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Levi’s continually impresses as a brand that forgoes...

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:22:00 -0400

Levi’s continually impresses as a brand that forgoes traditional advertising, to instead creates experiences that their audience wants to take part of.

Their latest tie-in with music is no different, and goes naturally with their Go Forth campaign. The Levi’s Pioneer Session posts two new songs per week, available as free downloads, through July 1st. Popular music groups like Passion Pit, James Mercer of The Shins (see above) and She and Him, are asked to cover songs that influenced their own musical journey. Each song is paired with exclusive photos, behind-the-scenes video and additional content that celebrates the enduring importance of the song and the influence it has across generations.

Head over to Levi’s Pioneer Session to check out all the content currently available.

I’ve posted before about text artist Jenny Holzer, most...

Wed, 26 May 2010 17:45:00 -0400

I’ve posted before about text artist Jenny Holzer, most recently regarding her show at the Whitney.

Above is a video clip from her current installation at the north entrance of the Aria in Las Vegas. Over 200 sayings are programmed into the LED display art such as; “It’s important to stay clean on all levels.” “Overeating should be criminal.” “If you live simply, there is nothing to worry about.” “It’s not good to operate on credit.”

According to the Las Vegas Sun, “Holzer was tapped by Michele Quinn, whom MGM Mirage tasked with overseeing its ambitious public art effort. Quinn describes herself as “kind of a groupie” of Holzer’s, and says she thought such an LED installation could be the best use of such an awkward, dark space as this lower-level valet area. People would be waiting around anyway, so why not give them something to look at — and think about — as they departed?”

Designboom also has a nice overview of projects by Jenny Holzer worth checking out here.

Thanks to NotCot for the heads up on this!

Today marks 30 years since the suicide of Joy Division frontman...

Tue, 18 May 2010 22:23:00 -0400

Today marks 30 years since the suicide of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis. I thought it might be fitting to encourage anyone to watch the film Control, if you haven’t yet. It was really really good and flew too far below the radar.

The black and white film follows Curtis’ life from 1973 to 1980, focusing on his marriage, the formation and rise of Joy Division, his struggle with epilepsy, and ends with his untimely death. A very grim story, but if you are a fan of Joy Division and New Order, you’ll find the story enthralling and heartbreaking all at once.

The lead actor in the biopic—Sam Riley—does such an amazing job. Watch the clip above as he transforms himself completely to Curtis, providing pitch perfect vocals and all.

Happy Mother’s Day (and Birthday) to my beautiful Mom and...

Sun, 09 May 2010 23:26:00 -0400

Happy Mother’s Day (and Birthday) to my beautiful Mom and all the other hot Mamas out there.

Photo

Tue, 04 May 2010 17:55:00 -0400

I love this photo. It makes me want to travel everywhere all at...

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:21:00 -0400

I love this photo. It makes me want to travel everywhere all at once.
See more by photographer Aaron Huey

Nicely done video made by PeopleforBikes.org

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:15:00 -0400

Nicely done video made by PeopleforBikes.org

"… Another thing they don’t teach you in design school is what you get paid for… Mostly,..."

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:14:00 -0400

“… Another thing they don’t teach you in design school is what you get paid for… Mostly, designers get paid to negotiate the difficult terrain of individual egos, expectations, tastes, and aspirations of various individuals in an organization or corporation, against business needs, and constraints of the marketplace… Getting a large, diverse group of people to agree on a single new methodology for all of their corporate communications means the designer has to be a strategist, psychiatrist, diplomat, showman, and even a Svengali. The complicated process is worth money.
That’s what clients pay for.”

- Paula Scher from the Identity Forum.

My father was one of 7 kids in a very poor New England family....

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:25:00 -0400

My father was one of 7 kids in a very poor New England family. He moved to NYC with nothing, renting a place at the YMCA for dollars a day, while working two jobs and going to school at night. I’m inspired by his ambition to make something of himself. He’s a true entreprenaur who never waited for things to happen, and instead created opportunities for himself and others.

What made me think of this was the above video made by Grasshopper. It’s really nicely done and inspiring as well.

Roman & Williams is a definite source of inspiration. I...

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:38:00 -0400

Roman & Williams is a definite source of inspiration. I think Sabrina and I refer to them constantly when thinking/talking about design work. Recently, I find myself citing spaces they have created as some of my favorite in NYC, from the Ace Hotel to the bar at the Standard. I love the way their work evokes a moodiness in textures and found objects, that often pay homage to another era. They mix this vintage romanticism with a balance of contemporary and modern touches.

Above is a video originally posted on The Scout, of the principal designers Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer speaking about their process.

via The Scout

Have you seen this? The animation Logorama won a much deserved...

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:19:00 -0400

Have you seen this? The animation Logorama won a much deserved Oscar in the short film category.

If you haven’t, watch as in a world made up entirely of trademarks and brand names, Michelin Man cops pursue a criminal Ronald McDonald.

McNally Jackson Books Cafe by Front Studio

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:22:58 -0500

I had somewhat recently tweeted from the McNally Jackson books cafe in Nolita about how much I loved the space and the fixtures designed by Front Studio. My iPhone photo really did not do it much justice, so I was thankful to stumble upon these much better quality shots from Kitsune Noir. I love the pages of the books that line the walls, and the books that seemingly float overhead. It’s a great little spot. Click here for additional photos.

Completely charmed by Lou Doillon in this video for Vanessa...

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:06:00 -0500

Completely charmed by Lou Doillon in this video for Vanessa Bruno’s SS10 collection.

Wooster Collective interviews artist Rebecca Ward at the Kate...

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:05:09 -0500

Wooster Collective interviews artist Rebecca Ward at the Kate Spade store in Soho, New York for the opening of her latest installation.

Vans and the places they were

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:14:12 -0500

Vans and the places they were documents surviving 70’s and 80’s era conversion vans parked on streets throughout the Bay Area and Southern California. The project, led by Joe Stevens, began in 1996 and currently consists of hundreds of images shot on 120 film and examines the dialogue which exists between a van’s design aesthetic and that of its surrounding environment.

As these types of vans are becoming a dying breed, Joe states, “consequently the goal of the project is to one day shoot the last remaining van on the final frame of photographic film in existence. Then the project will be finished.”

Roger Ebert's inspiring interview with Esquire Magazine

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:27:00 -0500

“I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn’t always know this, and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.”

—Film critic Roger Ebert on losing his ability to speak four years ago, tells Esquire Magazine he communicates through Post-it notes but there is “no need to pity” him.

Read the full interview

Just got back to my desk to find a treat from a co-worker. He...

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:02:00 -0500

Just got back to my desk to find a treat from a co-worker. He brought back a box of red velvet cupcakes from Big Booty Bakery for a bunch of us. Funny name aside, they have awesome baked goods (and empanadas!) If you’re near Chelsea, definitely check them out.

R.I.P. Alexander McQueen

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:18:24 -0500

R.I.P. Alexander McQueen

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you probably have...

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:44:00 -0500

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you probably have come to suspect that I’m a big Ryan McGinley fan. Yesterday I tweeted about his ethereal photo series for the New York Times Magazine, which captured Winter Olympians in mid-flight draped in Rodarte.

The above video, McGinley made for Opening Ceremony’s collection of Levi’s cords. In it, he captures models mid-air to the music of Pictureplane’s “Goth Star.”

Snowy Manhattan

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:54:00 -0500

It was nice to wake up this morning to a snowy Manhattan. When I got outside onto my street, the snow was really light. It’s seems to be coming down much harder now. Hoping they call it an early day for us :)