Monday, April 12, 2010

The Vanishing Letterhead


Text, email, tweet, yeah, yeah, yeah....

From The Phenomenology of Writing by Hand:

"Planners tend to think of writing primarily as a means of recording or communicating ideas which they already have clear in their minds;

Discoverers tend to experience writing primarily as a way of 'discovering' what they want to say."


Sure, we all dig, most of the time anyway, the immediacy and always-on communication tools on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. I tend to fall in to the Discoverers camp when it comes to, what I call, thinking on paper. As far as I'm concerned a text, email, or tweet can never replace the emotional fullfillment and tactile experience of writing/composing or receiving an actual handwritten Thank You, Congratulations or Birthday message - especially when it entails the use of an official letterhead and arrives in the mail.



To me, there is still something so very cool, mysterious and exciting about recieving a hand addressed package or letter complete with stamps and postmarks along with the dings, smudges, creases and cryptic scribbles - the real and pure evidence of it's journey.

Yeah I know, dream on Michael, but it's nice to know that in our new world of virtuallity and simulacra, I'm not the only one that pines for the real thing: Letterheady.

That's Right,

HMK

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Movin' On Up!


You know you want to sleep here!

Mucho mas: The Treehouse Goes Upscale!

That's Right,

HMK

Photo: Michal Czerwonka for The Wall Street Journal

Monday, April 05, 2010

McNally Jackson Cafe


Wow, really digging the thinking, simplicity and use of materials New York based Front Studio combined for the design and renovation of the McNally Jackson Cafe, part of the McNally Jackson Bookstore in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood.


I'm especially loving the folding single tables running along the wall ingeniously designed and crafted to resemble a folded book when closed.

Outstanding execution! Enjoy: McNally Jackson Cafe.

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to the smart folks over at The Contemporist.

Thursday, April 01, 2010

iPad Arcade Cabinet


This is genius!

From the ThinkGeek site:

To use the iCade, gently slide the iPad into the docking cradle. The docking cradle uses a standard 30 pin connector to link the iPad to the professional-grade arcade controls. Once the iPad is in place, launch the iCade App (available free in the App Store April 3rd) and it's game on! We didn't want to take any chances you'd run out of juice during your favorite game, so we included a 10w USB power adapter so you can charge the iPad through any electrical outlet.

You know you want one - iPad Arcade Cabinet!

That's Right,

HMK

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Heritage


Check out The Heritage! A super sexy, multi-format table radio complete with docking for your iPod. Made with aluminium and real walnut veneer, this contemporary reinterpretation of classic European table radio is packed with the latest multi-platform digital radio technology providing coverage of DAB, DAB+, FM and Wi-Fi internet radio – as well as wireless audio streaming from your Mac and, of course, an iPod dock.

The Heritage is the latestproduct I've been drooling over from the fine folks at UK's Revo, an approved Apple ‘Made for iPod’ member.

Very nice!

That's Right,

HMK

Friday, March 26, 2010

Long Live Books!


There's been a lot of discussion lately about the demise of the printed word on paper. But deep down, I don't believe for a minute that books, magazines and newspapers will ever really completely disappear. Reissues, collections and box-sets of everything from vintage newspaper comic strips, back issues of old magazines and newspapers will always be in demand in both digital and tangible form. In the same way that TV never eradicated radio, books and coveted first edition hardbacks will remain as the definitive "proof of purchase" for collectors and purists alike.

I mean really, can you imagine meeting one of your favorite author's after a reading and asking them to sign your Kindle?

With that said, long live books! Long Live Books is a small Minnesota studio that produces hand-crafted BOOKS that serve as both protection for your laptop or iPad as well as a tried and true old-school, anti theft disguise.

According to the site: Every exterior detail of BOOK has been considered, from the linen book cloth to the decorative book headbands for an effect that provides bibliophiles with tangible protection for their electronic information. On the inside, a tailored 100% wool felt sleeve provides a snug fit for your device when BOOK is closed with the integrated velcro edge. The natural German felt is a sustainable and renewable material that has an innate durability and timelessness.

BOOK is a secure sleeve combined simply and elegantly with a hard case to provide double protection for your laptop or iPad.

Keep reading and Long Live Books!

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to the smart folks at iLounge.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Dog Milk!


Sweet! What's not to dig about these Dog House Wall Decals from GECKO!

Soggy Walk
I know you love your dog as much as I love Ringo & Dazy, that's why I know you're really gonna love Dog Milk!


And I found this this cool Dog Type poster over at: The Daily What.

That's Right,

HMK

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Manual Espresso


Bringing the press back to espresso - check out this environmentally friendly, manually operated Espresso Maker.

Using almost zero electricity and enabling you to make great café-style coffee at home, the only enegry it requires is the amount of energy it takes to boil some water and then a little human-powered force to press down the arms of the machine.

Nice!

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to: Mantteriashop and Design Milk.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Leo Burnett Rules!



One of Leo Burnett's famous speeches, “When to Take My Name Off the Door”, circa 1967.

That's Right!

HMK

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Preserve




Preserve is on going project by Mark Spurgeonto of Australia. The goal of the project is to produce a permanent visual record of hand painted building signage in his native land. Sweet!

As Mark explains on the site, many of these signs are being erased from our cityscapes either being worn away by weather over time, covered as buildings have been repainted, disappearing as buildings are demolished or replaced with modern signage equivalents.

The Preserve site is updated regularly with Mark's latest images from New Zealand and Australia and you are invited to contribute to this work also.

Very cool, especially if you're a typography freak like I am!

Enjoy: Preserve!

That's Right,

HMK

Saturday, March 13, 2010

David van Alphen’s Modern Shed

Check out the nice step-by-step deconstruction and process photos of David van Alphen’s modern 8′ x 12′ shed built in his backyard for just about $3000 - without using a kit!


Take me to The Shed!

Great job David!

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to the smart folks at Design Milk.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Go Faster Go!


You'd never guess it, but these big toys for big boys were at the height of their design during the 1970s – by sheer chance.

Mechanics and team members – not designers or marketing strategists – adorned racecars with all of those flashy stripes, logos, numbers and colors prevalent at any Formula One race today.

Dig: The Graphic Design of Racing Cars!

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to Grain Edit

Monday, March 08, 2010

Logorama!


And the Oscar for Best Animated Short film goes to.... Logorama!!

Genius - congratulations!

That's Right,

HMK

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Elding Oscarson Wallpaper


Designed by Elding Oscarson for Oktavilla, this genius wallpaper concept of bundled and stacked magazines is a perfect solution for a research driven design studio interior.

Thanks to Dornob.

That's Right,

HMK

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Miller Goodman Rubberwood Blocks



Me want: ShapeMaker!

Muchas gracias to the smart folks over at Thinking For A Living, a great new design site that's really worth checking out.

That's Right,

HMK

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Happy Birthday Steve Jobs!



Steve Jobs turns 55 today. If you think you know Steve Jobs, think again!

Do youself a favor and check out his Stanford Commencement Address delivered on June 12, 2005, just a year after being treated for cancer.

Not bad for a college drop out!

That's Right,

HMK

Monday, February 22, 2010

ICA Poster


Really digging the design and execution of this poster for the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston from Lubbock, Texas design team f2, AKA Dirk and Carol Fowler.

Check out more of thier great work: f2 Design.

That's Right,

HMK

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Shiner


Looking for some really sweet, modern, eco-friendly American made furninshing? Of course you are.

Well then, Dig: Shiner

That's Right,

HMK

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Aspiral Clocks


Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'...

The Aspiral Clock is pretty simple and totally genius. Instead of a dial, a spiral and instead of hands, a ball.

Designed and produced in London by Will Aspinall and Niel Lambeth, the face of the Aspiral Clock turns slowly over a twelve hour period while a ball rests on the spiral ledge. As the clock reaches the final twelfth hour the ball drops through a hole and the twelve hour process begins again.

Awesome!

Aspiral Clocks

That's Right,

HMK

Friday, February 12, 2010

Straight From The Heart

Swirl.HMK.Straight From The Heart

Straight From The Heart: A Valentine of Sorts from your friends at Swirl. A finely tuned Mystery Stream via iF: Irregular Frequency Network.

If you're celebrating Valentines Day you might dig the latest Mystery Stream podcast I just finished for my talented buds at Swirl, Parrish Ticer and Carlos Zapata.

Click hear: Straight From The Heart

Enjoy your flight.

That's Right,

HMK

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Your iPhone Will Dig This


Ok, this is what I'm talking about! The genius folks at Zagg have just released the perfect portable USB charger and travel companion, The Zagg Sparq.

Sure, the 2 USB ports are sweet and handy but the real deal sealer is the built-in, 6000 mAh battery enabling you to charge your iPhone up to 4 times without having to plug into the wall! And another more cool thing - the The Zagg Sparq recharges when plugged in, all while charging 2 USB devices.

Pretty dang cool.

That's Right,

HMK

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Train Of Thought: Mystery Stream Episode 118

This planet just lost one of it's best inhabitants. RIP Randy "The Rib King" Goss - miss you already, I love you man!

Train Of Thought Mystery Stream Podcast

Click Hear: if: Mystery Stream Episode 118: Train Of Though Derailed

Subscribe Gratis to the HMK Mystery Stream in iTunes: HMK Mystery Streams or check out the HMK Mystery Stream Archives for more info.

Long Live The Rib King! Get it all over ya and make it louder!

That's Right,

HMK