Why Are We So Obsessive?
As designers, we all know how obsessive we can be. How do we get our ideas and where do they come from? How does what we design shape the world and mark a place for us in the history of the world? Well, I Miss My Pencil, a new book put out by Chronicle Books and IDEO, delves into these obsessions and takes a look at what shaped, and shapes, our world. June 17, 2009, 12:10 PM
A Different Way to Tweet
We all know how to tweet these days, right? Well, let's not forgot the origin of such an act - that of birds. Chronicle Books has recently published Birds, with pictures by Jeffrey Fisher and words by Christine Fisher. This book is exactly what the title states - Birds. April 24, 2009, 11:50 AM
Tagging as an Artform
Here is another review of a book from Chronicle Books that has to do with the "art" of tagging - or graffiti. For all of us who live in an urban area, or have ever visited one, we see this art all over the place. Sometimes crude, many times beautiful, this art on public walls and edifices is a way of life. Now there's a book that chronicles this on the subways of New York City. April 7, 2009, 1:13 PM
S'more Books to Read
Here is an enstallment on some other books that were recently sent to me by Chronicle Books. I've been getting a lot of design and some architecture books that have been really interesting. It's just good that there are such great resources available to all of us.
The books this time range from designer sketchbooks to small, micro buildings.
Read on...
April 4, 2009, 12:34 PMA Flock of Design Books for Spring
Well, Chronicle Books has done it again. They recently sent me a slew of design books - and all of them, well, almost all of them, are pretty interesting. I thought I'd choose 3 of them for now and write about the other ones in a future post or two.
Read on...
March 21, 2009, 12:03 PMA Call Out To Package Designers
We all buy products. And, we all have different amounts of stuff to carry when we buy these products. It seems there are so many different brands of the same thing out there. How do we differentiate and how do we attract the same consumer to buy our product rather than "the other guy's"? Well, one method is in the design of the packaging. Therein lies a big problem.
March 2, 2009, 4:03 PM
Naughty, Naughty
We all like to be a little naughty at times, whether we admit it or not. Naughty thoughts go through our minds many, many times a day - men have them a little bit more often. Anyway, STEP magazine's Jan/Feb 2009 issue has a blurb in there about Tart Cards. Yes, Tart Cards - how naughty. In case you don't know (I didn't) these cards are how prostitutes in London advertise their services. Intrigued? Read on... February 22, 2009, 12:48 PM
The CM Report
Once again, San Francisco was the host of the greenest design conference in the West, Compostmodern. Held at the lovely Herbst Theater on Saturday, February 21, CM played to over 500 designers and other industry professionals from many disciplines. Thank you, AIGA SF and the AIGA Center for Sustainable Design! Yours truly was there and has a full report for you. Read on... February 9, 2009, 10:18 AM
The Perfect Book For Your Valentine
Yes, another book from Chronicle Books was sent to me. This one is beautiful and is a great book to get for the holiday of love - Valentine's Day.
The book is called, This is for You, by Rob Ryan, who is known as the "Prince of Papercuts". This work certainly proves that he is the prince.
The cover alone for this book is worth framing. It's all in red and a perfect Valentine.
February 7, 2009, 1:10 PMEighty Years of Wonderment
I recently received yet another book from Chronicle Books again on photography. This one, called Manuel Alvarez Bravo - Photopoetry, is another one of those beautiful art books that only Chronicle can produce. If you're not familiar with Bravo, then it may be worth the time to research his long-spanning career. Read on... February 6, 2009, 3:40 PM
No Global Warming in this Book
Recently, I was sent another book by Chronicle Books that is all about Antarctica. We all know the trouble that's been facing this continent. But, with this book, the wonder and beauty of this region will live forever. The book is called, The Antarctic - from the Circle to the Pole and it mostly contains sweeping photography shot in panoramic format. Simply gorgeous! Read on... February 4, 2009, 3:12 PM
The Premier Green Design Event
Well, it's here again. San Francisco is soon hosting one of the preeminent eco-design conferences in the nation - Compostmodern. Compostmodern 09 is being hosted by the AIGA SF as well as the AIGA Center for Sustainable Design. What a day it will be! Read on... January 11, 2009, 9:30 AM
WWYD - To Pro Bono or Not To Pro Bono
Well, it's been a while since we've had one of those situations that sometimes come up when I ask you, "What would you do?" This one deals with those projects that come around when the client has a challenging job for you - but they desire it pro bono.
What would you do?
January 13, 2009, 6:11 PMWhat to do about Advertising
Advertising Next is a new book put out by Chronicle Books that explains and demonstrates how to achieve successful advertising in the new age of digital communications. It's quite an interesting read - and look.
We all come into contact with advertising everyday. It's a fact of life. But what has happened since the first advertisement appeared in the days of Ben Franklin is something to behold. The technology of the advertising machine has gone full steam ahead.
December 27, 2008, 8:24 AMWishing You Were Here
Postcard, a new book by FL@33 and published by Laurence King, was sent to me recently by Chronicle Books. This book is all about, you guessed it, postcards. There are some interesting surprises inside as well.
Postcards are those little pieces of our travels or vacations that many of us like to send to our families. We also get a kick out of sending them to friends to brag a little and simply to tell them, "Boy, having a GREAT time, wish you were here."
A postcard book such as this has some of the more elaborate types of communication tools that may give you some ideas on how to make your next trip to faraway places, or even from your backyard, even more artistic when you send them to your chosen, lucky recipients.
