of life was to become obsolete as the world closes in.
Gone are the days of blissfull ignorance.
Back to reality!
Clean, creamy transitions for new design studio Innivo.
If you have an appreciation for japanese product design check this Japanese Toy & Candy design by Jason Zada, founder of Evolution Bureau which btw, has recently become EVB.
This number: {11/4} beside the 'Find on netdiver' search box indicates the month/day when the site was last indexed. Dive in!
Pixeltable is entering beta 2.7! We are finally in pre-final release stage. The copy + content was updated. Our studio site is completely css driven.
A fully 'Look Ma' no tables' site with accessibility features.
