HOPE Still in Hot Water

PDNonline.com, the New York Times, and NPR's Fresh Air feature stories on the continuing legal storm surrounding Shepard Fairey's famed "HOPE" poster featuring Barack Obama. The AP, photographer Mannie Garcia, and Fairey's attorneys are swimming in a legal soup of plagiarism, copyright infringement, and permissions. And an interesting analysis of Fairey's work can be found on Mark Vallen's Art for a Change website. Fairey has created a lucrative brand for himself - one that many people believe in. Does anyone else find it ironic that this anti-establishment artist has become a corporation himself?

Typographic Posters

A second installment from Monica Miller's list of killer links takes us back to Smashing Magazine for an article on Breathtaking Typographic Posters. These examples illustrate the elastic qualities of type and the numerous ways it can transform and transcend.

Judge a Book by Its Cover

This link to inspiration through Smashing Magazine showcases book cover design from past to present. Featuring designs by Paul Rand, Alvin Lustig, Gregg Kulick and more, these timeless graphics embody conceptual prowess at work.  A special thanks to Monica Miller who sent this and many more fantastic links - so stay tuned. Monica will be your creative guide in the weeks to come as I plow through course lists and grading!

Pepsi's Brain Fart

This link at AdFreak takes viewers to some great commentary on the absurdity behind the advertising pitch and the 'logic' behind the new Pepsi logo. FastCompany labels it "brand lunacy to the max" and BrandFreak describes the new logo as the result of smashing together the logos of Barack Obama and Korean Air. Thanks to Joe, Zach and Chambley for this!

Typographic Biology 101

Typorganism.com offers a variety of ways to make your own type creations. Under description, the site states its manifesto: "Type is a Lifeform" which lives on the Net, responds to viewer stimulus, evolves through time, has intelligence and is powered by computational algorithm. This series of communication experiments driven by computational interactive design and interactive kinetic typography is based on the metaphorical notion of typography. Viewers can select from menu choices such as "DNA", "Motion Sickness", "ASCII-O-Matic" and more. Grab your safety glasses, lab coat, and get creative - thanks to Richard Klein for this link.

Perfected Packaging

This link from Jordan Witt - some outstandingly unique and original package design. Everything from energy drinks to boxed wine to microwave meals. Some great inspiration for those of you ready to take on packaging design.

Objects of Typographic Desire

Just in time for Valentine's Day, this link to objects you will love - all made out of type. Everything from tables to pillows to belt buckles - thanks to Katy Hale!

Washdays

Megan Hildebrandt is a resident artist at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore and every Saturday she goes out into her neighborhood and scrubs marble steps. A painter and performance artist, Megan is interested in American history and experience. For this project she is reenacting Aubrey Bodine's photograph, "Washday" which documents housewives and children scrubbing the steps on Saturday mornings during the 1930's - 50's. Click here for the video.