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

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.

The creative geniuses at Aesthetic Apparatus recently released a series of posters inspired by OPEN/CLOSED signs. Hang one of these in your window and see what happens.

What began as a never-produced poster idea has propagated itself into a series of 9 mock OPEN/CLOSED signs. Double-sided yet possibly commercially-useless, these signs will relay to passers-by and potential customers that you're not really into categorizing your availability in such limited definitions like "open" or "closed."

via Draplin Design Co.

Posted by Megan

Here's the perfect gift for that special design guy in your life: PANTONE Cuff Links.

PANTONE cufflinks designed to resemble the iconic PANTONE chip are made from stainless steel for everlasting wear and feature coloured enamel in seasonal PANTONE colors. Each set of PANTONE cufflinks comes in a high gloss beautiful black signature box with white leather interior and a PANTONE leaflet showing the colors in that seasonal collection.

Posted by Megan

Packaging Engineer
Staples

• Work with various teams to create new structural packaging designs for Staples Brands Group (SBG) categories.
• Work with the Brand and Product Development teams to solve challenging packaging
problems and create new and exciting solutions for all global affiliates.
• Prepares and maintains specifications for internal and external services.
• Collaborate with the various teams to develop innovative structural packaging designs that enhance product features and are cost effective.
• Develop 2D dimensional drawings for paperboard and corrugated packaging and 3D CAD drawings for plastic –based packaging as needed.
• Involvement in all aspects of design from concept ideation and sketching to sampling and prototyping to manufacturing specifications.
• Manage categories and projects as needed. Manage projects to meet established time goals for product launch dates based on product briefs.
• Create die lines of components used for customer approval regarding packaging style and material specifications.
• Investigate new vendors and packaging innovation (materials, graphics, safety, etc.).
• Participates in defining the policy for the projects and prepares and maintains the relevant documentation.
• Must be able to manage a network of 3rd party designers on specialized projects. Interacts with designers and contract suppliers to jointly develop new and existing structures.

Posted by Megan

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

I've always been fascinated by the sketchbooks of illustrators, artists and designers. Seeing their work at its most raw is like peeking directly in the creative centers of their brains. When I came across Danny Gregory, who has formed a whole community around the idea of drawing and keeping a visual journal for personal growth, I knew he would be the perfect person to write a book that slips inside the secret pages of the visually creative. And I was right.

An Illustrated Life captures the hopes, dreams, fears and mundane musing of a talented group of professionals and amateurs. It will inspire you to pull out a fresh Moleskine and start filling up the pages. Danny made a great video that really captures the essence of the book. Check it out.

Posted by Megan

Assistant Professor, Graphic Design
Boston University

Responsibilities include teaching introductory level, upper level, and possibly graduate level courses in one or more of the following areas: Graphic/Information Design, Design Theory, Design Practice, Typography, Digital Imaging, 3-D Design, Animation, Multimedia Design, New Media. MFA graphic design, 3-5 yrs professional exp, prefer and/or college teaching exp. Knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and Flash. Video and Sound a plus. Additional responsibilities include curriculum development, departmental and university committees. Evidence of a substantive exhibition record would be helpful.

Posted by Megan

To see gorgeous typography in the most limited of spaces, check out this amazing collection of postage stamps created by type designers.


Gerrit Noordzij (b. 1931) is a Dutch teacher, type designer, and typographer. From 1960 through his retirement in 1990, he taught at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. He designed many books for Van Oorschot publishers and has written many articles about writing and type.


Julian Waters (b.1957) is a designer and calligrapher living near Washington D.C. In 1989 he succeeded Hermann Zapf in teaching annual lettering workshops at Rochester Institute of Technology. With clients including the USPS and National Geographic, he has received awards from the Type Directors Club, Art Directors Club, Print Magazine, and Letter Arts Review Annual.

Posted by Megan