Another printed piece I found out in Philly. A 52 pg catalog for the “Famous Artist Schools” (Westport Connecticut). Beautiful two color printing on the inside, and that cover is amazing.
Again, more images over at the Flickr
Art School for Everyone
Letraset Architectural Graphic Aids
Found this little gem in Philly this weekend amongst many other great book finds. I’ll post some more of them here as I get a chance to scan them. This Letraset catalog is from 1982 and appears to be geared toward the usage of Letraset for architectural drafting purposes. Within it is an extensive presentation of nearly every non-type based letraset sheet of the time including cars, foliage, people, patterns, symbols, mapping symbols, etc. Here are some highlights.
1982 Letraset Catalog:
More over at My Flickr Set.
Obligatory Year End Post
With the passing of 2009, it’s almost a requirement that every blog post a best of worst of list or a top ten of whatever. I’m following suit with some of of my favorite things, people, and places of 2009.
Favorite Albums of 2009:
Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement
Rarely does an album come along that captures a spirit and a place in time like “A Strange Arrangement” does. As a lover of Motown soul (along with soul music in general), Hawthorne’s debut album was like a slice of forgotten americana. Smooth, deep, real, but without the overly sarcastic balance to the age’s innocence that a singer like Amy Winehouse delivered (bad reference, I know). Sure, A Strange Arrangement veers slightly off the thematic path of the time, but without affecting the aesthetic of the album. Really interested to see where Mayer Hawthorne goes with his career. Oh, and if you’re reading this, call me.
Raekwon - Only Built for Cuban Linx Pt. II
After a long wait for this one, I have to say it was all worth it. Tracks like “New Wu” and “Surgical Gloves” will always get rotation for me. There’s a fair amount of filler on the album, but it’s notably better filler than one has come to expect from Wu solo projects. There’s something incredibly comforting about hearing an unexpected Ghostface, Deck, or GZA verse suddenly fill your ears.
Clipse - Till The Casket Drops
With a mix of production beyond the Pharrell staples we’ve come to know and love, TTCD has a unique depth to it that we haven’t seen from previous Clipse albums. The addition of DJ Khalil on “Footsteps” and “Kinda Like a Big Deal” were a welcome change, but Neptunes tracks like “Door Man”, “I’m Good”, and the Cam’ron assisted “Popular Demand” definitely are not overshadowed.
Honorable Mention:
Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3
Rick Ross - Deeper Than Rap
P.O.S. - Never Better
DOOM - Born Like This
Favorite Books read in 2009
Design For The Real World by Victor Papanek
While originally written nearly 40 years ago, many of the issues that Papanek began to write about are now coming into full focus. His uncanny commitment towards user centered design along with ecological and social concerns were extremely rare for his time period. While many of the actual lessons he speaks of are now rather out of date, his approach to problem solving is inspiring, and many of the ideals are still generally applicable today.
Design As Art by Bruno Munari”
I read this book shortly after completing “Design For The Real World” and found it to be quite a complimentary text. The Munari book is a quick read (I finished it between two flights), though is not at a loss for substance. One part that stuck out at me was his comments on a wooden spoon used for stirring pots. Over time the spoon shows us what shape it should be by its patterns of usage. Flat on one side, curved on the other (From rubbing against the corners of a pot). What we don’t realize is that over time we have eaten those portions of the spoon that have been worn away. Tasty.
Michael Beirut - 79 Short Essays on Design
This isn’t a book. It’s a cookie platter. Beirut gives us 79 short essays (usually two to four pages) about various topics. Some are about design, some are not. This is offset by one of the first chapters in which Beirut describes one of his earliest design assignments and his catastrophic failure to marry content and form due to his unfamiliarity with the subject. This sets the tone to completely obliterate the “design related” part of some of his essays, as in some ways all things and nothing are related to design. Designers are constantly working with varying content, an the less we understand that content the more we will fail. Therefore, designers must be interested in everything, and while sometimes straying well off the path of a “design essay”, Beirut always finds fruit in these tangents.
Honorable Mention:
Never Sleep: Graduating to Graphic Design by Andre Andreev
How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer by Debbie Millman
Favorite Objects of 2009:
Definitely not a paper cup, this travel mug is a dead-ringer porcelain version with a rubber lid to prevent spilling. Super strong, dishwasher safe, pretty amazing. I have two of them for myself and have bought three for other people. It’s (aside from my electronics) my favorite object ever. Don’t over-think it.
Kind of a no-brainer here. “Would you like to have the summation of the world’s knowledge in your pocket at all times (as long as you get their spotty 3G coverage or aren’t on a plane)?” Yes, please. And make it super sexy too. Thanks.
No secret I like Nikes over here. These came out late this year (September), and while they were perhaps a little late to jump on the vulcanized sole bandwagon, they are definitely my favorite shoes currently in rotation. Retrofitting the Dunk Hi with black canvas and the updated white sole make the shoe feel completely different from any Dunk you’ve ever worn, imagine something closer to a pair of new Chucks with more structure. The all black canvas uppers show a sense of refinement and lend a simple sophistication to the contrasting white. If I could buy ten more of these I would.
Honorable Mention:
PS3 Slim
Comme des Garcons wallet
Glass Water Bottles (re-used soda bottles from something like this)
Favorite People of 2009:
Kinda biased here as she is my girlfriend, but regardless Sarah’s amazing (hi!). An incredibly talented designer in her own, she also happens to be one of those people who makes life worth living for me. Three years ago New Year’s night this girl changed my life forever. It’s been an amazing journey that’s far from over. Hopefully one day we’ll pick a couple cities within a few hundred miles of each other to live in, but until then my heart resides in Philly.
Rob Angermuller & Celeste Prevost
I kinda cheated with this one, but Rob and Celeste are both designers working out of the twin cities. Responsible for some great work at local agencies and some greater work on the freelance side of things, these two have swept up the cities in a matter of a couple years. Great people to chat and share a nice drink or dinner with. These two also have moves, as was witnessed by anybody attending the latest Wants Vs. Needs (shout out to the whole Wants Vs. Needs crew!). I look forward to seeing them grow and being friends for some time, and will continue to lobby them to open Baron and Fine LLC. if for nothing else simply for the name. Thanks guys.
I first met Ned a few years ago at a portfolio review where I seemingly mistakenly tried to hire him and his friend Kyle Fletcher as interns at an agency I was working at. We ended up losing ned to Space 150 where he has continued to work and grow into a damn fine Senior Designer. Years later as fate would have it I was hired on (largely in part to a Ned co-sign) at Space to help out in the Senior Designer slot as well. Ned has been a welcoming presence at the new job, always ready to lend an ear and to show me the ropes in the new space. I consider Ned to be a friend, peer, co-worker, and inspiration. Here’s to 2010, buddy. Let’s get ‘em.
Honorable Mention:
Taylor Pemberton
Everybody at Space 150
Jason, Bartender at the Monte Carlo
Favorite Local Spots of 2009:
Over the last six or seven years I’ve probably enjoyed lunch or a light dinner at Jasmine no fewer than several hundred times. With fresh salads, fantastic rice plates, traditional soups, and the best Bahn Mi you’ll find anywhere, I highly recommend it. Tell Luke that Greg sent you.
Bar none best coffee in Minneapolis. Luckily it’s located right underneath my office and is staffed by some of the nicest people you’d find anywhere. Favorites include the Huevos Rancheros, and about any of their freshly baked muffins.
Claiming to be the oldest bar in Minneapolis (1907), The Monte Carlo boasts classic supper club food with a dignified environment that’s not at all stuffy. Their bar alone is a thing of wonder. Organized by geographic origin, the full four feet of Highland Scotch is an intimidating but rewarding experience. More Glen’s than I’ve ever seen in my life.
Honorable Mention:
Cuzzy’s
Origami
The Ideal Diner
So that’s it. I hope you and yours have an amazing year, until then.
Ryan Plumbing And Heating
I have No Idea who Ryan Plumbing and Heating is in Minneapolis & St. Paul. Never heard of them. So, imagine my surprise when I walked out of the office today and saw this beautiful hand-painted van sitting across the street. So, if your pipes freeze in the winter, I’m definitely not saying you shouldn’t give them a call. Just on the strength of their lettering.
From a Pheonix to a Dove
After what seems like an eternity of work, the Mike Mictlan Prizefight video is finally finished. I’m incredibly proud of how it turned out. Thanks to everyone who helped out with the project. Seth Walker did an amazing job with the website, and also had to deal with the distinct displeasure of having to work with me (designers are the worst clients). Izzak Berenson-Allan, helped us in crafting a custom typeface for title treatments in between slashing down small german streets on a fixie and swearing. Victor Rukavina, my co-director, came through big time by overseeing all aspects of the shooting of the video (along with the expert aid of Jake Gardner and Andrew Melby). He also did an amazing job cutting the main edit that was used as a base for the layered video. Friend and new daddy (CONGRATS!)David Schwen lent a hand in putting the final touches on the final render. Of course, all couldn’t have happened without the constant attention of Ander from Doomtree. Thank you.
Check it out: http://www.doomtree.net/prizefight
Swank Dollar
It’s a cold winter
It’s supposed to snow tomorrow. Not excited about that. But I did come across that severely racist drawing of a Inuit on a freezer bag box. Amazing. It’s making me think of what a long horrible winter we have in store.
Gonna be out in Philly for a bit again soon. Looking forward to trying to catch as many of these as possible.
Gettin’ Fed Lead Burgers
Long time for no blog entry, I know. I’m sure both of you are incredibly disappointed. Been working at the the new job, getting moved into the new apartment, trying to finish up the Mictlan “Prizefight” Video”. Almost there. Really close. It’ll be worth the weight (wait).
On an unrelated note I went to Design Camp last weekend. Ran into some great people I haven’t seen for awhile including Bill Moran, a faculty member from when I was at MCAD, and current Artistic Director at the Hamilton Wood Type Museum. Definitely going to go pay him a visit soon. Suggest you do the same. Also ran into Aaron Draplin, always a pleasure to talk with that guy. Not enough nice things to say about him. Lots of other new friends from design camp, tons of fun, even though it rained all weekend.
While I was up north I ducked into a few stores, found one thing I wanted to post on here with the quickness. Ran into an old antique store in Pine River that was (sadly) going out of business. Good news: everything was half off. Bad news: Probably the reality for a lot of stores up there. Regardless I found a ton of great stuff. Mainly old manuals and books. One cookbook collection yielded these Hamburger recipe pages that had some amazing title illustrations that seemed more suited for Old School Hip-Hop flyers than for Better Homes and Gardens.
Oh, and that new Raekwon is really good. Get fed lead burgers.
Aesthetic Apparatus Half Off Sale
If you’re in Minneapolis tomorrow (Friday) and you want some amazing art for super cheap, be sure to stop by the Aesthetic Apparatus Half Off Sale. The press release goes like this:
ONE DAY ONLY. IN STORE ONLY! Take half off Aesthetic Apparatus posters and prints from 10AM to 5pm FRIDAY AUGUST 14 - THAT’S TOMORROW!. Some restrictions may apply. CA$H is always appreciated!
THIS SALE DOES NOT APPLY TO ONLINE PURCHASES. (sorry)
OH! And, unfortunately, The Dead Weather prints we did will only be $10 off their regular price of $40.
COME SEE US AT:
2215 SNELLING AVENUE • MPLS • 55404
612.339.3345
Near Coastal Seafoods and United Noodles
Do it.
On Going Into Space
I have decided to accept a Senior Designer position at Space 150 here in Minneapolis. Starting August 24th I will officially have a new “nine to five” home in the North Loop. I believe it’ll be a really great fit and a good opportunity to exercise some specific skills. Good to be a working man again. Now if i can just work out that waking up before noon bit.
