Google Doodles

The creative doodles on the Google homepage always delight but one only sees a small sample as they are unique to your home country. Follow this link to view the 2012 Google Doodles from around the world to see what you have been missing out on.  

Hundred Best Lists of All Time

It's the time of the year for lists; top ten lists, lists of events, list of what happened, lists of what we will do, and lists of lists.  Venture over to The New Yorker for their list of "The Hundred Best Lists of All Time". It is a diverse list of lists that you will surely find interesting.  

Happy Holidays

We wish everyone a Happy Holiday from aNEW designs.

Graphic Design - Now In Production At Hammer

Yesterday I got to visit the Hammer Museum at UCLA to see the Graphic Design - Now in Production exhibit.  Wow, what a wonderful show.  The show reviews and exhibits graphic works that are pure inspiration.  The show ranges from typography to new media and everything in between.  Curated by Andrew Biauvelt from the Walker Art Center and the wonderful Ellen Lupton from the Cooper-Hewitt, they hit a home run in pulling together the wide range of work that we create and presenting in a compelling and informative manner.  

The show runs at the Hammer until January 6, 2013 so you still have time to take it all in.  Make sure you get the catalog from the show which includes articles that are sure to get you thinking.

Packaging Trash Become A Toy

Problem, how do you turn a package into a toy?  The Athens, Greek design firm Matadog had this problem when designing for a small raisins package. Their task was to put a toy into each box, their solution, make the box a toy.  Start solutions and sustainable in the process.  Read more over at GOOD.

Happy Gross Day

(The Gross Clinic)

Today marks not only 12/12/12 but also the last "special" Gross Day for a hundred years.  A gross is defined at a dozen dozen, 12 x 12 =144, thus today 12/12 is being declared Gross Day by myself.  I know many fellow Gross' have had their name picked on while growing up but today is our day! Gross Day is a day to remember the many famous and not so famous Gross' out there.  Those that have and continue to make this a better place.  So today I would like to remember Samual D. Gross, a surgeon from Philadelphia who is immortalized in a Thomas Eakins' painting of him in his clinic and has a statue.  This makes him famous in my book.  So say Happy Gross Day to those you know and to those who are fellow Gross'.

Happy Hanukkah

The holiday season has started and first comes Hanukkah.  Enjoy this video as you light the candles this  year.  Happy Hanukkah and may the miracle of the holiday light your hearts throughout the year.

Freelance Tip - Get Square

Every once in a while a game changer comes along to make life easier. In our age of technology you would think it would happen more often. The break through to make our business and lives more convenient is Square. 

Square is a free app and card reader that allows you to accept credit card payments from clients. With one simple secure swipe you can charge the payment due and it will be deposited into your account. The small fee of 2.75% that Square charges for use is well worth the easy and speed. There is no charge if you don't use the service, only when you do, thus no month fees. Now everyone can accept plastic like the big boys. I have used it myself several times and found it to work flawlessly. 

So forget the net 30, get your payments on the spot for your design work and if a friend happens to owe you $20, tell them you accept all major credit cards. 

Be Square and sign up their site at squareup.com.

World Famous Bush Man

Today's Friday Funny is the World Famous Bush Man from San Francisco. If you have never experienced this gentleman at the Fisherman's Wharf area, put it on you list for a future visit. After doing this since the 1980's, it maybe the longest running performance art going. Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Lego Via 1970s

Visit the British Lego Catalogues website to view catalogues from 1971-1976.  Lego have long been a source of inspiration and discovery for children worldwide and these catalogue scans give an interesting perspective on 70s layout.

9-11 Remembering

(photos: FDNY)

Please view a wonderful tribute by the FDNY to honor the 343 Firefighters that died trying to save many. Let us never forget those that gave all on this day in 2001. 

The Dieline Forum: LA 2012

The Dieline has a great one day experience coming up on October 12th in Los Angeles, The Dieline Forum.  The day will be filled with the experience and knowledge from leaders in the world of package design.  The day's line up includes seven speakers and a networking happy hour at the end of the day.

Join expert package design innovators at this inspiring, information-packed one-day event addressing the specific challenges and opportunities unique to packaging designers, and graphic designers who want to expand their skills into packaging. You'll discover new ways to do great work on a tight budget, reinvent your brand, create meaningful design, and delve into the mind of the consumer. You'll mingle, share ideas, network, and make valuable connections with attendees and Forum speakers.

If you register by Friday, September 31 you can receive "early bird" pricing. To learn more visit The Dieline Form site to register and learn more about the great line up of speaker.  I hope to see you there.

Remembering Neil Armstrong

To ride among the stars and walk on the moon have been experienced by few and Neil Armstrong was the first to complete that mission.  Neil Armstrong, along with the entire Apollo 11 crew, showed the world what can be accomplished by taking a small step.  Neil Armstrong had the courage to bravely believe in the future of man and demonstrate for all what we can accomplish when we work together as a nation.

Neil Armstrong 1930-2012

Play Where's The London Olympic Logo

Much talk was made when London showcased the logo for the 2012 games.  Much of the talk was not extremely positive, myself included, on the outcome of a £400,000 branding system.  Well now that the games are well underway we get to see the logo use in action, well sort of.  It seems the use of the logo has been downplayed at the games.  Fast Company has an interesting article about its use and not.  So with the few remaining days of TV coverage, it time to play where is the logo and see how often you see it.

Olympic Posters

The Creative Bloq has a survey of the 10 best Olympic poster designs. The blog post has an excellent background on each poster. I hope you are enjoying the events. I seem to not be able to stop watching.

"Push To Add Drama"

Push play to enjoy drama.

Milton Glaser Designed Carpets

We all know of Milton Glaser's extreme talent and variety of work over the years.  Now a new line of custom limited edition hand-woven carpets (code for I know they are expensive) are available from Lapchi with Milton's designs on them.  I know these carpets would become the showcase of any home. Learn more about this beautiful series of carpets from the Lapchi site.  

Colorado Wildfire T-Shirts Help Victims

Over the last month, Colorado has been devastated by a series of wildfires destroying forest and homes alike.  A group of graphic designers have gotten together to help by selling t-shirts were all proceeds go to assist wildfire relief agencies.  Another great example of design helping out in a time of need. Show your support and help out by visiting Wild Fire Tees.

Flag Day

Today we celebrate Flag Day. The Continental Congress passed an official resolution on June 14, 1777, “that the flag of the United States be 13 stripes alternate red and white; that the Union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

 On of my favorite flags from U.S. history comes from Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812. This flag went on to be the inspiration for Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner." I send many school trips growing up visiting Ft. McHenry and it inspired my love of history. To see this most famous flag in person, take a visit to the Smithsonian.