Bold & Noble

I like maps - especially these typographic ones by Bold & Noble

time traveler

// photos from here

Love Sergey Larenkov's photos of WWII, really makes you appreciate the history behind these cities - not to mention their architecture.

nerd alert : oddworld

You are Abe, a blue skinned alien, and you used to be employee of the year. Now however, you are enemy no. 1... After discovering the companys secret plot to start making tasty treats out of its employees your saga for salvation begins, one mudokon at a time. Its not an easy task though, enemies are at every turn to gun you down, or blow you up.

// images from here

The concept art for oddworld is smashing, gorgeous, brilliant. It was my first introduction to concept art and I dont think I have been the same since. The cut-scenes were amazing for '97, and the game play, though 2D, was gorgeously rendered in extreme detail. I'm not going to discuss it in depth now, but the fact that some don't view video games as true art is muffled with each game that takes its concepting to this level; syberia, half life, and final fantasy XIII just to name a few.



01/ pie $28.00  //  02/ barrel $42.00  //  03/ concept art  //  04/ pulley $195.00  //  05/ box-o-bones $25.00
06/ concept art  //  07/ mask $85.00  //  08/ cigar $4.50


The game itself is smart. There is a bit of a learning curve as you learn the Mudokon 'speak' and how to move your co-workers about. I will admit to a few accidental deaths... its very hard not to kill them... If you haven played this game think of it as Lemmings on steroids. The puzzles get a bit intense, and the game itself is very long and progressively more difficult.

You can buy this game in all its vintage glory over at gog.com for $5.99

5/6 Polly toes

20x200

affordable art... is not an oxymoron....

I am the first to admit, it's hard to get started collecting art - especially when it always costs an arm and a leg - or in many cases, a whole paycheck.

This is why I love the site 20x200 - all prints start at $20 - get a bunch of small prints and before you know it your personal gallery is started! what are you waiting for?

Jon Klassen : Up to the House

jon klassen: up to the house | 44"x8" giclee print | $60.00

I love jon klassen, his wintery scenes lend themselves to storytelling. I mean, seriously, the footprints in the snow, the stillness in the air - you just know there is an Agatha Christie style murder mystery taking place inside, while everyone is asleep.

wedding invitations

You may remember I went to a wedding at the beginning of the month. You may not know that I made the wedding invitations.

Since getting a wedding invitation these days feels more like receiving a book in the mail, I decided to go with a "slot" approach, creating an all in one, no way you could lose the directions, invitation.

Each slot was dedicated to a different topic; directions, accommodations, website.
The RSVP was the only separate item.

The slots were a hassle to make, and I made quite a few of these... but in the end it was well worth it.
And most importantly, the bride really liked them, too.

Authors Ridge

I work in Concord, MA. I drive by Walden pond on my way to work every day - its still pretty cool, even after a couple months.

 
Slowly I am beginning to explore the area, In the spring when I was in the process of moving I took a whirlwind tour around Concord, and a little place called the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Home to Thoreau, Emerson, Hawthorne & Alcott. All nestled on the high point called Authors Ridge.

I will admit a bit of skepticism pre-trip, but I am here to assure you that it was awesome. Its amazing to visit such a peaceful place and see all the beautiful monuments and tombstones. Emersons was pretty radical - I can imagine it was totally unique when it was erected. All the Alcott sisters are in a line, and Thoreau overlooks the cemetery from a hill. Hawthorne is there too - but I cant seem to find his picture. (I did get to go see his house of seven gables! but that's for a different day)

If you go, take a little time to look at all the stones throughout the cemetery, they are so old and so beautifully carved - a typographic dream. So glad I made the trip.

nerd alert : coma / loondon

01/ Coma

There are some great flash games out there, though they err more on the side of artistic statements than real games. I prefer to think of them as small interactive journeys that teach you lessons, one of these games is called Coma

01/ jump rope $18.00  //  02/ caged light $59.00  //  03/ thaumatrope illusion necklace $34.00

It takes place in a dream - a very short dream. in fact you can play the entire game in about 11 minutes. But take your time and enjoy the soundtrack, graphics, and character interaction. it is really lovely.

02/ Loondon

The second game, and my favorite of the two, is called loondon, where your character leaves home to explore the world... the world however has different plans.

 01/ apple brooch $16.00  //  02/ big top picture $6.00  //  03/ city pillow $36.00

This game has more of a defined plot, and a very sad ending. All in 9 minutes I might add.

Whichever one you choose, please appreciate the stylized environments and storytelling in these flash games - It's really wonderful people take the time to share their talents through these games.

gif answers

Have a tumblr account? yes of course? well then head on over to gif answers....

ask a question, get an animated gif to help you elaborate. love it.

the Tropism Fountain

The Tropism Well from Poietic Studio on Vimeo.

Saw this video over on Gizmodo and couldn't resist a repost. the Tropism Well designed by Poietic Studio senses someone approaching and very kindly offers them a drink.

I am ridiculously curious how this works, sensors in the ground? cameras? and most importantly how does it know when to stop pouring!?

lost type

The Lost Type Co-Op is a Pay-What-You-Want Type foundry, the first of its kind.

you heard me - these fonts are free.