Is type taking over home decor? Here's a lovely shelf from Pottery Barn Kids that celebrate letters from A to Z.



via Smissmiss

Posted by Megan

Tomorrow, I'm off to Chicago's Hyatt Regency hotel for HOW's first-ever Creative Freelancer Conference, where I'll be mingling with 225+ independent-minded creative types.

For the first time, I'll feel like an attendee at one of our conferences, as this one is geared not just toward designers but also to people like me: writers (and also illustrators, photographers and other creative pros). Like most creatives, I've had opportunity to do some freelancing, either between "real" jobs or on the side. So I'm quite interested in what the speakers have to say, and keen to network with other "solopreneurs."

Assuming my schedule and internet access go as planned, I intend to do some live blogging from the event, so stay tuned Wednesday through Friday.

If you're joining us for this conference, you'll find me here:

Graphic Designer, Business Marketing
Google Inc.

As a Graphic Designer with an egalitarian approach toward all programs, you are able to transform statistics, text and abstract concepts into persuasive and elegant informational presentations. A requirement of this job is that you have the ability to create polished presentations – often with little advance notice. Additionally, you'll assist sales teams in the field, as well as less-experienced designers, with their design projects. This is a fast-paced, high-pressure, often unpredictable – but thoroughly enjoyable – environment in which you'll work closely with Sales teams to create other collateral such as pitch books, posters, signage, brochures, direct-mail pieces, logos, Web graphics and other customer print projects for use around the world.

Posted by Megan

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.