Some interesting work coming from Jin Jung at There Where. Have a look see!

Here’s a fun video by Christian Borstlap promoting children’s education. Christian has a pretty solid portfolio…check it out if time permits.

Some nice work coming out of Korea. In the next few months I’m hoping to do some more investigative research and find some folks working in Korea and abroad. So stay tuned, stay tuned. In the meantime, have a look at the work from SVA grad now living in Seoul, Dah Yee Noh.

Aamu Song, Johan Olin, Powerbook (2), Macbook, PC laptop, Elna Sewing machine, Bernina 800DL serger, Makita drill setti, MiniDV, 3 camera, Tool box (well equipped), Adobe Creative Suite, Macromedia StudioMX, Intern (1) comprise Company. They craft fun, delightful, whimsical, childish (in the best possible way), and engaging designs. Their products are a hybrid of naive functionalism and witty form. Their work makes me smile. This video explains their work very well as well.

Here they are as Penguins!

designers prevail /

The Design Incubation Center is a unique place in the Department of Architecture School of Design and Environment at the National University of Signapore. As the name states it is a think tank for design. The ideas and projects lie mostly in the realm of objects and products.

??The Design Incubation Centre is a design research laboratory which investigates and develops new design tools to find new possibilities for the practice of design. This is done through projects that analyze the emerging and evolving human needs, technology and social trends.

Just read an article over at Creative Review about design certifications. Apparently, the Chartered Society of Designers has filed an application to the UK Government to approve a system that awards designers with ‘CDes’ chartered status. There hope is to elevate the status of the design profession to be amongst the ranks of other ‘chartered’ professionals, such as accountants, surveyors and engineers. Designers would be assessed on their professionalism, skills, knowledge and creativity. So, I wonder how does one judge someone’s creativity…isn’t it all subjective? What do you guys think? Should designers be certified?

A fascinating community created by recent Art Center grad, Marian Chiao. Each project is like an inspirational way to re-think, re-work, re-design, re-view, and re-set your daily design routine. The tasks range from mundane to wildy imaginative. I can’t wait to see this take off. Smile, it’s only Tuesday :)

Whilst flicking through this month’s Artichoke, I came across an article about this interesting new-age artist of all mediums – Dan Hill. The work which was featured in the article – not shown here, but a series of photographic juxtapositions; aesthetically not too far removed from tDr’s ‘Impossible Architecture’ series a few years back, prompted me to dig deeper. Although relatively little can be found about him (for instance, a folio site of sorts) I have discovered he is first and foremost a practicing architect and has been working at the forefront of innovative information and communication technologies (ICT) since the early ‘90s and responsible for many innovative, popular and critically acclaimed products and services. Dan’s blog, CityofSound, features a Graphic Design’ section amongst other things and is definitely worth a look – if only to see how such a mulit-talented artist is applying is own unique take on the profession. It’s predominantly experimental work, but refreshing none the less.

Just head out to Target and you’ll be reminded that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Even though I admit sometimes I might be a sucker for pink, fuzzy hearts, chocolate roses, and baby cupids…I wonder what we could do as designers to make this holiday a little more sentimental. I thought this Valentine’s Day release form by KnockKnock was pretty funny. If you have any suggestions on redesigning Valentine’s Day then head on over here.