Volcano Erupts into the Sunset
via Wimp.com

I have a thing for volcanos. I've never been near one and they sorta fascinate me. Make me tremble with awe and all that stuff. I would love to see one. If anyone is interested, my birthday is this summer. That's still enough time to get me a volcano. I'll worry about where to put it. Bayonne maybe? Nobody's using that space ;-)

Have a great weekend.
Luis

If you're ever uncertain about Google+ being a place for nerds, log on the day they launch a new design. Few other groups if any do this much hand wringing over a new design and font

I like this new layout quite a lot. It follows the card trend seen on other social networks and even Google properties. However I think the G+ design team did a nice job of improving on what other site's like Pinterest have done by making the stream more accessible, clean, all while showing me more posts.

I love the new font being used. It feels more unique to the network and performs well in this new design. The kerning of the bold typeface on the buttons to upload photos should be improved but overall it looks good knocked out and in posted text.

As much as is made about images and photos on G+, text is what shows up most and it's so fantastic to see the team work hard on this type treatment.

Great work :)

If J.J. Abrams fucks up Star Trek I hope he falls face first on a lightsaber just after getting his salad tossed by Jabba.

We're all set with two tickets to see Star Trek Into Darkness in IMAX at AMC Lincoln Center for only $47 :D

I’m going to be super pissed if Cumberbatch wears that Sherlock scarf in Star Trek while telling Kirk: “Obi-Wan lied. I. AM. YOUR. FATHER."

The collection of orange dots to the immediate left of NYC are where I live. I feel like Noriega before the Marines blasted AC DC all around him.

The Greatest Thing I Found On The Internet This Week:
Penthouse Mirror Tube Slide
While the entire home is a Wonka Factory for modern interior design geeks with a scifi fetish, this slide… this slide is like having your own wormhole/interdimensional portal exiting to the foyer. Not like. IT IS!

Artcocktail
http://artcocktail.mallforarts.com/2013/05/artistic-penthouse-with-fun-interior/

via Designinspiration

The Guilt
by David Victori
Fantastic short film about murder, revenge, murder, revenge and many stairs. A bit sad so have something funny queued up to watch after. :)

Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
Directed by Sam Fleischner
http://mssngpeces.com/stand-clear/

I have the special treat later this month of seeing this film at the Art Directors Club. This is a unique instance where there are several great stories in addition to this movie. The film itself is about a 13 year old autistic boy from Rockaway Beach who decides to run away using the subways.

He's played by Jesus Sanchez-Velez who is also autistic but when you watch this prequel below, you'll see he decided to play the part strikingly different to himself. The third arc of this film's story came as they were just set to shoot the last stretch. Sandy hit. Rockaway was devastated and director Sam Fleischner had to rewrite the movie to include the storm.

If forced to leave your home city, what metropolis would you call home?
I love cities and make sure every year we visit one. I love traveling… anywhere but cities hold a special place for us.

Last week Jen and I were in San Francisco for work/rest. It was our second time there and, a bit ironically, I read this article on our last day in the city:

New York Elsewhere
http://www.themorningnews.org/article/new-york-elsewhere

It's for New Yorkers that are displaced, forced to move for some reason. The article provides a list of different places in North America and the area of NYC they most resemble.

Me? Right now I would choose Montreal. It's a lot like New York but the people enjoy life a lot more while still getting things done. If I wanted something with a faster pace than Montreal, I would choose Madrid. For something more laid back, San Juan. But if forced to choose today, it would definitely be Montreal even with my little to no French skills.

What other city would you live in?

The Vein / Magma
Direction & Art Direction by Dvein
Full credits on the videos page:
https://vimeo.com/64542506

Humanity and paint as one grand landscape. This is a sensationally well executed music video. If you're looking for a little kick of inspiration for a day of drawing and painting… watch. :)

Check out the making of: https://vimeo.com/65546038

Repetition
by Ryohei Hase
http://ryoheihase.com
for Playboy Magazine's article 'Narco Americano', February 2011
 
via HI FRUCTOSE
http://hifructose.com/2013/05/07/ryohei-hases-morbid-digital-artworks/

This segment on Bloomberg from Friday was within the context of the U.S. government's jobs numbers inaccurately counting all the freelancers out there (of which I'm one).

That part of the discussion doesn't interest me as much as the question posed to Freelancer's Union head, Sara Horowitz: Are these temporary and smaller jobs enough to sustain… family, quality of life, overall standard of living etc.

Sara didn't really answer that question, sort of simply asking it right back. I think that may be the hardest part of her role. How can you define/predict the economic stability of a large segment of the workforce when many are completely new to freelancing?

Shaved with a cheap straight blade from the corner store like a bawse and ready to head to Havana 59 in Moonachie tonight.

Have a great weekend.

Screengrab
by Willie Witte
via PetaPixel

The entire video is edited in front of the camera and has some unbelievable recursive transitions. This is a fun piece you'll end up watching over and over, pausing to study frames, scratching your head the whole time.

I'm trying ParkingTickets.com for the 1st time to challenge 3, $40 tickets I got for residential parking violations on the street WHERE. I. LIVE!!!

Total cost: $70
If I still get ticketed after these appeals? ( >.< )

Yes, I know what I said about the network in the past.
No, you don't need to quote it back to me.
Yes, you should check out my pins.

Have a nice day.

Using MRIs of human and animal skulls, artist Angela Palmer creates beautiful portraiture in layers of glass. Below is a portrait of a cow's skull.

via Hi Fructose 
http://hifructose.com/
Source: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8676325582_bb1c52cd86_c.jpg

Yesterday we had 10 people over from both our families. It was sort of last minute so I got this 18" wide, 6" deep cazuela and made arroz con pollo. There was enough for us and everyone in our building to come for seconds.

Today I haz a tired.

I think guys are hot, gorgeous, beautiful. All kinds of men but I certainly have preferences just as I do with women. I'm not bisexual or even lean in that direction. I'm pretty straight in my sexual preferences. I still think Khal Drogo is one steaming hot bottle of man sauce.

I can still enjoy it when a man flirts with me or asks me out as I can when women do the same. It's flattering. I feel good and let people know I appreciate it. Yes, I'm married. Yes, I will tell my wife. Yes, we're fine with it. Yes, we're monogamous. …and, yes, all those things apply equally with her. No, it shouldn't matter. These are healthy, good things that are some of the best of what makes us human.

When ComiXology finally released a statement saying that it was they and not Apple who decided to keep Saga's 12th issue out of their store, it still wasn't clear why they did so. What they did want to make clear was that it was in no way related to the fact that there are two small depictions of male, gay sex on the first pages. Color me skeptical being a reader of the series who has been seeing material just as explicit (if not more) up until last week.

I don't know what makes gay, male sex more offensive to some people. Is it just seeing two men together? Is it two men showing affection in an intimate way? Is it seeing men enjoying sex with one another?

In this specific case, I think it may be that last one. With attractive females kissing on main stream TV being deemed acceptable and attractive, I think we still have big gaps of willful ignorance when in regards to male sexuality. I think we have issues with men being vulnerable in that way. Many are still uncomfortable with men exposing their genuine urges honestly without pretense or machismo with other women but DEFINITELY with another man. (Though I think a show like True Blood has helped challenge that thinking even if it's limited to premium cable.)

You shouldn't read Saga because of the nudity and sex it contains. While I think it does it in a very healthy and honest way with a good dose of humor, that's not what makes the series so damn good. It's taking one of the oldest stories (Romeo & Juliet), flipping it on it's head and saying: "What if these two lovers from rival races decided to live and fight to stay together." Read Saga because of the imaginative worlds and races. Read Saga because of the art and fantastic characters. Just go pick issue one and keep going. But whatever you do, even if you don't like comics, go read Saga.

I'm glad this article got out on the same day to help brands with their messaging while families look for loved ones. Good job ADWEEK.
</eyeroll>

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/boston-marathon-tragedy-shows-why-brands-need-human-touch-twitter-148606

Our hearts go out to all those affected by today's tragic events. We recommend not exposing young children to repeated images in the news.

@SesameStreet +Sesame Street 
via +Jack Hardman 

The decision to take a life is so final. How it has been made over and over throughout human history will never make sense to me. To run is to celebrate humanity, all we have and can accomplish through one of the first activities we engaged in as a species. I didn't have a run scheduled for today but now I'm taking an hour at sunset to put on my shoes and celebrate the people who didn't get to finish today.

#BostonMarathon

Alpha Romeo from ‘Classic Series’ 2013 Volume I
Image by Sebastia Galbany
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Classic-Series-2013-Volume-I/8059947

Via +Designspiration

Launch of the New Google Member's Lounge at the Art Directors Club
I haven't had a chance to go to an ADC event this year but I just saw this in my inbox and am excited about the new lounge for members. I'm not sure about the obstacle course at 8am with the talking shoe but it should be interesting to meet with Google's Chief Creative Officer and Director.

La Mañana Antes de la Eternidad

Estuve contigo en el olvido
Las estrellas pintadas dentro de nuestro cráneo
Yo no pude dormir
Tu me perseguiste con preguntas de un pasado que ningunos conocimos

Por la mañana te desapareciste
Hace un eterno y tres dias desde esa noche
He perdido mi vista y el oído
Duermo bien

Es la mañana antes de la eternidad

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I guess I have a lot to say about the subject. In some ways my critique isn't fair. It's a lot to ask of a community where you didn't know anyone going in… but being fair can't factor into my decisions on how I participate here as both a professional and enthusiast of the visual arts.

Here's my original reply. For anyone interested, read P E's post and a number of the comments. Understand these critiques are coming from people who want(ed) to make time to be here and have this be a successful community of professional artists:

I've said this before but will again here and it is brutally honest: 
Google+ lacks the diversity and developed taste that is easier to find on other networks. I'm not saying there is a single, strict type that the average user fits but more a limited set of types that one meets more often than not. The former heavily influences the latter and it's why far less attention is given to good work whether it's your own or something you are sharing.

I simply don't think this network provides the tools or context for independent, professional visual artists focusing on the work vs. the branding of an online personality. We have plenty of people who have been doing well at selling an overall brand from cooks, to photographers to writers. But if you look closer, the work is nothing special no matter how many people here say so within the vacuum.

That does happen on other networks but those (I'm not simply comparing to Facebook but Twitter, Wordpress, Tumblr etc.) have a few things that Google+ STILL does not have for me:

- Plenty of good professional art and design from excellent sources.
- Those sources coming here FIRST rather than posting a summary of what has already been shared elsewhere a week or two later.
- Access to the people driving that content
- Conversations and interactions that help make one another better, especially when it comes to critiquing but also speaking the language.
- An honest love for good art and design

That last one is important to define. Too many times I see this resentment/disdain/whatever for professional designers and artists here. People talking about making their own rules because those communities are closed and elitist (this perspective goes back to the issue of diversity). That is true in some ways of the art world but not for the reasons some people here think.

IOW: Professional artists aren't being snobs about your work, you are just not good. And you know what? People need to hear that. That artist needs to hear it and others listening in do as well. Because if you continue to celebrate the mediocre, that is all you will ever be and see here. Good taste begins by tossing out what doesn't work and a desire to always be better.

Good taste takes a long time to develop. Spotting talent is a career on its own. This place simply doesn't have the mind share and framework (at least not yet) to facilitate that and the few who have stepped up either get ignored or called an [sic] elitist.

It's not my job to help teach the population of a social network good taste or add great content. Those both took me a long time and continue to be an ongoing process for me to add another huge task of being some kind of evangelist for it on a social network.

Reshared text:
GOOGLE PLUS IS NOT SOCIAL

Stop pretending. Google Plus as a whole is a LIBRARY with benefits. It's not designed to be social in the same way as other social networks, so stop trying. Google is a research/search engine, remember? It's in the business of information gathering and exchange, G+ is an extension of that same formulation of thinking.

That being said, Hangouts, as part of GPlus, are social. They are where you go to have a snack or a beer and hangout with your research buddies; the last thing y'all want to talk about is work unless you are using them for work purposes, in which case SUCKS TO BE YOU.(j/k). Hangouts On Air are a voyeur's paradise. Use your manners when entering any hangout for the first time, never show your genitals without being asked, mute yourself if you're gassy or making other kinds of noise and things should go swimmingly.

How do I use G+? I show up and talk to other people instead of waiting for replies to my posts. If what I post is of interest to others, great. If not, I've built my own resource centre using my own interests as the motivator.

G+ is not a waiting room, it's a library, so get up off your virtual chair and make the effort to plus a post or make a comment on someone else's profile. Without making an effort there will be no reward in the form of interaction. Hint: you are not the only introvert in town hiding behind your keyboard. Your intellect and how you use it to discuss the things that are important to you is your primary introduction to others on G+.

C'mon over. If you talk to me or respond in some way to my posts either here or on someone else's post I'll notice, I'll go see what you bring to the network I've built and if your posts are of interest I'll circle you back. If you haven't filed out your 'about me' page or posted a recent photo of yourself you will never end up in my circles.

I came here with 0 connections, 0 followers, my sole ambition was to build a network of art-related like-minded people with whom I could have a conversation. Now I have a surfeit of all kinds of interesting things to read and comment on in my streams any time of day or night from the people I've circled, and I've hung out with all kinds of people I would never have met otherwise, and my interests have grown beyond my initial agenda. I've learned so much about so many interesting things from others.

If I can do it, so can you. It's really that simple.

Terrible Framing By the New York Times:
"With Vouchers, States Shift Aid for Schools to Families"

Read the article but, aside from the headline, there is quite a bit of context missing from this story lost with the 'Blow by Blow' type sports coverage of Left and Right taking shots at each other.

A few points on [sic] Giving aid to families vs. public schools

1. These funds are actually being pulled from public education after they have already had their budgets cut (This is mentioned in the Times article.)

2. The myth of school choice is that a parent can send their child to another school (ie: charter or Catholic) but if and when the child is turned away for poor scores, that money doesn't go back with them to their local public school. So public schools are being stripped twice.

3. While state governments continue to raise certification standards for public school teachers, these corporate schools do not require a teacher to be licensed. The overall standards to be hired are lower from student teacher hours in the classroom to undergrad curriculum.

4. Even while public officials work toward removing the competition for these corporate run charter schools with taxpayer dollars, public education STILL outperforms them nationally.

It amazes me that in order to rank higher globally in education, we're creating these cookie cutter publicly funded companies to teach students how to score high on some standardized test instead of giving them a complete education. Worse, this actually isn't a party issue as conservatives overwhelmingly are pushing this and so is the Obama administration along with his allies in cities across the country.

The piece should read:
"With Vouchers, States Shift Aid for Schools to Corporations"

S/N° MAGAZINE #17 JANUARY 2012, Je Danse Donc Je Suis
Photographed by Nicole Heiniger
Fashion Editor: Renata Corrêa
Model: Marcelia Freesz

You MUST click through and see the entire set. Tons of love to Nicole Heiniger. Just fantastic work.

source: http://calikartel.com/nicole-heiniger/

Black Flag #marriageequality Mashup

via: http://dangerousminds.net

#marriageequality #lgbt  

This Sunday…

Game of Thrones Poster Illustration
Dracula
Hound and Boar
by Vania Zouravliov
http://www.bigactive.com/illustration/vania-zouravliov
via MELT
http://visualmelt.com/Vania-Zouravliov

I'm looking forward to the season premier but that is not why I shared this piece along with two others by the incredibly talented Vania Zourabliov. I shared it because it is one of his less disturbing, non-adult rated works. The poster is actually one of his less impressive illustrations… by far in my opinion. His work is mesmerizing, often painful to view and all executed with great skill.

It would be selfish to not encourage the art lovers in my circles to go take a long look but… Be warned: His images are often, violent, sexualized and simply blur the lines of taboo.

Enjoy your Tuesday everyone :-)
Luis

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Crazy Lime Dance :)

Reshared text:
Klee Kai Puppy
Found the video of a puppy, tasting lime for the first time, on YouTube, very
cute. For #CuteWars  
I posted this back in 2011 but it was limited for some reason.

Don't let the stutter effect or sublime fades distract you. Try and figure out how the cloth forms, folds, stretches and then weaves through itself. Can you find the corners? Are there corners? :-)

Taking numbers, the data we're given from one collected set to create or generate a piece inspired by the original content but completely different at once.

Test Sketches for Vector Pattern Program
Ink and Pencil on Craft Paper (5' x 3')
Over the last week I've started work on a pattern generator algorithm executed with the Cairo vector graphics library and written with the Perl binding. Computer science is not exactly my area of expertise despite years designing and art directing specialized web applications for internal corporate use. The large sheets of craft paper help me see where I'd like to go. What I would ideally like to see made possible with this program. To produce non trivial, custom randomized patterns for things like painted backgrounds, shading and data visualizations.

What I enjoy most about this process is the possibility of these test sketches becoming their own artworks, able to stand on their own. This particular drawing is almost halfway done. The density shown at the one end needs to fade in, out then flow back and dissipate.

source: http://flic.kr/p/e3XDFd

Merlin's Great Escape
Merlin's been cooking up a scheme to bust out of this joint for days now while his little brother Montesinos quietly hopes he succeeds. 

source: http://flic.kr/p/e3BoQv

Eleanor Davis, Comics and Illustration
Lovely, imaginative and surprising. A nice body of work to view and help you ease into your Saturday. 

http://doing-fine.com/

I'm always interested to see someone take a trend like the "double vision" effect in video, do something different and execute it well. I think Danny Yount accomplishes that and all while keeping the tools he used very simple. (Nothing more than himself, a 5D MarkII and After Effects)

Group Show at Joshua Liner Gallery
To celebrate their new location, the New York City gallery will be showing the work of various artists including some featured in Hi Fructose magazine. It's definitely worth taking a Friday off even if just to see this piece by SWOON.

Via Hi Fructose (http://hifructose.com): http://goo.gl/CJn0e

Lake Inside the Volcano Kelimutu in Indonesia
Added to my long list of places to see.

Photograph by: Nicolas Mirguet
Source: http://flic.kr/p/7CgGfY

Sakurajima Volcano Erupting in Japan as Lightning Strikes
photograph by Martin Rietze
via PetaPixel: http://www.petapixel.com/2013/03/14/epic-pictures-of-the-sakurajima-volcano-erupting-in-japan/

Swissted Book Launch
It's a big night for my good friend Mike Joyce who's new book launches tonight at The Powerhouse Arena in Dumbo, Brooklyn. Mike sent a few friends and myself a PDF about two years ago with dozens of redesigned posters from rock, hardcore and punk shows dating back to the 1970's in a Swiss Modern style. We all loved the work and he kept creating more posters. Swissted.com launched, hundreds of different prints from the series began to sell and the press coverage followed leading up to tonight.

Congratulations Mike!
I'll see you tonight.

http://powerhousearena.com/events/exhibition-mike-joyce-swissted/
http://swissted.com

#graphicdesign  

October 1978
Using 8x10 Polaroid instant film that expired the same month, 34 year old actress/model Liina Brunelle was born, photographer Edouard Janssens accomplishes what can be described as a portrait dipped in hot caramel.

Latin@ Justice League
Batman, A-Fucking-Dorable Wonder Woman and El Chapulin. The only way I can describe Chapulin is he's part Tick, Gallagher and Charlie Chaplin. Nice to see I wasn't the only kid in a bilingual home watching both the Superfriends and El Chapulin Colorado.

via the fantastic http://girlslovesuperheroes.tumblr.com

Spring is coming...

Eleanor Hayes in Valentino
photographed by Andrew Yee 
via design-dautore.com

#motivation  

Portrait of Richard Pryor
Created with a plastic clothing tag gun, this floor to ceiling piece from the Contemporary Pier at the Armory Show is incredibly detailed.

#Art  

The Armory Show 2013
Today is the last day of the 100th anniversary Armory Show. We spent yesterday afternoon in both piers. The enormous art exhibition is divided between Modern and Contemporary. The roughly 120 photos in this album reflect the fact we spent more time looking at the contemporary works but there is a good number of art from the other pier.

Aside from being able to view so much art in such tightly packed spaces (even for New York City), it is interesting to overhear all the buying and selling of multi-million dollar pieces. The Armory Show is a unique experience.

#art  

Sketchbook Calligraphy Work
by Sebastian Lester
http://www.seblester.co.uk

source: https://vimeo.com/60241818

Needing a Boost Somewhere in the West Village
You know New York City is expensive when you're willing to rent a place that requires waiting for passers by to give you a boost.

source: http://flic.kr/p/e1tBS1

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Following the Wall Street Journal's Panel Discussion, Meet the Web's New Celebrities: Teachers (http://on.wsj.com/166djBU), the MoMA will be part of +Google Art Project 's first #ArtTalk series. The live hangout happens later today and they'll be discussing how teacher's can create engaging video courses to improve student outreach, classroom skills as well as grow their own status on campus.

Reshared text:
This Wednesday, 6th March at 8pm EST, to kick off our #ArtTalk series, learn how to create engaging online courses from the experts at The Museum of Modern Art.
Guest speakers include Deborah Howes, Director of Digital Learning, Pablo Helguera, Director of Adult and Academic Programs, Doug Brannon, artist and Corey D'Augustine, online course student and artist and MoMA educator.

Have a question you'd like to ask? Just add them to the comments on this event page. 

Caption for cover picture:
Images from left: Photo: Martin Seck; Vincent van Gogh. The Starry Night (detail). June 1889. Oil on canvas. Acquired through the Lillie P. Bliss Bequest. © 2013 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Jennifer thought of me reading this passage in Tolstoy's Anna Karenina:

A man could not be prevented from making himself a big wax doll, and kissing it. But if the man were to come with the doll and sit before a man in love, and begin caressing his doll as the lover caressed the woman he loved, it would be distasteful to the lover. Just such a distasteful sensation was what Mihailov felt at the sight of Vronsky's painting: he felt it both ludicrous and irritating, both pitiable and offensive.

image: unknown
via:  http://www.soundingstone.net/

The King is Here
by Alex Solis
http://cargocollective.com/oddworx/The-King-is-Here
via +Designspiration 

See if this was how soccer fútbol Head 'Sploding Heat Ray Vision Ball was sold in the U.S., we'd join the rest of the world.

Pixel is the Chromebook for Creatives on Google+
A week ago I wondered why would I ever want to drop well over $1,000 for a netbook. I already own two laptops and a tablet, one of those being a new Acer Chromebook. So why think of getting a Pixel?

One of the problems with Chromebooks up until now has been the inability to count on them as a photo production tool of any kind. If you're like me and take hundreds of photos each day when you travel then a Chromebook wasn't really for you. On my most recent trip, each time I plugged in my camera with all its files the Acer would either crash or freeze up. It was frustrating.

The Pixel's more powerful processor gets around that but with the new Photos App, it also assists you each time you upload your files by setting aside blurry photos, leaving you with fewer images to sort through.

And with the pixel density, this Chromebook makes for a great on location laptop to review images with clients. I'd consider it as a portfolio for presenting my designs or illustrations to new clients.

Last week I though "Absolutely NOT!" as I've learned more and now taken a look at this new Photos App, I'm thinking I just might.

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I want to see this with a Bomb Pop.

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Giant melting popsicles make for an icy, delicious visual treat http://ow.ly/i3cRP

Recetas de Antaño 2ed: Manual de la Cocina Cubana, Miami 1965

This was a gift from my mother to me when I got married along with another hand written recipe book.

To Create or Troll: Is that the question?
A few of my friends here might find this to be a helpful insight on creating despite trolls. Everyone can learn something about themselves and the social psychology behind comments. Most importantly, I am not here. I don't know who is posting this but I am off creating... stuff. You did not see me. You only see this lovely time-lapse video that encourages creators and content makers to breathe, relax and ignore the negative comments.

Have a great week :)

Burnt
by Robert Wun
http://robertwun.com
via MindSpárkle

Put on your crazy tall, badass lethal dancing shoes — IT. IS. FRIDAY.
Have a great weekend everyone :)

source: http://vimeo.com/44080308

ELUSIVE SOLITUDES: 'THE BLURRED TIMES'
by Virgílio Ferreira

"The bodies lose density and an illusory sense of infinite space grows around them, where linear time seems suspended and the subjects appear alienated, generating a psychological sense of emptiness."

There is a sense of intimacy this series accomplishes with each subject's fleeting moment in time. 

via Lancia Trend Visions
http://www.lanciatrendvisions.com/en/article/elusive-solitudes-the-blurred-times-by-virga-lio-ferreira

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AAARGH! Caught red handed with intent to disintegrate!

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+Luis Roca drop the ray gun!!

Via Batman the Dark Knight #16
Art by Ethan Van Sciver

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How does that saying go?

ahem

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

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A wonderful typographic bookshelf that spells out the word ‘books’ http://ow.ly/hQ2vo

Ok people, I actually have to work just for the possibility of getting paid.
Please stop internetting now.

Giant Light Snake Slithering Down the Streets of Singapore
photograph by Choo Yut Shing

Part of SIngapore's celebration of the Chinese New Year, the snake is made up of 850 individual yellow sky lanterns and measures nearly 1000 feet in length.

via PetaPixel
http://www.petapixel.com/2013/02/16/a-giant-light-snake-slithering-down-the-streets-of-singapore/

I would like this lamp in my office and am willing to accept it as a gift. :)

The various hairpieces work off the woman's hair color well from accenting the part with a string of beads, matching the smaller flowers to the lighter gradation and the gold complementing the pattern. Nice image to wake up to on a Sunday morning. :)

Manifest Destiny
Brooklyn thanks you for your stay and asks not to let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

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Some lovely hand-lettering and detailed information graphics for the purpose of educating on all things ink.

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Hand-Drawn Infographic by Olivia King
http://designspiration.net/image/394190543410/

#design   #infographic  

We all use fonts. Designer or not, we all use fonts. Massimo Vignelli was criticized in the 1990's during the Desktop Revolution for having such a strict, limited typeface palate. It's interesting that this career long philosophy spanning decades seems so fresh in a world where an obscene amount of fonts exist from print and for a while now online. The quality decreasing from one medium to the next. Each leap in technology resulting in a watering down of quality font usage.

Creativity is born from restrictions, limitations. 12 typefaces? Personally, I could work with just Akzidenz, Didot and Frutiger.

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(^_^)

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Pixar artist designs new emoticons for Facebook http://ow.ly/hFzmB

Sometimes I like to ask myself: "What would Beowulf do?"

#SOTU  

US High Speed Rail System Proposal
Map Design by Alfred Twu

There is currently a petition for the White House to implement a national high speed rail system connecting all of the major metropolitan areas, as well as surrounding localities with additional, albeit slower, lines.

Some of the highlights include:
- New York to Boston in 60 minutes
- New York to Los Angeles within a day
- Various connections to Canada and Mexico

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/fund-high-speed-rail-system-runs-coast-coast-and-connects-all-metropolitan-areas/2KwWYNSb

via Salon.com:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/02/08/u_s_high_speed_rail_map_artist_alfred_twu_s_alternate_reality.html

(Untitled Photograph of Dancers)
by Ed Flores
via design-dautore.com

Dance is correctly described many times as it's own language. Here this pair seem to come together and form a singular, bold symbol.

RESHARE:
Alicia Keys is Blackberry's new creative director and Justin Timberlake for Bud Light Platinum. — This is why we need immigration reform.

Stop taking our jobs popstars!!!

Reshared text:
Justin Timberlake ‘suits up’ as Bud Light Platinum’s creative director http://ow.ly/hwLW9

Panza de Rez
by Luis Roca

An error uploading between my phone and Flickr while at the butcher created this effect. Who am I to say no to their creative expression.

source: http://flic.kr/p/dT1X5r

RESHARE:
Star Wars AND Data Visualization?!?!


: gasp :

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An epic, unbelievably detailed map of the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy http://ow.ly/hvuyp

ALL Kin
by Jason Botkin
Solo show at LNDMRK, Montreal
via Hi Fructose

Oversized characters created with the gallery, influenced by the artist's own street art and mural work.

Photo by Andre Bathalon
source: http://hifructose.com/2013/02/06/opening-night-jason-botkins-all-kin-at-lndmrk/

Dreamscapes
by Sofia Ajram
via Juxtapose Magazine

"the galaxies projected within and without: absolute space and absolute time. I want to share with you the stars contained by the new souls of my race, humanity, in its infancy. Let me show you something electromagnetic. Let me take you to the place where Their dreamscapes and Our reality exchange glances. Let me help you remember."

source: http://www.juxtapoz.com/Current/dreamscapes-by-sofia-ajram

How many bodegas are there on Bergenline Avenue?

How many people per bodega within four blocks East and West of Bergenline avenue?

Pulling local data from the U.S. Census Bureau for a visualization piece is proving more difficult than I imagined. The closest I've been able to drill down for an area is by zip code when what I want is by avenue and the surrounding blocks. The business section also categorizes more broadly than I'd like. A coffee shop, for example, gets lumped under Retail and Food Services.

I'm hoping I'll have better luck at the local libraries.

This is a fun project that reminds me of all the great educational shorts I watched as a kid during Sesame Street or Electric Company. It's also a great example of taking a simple idea and rewarding yourself with a fun body of work at the end of a year.

From now on instead of telling people to "Fuck off!" I'm going to tell them to "Go eat a box of rubber duckies!" and just walk away.

#conflictresolution  

David Choong Lee Solo Show at 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco
For those lucky enough to live in the Bay area, there's a dynamic solo show of Lee's work until February 23rd. His 2D paintings extrude from the walls throughout the space as if compelled to do so.

via Hi Fructose
http://hifructose.com/2013/02/04/opening-night-david-choong-lees-organic-updates-at-111-minna/

111 Minna Gallery details
http://www.111minnagallery.com/2013/david-choong-lee-solo-exhibition-2/

Cross Section Infographic Template

+Max Rubenacker started a good conversation on what defines user experience design (UX) here: http://goo.gl/ciHJd

The cross section infographic reminded me of a similar template I designed and have stored in my own idea bank offline so I thought I'd share it.

Harry Potter's algebra teacher is a lot less interesting without her broom or wand. #downtonabbey  

Downton sheds tears before Ray Lewis but at least the lights are working at Castle Insipid.

A lenticular cloud formation above Mount Fuji in Japan.
via design-dautore.com