Happy New Years!

Would you like some Ground Pepper?

New mix by friend Mr. David Hollands was released this weekend. Please feel free to enjoy these sexy tech-house grooves!
David Hollands - Ground Pepper by davidhollands

Welcome to my winter hell.

Winter is here again and with it a regiment of evil soldiers has taken up a fortified position in my sinuses. It's wonderful winter allergies. While yes I do prefer having winter allergies over summer allergies, this realization doesn't seem to take the moment by moment sting out of dealing with them.

So forgive me if I am a little lax in regards to my posts this winter season.

Analog Past

A fantastic find from Artefact Antiques located in Furlong Pennsylvania. I spotted this dial housed inside of a vintage Zenith radio cabinet. The cabinet was nothing more then a husk of its former self, missing all of its internals the only remaining element was the beautiful Zenith dial. At only thirty dollars this was a bargain indeed but I had very little use for a small dresser sized cabinet. I was fortunately able to barter the owner into allowing me to separate the heart from the scarecrow. Measuring 9 inches across and protected by space-age glass this typographic and mechanical wonder has found a happy new home. Will post more pics once I get it framed.

Wink Creative 2010 Selected Works

A wonderful gift from good friend Brent Gairy, of Touch Intel, Wink Creative's 2010 selected works book.

I am a rather massive fan of Wallpaper Magazine. It has without a doubt been one of the greatest contributors to the creative person I have become today. Wallpaper Magazine was launched by Tyler Brûlé in 1996 after being shot by a sniper in Afghanistan, not kidding. The magazine was page-for-page one of the best designed magazines that ever graced our planet. In 2007 Tyler launched a new magazine entitled Monocle, dropping much of the overindulgent lifestyle in trade for globalist perspective on international issues the magazine is unmistakably a close relative of Wallpaper.

What does all this have to do with Wink Creative? Tyler Brûlé founded Wink Creative in 1998, the creative brainchild behind all of these magical brands in addition to adding his worldly creative prowess to such brands as Swiss Air, British Airways, and American Express Open.

Whats covered in the book? A visual breath of Wink Creative's work throughout the year of 2010 from logo types to publishing to corporate identity. Defiantly worth adding to your collection. How do you get your hands on one? I'm sorry to say, I have no idea.

Interested in more? Monocle has a podcast, check it out here.

Best $25.00 I spent all week!

On a recent weekend jaunt to our local Anthropologie for some fancy shelf hardware I happened upon quite the find, Postcards from Penguin. For the low price of just $25.00 you get 100 classic Penguin book covers in the form of 100 postcards. It was quite the challenge to choose just a few highlights for this post. Either way you slice it, a great sourcing addition to anyones collection.

Another interesting find at Anthropologie that fine day was professional MMA fighter Wilson Reis, who from what I could tell was there with his family. Good luck to Mr. Reis on his next fight!

Adobe CS, an Infographic

I updated my Adobe Creative Suite infographic to include CS5. Get the full size version here.

Some back story...

When I upgraded from CS3 to CS4 I started wondering what exactly do you get for you upgrade price and what is the actual time difference between their releases. Full disclosure I actually have the Web Premium Suite however I think their Design Premium is a bit more popular, also a "web" specific version did no exist in the earlier releases of the suite thus making the infographic have some time-line holes. So I did some research and made iteration one of this graphic which can be viewed here.

Skip to 2010 and the release of CS5, ok I do realize I'm a few months late, but lets skip to 2010 and the release of CS5 anyway. It does appear as though Adobe is finding their rhythm with the releases and the prices they deem them to be worth. Perhaps one day if I have absolutely nothing to do for a few days on end I will remake this to include other products within the CS family and upgrade price in addition to the full retail.

* All historical data used for this was referenced from Wikipedia & Archive.org.

2012 is nearing

“Flash hasn't presented any problem at all.”

- Steve Jobs October 18 2010

Mission Brand Confusion: Accomplished

Last night I saw the new Kettle One commercial. I love Kettle One and I love their commercials. No other vodka makes a better martini, and their ads consistently put me in the mood to have one. It also doesn't hurt that their spokes person played a great character on Syfy channels Eureka. But I digress...

So I'm watching this commercial thinking to my self, "wow Kettle One is really steppin up the Circ De Soleil, and where is Ed Quinn did they fire their beloved spokesman?". Alas, this wasn't actually a commercial for Kettle One it was for a hotel in Las Vegas called The Cosmopolitan. You can't create a brand with another brands elements, because when you do you get blog posts like this and a fair bit of confusion!

Curious about that track? It's called Spread Your Love by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and the video is pretty cool too!

The Cosmopolitan:

Kettle One, Table:



Kettle One, Bar:



Kettle One, Street:

Happy Birthday Renzo

How does the highly style forward mind behind Diesel's brand Renzo Rosso celebrate his 55th birthday? With a big ole bash staring such acts as N.E.R.D. and Wyclef of course. And what does his beloved brand get the man who undoubtedly has everything for his birthday? A very limited edition, vary large chronograph watch entitled "This is my time". The face of this behemoth highlights the day of celebration with a large typographic 9, 15, 55.  Interested in owning one? With only 5555 of them made worldwide, and everyone attending this birthday party getting one along with the birthday boy himself you better find one soon. Philadelphia's very own Diesel store received only eight and after my visit now only has seven.

Check out some video from the event here & here.

Joy, A High Concept Scent

Longwood Gardens, in Pennsylvania's Kennett Square region, currently has an exhibit going on titled "Making scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance". This exhibit details the horticultural roots of perfumeries from yesteryear up to contemporary times. Profiling the “nature” framework that goes into building the creation of many of the most prolific scents throughout history including such iconic scents as Chanel No. 5 and Shalimar. Included in the exhibit were some fun back-story displays chronicling the motivations behind the brands. I found the story behind the scent Joy to be the most engaging.

“Following the financial crisis of 1929, the fashion designer Jean Patou asked the Spanish perfumer Henri Alméras to create a perfume that would symbolize joyful optimism and hope. Appearing in 1930, Joy was one of the most floral and "jasmined" fragrances ever created. Unlike most other luxury perfumes, whose head, heart, and soul notes emerge from a blend of different ingredients, Joy, according to some perfume experts, maintains a singular rose and jasmine scent at its top, middle, and bottom levels. Because the picking of jasmine flowers is an extremely labor-intensive operation–to harvest 8,000 flowers (about 2.2 pounds) demands a total of 2,000 hand gestures–Joy was at one time called "the costliest perfume in the world." This is not an exaggeration, since 28 dozen roses and 10,600 jasmine flowers to produce one ounce of Joy concentrate.”

Now that's what I call high concept!

Adobe Air + Android = ^_^

Android announced today that Adobe Air will now be available for download on the Android market. You can read the official release here. And if you would like a bit more of a technical overview you can find it here. On an unrelated note news was also released today regarding Microsoft's interest in purchasing Adobe sparking a very sharp rise in Adobe's stock. I can't help but wonder how this would effect the already fragile relationship between Apple and Adobe.

If this purchase does go though I would speculate that Apple would add some additional design oriented software titles their already popular Final Cut. What could some fun titles be?
Photoshop -> iPhoto
Illustrator -> iDraw
Dreamweaver -> iPage
Flash -> (nothing)
Flex -> uh well you can just get the SDK for free!

And of course every icon would have a fantastic highlight/reflection.

Study in Steel

From my ephemera collection, Study in Steel. I found this fantastic piece when I was living in Pittsburgh at a book store in Oakland called Caliban Books. Pressed in 1962 this collateral set was designed to promote Pittsburgh's steel industry. For this set the Pittsburgh steel industry tasked Peter Muller-Munk Associates to:

“explore the personality of steel to develop design concepts for modern, indoor-outdoor family living.”

With a heavy Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce feel, I cant help but to wonder what this design would look like and focus on if it were done today.

Want to see more?

Advertising The Gathering : Day 9 Target Audience

- Day 09 -

It's the Advertising The Gathering official card release. It's the reason we are all here but would never really like to fully recognize, it's the Target Audience Card! Interested in frustrating your creative staff? There is no better way then to slap down a friendly reminder that we are doing this for a specific audience and not their personal portfolio.

(click the images for enlarged view)

Get the ultra hi-rez card here.

- Card details -

Card Title: Target Audience

Card Quote: "I'm not paying for content!"

Card Details: Card caster must have at least 1 UX card in play. Target Audience card gains +10 confusion for each Target Audience card in play. When Target Audience card comes into play opponents Creative and UX cards must battle each other to the death.

- About the project -

I had this fun idea to do an illustration project focusing on different roles in advertising to which I would add cheeky bios but after starting the project I became really frustrated with my lack of illustration skills. So I brainstormed some better vehicles for the concept. What better vehicle then Magic the Gathering! Have no idea what that is? Half of me doesn't blame you and to be honest, the other half that does, could probably be talked into not blaming you either. So if you need a down and dirty overview check out what wiki has to say. I hope you enjoy it, I'm going to try and post one card every week day for as long as I can keep coming up with fun roles and copy to go with them.

Advertising The Gathering : Day 8 Copywriter

- Day 08 -

It's the Advertising The Gathering official card release. Hide your lampshades and open your liquor cabinets here comes the Copywriter Card!. When your a small agency and you need to skimp on the roles little else is as instantly noticeable than when your "creative guy" magically becomes copywriter.

(click the images for enlarged view)

Get the ultra hi-rez card here.

- Card details -

Card Title: Copywriter

Card Quote: "Wanna catch a drink after work?"

Card Details: When Copy Writer card comes into play caster gains +5 concept for each Art Director card in play. Copy Writer car is tapped opponent must convert 1/3 of their budget to cover all bar tab costs incurred by Copy Writer card(s). When more then one Copy Writer card is tapped opponent must increase timeline by +10. If Copy Writer card survives 10 rounds of play opponent must cover Copy Writer cards antidepressant prescriptions.

- About the project -

I had this fun idea to do an illustration project focusing on different roles in advertising to which I would add cheeky bios but after starting the project I became really frustrated with my lack of illustration skills. So I brainstormed some better vehicles for the concept. What better vehicle then Magic the Gathering! Have no idea what that is? Half of me doesn't blame you and to be honest, the other half that does, could probably be talked into not blaming you either. So if you need a down and dirty overview check out what wiki has to say. I hope you enjoy it, I'm going to try and post one card every week day for as long as I can keep coming up with fun roles and copy to go with them.

Found Packaging: 8th Continent Soymilk

While at my local Target this weekend I spotted a carton of 8th Continent Soymik. I dont really care for soy milk, which is starting to become a problem due to my increasing battle with an advancing lactose intolerance, but I do love this packaging. Designed by UK artist Ben Javens this design harkens back on an age of innocence. A time when we used to relish in our retail ignorance and not have to stand there with our smart phone translating the ingredient lists of every thing we put in our shopping cart. Now if they can just design some fun carefree rice milk packaging it will wind up in mine.

Advertising The Gathering : Day 7 Social Network

- Day 07 -

It's the Advertising The Gathering official card release. The official crutch of the adverting industry. The Social Network Card! When you have completely run out of  creative ideas or you find yourself in way over your head, throw down the Social Network card and you will have that big name client thinking you have your fingers on the pulse of any audience.

(click the images for enlarged view)

Get the ultra hi-rez card here.

- Card details -

Card Title: Social Network

Card Quote: "We need to leverage user generated content!"

Card Details: When Social Network card comes into play opponent must crowbar Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare into a non-related campaign. Every time Social Network card is tapped a “fresh” approach to integrating social networking must be presented.

- About the project -

I had this fun idea to do an illustration project focusing on different roles in advertising to which I would add cheeky bios but after starting the project I became really frustrated with my lack of illustration skills. So I brainstormed some better vehicles for the concept. What better vehicle then Magic the Gathering! Have no idea what that is? Half of me doesn't blame you and to be honest, the other half that does, could probably be talked into not blaming you either. So if you need a down and dirty overview check out what wiki has to say. I hope you enjoy it, I'm going to try and post one card every week day for as long as I can keep coming up with fun roles and copy to go with them.

Better than you.

I really hate re-hashing other blogs content but this artist is far too talented not to appear on every design oriented blog. I found this link on creative mind Shane Cranford's blog who is also pretty talented.

This video is a documentary on London sign & glass-gilding artisan David A. Smith and if you don't feel put in your place after watching this then you may want to get professional help for your narcissistic issues.


David A Smith - Sign Artist from Danny Cooke on Vimeo.

No card today :-(

Sorry every one, there will be no card today but have no fear I haven't completely dropped the project yet!

Advertising The Gathering : Day 6 Freelancer

- Day 06 -

It's the Advertising The Gathering official card release. The jack of all trades, the too cool for school, the Casanova of industry. The Freelancer card! When you need something done no matter what the cost or some truly out of the box thinking or just some stolen ideas, this is the card for you. Just make sure to keep an eye on them around your more attractive employees.

(click the images for enlarged view)

Get the ultra hi-rez card here.

- Card details -

Card Title: Freelancer

Card Quote: "I don't know if you heard but I'm kind of a big thing"

Card Details: When freelancer card comes into play caster gains +5 speed, +5 concept. Opponent must also invite Freelancer to all agency social events and allow Freelancer to sleep with at least one employee a year. When Freelancer is tapped opponent must double their budget for each round Freelancer card is in play. 

- About the project -

I had this fun idea to do an illustration project focusing on different roles in advertising to which I would add cheeky bios but after starting the project I became really frustrated with my lack of illustration skills. So I brainstormed some better vehicles for the concept. What better vehicle then Magic the Gathering! Have no idea what that is? Half of me doesn't blame you and to be honest, the other half that does, could probably be talked into not blaming you either. So if you need a down and dirty overview check out what wiki has to say. I hope you enjoy it, I'm going to try and post one card every week day for as long as I can keep coming up with fun roles and copy to go with them.

Advertising The Gathering : Day 5 Back-End Developer

- Day 05 -

It's the Advertising The Gathering official card release. The ultimate in "virtual cool" with more online persona's then a Nigerian email scam artist. I present the Back-End Developer card. You want to take your project from amateur to pro and turn some real roi this is going to be a top card to play.

(click the images for enlarged view)

Get the ultra hi-rez card here.

- Card details -

Card Title: Back-End Developer

Card Quote: "I could be leveling my character in WOW right now."

Card Details: When Back-End Developer card comes into play card caster gets +10 development. Card Caster must have at least one UX card, and one Designer card in play. When card is tapped opponent must supply card caster with one can of the following, Mountain Dew, Red Bull, or Jolt.

- About the project -

I had this fun idea to do an illustration project focusing on different roles in advertising to which I would add cheeky bios but after starting the project I became really frustrated with my lack of illustration skills. So I brainstormed some better vehicles for the concept. What better vehicle then Magic the Gathering! Have no idea what that is? Half of me doesn't blame you and to be honest, the other half that does, could probably be talked into not blaming you either. So if you need a down and dirty overview check out what wiki has to say. I hope you enjoy it, I'm going to try and post one card every week day for as long as I can keep coming up with fun roles and copy to go with them.

Discount store accessories already?

Recently on a trip to my local Marshalls I could not help but notice a fresh new stock of apple accessories. While Marshalls is certainly no stranger to Apple accessories this time was a little different. These were not your standard iDevice accessories they were in fact iPad accessories! The iPad was officially released on April 3rd 2010, this Marshalls stock comes in at roughly 5 months into its initial product cycle. I have no idea what this actually means however there must exist somewhere a infographic regarding the cultural impact a product has on society as it relates to the time it takes for said products accessories to appear at a discount store.

Now what you must be asking yourself is, "what were you doing at Marshalls?". Mind your own business, that's what I was doing at Marshalls!

Advertising The Gathering : Day 4 New Business

- Day 04 -

It's the Advertising The Gathering official card release. The ultimate of all "yes-men", the purveyors of fine adult entrainment, and the source of the old saying "you would sell your own mother", I present the fourth card in the series, the New Business card. While it may be very difficult to pay your rent without this role it certainly does not change the stigma attached to it.

(click the images for enlarged view)

Get the ultra hi-rez card here.

- Card details -

Card Title: New Business

Card Quote: "I know this great steak house / strip club"

Card Details: When New Business card comes into play card caster doesn't really gain anything, if anything they actually lose a little bit of respect from their opponent. Every time card is tapped opponent must buy card caster a round of drinks and a lap dance.

- About the project -

I had this fun idea to do an illustration project focusing on different roles in advertising to which I would add cheeky bios but after starting the project I became really frustrated with my lack of illustration skills. So I brainstormed some better vehicles for the concept. What better vehicle then Magic the Gathering! Have no idea what that is? Half of me doesn't blame you and to be honest, the other half that does, could probably be talked into not blaming you either. So if you need a down and dirty overview check out what wiki has to say. I hope you enjoy it, I'm going to try and post one card every week day for as long as I can keep coming up with fun roles and copy to go with them.

The Real Imaginarium

Are you a fan of places like Restoration Hardware or Crate & Barrel? Well there exists a place on the interwebs that is the ultimate historic source of all these dups and it's all for sale and it's all magically fantastic! It's called Modern 50 and there you will find an endless source of original furniture, storage, art, and oddities. Modern 50 describes itself as:

“A multi-disciplinary art and design collective which strives to create an ever-evolving nonlinear consumer lifestyles collection. Discovering intrinsically valuable decorative arts and furnishings to convey a different impression of 20th century design. Reclaiming salvaged materials, using uncommon combinations and adhering to modernist tenets we are confident that we can give to you the unexpected and the unforgettable.”

While most of these items may be a bit cost prohibitive at the very least you can view this as a wonderful source of inspiration.

As a side note this is the most magically perfect bench ever made and they just so happen to have it, well sort of. Unfortunately it's sold and the fact that its sold is somewhat of a gift and a curse. The gift being that I was no longer able to see the price. Cheers to whoever added this to their collection.

Advertising The Gathering : Day 3 Designer

- Day 03 -

It's the Advertising The Gathering official card release. I present the third card and the companion card to the Art Director card, the Designer Card. Sure they are cheap but look at that burn out rate! Better strategize that campaign assault!

(click the images for enlarged view)

Get the ultra hi-rez card here.

- Card details -

Card Title: Designer

Card Quote: "I do all of the work while the Art Director gets all the credit"

Card Details: Card caster must have at least one Art Director card in play. When Designer card first comes into play card caster gains +10 concept and a free flyer design for your indie band. Designer card looses -10 focus for each additional Art Director card in play. Designer card burns out -3 concept for each round in play.

- About the project -

I had this fun idea to do an illustration project focusing on different roles in advertising to which I would add cheeky bios but after starting the project I became really frustrated with my lack of illustration skills. So I brainstormed some better vehicles for the concept. What better vehicle then Magic the Gathering! Have no idea what that is? Half of me doesn't blame you and to be honest, the other half that does, could probably be talked into not blaming you either. So if you need a down and dirty overview check out what wiki has to say. I hope you enjoy it, I'm going to try and post one card every week day for as long as I can keep coming up with fun roles and copy to go with them.

IDEO lets us know that there are people out there thinking miles ahead of Apple

The Future of the Book. from IDEO on Vimeo.

From the brilliant team at IDEO a fantastic lesson not just thinking outside the box but rather blowing the box into a zillion pieces. There are so many fantastic little nuisances with this project on top of all the real world applications that take this e-book experience to a level far beyond current market trends. I remember having similar excitement over the Microsoft Courier project, but alas that was canceled. So here is hoping that Nelson / Coupland / Alice will one day see consumer light.

Advertising The Gathering : Day 2 Art Director

- Day 02 -

It's the Advertising The Gathering official card release. I present the second card, the Art Director Card.They may cost more then just a Designer card but theres no better way to impose your creative will on your opponent!

(click the images for enlarged view)

Get the ultra hi-rez card here.

- Card details -

Card Title: Art Director

Card Quote: "If it wasn't for my unique vision this place would be nothing!"

Card Details: When the Art Director card comes into play target opponent must sacrifice two UX cards.

Art Director card gains +2 attitude, +2 execution for each Copy Writer card in play. If there are more than one Art Director cards in play, cards may battle each other.

When Art Director card is tapped it is always right.

- About the project -

I had this fun idea to do an illustration project focusing on different roles in advertising to which I would add cheeky bios but after starting the project I became really frustrated with my lack of illustration skills. So I brainstormed some better vehicles for the concept. What better vehicle then Magic the Gathering! Have no idea what that is? Half of me doesn't blame you and to be honest, the other half that does, could probably be talked into not blaming you either. So if you need a down and dirty overview check out what wiki has to say. I hope you enjoy it, I'm going to try and post one card every week day for as long as I can keep coming up with fun roles and copy to go with them.

Advertising The Gathering : Day 1

- Day 01 -

It's the Advertising The Gathering official card release. I present the first card, the Client Card. Sure the casting cost is a little high but look how much of a headache you can cause your opponent!
(click the images for enlarged view)

Get the ultra hi-rez card here.

- Card details -

Card Title: Client

Card Quote: "I want it on my ipad!"

Card Details: When the client card comes into play, opponent looses all ability to create realistic goals for the duration of game. Opponent must tap all creative service cards for 2 turns. Caster must sacrifice all client services cards: Remove all client service cards from the game.

- About the project -

I had this fun idea to do an illustration project focusing on different roles in advertising to which I would add cheeky bios but after starting the project I became really frustrated with my lack of illustration skills. So I brainstormed some better vehicles for the concept. What better vehicle then Magic the Gathering! Have no idea what that is? Half of me doesn't blame you and to be honest, the other half that does, could probably be talked into not blaming you either. So if you need a down and dirty overview check out what wiki has to say. I hope you enjoy it, I'm going to try and post one card every week day for as long as I can keep coming up with fun roles and copy to go with them.

Amusements For Your Pleasure Drops Tomorrow

I'm droppin some funny bits tomorrow so stay tuned for a new series I like to call "Advertising the Gathering". How out of control will this idea get? Well like every other fun idea I come up with it will start off stronger then freight train and kind of putter out over time :-), but rest assured it is guaranteed to be a little out-of-line and worth a pass around the AIM list.

Vintage Luggage Tag

From my ephemera collection, a 1960's Luggage tag from Holland for the SS Rotterdam. A fantastic find from an antique store located very close to Terrain At Styer's. I certainly hope Mrs. Virginia Florence enjoyed her stay in New York.

Whiskey & Chocolate

After almost a year of looking we have finally found the typographically focused piece for our kitchen. From Pennsylvania graphic designer and artist Brian Barto I present our fun new Liquor & Beer sign.We are very pleased!

You can check out more of Brian's work here.