design dailies

Implied Violence

noreply@blogger.com (design dailies) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:22:00 +0000

Here are a few photos from Pioneers of Change and New Island Fest on Governor's Island, a few weeks ago. A former military base, I found the island to be the perfect location for an art exhibit with its 18th century forts and Victorian housing.

Implied Violence is a theater troupe from Seattle. There was just no way passing them by — awfully intriguing stuff, nice folk.

to be continued...

Richard Avedon at ICP until Sept 20th

noreply@blogger.com (design dailies) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Two more days left to see Richard Avedon's imaginative and beautiful photographs on display at the ICP. A "must see" if you haven't already.

twin sculptures for your feet

noreply@blogger.com (design dailies) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:31:00 +0000

FINSK shoes came to mind, with Fashion Week in town and all — the most beautiful twin sculptures of leather and wood designed by Royal College of Art graduate Julia Lundsten.

Fashion Night Out –- New York, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (design dailies) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:53:00 +0000

Ciara was at Versace, which led to a crowded but happily buzzing multitude marching up and down the stairs. I thought of Jonas Akerlund's photos as I followed the live mannequins from the store window through the crowd. New spot, new pose, trembling eyelashes, but completely still... more than a few pretty faces and a lot of PR.

Versace

Ciara at Versace

custom painted initials at Louis Vuittonthe

beautiful staircase at Armani

The Calvin Klein window reminds me of Magritte, I like it.

Signage at the Bronx Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (design dailies) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:39:00 +0000

Signage at the Bronx Zoo...

Do you believe in fate? — fate, destiny, choices...

noreply@blogger.com (design dailies) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:36:00 +0000

I listened in on an interesting conversation today — Do you believe in fate? on World Have Your Say today — provoked by social reaction to the tragic death of an Italian woman, a would be passenger on the Air France flight 447, who has since died in a car crash.

I do believe in destiny in terms of karma that is. A life as a human being on this planet, does relate to past lives and future lives, and in a way that very relationship is the purpose of life. Yes, in the duration of our life we face numerous choices, and the decisions that we make, or the instincts that we follow, present yet more choices to be made, but it is all an infinite net of choices that extends far beyond one's self. So unimaginably vast to our human understanding, that believing in destiny is in no way avoiding responsibility for choices past and future, or a capitulation of our humanness.

In terms of science and the idea of its intrinsic opposition to destiny, karma, happenstance, whichever way you choose to perceive it, dichotomy seems to be the default of how we humans process information, for better or worse.

Something to chat about during Happy Hour tonight, don't you think?

Best,
Damian

Licht District

noreply@blogger.com (design dailies) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:41:00 +0000

Lichtfactor is a bit more than eye candy, they are witty and charming. I love all their pieces, and likely you've seen their stuff, still I'd like to point them out once again. The artist collective based in Cologne, Germany led by a VG and a COMD designer/graffiti artist — VJ $ehvermögen and JIAR — amazing! Just as in cooking, it is not about the recipe, or the ingredients — the approach makes the magic. Tune it, tune to it, whatever, Lichtfactor's glowing creaivity is bursting with life, 21-st century style, and I love it. Check out their photos and animated films, hire them, admire them... here or here.

Best, R

ICFF 09 highlights

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:30:00 +0000

The ICFF was exciting as usual, the entire week was fun and inspirational with design events around town. A lot of great stuff at the fair, but if I have to pick two...

I loved Tracy Kendall's off-the-wall wallpaper! From the three-dimensional, hand-assembled puzzle pieces or gift tags, through the Warhol-esque sewn fabric pieces and the sculptural metallic sequins to the embroidered typography, all the designs were radiating with character and energy. Trully the button to find a coat for!

I also loved Colin O Dowd's polaroid mirror, and the graphkin, and the shark fin salt and pepper shakers, and everything he had... whimsical on the verge of practical, practical on the verge of whimsical — delight!

Best,
R

May the winds be with you!

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:54:00 +0000

Socrates Sculpture Park and The Noguchi Museum have their seventh annual kite making workshop this Sunday, April 26th between 11am and 2pm on the grounds of the Socrates Sculpture Park.

Kites originated in China almost 3000 years ago. Kite flying has been popular pass time in the West since kites were introduced in Europe in 17th century. Kites have been used in science, a most famous example is Benjamin Franklin's experiment proving that lighting is electricity. These fluctuating paper constructions have inspired some beautiful paintings throughout the centuries too, take a look!

Bui Suoi Hoa
Blue Kite
Oil on canvas
35x25cms

Robin Kibby
Kite

Ladies on a Terrace Kite-Fighting
By a Farrukhabad artist, c. 1775
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper
Painting: 28.9 x 21.8 cm
Folio: 55.7 x 38.5 cm

18th Century Kulu Painting of Girls and Kites

A kulu late 18th century painting in folk style depicts girls flying kites.

Ajas Anwar
Basant by Ajas Anwar.jpg

Bill Tolley
Kite Kavalcade

Scott Campbell
Mummy Rad Kite

Warren Dykeman
Kite Flyer, 2008
Acrylic and Collage on Paper
72" x 34" framed

T. K. Padmini
The Girl Flying Kite
Oil on canvass, 95 cm x 45 cm - Akademi collection

May the winds be with you!
R

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:15:00 +0000

It is difficult to find a decent comedy, this is why I am excited to have come across "The IT Crowd." I love it! The characters are dimensional and I did laugh out loud a few times too. I watched episodes from the first season, available on Neflix, but the show announced shooting a fourth season in March. You can catch the third season on IFC, or get past episodes on dvd or iTunes.

Roy and Moss are the geeky IT techs of a London corp and Jen is the new non-technical department head, or the "relationship manager." The IT office is situated in the shabby basement of the building, where the phone is picked up by a reel-to-reel tape recording machine, trouble shouting various computer problem requests with suggestions like, "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" and "Are you sure it's plugged in?" There is also the executive-gone-goth (Richmond), who "monitors" the servers behind "the red door," and of course the boss upstairs (Denholm Reynholm).

I like the art direction of the series, with numerous contemporary and modern art references scattered in the backgrounds of every scene — Mondrian, Rothko, Monet, Hokusai, Ugly Dolls, 20th century antiques like cameras and computers, etc.

The show is written by Graham Linehan and produced by Ash Atalla. Chris O'Dowd as Roy, Richard Ayoade as Moss, Katherine Parkinson as Jen. Chris Morris as Denholm Reynholm, Matt Berry as Douglas Reynholm, Noel Fielding as Richmond Avenal.

Best,
R

Ikeda Manabu

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:10:00 +0000

My favorite artist from the Armory Show this year is Ikeda Manabu. The Japanese artist creates immense and breathtakingly intricate canvases in pen and ink strokes.

It is not the technique, the scale of the works or the subject that impresses me, I am fond of the meditative state his works evoke.

Unfortunately his work does not reproduce well printed (scaled down), let alone on these cam phone web res photos, but be sure to check his work out in person if you get a chance.

Best,
R

Foretoken, 2008, pen, acryllic on paper, 190 x 340cm

Mimosa

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Pantone's Color of the Year for 2009 is PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa.

Sleeper

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:18:00 +0000

Woody Allen's "Sleeper" is one of my favorite movies to watch. I love the retro future perspective (watching it 20+ after it was created) and the Woody Allen factor, of course.

It makes a good date movie, it is a comedy, and there are lots of references for conversation starters during or after the movie.

Released in 1973, "Sleeper" is written and directed by Woody Allen, starring Dianne Keaton and Woody Allen.

The cheery score is composed by Allen too.

Enjoy!
Z

The Sign Painters

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:49:00 +0000

I came across sign painters at work today, in Williamsburg.

Earth Hour 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:56:00 +0000

8:30PM local time, wherever you live on planet earth. Saturday, March 28, 2009. Turn your lights off for an hour.

Earth Hour is a global campaign against global warming. The idea is to get 1 billion people worldwide to demonstrate the need of new government policies against climate change.

It is Ok if you don't turn off your computer, according to the official website the event is not about saving electricity.

Vote Earth!
R

Post Animal

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:18:00 +0000

I came across this lovely 3d post card at the MOMA store.

I've seen similar products, however, I find the Post Animal seriously charming.

Best,
R

Choose to Reuse

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:20:00 +0000

Reusing is a smarter, and cheaper, way to recycle, I think we all
agree. Of course not everything "old" looks "new," unless of course
re-imagined by a special someone. Christine Misiak's tea sets are
precisely that — bewitching, elegant, bold, simply brilliant.

Christine reuses old tea sets and creates contemporary ones, see for
yourself the results of a true misiakmorphosis!

Christine works to order, so if you would like a set for yourself or
for a gift, drop her a line.

Best,
R

follow us on a twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:44:00 +0000

Hi All,

Follow us on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/designdailies

also,

Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #design #news #art

Fail Whale, Yiying Lu
Get your aprons and lapel pins with the iconic image here.

Best,
R

Subway Art Gallery Opening

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:31:00 +0000

MTA Subway has been a hot venue for art shows in recent months, remember MOMA Atlantic/Pacific, poster boy craze. Subway Art Gallery Opening is the new piece from Improv Everywhere. We like!

credits:
Mission Idea By: Agents Eppink and Small
Digital Video: Agents Adams, EMartin, Goldman, Gross
Digital Photography: Agents Nicholson, Sokoler

Click image strip for larger view.

Best,
R

Sunny Side DOWN

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Lev Yilmaz has his Sunny Side DOWN book out.

Watch this.

Best,
R

In awe of PeePoo

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:14:00 +0000

Not every design project can be as meaningful as designing a
bio-degradeable, bio-plastic, portable, single-use toilet. The Peepoo
bag is a sanitation solution for the developing world, it requires no
water, and after use turns into a fertilizer! In development since
2006, the Peepoo bag is the collaborative effort of Anders Wilhelmson,
Camilla Wirseen, Björn Vinnerås, Mikael Hedenqvist, Annika Nordin and Peter Thuvander and is scheduled for production in mid 2009. LOWE Bridfors, Semcon Caran, BASF and Tenova Bioplastics are involved with the project at present as well.

A few quick facts for the pessimists out there:

- [...] the plastic not only disintegrates but also that the molecules are
broken down into carbon dioxide, water and bio-mass. Already today,
the plastic is produced to 45% using renewable materials. Peepoople
intends, within the near future, to find a solution which is 100%
renewable. The bioplastic comprises a mixture of aromatic
co-polyesters and polylactone acid (PLA), with small additives of wax
and lime [...]

- The inside of the Peepoo bag is coated with a thin film of urea
[...] When the urea comes into contact with faeces or urine, an
enzymatic breakdown takes place into ammonia and carbonate [...] As
the urea is broken down, the pH value of the material increases and
hygienisation begins

- the peepoo bags are odour free for at least 24 hours after use and
can be stored in the immediate environment

More info here.

Best,
R

a tree house for mom

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:31:00 +0000

This post is for my mom, she says she always wanted a tree house.

I came across Swedish architects' Tham & Videgård Hansson Arkitekter idea for a tree hotel. I love it. See for yourself.

The concept is to create a shelter up in the trees, a lightweight aluminum structure hung around a tree trunk, boxes clad in mirrored glass, 4×4x4 meters. The exterior reflects the surroundings and the sky, creating a camouflaged refuge. The interior is all made of plywood and the windows give a 360 degree view.

The functions provides a living for two people, a double bed, a small kitchen and bathroom, a living room and roof terrace. The access to the cabin is by a rope ladder or a rope bridge.

To prevent birds fly into the windows, transparent stickers, visible for birds, will be added to the facades.

--Tham & Videgård Hansson Arkitekter

The hotel is to be located in Harads, in the far north of Sweden.

Best,
R

Coroflot Creative Confab, Austin_mar09

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:03:00 +0000

Coroflot's Creative Confab, a recruiting and networking event for the creative industry, takes place in Austin this coming Monday, March 16. Event details here.

All participants must be registered for SXSW festival to attend. Contact inter@sxsw.com for details on how to register at a discounted rate.

If you would like to join the Coroflot Creative Confab email Coroflot's Editorial Director Carl Alviani at alviani@coroflot.com

Have a great weekend!
Z

Papier Bags

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:20:00 +0000

I LOVE the papier (paper) bags designed by Stefan Diez for Saskia Diez (wife and jewelery designer). Minimalist and current, yet different I like them all. I prefer the yellow one, but it is not to be an easy choice, because I like the white one almost as much.

The bags are made from Tyvek®, a synthetic paper manufactured by DuPont that is lightweight, tearproof, waterproof and recyclable. The material has been around since the late 50's and has many practical applications — it is used in construction, protective apparel, medical packaging, now fashion too.

Papier bags will be available for purchase in April 2009 in selected stores and online here.

In New York, look for Papier bags at these stores who have carried Saskia Diez in the past:

Moss
150 Greene Street – NYC 10012
www.mossonline.com

Aloha Rag NY
505 Greenwich Street – New York NY 10013
www.aloharag.com

Shelly Steffee
34 Gansevoort Street – NYC 10014
www.shellysteffee.com

Papier bags are handmade in Germany:

Best,
R

Branding the Economic Recovery

noreply@blogger.com (Roza Mikova) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:08:00 +0000

Two new logos out there — for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the second for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery).

Can't say that I like them in any way (from a com d point of view that is), but the bold use of color (and pattern on a logo!) is impressive, for a government organization, in particular.

Unfortunately, "yuk" and "yikes" come to mind when I look at those two marks.

credits:
creative director: Steve Juras of Mode Project
designer: Aaron Draplin of Draplin Design Co.
designer: Chriss Glass of Wire & Twine

Read what Steven Heller's thinks about the two new logos here:

Best,
Z