These networks have been particularly helpful for me to figure out how best to illustrate certain things. They also have an excellent articles section with interviews of excellent designers, which is sometimes quite helpful as well.

This is so much fun and a great way to waste some time. I like to how different designs sound. Have a go!

http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix

ToneMatrix

I’ve been trying to figure out a way to allow other authors of the blog to be able to embed videos. I think the problem has been fixed now with the installation of a plug-in. If you are trying to post something with video and cannot embed, please let me know. If you are embedding video you can use the Upload/Insert dialogue icons on the top of the post or paste the code in the html editor (pasting in the visual editor may or may not work).

In the meantime enjoy this nice video from Charles and Ray Eames on the Polaroid SX-70. It not only made a great video to test with but also is a great camera which allowed users to adjust the depth of field/focus. In other Polaroid related news it appears a group of scientists are trying to revitalize the Polaroid system, read about it here.

I found this podcast last summer. It’s all about a comic shop clerk who ends up advising people through their problems in the store. All while using comic book lore and wisdom from the books they purchase.
Good stuff for comic book geeks, and here’s a favorite episode of mine.
They don’t get many episodes out, but they need a bigger following I think.
http://www.kylepiccolo.com/

So today, June 15th, marks National Man Day, or at least that is the hope of two brothers who managed to get National Man Day in Chase’s Calendar of Events. My favorite activity that they suggest one does on National Man Day is, “punch a gorilla in the face.” I thank facebook for bringing this day to my attention, and I also thank the internet for bringing me these gems this past week or so:

The open source embroidery project. More here.

Bret and Jemaine (Flight of the Concords) get illustrated on 35 different posters.

More augmented reality fun, this time with video games and you as a city destroying duck.

New type foundry Hype for Type.

Nice animation blog, 4mations.

Bumperstickers for your kicks.

Zombies + Calder = zombie mobile. And several other fun mobiles from Etsy seller SaltyandSweet.

18 inspiring title sequences.

The current issue of WallPaper has some sexy type.

Some nice typographic work by Jonathan Calugi.

Nice letterpress work by Studio On Fire.

Really nice designerly puzzle game, Little Wheel.

The post-it/pixel video Deadline. Be sure to check out the making of.

Giant Robot continues to bring some interesting work to its artxgame series.

Fun alphabet keychains. I want one, or at least RM.

The High Line project in New York opened up to rave reviews. More here. And for some interesting theory and about the design ideas go here. Diller Scofidio + Renfro continue to be some of the top architectural thinkers out there.

Takashi Murakami’s SuperFlat First Love.

Nice woodcut illustrations by Roman Klonek. Also check out his site.

Nice Paul Rand tribute site.

Today is Friday! And we are a few steps closer to the end of the EMU Spring term (a little over 2 weeks left). And as we prepare for a fun-filled weekend feast your eyes on some of these gems found recently on the webs:

Above, a video from E3 this past week showcasing Microsoft’s new development in facial recognition and full body sensing for gaming. More about it here.

A great student film by SVA student Jake Armstrong.

Crayola packaging old and new.

Great post about the making of the Rakes 3rd album cover.

Infographics from GOOD magazine.

Or try some nonsense infographics.

Nice work by Way Shape Form.

Sweet interactive music video.

The return of photolettering.

Nice screenprints by Tyler Stout.

Beautiful opener for CaT (Creativity and Technology Conference).

Digital animation pioneer John Whitney’s Matrix III (there is no Neo and Agent Smith in this one).

Great TED talk on tribes in modern day society.

Photographer Richard Mosse on Saddam’s Palaces.

A survey of the uniforms found from the short lived Women’s Professional Basketball league.

Beautiful music video by Dirk Rauscher.

CardonCopy. The work of one man redesigning bad fliers posted around town.

A great online resource of Wood Type ornaments, catalogs, etc.

Library of Congress releases some beautiful and stunning photos of the Great Depression.

Chi-town’s Delicious Design League. And there is a video of them too.

Cute pixel based films.

Logo trends for 2009.

Need some idea of what to sketch or doodle, try using the Brainstormer.

Lastly, Litebrite + blackletter = pretty.

In preparation for the future re-design I have recently upgraded the version of Wordpress this blog runs on. Those of you who make posts will notice a difference in the user interface. If you want to get better acquainted with the new version you can visit Wordpress.org for more information.

In addition to the upgrade I deleted several users who made few contributions over the years. Those of you who I have personally invited or who asked for access still have access. If for some reason anything happened to your account password lost, posts missing, etc. please let me know, or if you wish to still contribute let me know and I can reinstate the account.