Monthly Archive for February, 2010

Love! Roundup

Welcome to February’s Love! Roundup. These are some favorite things I’ve discovered online over the past month, from the Love! folder I keep on my Mac’s desktop:

1. Ampersandwich Tee
For Typophiles and those who just can’t get enough of ampersands. Who doesn’t want an Ampersandwich?!

2. Bulb Lantern
A fabulous twist on traditional paper lanterns.

3. Goodnight Bush
Hilarious parody of the classic children’s book Goodnight Moon, making fun of the Bush Presidency.

4. Type: A Visual History of Typefaces and Graphic Styles, Vols. 1 & 2
Another item for typophiles, like myself: “A connoisseur’s overview of typeface design, exploring the most elegant fonts from the history of publishing.”

5. I Am Not A Paper Cup
Simple and useful, a wonderful alternative to disposable beverage cups.

6. Come In/Go Away Doormat
Brilliant typeplay allows this single mat to either welcome or cast away visitors.

7. Rapidograph Pens
For the old-school designer and everyone who values the perfect pen for precise drawing. A new set has been on my Want list for some time now!

8. Sweet Treats — A Typographical Cookbook
So I think you get that I love typography. I just can’t get enough. Also? I love to bake. And I know there are plenty of you out there who are just like me. This cookbook satisfies these two great loves in one elegant package.

9. Tweetbottle
Another great way to cut back on disposable cups and bottles! And this one is geared specifically toward those of us who are not only environmentally concerned, but who are also addicted to Twitter.

10. PS Magnet Kit
Need I say more? These are soon to be all over my refrigerator.

That wraps up this Love! Roundup. I empty my Love! folder monthly, so check back at the end of March when I post next month’s roundup to see more fun items. If you have a product you’d like me to take a look at and possibly feature, you can send links to ayeager [at] hyperfocusnyc.com.

Published on February 26, 2010 in Design, Found Online and Love! Roundup. 0 Comments Tags: Ampersandwich T-shirt, Bulb Light, Come In/Go Away Doormat, Goodnight Bush, I Am Not A Paper Cup, Love! Roundup, Photoshop magnets, Rapidograph, Tweetbottle, Typographic Cookbook, Visual History of Typefaces.

Monday Find

What is Letterheady, you might ask? A blog that showcases nothing but letterhead designs from various time periods, of course!

Published on February 22, 2010 in Blogs, Found Online and Graphic Design. 0 Comments Tags: Letterheady.

Babies with Laser Eyes

Seems like everyone is throwing ridiculous stuff up on a Tumblr these days in an effort to get laughs and, I guess, famous—if you call getting a book deal for your ridiculous stuff “famous”.

The most recent Tumblr bog to grab my attention is Babies with Laser Eyes. Why? Because as a matter of fact I happen to love ridiculous-looking babies, especially if they’re making that “I’m not just scared, I’m shaken to the very core and am about to cry ” look. Also, I like lasers. Put them together. What’s not to like?

Published on February 18, 2010 in Blogs, Found Online and Humor. 0 Comments Tags: Babies with Laser Eyes.

Wednesday Find

Love this poster for me office. Be sure to check out some of the other work, as well, on the Borja Bonaque Illustration & Design website.

Published on February 17, 2010 in Custom Typography, Design, Found Online, Graphic Design and Illustration. 0 Comments Tags: Abcity typo, Borja Bonaque.

The Haiti Poster Project

While we’re on the subject of Haiti… The Haiti Poster project is “a collaboration of designers and artists from around the world, benefitting victims of the earthquake in Haiti.” Moxie Sozo and Josh Higgins, organizers of the 2005 HURRICANE POSTER PROJECT and the 2007 SO-CAL FIRE POSTER PROJECT, respectively, have teamed up to seek limited edition sets of posters from artists, designers and design firms from around the world to be sold online to raise money for Doctors Without Borders.

What a wonderful opportunity for designers and artists to help just by doing what they love and do best. Submissions must be entered by March 15. For more information, visit thehaitiposterproject.com.

Published on February 15, 2010 in Collaboration, Design and Graphic Design. 0 Comments Tags: Josh Higgins, Moxie Sozo, The Haiti Poster Project.

Crafts for a Cause

Crafts for a Cause is an effort started by Binki Shapiro to rally artists together to raise money for Haiti by contributing custom-made artwork. Among the participating artists, Spike Jonze, Davendra Banhart, Cedric Bixler of The Mars Volta (pictured above with the skate deck he made), Conner Oberst of Bright Eyes, No Doubt, and the list goes on…

There will be an online auction, beginning on March 15. For more information and updates, follow the Crafts for a Cause website.

Published on February 13, 2010 in Design and Events. 0 Comments Tags: Binki Shapiro, Cedric Bixler, Conner Oberst, Crafts for a Cause, Davendra Banhart, Spike Jonze, The Mars Volta.

I Want My…

So, MTV has upgraded their logo, dropping off “Music Television”. I can’t say I’m a big fan of photography in logos and I certainly miss the old MTV I grew up on. But let’s face it, MTV is no longer Music Television, anyway. In recognizing the changes the channel has already made to it’s programming, I agree with those who say this change is long overdue.

MTV says: … The logo is part of MTV’s re-invention to connect with today’s millennial generation and bring them in as part of the channel.

What do you guys think?

Published on February 9, 2010 in Branding and Graphic Design. 0 Comments Tags: MTV.

Monday Find

I literally just came across this packaging for Backyard vineyards, done by Barral Fabien. The intricate and beautiful detail in the custom typography and the illustrations floored me.

An explanation of the job and concept, as well as details of the actual label can be viewed here.

Published on February 8, 2010 in Branding, Custom Typography, Graphic Design, Illustration and Packaging. 0 Comments Tags: Backyard vineyards, Barral Fabien.

Down and Out in BK

I think most Brooklynites are already savvy but I wanted to give a quick mention to Brokelyn, just in case. Brokelyn is a web magazine “founded in celebration of a place we’re endlessly enthusiastic about, no matter how [synonym for crummy] the [synonym for economy] gets.”

I check, and check back often. And believe it or not, there’s a lot of cool stuff out there in the Borough of Kings that doesn’t cost much. Plus, aside from being a great resource, Brokelyn’s fabulous identity was designed by my former undergrad classmates at Tyler School of Art, The Heads of State.

Currently? I’m reading Best Cheap Beers for the Superbowl.

Published on February 5, 2010 in Blogs, Branding, Graphic Design and Hyperfocus Favorite. 0 Comments Tags: Brokelyn, The Heads of State.

Hyperfocus Favorite

I first discovered Unearthen here in NYC at New York Adorned and pretty much fell in love. My desire is to have more than one of these necklaces to represent different goals, in varying sizes. The way the rough crystals in bullet casing maintain delicacy without looking overly dainty is really what captured my heart. Not to mention, the packaging is stunning.

Here is what designer Gia Bahm has to say about her one-of-a-kind necklaces:

Unearthen intuitively selects crystals that help focus on the goals you struggle to achieve, center your thoughts on what you need, provide comfort in times of strain, or simply remind you of why you are here. The bullet casing balances and harmonizes to the crystal it holds, because destruction is a necessary phase in the cycle of creation. Each crystal carries its own distinct properties. A crystal’s energy engages its carrier to maintain consciousness of the stone’s specific properties. The stone with the right properties will inherently attract you, and your connection with the crystal is intrinsic. Please choose your Unearthen piece with care.

You can order from Gia at Unearthen online here, or through New York Adorned by contacting simone@nyajewelry.com.