The Kusho are a series of photographs by Shinichi Maruyama that showcase the play between water and black ink, but most fascinating is that he is able to capture the moment right before the two liquids collide and turn to grey. I also love an excerpt from his artist statement regarding the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection, incomplete and impermanent.
via MuthaFarooq
This makes me so happy, I want to go around hugging strangers. For more happiness-inducing design by Alex Hornsby, click here.
via Flickr user Alex Hornsby
With the internet, webzines and blogs, you almost forget how nice it is to see print design in real life at a gallery. The smell of freshly printed paper, spray mount and wine all amongst some brilliant design. Oh the joy! I visited the opening reception of the exhibit, San Francisco Graphic Design at the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design the other week and was thoroughly impressed by the turnout and of course, the work. I got to see the work of 12 of the best design studios in the area, all in one place. I highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area or will be. The show runs until April 26th 2009. For more info, click here.
I’m tellin’ ya, pop-up books and paper engineering rule. Enjoy some Shitdisco. (UPDATE: I know I posted this pre-server failure, but somehow it disappeared. The nerve, I tell ya.)
via YouTube
The small press shop, Little Otsu is 65% of why I moved to San Francisco, with 7% going to Scharffen Berger chocolates, 22% for graphic design and the other 6% shall remain unknown. I recently acquired the nifty transit-inspired calendar map on the right, illustrated by Lart C. Berliner and am trying to find the perfect spot at home to showcase it. Nevertheless, Little Otsu makes beautifully illustrated and designed paper goods that always bring a smile to your face. Check out their online shop here.
Sorry folks, I was having technical difficulties with my server late last week so I was not able to post. C’mon, I would never ignore you like that without notice or a good reason. Good news though, we’re back in action!
via Tiny Notions
Celebrate this historic day with some madlib fun! Atom.com created the Inauguration Speech Generator which is a fun, interactive piece where you type in adjectives, nouns, even a body part and see your customized inauguration speech. Warning: it’s addictive and may cause intense potty mouth.
“Dr. Martin Luther King’s was a life lived in loving service to others. As we honor that legacy, it’s not a day just to pause and reflect — it’s a day to act.” Some wise words from President Barack Obama with more to come tomorrow.(!!!) So if you have the day off today, take part in some public service, a great way to show your true admiration for the great MLK. While I don’t have the day off today, I am going to argue that graphic design by nature is a service to the public. But from what I’m working on, I’d have to say that there are probably more enriching services I could be participating in.
Reason #21 why I like beginning a new year: The Feltron 2008 Annual Report. I first came across his annual report in 2006 and every year I am more impressed than the last. Basically, he collects data of his life throughout the year from how many meals he cooked at home to his flickr favorites and visually displays that information through well-designed graphs and some spectacular typography. The website has the digital version of the report, but being the lover of print that I am, I felt inclined to purchase one.
via Seesaw Designs
