Design student Zumra Waheed created a delightful typeface based on high-heeled shoes for her Letterforms and Calligraphy class.

Posted by Megan

Design blog You the Designer points to 30 must-have logo books for any designer's reference library. The list highlights several HOW books, including Identity Crisis, Decoding Design and Secret Life of Logos.

Posted by Megan

Here's a bit of good news for a Monday: Registration for the 09 HOW Design Conference is now open! Visit HOWconference.com for the complete lineup of speakers, which includes the super-talented Michael Osborne, web-design visionary Cameron Moll, Austinites DJ Stout and Marc English (not presenting together, though I'd pay good money to see that), Photoshop guru Russell Brown, craftivist Kate Bingaman-Burt, Whole Foods in-housers Jill Hagelstein and Heather Kennedy, and the creative genii behind the Hoops & Yoyo phenomenon.

As if that weren't enough (and by gosh, dontcha think it oughta be??) ... we're hosting a first-ever marketplace for attendees who design, make and sell their own goods. And of course, all the extras you've come to expect like Studio Tours and a rockin' closing party.

Important linkage:

• Register before April 1 for the best price (and check out all the new package deals)
• Dig all the sessions
• Check the Conference Blog for news and scoop
• All about Austin

So, um, we're pretty excited. Join us, won't you?

Junior Art Director/Designer: Brand Response
AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah

Come work with one of the country’s most respected brands: AAA.

This job is at AAA headquarters in San Francisco. Please note that we (and this job) will be moving to Pleasant Hill in late 2009.

You’ll join a 14-person creative group committed to helping make the 100+ year old AAA brand speak with a fresh voice and make a positive impact on the lives of 4.3 million AAA Members in Northern California, Nevada & Utah.

Specific Skills

We’re looking for a junior art director/designer with:

• 2-5 years experience in developing consumer communications for major brands (agency or design firm experience preferred).

• experience producing direct-response communications, ideally this includes retail promotions and direct mail work.

• a portfolio that demonstrates a sensitivity to the interplay of concept, words and design. Online portfolio or PDF samples required.

• a strong background in print communications. Ideally this is complimented by an understanding of digital communications.

• a fondness for—or out-right love of—the AAA brand. A respect for AAA values, including workplace diversity.

Posted by Megan

And we thought writing a blog every day was hard ... then we find Embloggery, whose author is, you guessed it, stitching her (almost) daily entries. Sheesh.

The next time you need to communicate an important message, say it with cake! The Alphabet/Number Cake Pan allows you to create any letter or number using movable blocks in an aluminum pan.

Posted by Megan

Designer/Developer
Punchcut

We specialize in user interface design across all channels with a core focus on mobile user experience design.

If you’re looking to move beyond the web and design experiences for next-generation interfaces then Punchcut is the right place for you.

We’re looking for a designer with 3-5 years experience with portfolios that demonstrate not only conceptual thinking and unique creative solutions for complex interactive experiences but also demonstrate solid flash skills.

As a Designer at Punchcut, you will design projects across all channels and be responsible for understanding our client’s business and project goals, translating them into unique and thoughtful interactive experiences. The Designer will work with interaction designers and developers to implement visual design concepts into pixel-perfect, bullet-proof user interfaces that demonstrate a solid understanding of where visual design, interaction design, information architecture and technology come together to create smart, compelling and usable experiences across channels and devices. Your work will demonstrate innovative and appropriate navigation systems, solid typography, iconography, effective storytelling, an understanding of color theory with a meticulous attention to detail.

Posted by Megan

I saw brief preview of this stop-motion animated movie recently and thought it looked cool. Then I stumbled on the movie website created by Wieden+Kennedy and now my stomach aches in anticipation. Everything in the movie is made by hand: all the sets, all the puppets, all the props. There are little video snippets around the site that give a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the amazing miniatures. It will blow your mind!

Posted by Megan