Since being here in Seoul, it is ever so refreshing to find places, people, folks like this. If you have some time, check out the publications from Mediabus and better yet, if you are in Seoul, come visit The Book Society.

“Mediabus is an independent publisher based in Seoul, Korea. It was initiated in 2007 by independent curators with the collaboration of designers. Mediabus publishes zines & books, produces and distributes, organizes exhibitions & events, directs a workshop, and carries out project or book commissions for companies & institutions.”

What already was an amazing and amazingly curated music blog has now become even better. Sitting conveniently in a unique position among web experiences, this is now a place for some comfortably curated viewing and listening pleasures. From some pretty exquisite tastes at that. I love all the little typographic details as well. Alot of heart and care has gone into this. So as time permits, or as your interactive experiences permit, have a look at the new YYY. Yes Yes Y’all!

This interesting article reports on overcoming the all-too-familiar creative block. Featuring an impressive line up of well known and prolific designers and artists, each individual sharing their most effective cures for the syndrome – some of these are pretty interesting. Try it. You might be what you’ve been looking for…

designers prevail /

Computerlove transforms itself into an alternative network of 3 websites (Cpluv.org and Cpluv.me coming soon) dedicated to awarded artists, designers, and directors. Welcome to Ubiq, public beta. For what’s new or if you’re just plain lost, head over to the the FAQ’s for a quick lowdown. Fly in!

Interesting write up and video discussion with designer Jon Sueda. Brings up some interesting points. I’m wondering if everybody is lucky enough to avoid commercial clients? Have a look see when you can.

An old co-worker of mine once frequently used the term “Junkolio”. He would often say, in a voice not dissimilar to Jack Burton, from Big Trouble in Little China, “Yeeeeep. Well, just gonna finish this up real quick and file it in the íol Junkolio.”

I bring this up today as Junkolio has much been on my mind. In conversations with other designers and in conversations with myself. For Junkolio actually refers to all that work that never makes it into your portfolio. The work that never sees the light of the day. The work that pays for your ham and cheese sandwich and your ability to use running water and electricity. Yep. You guessed it. Itís the work that was largely unglamorous but did the job and allows you to practice in this special profession we know all to well called graphic design. However these days, Iíve noticed an alarming increase in the Junkolio. I am myself guilty of this. There are some things I look back after a few months/year and cringe/shudder and carefully slide back under the rug. But I have noticed a great many folks who I meet and chat with are in under the same quandary. What to show? Does one take heed in the age old saying of showing only the type of work one wants to work with? Can one survive following such a mantra? Physically? Financially?

Iím becoming increasingly interested these days in what makes it into the Junkolio? It’s funny. In a day when print is becoming increasingly more difficult to survive with, I’ve found that many a website, big or small, makes their way to the Junkolio. I’ve seen portfolios with a broad section of ‘work’ and then a whole other section simply labeled ‘web’. As if to say, yep, we sweep this under the carpet as well. Hopefully nobody notices. Iím not sure where I’m going with this other than to wonder, who is making use of the Junkolio these days and what goes in it? Is anybody Junkolio free? Is anybody showing everything in the entire year they worked on?

The other reason I bring up Junkolio, is what appears to be the ever maddening state of design. For I’ve noticed in numerous conversations, that everything that ever did make it into the ‘work’ section of a portfolio had practically zero budget. A ‘fun portfolio piece’ or a project for a buddy that was zero in funds but allowed for some creative freedom. The sad fact is, that it appears that designers can not live from what they show? It is the Junkolio that makes that peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But poor Junkolio never sees the sun. I guess I’m curious if anybody else is making use of the ’ol Junkolio? And if so, what ’cha got in there? Can I trade ya for my PB&J?

The always inquisitive punk rock stallion, Mr. Swinehart, has just released a pretty stunning research project. Perhaps not stunning in the typical sense of the word, but stunning in the meticulous and uncovering an area perhaps forgotten to a generation with more attention deficit disorder than the previous. Anyways, have a look see and a read. Itís a pretty interesting break down of the choose your own adventure book over the years. However, the A.D.D. idiot in me was intrigued equally more so by the lovely animations and the ability to even play them and receive some visual reinforcement as well. Have a look see when you get a moment. Nice work.

Randomly ran into this interview the other day and thought it was quite inspiring. It’s with Jim Coudal of Coudal.com. I think what is so inspiring here is that he has paved a path, without a clear goal in mind but by letting things fall into place and seizing the moment. Sorry if that sounds like B school jargon but I really enjoyed reading this interview. He has amazingly taken out the client in his take on the design profession and I am envious! Here’s the nice interview from Design Glut.

Really lovely post over at Design Observer by Jessica Helfand. I loved the sincerity of this post and more so, the feelings she is discussing here. I think much could be said for defying logic every now and then. And letting things happen or fall into place without any explanation. Have a read if you have some time this morning or this afternoon.

Interesting read on chance and creativity forwarded to me from my buddy DD. It’s a nice quick read detailing four different types of chance and how it seems to forever be around us if we perhaps open our eyes. Well, thatís one of them atleast. I’ve always been under the assumption that if I was lucky with one thing, it was that I had always seemed to meet good folks. But perhaps this is the idiot in me speaking as good folks probably just equates to friends and those you get along with. But nevertheless, I’ve always felt though that I did not have particularly good luck in other arenas. I’m wondering now if it is just because I did not have the soup properly stirred or if I just was wearing sunglasses that were a tad too dark. I think there are lots of implications here for designers/creative types as well. We as naturally curious folk could actually benefit by continuing to stir the pot. Here’s a quick summary of them quoted from the article quoted from originally another text:

“Chance I is completely impersonal; you canít influence it. Chance II favors those who have a persistent curiosity about many things coupled with an energetic willingness to experiment and explore. Chance III favors those who have a sufficient background of sound knowledge plus special abilities in observing, remembering, recalling, and quickly forming significant new associations. Chance IV favors those with distinctive, if not eccentric hobbies, personal lifestyles, and motor behaviors.”

My friday offerings are the superb drawings of Vic Reeves. He is primarily know as a comedian from the UK but has also recently launched his new book at Paul Smith’s Floral Street London. The world as Vic sees it! I enjoy.

Picked up an interesting book. Haven’t read it in depth yet, but will post a full report when I’m finished. In the meantime a brief description: ” Austin Howe is a creative director, writer, advocate, and cheerleader for design-but not a designer. He believes ìin the wonder and exuberance of someone who gets paid-by clients to do what he loves.î Howe places immense value on curiosity and passion to help designers develop a point of view, a strong voice. He explores the creative process and conceptualization, and delves into what to do when inspiration is lacking. If thereís a villain in these elegant, incisive, amusing, and inspiring essays, itís ad agencies and marketing directors, but even villains serve a purpose and illustrate the strength of graphic design ìas a system, as a way of thinking, as almost a life style.î Howe believes that advertising and design must merge, but merge with design in the leadership role. He says that designers should create for clients and not in the hope of winning awards. He believes designers should swear ìa 10-year commitment to make everything we do for every client a gift.î If this sounds like the designer is the clientís factotum, not so. Howe also argues in favor of offering clients a single solution and being willing to defend a great design. Organized not only by topic, but also by how long it will take the average reader to complete each chapter, Designers Donít Read is intended to function like a ìdaily devotionalî for designers and busy professionals involved in branded communications at all levels. Begun as a series of weekly essays sent every Monday morning to top graphic designers,Designers Donít Read quickly developed a passionate and widespread following. With the approximate time each chapter might take to read, Designers Donít Readís delight and provocation can be fit into the niches in the life of a time-challenged designer.”

A nice little publication has recently been launched. Popshot Magazine. With the intent of bringing ‘poetry to a wider, younger and more diverse audience and attempt to steal it back from its rather musty reputation’, the magazine looks to be a nice combination of type, written words and illustrations. Pick up a copy if you see one!

A good friend of mine turned me onto this photographers work. His name is Bae Bien-U and his images are for lack of a better word, stunning. He has a book published and I highly recommend if you like what you see that you pick up the book to add to your collection. Online images don’t do his work justice, because the printing quality of the book is really wonderful; dark darks, beautiful desaturated colors, texture and sharp images. You can pick up the book at Amazon or your local bookstore. Enjoy.

Very much looking forward to the preview tonight of the NY Art Book Fair. For the non NY huggers, I will try to take as many pictures as possible… (If they let me) Printed Matterís annual fair of over 200 international presses, booksellers, antiquarian dealers, and independent artist/publishers presenting a diverse range of the best in contemporary art publications. October 2-4 at P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, New york

at the bottom of this letterhead are the words ìwir schreiben alles klien, denn wir sparen damit zeit.î translated this means ìwe write everything small, thus saving time.î designed by herbert bayer, this letter head is under the ownership of james phillips williams of amassblog. lower caps does save time. especially when one has to write in german.

For the past three nights, Iíve been listening while working, to some of the interviews on Graphic Design on the Radio, a radio show hosted by Adrian Shaughnessy. Sorry, as you all know, I have been living under a rock and I can see now, I am almost exactly one year now behind the very last entry. Nevertheless, this is some, as they say, good sh@%. I was turned to hear from fellow hugger Bec, who, in an email discussing inspiration discussed how this was always a good tune in. A month after that discussion (I know, Iím always playing catch up), I finally get around to tuning in and my oh my, I wish I could have tuned in earlier. I’ve for whatever reason, been in identity crisis as of late. And I cannot say this has helped me get beyond that anymore. But it did bring many a smile to the face while listening. Which is more than I can say for the rest of the moment. I particularly was cracking up over the Kim Hiorthoy interview. Seriously. I do not think it was meant to bring laughter. But I actually chuckled out loud.

I do appreciate what Mr. Shaughnessy is doing. Every piece of writing I’ve read from the dude is spot on, encouraging and filling what I see to be a void. I cannot say Iím past my identity crisis but I say thanks again Mr. Shaughnessy for doing good things for this planet. We could all use some more of this. So this show, is an awesome fusion of all kinds of goodness. The designers get to play some of their favorite tracks. And a lot of the discussion, stems over music and design. A relationship, I have mused in the past, is now long forgotten. So this leads me to think what other good things can we do? What good is there left to do? How can we as human beings, bring the level of happiness up a tad? Is there nothing left that we can do? Anyways, sorry for the vociferation. But I thought, perhaps in this day and age, you all might want a slight uplift. Sorry if you have seen this all before, but if you haven’t, seriously, tune in to this radio show for just a bit. As they say again, good sh!@. Have a great week everyone!

Hand written letters, everyone loves to receive one and when I seen this earlier this week posted on BOOOOOOOMM I just had to share it here on the hug. Michael Crowe and Lenka Clayton sent the 467 households of a small irish coastal village Cushendall! It caused quite a stir down in the village! Worth checking their blog to find out more.

Epilogue Magazine is a classy act. With contributors based in Los Angeles and New York, Epilogue crafts a fine publication that successfully transports the feeling of a literary magazine to the web. The emphasis of the magazine is the interaction between culture and art; the magazine will include high-end design work, selected fiction, and transcribed conversations with culturally relevant figures. When you find some time and space nestle down with your macbook at Epilogue. You’ll feel like you’re reading a newspaper in a white gallery. They update with new features every Monday so keep an eye out.

Okay, we probably all know a great deal of this already, but it is always nice to have a quick and easy reference at hand. In the words of the author: “This website, which contains the material of the course VA312, taught at Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey; attempts to walk you through the long and diverse history of a particular aspect of human endeavour: The translation of ideas, stories and concepts that are largely textual and/or word based into a visual format, i.e. visual communication.” It is pretty well written, has a nice layout and good references and images. Link: The History of Visual Communication

Running the back end of I love you more than blank has turned my love machine chauffeur (Laureen Moyal) and I into part time love anthropologists. We didn’t start this project out of our pure Love for Love, but more as an excuse to collect some social data. Like most designers, we get excited for visual puns and any excuse to make some information graphics… so imagine our surprise when the submissions came flooding in! We evaluate the responses we receive, but we also love, gasp, awe, and often google the things we don’t know. I know graphic designers are not known to be lovers (as in the Latin lover type of sense) (perhaps because at times we perceive the world in black and white). The first design related submission we received was “I love you more than Helvetica”. Typography followed, grid paper, Gill Sans, my pica ruler, Adobe Illustrator (but not the whole suite?), and on… I kept waiting for some one to submit “I love you more than graphic design.”, but today, 6,000 submissions in, this line remains uncrossed and I predict it never will.

Laureen and I, with our new anthropological doctorate, have been trying to comprehend this phenomenon. Photographers have exclaimed “I love you more than photography”, architects have declared “I love more than I love architecture”, Programmers are willing to “love you more than action script”, but the stubborn graphic designer is unwilling to budge. What does that say about us? In the end of the day, do we love graphic design more than broccoli? More than the cold side of the pillow? More than all the stars in the sky? Is it keeping you warm at night? Is graphic design so magnificent that even though we are able to give up a part of it for love, surrendering the whole is unfathomable? With these thoughts I leave you on Valentine’s day. Perhaps I should walk away from my laptop and smell the roses or take a bite out of a heart shaped doughnut with glazed rose petals on top (the most absurd thing I’ve seen as of yet).

Limited editions on newsprint. Worth a go!

Women of Design is available, and in stock at Amazon. A nicely designed book by Armin and Bryony of Underconsideration.

I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with Craig Oldham, but both his work and his musings on design are thoughtful and a pleasure to look through. Please don’t skim through this one, it’s worth the reading. I particularly like his experiments like the nudist typefaces and the “I forgot” series.

April Greiman madeinspace.la – Last week, I made it out to the April Greiman lecture I had previously mentioned. Well, what can one say? To be honest, I’m still not quite sure what to think. I was actually pretty excited to hear her speak. In my eyes, ears, and throat, she had always been associated with the boat rockers. Those who like to shake the banana tree. Bring those bananas down in a flurry. Those who like to stir the pot. The Greiman brand that I am familiar with is that of one who makes old people mad. Having been educated in Basel, Greiman, like her mentor and teacher, Wolfgang Weingart had begun a new and formidable process of making old guys mad. And this intrigues me. For as long as I can remember, it is these folks that I always found a hefty helping of joy from. Those that swim in the seas of unintentional rebellion. Designers who made old guys mad. Atleast in my early years of design. David Carson. Vaughan Oliver. Emigré. The Designer’s Republic. Tomato. Attik. How I loved to be caught up in a world where some old rules were broken and it really didn’t matter because those old rules never really were known in the first place. Never applied. And this is what I associate Greiman with. The pioneer. One of the rocks of the new wave in graphic design. A departure from the norm. A figure who without literally saying it, embodied the notion of “eff” you. So that said, I was excited. Plain and simple. But what did I see there? Well, this is probably the million dollar question. I guess, the better way to put it, is what I did not see. What I did not see there was this healthy helping of “eff” you. Where was it? It seemed to be a variety of work that just did the job. Got it done. No excess. No laboring. There was a need, and it was filled. Not that this is a bad thing. But I was perhaps, a bit hungry for more. But this lead me down another few paths of thought. A: do old guys get mad anymore? B: where do all the old designers go?

David Carson davidcarsondesign.com – So does anybody get riled up anymore? Anybody fanning the charcoal briquettes with oxygen? Anybody dousing the burrito with sriracha sauce? I really wonder this. And what happens to these former greats? For in the above list, it seems, all of these formerly rebellious folks, have, as I’ve witnessed from Greiman, chosen the quiet life. And I do not fault them for this. For all I know, I would have and probably will do the very same. But what happens to that combustible spirit? The flaming hot cheetos. That sprit of change. Spirit of innovation. Spirit of trying things not done before. Trying the strange. Spirit of making old guys mad. It seems to me, that either my tastes have changed, or my thinking is becoming very quickly that of an old guy. For in these past few years, I feel I am greatly missing the old guys getting mad. Is nobody naively bending the rules anymore? Trying something for the hell of it. And not caring about the norm? The standards? The establishment? I guess what I feel I am missing is the design hero of old. Somebody whose joy in what they were doing, their approach, facilitated a pure neglect for that which was around them. A design that excited the people experiencing just as much as it did the creator in creating. A design that not only ruffled feathers but plucked them as well. Where are you? Where have you gone? But is this perhaps a reflection of the current state of the times? With Greiman, and with other design heroes of old, often times the rebellion took place at the hands of technology. Greiman with her Mac was rocking design with, at the time, a somewhat dysfunctional design application. The same could be said for any of these others who made the old guys mad. But is there a direct connection between technology and making old dudes mad? I’m curious to see if this might be true. For as recently as I can remember, the closest we have had to creating grumpy old men/women, was somewhat embodied by this internet revolution. The web designer. The ill-informed web designer who did not care about the rules of typography because it would not effing work in a browser anyways. The web designer who just rocked because it was a pleasure to rock. To publish design work and avoid the traditional means of publication. The traditional paths. As James pointed out earlier, there was something raw and energetic coming out of the web and typographic presence of the Test Pilot Collective. I too found a great joy and energy coming from the early incarnations of work coming from Mike and Mike from YouWorkForThem. It was a great time and a time to just enjoy something different. Something new. Something that stirred the pot. I can’t say what the old guys were thinking at that time. But I’d bet a copy of David Carson’s Fotografiks that there was some hamburger helper portions of disdain. But what happens these days? I was chatting with a friend, Mr. Jory, earlier today about how much things have changed. Perhaps it is a larger paradigm shift in the field of graphic design overall. He recalls back in his schooling days huge amounts of disdain for all the greats. Emil Ruder. Max Bill. Anything related with constructivism. The international style. Grids. All of this “sucked”. And perhaps there was reason for this. It was everywhere and in some instances, I can imagine, with a heavy helping of some force feeding too. But these days, it seems that with this new generation, there is an alarming/surprising joy found in that of old. The simplicity. The grid systems. A David Carson book is now pretty proficient at gathering dust. In fact, a student seeing one in this day and age, I can safely infer, would probably dub it absolute junk. What has happened? How could such a transformation take place. And this is what I wonder. I guess it is obvious. What once was new has become old. But what of any modern day heroes. I can’t help but think of my recent time in school as a grad student and wondering what the kids are digging these days. The kids it seems, have developed a taste for wine. They’ve skipped the Jolt. The Pepsi. The Cheetos. And many will argue this is a good thing. I too will pleasantly argue for the benefits of an all wine diet. But at the same time, where is all that recklessness? The rock ’n roll? The design that moved people, in both good and bad ways. The feeling of something dynamic. Something changing. Something channeling. Something challenging. A design that, yes, made old guys mad.

Vaughan Oliver –

Tomato tomato.co.uk – I don’t think I am asking for or pursuing the next big thing. I think design moves in waves. But I am a bit amused to see this current wave. As mentioned before, not that this is a bad thing in anyways. As I said. Wine is good. But I wonder now, where the next great push will be. And in some ways, perhaps this is why I sought to hear Greiman speak. To see a little inkling of that push. A little twinkle in the eye. Or is it here, more of a wink of the eye. And as I said, in some ways, it was not there, sadly enough. But presentation aside, seeing her work in person was actually rather igniting. I can see a rawness there. An energy. In some of those larger prints, there was something really amazing happening. And this perhaps, was the saving grace of the whole evening. The ability to see some of her prints in person. The feeling was there and was readily quite alive. And you could see the gears turning. The gears that created such pieces. And it was super refreshing. A nice glass of OJ on a brisk morning. I think this brings up a whole other can of worms which I’d like to bring up at another time. The idea of communication taking place from the designer’s work and the communication taking place from the designer themselves. In my short time here on design earth, I’ve witnessed an alarmingly interesting chasm between the two. But alas, this is another subject for another time. Another day. I never got to finish the second half of my post too. The part about old designers. But this is another can of worms that I will either eat, or tackle, at another time again. In the meantime, if any of you out there, have seen old guys getting mad. Do tell me. For I’m getting old myself.

Attik attik.com –

Designers Republic thepeoplesbureau.com –

Emigré emigre.com -

Our very own Katherine Hughes’ love for the ampersand has been hugged by our friends over at FormFiftyFive. FormFiftyFive has, as the Fine Young Cannibals once said, a good thing going on so check it out when you have the time. Have a nice Wednesday everyone.

So this will probably be the first negative post yet. I’m sure in due time, many a more will fill the stocking. But nevertheless, here goes. This too, will probably be the beginning of a series as well that I will continue as the weeks go on. Over the summer, my favorite basketball team in the world was stolen from the city I call my birthplace, Seattle, WA. Anyways, this probably means very little to a great many. But I was heartbroken. And to this day, it still brings more frowns. More and more. Tonight, I had an exchange with a friend of mine and we were hypothesizing as to the creator of this beast. Yes folks. It is okay to cringe. I can officially not even dub this graphics designs. I know not who did this. But I know I wish, not to know who did this. There is a write up on this at UnderConsideration if you are curious. The comments? Let’s just say, I hope the original designer is not reading this because it will take elephant dermis to shield them from the decimation. But back to the point. I believe what is at issue here, or the larger issue here, is what happened to sports and graphic design? Since when has poor design become standard issue in sports? I can remember many a classic logo from as early back as the 80s that were fitting, decent, and wholly acceptable. I was watching the olympics earlier this summer and I wonder, who’s intelligent idea it was to put flames on the uniforms of the Chinese baseball team? Anyways, the point is, I wonder when the great divide took place? It seems it is common standing in our profession to disassociate with athletics. I’ve seen it once. I’ve seen it time and time again. This is not a bad thing. This is natural. We, as designers, are the more arts inclined. The slightly more sensitive. The slightly more refined(atleast in our minds). And to stem further away from our “meathead” counterparts, seems like the logical step. Or progression? I understand the logic. I understand the sentiment. But I wonder, could this be cause for the chasm? Have we let the divide truly separate in entirety? I’m wondering if it is a firm yes here. And I can probably receive affirmation from that from the amount of folks who have absolutely no interest in this post. But I will continue, and only for a bit longer. It seems that graphic design is missing out. Or shall I say, probably more correctly, athletics are missing out on graphic design. And I do apologize to the hundreds of folks, who are happily employed in the arena of design for athletics. But I cannot remember the last identity I saw for a professional team that drew even a slight nod of approval. Sad. And it was ever present today as well, as I look sadly upon what was formerly my beloved SuperSonics. I will continue on this another day. But in the meantime, RIP Sonics. RIP.

A new online magazine that I have recently pleasurably been acquainted with is Scout. A magazine started by a friend of a friend who is also a friend of another friend, Tom Ran, it’s a succinct pleasurable glimpse into much that is New York. It has especially been a good find for somebody who is new to the city, like myself. Check it out when you have a moment!

The above photo is the Burger Joint. A pleasurable spot to consume America’s favorite. Originally referred to me by a friend named Double C. It was nice to be reacquainted with this establishment.

a uk collective of artists, designers, musicians and writers. founded in 91. tomato.co.uk

Philip K. Dick was not only a prolific Sci-Fi author, but also a philosopher, theologian, and futurist. His work has gained considerable recognition in the past decade as many of his sci-fi works have been made into movies, (Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and Paycheck to name a few.) His works are packed visions of a drug-fueled future where realities are bent, surveillance is betraying, and androids fight for consciousness. But what elevates the work of Philip K. Dick are the heavy questions his writings ask. They really challenge the reader to ponder perceptions of reality in an increasingly virtual environment. His work has been the inspirational source for many. After reading a few of his books you’ll quickly spot the influence everywhere from the Matrix, to Ghost in the Shell. Philip K. Dick was a true post-modern philosopher and a scribe for a drugged-up, wired generation. As we progress with increasing speed his words become more relevant. They begs us to pay attention to those whispers in the ether between the buzz of our computers and cell phones. Links short comic by R. Crumb, Official site, rare video interview about A Scanner Darkly.