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 Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Thursday, November 05, 2009
Funny Logo
Upside down, the Doge Viper logo looks suspiciously like Daffy Duck.
via Boing BoingPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, November 05, 2009 1:40:31 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00) 
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Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Real Good Project
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of its flagship SoHo store, Blu Dot is releasing 25 of it's Real Good chairs onto the streets of NYC and tracking where they go.
When we opened our SoHo store in 2008, we
became surrounded by the resourceful culture of “curb-mining”: the act
of finding furniture and art on the street. Now that a year has passed,
our friends at mono
approached us with a way to conduct a curb-mining experiment of our
own: What would happen if we left a bunch of Real Good Chairs all over
New York, free for the taking? Who will grab them? Where will they go?
How will they get there? What will their new homes look like?
A documentary film will follow up on some of the new chair owners; how they found their chairs, how they transported them home, and how their new chairs fit into their spaces. The film will premiere in December, at Blu Dot SoHo’s one-year anniversary party.
See more images of the chairs.
Follow the action on Twitter.
 Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 3:14:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, November 02, 2009
The Grand Prize
Veer just announced it's Grand Prize creativity contest. If you want to stretch your imagination, try your hand at this fun challenge:
Step away from the computer and re-create the Veer logo using
real-world objects or materials. Build, carve, light, shape, cut,
project, or [insert verb here] your entry, then take a photo and send
it to ideas@veer.com along with your name and mailing address. Entries will be judged on creativity, execution, and sheer awesomeness. The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. PDT, November 5, 2009. THE GRAND PRIZE A MacBook Pro and accessories worth nearly $8,000 - Apple® 17” MacBook Pro
- Adobe® Creative Suite® 4
- 1,000 Veer Marketplace credits
- Jukebox Type collection (122 fonts)
- a Type Tray laptop cushion
- a Kern Zip-up
 Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Monday, November 02, 2009 5:19:19 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, October 30, 2009 Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Monsters
I just had to share the fabulous monster sculpture I bought from artist Lori Brown over the weekend. She'll be selling her creatures on Oct. 17 at Craftin' Outlaws in Columbus, OH.
 Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 3:45:04 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, October 02, 2009
Creative Break
The next time you need a slight distraction to get your brain back in the creativity game, check out The Hello Project and find a unique way to say "hi" to the world.
The Hello Project is an online social collaboration giving people
the chance to say hi, hello, or hola on one of today's most common yet
neglected canvases: the Post-it®.How it works is simple. Take a regular 3x3 Post-it® and write/sketch/doodle your version of hello. Scan it, email it to hi@thehelloproject.com, and then we'll post it for everyone to see.
via The Donut ProjectPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, October 02, 2009 1:16:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, September 02, 2009 Monday, August 31, 2009 Thursday, August 27, 2009
8 Ways To Drive A Graphic Designer Mad
# 5
When describing what you want in a design, make sure to use terms that
don’t really mean anything. Terms like 'jazz it up a bit' or 'can you make it more webbish'.
'I would like the design to be beautiful' or 'I prefer nice graphics,
graphics that, you know, when you look at them you go: Those are nice
graphics.' are other options. Don’t feel bad about it, you’ve got the
right. In fact, it’s your duty because we all know that on fullmoons,
graphic designers shapeshift into werewolves.
More.Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, August 27, 2009 6:47:14 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009 Monday, August 10, 2009
Creatives Are Funny
Business Guys on Business Trips, a webcomic that skewers the world of advertising and big agency design, made me giggle. You're sure to find one that reminds you of a particularly annoying former creative director or coworker.
via The Donut ProjectPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Monday, August 10, 2009 6:57:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Summer Sunflowers
Photographer Oote Boe brightened my Monday morning with this collection of sunflower photos that coaxed a contagious summer smile on my face.
sunflowers - Images by Oote BoePosted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Monday, July 27, 2009 4:55:09 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, July 09, 2009 Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Wild It Up
Design firm Colle + Mcvoy just launched a cool new Facebook application for Caribou Coffee called “Wild It Up!.” Facebook users can “wild up” any photo by adding special icons from a library of nearly 50 images (think tattoos, animals, facial hair, carefully placed fig leaves, etc). The application promotes the new line of Wild Cooler drinks that Caribou launched this summer. As part of the promotion, users can bring a print out of their “wild up” photo to any Caribou Coffee for a free Wild Cooler drink (for a limited time).
I think I accidentally made my dog a member of Village People : )
 Posted by Megan
Designers | Just for Fun
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 6:36:59 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Project Backpack
Here's a great way to keep an artistic kid busy this summer: Office Depot just launched a competition to design a backpack using Sharpie Markers. The winning entry will be produced and sold and there will be $10,000 in prizes.
Customers can enter the contest by creating a design on one of four Office Depot canvas backpacks that can be purchased ($14.99 each; available in blue, pink, olive and green khaki, that will include two free individual Sharpie markers of your choice) from a participating Office Depot store, or by downloading an official contest template from www.myprojectbackpack.com. After designing the backpack using Sharpie markers, participants can upload a photo or scanned image of their backpack to www.myprojectbackpack.com along with their official entry form.
The contest launches June 28th and all entries must be received by September 19, 2009.
 Posted by Megan
Call for Entries | Just for Fun
Monday, June 29, 2009 3:57:51 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, June 22, 2009
Logo Lust
This rad logo for a fictional design organization is the product of a hearty layer tennis match between Aaron Draplin and Chris Glass.
via NotCot
Posted by Megan
Designers | Just for Fun
Monday, June 22, 2009 2:46:00 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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The Dangers Of Stock And Photoshop
Uh, yeah, your Photoshoppery isn't obvious at all. (Not!)
From The National Post:
The smiling, ethnically diverse family featured on
the cover of Toronto’s latest edition of its summer Fun Guide was
digitally altered to make the photo more "inclusive," which city
officials say is in keeping with a policy to reflect diversity.
A spokesman for the department that publishes the guide listing
recreation activities confirmed the publication was doctored to insert
the face of a different father.
"He superimposed the African-Canadian person onto the family
cluster in the original photo. It was two photographs and one head was
superimposed over the original family photo," said John Gosgnach,
communications director for the social development division.
"The goal was to depict the diversity of Toronto and its residents."
The cover shot caught the eye of a National Post graphics
editor, who ran it through a program called TinEye that detects visual
enhancements to standard art.
via Neatorama
Just for Fun
Monday, June 22, 2009 2:24:35 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, June 15, 2009 Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tantoo
Janine Rewell is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator from Helsinki, Finland who pushes the idea of what graphic design means with this project called Tan the Man. Vinyl stickers + tanning bed = cool temporary tattoo.
via OK Great
Posted by Megan
Designers | Just for Fun
Thursday, June 11, 2009 3:34:22 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Your Logo Makes Me Barf
Yourlogomakesmebarf.com is a real site where you can submit the world's worst logos and make fun of them. Good times!
via Boing BoingPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, June 11, 2009 1:30:23 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Photocomic?
What's a photocomic? Apparently the super adorable My Milk Toof is a photocomic. Show me more!
via Drawn!Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, June 02, 2009 8:09:12 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, June 01, 2009 Thursday, May 28, 2009
Ugh!
This video made me laugh and cringe at the same time. It explores what would happen if a "client" tried to low-ball a vendor in an everyday situation like a restaurant or music store. via swissmiss Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, May 28, 2009 3:33:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Font Fight
Just in case you haven't seen this yet: Helvetica and Arial get to a good old fashioned rumble in this College Humor video, which is a sequel to the the very funny Font Conference. Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, May 06, 2009 4:15:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, May 04, 2009
Beautiful Bottle
I try very hard not buy wine because I like the label. But I couldn't pass up a tiny bottle of St. Germain liquor this weekend. It was just too pretty. I felt a lot better when Bryn admitted that she'd bought a bottle on Friday. I can't wait to taste it!  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Monday, May 04, 2009 6:31:16 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, April 20, 2009
NOLA
I just got back from vacation to see family and hang out in New Orleans. My latest online obsession is personalized Google maps, so I made one that tracks all the places we went in NOLA. So much visual inspiration in a relatively small area!  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Monday, April 20, 2009 2:49:06 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, April 16, 2009
Just in Time for Spring
My favorite weekend activity is our every-Saturday-morning trip to the public market in Cincinnati. Especially now that the nice lady from Whippoorwill Farm is selling spring flowers, including my very fave, ranunculus. So I loved spotting this clever and green idea for reusing tin cans on design*sponge's fun Weeder's Digest column. 
Just for Fun
Thursday, April 16, 2009 7:11:33 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Who's Your Design Hero?
Why not show your love for the masters, by wearing it with one of these Graphic Design Heroes T's.   Skreened.com is a Columbus, Ohio-based company that produces "Ethical Custom Apparel," which is to say T-Shirts and other items printed on-demand on American Apparel products. Posted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Thursday, April 16, 2009 3:33:01 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, April 10, 2009
Lick My Stamp, Man
Out of the nearly 50,000 suggestions the U.S. Postal Service receives each year, the faces of The Simpsons will be lining envelopes across the country. As a Simpsons fan, I'll definitely decorate my bills and cards with these and they just may be a new personal favorite, along with the Marvel super heroes stamps. The faces of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie are set to go on sale May 7. "This is the biggest and most adhesive honor The Simpsons has ever received," says Matt Groening, creator and executive producer of The Simpsons. Click here to vote for your favorite Simpsons stamp and register to win a poster signed by Groening.  ©2007 USPS Used with permission. All rights reserved.Posted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Friday, April 10, 2009 5:50:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, March 27, 2009
New Math
Just for Fun
Friday, March 27, 2009 4:33:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, March 20, 2009
Sea Things
If I had more money than sense, this would soon be mine.  Ray Eames for Wavery Products serving tray USA c.1954. The famous 'Sea
Things' pattern in gold on aqua melamine. $975Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, March 20, 2009 4:29:54 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Which Green are You?
I had to modify my outfit this morning to include green. I opted for a shirt close to Pantone 3985 U. What about you? What shade of green did you throw on today? Post a comment below.
With that in mind, why not have a color for the other 364 days of the year? Check out the Pantone MOODS application on Facebook. I just updated my Facebook status with Pantone 136-1-3 C, of course.
Just for Fun
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 4:33:05 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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All About Green
Pantone just supplied me with a wealth of information about the color green. Stay tuned, it'll be filtering in throughout St. Pat's Day. First, let's start out with these fun facts—all about GREEN—from Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. - Do You Love Green? people who love green are “do-gooders” who strive for the admiration of their peers. They are usually stable, balanced, caring, loyal and are super sensitive about doing the right thing. However, they are less inclined to risk something new than to do what is popular and conventional.
- Green is the largest family in the color spectrum discernable to the human eye. Pantone has more than 1,100 shades of green in its various systems (approximately 250 in the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM, 560 in the PANTONE Goe System and over 400 in its PANTONE FASHION + HOME System).
- Physiologically, green affects the nervous system, causing us to breathe slowly and deeply, helping the heart to relax by slowing the production of stress hormones.
- Word association tests show that most people will link many shades of green to nature.
- Because of its associations with nature and foliage, most consumer respond to mint green as both refreshing and fresh.
(Leatrice Eiseman, “Color Messages and Meanings”)
What are your thoughts on Green? Posted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 2:55:20 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, March 13, 2009
Star Campaign Shines for Club/Pub Promo
Bunch finished a year of brand development and promo campaigns for the Star of Bethnal Green, a pub-meets-club in the heart of Bethnal Green. The promo campaign of posters and fliers prominently features the star as it transforms to suit the season or occasion. New Year fireworks, January sales, Valentines tattoos, March toy soldiers and an April Babylon comprise the latest in the poster campaign.     Posted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Friday, March 13, 2009 6:16:27 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, March 09, 2009
"Grapevine Fires" & Animation Tell Fiery Story
What makes an amazing song even better ( Grapevine Fires, Death Cab for Cutie)? An amazing video does with touching animation. Grapevine Fires, initially inspired by Death Cab for Cutie vocalist/guitarist Ben Gibbard’s up-close-and-personal encounter with California’s wildfire’s in 2007, was included on the official commemorative CD-DVD set celebrating President Barack Obama’s inauguration. “Change is Now: Restoring America’s Promise,” according to a press release. Motivated by the song, director Walter Robot, multimedia artist Bill Barminski and writer Christopher Louie animated a short film to relay the sense of tragedy and forced optimism provoked from such a catastrophic event.
Designers | Just for Fun
Monday, March 09, 2009 6:08:40 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, March 06, 2009
Artist Leaves Kimono Legacy
I've never worn a kimono, but looking at these beauties makes me want to start. A DIY method from Itchiku Kubota is outlined here.   Left to right: Ohn/ Fuji and Woodland (1989) and Ryou/Certitude (1986), Itchiku Kubota Art Museum.Kubota was an artist, with a dream to live to age 100 so he could complete a series of
75 kimonos that would form a beautiful tapestry called “Symphony of
Light.” He completed 30 pieces before his death in 2003. Today,
his family carries on the tradition. Their work is now on exhibit in Canton, Ohio, through April 26. See Exhibit DetailsAre you working on a series or collection of any kind, like Kubota and his beautiful kimonos? Posted by Jessie
Creativity | Just for Fun
Friday, March 06, 2009 2:52:43 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, February 20, 2009
Facebook Design Meme
My designer husband just posted a new note with a Facebook meme I haven't seen before called Album Cover. This is fun for designers and non-designers alike. 1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.
2 - Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.
3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4 - Use Photoshop (or similar) to put it all together. I wanted to try out a new online image editing tool, so I used http://sumopaint.com/web/Here's my album cover:  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, February 20, 2009 6:49:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, February 12, 2009
Apropos of Nothing
I had to post this song and video tribute to Trader Joe's. They built one near HOW HQ a couple of years ago and we all stop there at least once a week for snacks and last-minute dinner ingredients. via Boing Boing Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:29:14 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Watch & Kill Time
Those how-do-they-have-enough-hours-in-a-day folks at Coudal have upped the ante on their Layer Tennis deal, thanks to a natural partnership with Adobe and a bigger, badder website. After an exhibition match last Friday, the full season kicks off with the first round tomorrow (Friday the 13th). You probably know the drill: two competitors go head to head, exchanging a digital file in a series of 10 volleys, embellishing the work with each volley. A commentator provides play-by-play on the action as it happens in real time. Even cooler: You can get free season tickets. 
Just for Fun
Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:15:11 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Calling The Kettle Black
In an obvious case of the pot calling the kettle black, Breadline Design has created a humorous design firm name generator inspired by "the ludicrous number of design studios using coloured animals as company names." I was particularly amused by "Green Lemur Studios" because if I ever start a business of any kind it will be called " Tiny Monkey Industries." (Right now, TMI is a mostly abandoned blog, mostly about monkeys, that I don't have time for anymore.)   Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 8:18:05 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Misconceptions about Conception Animated
We’ve all heard some sugar-coated version of the birds and the bees,
and maybe you’ve even postponed “the talk” with your own child by
calming their curiosities with one of these tales, like getting
pregnant from swimming without underwear. Just in time for Valentine's Day, this animated clip of the Sundance Film “ The Kinda Sutra” had me in stitches! Jessica Yu directed the short, humorous documentary of people's youthful misconceptions about conception, with much help from illustrator Nate Reifke and animations by Stardust Studios. Posted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 6:42:49 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Wobbly Logo
Lawrence Yang, an interactive designer by day and painter by night, just posted his humorous response the Pepsi's new wobbly logo.  via NeatoramaPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57:18 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Swissify Your Poster
 With auto-Swissification technology, Anyone Can Swiss, apparently. Test your text at AnyoneCanSwiss.com. "It's a bit of a Helvetica Acid-Test meets comical satire kind of thing," say the creators at Dirk+Weiss. Posted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 9:00:40 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Beautifying The Web, One Unicorn At A Time
As much as we love the internets, some sites are just too familiar, too boring, too ugly or too scary to look at. You can just avoid such sites, or you can Cornify them with eyeball-hugging unicorns and rainbows. Bad news? Add a pink unicorn. Can't unsee that nasty pic? Cover it up with a rainbow. Ahhhh, that's better.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 6:40:40 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, January 30, 2009
What Kind Of Creative Are You?
Take this quiz to find out. Apparently, I'm a "Bright Spark, positively overflowing with creative ideas with a really vivid and exciting imagination. You're always full of inspiration and have plenty of new projects up your sleeve." This is actually very true about me.  via How About OrangePosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, January 30, 2009 4:25:14 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Jackson Pollock's Birthday
Celebrate with this fun Flash site that let's create your very own Pollock-esque masterpiece.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 6:09:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009
IKEA Oval Office
Want change in Washington? Now you can r edecorate the Oval Office with IKEA furniture. I decided to emphasize comfort and collaboration with my furniture arrangement.   Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 3:39:26 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, January 09, 2009
Vintage Humor
The Recently Deflowered Girl is a 1965 book of classic illustrations and witty prose by Edward Gorey under the pen name Hyacinthe Phyppe. The entire book has been scanned so you can enjoy it's out-of-print delights.  via NeatoramaPosted by Megan
Illustration | Just for Fun
Friday, January 09, 2009 4:20:21 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, January 08, 2009
Just ... Wow
Just for Fun
Thursday, January 08, 2009 4:08:59 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
Digital Holiday Greeting
Our favorite digital Christmas card this year comes from the London office of AKQA. Posted by Megan
Designers | Just for Fun
Thursday, December 18, 2008 2:18:16 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, December 12, 2008
Have You Been Naughty Or Nice
The Greteman Group celebrates the season this year with Naughty/Nice, a site where you can send coupons to friends and loved ones for things like breakfast in bed or an extra cocktail. You can even customize your own coupon with a gift or service of your choice.    Posted by Megan
Designers | Just for Fun
Friday, December 12, 2008 1:42:00 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Super Silly Friday Fun
OfficeMax and JibJab are back for the third year with an even more elaborate Elf Yourself site. You can turn up to 5 people into elves and have them dance to country, disco or the Charleston.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, December 12, 2008 1:31:11 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, December 11, 2008
'There May Be Another Silver Addy Coming Your Way'
If you loved "And Then We Came to the End," the hilarious quasi-fictional book about life in a Chicago advertising, then you'll love this spoof on "A Charlie Brown Christmas" reset as a staff of advertising archetypes as they attempt their agency's holiday card. Everyone's there: the bitchy CD, the smug superstar, the Addy-winning prima donna, the insignificant interns, the I-can't-believe-I-slept-with-you colleagues. Great fun!!
Just for Fun
Thursday, December 11, 2008 1:43:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Perhaps You Missed This
You remember the story of the Four Wisemen, right? What? You didn't know about the fourth one? There were four, all right, and if you missed the story of the fourth guy, you'll be interested to read all about it on Art Backwash. Plus, you can download a paper sculpture to print, cut and assemble, so you can share this holiday narrative with your friends and family. Illustrative designer Von Glitschka (who's presenting a HOW webinar, 6 Steps to Better Creative Concepts next week, BTW) created the sculpture and freelance writer Kristin Fischer (who bylined an article in HOW's current Business Annual) wrote the story. Sweet! And thanks to Von for the heads-up (and the image). 
Just for Fun
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 8:43:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Happy Monster Holidays
HOW Books | Just for Fun
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 2:26:38 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, December 04, 2008
What's on Your Designer Wish List?
Tell HOW what's on your wish list this year. Please send us your wish list (as hambug, serious, far-fetched, or humorous as
it may be), including gadgets for designers, things for your workspace and home, holiday hopes and the just plain funny. Links and images are welcomed. Please e-mail your list to HOW associate editor
Jessica.Kuhn. All submissions will be considered for use in
our Dec. 15 newsletter. Send your list to
Jessica.Kuhn@fwmedia.com
Posted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Thursday, December 04, 2008 2:00:15 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, November 24, 2008
Art by Hand
If you're like us and just killing time in the office this week before we dive into the feast on Thanksgiving Day, here's a fun way to while away the pre-dinner hours (and relive your elementary school art class, to boot). Our friends at Rule29 are holding a little contest: download the hand template, decorate it to resemble a turkey, and then submit it to their 'fridge. They're giving away an iTunes gift card to the most fabulous entry.  Posted by Bryn
Just for Fun
Monday, November 24, 2008 4:46:27 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
PMS Shoes
I'm not sure what I think about these $140 Pantone shoes from SeaVees. They're awfully expensive, but kind of fun.
SeaVees, Purveyors of California Casual, has announced an exclusive
collaboration with Pantone, the world–renowned authority on color. True
to their inspiration, each SeaVees style is named to honor an
influential date in 1960’s California-cool history. With the creation of the 09/63, SeaVees celebrates the founding of
Pantone, and the release of the first PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM in
September 1963. For the first time in their 45 year history, Pantone
has allowed an external design team into their hallowed archives.
SeaVees has selected seven vintage colors from the original Pantone
color guide. The palette, chosen from the only authentic guide known to
exist, epitomizes the cool, casual style of California in 1963. The
series production has been restricted to 1,963 pairs.
 Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:49:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Gone To The Dogs
We at HOW are open about our love for our pets, and if you mention your own, we'll demand to see cute photos. So we were thrilled to see Design Observer's " Dogs and their Designers" feature. We found this cute pic our friend Debbie Millman with her Shih-Tzu Scruffy.  Next up: Designer's and their Cats! Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 7:31:05 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Poster Heaven
Designer Claudean Wheeler (who works on the occasional HOW book) just got back from a trip to Tennessee that included a stop at Hatch Show Print. She offers a great behind-the-scenes look at this classic print shop here.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, November 14, 2008 5:40:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Scooter Site
Because a certain member of my household covets a scooter, the press release from VespaUSA announcing their brand-new website caught my eye. In addition to the product information and lovely photography you'd expect, the site includes a community section where riders can login to share their favorite routes and learn about group rides in their towns. London/NYC firm Last Exit handled the site design. I'll take a red one, thanks.  Posted by Bryn
Just for Fun
Friday, November 14, 2008 2:17:02 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, November 13, 2008
What A Mug
Create an online profile picture like a police composite with Veer's amusing Unusual Suspects tool. This sort of looks like me:  But this is what I would look like if my face matched my personality:  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, November 13, 2008 7:48:04 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, November 07, 2008
I Just Had to Post This
OK, so at the first Creative Freelancer Conference back in August, I met designer Kristin Bowen, a solopreneur who has a thriving side business called DogHouse Custom Pet Portraits. If you've met me at one of our HOW events, you probably know of my fondness for our dog, Wrigley. So when Kristin handed me her business card (brilliant networker that she is), I knew immediately that we had to work together on Wrigley's portrait. The proof that I received from Kristin totally made me smile this week, so I thought I'd share (see the photo reference I provided and Kristin's portrait). Dog-lovers, you gotta check out Kristin's work! I totally love it!   Illustration | Just for Fun
Friday, November 07, 2008 1:36:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, November 06, 2008
Logo Confusion
Can you tell which of these logos is for a hair-care product and which is for a digital audio product? I got 13 out of 14 on my first try, but figuring out which one I had wrong took forever. Maybe it's time for a redesign.  via How About Orange Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, November 06, 2008 6:00:03 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, November 03, 2008
Designers Can be Scary, Too
I hope that you've been able to successfully remove the fake blood,
layers of face paint caked on, and bubbling warts from your skin by
now. Now, it's time to show off your stuff. Folks are sharing their Halloween favorites on the HOW Forum. What were you for Halloween?Posted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Monday, November 03, 2008 7:37:48 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The Funny Side Of Design
1PT.Rule is a new web comic all about graphic design. Hey, if we can't laugh at ourselves, we're in the wrong business.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 5:22:31 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, October 27, 2008
Winning Monsters
The three winners of Stefan Bucher's Monster Poster are Matt Hasenbalg, Bill Dussinger and Bruce Young. Check out their winning ink-blot drawings.    Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Monday, October 27, 2008 12:59:19 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monster Posters
Stefan Bucher, author of 100 Days of Monsters and master of DailyMonster.com, is giving away three free glow-in-the-dark monster posters. To nab one, download this inkblot and create your own monster. The first three people to email me (megan.patrick (at) fwpubs.com) their monsters will receive a signed poster from Stefan.  Posted by Megan
HOW Books | Just for Fun
Thursday, October 16, 2008 3:53:00 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, October 14, 2008
T-Shirt Giveaway
Our fave T-shirt site Threadless is offering one lucky HOW reader a free shirt and a $50 Threadless gift certificate. The shirt is the winner of their recent Threadless Loves Lomography competition, which was designed by Sebastian Guadarrama Gomez. To win, sign up for the HOW E-mail Newsletter and look for entry instructions there.   Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:27:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, October 10, 2008
Designer Laments Rejection with Song
Matt Maxwell may be a self-proclaimed “crappy singer,” but his tune may strike a chord with designers. Check out the designminstrel's video clip dedicated to Client Review.
See Video: Client Review Lament SongHere’s what Maxwell had to say: “I am a freelance web designer and I have been writing songs about design, advertising and tech and putting them on YouTube. I am doing it for self-promotion—and fun—and therapy. “I am a crappy singer (which I think makes it more entertaining)” Posted by Jessie
Just for Fun
Friday, October 10, 2008 1:59:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Juggle Some Booty
Booty Juggler is an original Flash game created by illustrator Robin Davey. It pairs addictive game play with a lovely, textured illustration style that says "screen-printed" more than "designed on screen."  via Drawn!Posted by Megan
Illustration | Just for Fun
Wednesday, October 08, 2008 8:14:02 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Veep Bingo
The presidential LINGO debate cards proved so popular that illustrator Bob Staake created a new set of cards for the vice presidential debate tomorrow.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 6:00:01 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, September 29, 2008
Build-O-Bama
Matt Hawkins, a paper toy creator and author of the forthcoming Urban Paper from HOW Books, created an Obama paper toy to show his support for the candidate. If you're so inclined, you can build your own Obama and send Matt a picture of your work.  Posted by Megan
HOW Books | Just for Fun
Monday, September 29, 2008 6:04:30 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, September 26, 2008
Lingo Bingo
Play along during the presidential debates with the is fun Bingo game from illustrator Bob Staake. Simply download
and print these 8 LINGO cards -- then watch the televised
presidential debates. When a candidate utters the buzzword, cross
it out. First player to get five across, up and down or diagonally
wins (same rules as Bingo).
via Drawn Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, September 26, 2008 1:51:46 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Test Your Hue IQ
Can you discern the differences between subtle gradations in color? Find out in this surprisingly difficult quiz from x•rite.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:32:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, September 05, 2008
Alphabunnies Poster
The London-based design firm Airside has just created Alphabunnies, an amusing take on the alphabet. It is hand screen-printed on high-grade 216g Astrolux paper. Limited edition of 100 with each print signed and numbered by the designer. Some of letters might be NSFW, depening on where you work, but the "A" is just cute.  Posted by Megan
Designers | Just for Fun
Friday, September 05, 2008 6:06:19 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, September 03, 2008
More Design Humor
Is it me, or is there a lot of design humor floating around the interwebs these days? via The Denver Egotist Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, September 03, 2008 5:47:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Logo Algebra
LogóLogos is a blog about . . . wait for it . . . logos! I'm cursing my bad Spanish because I can only make out parts of the text, but the idea seems to be to take existing logos and other images and show how they can be transformed into other logos through judicious subtraction, multiplication and division. A lot of the brands seem to be South American, but there are international brands represented.   Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 3:12:51 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Parking Tickets
I could have really used these parking tickets from Shinebox Print yesterday. And could you even get mad if someone left such a nicely designed reminder on your windshield? Well, maybe you could. But you're probably a jerk. Who taught you to park that way in the first place?     Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 3:13:41 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, August 08, 2008
Custom Shoes
I just noticed that Zazzle, a design-your-own T-shirt site that HOW has utilized in the past, is now offering custom Keds in a couple of styles. You can choose from a small collection of colors and patterns or you can upload your own images, which is what makes this so cool.   Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, August 08, 2008 7:24:48 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Font Humor
What if fonts were people and they all got together to decide who could join the club? Of course, hilarity would ensue.
via Neatorama Posted by Megan
Just for Fun | Typography
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:58:01 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Blog Fun
Very Short List pointed us to the blog PassiveAggressiveNotes.com, where you can enjoy "painfully polite and hilariously hostile notes from shared spaces the world over." Like this little memo, which someone left on a napkin dispense at the Jamba Juice in Elmhurst, IL.  Speaking of blogs, we're also liking OperationNice, which designer friend and HOW Forum member Melissa Morris Ivone started recently to celebrate acts of kindness and polite gestures. HOW nice!  Posted by Bryn
Just for Fun
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 4:49:12 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
So True it's Scary
This little YouTube video is satire, but really, it's a pretty accurate depiction of the client from hell. Take a look, and see if you can suppress your own sense of familiar panic. Most painfully funny are the creative director's agony at the end, and the client's parting shot: "We're a little disappointed in how this thing is testing, so we've got some fiiiiiinal tweaks we're looking into."
via the HOW forum, via Ugly Doggy
Just for Fun
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 5:55:25 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tiny Street Art
Check out these photographs of tiny people and animals living out their lives on the streets of London. Yes, I'm obsessed with tiny things. I know. But this is super cool.  via CraftPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 4:31:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Summer Type
It looks like FontShop has been having some serious summer fun with a little project they call FontPool. You can fill your own pool with type with inflatable letters from party and teacher supply stores.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun | Typography
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 1:53:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, July 18, 2008
Friday Fun
Put your color printer to good use today by downloading this paper airplane file, printing it on sturdy paper, and sending your creations flying around the office. It's sure to brighten someone's day.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, July 18, 2008 2:47:54 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, July 14, 2008
Design History
The amusing Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies should really be called The Museum of Forgotten Graphic Design Supplies. Check out the french curves, rubylith and Bestine. Plus this great-looking Acuarc and a lovely tin of rubber cement.   via NeatoramaPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Monday, July 14, 2008 7:39:01 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, July 10, 2008
More Zombie Fun
Just for Fun
Thursday, July 10, 2008 6:37:45 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Zombie Haiku: The Movie
Zombie Haiku author Ryan Mecum is so into his new book, that he and his friends made a hilarious short film staring zombies who read their poetry beat style. Posted by Megan
HOW Books | Just for Fun
Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:05:37 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, July 03, 2008
Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs
Think today's cereal aisle is stocked with bad-for-you kiddie products? Bah. These days, even Corn Pops (formerly known as Sugar Corn Pops) are labeled "whole grain." Hop into the wayback machine and fill your bowl with the likes of these:  Buzzing yet? Check out this gallery of retro kids cereal packaging. Whoever at Kellogg's came up with a cereal called Crunchy Loggs? via neatoramaPosted by Bryn
Just for Fun
Thursday, July 03, 2008 3:34:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, June 27, 2008
Sweet Pics
Dang! I knew you could print short messages and even logos on M&Ms but now you can print photos. O rly?! Ya rly!  via PhotojojoPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, June 27, 2008 1:53:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
48 Hour Film Project
My husband Ben, who is a designer, recently participated in The 48 Hour Film Project, where local creatives challenge themselves to make a short film in only 48 hours. The rules include drawing a random genre for the film and incorporating required elements like a specific character, prop and/or
line of dialogue. The team Ben was on made a movie called OMG Force about millennial detectives that give their boss a headache with all their texting and web surfing. He just emailed me that the movie won a people's choice award at its recent screening and is moving on to the city-wide finals. The winner of each city final will then go on to the international finals.  Posted by Megan
Creativity | Just for Fun
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 5:54:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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The Nati Rules
Design*Sponge just posted a wonderful City Guide for Cincinnati, HOW's hometown. I'm super impressed because there are even a few places on it that I hadn't heard of. The only thing I would add is the secret used book store in Clifton. I don't know the address, but I always manage to find it.  Union Terminal is one of my fave buildings in the city. It used to be a train station but now houses Cincinnati's Museum Center. Posted by Megan
Design Resources | Just for Fun
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 5:34:22 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
101 Photoshop Tips In 5 Mintues
To announce his new video blog, dekePod, Photoshop expert Deke McClelland created a hilarious, yet useful, video that includes 101 Photoshop tips set to music.   Posted by Megan
Design Resources | Just for Fun
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 3:36:18 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, May 16, 2008
So Totally NOT Design-Related
Just for Fun
Friday, May 16, 2008 4:55:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Design Your Own Kelly Bag
Just download the PDF from the Hermes site and cut, fold and glue your own iconic Kelly bag. There's even a white version so you can add your own graphics. This would make the perfect container for a gift card or other small present.  via How About OrangePosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:12:15 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Optical Illustion
Just for Fun
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 2:00:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, May 09, 2008
A Way with Words
Being first and foremost a word person and secondarily a visual person, I find these Newspaper Blackout Poems by Austin, TX, writer/illustrator/designer Austin Kleon to be quite remarkable.  Heard on NPR on my way in this morning.
Just for Fun
Friday, May 09, 2008 2:09:51 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, May 02, 2008
Design Humor
I'm pretty sure this makes me a big nerd, but I adore this Charles and Ray Eames Powers of 10 joke.  (Thanks HOW Books editor Amy Schell for forwarding this site to me.) Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, May 02, 2008 7:41:18 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, April 21, 2008
Design and Music
The HOW staff always plays music during competition judging. Design and tunes just seem to go together. Over on Design Observer, they're conducting an informal poll about what designers like to listen to while they work. The selections are all over the map, but you may discover some good new music. We discovered an interesting CD that was entered in the competition. The design didn't make it into the winners pile, but we did throw the disc on because we were intrigued by the title: Songs For Ice Cream Trucks. The music did indeed evoke a certain ice cream truck quality. We especially like the track "Where Do Ice Cream Trucks Go in the Winter?"  Posted by Megan
HOW Magazine | Just for Fun
Monday, April 21, 2008 3:47:06 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Very Secret Order
Veer is known for its well-designed promotions, but the latest one (called The Very Secret Order of Creatives Understanding) is interactive and fun. If you haven't received a handbook in the mail, you can download one here. Inside are seven riddles to solve. The answers can be used as coupon codes on future purchases to nab free merch like cool T-shirts.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:31:06 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Overheard On The Forum: New Starbucks Logo
Do you love it or hate it? Take the poll in the forum.   OLD NEW (It turns out this is the original logo. The new one has longer hair that covers her nipples. Plus, according to the Wall Street Journal, the retro logo is only being used as a promotion.)  Don't miss the Antiques Roadshow parody by the Vonster. Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, April 09, 2008 2:26:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, April 07, 2008
DIY Temporary Tattoo
Now you can design and print your very own temporary tattoos with a special two-part paper. This would be an awesome way to try out a self-created tattoo and find the perfect spot for it.  via SwissmissPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Monday, April 07, 2008 5:31:10 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, April 04, 2008
Eggs-Cellent
Hatch Design got 147 entries in its egg-design contest and the winner is stunning. Of course, I love it because it's a tiny replica chair!  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Friday, April 04, 2008 6:51:13 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Your Logo Here
Another cool thing we spotted in today's Trendwatching report: A Dutch fashion company called Wickd makes Ts and other apparel marked with a logo that's unique to you. (Think of it as a cooler-looking version of a barcode.) You can link the logo to, say, your Facebook page or to a profile you create on the Wickd site. Wear the shirt around, and someone can use a cellphone to snap a pic of your logo, and they're instantly linked to the site of your choice. 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, April 02, 2008 3:56:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, March 28, 2008
You're Not My Type
Here's some Friday fun, courtesy of our friend Steve Gordon: Extensis has a little Flash-based dating game called Typecaster that lets you pair up two typefaces on a date to see if they're compatible. Warning: Mistral is a real jerk, so steer clear, ladies. 
Just for Fun | Typography
Friday, March 28, 2008 5:20:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A Bit of Friendly Competition
Over on the HOW Forum, we've started a little contest called Show Us Your Desktop, where designers can post screenshots of their Mac desktops and vote on the best ones. The designer whose desktop gets the most votes wins a free one-year HOW subscription. You can only post one image, but you can vote as much as you want; the contest ends April 18. Wanna play? Post your desktop and vote.
Just for Fun
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:45:25 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, March 24, 2008
Auto Advertising Done Right
Having spent much of the weekend glued to NCAA basketball games, I spotted this way-cool ad for the Pontiac G8 several times, and my jaw hit the floor with every replay. It's a riff on the old computer game "Spy Hunter" -- and all the gamers are proclaiming how true to the original the ad is.
Just for Fun
Monday, March 24, 2008 8:28:41 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thirty-Thirty
Still going on through the end of this month: 30 Days–30 Pieces, an online gallery where 20 designers and artists are posting a new work each day from March 1 through March 31. Amid a nifty Flash interface, you'll find daily artworks in media ranging from photography to illustration to collage. via the HOW Forum
Industry News | Just for Fun
Monday, March 24, 2008 12:33:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Peeps Nightmare
Love them or hate them, Peeps are a sure sign of spring and also of creativity. For the second year in a row, The Washington Post sponsored a Peeps diorama contest. One of the five semifinalists is graphic designer Peter Byer whose entry is titled " Nightmare in Pink." The bedposts are crayons, and the slippers and vases are made of
Sculpey. The dresser and wall mountings (including a portrait of a Peep
labeled "Mom") were drawn in ink on white paper, then scanned into a
computer and reversed into white lines on a black background. As
evidenced by the precision, Byer is, in fact, a graphic designer. But
he deals mostly in print and has never worked with models or dioramas.
Might we suggest a side career?
 Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Monday, March 24, 2008 12:31:15 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
We [Heart] the Suits
This is good clean fun: From 1961, an Executive Coloring Book, with illustrations you can color (INSIDE the lines, of course) and clever captions. Like, This is my secretary. I hate her. She is mean.
This is my sales chart. When the line goes up, I feel good. When the line goes down, I get gas.
 via the HOW ForumPosted by Bryn
Just for Fun
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 1:44:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, March 13, 2008
More Pop Culture Fun
Just for Fun
Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:57:48 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Sorry, Your Photoshop User License Has Been Revoked
Perhaps we shouldn't admit this, but there are times when we'll view a design project that's come into HOW HQ and think, "Hm. This person really shouldn't be using Photoshop. Like, really, really, REALLY shouldn't be using Photoshop." You've all seen them: the scary photo retouching, the weird tangets between combined elements, the godawful compositions. Now there's a place to share and celebrate these testaments to the adage, "Just because you can doesn't mean you should:" Photoshop Disasters.
It's sort of like The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotations, which we writers find similarly amusing-slash-horrifying. via Core77.com
Just for Fun
Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:13:03 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A Drug for TV Junkies
VeryShortList.com sent us word today about a new site (currently in Beta) for TV fanatics called, appropriately enough, Fancast.com. Watch free episodes (we're weighing what to watch during our lunch hour today: "Major Dad," "24" ... nope, "WKRP in Cincinnati" it is), and see what's on the real thing tonight. Plus, the interface is surprisingly clean and helpful, given the obviously commercial nature of the site. 
Just for Fun
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 3:51:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Logo-Matic
There's no magic button to push to generate a new logo (despite what your clients may think), but Mohawk has developed a tongue-in-cheek widget guaranteed to create the most bland, weird or otherwise unsuitable logos out there. Just click on the edge of the yellow box to launch the Logo-Matic Machine. (And while you're there, be sure to check out Pentagram New York's new redesign of the Mohawk site.)   Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, March 05, 2008 4:44:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Overheard In The Office
Just for Fun
Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:33:08 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, February 20, 2008
From the Almanac
Just so you know ... there's a total lunar eclipse happening tonight, with the peak at around 10:30 eastern time. 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 4:24:22 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, February 14, 2008
But If You're Not In The Mood . . .
you could send someone this ambivilent e-valentine created by calligrapher Maybelle Imasa-Stukulls for Kate Spade's Behind the Curtain site. (Click on "B Mine" for the entire selection of sentiments.)  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun | Typography
Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:24:25 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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We're in the Mood for Love
via VeryShortListChris Vincze's short film about a couple finding each other in a bass-ackwards world is sweet, but not sugary, like a nice Valentine's Day treat.
Just for Fun
Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:06:10 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, February 13, 2008
More Amusement from the Forum
On Drawger.com, The Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies. Those of us of a certain age recall doing paste-up with Best Test rubber cement, cropping photos (you know, the on-paper kind) with a Proper Cropper and getting wacky on Design marker fumes. Really, we didn't inhale. 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:28:20 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Overheard On The Forum
What if Comic Sans was a dude, who would he date? Find out with the Extensis Typecaster. (Turns out Comic Sans and Papyrus are a match made in heaven.) You can also discover which font you should hook up with. (Mistral? I don't think so.)  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun | Typography
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 2:50:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, January 28, 2008
Office Space
A little inspiration for a Monday morning: a peek into the corporate headquarters of Urban Outfitters from Metropolis Magazine. (Download the PDF for the full story with lots of juicy images.)  via FlyPosted by Megan
Just for Fun
Monday, January 28, 2008 4:51:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, January 17, 2008
Design Police On Duty
My best friend just forwarded me this website, www.design-police.org, where you can download different templates that notify people of any and all design crimes they've committed, whether it's "Microsoft Word is not a design tool" or "Helvetica was an unimaginative choice" or "Turn off the CAPS LOCK." And in bright pink, how can you resist poking fun and brightening up an otherwise boring project?  
Just for Fun
Thursday, January 17, 2008 7:42:03 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, January 10, 2008
Dog In Space
The new Zune Arts Film "Laika" was released last night. Created by 72andSunny and Curious Pictures, the film imagines what might have happened to Laika, the dog launched into space by the Russians fifty years ago. The charming tale incorporates 2D and 3D still photography and textures to create a planet that might as well be doggy heaven.
Designers | Just for Fun
Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:37:32 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, December 20, 2007
That's SO Over!
Today's New York Times Thursday Styles section has an article about which of the year's interior design trends have passed from Hot to Not. Among the "outs": deer motifs (sorry, Carmen) and cowhide rugs (ewww).  Posted by Bryn
Just for Fun
Thursday, December 20, 2007 4:51:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Huh? Cool!
When I first read this release from P22, I was a bit confused. But then I tried it. So cool! P22 announces the P22 Music Text Composition Generator, a free online music utility that allows any text to be converted into a musical composition. This composition is displayed in musical notation and simultaneously generates a midi music file that is played back on your computer. The P22 MTCG was programmed by designer Colin Kahn from an idea conceived by P22 creative director Richard Kegler.
 Posted by Megan
Just for Fun | Typography
Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:54:56 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Quirky Christmas Cards of Yore
I just got word of a really interesting find: Designer Mollie Siu-Chong's friend found some amazing homemade Christmas cards tucked away in her grandmother's house. "They were made by
Ted Sears, Disney animator from 1931-58,
and feature Sears, his wife Vee, and
their daughter, Marcia. His IMDB bio
states: 'To amuse himself, Ted
still drew for his friends and made
props for the plays his daughter
appeared in - he also produced his
family's Christmas cards which employed
his old love for trick photography an
special effects - these holiday cards
took months to prepare and were awaited
with great anticipation by over three
hundred recipients. (he lettered the
envelopes individually, turning each
name into calligraphy.)'"    Mollie's curious whether anyone knows where Marcia, Ted's daughter
who was featured prominently in many of the found cards, is now?
Creativity | Just for Fun
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:29:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Just In Time For Your Office Holiday Party
Just for Fun
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 3:31:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, November 29, 2007
Go Elf Yourself
Building on the success of last year's holiday campaign, Toy New York and EVB, are bringing back the online phenomenon, ElfYourself.com, for OfficeMax's holiday effort. Last year, the site generated more than 11 million elves and kept users glued to the site for the equivalent of over 600 years. I visited the site to turn myself into an Elf, which was both fun and a bit disturbing. The dance moves are great, though.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, November 29, 2007 4:24:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, November 19, 2007
Yeah, it's Quiet Around Here, Too ...
Just for Fun
Monday, November 19, 2007 7:30:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, November 15, 2007
Typeflakes
We just looked out the window and it's totally snowing! Sure, it won't last, but suddenly we're in a winter-time mood. If you want to generate your own flakes, check out TYPEflake from Firstborn Multimedia. Just type in a phrase, choose a font and watch your words get turned into a beautiful snowflake. You can even email your creation to a friend.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun | Typography
Thursday, November 15, 2007 2:42:01 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Last Minute Costume
If you still don't know what to dress up as this Halloween, designer Stefan Bucher has come to the rescue with his adorably silly monster mask. Just download the PDF, print it out and find a way to keep it on your face. The mask is inspired by the creatures at his Daily Monster blog. Get your fill of creepy creatures this Halloween!  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 4:54:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, October 19, 2007
Friday Treats
HOW Books | Just for Fun
Friday, October 19, 2007 4:22:14 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Music Of Design
If you're looking for some new tune to work to, check out The Designers Mixtape. It features play lists from designers around the world. Just plug in your headphones and click on a name.  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 4:15:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, October 16, 2007
"Funny"
HOW Books art director Grace Ring just sent me a link to The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks, which collects and posts pictures of signage sporting this all-too-common mistake. There are also lots of examples of vernacular typography. (Grace said the site reminded her of a chapter in Milk Eggs Vodka about the grocer's apostrophe.)  Posted by Megan
Just for Fun | Typography
Tuesday, October 16, 2007 5:49:31 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, October 02, 2007
You Know You're A Designer When . . .
"You can’t go to a restaurant without secretly critiquing the menu design." Add your own design witticisms in the HOW Forum. Update: How to tell if you or someone you love is a typoholic. Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Tuesday, October 02, 2007 8:59:47 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Science Is Beautiful
Just for Fun
Tuesday, October 02, 2007 6:54:17 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, October 01, 2007
Michael B. Unzips
... his portfolio, that is. During our Monday morning web surfing, we cruised over to DesignObserver and were once again reminded how much we admire Michael Bierut. He recently discovered, dusted off and, yes, unzipped his portfolio, circa 1978, and bared its contents. We won't spoil it by linking an image; you have to see for yourself.
Just for Fun
Monday, October 01, 2007 4:50:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, September 28, 2007
Overheard On The Forum
Just for Fun
Friday, September 28, 2007 7:11:03 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, August 30, 2007
Designing A Better Baby Bag
An all-star team of experts with world-renowned environmental and baby
product design credentials have joined forces for the “Wee
Generation ” project to develop an
environmentally safe, impeccably designed baby bag certain to be the “It ”
bag among green celebrities, the eco-chic and the health-conscious. To
influence the design process, current and future parents are encouraged
to weigh in at www.weegeneration.com
and share their own stories and insights of baby bag usage. 
Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Thursday, August 30, 2007 6:08:04 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, August 29, 2007
We (heart) eBay
Just for Fun
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 7:35:45 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Faceball?
HOW Conference-planning diva Heather Griffin just sent around a newsletter from Jeremy Guetsche, one of our keynote speakers for 2008 and in it was a link to a video about Faceball. Apparently, Faceball is a game developed in the Flickr offices as a way to blow off steam, but we think it could be adapted to any cubicle environment. The main thing you need to play is a lot of balls. 
Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 3:53:33 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Vintage Wishes
Hop into the Wayback Machine and see what your holiday wishlist might have looked like, were you longingly perusing the 1970 J.C. Penney Christmas catalog. Two catalog devotees have compiled an online archive of old holiday "wishbooks," as they were called. We're diggin' those long dresses.     Thanks, Coudal.
Just for Fun
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:19:34 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, August 24, 2007
Gone to Hell
That's what happens when our Chief Bloggess, Megan, takes a vacation: it all goes to hell. Actually, Megan's gone to Hell, and sent a postcard. Trust us, it's MUCH hotter here. 
Just for Fun
Friday, August 24, 2007 1:29:47 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, August 21, 2007
We're Not Quite Sure What to Make of This ...
A press release just rolled in, touting a local landmark as having "America's Best Restroom." Who knew? (And what kind of media lists are we on?) Jungle Jim's, a funky (and massive) international grocery just up the road from HOW HQ, scored top honors in the contest sponsored by Cintas, a provider of, natch, restroom supplies. We've never had occasion to use the facilities at Jim's, but we're cracking up at the photos:  
Just for Fun
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 8:03:55 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, August 16, 2007
World History Made Cool
Maybe there's never been a more important time to understand the history of world religions and global conflict. MapsOfWar.com puts a well-designed spin on the past 5 millennia or so. via VSL
Just for Fun
Thursday, August 16, 2007 4:45:32 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, August 10, 2007
Tiny Chairs
Just for Fun
Friday, August 10, 2007 2:12:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, August 08, 2007
OMG ODG
My designer husband just emailed me a link to this awesome You Tube video, which is a rap parody with a design theme. It was posted by illustrator Kyle T. Webster and includes a shout out to HOW and other design mags. Too cool! Posted by Megan
Just for Fun
Wednesday, August 08, 2007 8:10:05 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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News of the Weird
Posted by Bryn
via VSLI'm surprised I'm posting about this instead of Megan (she's the true science lover among the HOW staff). Just when you think humans are managing to kill off every plant and animal species one by one (you know ... logging, global warming, overfishing, that kind of thing), here's a blog that spotlights all the new species that are being discovered: free your imagination. Plus you can impress your friends with little-known facts (like: Did you know that mules are genetically incapable of reproducing?).
Just for Fun
Wednesday, August 08, 2007 4:15:47 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Fun With Photography
Posted by MeganThe Lomographic Society and Urban Outfitters are sponsoring a themed photo competition for users of toy cameras including the Actionsampler, Actionsampler Flash, Colorsplash camera, Fisheye, Fisheye 2, Holga, Horizon Kompakt, Horizon Perfekt, Lomo LC-A, Lomo LC-A+, Lomolitos, Oktomat, Pop 9, Smena and Supersampler. Get full details here. 
Just for Fun
Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:16:43 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, July 27, 2007
Fun Friday
Posted by Meganvia Paper Forest Here's a fun little paper toy you can print out and make from the Tummie-Design website. Just click the Download button on the left side of the screen and the toy will be on the top right of the next page.
Just for Fun
Friday, July 27, 2007 3:56:27 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, July 26, 2007
Office Trunk
Posted by MeganI was inspired by this reinvention of the classic steamer trunk to see what kinds of trunks they had for sale on Ebay. Here's a beauty that starts at $99. I have one in my office at home and I keep all kinds of desk supplies in it like envelopes and rubberbands. 
Just for Fun
Thursday, July 26, 2007 8:46:53 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, July 11, 2007
We Knew It Was Too Good To Be True
Posted by MeganWe so wanted to believe that cool picture of the highway sign yesterday announcing the HOW Conference in Boston, but we figured it was probably a Photoshop job. It may have been even easier than that, though. Poking around on the Web today, I came across a ton of different highway and street sign generators that let you customize the text with the click of a button. 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 3:56:46 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Pencil Revolution
Posted by MeganIf you love to sketch or noodle all your design project on paper before turning on your Mac, then the Pencil Revolution blog is for you. You'll find not only an homage to the lowly pencil, but also pencil and sharpener reviews and masterful pencil drawings. 
Just for Fun
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 3:49:39 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Seen On The HOW Conference Forum
Just for Fun
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 1:24:40 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Design Writing
It turns out that the extremely talented designer Marian Bantjes can also write interesting fiction. She just posted a " design fiction" on Speak Up, after being inspired by a series of science stories in SEED magazine (an interesting, extremely readable and well-designed science magazine).
Just for Fun
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 3:39:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, June 26, 2007
If The Web Existed in 1980
Posted by MeganThe artist and singer M.I.A. makes music that fuses grime, hip-hop, ragga, dancehall, electro, and baile funk, but her visual style is even more in-your-face than her sound. Her website, in particular, is what I imagine the whole internet might have looked like if it had gone mainstream in 1980. Warning: If you're prone to seizures, it might actually be dangerous to look at.
Just for Fun
Tuesday, June 26, 2007 2:32:53 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, June 21, 2007
A Quiz For True Typophiles
Just for Fun
Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:19:49 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, June 08, 2007
Design Can Be Scary
Posted by MeganHave you ever noticed how many design terms sound ominous out of context: bleed, widow, orphan, ghost? Minneapolis-based design firm Colle+McVoy did and turned this observation into a creepy, amusing educational microsite called Design-Not for the Faint of Heart. See how many terms you can find hidden in the image. 
Just for Fun
Friday, June 08, 2007 6:39:27 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, May 31, 2007
Half Hearted
Posted by MeganAd and design firm 72andSunny just released the first of several new artist collaborations to be featured on zune-arts.net over the next two months. The latest is a music video short entitled "Los Corazones" that is animated by Argentinean collective Punga, set to the song “Lex” by electro-rockers Ratatat. The film tells a noirish story of a lonely soul who resurrects his dead friend by sharing half of his heart. Dancing and hijinx ensue. To watch the animation, visit the site and click on the dancing bears. One is yellow. The other is a skeleton! 
Just for Fun
Thursday, May 31, 2007 4:10:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Mac Porn
Posted by Meganvia Neatorama
Blogger Glenn Wolsey has collected 10 images of multi-screen Mac setups for your viewing pleasure. (Safe for Work : ) 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 8:38:32 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, May 25, 2007
sweet suite
Posted by triciavia readymade Check out this gorgeous new hotel in Portland appropriately called Ace. Wouldn't you love to stay in a room where a turntable is a provided amenity? 
Just for Fun
Friday, May 25, 2007 9:35:21 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Friday, May 18, 2007
A Long Shot
Posted by Bryn
via VeryShortListThis was the subject of our lunch conversation yesterday (over veggie burrito bowls at Chipotle, thank you very much): the long shot. Really ... the long shot, done in a single, unedited take that's a signifier of a filmmaker's mastery and vision. The blog Daily Film Dose has a collection of remarkable clips showcasing the very best long shots in filmdom. A couple of my favorite movies made the list: Boogie Nights (the opening sequence, where we meet all the main characters and Roller Girl skates off to the loo) and Goodfellas (when Henry takes Karen to the Copa and they go in through the side door). Eye candy for a Friday! 
Just for Fun
Friday, May 18, 2007 7:50:31 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007
DIY Printing
Posted by Meganvia Craft Amy of the blog Craft Chi recently posted about how to use a paper stencil when screen printing. Get back to your art-school roots with this fun tutorial. 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 5:35:48 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, May 14, 2007 Friday, May 11, 2007
What's In A Name
Posted by Bryn
Via VeryShortListI didn't fully appreciate just how unusual my name is until I typed it into the NameVoyager on the Baby Name Wizard website. It charts the popularity of various names (think: Apple, Suri, Phinnaeus) based on Social Security Administration records. Fun for a Friday. 
Just for Fun
Friday, May 11, 2007 5:07:21 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, May 10, 2007
Paper Toys
Just for Fun
Thursday, May 10, 2007 4:02:16 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Bigger, Dammit
Posted by Bryn
Dear lord, how did we miss this when SpeakUp posted it on Friday?!?? "Spinal Tap" + client from hell = hilarious. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Burn Back, doing their latest Top 40 hit, Make the Logo Bigger. <mad applause and lighters held aloft>
Just for Fun
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 4:52:34 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Poetry in Motion
Just for Fun
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 4:52:04 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, April 06, 2007
The Force Is Around the Corner
Posted by
Carmen
Yesterday, while making our way to lunch, the HOW staff was walking through the parking lot when we spotted a street-corner mailbox that was dressed as...R2-D2. We were a little confused until I realized something. This past weekend, I was at the Y Conference put on by San Diego/AIGA. It was two days packed with speakers, one of whom was Terry McCaffrey, manager of the USPS stamp-development program. We’d featured Terry and the world behind stamp design in our April 2005 issue, but in his session, “Pushing the Envelope,” he gave an in-depth history of the different designs and the concepting and process that goes into creating them. He also gave a look to the future, which included this new revelation—that the Post Office will be debuting new stamps celebrating Star Wars 30th anniversary. I’ll give more updates about the rest of the conference soon; my luggage had gotten lost so that’s what spurred the delay. More recaps to come... 
Events | Just for Fun
Friday, April 06, 2007 3:00:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Not For The Fainthearted
Posted by Megan
If you've ever watched (and enjoyed) the stop-motion animation show Robot Chicken on Cartoon Network, then "Five Minutes to Kill Yourself" is a fun little web game you'll enjoy. If the idea of an office worker offing himself in despair isn't amusing to you, then I'd avoid it.  
Just for Fun
Wednesday, April 04, 2007 7:22:27 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Do You Gnome Me?
Just for Fun
Tuesday, April 03, 2007 3:48:19 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, April 02, 2007
A Model of a Model
Just for Fun
Monday, April 02, 2007 7:45:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, March 30, 2007
Crazy Climbing Wall
Posted by Megan
via SciFi.com
I might actually be excited to go to the gym if they had one of these gorgeous climbing walls. 
Just for Fun
Friday, March 30, 2007 3:24:59 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, March 29, 2007
Mod or Fraud Quiz
Posted by Megan
via How About Orange I scored a 10 out of 16 on this super fun quiz that puts your fashion and furniture design knowledge to the test. Is it vintage or it new? 
Just for Fun
Thursday, March 29, 2007 7:22:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007
A Really Funny Idea
Posted by Megan
Blu Dot, fine purveyor of designer furniture and goods, commissioned a short film series to go with their "Good Design Is Good" campaign. The latest film, "Eric's Really Good Idea," features a trio of silver-painted monkeys who wreak havoc on a group of British students.
 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 3:59:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Recycled Paper. We Mean REALLY Recycled.
Just for Fun
Tuesday, March 27, 2007 2:05:09 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, March 12, 2007
Madness
Posted by Bryn
So, I'm the only one here at HOW HQ who gives a snap about the NCAA basketball tournament. As I was scouting the web this morning for my downloadable bracket, I ran across this ingenious little graphic representation, courtesy of the New York Times. 
Just for Fun
Monday, March 12, 2007 12:56:01 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Im On Ur Blog, Makin U Laff
Posted by MeganIt probably means I'm a big Web nerd, but I love this post from Fresh Spam. 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 3:12:47 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Which Is The Real Logo?
Just for Fun
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 9:15:00 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, February 22, 2007
Banana-Fana
Posted by Bryn
During the 2004 presidential election, the Coudal gang launched Lowercase Tee, which sold cute kiddie-size Ts with phrases like, "Mommy Wants a New President." Here's their latest effort, which cracked us up: 
Just for Fun
Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:40:35 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, February 21, 2007
C is for Colorful
Posted by Bryn
I like these alphabet portraits by photographer Neil Winokur, on exhibit at NYC's Janet Borden Gallery in Soho.
Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:40:56 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, February 16, 2007
Monkeeeee
Posted by MeganBestselling HOW books author and all around nice guy Jim Krause recently sent us a thank you in the form of this adorable monkey. How fabulous, indeed!
Just for Fun
Friday, February 16, 2007 2:13:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, February 12, 2007
Streaming Toons
Posted by Bryn
via Design DriveThruSurely there's nothing more entertaining than the vintage Loony Tunes episode, "The Rabbit of Seville." I just wasted about 5 minutes watching it, and I grinned like a 7-year-old through the whole thing. Warner Bros. has a site that streams old toons. Classic. 
Just for Fun
Monday, February 12, 2007 4:46:46 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Paint By Numbers
Posted by MeganCharity by Numbers, a benefit art auction for The Alliance for Children's Rights, features vintage paint-by-numbers pieces reinterpreted and transformed by leading underground fine artists. Nineteen of the paintings will be auctioned on eBay. You can see them here.
BEFORE
 AFTER  BEFORE  AFTER 
Just for Fun
Monday, February 12, 2007 3:31:55 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, February 09, 2007 Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Taking the Cake
Posted by
BrynRob's birthday is coming up, and we'll be traveling the few days before, so I'm worried that I won't have time to bake a cake. (Truth be told, cake-baking is one of the few culinary tasks that intimidate me.) So I asked Shalini Latour, author of a book published by HOW's parent company called " The Icing on the Cake" (and, oddly enough, my yoga teacher), to do the honors.
Just for Fun
Tuesday, February 06, 2007 5:47:43 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, February 01, 2007
Attack Of The Extraneous Apostrophes
Posted by Meganvia This Is Broken
Not only do these businesses need professional designers to create their signs, they really, really need some good editors.
 
There is an entire Flickr pool devoted to oddly place apostrophes.
Just for Fun
Thursday, February 01, 2007 7:53:25 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Hi, I'm a Mac
Posted by
Brynvia NussbaumOnDesignA parody on the "Hello, I'm a PC." "Hi, I'm a Mac." campaign. 
Just for Fun
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 6:43:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, January 29, 2007
Where Toys Go To Die (And Be Reborn)
Posted by MeganWhat happens when a G.I. Joe guy loses a leg or your kid gets tired of the Happy Meal toy he just had to have? Most of these castaways end up in the junk drawer or the landfill, but a lucky few make their way to Toy Lab where they're given new life by "kids" of all ages. A recent rainy Sunday found my husband and I picking out parts for our own Franken-toys.
I named mine the Interstellar Puppigator.
 Ben called his Carl G. Benson (don't ask me why).  Toy Lab is a unique outreach of Happen Inc.
that allows children (ages 6 and up) to create their own toys from
our massive
selection of “recycled” toy parts. Choose any seven pieces,
then fit and attach the parts with the help of our specially-trained
assemblers. In less than an hour you will have invented your very own, one-of-a-kind-in-the-whole-wide-world
toy!(A cool side note: The illustrations for the Happen Inc. website were donated by one of HOW's fave illustrators Chris Sickels.)
Just for Fun
Monday, January 29, 2007 7:43:07 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, January 22, 2007
This is Great Fun
Just for Fun
Monday, January 22, 2007 2:20:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, January 19, 2007
Packaging Disaster
Posted by Meganvia This Is Broken You need some scissors, so you stop by the store and grab a pair, only to discover that in order to get said scissors out of the package, you'll need a pair of scissors. Doh! 
Just for Fun
Friday, January 19, 2007 6:37:02 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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For Your Friday Afternoon, Time-Killing, Viewing Pleasure
Posted by
BrynSince you're not in Park City rubbing elbows with the likes of Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener, you can still be a part of the Sundance Film Festival scene. Well, not really. But you can watch the short films online. 
Just for Fun
Friday, January 19, 2007 4:36:21 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Off We Go!
Posted by
Carmen
As we’re prepping for our June issue, all about creativity, the drive to uncover inspiration is hot and heavy right now—as is my eagerness to be open to it. Fortunately, in less than a days’ time, I get to take advantage of all that: I’m heading to Haiti for 10 days with the group Lifeline. I can’t wait to open my eyes wide and just get out of my element—truly explore the horizons that the world offers. You ask anyone what some of their favorite hobbies are, and there are almost always two inevitables: nature and travel. These are also the things that seem to spark the most inspiration. Maybe it’s because they remind us that the world is so much bigger than us and puts us back in that childlike sense of awe, but I can’t wait for it. I fully expect to return brimming over with memories full of creative fuel.
And if you haven’t planned a winter retreat for yourself, why not take a minute and pretend? Click through the Flickr “travel” tags or browse the “world archive” part of the Lomography website. There’s definitely some sights there to get you started!
Let the adventures begin! Just for Fun
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 4:51:47 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Happy Thoughts
Posted by MeganIf you want to start out each day in 2007 on a good note, then Veer has a great screensaver for you. 365 Enjoy Every Moment provides a new happy image every day. Best of all, it's free! 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 6:34:22 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Packaging Disaster
Posted by Meganvia Boing Boing 
If you thought this was a bottle of delicious chocolate milk, you'd be completely wrong. Huh? But the label says Hershey's and looks like a chocolate bar. Yup, it sure does. This is the packaging for the actual chocolate milk:  See, it's chocolatier!
Just for Fun
Tuesday, January 09, 2007 3:36:42 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Holiday Buzz
Just for Fun
Wednesday, December 20, 2006 6:13:12 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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We Wish You a Flash-y Christmas
Posted by
BrynA fun little Flash animation for the holidays, from The Compass Group (thanks to Mark Sackett at Reflectur for the link). 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, December 20, 2006 1:43:04 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, December 19, 2006
An Interactive Christmas
Posted by MeganCheck out this amazing interactive origami Christmas greeting generator from RG/A. As you type in sentences, the site creates matching origami shapes. I tried typing the word Monkey as part of a sentence and it made an origami monkey face!
Just for Fun
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 2:30:34 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Riding The Line
Posted by MeganLine Rider is a cute, simple, interactive Flash toy. Use your mouse to draw lines and curves and then send a hapless sledder cruising down your creation.
Just for Fun
Tuesday, December 05, 2006 3:30:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Fun with Stop Motion
Just for Fun
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 4:38:12 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Fame + Bizarre Behavior = Celebrity Meltdowns
Posted by
BrynCame across this in the morning news: a new book just out from Melcher Media titled "Celebrity Meltdowns." But what really caught our eye is that it's a pop-up book, with terrific illustration by Mick Coulas. Watch Tom Cruise jump off Oprah's couch!  
Just for Fun
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 2:17:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, November 17, 2006
For Anyone in Portland, OR
Posted by
BrynFree artisanal coffee, a letterpress demo and discount on cool paper goods. Sounds like our kind of event, at Office in Portland.
Just for Fun
Friday, November 17, 2006 1:52:00 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Lucky Duck
Posted by
SarahOne HOW Forum member is having the Best Week Ever. Don't you wish you worked for his company? "Today we were informed we would be listening to a motivational speaker
at 11:00. We were all dreading this... yawn. So we were all called down
to the meeting area and were each handed an envelope. The owner then
informed us that our motivational speaker was none other than...
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN! We opened the envelopes and there were two one
hundred dollar bills inside! We were then herded on to a bus and taken
to the mall where we had ONE HOUR to spend it all on ourselves (not on
gifts for anyone else)!"
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 9:14:33 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Monday, November 13, 2006
Recycled Design
Just for Fun
Monday, November 13, 2006 8:33:12 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, November 10, 2006
Getting Into The Christmas Spirit(s)
Posted by Megan
Bryn just sent me a hillarious holiday greeting from a new Starbucks Christmas site. You can type in any text you want and choose a voice to read it back to the recipient of the e-card.
Just for Fun
Friday, November 10, 2006 2:41:19 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The Cult of Blythe
Posted by MeganIf you haven't already caught onto this craze, Blythe is a doll orginally made by Kenner in 1972. The dolls are highly collectible and owners even make clothes for their dolls. If you love Blythe, but your sewing skills aren't up to par, Squeaky Monkey offers handmade clothing to outfit your doll in the latest styles. 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, November 08, 2006 4:08:26 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, November 03, 2006
Midterm Madness
Posted by MeganNext Tuesday, Americans cast their votes in an especially heated midterm Congressional election that has plenty of armchair pundits speculating the winner of each seat from Rhode Island to Texas to California.
At WashingtonPost.com, would-be prognosticators can put their political savvy to the test through the interactive game, Midterm Madness, which might remind basketball fans of picking their favorites in March’s NCAA tournament. 
Just for Fun
Friday, November 03, 2006 3:40:54 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Friday, October 27, 2006
Dangerous Design
Posted by MeganJoining the viral video as advertising craze, Robin Garms and David Carr, from Publicis Dialog in London, made this film as part of the HP DesignJet Z2100/Z3100 campaign—new large format printers for designers and photographers. The idea was to create two characters, Berthold and Max—one a designer, the other a photographer—who shared a studio and a intense obsession with accuracy and detail.
Just for Fun
Friday, October 27, 2006 1:36:03 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 Monday, October 23, 2006
Those Paper Ads
Posted by
BrynSay what you will about those pesky paper inserts in every issue of HOW. But I just got a note from my dad, handwritten on the little fold-up notecard that he tore out of the Strathmore ad that's bound into the December issue, between pages 32 and 33. It reads, in part, "I am proud of what you and your team publish. Keep it up!" Boy, does that ever brighten up a girl's Monday afternoon! (If you have a minute right now, find your copy of the December issue, tear out that Strathmore ad between pages 32 and 33, and send a note to a favorite person.) 
Just for Fun
Monday, October 23, 2006 9:41:17 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, October 19, 2006
Painting Sushi on Rocks
Posted by Meganvia Craft 
You may never have seen the book Painting Animals on Rocks, but back in the day this was one of HOW's parent company's best-selling craft titles. I was never a huge fan of the animals, but these food-on-rock creations by artist Suzi Chua are more stunning and realistic than anything I've ever seen before. If the craft team decides to do a book called Painting Food on Rocks, I would happily buy a copy!  
Just for Fun
Thursday, October 19, 2006 6:46:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, October 17, 2006
The Science of Sleep
Posted by Megan
I saw "The Science of Sleep" on Saturday and I can't stop thinking about how it's really a perfect movie for designers. It's a love story of sorts, but it's really more about the power of creativity and what the world looks like when you have an overactive imagination. The movie's website captures the feel of the film perfectly and provides a nice interactive gem—a Flash-based interface that lets you make your own "stop-motion" animation using images from the movie.
Just for Fun
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 6:24:20 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, October 16, 2006
Seriously Viral
Posted by Megan
Lots of people forward viral marketing efforts to me. My friends and my husband are very internet saavy and always seem to know about the latest thing. So I was totally shocked when I got an email from my Grandpa Jack this morning with a link to the Snapalope Hunting Association of America, a seriously funny website promoting Slim Jim. And I was only one of the 25 people on Grandpa's email list. Marketers take note, Gen Y teenagers aren't the only ones who pass your viral videos on to their friends. Better start paying more attention to hip octogenarians.
Just for Fun
Monday, October 16, 2006 4:07:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Dude, Those Brownies Look Good
Posted by Meganvia Boing Boing
Adrants has a quick write-up about a new ad campagin from NORML:
With help from Spinach (the agency, not the food), pro-marijuana group
NORML placed shelf talkers in grocery stores directly adjacent to the
very products seemingly associated with feeding yourself weed. Very
nice media placement, indeed. 
Just for Fun
Wednesday, October 04, 2006 3:07:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Getty Makes Your Dreams Come True
Posted by Megan
Getty Images recently launched an online game with some great prizes. How it works: Players enter a virtual therapist’s office and select one of three Rorschach inkblots. For each inkblot chosen, 10 royalty-free images appear and players are challenged to find the image contained within the inkblot. After each “therapy session,” players are entered into a daily drawing to win $1,000. At the end of the promotion, all players who participated will additionally be entered into a drawing to win the fantasy experience of their choice (one winner will select an experience from among six options).
Play
Just for Fun
Tuesday, October 03, 2006 2:32:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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