A smattering of news this week from around the design industry:

• CTI Paper has released a digital version of its Aspire Petallics Pearl paper, suitable for printing on an HP Indigo digital press.

• Smith Micro has launched a free PoserFusion Lightwave plug-in that allows registered Lightwave users to incorporate figures created in Poser Pro into their animations.

• Digital imaging software developers Vertus and Imagenomic are bundling their photo-editing products Fluid Mask3, Noiseware Pro, Portraiture and RealGrain. The package offers a 20% savings and is available now through September 30.

• Toon Boom Animation announced an update to its Emmy award-winning software; Toon Boom Studio 4.5 now includes more export options (for iTunes and YouTube), and the new Flash importer lets users bring animation work directly into Adobe Flash.

• Extensis released its server-based font management system Universal Type Server for Macintosh and Windows clients.

• Pentagram partner Abbott Miller chose a very rare pine (previously thought to be extinct) as the subject of his new promotion for Mohawk Fine Papers' Options brand. Williamson Printing produced the piece. The mill also announced a 100% postconsumer-waste version of its Options paper that is formulated for printing on the HP Indigo system.

We're fond of illustrator Christoph Niemann, whose work manages to mix wit and deep concept in a really engaging way. Niemann recently moved his family from New York City to Berlin, and on NYTimes.com today (he's a regular OpEd contributor), he recounts a tale of redecorating the bathrooms in his home with interesting mosaic tiles. Among the projects, a bath for his subway-obsessed sons.

Director, Creative
Starbucks

This job contributes to Starbucks success by developing and evolving the visual look, feel, and tone of the Starbucks brand globally. Supports the marketing organization in the development and communication of visual strategy to achieve Starbucks financial and business objectives. Models and acts in accordance with Starbucks guiding principles.

Posted by Megan

This just in from FOH (that's friend of HOW) Justin Ahrens: He and his crew at Chicago-area design studio Rule29 have created a cool poster designed to encourage people to vote in this fall's election. Justin, Kerri Liu, Tim Damitz, Kara Merrick, Dan Hassenplug and Sarah Ahrens did the printing themselves as part of a mill tour at Appleton Coated; Appleton also donated the paper. They've posted a Flickr stream with pictures of the work in progress.

The Rule29 team identified 29 (natch) issues they felt were important for voters to learn about and consider during this election cycle, covering both sides of the political spectrum. They translated those issues into an illustrated U.S.map.

Rule29 is making the first 100 posters available for free to anyone who "pinkie-swears" to send a photo of the poster displayed somewhere in return. The rest of the run will be sold for $15 a pop. The firm has also created a website, 29 Reasons to Vote, where they're collecting the photos, and where you can request a poster.

I was just thumbing through the copy of In-House Design in Practice that just landed on my desk yesterday. It's Cathy Fishel's new HOW book that's part design annual and part business coach for in-house creatives.

In it, there's a great quote: "You can love your job, but it will never love you back." The quote reminded me of a conversation I was having with Steven Morris and Erin Sarpa not long ago as we discussed plans for their session at the upcoming In-HOWse Designer Conference. Steve, in particular, has tons of experience working with in-house teams at companies like Mattel, and he and Erin have interviewed a bunch if corporate design managers to find out what makes for a successful in-house career. They'll be talking about that in their session, Lovin' Your In-House Job.

Steve and Erin both advocate having a rich and rewardinglife outside the office, so you don't rely exclusively on your 9-to-5 gig for creative fulfillment. 'Cause there's only so much love you can expect from your day job.

Geronto Bis is a lovely font inspired by a letters engraved in the stone of a French Church. It was designed by Jack Usine and is available as a free download from Smeltery.

Posted by Megan

Community T-shirt site Threadless recently announced a call for entries for hand-drawn shirt designs.

Some of the best designs begin as a simple hand-drawn sketch. It's incredible how random drawings in sketchbooks, on coffee table napkins, or doodled across sticky notes become sweet pieces of art once fleshed out onscreen. Your challenge is to create an amazing tee based on your original drawing.

The prize list is extensive:   

* Wacom Cintiq 12WX tablet!
    * $750 Gift Certificate for the House Industries store!
    * $500 gift certificate for Utrecht!
    * A full set of Front Forty Books and CD's! Includes titles such ask Graffitecture, Matt Volla's Unruly Drawings, and Short Stories Illustrated By Artists.
    * Winning design (and designer!) to be featured in Print Magazine's February 2009 issue
    * An oversize poster from the Print Magazine 2008 New Visual Artists issue!
    * The 11-year retrospective Regional Design Annual DVD!
    * One year subscription to Print Magazine
    * $500 Threadless Gift Certificate (can be redeemed for $200 cash)
    * $2,000 in cash

Posted by Megan

Senior Interactive Graphic Designer
National Public Radio

The Senior Interactive Designer is responsible for daily art and design needs for NPR.org, the online presence of National Public Radio. Will be responsible for the design and production of news and other editorial graphics and interactive storytelling applications, including information graphics, charts, illustrations and maps. Will also occasionally create graphics for other NPR Digital Media initiatives, such as the NPR Shop and external digital marketing efforts.

Posted by Megan

I just booked my flight to San Francisco for the In-HOWse Designer Conference in October. I'm looking forward to spending three days with talented designers and experts figuring out to make in-house life and work even better. Will I see you there?

Posted by Megan