Flying Over Everest
“Flying past Everest on the way to Bhutan. Amazing to cruise at the same height as the peaks” from @timoarnall
Mediocrity
I’m still pondering how a non-design design is a popular choice. Wake up!
If you close your eyes, you’ll hear Johnny Ives saying ‘That’s the most terrible thing I’ve ever seen‘. From a man usually more comfortable staying in the shadows.
See the whole web experience to believe the full potential.
Choose Happiness
Wisdom comes in many forms.
It’s only 1 minute long but this may give you the ultimate perspective on what you need to do to be happy.
Be Fearful Of Mediocrity
Getting ready for this year’s themed party in the style of a classy 1950’s sub-editor. Strangest Halloween dare.
CopyBlogger put’s this comment in it’s proper and full context:
Countless psychological studies have shown that the fear of failure is the number one barrier to personal success. We fear failure because we don’t separate tasks from ourselves, and therefore our self-esteem is at risk every time we attempt to do anything we really want to achieve.
In other words, we’re afraid of being humiliated, because at the subconscious level, we link failure to humiliation. So how do we get over our fear of failure and its misguided companion humiliation?
* Admit you’re afraid to fail.
* Realize that every time you fail, you’ve become a better writer/designer.
* Recognize that each failure brings you one step closer to success.
* Relish the learning experience, and reject the illusion of humiliation.
When it comes to your writing dreams and goals, being safe is a fate worse than death. Not only do your dreams die, but you get to live the rest of your life knowing it. Our brains work against us here. We’re designed to embrace consistency, safety and familiarity, but those who dare to seek unfamiliar territory claim the spoils. In truth, no matter how much you achieve, you’ll need to keep pushing into new areas and purposely scaring yourself, so just get used to it.
* What’s the worse that could happen? Often, it’s not really all that bad.
* Risk-taking breeds self-confidence. Every time you survive, you thrive.
* Look before you leap? Just jump.
Just do it. Nike might just be right.
h/t: yellowtrace + copyblogger
Remind Me
Pulled out the stops to find this 2002 isometric graphic animation/illustration classic.
Directed by Ludovic Houplan & Hervé de Crécy
MTV Europe Music Award for best music video.
h/t: thewriterscoin.com
BBC Knowledge
Beautiful little short from the entertaining shores of Three Drunk Monkeys
BBC Knowledge: “Honk if you’re human” Lovely mixed media craftsmanship #animation.
Apparently the same creative team sculptured television cables into a beautiful ad for BBC World showing compelling scenes of global significance. Real actual cable used and deployed. Look at how it feeds from each window. Really nice job.
Spike in Design
Signifying a unique change in the way designers intentionally spike-up and pierce ‘tech’ things to personalize and punk it to be unique.
Image HT @Valentina_Kova
Information Display
Really like the simplicity of the video. Glad to see these new displays benefitting NYC. Most major cities of the world have had them for 15 years. Worth the wait I’m sure.
Elegant information design nicely complements the general improvements to NYC subway such as the new map improvements.
Bristol-roasted Coffee
A story of passion, serious expertise, a family business and some great tasting coffee.
Really like this premise of “starting your own coffee story”. Stories have significant meaning and emotional connection. As we collectively move away from big brand dominance I see authentic local brands flourishing, especially if they can be memorable/remarkable.
Case-in-point is this upstart, Bristol coffee brand
h/t @greenlandstudio
Twitter CEO
Twitter CEO Evan Williams steps down and moves into product development:
Guardian reports today on how Twitter is entering the second phase of the company’s growth potential as Evan moves to bring Dick Costolo in as CEO:
Growing big is no success, in itself. Success to us means meeting our potential as a profitable company that can retain its culture and user focus while having a positive impact on the world. This is no small task. I frequently reflect on the type of focus that is required from everyone at Twitter to get us there.”
Williams says he will personally focus on product strategy: “I am most satisfied while pushing product direction. Building things is my passion, and I’ve never been more excited or optimistic about what we have to build.”
Wonderful quote and very inspiring way to describe the passion for making things.
Peaceful Warrior
Beautiful image worthy of your attention.
Peaceful Warrior: Arrogant and talented Dan Millman seems to have the perfect college life, with good looks, grades, and a shot at the Olympics in gymnastics. One night Dan meets a strange old man named Socrates, with a philosophical approach to life that gives him special powers. Dan begs Socrates to share his secret of his abilities to help him achieve gold in the Olympics. However things start to go terribly wrong and his life deteriorates before him. Dan must learn a new way of thinking and let go of all his expectations and live in the now. Scott Mechlowicz, who starred in the teen comedy Euro Trip, plays the gymnast star Dan Millman, who learns to explore his inner strengths in addition to his already physical and outside qualities. Interviews: Scott Mechlowicz, Nick Nolte, Amy Smart.
Crash
Unfortunate slow motion bike crash mid-air. I remember such crushing mishaps. Painful lessons during daring time trials.
h/t to Andy Rutledge for these amazing photos from Edmund White.
Impossible is Nothing
One of the most humbling and memorable stories from Adidas
One of the greatest TV spots featuring Muhammed Ali with Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Ian Thrope, Haile Gebreselassie and Tracy McGrady.
“Some people listen to themselves, rather than listen to what other say, these people don’t come along very often, but when they do, they remind us that once you set upon a path even though critics may doubt you its okay to believe that there is no can’t, won’t or impossible. They remind us it’s okay to believe, impossible is nothing.”
I like what Ali said in an interview, “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
Real bravura.
Pylon Figure
Client Landsnet, a public company that owns and runs the electrical transmission system in Iceland where 80% of the electricity is from green sustainable sources, such as geothermal power.
Purpose Pylon design competition.
Special constraints & site description The pylons were intended to be constructible, affordable and durable.
Design challenges & solutions We sought to make an iconic, unforgettable pylon, that created an identity for Iceland and the power
Designed by Jin Choi & Thomas Shine, Choi+Shine Architects.
Making only minor alterations to well established steel-framed tower design, we have created a series of towers that are powerful, solemn and variable. These iconic pylon-figures will become monuments in the landscape. Seeing the pylon-figures will become an unforgettable experience, elevating the towers to something more than merely a functional design of necessity.
“The ‘Land of Giants‘ is a poem for the eyes.”
Elmar Burchia, Corriere Della Sera, Aug 17, 2010
Packaging Assignment
Searching for examples of packaging that stretch the imagination. Three sites on the interweb that do a great job following branded packaging: thedieline dzinebites and gooddesigner
These wonderful items make any product mmmm sweeter.
Knots and Ties
Looking for elegant diagrams and illustrations for how to tie a knot. This was the best of the bunch:
Did you know a Prince Albert from a Half Windsor? I’m afraid I’m at a loss with all but the standard tie knot. Nice diagram.
The Windsor, or double Windsor knot, is named after the Duke of Windsor, who made this tie knot popular. The double Windsor knot is the ideal choice for dress shirts with wide collar spread. If you need to fill that gap of a shark or Kent collar, choose this knot! The double Windsor necktie knot is a very popular knot, but it will also require some practice; therefore it is more suitable for the experienced tie wearer.
Patagonia
Charles Sheffield
Motown at it’s best with the classic track, “It’s Your Voodoo Working”
Get Excited & Make Things
Plentiful advice from @socialuxe
