Poladroid Project

Wow...digital polaroids now exist - and the interface is pretty neat....only for MACs right now suckas!! Meet Poladroid.

Basically you drag and drop images into the Poladroid Polaroid and voila....there is even a video.

Now all they need to add are effects (meaning smudging, light leaks and the sort). Still in Beta, but fun as hell - and all the information is in French. How posh!

via Flavorwire

I won last week's "project packaging"

Brita
Originally uploaded by rachel_esther

We had to package water filters. The requirements: one diecut, an image (either illustration or photograph) of the product and must address environmental concerns.
I guess my package created the most waste compared to my peers, because it is encased in packaging....but all the paper is recyclable (in theory) and the concept is that the packaging acts as an aide for Brita and Nalgene's Filterforgood.com campaign. So the packaging is helping to make people make less waste...and hopefully they will recycle or reuse my package....I only had a week SO I'm sure I could make it make more sense....and the copy totally needs work!!!
But I did it....no immunity tho. I guess no one gets aufed either!!!

Pretty, old type

So, research for next week's project packaging lead me to this site.

These come from a 1927 edition of Studio Handbook by Samuel Welo - and apparently every page was handlettered by Welo. The pages show beautiful hand done type and various personalized type treatments. 

And then there are elements that are so dated it is cute. He goes over what a balanced and well thought out layout looks like (centered and stacked) and goes over "panels"- which are basically those beautiful flourishes you find around type, or plaques. 

And then I love his comment on trademarks: "Some of the best TradeMarks are those which use combinations of letters or abstract symbols with no attempt to strive for illustrative material. It is gratifying to note the remarkable amount of clever study that goes into the design of the tradmarks today. The fact is important that few designers have let their striving for beauty run away with the 'utility' of thought"

take a look:

(via CreativePro.com)

Gecko Traders

Was doing some research for Carmen's packaging class about water, and, as always, got side tracked to reusable eco-friendly bags issued by Gecko Traders (via. reusablebags.com). 

They are 100% recycled from rice and feed bags that were originally used for transporting goods in Cambodia. The bags are also Fair Trade Certified, which means that the Cambodians who produce these bags are guaranteed a living wage.

What I also like about them is that they are one of a kind and so colorful. And they come in 3 sizes....Market, Wave and Koren

Smiley Perfume

So when I was at work I noticed Smiley Perfume and was absolutely amazed by the scent (musky and yummy) and also the packaging. It comes in a styrofoam cut out that it rests in...since the bottom is rounded. The actual box has braille writing, and all the type is embosed. Gotta check out Happy Therapy

Mad Men, Mad type

found some really intense articles online about the typographical treatment made by the Mad Men crew. Seems a lot of their type choices wouldn't have been available in the early 1960's.
I think it is remarkable that someone took the time too look this all up, or new it all off hand!!!
here is one article....and the other

Buenos Aires Graffiti

some research for my music revolution website...thought I would share:

And also some imagery that was interesting to me...

>

I'm not there

one of my favorite scenes in "I'm not there" - magical realism y'all!!

826

I've always been fascinated by the 826 revolution (Dave Eggers's non-profit tutoring and reading group) that has swept across the country. When I was at UofM I almost interned at 826Michigan....but didn't find the time. Then, as soon as I entered design, I wanted to contribute visually to 826....and now I see that there is the potential to do so...as Office just did for 826Valencia. 

In order to set up shop as a tutoring studio in the location they choose, 826Valencia needed to have a retail possibility (the area was zoned for retail). SO...they decided to create a pirate supply store! These are the designs Office did for their new product line!

check it out:

and they have posters also designed by Office.

I am envious!!!

Pork pork PORK

there are some things that, when you find them, you must share....

here's one: