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# Thursday, November 05, 2009
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Funny Logo

Upside down, the Doge Viper logo looks suspiciously like Daffy Duck.



via Boing Boing

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Thursday, November 05, 2009 1:40:31 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, November 04, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, November 02, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, October 30, 2009
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Halloween Fun

You'd figure creatives would go all-out with their Halloween costumes, and the folks at Greteman Group in Wichita, KS, are no exception. The staff divided into 3 teams for a costume throwdown. Check out the themes, and then vote for your favorite group. (We kind of like the seasonally appropriate Sickos, but have to give huge props to the Day of the Dead team's awesome costumes.)





Posted by Bryn

Designers | Just for Fun
Friday, October 30, 2009 4:06:31 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, October 07, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Friday, October 02, 2009
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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 Project

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Friday, October 02, 2009 1:16:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, September 02, 2009
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Photos Reimagined

British photographer Mike Stimpson has quite the following, thanks to his re-creations of iconic photos (think: guy in front of tanks on Tienanmen Square) in ... Legos. Brilliant! See a gallery on The Daily Beast, then check out Stimpson's portfolio.





Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Wednesday, September 02, 2009 9:35:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [2] 
# Monday, August 31, 2009
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Something New

Learn Something Everyday is a charming blog, by Manchester-based design firm Young, where they illustrate a little-known fact every day.







via The Donut Project

Posted by Megan


Illustration | Just for Fun
Monday, August 31, 2009 3:10:03 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [2] 
# Thursday, August 27, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [3] 
# Tuesday, August 18, 2009
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The Pleasure of Correspondence

I found this project totally charming: In April, Lenka Clayton and Michael Crowe mailed handwritten letters out of the blue to all 460-some households in a small Irish town. Some notes were jotted on found paper, others on stationery. They've documented it in Mysterious Letters.



Many of the notes expressed lovely sentiments, like an appreciation for "all the things you do that no one noticed" or best wishes for a beautiful day. All were signed, "with love."

via design*sponge

Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 6:15:54 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, August 10, 2009
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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 Project

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Monday, August 10, 2009 6:57:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, July 27, 2009
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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 Boe

Posted by Jessie


Just for Fun
Monday, July 27, 2009 4:55:09 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Thursday, July 09, 2009
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That's So Creepy

Friend of HOW Dave Fletcher of NY firm theMechanism sent along this link to a collection of the 15 creepiest vintage print ads. Check out all 15 on the Retro Comedy blog (fair warning about the super-annoying am/pm popup ad on the page banner).





Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Thursday, July 09, 2009 4:43:37 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [2] 
# Wednesday, July 01, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Monday, June 29, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [6] 
# Monday, June 22, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
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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)  #  Comments [4] 
# Monday, June 15, 2009
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Just A Hunch

Hunch is new web service that answers vague queries with interesting results by asking probing questions. "What typeface should I use?" led to a series of six questions and then to a recommendation of Franklin Gothic. I also asked it what I should pack for lunch and it suggest a PB&J, which sounds pretty good.



via Boing Boing

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Monday, June 15, 2009 5:51:10 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, June 11, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [3] 
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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 Boing

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Thursday, June 11, 2009 1:30:23 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, June 02, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Monday, June 01, 2009
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Hip to be Square

Over my Sunday morning coffee, I spotted the New York Times' review of the new Nissan Cube (a competitor to the Scion xB), and then saw Core77's post about it this morning. I'm digging the boxy shape, the cool wraparound rear window and the accessory-packed interior. (Lord knows, it must have better cupholders than the industrial-design disasters in my otherwise-beloved Jetta wagon.) More on the 2009 model on the official Cube website.






Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Monday, June 01, 2009 4:44:10 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Thursday, May 28, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [4] 
# Monday, May 04, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Monday, April 20, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, April 16, 2009
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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.



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Thursday, April 16, 2009 7:11:33 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Friday, April 10, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Friday, March 27, 2009
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New Math


Craig Damrauer uses math equations to illustrate concepts that aren’t math with amusing results.







via Neatorama

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Friday, March 27, 2009 4:33:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Friday, March 20, 2009
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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. $975

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Friday, March 20, 2009 4:29:54 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
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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 GREENfrom 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, March 13, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, March 09, 2009
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"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.

 

Posted by Jessie


Designers | Just for Fun
Monday, March 09, 2009 6:08:40 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, March 06, 2009
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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 Details

Are 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, February 20, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Thursday, February 12, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
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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.



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:15:11 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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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 Neatorama

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:57:18 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Wednesday, February 04, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, January 30, 2009
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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 Orange

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Friday, January 30, 2009 4:25:14 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, January 28, 2009
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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IKEA Oval Office

Want change in Washington? Now you can redecorate 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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Friday, January 09, 2009
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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 Neatorama

Posted by Megan


Illustration | Just for Fun
Friday, January 09, 2009 4:20:21 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [3] 
# Thursday, January 08, 2009
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Just ... Wow

We're blown away by a collection of tilt-shift photography posted on Smashing Magazine's website. We asked ourselves the same thing: What's tilt-shift photography? It's a technique that's been around for ages, which Wikipedia tells us "refers to tilting the lens relative to the image plane and using a large aperture to achieve a very shallow depth of field." Tilt-shift creates imagery that looks miniaturized, as if you're looking at a model train layout.

The photo below of Boston's Fenway Park is from the collection, by photographer B Tal. The site Cheapshooter.com has more info. Nifty!

via VeryShortList



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Thursday, January 08, 2009 4:08:59 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, December 18, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Friday, December 12, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
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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.
Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Friday, December 12, 2008 1:31:11 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, December 11, 2008
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'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!!



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Thursday, December 11, 2008 1:43:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, December 09, 2008
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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).



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 8:43:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
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Happy Monster Holidays

Celebrate the season with a festive Daily Monster.

Posted by Megan


HOW Books | Just for Fun
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 2:26:38 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Thursday, December 04, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, November 24, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, November 20, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, November 14, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, November 13, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, November 07, 2008
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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!

WrigleyPortrait.JPG Wrigley_proof.jpg

Posted by Bryn

Illustration | Just for Fun
Friday, November 07, 2008 1:36:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, November 06, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, November 03, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, October 28, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Monday, October 27, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, October 16, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, October 10, 2008
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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 Song


Here’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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, October 08, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, October 01, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, September 29, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, September 26, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Friday, September 05, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, September 03, 2008
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More Design Humor

Is it me, or is there a lot of design humor floating around the interwebs these days?

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

via The Denver Egotist

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Wednesday, September 03, 2008 5:47:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, August 08, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
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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 Craft

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 4:31:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [4] 
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, July 18, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, July 14, 2008
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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 Neatorama

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Monday, July 14, 2008 7:39:01 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, July 10, 2008
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More Zombie Fun

I was poking around web designer Matthew Inman's portfolio when I came across a disturbing quiz called "What are your chances of surviving a zombie apocalypse?" Despite having read many, many books on the subject of surviving such an event, I only scored 37%. I really need to stock up on canned goods and guns.

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Thursday, July 10, 2008 6:37:45 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, July 03, 2008
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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 neatorama

Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Thursday, July 03, 2008 3:34:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, June 27, 2008
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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 Photojojo

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Friday, June 27, 2008 1:53:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, May 16, 2008
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So Totally NOT Design-Related

I cannot wait for this show to air on PBS this fall.



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Friday, May 16, 2008 4:55:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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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 Orange

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:12:15 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
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Optical Illustion

If you squint, you can read the title of this album designed by Trevor Jackson.

via Neatorama

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 2:00:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [3] 
# Friday, May 09, 2008
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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.

Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Friday, May 09, 2008 2:09:51 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Friday, May 02, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, April 21, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, April 10, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, April 09, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, April 07, 2008
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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 Swissmiss

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Monday, April 07, 2008 5:31:10 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Friday, April 04, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, April 02, 2008
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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.



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Wednesday, April 02, 2008 3:56:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, March 28, 2008
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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.



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun | Typography
Friday, March 28, 2008 5:20:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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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.

Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:45:25 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [2] 
# Monday, March 24, 2008
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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.




Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Monday, March 24, 2008 8:28:41 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
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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




Posted by Bryn

Industry News | Just for Fun
Monday, March 24, 2008 12:33:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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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 Forum

Posted by Bryn


Just for Fun
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 1:44:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [2] 
# Thursday, March 13, 2008
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More Pop Culture Fun

Ah, swissmiss, you're finding all kinds of fun things for us today. Like this Flickr pool of song charts.




Just for Fun
Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:57:48 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
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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

Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:13:03 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, March 11, 2008
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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.



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 3:51:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Wednesday, March 05, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, February 28, 2008
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Overheard In The Office

All you in-house designers who work in cubicles will love the book I just received as a belated birthday gift: Overheard in the Office, Conversations from Water Coolers, Conference Rooms and Cubicles.

Overheard in a HOW Books meeting today: "A journal is just like a book with nothing printed in it."

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:33:08 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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From the Almanac

Just so you know ... there's a total lunar eclipse happening tonight, with the peak at around 10:30 eastern time.



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 4:24:22 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, February 14, 2008
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
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We're in the Mood for Love

via VeryShortList

Chris 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.



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:06:10 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, February 13, 2008
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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.



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:28:20 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, January 28, 2008
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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 Fly

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Monday, January 28, 2008 4:51:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, January 17, 2008
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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?



Posted by Carmen

Just for Fun
Thursday, January 17, 2008 7:42:03 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, January 10, 2008
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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.

Posted by Megan


Designers | Just for Fun
Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:37:32 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Thursday, December 20, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
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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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Wednesday, December 12, 2007
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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?

Posted by Carmen

Creativity | Just for Fun
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:29:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, December 11, 2007
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Just In Time For Your Office Holiday Party

Don't let this happen to you.

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 3:31:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [2] 
# Thursday, November 29, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [3] 
# Monday, November 19, 2007
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Yeah, it's Quiet Around Here, Too ...

Megan's off this week (dawg!), Bridgid's at a photo shoot and the rest of us are batting clean-up. Sure is quiet around here. Where it's NOT quiet is over on the HOW forum, where slow holiday weeks seem to prompt folks to post more than ever. Sheesh! Everyone's looking to kill time today! Are you???

Play Forum Scrabble

Play Picture Association

Join the Wine Thread


Post a Joke



Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Monday, November 19, 2007 7:30:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, November 15, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, October 31, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, October 19, 2007
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Friday Treats

The HOW staff was welcomed this morning by a box of yummy brownies sent to us by HOW Conference Speaker and HOW Books author Sam Harrison.



Besides being a super nice guy, Sam is also incredibly creative and inspirational. To get a taste of his genius, check out Ideaspotting: How to Find Your Next Great Idea.

Posted by Megan


HOW Books | Just for Fun
Friday, October 19, 2007 4:22:14 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, October 17, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, October 16, 2007
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"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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, October 02, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
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Science Is Beautiful

Proof that science can be beautiful: Moon Mapping from the U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Research Project.


via 30gms

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Tuesday, October 02, 2007 6:54:17 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, October 01, 2007
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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.

Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Monday, October 01, 2007 4:50:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, September 28, 2007
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Overheard On The Forum

On the HOW Forum today, they're twittering about some hilarious pages from a 1975 J.C. Penney's catalog. These guys are priceless:

Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Friday, September 28, 2007 7:11:03 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, August 30, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, August 29, 2007
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We (heart) eBay

Just for Fun
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 7:35:45 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, August 28, 2007
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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.

Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:19:34 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, August 24, 2007
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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.


Posted by Bryn

Just for Fun
Friday, August 24, 2007 1:29:47 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, August 21, 2007
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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:


women-bath2.jpg

Just for Fun
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 8:03:55 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, August 16, 2007
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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



Posted by Bryn



Just for Fun
Thursday, August 16, 2007 4:45:32 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, August 10, 2007
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Tiny Chairs
As an avid collector of miniature chairs, I was super excited to read about the current exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. "Have a Seat! The Beylerian Collection of Small Chairs" is showing through Oct. 28.
“The main idea behind the years of collecting miniature chairs has been my interest in exploring the tremendous variation in the design of a chair,” Beylerian said.


Posted by Megan


Just for Fun
Friday, August 10, 2007 2:12:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, August 08, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
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News of the Weird
Posted by Bryn

via VSL

I'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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, August 07, 2007
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Fun With Photography
Posted by Megan

The 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, July 27, 2007
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Fun Friday
Posted by Megan

via 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, July 26, 2007
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Office Trunk
Posted by Megan

I 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, July 11, 2007
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We Knew It Was Too Good To Be True
Posted by Megan

We 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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, July 10, 2007
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Pencil Revolution
Posted by Megan

If 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)  #  Comments [0] 
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Seen On The HOW Conference Forum
Posted by Megan

Danielle p just posted this photo of a Boston highway sign proclaiming the 2008 HOW Conference. (You'll have to be registered on the HOW Conference Forum to access the link.)


Just for Fun
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 1:24:40 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, June 27, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Tuesday, June 26, 2007
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If The Web Existed in 1980
Posted by Megan

The 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, June 21, 2007
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A Quiz For True Typophiles
Posted by Megan

One of my fave blogs, How About Orange, often posts fun design-centric quizzes. Arial or Helvetica is the most maddening. I dare you to give it a try.


Just for Fun
Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:19:49 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Friday, June 08, 2007
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Design Can Be Scary
Posted by Megan

Have 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, May 31, 2007
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Half Hearted
Posted by Megan

Ad 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, May 30, 2007
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Mac Porn
Posted by Megan

via 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, May 25, 2007
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sweet suite
Posted by tricia

via 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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, May 22, 2007
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Desk Pets
Posted by Megan

If you've got an Xacto knife, a glue stick and a spare 15 or 20 minutes, you can build yourself a fun pet for your desk. I made the red bird and the orange monkey yesterday. You could make a whole army of rainbow colored monkeys. Or not.




Just for Fun
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 8:54:06 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, May 18, 2007
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A Long Shot
Posted by Bryn

via VeryShortList

This 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, May 16, 2007
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DIY Printing
Posted by Megan

via 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)  #  Comments [1] 
# Monday, May 14, 2007
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Hue Knows
Posted by Megan

Color consultant Rachel Perls recently posted an interesting challenge on her color blog. She provides three photos of all white interiors for visitors to color in Photoshop. It's a fun way to experiment with color combinations, patterns and textures.




Just for Fun
Monday, May 14, 2007 2:23:39 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, May 11, 2007
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What's In A Name
Posted by Bryn

Via VeryShortList

I 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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, May 10, 2007
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Paper Toys
Posted by Megan

All of a sudden, I'm seeing paper toys everywhere. They're great because you can just download a PDF, cut out the pieces and put them together to make an instant desk accessory. Here's a cute bunny toy I found on Craftzine.com, a lucky bamboo plant found on How About Orange and an elephant found on Paper Forest.


Just for Fun
Thursday, May 10, 2007 4:02:16 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Tuesday, April 17, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Poetry in Motion
Posted by Bryn

link via Very Short List

Poet Billy Collins reads his work, accompanied by animation and motion design. Stunning.



Just for Fun
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 4:52:04 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, April 06, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Wednesday, April 04, 2007
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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.

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Just for Fun
Wednesday, April 04, 2007 7:22:27 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [2] 
# Tuesday, April 03, 2007
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Customize Your Laptop
Posted by Megan

What's cooler than a 17-inch Power Book? A 17-inch Power Book that's been laser etched with a sweet design. Both Urban Retro Lifestyle and MAKE have posts on this warrenty-voiding trend.

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Just for Fun
Tuesday, April 03, 2007 5:03:48 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
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Do You Gnome Me?
Posted by Megan

In honor of HOW's associate editor Carmen Pease, who's in sunny San Diego for the Y Conference, here's a link to a great roundup of gnome products and accessories on home-style blog Shelterrific.


Just for Fun
Tuesday, April 03, 2007 3:48:19 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, April 02, 2007
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A Model of a Model
Posted by Bryn

via designBytes

"Plastic replicas of fake copies of these great buildings": The new Las Vegas Miniland at Legoland in Carlsbad, CA, boasts a replica of, among other Vegas attractions, the ersatz New York New York. All using 2 million tiny building blocks.



Just for Fun
Monday, April 02, 2007 7:45:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, March 30, 2007
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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)  #  Comments [2] 
# Thursday, March 29, 2007
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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?

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Just for Fun
Thursday, March 29, 2007 7:22:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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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)