Alex Varanese, who is from the San Francisco area caught my attention with his stylish design and typography use. Plus, I'm sucker for vintage urban cultural design. Alex also has a knack for designing custom typography which you can actually see in most of his works. I'd have to say, I'm impressed with the color palette choices and each one of his designs pops out with their own unique style. It's also quite amusing to read some of his thoughts on his designs. So below are some of his works and if you're interested he also has some iphone wallpapers that you can download for FREE to give your iphone style. If you want to keep up with his work then follow him on twitter.
In the world of art and design a big demand and merge of sustainable design has come into play. Many artists are now being cautious on materials they use for environmental purposes. One of these eco-conscious artists is Kiel Johnson who is a famous American-based painter and sculptor. In one of his collections he uses cardboard to create a range of camera that includes SLRs, Polaroid cameras, point and shoot cameras, twin lens cameras and the retro 8mm camera. After viewing these piece of art I can see why Kiel has been recognized on a lot of his works which have been showcased in public and private collections. I can only image the detail and time it took for him to just create one of these cameras and the fact that he is being eco-conscious gives him two thumbs up. If you want to check out more photo's of the cameras check out his site.
Sometimes all it takes is one song to capture your ear and your hooked. That one song that did it for me was "Green" by Brendan James. Brendan James is a singer/songwriter with a stripped-down sound to showcase his emotionally resonant voice and expressive piano playing. Not only will his piano ballads capture your attention but his lyrical insights well put you in a thought of emotional ponder.
James who released his first acclaimed album The Day Is Brave in 2008 is about to release a NEW self title album on September 7th. Unlike his first album which is full of unforgettable melodies with a elegant and earthy tone. The new album will be a little different than the first. James wanted to change things up and play around with different styles on the new album. He added a lot of musical textures like strings, synths and drum loops to a couple of the tracks but don't you worry though his vocals and piano which are his staples will take the for front.
If you want to check out Brendan perform live then you have a chance. He will be giving fans the opportunity to win tickets to his shows from September 7th through October 1st. Log into Twitter at BrendanJamesLive.PromoJam.com to see the dates and tweet for a chance to win tickets. Winners will be chosen on September 6th.
You can also pre-order the new album on iTunes, and look for the record in stores on September 7th. Visit BrendanJames.com for all the latest information.
William O'Briend Jr. designed what he calls the Allandale House. It a unique triangular cabin that was constructed for an idiosyncratic connoisseur. This is a modern version of a forest cabin based on an extruded A-frame. The design use of the A-frame is well used in this home. The large window in the front provides a beautiful view while still providing some excellent natural light to the interior of the cabin. This home does have a second floor and it was made possible due to the wider A-frame in the back. The house links three horizontal extrusions of “leaning,” or asymmetrical A-frames. The skinny A-frame on the western side contains the library, wine cellar and garage. The wide A-frame in the center of the house is dedicated to two floors of bedrooms and bathrooms. This is quite a cabin to say the least. It was well designed to meet the modern age but also it used geometrical angles to give it a more unique look.
TELEPHONEME is a new film from MK12: it's a hybrid live-action/animated piece about language working as a double agent, carrying a hidden meaning with it for reasons unknown. They got the idea after discovering an educational film from the 60's, titled The Alphabet Conspiracy. In the production notes they took the original soundtrack from the 60's movie and remixed it into a slightly darker version of itself, which they stated it became the foundation for the new film TELEPHONEME. This short film uses cues from The Alphabet Conspiracy as well as other educational films from back in the day. It has some awkward editing and absurd premises that fit the genre of the past. The color palette choice in this film was simple and deliberate, and they also used a technique to split out different colors like red, green, and blue to superimpose these colors throughout the film, but they also moved independently of one another, creating different transitional and graphic effects.
Side Note: If you like the font that they used in the film. Then check out the website where you can download MK12_Chadwick font for free.
Denon is getting ready to celebrate their 100th Anniversary on October 1, 2010. This historical event can't go without a new product to commemorate this achievement. Denon goes back to it's beginning with the new Denon 100 Turntable($2,500). This high-end turntable features the company's high-performance direct-drive turntable technology, compatibility with the new DP-A100 cartridge, a five-year warranty, 100th anniversary logo badges, and a signed certificate of authenticity from the chief production engineer who hand crafted the device. So if you got 2,500 dollars laying around and you love turntables then this baby is for you.
Over the weekend I took some time to check out two of Gary Hustwit's films which are Helvetica and Objectified. Helvetica was a documentary film that looked at the world of typography and graphic design, and their impact on our visual environment. Objectified was another documentary film about industrial design and product design and our relationship with the manufactured objects that we use every day. Each of these films were an interesting watch. They each took an in-depth look at the way that the human culture looks, feels, and categorizes design on a daily basis and most of the time we don't realize we are doing it. If you are like me and you were done watching them going I want more than I think you're in luck.
Hustwit is currently in the process of working on the third installment of what he calls the "Design Trilogy". The third film to join this trilogy is calledUrbanized which will look at the issues and strategies behind urban design. It will feature some of the world's foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers throughout this film. Urbanized which is currently in production will not premiere until sometime in 2011. So you will have to wait but if you want to be kept in the know about the upcoming film then you can join Hustwit Twitter feed.
I have been in the market for a while now for a new keyboard and mouse combo. The one I'm using now is just not cutting it. The fact that the mouse and keyboard are separate is a pain and it's taking up space. So when I was in Daytona a friend of mine showed me the combo of choice the Logitech diNovo Edge keyboard. This is a sleek, wireless keyboard that gives you the edge with a touch pad and media center controls. This slim keyboard is laser cut from a single piece of semi-translucent, black Plexiglas and set in a brushed aluminum frame for a sleek addition to any office or living room. It connects via Bluetooth Wireless and is powered by a Li-lon battery and comes with an elegant charging base and has back-lit controls on the keyboard. This keyboard also gets about 2 months worth of usage off of just a two hour charge. This keyboard has so many features that it's bound to impress while still providing optimal usage for your computer needs.
This keyboard/mouse combo is definitely what I have been looking for in a keyboard. So with the purchase of this keyboard it will complete my media center for my living room. So old keyboard and mouse its time that you found a new home because the Logitech diNovo Edge is about to take your place. Sorry you had a good run.
300 post later and this blog is still going and getting better all the time. I want to thank each and everyone of you that comes to my blog and reads, shares and enjoys what I'm doing. I appreciate your support and also don't be afraid to leave a comment or two. I'm always interested in what you have to say as a reader.
So now that I'm done being sappy let get into the new release of Playlist-17. I decided to mix together a short mix of some ambient style tracks this time around. I haven't done a mixed playlist in a minute so I thought it was appropriate.
In this mix I used Shigeto's sample of "Grandmas Words Rise Out of the Stone" in the beginning and end of this mix. Shigeto, I have to give you props on this sample and the track. So with that said, if you want to hear more Shigeto then head over to his site where you can download his NEW EP What We Held On To for FREE. If you also get a chance check out some of the other artist like Aether, Solvent, Flying Lotus and Gold Panda. All great artist. So go ahead and have listen or download or if you want share this mix.
Cover art by: Damion Schweizer
Tracklist
1. Grandmas Words Rise Out of the Stone by Shigeto
2. Intro/A Cosmic Drama by Flying Lotus
3. Dajame Dormir by Aether
4. Solar Fields by Sky Trees
5. Ketto by Bonobo
6. After the Smoke by Shigeto
7. Built in Microphones by Solvent
8. How to Dress Well by Ready for the World
9. Dances and strategies by Solvent
10. You by Gold Panda
11. Cremona Memories by Keep Shelly in Athens
