Hidden Posters of Notting Hill Gate

This is really a cool find! Work at the Notting Hill Gate tube station has recently uncovered these amazing advertising posters in non-public areas dating from 1956 to 1959 when the station's lifts were removed and replaced by escalators. These are in an old lift passageway.

The above shot shows several of the posters - and the original Central London Railway tiled walls from 1900.

Totally digging the bearded character in this Royal Blue coach services poster by Daphne Padden, circa 1959.

Iron & Steel at the Science Museum poster, circa 1959

Thanks to Mikey Yashworth for all sharing these official shots he captured for the London Underground.

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HMK

WTF?

WTF? The United States thought it had scored the potential game-winning goal when Maurice Edu knocked home Landon Donovan's free kick in the 86th minute to break a 2-2 tie.

But referee Koman Coulibaly, Mali's answer to Mr. Magoo, called a foul on defender Carlos Bocanegra, who had his arms around Slovenia substitute Jejc Pecnik and was preventing him from jumping for the ball.


Magoo conveniently missed two American players being held and grabbed in different parts of the penalty area by Slovenian players.

So, Did Referee Koman Coulibaly Rob US of World Cup Win? Yes, but it's gonna take more than a low life referee to keep the US out of the finlas!

Go USA!

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Custom Bike Saddles

Really digging these engraved Brooks bicycle saddle seats from designer Kara Ginther. Sweet!

Mucho Mas: Kara Ginther Leather.

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Let's Go Celtics!

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Connecting The Dots

"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they’ve had more experiences or they have thought more about their experiences than other people.

Unfortunately, that’s too rare a commodity. A lot of people in our industry haven’t had very diverse experiences. So they don’t have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective on the problem. The broader one’s understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have."

Steve Jobs

The above brilliance is from Steve Jobs: The Next Insanely Great Thing from the smart folks at Wired Magazine.

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HMK

Rebranding BP

A few years ago, BP rebranded themselves as 'beyond petroleum'. And yet BP is pursuing 'unconventional oil' - the Canadian tar sands and deepwater drilling, despite the massive environmental damage that's being caused by their business.

That's why GreenPeace wants you to rebrand them. Your brief is to create a logo for BP which shows that the company is not 'beyond petroleum' - they're up to their necks in tar sands and deepwater drilling.

More Info: GreenPeace UK.

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Log Out - Rock On!

Not your typical old school log cabin, this is actually a sweet little recording studio built and designed by Hans Linberg - a wood building facade covering a prefabricated plastic and steel frame. Nice!


Check out Dornob for more info.

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HMK

Little Horn Speakers

Wow, these are some stunning looking speakers!

Handcrafted using their unique Patent Pending design, Little Horn speakers are made by audio freaks Specimen of Chicago using high-density fiberglass and the base is made using heavy, void-free Baltic birch plywood. The base houses the driver and acts as a compression chamber for the horn. The horns are fitted to their base like a neck should be fitted to a guitar — with an exacting alignment and flush fitting surface to ensure the best performance and tonal transmission.

A special inverted design enables the low frequencies to emerge at the top of the enclosure. An octagonally fluted horn carries them upward and lets them flourish into the room. The immense structural rigidity of the horns octagonal geometry minimizes resonances yet allows sound waves to expand freely the way nature intended. There is simply something beautiful here, not just bass frequency reproduction, but a spatial imaging that belies the speaker’s size.


And as if the speakers aren't drool-worthy enough, the Little Horns can also be used in conjunction with Specimen's 300-watt Subwoofer and Hi-Fi Tube Amp. Built using the same Baltic Birch, this 14-inch unit can be finished to match your Little Horns.


Dang, I think I might have to start playing the lottery...

Specimen Products.

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HMK

2010 World Cup Calendar

Dig the navigation on this awesomely simple interactive 2010 World Cup Calendar.


And I found the above chart with trivia, facts and figures about the World Cup over at the New York Times : World Cup Soccer Miscellany thanks to Ben Schott.

Go USA!

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HMK

Evolution of Car Logos

Did you know that the Cadillac emblem was inspired by a family crest of a nobleman who later turned out to be a fraud? Or that Volkswagen was Hitler’s idea?
Grab a fresh cup of coffee and take a look at the fascinating stories behind the logos of some of the most popular cars in the world, thanks to Neatorama.



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Demystifying Design: An Argument for Simplicity

This is an awesome and insightful read from Joe Duffy for anyone that's ever been lulled to sleep sitting through another creative brief that begins by explaining process as a way of presenting design or branding services.

Process is vital but first things first!

For once can we please just forget the mountain of stats, graphs, focus groups, polls and PowerPoint nonsense and begin by substituting all that pretentious, fancy-ass account executive flim-flam jargon and simply cut to the chase? Can we just use some plain, straightforward and honest language while we focus on creating and delivering a simple, compelling, differentiating idea, one that's ultimately and consistently executed?

"As a designer I see this as both an opportunity and a responsibility. The opportunity is to continue to use our craft wisely, to solve real business problems, to deliver a means to help people find products and services that are uniquely well suited to make their lives a little better every day. Getting there requires that designers and our clients keep things simple."

What is design? It's art and commerce, fashion and environment. It's industrial and digital, graphic and experiential. It begins with ideas--ideas based in purpose. It requires a plan or a process. It yields innovation, invention or creation. It is successful if it elicits response--attention, desire, interaction or purchase.

Design is as much a process as it is an end product. The process should be simple.

The best strategy behind design is all about collection and collaboration - of people, talents, ideas, perspectives. It's about truly seeing vs. just looking. It's about being curious about what you're seeing, what it means or what it could mean if used in a new way or combined with other ideas or images. It takes a certain appetite and ability to digest.

Honestly it's simple. The best talent understands that. Rarely does the most extensive or unique "process" produce the simple insights necessary to do more than document a situation. The proof is in the pudding. Talented designers create it.

Or as one of the masters of simplicity Tibor Kalman put it: The difference between good design and great design is intelligence.

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Joe Duffy is principal and chairman of Duffy & Partners - check out his Duffy Point of View blog over at Fast Company.

Pet Peak

Dig the Pet Peak. This is a nice and thoughtful idea for any curious pet!

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Radio Canada

Made from maple and aluminum, the RADIO CANADA concept is a homage to the cultural significance of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. This radio console design was inspired by the dedication of the many CBC listeners who keep their radio dials permanently set to the national broadcaster.

This will work beyond Canada as well - after setting the radio to your favorite frequencies, mine will toggle between NPR and KSYM, you can toggle between the two without hearing the static in between. Genius.

You know you want one: Science & Sons.

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Terminus!

Absolutely Brilliant!

What happens when a concrete man approaches an unsuspecting metro rider? Terminus! This 8-minute gem of a film was made by 33-year-old Canadian director Trevor Cawood, with a crew no larger than seven people.

“I like psychological films,” says Cawood. “Films that comment on who we are, and how we got there."

Bigtime thanks to Spy Films and Wired for sharing Effects-Heavy Shorts Show Off Directors’ Chops.

Totally genius!

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Stop Yelling, Say Thank You & Put Down That iPhone

I sprained my ankle yesterday while out for a run with my dogs Ringo and Dazy and so I'm spending the day with my foot propped up, catching up on some email, reading and writing a few belated Thank You postcards.

I thought I'd share this insightful, quick read from Peter Madden at Advertising Age: Twenty Things I've Learned After 40 Years Living and 10 Years Running an Agency.

Here's a few that ring true for me:

1. Realize what you're great at and do it all the time. Realize what you suck at and stop doing it completely (and put the right person in place to do it).

5. Trust your instincts. You can interview a prospective employee or client 10 times, they can say and do all the right things, but if your Spidey sense is tingling, something is amiss.

8. Do pro bono work for non-profit organizations that are trying hard to make the world a better place. You'll get more out of it.

14. Did someone working for you just disagree with a decision you want to make? Good. Keep her around as long as possible.

16. Throw parties at your office, no matter how humble or grand the space, for no reason at all. It's all about the people in the room, good music, and not running out of booze or ice.

17. Put your f***ing BlackBerry/iPhone down when you're meeting with me.

And of course -

20. Write personal notes thanking people you meet with and who are in your life. Besides death and taxes, the only other sure thing in life is that no matter who you are, it's exciting to get a handwritten note.

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Thanks again to Peter Madden at Ad Age.

Reclaimed Wood In Kitchens

While working on a kitchen renovation Apartment Therapy's Annie Werble uncovered a structural column smack dab in the middle of their design. To incorporate the discovery into the scheme, they set vintage railroad ties on all sides of the concrete structure, and the gorgeous patina of the wood makes the eyesore melt away.

I'm particularly digging the type treatment on those nice big storage drawers.

Check out the rest from those smart and resourceful folks over at: Apartment Therapy.

And if you happen to be looking for reclaimed wood in your area the Building Materials Reuse Association is a great place to start.


Oh, and speaking of disegno astuto e sostenibile, dig this: Controprogetto.

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Greenaid Seed Bombs Rock!

This is absolutely brilliant! Thanks to Daniel Phillip and Kim Karlsrud, founders of The Common Studio, nice job.

Made from a mixture of clay, compost, and seeds, "seedbombs" are becoming an increasingly popular means combating the many forgotten grey spaces we encounter everyday-from sidewalk cracks to vacant lots and parking medians. They can be thrown anonymously into these derelict urban sites to temporarily reclaim and transform them into places worth looking at and caring for.

And speaking of reuse - the Greenaid dispensary simply makes these guerilla gardening efforts more accessible to all by appropriating the existing distribution system of the quarter operated candy machine.

Whether you're a business owner, educator, or just a concerned citizen we'd like to work with you to get Greenaid in your community. You can purchase a machine (or two, or ten...) directly from The Common Studio.

And dig this - they'll even develop a seed mix as well as a strategic neighborhood intervention plan in response to the unique ecologies of your area! All you have to do is simply place the machine at your local bar, business, school, park, or anywhere that you think it can have the most impact and they'll supply you with all the seedbombs you need to support the continued success of the initiative.

Right on!

If you are interested in getting a quote, please contact them directly at: info@thecommonstudio.com

Check out more from the smart folks over at the California based The Common Studio.

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Archive II: Circular Library

Dig the Archive II! A circular library for the nomad book collector, allowing the user to step inside, and walk away with half a ton of books. Kindle Schmindle - this is brilliant!

From the site:

The Archive Series are investigations on space and books. Its departure point is density and micro spaces, and a series of traditional relationships that humans have to books. Private collections have existed for centuries, but when this is added to nomadic behaviour, curious contradictions arise; this is the area studied by Archive II.

How can an individual travel with it’s own library, given that books are so heavy? This is something we can all relate to when moving house. Archive II is a nomadic library, a transport system and an intimate space. Inspired by ancient travelling libraries from the Far East, which visited courts and cities, Archive II transforms this into a personal space, where walking and reading coexist as refuge and transport.

And yes, this is real and you can have your very own Archive II from the David Garcia Studio.

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Thanks to the smart green thinking folks at Inhabitat.

The Gizmodo iPhone Saga

Genius.

Thanks to the smart and funny folks at FastCompany.

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iRetrofone

Yeah, you know you want one. The iRetrofone iPhone Base is compatible with all Apple iPhones.

More info over at FreeLandStudios on Esty.

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Thanks to the smart folks at Apartment Therapy

So You Need A Typeface

This might help expedite your next quick drive-thru design project! Smart stuff from Julian Hansen, a 22-year-old graphic design student from Copenhagen, Denmark.

Great job Julain, thanks for sharing!

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I forget how where I originally stumbled upon this!

60s & 70s Scandinavian Design Logos

Check out this groovy little set of Scandinavian Logos from the 1960's & 1970's courtesey of Canadian Oliver Tomas.

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Last Stop: Genius!

Nice! I love reading about stuff like this.

A group of resourceful London artists recently scored 4 old subway cars for mere 200 pounds (about $310) each, gutted and then mounted them on the rooftop of a restored warehouse. They now serve as working spaces for the artists, while a lower-level of the warehouse is used to host events and exhibit the artists’ works.

Genius!

Thanks to the smart folks at Inhabitat.

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Rescue Dogs Rule!

Your best friend is waiting for you!: San Antonio Humane Society.

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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.

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HMK