Design news | Apr 06
Cracked Hat is the home of profoundly moving and hyper real portraits painted or illustrated by Robert Carter.
His palette is very rich and subtle: he has a deep understanding and is playing off colors in contrast, light and shadows. I feel the movement, I feel the intensity of the person, I feel lives captured. What a striking display of technique, intent and composition. What an artist!
I'm floored!!!
How Books Are Sold by Ellen Lupton
Because there is no end to greed and that most of us are out of the know, it seems, always the same people end up paying the price. In this case the authors...
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“Many shoppers won’t pay full price at an independent store when they can get a discount of 20 percent or more at ...—and buy a muffin and use the toilet while they’re at it.
Who pays for this? The publisher does, by providing books at a lower cost (but larger volume). Often, this “deep discount” is taken out of the author’s royalty, which is calculated at the net (discounted) price rather than the list price of the book.”
Illustration or design portfolios recently launched or updated:
/ t r a n s p h o r m e t i c still pushing and explorating after all these years.
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/ yooco is all about elegant and worldly. She was one of the first illustrator added to the Illustration directory.
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/ Westside Studio captured some of the best photographers out there!
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/ Cecilie Ellefsen don't let da mean robot deter you. Sweet.
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/ bearskinrug cartoon like watercolor illos
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/ Atelier Beinert comprehensively well presented portfolio
From copycat to complete horror! The new new Quark logo!
Sharp pix shooters who were added to the photography portfolios directory:
/ Stuart McIntyre pay attention to his interior and exterior spaces
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/ Adrian Marcoux fullcircling in edgy lifestyle photography
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/ Soren Hald telling the story through portraits
Now that's creative thinking. Why not turn a nuisance into an experiment? Using real spam, the words are programmed to generate aleatory visual renditions. Small input box permits changes on shape, size and also background color.
Initiated by EnBW an energy company. You can participate if you wish too.
Must see! Spamrecycler!
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via: ManMade
TCU Graphic Design exhibition 05 aka Fresh! Simple flash site but extremely well executed. Nice visual movement and interaction when browsing content via clicking each designer photo!
Talent to watch for!
Don't miss POL OXIGEN Milan Design Week coverage.
Hellohikimori is an agency founded in 2002 and working mainly with projects focused in global media design. Founded by xtra talented Nathalie Melato and David Rondel, who so happens to be btw, behind the French'N'Fresh (which became NTMY - Nice to Meet You!) bilingual portal.
This web site stands out on numerous features: the flame red theme is attention grabbing and the cool flash sequencing are awesome, not forgetting the great audio loops.
Great care was given to all aspects of navigation making great use of the power of flash.
What I find refreshing and exciting is the originality of interface concept by making eclectic items feel wholly integrated.
Excellent print, web and motion projects displayed with taste.
Universal Everything was founded by Matt Pyke, after 8 years at the internationally renowned studio, The Designers Republic from 1996 - 2004, working on music, retail, fashion, architecture, advertising and broadcast projects worldwide.
How do you go about presenting a photography portfolio? Well Kubikfoto does it with cool interactive scenes that shows close-ups and different angles!
Check it out!
Boot Camp by Todd Dominey
Retelling his first dual installation and booting on his MacBook Pro using Apple's new Boot Camp.
Multi-Touch Interaction Research presents the interactive screen of the future! Must see!
Ben Watts is an extraordinary master photographer in a class all by himself. Luv the book pile navigation system too.
He has worked with some of the biggest fashion and lifestyle companies and all in all, his pictures are simply picture perfect.
What strikes me, is the naturalness of models and subjects. Great photography is this ability to let the viewer peak into a reality (staged or not) and granting for a moment, a part of it, as if actually really happening in the moment!
A must visit from top to bottom!
1kilo is a duo lead design studio. Editorial design and some product designs, photography and more. Don't miss their complete portfolio!
Shown the Bilderschirm a printed paper lampshade. The design changes when you switch on the light.
Abstract movements and more! Will Barras is another gem! His illustrations have this fast stroked feel whereas you need to focus really hard to define and see the subject.
Shown, one of his more static piece.
Excerpt from TAXI interview with Sara Little Turnbull
“Another key message is that the phenomenon of change is with us at all times. As a designer, you are well advised to evaluate how well you are saying what you mean to say.
Take the time out to look up, to look back, to look over and look all around. Before you do anything, you think it out. That is the kind of investigation that will give you an idea of whether you are delving deep enough.
One of my favorite quotations, if you don't stretch, you won't know where the edge is.”
I really like his logo. 70s_afro_disco_saturday night fever like with attitude. When building your portfolio, it's important to find your voice and to use elements that differentiates you. I know it's been said zillions of time, but if you want to stand apart and catch busy execs attention, you need to do it in a way that exemplifies your style and talent.
Diogo Paulo new portfolio web site.
When it rains it pours! Colletivo recently launched their new web site! This agency does some doodling graffiti tag like illustration and design projects. I like their edge and talent.
From Brazil with LUV!
Slanted TypoBlog is a fab magazine to everything related to fonts. For our german speaking visitors! With lots of visual examples, easy to figure out if you don't sprachen deutsch!
At Netdiver we luv it that you link back but please do follow publishing standards in doing so:
a) Publish an excerpt only!
This is like a paragraph from the content and make sure your cite your source and link back.
b) Never hot link images (using our images with path to our server)!!!
It's called stealing bandwidth. Make your own thumbnail or use ours with a link back.
c) If you want to republish an article, inquire first.
Unfortunately, there are people who feel it's OK to grab our content and make it look as if they are the authors. Not good!
As an example, this site had hot linked our images and after numerous attempts, still is republishing our IKEA | DRÖMKÖK - capturing the moment review with NO link back.
Putting a static domain name is NOT enough.
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RESPECT the intellectual capital of others.
RESPECT the time and care we put into publishing. Give back due credits.
Newly added portfolios and illustration web sites to the galleries:
/ Pixel Extravaganza delivers extraordinary pixel based designs
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/ Ivan Cook a multi-tasker working mostly in editorial / architectural designs
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/ Pixel Design minimalist site for web designer Karen Hanratty
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/ Maki Maki talented shop of edgy urban with a twist illustrations.
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/ Grainne Finn line art and collage styled illustrations
“Fashion goes out of fashion, but the need to be fashionable never does... I'm just going to keep going, keeping coming to work everyday and keep looking for ways to touch non-endemic spaces with real authentic products.”
- Marc Ecko, designer, artist and entrepreneur
Columns 1st edition by Patrick McNeil
Columns and grids are basic design tools that form the basis of how a layout will be structured. On the web it is nearly impossible to avoid the usage of them.
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ndlr: See examples from a 6 columns to 1 column grids.
Newly added portfolios web sites to visit for interior and architectural fans!
/ Albano Daminato interior architect with clean, warm and modern lines
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/ Tracey Overbeck Stead has a knack for elegant interior designs
Looking for mostly Asian fonts? Maniackers Design has got loads of them. Each font is displayed in a specially designed page.
Available in Mac / Windows free download and shareware licenses.
Have you heard of Experiential Prototyping?
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Created by Jennifer Darmour as a MFA thesis in Media Design “consists of a collection of projects that explore new ways of using interaction and physical computing to invent and prototype the experiences of new interactive technology-driven products and services.
The final project is an innovative personal mobile music device that uses gesture-based movements to mix, share, customize, and sync music.
The experience of using the device and all the components that it interacts with (such as a web and cell phone application) was built into an interactive touchscreen that animated user-based stories that directly interacted with the device so you can watch how the characters use it and experience it for yourself.”
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ndlr: Now you have gotta see this mind-blowing project!
DOGO design + illustration + animation. Great idea to use the magnifier fx to view portfolio pieces, which are stunning btw! Kudos to Natalia, Mariano, Martin & Martin.
A new agency to watch for. From Argentina with LUV.
The creators of Opera Dude' and Little Fella' want YOU!
Sam Lanyon Jones just let me know that Tokyoplastic is expanding and wants to hear from any and all * talented 3DStudio Max users. They have put the details up and would well appreciate any potential employees we could put their way.
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ndlr: * Including students with no work experience but with a rocking portfolio.
Design Tendencies 2006 from red dot.
Celebrating the return of Baroque. Multifunctional furniture and the attempt at innovation. Light cast in living quarters.
View examples. Colours. Forms. Materials.
I just discovered this high quality interior and architecture design magazine: OBJEKT.
I was completely blown away by the breadth of modern design coverage, and I mean, cutting edge like you've never seen before. Covered antique and eclectic mixes. Although expensive, well worth it because advertising is sparse.
Photography throughout is almost museum quality and the sheer volume of it, makes one to frame a couple, since printed on high quality stock.
Produced four times a year, it's a must for all serious designers.
Part of the Spring sweep, some archival sites, now dust free, are ready to be to explored again.
/ ArtSEENsoHo nEw YOrk CiTy quirky little site for NYC art lovers
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/ world-3000 picture based interface and other projects
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/ Art and Culture was 404 and now is alive and well.
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/ ranger magazine flash magazine circa 2001!
What is modular, flexible, screwless & toolless, smart, endlrssly expandable, free-standing, customizable and portable solution for a modern way of life?
Marcel Kampman, (best known as the founder and creative director of the international highly acclaimed creative network Texelse Boys), will be introducing ‘A+B’ at the upcoming International Furniture Show in Milan.
Susanne Paschke relaunched her portfolio web site and it rocks. Luv the 'pen' that draws the loading session.
Some cool functionalities include zooming and panning around. The site information structure and navigation are easy and beautiful.
Overall a clean site that shows this powagirrrl knows how to design!
Discover new illustration talents who each own a unique style, outstanding talent and high quality portfolios:
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Luv it! Strong visual metaphors to drive a message home? Get ready for this one. This is a .pdf presentation that was recently given at SXSWi.
How to Be A Web Design Superhero by Andy Budd & Andy Clarke
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“What makes a superhero?
Web design superheroes have
strong morals,
strong code and a
strong moral code”
Read full presentation notes.
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via: Andy Budd
I LUV books! Important for designers to build a good collection. First, to keep in touch with who are leading way in the design space. Second, because a good book is always a good book and never goes out of value.
Contexts change but seminal ideas don't.
In and around my studio are piles after piles of books and magazines. Some are stacked neatly in bookshelves with some kind of loose categorizing; some are piled on coffee tables turned permanent book display so I can fetch them at arms length.
When I'm working on a project, I simply go around and gather my inspiration pile and browse through to clarify an initial concept. Sometimes, a small detail will domino effect and take me to a completely new direction or level of expression. Books, help me push further and work harder. I never take for granted inspiration nor past achievements. To excel, gotta keep on learning. That's what books do for me.
Always said, that what I know, I owe to others, by that I mean, the work and words of others. They are virtual tutors.
This is what I've been reading lately! Have a look.
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ndlr: Inside spreads and reviews available in the bookshelve 06!
Yutaka Loves London is a hip flash city guide complete with urban travellers destinations (like it says: not touristy) butsling with exquisite illustrations, wonderful visual treatment and loaded with eye candy.
I especially like the black & white background illos that lights up with pink japanese letters and bubbles.
Must see!
Talent and more talent. Web sites who were redesigned or portfolios who were updated:
/ 3e-Oeil incredible animation and digital reality at work.
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/ Arthur Mount top quality and realistic illustrations! Check him out!
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/ Art Valero works mostly in the editorial & corporate markets
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/ Viaduct an essential ressource (texture, furniture and accessories) for architects & designers.
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/ Tribal DDB mega world agency cool by country web site. In comparison to what it was, this one has some vavoom.
Mix stupidity, greed and power and human suffering will escalate beyond description! A photojournalism project and soon book, Nuclear nightmares: 20 years since Chernobyl by Robert Knoth and Antoinette de Jong is due April 06.
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ndlr: Warning: graphical content.
Simon Cowell said: “You are the first artist we've ever had on the show who refuses to compromise.”
It's important to know yourself. It's important to have values. It's important to stand and defend these, if necessary. It does not mean that you have to agree with everyone.. and they with you. Pressure to conform and follow trends are strong and being tossed around as the wind blows, won't help.
Earn respect by not compromising what you believe in.
STARDUST is looking for a bunch of 2D / 3D animators with experience with Maya, Cinema4D, 3DMax asap.
BTW check their awesome clips, shown in thumbnail, l'Amour30.
These web sites all use flash! Luv it!
/ Hovdetunet 3D rendering flash bliss!
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/ MOCAFUSION multi-talent media studio with great projects and some attitude!
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/ BEYES permanent vacation short & sleek shirt line.
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/ Above the Influence is right on the topic of peer pressure! Outstanding flash and fun way to address important issues. (Use the explore button)
Full-time freelancing: 10 things learned in 180 days by Cameron Moll who shares drops of wisdom.
Themail : Visualizing Email Conversations
Oh! Themail parses your email conversation history into a revealing analysis of what you talk about to whom and how often.
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If you want to try it, become part of their User study.
Read the .pdf abstract.
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via: Future Feeder
Winner of the TM06 (trans mediale) award, Agnes Meyer-Brandis “creates interfaces which allows to communicate with potential (and conceptual) subterranean worlds.
Her work explores brilliantly the possibilities of new narration through the collapse of fiction and reality. She develops, very efficiently, the tools, mechanisms and images that are part of her work.”
News about IE7? What news! It seems that we've got 3 months grace to make the fixes to websites built since the working beta won't be including any more tweaks as Eric Meyer states “the beta is rendering-behavior complete”.
On your to do list:
Mixed impressions by Eric Meyer
“Designers should remain calm and not hack their sites to fix them in the IE7 beta because it was a moving target. That is no longer the case. It’s now time to start testing sites in the IE7 beta and identifying any layout problems that may occur.”
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Charting IE7b2 by Eric Meyer
“In the CSS world, there are some points of concern, including bugs that are new to IE7b2.”
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MIX06 by Dave Shea
Find the summary on the fixes.
Onstage with Bill Gates at Mix 06 by Tim O'Reilly
Questions prepared and asked to M$ top man.
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ndlr: Let's keep our focus on the true values and why, initially, we LUV the web.
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via: Unmixed by Jeffrey Zeldman.
“But however brilliant such revelations may be, and however far their ripples spread, my web will not change. Whatever the pundits and pirates may say this week, my web is about content.”
An the Winners are for Design Your Ride Top 100?
Grand Prize Winner / Jorge Fino
1st Runner up / Evan Hughes
2nd Runner up / Matei Apostolescu
3rd Runner up / Kim Collins
4th Runner up / Ehren Kallman
Excerpt from The Designer / Citizen by Milton Glaser
“I am thinking of changing my self-definition from a designer who occasionally practiced art to an artist who practices design.
If we need a definition of art, the Roman literary critic Horace provided an elegant one. “The role of art is to inform and delight.” Form and light are hidden in that definition. It’s an idea I enthusiastically embrace. Of course, informing is different than persuading. When one is informed, one is strengthened. Persuasion does not guarantee the same result.”
The Bureau of Workplace Interruptions (BWI for short) harness interruptive technology to expose the secret possibilities of the workday and promise to create interruptions that challenge the needs of users and the social and economic conditions of the modern workplace.
They work to recognize human resources as actual humans!!! (sic) To build real human dialogue, and to fight the systemization of our cubicle culture.
“We are a virus in the system, a beautiful virus.”
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ndlr: One of the most imaginative and intriguing project launched by Chris Barr.
Always said that the future of the web needs to be playful. Why?
Because the deluge like load of information is not knoweldge. Because time is the most precious asset of any audience. Because the level of impatience or short attention span in an age of instancy, calls for a reinterpretation of communication. Because, if you have not simplified complexity and don't amuse or entertain me somehow, I, like all the others, won't make the effort.
The research done in the Lego Lab has made such a proof years ago. Hosted within MIT Media Lab a brainchild of Nicholas Negroponte, who co-founded Wired Magazine among other stellar achievements.
I think, the web via the use of flash and other rich media apps has opened the door to such possibilities.
You can now be mesmerized by short animations prying in the imagination of their creators. You can use 3D environments, stop motions, immersive interaction and sound, all of which will create an experience.
But out of the noise, Replayful is leading the way! Simplicity elevated. Thinking about it, the 'arrow' becomes an extension of my curiosity and prevents me from having to sit through, yet another loading session.
Check their RIA (Rich Internet Application) preview of business processes and an upcoming flash RSS for an NGO. Being serious does not exclude being playful. From Montevideo, UR with luv!
Have fun! They do!
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ndlr: Learn more about the value of fun in learning:
Lego MindStorms: Lego and MIT by Jonathan Knudsen
The LEGO Company funds $5 million lab at MIT Media Laboratory. A lab for playing and learning
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ndlr: If you have not read Being Digital yet, it's time you complete your Futurology 101 class by doing so all the while, indulging in Nicholas Negroponte / Wired Columns to enrich the picture.
Newly added starting points to talent and portfolios inspiration.
/ LitFuse Design is a powaboyz interactive studio with attitude. Luv the animatrix.
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/ Atelier Telescopique a funky and talented design collective.
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/ Erika Larsen shoots from the heart and her work shows intensity of intent.
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/ Orange 22 head over heels into product design. Don't miss the FutureDesk!
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/ Grant Skinner Incomplet from the master himself, flash explorations.
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/ Imagine | Music Store over 1,600,000 items. Hit the earphones.
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/ *** 3 am is where Winni Wintermeyer shows his lively captures.
The debate is reopened! To spec or not to spec, that is the question!
“..Speculative work, it is when a prospective client asks several agencies to do “free” work, ostensibly so that they can get a sense of how they would approach the project and get a little “look-see” as to the type of creative they could expect..”
Suggest you read full posting from Debbie Millman blog, who is, as you will see, an avid supporter. (Don't know who she is? She hosts the Design Matters series of interviews and works at Sterling Brands.)
She summarizes brilliantly what are the consequences:
“Speculative work denigrates both the agencies and the designers that participate. If we give away our work for free, if we give away our talent and our expertise, we give away more than the work. We give away our hearts for free, and we give away our souls.”
Now folks at NO!SPEC are taking this hot issue to a new level. We working the design industry, have long tales of such requests turned bad, and as such, Netdiver supports this initiative wholeheartedly!
Need sound design or ambient music for your projects? Juniormarket is available. Some of his clients: CocaCola, Nfl, Buck l.a., American Express, Luna Games, Bandaï, Tf1, Teamchman, Wanda, SemperFi, 123klan, Hello Design, M6 Web, Diplomatic Cover…
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ndlr:The New Deal one of his latest project is already listed on Netdiver.
Infiniti Interactive Mirrors because when the future arrives, try to be there!
Installation is currently at the Chicago Auto Show and will be moving to the New York Auto Show in April.
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ndlr: This visionary piece is brought to you by whiz code prodigy Nikolai Cornell.
More fontadelicious resources!
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ndlr: More fonts in the Design toolbox
Hector are projects done with llustrator paths that are somehow hooked to a computer which then remotely activates a spraypaint can that renders it on large surfaces or walls...
Boundlrss ingenuity at work here. Must see!
From Switzerland with luv.
