Proof it doesn’t need more cowbell

Pull up these package redesigns from Antrepo for a client the next time they ask for a bigger logo or more “oomph” and ask which designs they think will stand out on a shelf in a sea of competing products?

Via Fubiz

New Type York

I am really liking James Patrick Gibson’s blog New Type York. It’s a daily photoblog of typographic artifacts found all around New York City. Living in NYC makes it easy to find wonderful typography all over this wonderful town. Gibson posts images of type found on signs, directions, architecture, etc.

My favorite part about this blog is that he doesn’t just leave the typography to speak for itself, he gives it some context. In some cases, it’s based on location or an establishment’s reputation, while other times it may have some fact related to it’s seasonal nature.

Here are a few recent entries:

Show Us Your Type

My friend Natalie Long and two of her designer friends from Barcelona started a small design project about two things they love: type and cities. It’s called Show Us Your Type and the result is 30 uniquely designed posters inspired by cities around the world, created by designers everywhere. The first edition of the project featured New York City and the the results are fabulous. Here are just a few:

They are going to post new cities every couple of months or so, along with an deadline for submissions. The next destination is Barcelona. With so much great architecture and inspiration in that city, I can’t wait to see the work.

Ideo Method Cards Go Digital

Ideo’s now classic Method Cards that were originally released in 2003 as a printed deck of 51 cards to help inspire and spark creative ideas for designers have recently been released as an iphone application. I am so happy about this; we have a set of the cards, but they sit around on our bookshelf and are rarely around when I usually need a creative boost. Having them available on my phone means I can get a quick creative hit whenever I need now.

You can download the app for free and get 8 cards and once you do, you can purchase the dull deck for $4.99.

Letterpress Printing at Home

It’s no secret that I love letterpress, so when I came across this little letterpress machine by Lifestyle Crafts while reading Black Eiffel the other day, I was really excited.

It seems to be much like a Gocco, but instead of screen printing, it leaves a bit of an impression on the paper, which I love. Lifestyle Crafts also offers customers custom printing plates, so that budding printers can upload a pdf and have a plate made for their next printing endeavor. While it may not be an altogether quick project–you still need to do a little planning ahead to roll out a new line of thank you notes, it’s definitely a more convenient option than finding a local letterpress studio to rent out for a few hours.

Congratulations, President Obama!

There are few better ways to celebrate than with baked goods and this Obama cupcake mosaic, really, er, sorry, but it, takes the cake.

Check out the artist/baker at work:

Originally via Serious Eats

Posters by Jason Munn

Sometimes I send myself links as a reminder to blog about something I like and then I totally forget: a) where the link originally came from, b) why I wanted to blog about it.

I still don’t remember where this link came from, but as soon as I opened it up I remembered why I liked it. I have always been inspired by poster designs, and that trend continues with, Jason Munn’s work. He creates some amazing posters for clients like Patagonia and Death Cab for Cutie. Here are some of my favorites:

A book that makes me want some apres ski

I’ve always thought snowboard designs are a great source of inspiration as a graphic designer, so when I recently spotted the book The Art of Skiing: Vintage Posters from the Golden Age of Winter Sport, I thought this book would add a different layer of wintery inspiration from the generally modern designs I often find on boards. Not to mention that the book makes you want to curl up with a beer or seven while wearing a bright red parka, sitting in front of a fire in a ski lodge.

Business cards design

With my upcoming notecard and business card letterpress class mere weeks away, I’ve been checking out some letterpress samples on flickr. Alex passed along this set of business card designs on flickr a few months ago, where one can find all sorts of wonderful inspirations, like:

Melissa Nosal. I am loving that red gilded edge.

Koichi Sato. Hello monotone awesomeness!

Ellen Jackson. Such a great look for a portrait photographer.

Graphik Boutique. I am totally sucker for metallic ink these days.

Each card in this letterpress set is unique.

Mine SF. Simple when flat, but holding it up to the light to reveals the name. It’s almost magical!