what did we learn?

Hazel Santino

2011-05-22T00:45:00.001-04:00

Hazel Santino's illustrations are a perfect combination of creepy, mysterious and beautiful. The time each piece must have taken is evident when examined. Hazel's oil paintings are incredibly detailed and tend towards photo realistic; she also incorporates hand done cut outs such as the branches seen in one of the pieces above. Her color palettes are musky, full of neutrals, flesh tones and swirls of greys, a nice contrast to some of the super color saturated illustrative work very popular now. Subjects in her paintings are often human though she also seems to have a enjoy rendering small animals no one else appreciates — rats and pigeons.

The content may be dark, one of the pieces above is based on the story of a murdered girl stuffed into a tree, but Hazel's treatment is far from morose or morbid. There is something quiet and thoughtful in her work. She will be beginning her fifth year at The New School this fall finishing the second of her two degrees there, a BFA in illustration at Parsons and a BA in Literary Studies at Eugene Lang. It seems as though she has already been commissioned for a couple of jobs, CD and book covers, so here's to hoping we see more of Hazel's work recognized.

Hazel's Tumblr

PRESS HERE by Hervé Tullet

2011-05-21T22:16:00.001-04:00

I was randomly browsing the kids section in the MoMA store and discovered this book. Attracted to the imperative PRESS HERE, I immediately began reading and followed all the instructions of this wonderful children’s book by Hervé Tullet. The book gives you the sensation of things actually happening as a result of your actions on the page (press here, shake the book, tilt it to the left etc.) and it feels magical. The first couple of times literally gave me a feeling of power. With a touch of my finger this dot will multiply!

I was so engaged with what was happening and the effect each turn of the page had that it hardly bothered me that I was laughing, clapping (acting a little loony) in the MoMa store. All I can say is that PRESS HERE is very compelling and makes the reader a key part of the book. The book is simply illustrated in primary colors with a raw quickly drawn style. Perusing through Tullet's equally playful site, PRESS HERE fits in very well with his body of work.

Chronicle Books released a book trailer for it as well showing children being very amused with the book. But only watch it if you’re not planning to go to a bookstore and read it because the video gives away most of what happens. And you wouldn't want to ruin reading it for yourself.

Wong Chiu Tat

2011-05-21T00:37:00.003-04:00

Wong Chiu Tat (黃照達) is an artist whose comics are published daily by one of Hong Kong's larger newspapers, Ming Pao. His strip, called Zi Zi Za Za (translated literally) which I would translate as meaning White Noise, are typically four to six panels and comment on current social and political events. His work is a great representation of humor revealing truth; many of his strips critically analyze the Hong Kong government. Chiu Tat also recently published a book called Lonely Planet where the protagonist is a fired designer. Besides working as a professional artist, he lectures on comic and alternative art at Baptist University Hong Kong.

The blog he runs features a series of work called Hello World that consists of full pages of comics following a small boy called Wong Yut. Here, as in his strips for Ming Pao, the thoughts and reactions of the characters in the comic reflect current affairs ironically and with a grin.

My Chinese reading capability is good enough to make sense of the gist of things, but a lot of the more specific jokes and references pass me by. I enjoy the graphic style of his work without even reading the text though. It's similar to Chris Ware's work, perhaps most known for Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth. Chiu Tat's clean graphic sensibility stands out in a newspaper and is calling Hong Kong's attention to design by making it relevant to what people care about.

what did we animate: message received

2010-12-16T02:21:00.001-05:00

Message Received from charis poon on Vimeo.
A little girl discovers something magical. (Alternative title: Old School Texting)
Created in Adobe After Effects.

Just completed my Motion Graphics 2 Final. Hurrah! A little sad I won't be taking an animation class next semester — hope I retain my knowledge of After Effects...

what did we not order: caramel brulee latte

2010-11-29T00:22:00.000-05:00

I was questioning the Starbucks menu at the Los Angeles Airport; either I couldn’t see it properly or what I was looking for just wasn’t there. My eyesight is poor and I have owned the same glasses for about 5 years now despite my continuously increasing stigmatism. My contact lenses are up to date, but I make a point of wearing my glasses on flights longer than two hours so I don’t wake up from a nap with my eyes glued shut. Waiting in line, the seasonal drinks were tempting, but I would have been content with my regular coffee. The Caramel Brulee Latte in particular both looked and sounded promising; the promotional image showed it with plenty of whipped cream and caramel drizzled generously on top. Squinting, I could just make out that a tall Caramel Brulee was $4.05. Anything at the airport costs almost double what it should. Not quite convinced I should make the purchase, I began hunting for the calorie count when the cashier asked for the next in line.

Now closer to the menu, I continued my search for the elusive number that would tell me how much that latte was going to contribute to my daily calorie intake. Not wanting to hold up the line, I had just opened my mouth to ask the cashier, who was waiting patiently for my order, what the drink’s calorie amount was when I remembered my location. I remembered something about a law that food and beverage stores in New York had to follow. A Starbucks on the West Coast was in every way just like the ones on the East Coast except minus some surplus information: how many calories you were consuming per Starbucks product purchased.

It was not my failing eyesight and inaccurate glasses that were hindering me from finding what I needed to know in order to make the decision on my order, it was the unavailability of the information. Without the knowledge of what my holiday drink might contain, I ended up saying, “Just a tall coffee, please.”

what did we attend: mumford & sons

2010-11-23T03:13:00.001-05:00

“Shall we have a dance?” Marcus Mumford, lead singer of Mumford and Sons asked before strumming the opening of their debut album’s first single “Little Lion Man.” The light bulbs strung above the audience flickered on and 3,000 voices roared in approval. On November 16, Mumford and Sons played the final sold-out gig of their US and Canada fall tour, “Gentlemen of the Road,” at Terminal 5 in New York. Accompanying them on this 20-date tour were King Charles, who is a Londoner with a full mane of dreads, and Cadillac Sky, a five man Texan band with a sound that is a unique blend of bluegrass, rock ‘n roll and country.

With the house lights dimmed and to the cheers of the audience, Mumford and Sons stepped into the spotlight and began their first song, “Sigh, No More.” The four members of the band were standing in a row across the stage, each with their respective instruments: keyboard, guitar, dobro and string bass. Their voices were sincere and by the end of the first song, they had the crowd entranced.

Before beginning the quietest song on their album and of the set that night, “Timshel”, Marcus bantered a bit with the concertgoers. He asked them quite politely whether they were enjoying themselves and then suggested, “Let’s go fucking mental.” To Mumford and Sons, going mental clearly meant closing their tour in North America with as much effort and passion as possible. By the end of the song, both Marcus Mumford and Ben Lovett had tears streaming down their cheeks. The look on their faces as they gazed at the crowd was one of amazement and proud achievement. It was evident to them that they had made it and that tonight was proof of their success. Going “mental” also meant ending the night by inviting both of the opening bands back out to play a spirited rendition of King Charles’ song “Lady on the River.” In the middle of the encore, King Charles declared that he had something to say, and after the other 13 musicians had quieted down, announced that he was giving his song to Mumford and Sons. It was a well-received gift.

The people packed together on the ground floor and lining the two balconies contributed to the exuberant energy of the concert. Many songs were transformed into massive sing-a-longs. Accompanying the band’s earnest vocals were the voices of many fans in love with what they were hearing. At the end of “Dust Bowl Dance,” the final song of their set, Marcus sings, “You haven’t met me, I am the only—” and the audience finishes the line—"son."

This tour has been evidence of the band’s popularity globally and not just in their home country of England. It has also clearly been encouragement for them to press on and go even further: produce another album and tour the world again. Most of Mumford and Sons’s debut album “Sigh No More” was played that night at Terminal 5, but so were three new songs, two of which are entitled “Lover of the Light” and “Below My Feet” which are expected to be recorded sometime next year. Shortly before closing the night, Ben Lovett told the audience, “We would love to come back next year.” New York would love that too.

what did we watch / listen to: skyence

2010-10-28T18:39:00.001-04:00

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;ythis &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Skyence – INSCT
Collaboration between Skyence (Hamburg) and Johannes Timpernagel (Berlin).

The animation for this video is great. I particularly enjoy the colors and intricate patterns that you only get tiny glimpses of as they pulse and you begin to wish they were on screen longer just so you could enjoy the detail in them. It's also an example of abstract motion graphics that's well done and not just flashy speedy lights and explosions.

And it's a perfect combination with the sound — which in my opinion is pretty cool stuff on its own. In fact I liked the sound design of this video so much that I've now been listening to Skyence on SoundCloud for the last hour. I don't usually listen to music without words (yeah, I realize that sometimes I'm quite musically close-minded) and I'm okay with my lyric driven songs most of the time. Discovering skyence and finding it compelling to listen to and interesting in its composition is my musical highlight of the week. Hurrah for expanding musical horizons!

what did we read: i was told there'd be cake

2010-10-19T15:30:00.000-04:00

I have just begun reading I Was Told There'd Be Cake, Sloane Crosley's debut book published in 2008. And by just begun I mean that I have only finished reading the first essay "The Pony Problem" and almost all of the second essay. This means I'm not yet qualified to write a review of the collection and not even really certified to voice an opinion. After all, it's a collection and not just one story.

Extrapolating from what I've read so far—I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

At the same time, I'm realizing the dangers of picking up a book because of really good reviews of it... Having expectations before diving into something isn't my typical approach to things, but that's how this book ended up in my Amazon cart.

The book was a best seller and, of course, on her site, there's only glowing praise. The Los Angeles Times calls it "exquisite" and Details declares it "truly well crafted and genuinely funny." Her recent second book, How Did You Get This Number?, has also accumulated solid reviews as well.

I suppose with no one saying bad things, I began this book hoping for the best and wary of being disappointed. With any luck, I'll find myself ordering How Did You Get This Number? by the end of the week.

what did we attend: mumford & sons

2010-10-18T22:34:00.001-04:00

In a curious combination of coincidental timing and similar good taste, this fall provides me with a real life story for all long distance couples. Earlier this year, my boyfriend introduced me to the band Mumford & Sons—he really enjoys their music and I immediately loved them too. We do not often agree on what good music is. This fall, my boyfriend is currently working in LA while I'm in NYC. Tonight he is attending the first show of Mumford & Sons' tour across the States. On Tuesday, November 16 I will be attending their last show of the tour at Terminal 5 in New York.

what did we make: felt blog tracker

2010-10-04T23:22:00.003-04:00

Blogging can be extraordinarily stressful and discouraging at times. Any one with multiple social networking platforms knows how it hectic it can be posting on a blog, a tumblr, tweeting, uploading photos on flickr, maintaining a myspace...or any of those hundreds of websites out there that can be personalized. It's crazy enough finding enough good material to put out there, making sure each one gets equal attention is pure insanity.

Which is why I've come up with this handy (and fun!) post counting calendar. All you need are a few simple materials you can get at most arts and crafts stores and a little bit of time. You'll end up with a great looking cloth and felt board that will help you visually understand your posting trends and remind yourself to post when and where. Let's get started.

Materials Needed:

felt in the colors of the blogging platforms you want to keep track of
felt in red and black for your weekday x's (I find red particularly reminds you to cover it up!) and yellow for your weekend x's (if you blog less on Saturdays and Sundays)
sticky back Velcro in a strip
wall hangers
2 18" stretcher bars and 2 12" stretcher bars (or whatever dimensions you want your final board to be)
a piece of cloth large enough to cover your entire frame and have an extra 1 1/2" to fold over the frame. The piece of cloth shown here is about 22" x 15"

Assemble your frame. Stretcher bars are super easy to fit together. Just place the thin slice at each corner into the corresponding bar's slot.

Now for the tracing and cutting out of the felt pieces. Included with this tutorial is a PDF of the template I used to cut out my Blogger, Tumblr and Twitter icons as well as the X shape I used for the days. (icons outline)

The bottom three are the sizes I used. You are welcome to experiment with larger sizes and if you're particularly interested in emulating the exact icon of your website: think about including the rounded corner square underneath the icon in the color of that site and pasting the icon in white on top.
Also, there are plenty of great social icon developers starter kits available online in illustrator format for your use and adjustment. This set by Elegant UI has 155 scalable vector social icons.

Cut out your paper icon and trace it in sharpie on your felt. It's a good idea to place your shapes close together to conserve your material in case you need more. Trace as many icons as you want to have total.

Cut out all your shapes from the felt. I've cut 20 red X's for four weeks worth of weekdays, 10 X's four four weekends and 20 of each social networking icon. For me it's plenty to be able to be able to tack one onto each weekday for four weeks!

Cut the Velcro into small enough squares or strips to stick onto the backs of your felt shapes. Be sure to stick the Velcro on the side you do not want shown. For icons this is particularly important as you should check that when you stick the icon onto your felt board they still read the right way.

When creating this board I believed a mini reward system was in order, and came up with the idea of pockets holding prizes for yourself if you manage to fill the entire week with consistent posting.

Below are the measurements of the pocket I've created - feel free to adjust as you see fit. The width of this pocket is 3" and the height is 2" but 1/2" seam allowance has been included on both sides and at the top. The material I used was simply muslin.

Fold the cloth over at the dashed line so that 1/2" of material is left at the top. Sew both edges and flip the pocket inside out to hide your seam.

After having sewn your four pockets (one for each week on the board) - sew all four vertically onto one strip of cloth so that they share a back and will remain together after the top has been sewn to the cloth that will be stretch around the frame. That 1/2" of cloth left over at the top of the pocket is where you'll sew the pocket down to the back cloth.

Sew the top of your strip of pockets to the top edge of your cloth about three inches in from the side of the cloth. The pockets should be facing outwards after the cloth has been stretched over the frame.

Using thumbtacks or small nails, nail down your cloth stretched taut over your frame with the pockets hanging at the back. Use as many tacks or nails as necessary to keep the cloth in place.

Nail in two wall hangers evenly dividing the width of the frame into thirds. These will be so that you can hang your blog counter up on a wall.

The back of the frame should look something like this at this point. Since There are pockets for rewards, go ahead in put something in them! I've chosen some fun-sized candy.

Stick on all the X's marking the days of the week now. Yellow means Saturday and Sunday on my board.

Now that the counting board is finished, the rewards are in place and your calendar is ready to be filled with consistent blogging, whip out those icons and keep track of how you're doing.

A nice eco-friendly way of holding onto your social networking icons is to keep them in a washed clean hummus, yogurt or cottage cheese container (or any such finished plastic food box)

Flickr

Instructable

what did we attend: TIRED PONY

2010-10-02T11:00:00.022-04:00

I'm sorry these photos are such poor quality. The people at the door were checking bags and made me bag check my DSLR so no luck in taking the awesome photos that I knew would've come out of this night. Ah well - learning to detach myself from my digital gadgets is good too. And this meant i really had a full experience.

Last night my roommate and I attended the Tired Pony concert in New York. Tired Pony is Gary Lightbody, Richard Colburn, Iain Archer, Jacknife Lee, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey and Troy Stewart. Gary Lightbody is the lead vocalist of Snow Patrol (one of my all-time favorite bands since about 6 - 7 years ago). This was Tired Pony's first gig in the United States (they'll be playing in LA on this Monday October 4) and their second in the world (the first was in London this summer). As a result of our inability to get tickets to the Snow Patrol concert sometime a little over a year ago, we immediately jumped at the chance to see Gary Lightbody in the flesh playing with Tired Pony, one of his many collaborative efforts with other amazing artists.

The concert was a great deal of solid fun. It wasn't music to get your heart pumping and feet jumping, but music to feel moved by, listen intently to and let your body move instinctively. The vocalists were entrancing, the mood dreamy and the musicians pulled off the craziest amount of instrument changes. (At any time on stage there would be somewhere between 9 - 12 different performers.) Songs were sincere and though not executed perfectly all the time, more real for the touch and go quality the performance gave it. They all had fun with each other too, really interacting and enjoying what they were doing.

Gary Lightbody exudes charisma. The man isn't actually handsome but his magnetic appeal and ability to persuade the audience to become emotionally involved with his music makes him incredibly attractive. His attitude and communication with the venue full of people was at ease and joking while his treatment of the set was serious and his singing honestly an act of complete effort and intention.

Though I entered the venue not terribly excited by the actual tunes I would be hearing, I left feeling more enthused about Tired Pony and their newly released album The Place We Ran From. The group gives off the aura that they're all in it mostly for the chance to be creative together and make good music. Their energy is definitely what still remains in my mind. I also left feeling good without any easily identifiable explanation and that sort of easy-going happy feeling is always a nice indication that the music I've just been immersed in was an experience worth trying.

I hope and hope and hope that Snow Patrol tours the United States again or that by some magic I will happen to be wherever they are performing (and have tickets).

what did we want: the quick brown fox

2010-10-01T10:21:00.001-04:00

wishlist.

this is too good to not get. typeface recognition game? my cup of tea.

my communication design friends: this is the kind of thing that gets our hearts beating. it's like having fun and doing what we do best at the same time.

technically it wouldn't be terribly hard to make my own.

"This very attractively finished typographic memory game includes 25 variations of the letter ‘A’, each in a different letter type. Players attempt to find the matching A’s in the same letter type. The player who has the highest number of matching letters wins the game.
Typographic information about the letter is included on the card, and a separate folder provides a general history of the typography. This is an enjoyable and instructive game for graphic designers and anyone who is fascinated by letter types."

created by BIS publishers found via swiss miss

what did we animate

2010-09-24T10:00:00.004-04:00

For my Motion Graphics 2 class this week we were asked to create an imaginary creature of some sort and practice parenting and expressions in Adobe After Effects while animating our creations. What I came up with was a mystical squid-fish-bird-human hybrid of some sort (tentacles, gills, wings, hands respectively) and the resulting 20 second video above of it flying quietly.

I really enjoyed character creation and would love to dabble into it more. Also, nailing parenting and expressions in AE brought me large amounts of satisfaction. Especially since before figuring it out I spent a good 4 - 5 hours not knowing at all what wasn't working.

(Parenting is the act of linking one elements movements to another - think of it as a child following his / her parent. Expressions is the same thing but with the inclusion of some intuitive "extra" movements AE tacks on to the children elements. That's how those tentacles sway without me going in and animating each individual section.)

Hope you enjoyed the video.

what did we smile because of: Yum Yum London

2010-09-23T15:28:00.000-04:00

Parallel Parking from Yum Yum London on Vimeo.

This video is absolutely great. It makes you smile, is incredibly cute and filled with tiny details. plus you have no idea what's coming.

Which all combines together to make Yum Yum London a studio to watch out for:
"Yum Yum are Beth Algieri and Jonny Plummer, two directors / designers with a common passion for creating new and exciting things."

i'm also in love with this toy series of heroes and villains they recently conceived and are in the works of making available for purchase. i would definitely like to have that octopus sitting on my desk.

no, their illustration style isn't completely unheard of. reminds me in general of the vinyl toy genre and friends with you because of the adorably imagined creatures - but it's all so fun and smiley. check out more images of their work on their flickr or follow them on twitter.

what did we try not to do

2010-09-22T18:12:00.005-04:00

This project THIS YEAR I WILL TRY NOT TO was created by Elliot Scott and Christopher Doyle (two designers I didn't previously know but will now be watching out for) in an attempt to defy the popularity of certain trends on the internet and challenge themselves as designers to do new things. To not just give in to what people are comfortable with and like.

Wholly admirable and I love it for it's truth, humor and the creator's abilities to make fun of themselves. I also feel kind of shamed because even though I recognize the need to break down the typical and expand our collective comfort bubbles...I still love the things that this publication (in a very manifesto way) declares avoidance of.

And I particularly like it when designers include their process (you can view the video on their site, but not embed). It's 28 pages printed on newsprint stock - only 1000 copies and for sale for AUD $10.00 (but plus $5 for shipping to the US)

what did we feature: my instructable

2010-09-20T22:17:00.003-04:00

Wow, so recognition online can make you feel pretty good about yourself. My instructable (which is the post below this one on this blog) was chosen to be featured on the site!

You can find "Put Insightful Text Into Your Life" on the landing page of the site or more prominently in the Living / Art channel.

Thanks Instructables Editors!

what did we make: words imposed on real life

2010-09-14T18:39:00.009-04:00

In my travels across the Internet I invariably come across really meaningful text that someone has come up with superimposed on (typically using the font Helvetica) some very pretty, abstract image of nature, city lights, a beautiful girl or otherwise gentle and mysterious photo. I can’t imagine a better way to fuse the words in your head and the things you see then by putting the two exactly on top of each other to express your deep, throbbing emotions.

Thus I decided I had to have words in real life too. How could anyone know a photo would look nice with text on it unless you were able to test it out first? Here's how you can go about putting words into your everyday lives and make them even more insightful.

All you need are:
- a couple of transparencies
- an Ikea photoframe (or any photoframe) – even multiple photoframes if you like!
- sticker letters. Make sure they’re Helvetica!
- a black sharpie. Your words don’t need color to ooze feeling.
- a pencil and scissors

1. Trace the plastic in your frame on your transparency with a pencil.

2. Have your meaningful insight ready!

3. Using your sharpie or sticker letters express your thought on the transparency however you like.

4. Cut out the transparency, put it in the frame and take as many photos with it as you please. Or just use it to make sure what you’re about to take a photo of really does look good with text placed on top of it. Bonus points for using a DSLR. Extra bonus points for using a lomography camera and then scanning it into your computer. Incredibly extra bonus points for using a polaroid camera to capture your text on the photo.

Now go see your own deep thoughts in reality and imposed on images!

If you like what I had to write on my transparencies you may purchase the set of 5 for the unbeatable price of $10! If you think I’m better at this than you are then drop me an email and I’ll create your own customized set of 5 with whatever words you want!

Check out more photos on Flickr.

what did we feel compelled by: brian w. ferry

2010-06-04T14:51:00.007-04:00

brian w. ferry is a photographer who previously resided in brooklyn and currently lives in london. his photos are fantastically mesmerizing.

i first came across his work on kitsune noir where danica describes his work as the "sort of images that pull you out of the attention deficit disorder-induced habit of compulsive clicking and compel you to pause, inhale and quietly gaze"

i agree entirely and personally think that what makes his photography so compelling is the atmosphere felt within those locations, created by half eaten plates of food and possessions - there is a quiet quality and all the things associated with that word: peace, calm, silence. however, more than being about the presence of these attributes it's the lack of frenzy, clutter and anxiety that pulls me in.

and personal. stockphotos have their place in company quarterlies and as website place holders, but this is the level of intimacy i love. a specific breakfast and someone's weekend trip.

check out his portfolio and find more images on his online journal.

what did we love: les monstris

2010-06-03T12:16:00.005-04:00

these are the cutest handmade plushies - the artist, Ninon, who makes them calls them "Les Monstris"

not only cute, they're definitely unique from your typical stuffed toy and despite having made hundreds and hundreds of them each one remains different from the rest. it's also particularly interesting to see her go through "phases" of ideas in her craft. i wonder where she gets her abundance of fabric and materials from. it would be a nice touch to see a video or images of "les monstris in the making." summer project anyone?

in her words: "I just love making stuff with fabric and creating new little creatures. I have been doing it almost everyday since 2004. I don't really like making 2 things the same.....I am interested in failures, imperfections and in what is possible to obtain after some "mistakes". I believe that sometimes a couple of button eyes can be a lot more expressive than the eyes of many human beings..."

Ninon's flickr account contains images of all these lovely creations over the years. her blog also contains interesting photos and you can purchase them if you're interested here!

AND she makes other things! the creativity doens't end...

what did we catch up

2010-06-02T13:48:00.013-04:00

post #276.

(#300 including non-published posts hah)

things going on with me:

i left nylon magazine the week before finals...

and i currently work in this building on the 7th floor. for the greater part of the week.

ive been listening to these albums,

and spending all my web surfing time on google reader.

i've been munching on teddy grahams and beef jerky for snacks. (not together and i do continue to eat real meals)

and im going to a sunny sunny place this weekend! (illustration by ben javens for 8th continent soy milk via lovely packaging)

what did we love: oh, snap!

2010-04-28T13:03:00.004-04:00

the oh, snap! project

combining photography and tee shirts in one awesome project started in december 2008, amateur and professional photographers are all welcome to submit their photos for consideration to be made into shirts. some of them are pretty awesome though $30 is a bit pricey in my opinion. it is a small project however, there are currently 9 different women's tees and 25 men's tees. they also sell photozines.

check em out - perhaps buy one or submit a photo that could become one!

what did we love: KMR

2010-04-20T15:53:00.005-04:00

led to KMR by ffffound...
and put up four consecutive tumblr posts of her work, i'm newly in love with this Japanese graphic artist KMR. i still don't know anymore about her yet. also because i can't read japanese and maybe her site would provide me with more information if i could.

at any rate. her pieces are gorgeous, the colors are magnificent, the line work so delicate and right. and there are just so many to look at so even if you don't like some you're bound to like at least one. i also love how she chose to post huge images of her work online.

definitely will keep looking at her work for more inspiration and to continue admiring it.

what did we bake: cupcake pops!

2010-04-09T14:40:00.003-04:00

cupcake pops!

came across this wonderful wonderful baked goodie: cupcake pops.
recipes and images and lots of cute and wonderful sweet treat ideas for pops and bites all from bakerella.
it's endless. sugar on a stick decorated nicely.

cupcake bites without the stick

smiley faces?

or hello kitty if that's how you roll.

and even just a regular cake pop. : )

man. they're all so cute and not hard to make at all. perfect for absolutely any event with a little creativity and also perfect to make AT some sort of occasion. go wild with that edible icing pen.

what did we LOVE: PIXELS

2010-04-08T16:06:00.002-04:00

PIXELS by PATRICK JEAN.
Uploaded by onemoreprod. - Watch original web videos.

SO AMAZING.
in love with! - that must have taken amazing amounts of work.

what did we wish: where i'd rather be

2010-04-03T11:26:00.003-04:00

this is where i want to be instead of in this lab:

doesn't it look amazingly relaxing? mhm. if only.

(all images from graphic-exchange.)

what did we create: lady gaga's telephone

2010-03-31T10:49:00.004-04:00

i have begun learning flash. last wednesday was my first class using the software and then i had two more classes on monday. the learning curve has been high - i've watched a great number of tutorials and scoured the adobe flash cs4 help system plenty but i now have a pretty nifty interface to show for it. click below to give it a go! (i'm banking on everyone having seen the infamous music video by now. the two versions (clean and explicit) currently have a total of 35.5 million views)

LADY GAGA'S TELEPHONE

what did we love: hammock - breathturn

2010-03-29T14:46:00.005-04:00

Hammock - Breathturn from David Altobelli on Vimeo.

this is a gorgeous gorgeous video. thanks to ben for posting it.

it makes me feel so peaceful amidst my slightly crazy life and the boy acts so perfectly.
not much to say because you should watch it for yourself and think what you like.

From the album "Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts" (May 18, 2010)

Director/Editor: David Altobelli
Prod. Co: Conker All / Symphony 19
Exec. Producers: Jesse Fleece / Kelly Norris Sarno
Producer: Ross Girard
Prod. Coordinator: Stuart Denton

Director of Photography: Larkin Seiple
1st AC: Ken Tanaka
Gaffer: Koby Poulton
Key Grip: Luke Hanlein

Production Design: Ethan Feldbau
Stylist: Gabby Canton
Makeup: Katie Machaiek
VFX: Hank Friedman

what did we listen to: passion pit - smile upon me

2010-03-25T12:32:00.002-04:00

song on continuous play

Oh yeah, you're the best damn friend that I'll ever have.
You'll smile upon me when the seasons bad.
You'll always make me feel best even when I'm blue
You'll smile upon me and I'll smile upon you

looking up concert tickets. it's been a while since i've been to one. (chairlift in september)

what did we set in type

2010-03-25T11:00:00.001-04:00

so the fall semester of sophomore year for communication design students at parsons consists of a lot of typography work. two core classes: type studio and type lab, plus display lettering was my elective so i was basically immersed in a world of type. immersed.

this semester i have no typography classes though i will always believe that alllll design work has to do with typography. hence i don't seem to have seen so much type around.

but here's a post on typography!

Bread + Butter Card: Everything Will Be Okay

work by bread + butter studio based in brooklyn new york. love their print work.

Bread + Butter card: You and Me

Bread + Butter Card: Good Luck, I Love You

Typographic Map: 13th to 314 by Kristin Bonett

more design: related perusal and i came across this wonderful poster that is a perfect example of well set type using a milieu of typefaces in a very effective manner.
dogs as typefaces by tina roth eisenberg of swiss miss

something my friend geoff wong linked me to randomly. i find it pretty funny though some dogs are more suitable than others. univers, times, eurostile and kunstler are the best to me.

and that's my typography refuel for now.

what did we come across: bennett robots

2010-03-24T11:30:00.003-04:00

bennett robots are currently being displayed in the window of paul smith on fifth ave and 16th street which is where i came across the wonderfully crafted objects.

they are each unique sculptures made from found objects by gordon bennett. they each take about a month to build, are all on sale and cost some hefty prices. though not real functional robots with any actually working parts i find them incredibly imaginative and fun. pictured here in order are: volt ohmyst, nick and nora, and arvin 2. (and i kind of like arvin 2 the best because the hitchhikers guide robot was named marvin.)

what did we revisit: i love you more than _________

2010-03-23T12:00:00.001-04:00

so way back last year in august i posted about some Supermarket goods that i'd like and today i came back across one of those items while flipping through design: related.

turns out that this tote is actually one of the products of a greater project called "i love you more than _________" (you read the blank as "blank") run by paperwhite studio. anyone can go onto the site and submit their own "i love you more than ________" statements.

they ask you: "what's your measuring stick for love?"

"run by Laureen Moyal and Yuliya Gorlovetsky, in New York city’s lower east side. we began this project with a belief that you can never really evaluate the value of something unless you measure it up to something else. with all the answers that we have received, we know that you must agree. keep submitting, the answers make us smile."

sounds vaguely ironic to me since you can evaluate love without measuring, but there are some really cute answers though i think their heart graphic is a little corny...

some are silly. lots are stupid. most are deeply insider things. don't really know what i would submit if i did submit something - what about you?

i still want the tote and now i kind of want the shirt but only the cards are really within my price range (and i could easily print those myself). i'm such a sucker for mushy things.

what did we listen to: animal

2010-03-22T11:24:00.003-04:00

still so obsessed with this song though i've now heard it approximately a million times.

the best part is at 1:54 when the giraffes nod their heads to the beat. nod nod nod.

I change shapes just to hide in this place
But I'm still, I'm still an animal
Nobody knows it but me when I slip
Yeah I slip, I'm still an animal

what did we peruse: design: related

2010-03-19T15:58:00.003-04:00

design: related is my latest website of choice for random browsing while i wait for things to render / things to load / my mind to recuperate

while flipping through the gallery, which features "projects" and "inspirations" submitted by members of the site, i came across something that i knew immediately was hong kong.

Gaston Caba, based in buenos aires, made these super cute dolls and had a friend Joel Chung take photos of them in various locations in Hong Kong to be pictured in Pictoplasma Encyclopedia.

gaston caba's work is very colorful, consists mainly of bold vectors and features a great deal of cute animals and other created characters - reminds me of tokidoki and the like that you might describe as sugary-sweet. not everyone's cup of tea but there are some pretty intense patterns.

it made me smile to randomly come across a photo of hong kong when i wasn't expecting it.

what did we rebrand: chiquita

2010-03-18T12:25:00.004-04:00

i was catching up on my blog reading -
and came across this article on thedieline about chiquita's brand refresh campaign using really funky stickers in their very eye-catching blue and yellow. you can see even more images of the campaign on thedieline or read about the chiquita campaign here on design: related in an interview with the art director dj neff. (production company: The Famous Group)

favorite excerpts from the interview with dj neff:

"The client’s goals were kind of like that dream brief you get handed that simply says: “Make bananas cool"....but it was still up to us to really figure out strategically what about Chiquita bananas would always be cool."

"So, the hope was by creating the characters, now when they eat the banana, they are even more excited and inspired to put that sticker somewhere special to keep it. The designs themselves had to be fun, so I just thought about all the fun things I like, cartoons, toys, people I know, and they sort of just came out."

"Then our job as designers becomes recognizing the area that our product lives in, or wants to live in, and creating value to allow its seamless placement amongst its peers. "

"But in most cases, there is always something that can be built on, discovered, or championed with any brand. It really just requires spending as much time as you can with the product, immersing yourself in it. Like method designing, you just have to live it and the work will flow through you."

the entire campaign was called "eatachiquita" with the tagline "don't let another good banana go bad" and it also involved a lot of internet usage to get consumers involved and interested. you could make your face into a chiquita sticker version! 24 of the 25 final stickers below. (25th was the redesign of the chiquita woman herself)

what did we want to attend: GIANT ROBOT - Small Favors

2010-03-17T11:29:00.004-04:00

planning to try to attend this -
march 27 to april 14 so i figure i can smuggle in some free time...
should be pretty interesting and have some awesome pieces (though i'm not planning to buy anything as they suggest).

"Small Favors is GRNY's big show of small scale artwork. Close to 70 artists were invited to create works in any medium they chose, but at a maximum size of 5 x 5 inches. This show is a great chance to get your hands on some great art for your cozy city space. "

here's their flickr set of some of the art that will be at small favors

tell me if you'd like to accompany me!

what did we love: alex varanese

2010-03-15T16:46:00.005-04:00

this series of graphic posters using the color orange (and red tones and white) is so gorgeous. by alex varanese originally on the behance network and which i came across on graphic-exchanGE

simple / bold colors / detailed - full of visual impact.

and more below. i couldn't resist. click above to behance or graphic exchange to see larger images.

the designer really likes reds and oranges and burnt sienna sort of looking things.

what did we bake: buttermilk biscuits!

2010-03-14T01:09:00.004-05:00

tonight i made buttermilk biscuits following this recipe from serious eats (except for using cornstarch because it was $3 for quite a large tin and i really didn't plan on having a thing of cornstarch lying around the house afterwards) oh and instead of having them 1/2 inch thick mine are more cookie like and about 1/4 inch thick.

i also hand mixed / hand cut / hand pat all the steps so my forearms feel pretty worked out. my housemate and i split one since all the rest are for church refreshments tmr (college fellowships turn) and she tried to convince me for about 30 minutes that i should run out and buy chocolate frosting and frost all of them. i told her she just wanted to eat the leftover frosting and have an excuse to have it in the house. so they remain as they are.

what did we watch: telephone

2010-03-12T12:44:00.008-05:00

best lines:
miss officer: "i told you she didn't have a dick"
"you've been a very bad girl. a very very very bad girl gaga"
"mm mm honey b"

each of the numerous outfits:
- b/w striped power suit
- fishnet tights and black X nipple covers
- cigarette sunglasses and heavy chain bling
- studded jacket with diet coke hair curlers
- black bikini with studs
- something out of my fair lady's ascot scene but with neon blonde hair
- um blue phone headress?
- chef headress with blonde telephone attached!
- guerilla american flag wonder woman
- leopard print jump suit with matching chauffeur hat
- i don't know how to describe the lavender drapey thing that is the last costume gaga wears

best moments of video editing:
super high resolution
shuddering camera
split screen
repetition
really good timing with the music
use of cartoon style graphics / text

most random:
miss officer using plenty of fish "world's largest dating site"
"Let's make a Sandwich"
beyonce's zombie jumps and appearance like a plastic doll
the strange patriotic theme in the last two minutes starting around 7:50 with the use of the american flag for all the outfits and color scheme
ending with the gender sign for females?

and here's the whole thing itself:

what did we watch: the state of the internet

2010-03-07T00:16:00.003-05:00

really awesome video about the internet.
only complaint: some parts are a bit too fast to understand all the information being conveyed.
otherwise, pretty crazy motion info-graphic work that gets the ideas across (and a lot of numbers) effectively and in a fun way!

JESS3 / The State of The Internet from JESS3 on Vimeo.

wonder what another 5 years would add to these stats and facts. taking motion graphics this semester makes me wonder if i could ever learn to create such superb pieces of work. and how much time it would take.

(credit to mike tully for posting it on his fb wall which popped up on my mini feed and is an oddly apt story about how i came across this piece)

temporary fill in! chyeah!

2010-03-05T13:13:00.003-05:00

i feel awful for not having blogged recently. in fact. in about three weeks. awful.

i'm on a computer enough of the time (all the time except when i'm asleep) that i should be able to blog regularly. so that's some sort of half-promise i've just made in the previous statement.

here's a site full of pretty motion graphics to look at until i gather thoughts to some sort of solid subject matter. PSYOP

what did we listen to: currently playing

2010-02-18T16:38:00.005-05:00

MUSIC:
the xx - xx
noah and the whale - peaceful, the world lays me down
throw me the statue - creaturesque

what did we listen to: VCRs - the xx

2010-02-12T03:31:00.003-05:00

You, you still have all the answers
and you, you still have them too
and we, we live half in the day time
and we, we live half at night

Watch things on VCRs, with me and talk about big love
I think we're superstars, you say you think we are the best thing

But you, you just know, you just do

When i find myself by the sea, in another's company by the sea
When I go out the pier, gonna die and have no fear
Because you, you just know, you just do

Watch things on VCRs, with me and talk about big love
I think we're superstars, you say you think we are the best thing

But you, you just know, you just do

what did we grieve

2010-02-11T13:11:00.004-05:00

"On behalf of Lee McQueen's family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand has been found dead at his home. At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee's family."

RIP ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

too many people are dying. i realize this sounds silly and i seem to have lately been a big fan of saying very obvious things.

i know people are constantly dying on this planet, but when someone known, someone famous, someone inspirational - we all suddenly feel the impact. (and i know it's fickle because people everywhere are dying of poverty, starvation, natural disasters and we never register that fact)

i feel like the people who our generation admired, watched out for, kept track of...are leaving.

i suppose we'll erect new heroes in time and find others to replace the gaps. but loss is loss.

just happened to be struck by the sense of temporary.

what did we attempt

2010-02-11T11:21:00.004-05:00

motion graphics assignment number 2: animate the alphabet from A to Z in maximum 70 seconds. use typography found from anywhere and everywhere. be creative. alphabet should grow increasingly abstract as it continues. use audio and work to integrate the motion with the audio well.

this is my first image and from which i'm making all the "A's" drop out and slide off the papers.

*ahem* attempting to make them drop out and slide....

what did we discover: about what i post

2010-02-06T23:26:00.005-05:00

i've discovered (and really this probably should have come to my realization a lot earlier than this but for some reason just didn't occur to me) that people that read my blog would be a lot more interested (not that they aren't or aren't to some degree) if i wrote more often about myself.

the thing is, i'm just really not that interested in revealing personal things about myself on a regular basis on the very public thing that is the Web. i do not find it a cathartic exercise.

this image has little to do with the content of this post, but i do like milk tea.

sometimes i feel incredibly compelled to type out things that mean something more to me than just designers i like or things i come across and find fascinating (which is the majority of my blog posts) and sometimes i even type out drafts that i never publish.

there is some set of unspoken guidelines that i have enforced upon myself concerning what did we learn's content. and at least for now that's the way things will continue to be.

what did we express interest towards

2010-02-04T11:03:00.005-05:00

if you're interested (whoever "you" may be), i updated my online portfolio yesterday after attending the parsons intern fair so that i could send out relevant follow up emails (thank you scot and james for your wonderful advice in the matter) with the link on them.

also: these are the five companies that i talked to, learned more about, expressed my interest towards interning for them. in the order that i talked to them yesterday.

Visionaire "is a multi-format album of fashion and art produced in exclusive numbered limited editions...artists work in collaboration with Visionaire to produce their personal interpretations on a theme and are given unparalleled freedom to push Visionaire's original formats."

BBH and ZAG "the way we work is still shaped by our central belief: that big, enduring ideas are the key to successful communications...so everything we do and all our structures support that single thought."

Hyperakt "is an independent New York City design firm with a passion for creating work that effects change in the world around us."

Stark Design "is an agency that believes in elegant, thoughtful solutions. And we know the best way to communicate clearly and create lasting, powerful messages is through simple, smart design."

Kiehl's "since 1851, our New York apothecary has been dedicated to serving discerning customers fine formulations for skin and hair made with uniquely efficacious, natural ingredients."

what did we attend

2010-02-02T19:53:00.003-05:00

own image

parsons internship fair tomorrow from 10 am to 1 pm at 55 w 13th second floor.

nervous.

what did we accessorize: artifacts by casey

2010-01-28T10:34:00.002-05:00

artifact 001 / ring / plug / $200

artifact 002 / ring /socket / $170

artifacts by casey

so today i went into work (nylon) for the first time since i'd come back to ny (which really was only six days ago). and in the morning i really didn't have all that much to do so i was flipping through the latest nylon feb 2010 issue (with the vampire diaries stars on the cover) and came across this really cool jewelery designer. it motivates me to start wearing rings again since i stopped after i realized i kept bashing them up with all the art i was doing.

"I like making things that don't follow the traditional notion of what jewelry is supposed to be," says Brooklyn-based designer Casey Perez of her line, Artifacts by Casey. "People think it has to be precious and luxurious, but if my jewelry makes people stop to think for a moment, then I'm happy." (taken from the nylon article - can be found here)

the top two rings made from a plug and a socket in sterling silver are clearly meant to be bought for a couple, and i think it's a pretty innovative and cute idea. the one below is just fun. i would wear any of the three (now if only there wasn't that zero at the end of those prices...)

artifact 003 / ring / jaws / $140

what did we heart: karlie for vogue china

2010-01-14T14:37:00.005-05:00

Perfect Sport
Vogue China Feb 2010
Shot by:Patrick Demarchelier
Model:Karlie Kloss

karlie kloss is so beautiful. (A - i hope you appreciate this post.)

these shots of her are gorgeous and i like the casual athletic chic of the clothes too. the poses / set up may be simple but the photos are clean and really naturally appealing - plus did i mention that karlie's incredibly attractive? the more i look at these shots the more i like the blurry/textured gray/black/white neutral sort of watercolored looking background as well.

links: fashionindie and fashion copious

(think i might go out and actually buy the issue...)

what did we lace up: temperly oxfords

2010-01-13T11:09:00.003-05:00

i entirely agree with fashionindie and thecoveted about these temperly s/s 2010 shoes.
i know oxford lace up flats are all the rage and i've been a part of the trend and on this topic for a while now...(as proven by this post about the $700 hkd lambskin ones) but the steel toes and white cut outs on these pair make them that much more different while at the same time basic and quiet enough to wear regularly.

what did we watch: AVATAR

2010-01-12T09:28:00.002-05:00

So tonight I watched Avatar with my parents. From what I hear, the director James Cameron who is also the director of Titanic, The Terminator films and The Abyss, aimed to make Avatar an epic that would be of as much fame and as notorious as Titanic. I'm not sure if the film can actually accomplish such a feat, if that really was the idea, but the film is definitely a success in it's own right.

My number one reason for its success is its gorgeous aesthetics. Gorgeous doesn't even appropriately describe the beauty of this film, all 2 hrs and 42 minutes of it, or at least every shot that involves the fictional world of Pandora. The effort put into every scene reminds me of Haruki Murakami's Princess Mononoke (which I can't seem to find a good website of) and the fantastical plant life in that film as well. And it's not only the imaginary flora and magnificient forest that are works of art, the indigenous Na'vi people are equally beautiful in their own right as well as the creatures of Pandora that on the whole seem very likely to rip your throat out. I could probably expand even further on how much the beauty of Avatar is enough to make it worth watching (and worth winning a couple awards for) but I feel it's necessary to mention things like plot and characters.

("spoiler" alert)

Sam Worthington plays the male lead of Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine taking his dead brother's place in a scientific mission to understand Pandora better, and the very attractive Zoe Saldana acts as the Na'vi who takes him by the hand, Neytiri. Honestly, there isn't a great deal of character development, though I suppose in films of this sort aimed to be epics it's not necessarily the most crucial element. The one source of change in heart lies within the male lead and it's a transformation you can see coming - you expect certain roles from certain characters: hero, heroine, bad guy, secondary characters that help the good guys triumph (sigourney weaver and michelle rodriguez)...Avatar does tug at your heartstrings (or it did tug at mine) but not because of dynamic characters, for reasons of more epic proportions involving ideas that are regularly approached by films: the meeting of races, total irrational violence, rallying of people around one cause, the maturing of one person and being accepted, as well as good winning out over evil.

I think the film can easily be split into two halves, a first half giving the audience total understanding of the world of Pandora and creating an emotional connection with the people of Na'vi and then a second half where all the action happens. Action that I prefer greatly over the guns and car chase types of a great deal of films nowadays. Let's not kid ourselves, before stepping into the theater I already knew there was going to be romance and I knew very well that there was going to be a happy ending. I'm not complaining, I think both were tastefully executed and I'm the type to enjoy both of those elements in a good movie. (I don't handle the reality of misery very well when displayed in Hollywood generated films.) Both halves let you fully appreciate the stupidity of the human race and if you're the sentimental sort (like me) then you also can spend the movie considering the utopic idea of a race completely interlocked with the nature around them. (and actually in love with their world)

Though this is a lengthy post, (and really just my amateur shot at a movie review) I think it's worth mentioning again that the aesthetics of Avatar alone are amazing. That balance struck between complete fantasy and plausible reality (which I also said about Up by Pixar) is incredibly well done and is part of why I can be so in love with this movie; it's a wonderful example of imagination at its fullest and an unfathomable amount of hard work and labor (which I like to perceive as very passionate and heartfelt). My last additional comment is that the 3D element is, in my opinion, not necessary and almost an obstacle in fully appreciating Avatar - something so well done doesn't require the gimmick.

this movie is so gorgeous.

what did we decorate: WONDERLAND

2010-01-11T10:31:00.007-05:00

"rabbit"

artecnica is a los angeles based design company co-directed by enrico bressan and tahmineh javanbakht that collaborates with emerging, international designers to create "inspiring decorative objects for the living environment."

while wandering through homeless today in causeway bay with friends, i came across these three candleholders designed by stephen johnson for artecnica. the artist creates them from pieces individually cast from objects found in antique markets in England and are inspired by alice in wonderland - hence the name of the collection: wonderland.

"bird"

they caught my eye firstly because of their whiteness and the lack of distinguishment between the various figures until further investigation. i love that you can continue to stare at all three (which is made even more difficult i acknowledge by the fact that photos of these very white objects are against a white background...) and discover increasingly more detail or whimsy. i also like that i couldn't immediately tell they were inspired by alice in wonderland (as everything seems to be these days) until i read the blurb posted next to them. the uneasy balance of the objects, the quirky seemingly random arrangement that was so carefully designed makes for an excellent design piece (that i would probably never use for it's real function - to hold candles).

"lady"

it also invokes in me the desire to doodle and draw, perhaps because in that way i could replicate something similar on paper.

what did we illustrate: daily drop cap

2010-01-10T05:59:00.004-05:00

DAILY DROP CAP by Jessica Hische

im not sure if i've blogged about this before, but no harm. daily drop cap is a website i'm fairly certain most fans of typography have come across before - the title and tagline says it all, "an illustrative initial every day." definitely worth going through the now almost three complete sets of the alphabet. the artist puts a great deal of effort and creativity (and dilligence in commitment to the project) - some i like better than others, but that's personal preference. i also appreciate the artist's welcoming of blogging and usage.

it's an exercise that i think would be fun to try out myself, just in a sketchbook or really roughly in illustrator - a letter a day might be a bit pushing it - maybe a letter a week and that way i'd be able to go through the alphabet twice in a year...just thoughts - maybe something you'd like to attempt?

what did we watch: all you need is love baby

2010-01-09T06:40:00.005-05:00

this video by garance dore: all you need is love baby
is gorgeous - so simple but well shot and wonderful in its various scenes and colors

wish i could embed it here - the screenshots aren't quite the same as the moving thing so click the link!

(upon further browsing, i actually appreciate quite a number of her short videos)

what did we LOVE: BAD MACHINERY (and scarygoround!)

2010-01-08T02:00:00.004-05:00

sept 21, 2009 (first bad machinery strip)

beginning in approximately tenth grade, i started reading a great deal on online comics / graphic novels etc. the non syndicated kinds drawn lovingly by laboring artists around the world trying to earn a living by posting a lovely strip of art a day.

bad machinery sept 23, 2009

here's one of my favorites:
BAD MACHINERY by John Allison (as presented by scary go round)
the artists earlier strip (his second) was entitled scary go round and lasted from 2002 to 2009(of which i have read from beginning to end - trolling through archives is a great deal of fun and wonderfully time consuming) and the characters currently featured in bad machinery stem in a way from this work.

both scary go round and bad machinery are excellently done in their artwork, full color, character development and long story plotlines. and i know i've included a lot of links in this post but if nothing else...go read this interview with the artist! i like knowing more into the minds that engineer the creative work i love.

bad machinery jan 7, 2010

someday (*hint hint*) i would love to own all the SGR books...unfortunately 1- 3 are out of print.

sketch from sketch fiesta dec 2009

the artist also has a flickr full of sketches well worth browsing. and a blog! the man is well versed in the ways of the internet world.

what did we browse: lookbook.nu

2010-01-04T09:13:00.007-05:00

LOOKBOOK.nu: "And they think you should know" by Denni .: "AA Chambray Trousers, Steve Madden Shoes, Ax Dress"

first 2010 post is entirely irrelevant to the fact that it is a new year and the end of another decade. it's actually merely about this site that is very much so like chictopia and is very much so on the mark with the latest trends: blogging and street style.

LOOKBOOK.NU

the tagline being "collective fashion consciousness" this site consists entirely of photos contributed by anyone at all who cares to make an account. looks can collect "hype" and you can browse by "new" or "hot" and see "stats" etc etc - things you're probably accustomed to navigating.

likes: some fresh/interesting outfits and some interesting/good photography

dislikes: (other than the unavoidable fair share of meh photos and looks) incredibly large amount of pretentious, pointless, ridiculous post titles....like "singing and dancing to them nighttime songs..." and "&She Red my Mind." seriously? also the inability to scroll to the bottom of the page of "hot" looks as they keep loading past ones.

p.s.: jane aldridge from sea of shoes has an account as does tavi from style rookie

LOOKBOOK.nu: "back from the dead." by Jarrod Thornley: "3d Glasses from Greater Union, Portmans Bow Tie, Flannel from Overseas, Urban Skinnies from Pumpkin Patch"

LOOKBOOK.nu: "100103 snow!" by Zoé Z

Gas'd Modal Silk Infinite Unisex Pocket Tee from http://shop.gas-d.com/ // LOOKBOOK.nu: "new year new love" by Olivia L.

LOOKBOOK.nu: "Woman exposed pt. 2" by Celine Missoorten: "Coat, Made by Grandma, - Scarf from H"

what did we photograph

2009-12-05T22:30:00.007-05:00

two part post: inspiration & inspired.

CADE MARTIN

cade martin is an absolutely incredible photographer. these four images here are of his photos of the washington ballet reinterpreting the nutcracker and peter pan (and perhaps other such stories) for his photographs. and they're amazing. i should say less so you can look at them more.

found link to from devin castro

as i mentioned in the post below, i have restarted using my tumblr. and if you read the post below that one, you'll know i also just came back from LA. so that would be the two facts to know about me before you continue reading this post. and then it all makes sense.

i've lately been very fond of my dslr (canon xti 450D) and very happy to just pick it up at random and try to take a photo, even if this most often just takes place in my room...and the subject matter tends to be either typography, food or myself. i think i want to be good at photography and part of my brain is convinced that isn't where my talent lies. i'm aware of what i'm capable of and what i excel in and photography may be more of a hobby for me than something i can really push myself in.

all the same i am inspired.

what did we restart

2009-12-03T04:30:00.005-05:00

image via ryumu
is queued on tumblr for sometime the next two days.

so here i have pulled out all the stops of online social networking and public interaction.

i've restarted using my tumblr.

some percent (though the url is titled the same as this blog - whatdidwe)

and it's nice, as i explained to dearskye (when i reference you, would you prefer me to link to your tumblr/blogspot/other location? - here it leads to your tumblr since we're on the subject already, heh) in a recent post - tumblr is simple and quick and i can queue posts endlessly to post endlessly while i go about my day (which is also a tiny bit eerie but mostly convenient and cool)

also. who doesn't love a good image? or a good reblogged image? or just somewhere to share what you look at and light up inside about or look at and immediately respond and have to tell someone even if it is just typing out what you're thinking into unanswering cyberspace.

as you have noticed. i have added here a seemingly random image. it adds interest to this large amount of text and is also slightly related in that it is queued on my tumblr as well.

edit// also the bunny makes me smile

what did we miss: LA

2009-12-01T20:03:00.001-05:00

i recently returned from LA this past sunday evening and i still miss it.
partially, thanksgiving break was amazing simply because it was a break away from school, having to work, being on the computer, getting no sleep...stressing out...
but thanksgiving break was also amazing because i was in LA. and because of who i was in LA with.

it was great to get away from NYC. i love new york and i love manhattan still and i think i'm still a city girl - but i have to say that my three semesters at parsons in the city have worn away some of the love for new york. maybe it's just that right now in my life the city is associated with stress. and unending movement.

and LA is only associated with holiday. and good food. and sunny sunny warm weather. (and disneyland, go karting, more good food, dogs, video games, ben and his family...)

so yes. i miss LA and i mostly wish i wasn't here in NY right now. but that's okay. i believe it's alright for me to be in love with more than one city even if it does mean that my heart belongs in some way to four.

images my own - it was also nice to pull out the dslr

what did we ASPIRE

2009-11-23T20:14:00.005-05:00

cd packaging for alexandre navarro - album title "arcane" by buero ink
via graphic exchange

this is so gorgeous.

i want to make this.

i want to have thought of this.

why is it that these sites are always so inspirational and simultaneously
so depressing and still we strive and strive and push ourselves to be?

(question without an answer)

countdown: 30 hours to LA

what did we test

2009-11-23T12:17:00.003-05:00

today at nylon the web director had me test two of OPI's "body cremes"
- "coconut melon" and "mango" flavored.

it may in fact be giving me a headache. oh well.
my hands are at least smooth and semi-moisturied...

i don't think i'd actually recommend the product...but here's a link if you're interested.

me: mhmm

in other news

i smell like an artificially flavored tropical smoothie

12:14 PM benjimak: hmm?

why?

me: the editor had me test two "body cremes"

benjimak: i see..

me: "coconut melon" and "mango" flavored

yeah

benjimak: that's weird hah

what's coconut melon

what did we make ourselves: MIU MIU SOCKS

2009-11-20T10:04:00.000-05:00

so this is the third place im posting this so for those who check my twitter/fb this is redundant now - or if you go after this...(which i advocate). or as my intro to visual culture class would say: "revealing it as an addition to the public sphere conversation that is formed whenever any individuals contribute ideas on things of general interest" (habermas, hah)

i spent wednesday afternoon at NYLON making imitation miu miu socks after the fall runway hoisery. i have to say im pretty proud of my work....

image of the original miu miu version ($425) which we copied in our DIY

model lexi lewtan - sock on her left leg is my handiwork - alexandra hoffman (web editorial intern worked on the other one)

pretty upclose sequin clusters! stars and circles, studs and sprinkles in pink, silver, gold....

NYLON's story on it
(from which all the above images are taken)

what did we long for...

2009-11-19T20:41:00.003-05:00

i would like to feel like the happiness in this graphic. 5 days until LA.

via andrei robu on typographic posters

typographic posters is my new much much much loved site. full of color, type and inspiration.

what did we register

2009-11-18T10:47:00.003-05:00

via don't touch my moleskine

today started off alright: registration went well overall. next semester should be exciting.

in other news: why not follow me on twitter? www.twitter.com/whatdidwe

and in more miscellaneous information: these tees are pretty cool. id like one / wear one if given to me / potentially purchase if it didn't cost $30 DIM MAK PAINT BY NUMBER

(oh and i did the header graphic for them for nylon today. NYLON's take. (which is how i heard of) i should put some of those graphics up sometime...)

what did we think

2009-11-18T01:46:00.002-05:00

OK GO - HERE IT GOES AGAIN

It could be ten, but then again, I can't remember half an hour since a quarter to four.
Throw on your clothes, the second side of Surfer Rosa,
and you leave me with my jaw on the floor.
Just when you think you're in control,
just when you think you've got a hold,
just when you get on a roll,
here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again.
Oh, here it goes again.
I should have known,
should have known,
should have known again,
but here it goes again.

Oh, here it goes again.

2 am?

what did we...hear?

2009-11-12T00:50:00.003-05:00

art of the trench

today while at my phonathon shift i was perusing the above site. a collection of photos taken by the sartorialist (scott schuman) of men, women and children wearing burberry's trench coat. a project in conjunction with burberry solely based on these photos and people commenting on them etc.

cutest photo...

the background music is by the kooks and while i was at work (wearing a headset calling people) i could hear the background music inbetween my phone calls and i was completely confused because it was barely audible and i had no idea it was playing from the site. i told my boss and the girl next to me and the conclusion was that i was crazy. seriously.

not until i closed the window did i realize where it was coming from....

go check it out!

what did we wear: ARTH

2009-11-09T15:40:00.003-05:00

ARTH

the sole reason i looked up this store is because i came across the place on houston while headed to mamouns for falafel last wednesday. and the only reason why the store caught my eye was because their logo is a rabbit with antlers on its head and its adorable and elegant simultaneously (and its a rabbit!)

there are 5 stores, 4 in japan and 1 in soho new york. they do seem a bit expensive but i love the colors and styles in general and they seem to have a good selection of hats for both genders.

and this is their pitch to you as to why you should shop arth: "The rabbit has something new on its head, so you should try something new on your head too."

eugenia kim for men

eugenia kim for women

bright colors

trade show exhibit

what did we watch: strawberry swing

2009-11-03T11:00:00.001-05:00

Strawberry Swing from Matt Clark on Vimeo.

there are so many things i could say about this video. first of all, the claymation and motion graphics, the color and compositions are gorgeous and absolutely excellent in their execution and overall result. the concept of the story is simply unsettling. the segment when the flesh extends makes my skin crawl and makes me want to physically turn away from the video and still keep watching. i think it causes this repulsion because the idea is so...inhuman and surreal.

and the end makes me sad. but i understand that this is the realistic end and that i should appreciate things without....the ultimate satisfaction of neatly tied bows that i so often crave.

thanks to notcot for the link

what did we LOVE: bunny cookies

2009-11-02T10:42:00.003-05:00

thank you di for the image

as we all know. i have a love for most things bunny. and cookies.
and it makes me feel as though winter is actually approaching (despite the fact that i still only wore a tshirt and my bape hoodie today). i mean, i could use a week or two of actual bundling up hot chocolate or pumpkin spice latte snuggle into bed and never leave the heater weather. why not?im going back to hong kong this christmas so i might as well get my fill of cold prior to flying back to 10 degree celcius december.

(fysb)

what did we find

2009-11-01T18:16:00.003-05:00

""I mean, yes, we're sinking" But the music is exceptional""

austin kleon

there is something so perfectly poetic about austin kleon's blackout poems.

i must give credit to my friend delaney for having led me to his site and the wonders that he makes out of simply sharpie-ing out sections of newspapers to leave words and phrases behind that form thoughts, stories, questions and anything really.

i'd like to try and see the results that come of it.

"I want to stay up all night drinking beer and make trouble with the law to see what good, and what tragedy, will come of it."

what did we celebrate

2009-10-31T16:00:00.003-04:00

it's halloween today. while i myself have no...real excitement in dressing up, prancing around and joining the crazy throngs of people that will flood the streets of manhattan tonight...i must say it's quite the affair for a good number of this city's population.

this is my thinking concerning parsons students in particular celebrating halloween: either you go all out with the costume or you do nothing at all. there is no in between half attempt.

ANDY GOLUB
(all images from site)

one article of news surrounding the festivities that did catch my eye was that the artist (body painter) andy golub will be painting a number of topless women for the 36th annual new york halloween parade for the third year running. they will ride around in two vehicles also painted by the artist and will apparently look like "surreal characters" (melodika) - and he's been doing this body painting in public spaces throughout new york since 2006! it'd be pretty interesting to catch him in action. not that i would volunteer to be one of his canvases...

anyway: happy halloween for those of you keen on dressing up and eating candy.
(the latter of which i am also a fan of...)

what did we quickly post...

2009-10-13T22:50:00.001-04:00

photo credit: garance dore
much love

this is how i wish i actually dressed and looked. i at least have the hair and sometimes the "color" scheme done. in an alternate universe maybe this is me.

what did we peruse: tommy ton

2009-10-07T11:33:00.003-04:00

i am about to unhesitatingly make the assumption that many of you that will read this post have also heard of/read/know something about JAK & JIL and thus have seen of style photographer tommy ton's work. only by perusing this site did i learn that my homecity (is that a phrase...) of hong kong and the power fashion chain lane crawford asked tommy ton to style hunt in hk!

thus - five of his hong kong fashion photos posted on the lane crawford blog

i picked my favorite of the ones he took in the city, supposedly the site will continue to post new ones. wish i could have caught a glimpse of him.

i imagine he spent a lot of time in causeway bay around times square...

oh red taxi. how i miss you and your low fares.

also: is it so awful of me that i think his photos taken in milan/paris/new york/london are so much better? or is it just hong kong style that i can't agree with? and what does that make me?

what did we accessorize: bunnies

2009-10-05T13:05:00.008-04:00

bunnies of my own!

super cute sasha for h+m campaign (only img i've posted twice)

ok so i've been meaning to write this post for a while now. it's like my love for bunnies coincided with the fashion world and trendy accessories and came up with what now has been seen everywhere and adorning every head. i'm fascinated by the timeline and the photos...

madonna: the worst of the bunnies...

ali michael: the best of the bunny bows : )

marc jacobs spring RTW 09. multitudes of brightly colored bow topped models.

and of course where it all began. marc jacobs sends his girls down the LV RTW fall 09 runway.

and for more bunny ears as spotted on celebrities?
check out the guardian's nice slideshow article.

what did we LOVE: bembo's zoo

2009-09-28T11:01:00.004-04:00

"...the picture book debut of deVicq de Cumptich, should delight collectors of stylish picture books and aficionados of the graphic arts." - Publisher's Weekly

BEMBO'S ZOO

The entire alphabet A - Z of animals from "Antelope" to "Zebra," with things like iguanas, octopuses and flamingos in between, crafted entirely out of the Bembo typeface. It's pretty much amazing. This man (Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich) has skills beyond belief in having been able to make the likenesses of 26 animals out of the letters in their names. Recommeded for viewing by my type core studio teacher. Was a children's book before it became an entertaining flash website! Would love to own it though just clicking on the site is fairly satisfying.

what did we cheer on

2009-09-25T00:12:00.004-04:00

so i know my roommate strongly strongly disagrees with this.

but it was kind of nice not having internet. it was pleasant to not be dependent on it. and to be able to take a break from the constant connectivity, permanent distraction, overflowing information and images that are all what make the internet what it is.

but i did miss blogging. so here i am, trying to blog consistently amidst all of the academics and internship and work and having something of a social life...

(thank you janice for loving polaroids so much.)

here's to fall 2009 (though i'm already a month into the school year) and all it may bring.

what did we think: S2010 RTW

2009-09-16T15:38:00.007-04:00

thoughts on (a few of) spring 2010 RTW shows...
(or what i do at work when there's nothing else to do...)

[images chosen mostly as personal favorites of collections (except for derek lam)]

(like the jacket on img 1, outfit of img 2)

alexander wang: loving the neutrals, beiges, greys and browns reminiscent of an older and more traditional amercian university time; odd corsets and different shapes; where's waldo?; repeat and repeat and repeat....; soo....schoolgirl fetish?

cushnie et ochs: shiny shiny; clinging curvy cut outs cohering; form fitting; tailored tight flesh and black party

shipley and halmos: pattern used well that i like; models are actually incredibly distracting in this lookbook; fond of loose jackets, fond of simplicity and slightly belonging to the uniqlo aesthetic...(?); where's waldo again?

derek lam: why retro? reminiscent of past being out than past being in; hodge podge bright turquoise, starry starry and floral everywhere; older cuts, older pieces, older...hairstyles

thakoon: varied patterns put together and done well; mix of colors make for soft but still energized; pinned and then flowing, flow and then pinned

all photos from style.com

what did we show: richard chai spring 2010

2009-09-16T15:09:00.000-04:00

richard chai love spring 2010

favorite parts are the loose perfect fit of everything, concept as girlfriend of main menswear line, the amazingly tailored jackets, the extremely comfortable looking pants, shorts and jumper; not in love with the patterns but i wasn't last year either...also i know everyone's been saying it but the fact that fashion week runway shows are wearable makes so much sense.

photos of favs.
(also here's a link to my friend amy's post on richard chai (she interns there so it's extra special!))
(i have also tried to ignore what she posted as her fav...and i'm not sure the result. i'm sure she'll analyze it..)

all photos from style.com

what did we watch: flash mob dance

2009-09-16T10:53:00.003-04:00

my sister sent me this link in her comment to the post below and because it registers on my "wow that was insanely cool" scale i'm reposting it here:

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090908-tows-flash-mob-dance

21,000 people, huge fans of oprah, (and probably the black eyed peas too) perform one of the world's LARGEST DANCES to the song "i gotta feeling"

it's so crazy that so many people could be organized and rehearsed enough to pull something like this off.
but as i sent in an email to my sister in reply to her having given me this link....kind of scary too. i mean. aren't there better things to be organized for? like peaceful protests, rallying against things or in support of other things?

just some thoughts that ran through my mind while watching it.

i'm also posting the mv to the song because it's kind of just really catchy and feel good : p (don't shoot me down)

what did we spot: SATC

2009-09-14T14:42:00.002-04:00

today sex and the city is being filmed in soho.
parked on prince street between greene and w. broadway are all the cast trailers. walking to and from the park on 6th ave and prince on my lunch break i managed to see all four of the stars (walk past them in close proximity...): kristin davis, sarah jessica parker, cynthia nixon and kim catrall (in that order)

today i love the fact that i work at nylon AND that the nylon office is where it is.

hah. i feel like i finally have a legit answer to the question i always get asked because i happen to go to school in nyc. "have you seen any celebrities?" yes. yes i have.

(oh and i know i'm crazy but these are the outfits: kristin davis: emerald green sleeveless very ruffly dress, sarah jessica parker: just spaghetti strap and leggings, cynthia nixon: patterned sleeveless summer dress, kim catrall: jeweled necklace and bright light blue sleeveless v neck dress)

what did we read: the critical of design

2009-09-14T11:28:00.004-04:00

while reading a mandatory essay (the critical of design by clive owen) for intro to design studies, i actually grew interested (this tends to happen to me. maybe i should have gone into academia...)
and here are a few quotes about design.

(how dorky is it of me that in the last two weeks of school i have legitimately read and taken notes on twelve full length essays? i feel good and pretty pleased about the whole soaking up knowledge like a sponge business going down here despite my attendance at a design school)

"But if "individual designers and the discipline as a whole are seldom more than superficially aware of their role in the staging of the cultural environment' this is not because of inherent qualities or conditions within design but because 'designers...fail to reflect critically upon the conditions in which their action comes about.""

"Dispossessed of the insights that a critical perspective - and only this - can provide, design loses sight of its own work and of the contexts in which it operates."

"Critical comprehension of design possibility requires an understanding of the depth of the historical changes that are now beginning to become evident."

"we are beginning to perceive that our comprehension of who we are and even more of who and what we might be depends on how we understand the artificial..."

what did we attend: fashion's night out

2009-09-12T12:40:00.006-04:00

fashion's night out (bergdorf goodman window)

a phone conversation with janice september 10th around 10 pm:

me: we're at dkny! coco rocha is dancing!
janice: what? i can't hear you.
me: COCO ROCHA IS AT DKNY
janice: WHAT?! ok ok, we're coming.

(but they didn't. except they did see grace coddington at prada!)

people practically crammed like sardines trying to see MK&A (barney's 3rd floor)

prada's adorable little red riding hood window display

coco rocha striking a pose before dancing

coco again. posing.

dj and talented violinist at dkny post coco dancing

coco and me : ) (she's slouching very much so)

about food. about text.

2009-09-07T22:30:00.004-04:00

busy of late. school started. work started.
been at nylon two days, been to all of my 6 classes (and two recitations) the other three days.

i make a pretty good sandwich
and a decent salad and for some reason have been eating a lot of eggplant.

i must be in the right major. because even when there are those around me feeling bored, feeling restless, wanting to learn something else...i really do love my classes. and my teachers. and what i will be learning. i love type and i want to be good at it.

i get the feeling i'll be working towards that. i also feel incredibly fortunate to be at nylon.
no part of me foresaw this whole summer and fall internship thing going down.

i have no appropriate commentary for "sucker."
i wouldn't mind a lollipop but i had mochi tonight and a sample of cereal milk ice cream.

what did we watch: love in first person

2009-09-02T10:08:00.003-04:00

(screenshot)

while scanning through lelove images yesterday night (in between filling in 8 letter g's for class...via an HB pencil) i came across this image and this 11 minute short film/photo documentary about a young couple's life: matt and melissa eich. i must confess i was a tiny bit sceptical at first (not that drawn in by the intro image i confess) but the narrative is really very good and the photographs shown throughout taken by either one of the couple and some ten friends are amazing. the lighting, emotion, setting - all of it. so click through.

(screenshot)

love in the first person

"One year ago Matt Eich, 20, and Melissa Turk, 19, were typical college students. Then, everything started changing. Matt won the prestigious College Photographer of the Year contest, Melissa found out she was pregnant, they got married and moved from Ohio to Portland, OR, for Matt's summer internship.

In Love in the First Person, Matt and Melissa, with help from their friends, document their life together as they share their thoughts and fears on the sudden changes in their future. They come to realize that, as Matt says, "Nothing good comes without some sort of struggle," and that beginning a life together is as much about faith as it is about commitment."

(blurb from site)

also:
matt eich's photography

what did we peruse: codes combine

2009-09-02T01:39:00.004-04:00

on monday while scanning pages of nylon korea i came across this ad for a korean clothing company called codes combines with some fairly eye catching outfits (in my opinion) and while their site is pretty cool looking and appears easy to browse...very few links actually generate images on the screen. (hence screenshots of their intro images)
it's a strange thing.

but what i could find looks pretty good to me.

what did we search

2009-08-29T23:49:00.003-04:00

does anyone remember my post from may 23rd "what did we invent"?

well it's reality.

TinEye is a reverse image search engine launched early this year and apparently very successful at what it does. you upload an image or plug in the image location and tineye attempts to find it wherever it exists on the interweb. it searches for the specific image uploaded and not the content in the image (which i still dream of happening one day) and their database is still quite small in comparison to the vastness of the internet's contents. but it works! (unfortunately the images i pick to search for must be far too obscure still...wish i could figure out the credits for these images...)

check out this blog post by idee (the company that created tineye) demonstrating the catching of some blatant lying regarding photo credits. this is tineye's explanatory page on the idee website.

"TinEye is like speculative fiction, that is, it meets Clarke's Third Law. 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.'" - David Crow

what did we TYPE: idsgn and HVD freebies

2009-08-29T11:57:00.004-04:00

i've come across yet another excellent design blog called idsgn per recommendation from my UT going, photo taking, brand name clothing shopping, (oh and business major) friend geoffrey wong. (who i'm aware stalks my blog occasionally *ahem*)

"idsgn is a blog about the things we see and enjoy (or sometimes hate) as designers. We like to talk about graphic design, branding and typography..."

(published in brooklyn, NY and begun april 5, 2009)

so far i'm pretty much in love with their typography section. but i really think i could flip through the entiiiire site and not grow tired of their original, interesting and very inspiring posts.

really. go check it out now.

and also!

HVD fonts has a ton of freebie fonts for you to try out and download.

what did we browse: "to learn from" additions

2009-08-29T00:07:00.003-04:00

some new links in the "to learn from" section that i thought i'd draw your attention to!

fashiontoast
california based fashion blogger rumi whose photos/photoshoots are done by her boyfriend colin

because i'm addicted
LA based fashion, music, food, events and the like blogger with many links to other sites

you are beautiful
a long term project with many branches

don't touch my moleskine
assortment of ideas, images and words - blog

supermarket
site that features multitude of new designs by up and coming designers

what did we watch: the september issue

2009-08-28T22:39:00.003-04:00

just watched the september issue with six other girls from parsons and one girl from FIT. general conclusion? we love grace coddington. it's true.

but i have to admit. i also love anna. both anna wintour and grace are such strong, stubborn, genius women. the former has incredible management skills, the ability to organize, to be decisive, to be witty, is intelligent, creative, and very very capable of everything her job entails. the latter has mind blowing styling abilities, is an imaginative romantic to the fullest extent, knows how to consciously think out what works well and looks the best but also simply has instinctive intuitive taste that is 100% reliable.

i also loved seeing the forming on the september issue of amercian vogue (in brief because the almost 6 month process is condensed into a 90 minute film) from start to finish and all the photoshoots, obstacles and arrangements that took place during it's creation. it's an incredbly daunting task and unbelievably complex and practically scary and intimidating from my point of view. the idea of putting together that issue every year and putting all that passion and energy into it is difficult to comprehend.

my fascination with and desire to be in the fashion and magazine industry grows.

(good thing i got that fall nylon internship then)

what did we almost buy: kobraa blk snk flats

2009-08-28T00:27:00.004-04:00

so i made a promise of sorts to myself on august 18th on the plane from hong kong to new york. now i'm not sure whether i made it because i was:
a) severely lacking sleep
b) had just read a book with a section about money matters and how to spend wisely and for God
c) completely shopped out from hong kong
d) mildly delusional
(and as always)
e) all of the above

it goes like this (i even wrote it down):
"i will not buy any articles of clothing for myself until 2010."

and now that i've written and published this on the web. it's out there. i'm accountable. to everyone in theory....

here are the shoes i almost almost almost bought today! $50 USD at steve madden plus 25% off so would have been (and still are) around $38 USD. (they're really called kobraa black snake.)

what did we want: Supermarket goods!

2009-08-27T00:40:00.003-04:00

the four products below are things i think i would really like to own but will not purchase and were decided upon during my perusal of Supermarket

Supermarket is a site purposefully created "to connect you directly with designers and the great things they make."
so you can sell your work. you can buy other designers greeaat work.
or you can be like me and peruse the site for examples of excellent design and thought and wonder about buying something sometime and whether you should...

2-layer twist ring by nervous system $25 USD

helvetica typography acrylic necklace (black) by plastique* $20 USD

acrylic inverted "diamond" ring by plastique* $10 USD

"i love you more than ____" tote by paperwhite studio $20 USD

what did we derive inspiration from: patterns

2009-08-25T22:43:00.005-04:00

tonight's images of inspiration or surfing: patterns. featuring some of my own photos on my new dslr (still playing with it) and looks from matthew williamson and erdem.

own image

matthew williamson - autumn 09 collection

own image

more of matthew williamson autum 09 collection

own image

erdem fall 2009 RTW

erdem fall 2008 RTW

erdem spring 2008 RTW

erdem 2010 RST

what did we read: (or want to) LOVE II

2009-08-25T18:53:00.001-04:00

would like to get myself a copy of the new LOVE magazine. soon?

feeling a strange "blogging-block" of some sort on me.
not sure what it is. insecurity? lack of inspiration? school about to start? moving from hk to ny? slow internet? combination of above? seems to be that way.

what did we watch: david letterman

2009-08-25T18:47:00.002-04:00

"lukewarm royalty with a whip from outerspace"
- anna wintour on david letterman last night on what she supposedly is according to the media

can't wait to see the september issue.

what did we start anew

2009-08-22T00:44:00.003-04:00

i have newly arrived in new york. landed august 18th and my last week in hong kong and my first three days in new york were very busy. that seems to be the most common theme in my life: busy. hopefully i now resume blogging.

first cooked meal in my new kitchen.

new apartment. new room. new set up.

more of the nice new minimalist, white beige colored room.

and as of late possibly THE most exciting? new dslr. (thank you mommy, scot and charlotte for all of your contributions. and thank you summer job for earning me the rest. and thank you God for giving me eyes to see, a desire to take photos, and some actual ability with cameras, plus the gift of the dslr)

what did we want: socks for your chairs

2009-08-15T10:26:00.002-04:00

socks for your furniture : )
linked from swiss miss.

socks made by chris&ruby which is all about product and interior design.
it was founded in berlin in 2008 by ruby piterek and christoph mannchen based on a shared view towards design. they say:

"Our work is driven by a versatile and flexible approach to design issues. Every product in its context deserves its own definition of design priorities. The basis of our design approach is perfect function in consideration of our constant change in habits as well as intelligent constructions with the pursuit of efficient materials, principles and manufacturing processes. Futhermore we see design as a communication medium between designer and consumer and therefore try to create an emotional comment on the particular context by using humorous, critical, philosophical or poetic elements."