THE MOSAIC EXPERIMENT ON FACEOUTBOOKS

The Mosaic Experiment from the The House Studio is the featured design this week on FACEOUTBOOKS.

Check it out!
Buy from Amazon

Photos by Brandon Hill Photos

MINIMALISM BLUE

The Words We Sing
Nan Corbitt Allen
Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City
Buy from Amazon

NEW BOOK COVER DESIGN

God Reconsidered
The Promise and Peril of Process Theology
Edited by Al Truesdale
Buy from Amazon





Inferno
a novel
by Todd Riemer
Buy from Amazon

NEW BOOK IN PROGRESS

I am working on a new book design with illustration and special packaging. Here is a small preview of what is yet to come. Check back soon to see more of the process!

THE ECO BELLEVILLE

I have been lackadaisical about looking for a new/used commuter bike but would love to add another to my collection.

This morning after reading that Google has added bike directions to their maps (check it out) I looked again online to see what I could find. I found this 3-speed Belleville from Trek. It comes complete with racks, generator lights and its eco friendly. An eco friendly bike? Aren't they all?





Check out this little video about the design . . .

TREK DOCUMENT Belleville from AboutFace Media on Vimeo.

Sweet design and it all sounds awesome to me except for one little graph at the end didn't seem too eco-friendly. Made in China? What is that about?

Anyway it looks awesome and it doesn't use batteries so if you are looking for a new bike to commute on take one for a spin at your local dealer. If you want to learn more about the Trek eco design, watch more videos or see more pictures check out their story.

NIKE CHALKBOT

Click on the the image to view movie.

It is nothing new to draw pictures or write messages in chalk on the streets of cycling races but last summer when I watched the Tour de France I first heard about this thing they called the Chalkbot.

Today I was flipping through the latest Communication Arts Interactive Annual and was reminded of Nike's promotion for Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG Foundation during the tour.

Using the Chalkbot which is a robot that paints messages on the road from cancer survivors or anyone that sent in messages through twitter, SMS or wearyellow.com. A computer was connected to the bot and after messages were approved they were sent to print along the stage route.

More than 5,400 messages were chalked and then photographed for the writers.

Interactive to print. The designers could have just made up their own promotional tag lines but instead used others to create something unique and more powerful for those involved with cancer.

Below is a video (pre-tour) showing how it worked. For full video click the image above.



For more from the Communication Arts Interactive Annual and to see the full list of credits go here.

BOOKS I READ 2010 - PART I

Not only do I love designing books and their covers, I also like to read them. I am always looking for suggestions of good books so I thought I would share what I have been reading lately and maybe you will find something worth picking up when at your local bookstore or buying the next time you are on Amazon.

I don't plan on writing lengthy reviews about each book that I read (you can read those on other websites) but instead I plan on giving you a brief summary and my personal opinion along with my rating of the book. Enjoy!


A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life
by Donald Miller
Category: Memoir, Spirituality (NF)

This is a relatively fast read but there is a lot to chew on in this book so don't read it too fast. Through tragedy, triumph, sadness and happiness, Donald Miller challenges us to create a better story. This book could make you laugh and it might make you cry but it will make you think about your story.


Bicycle Diaries
by David Byrne
Category: Cycling, Travel, Essay (NF)

Do you like to travel? Do you like bikes? Would you like to travel while using a bike as transportation? If so, you might just like this book. This book is full of information about the cities David travels and the issues those places deal with. He talks about art, politics, environments, faith, music, and most importantly the joy of cycling.


Look Both Ways: Illustrated Essays on the Intersection of Life and Design
by Debbie Millman
Category: Design, Essay (NF)

For some reason I just had a hard time connecting with Debbie and her childhood in this book. Maybe my expectations were too high or maybe this is better for a female reader? If you are interested in design, branding, perceptions and life its a good chance you will find something interesting in these illustrated essays.


Open: An Autobiography
by Andre Agassi
Category: Biography, Sports (NF)

So, I don't even like tennis but this book is one I can't put down. This is a well written and inspiring book about the the ups and downs of life. Something everyone can relate to. This book might just be the best book of the year (it is still early)!

WINTER OLYMPIC SPORT & OTHER RANDOMNESS

• I haven't really been watching much of the Olympics this year. The other night I saw part of what I thought was Disney on Ice but it was really the Olympic Ice Dancing competition. Really? This is what we call sports? It looks more like art to me. Crazy fashion art, not sport!

Really?

To be fair, they did add golf and rugby to the summer games but not until 2016.



• I forget how I came to find this website but I love this website design, Designhotels.com. Check it out and if you really feel into it book a stay.

• Last but not least, some words of wisdom.

QUOTE

OUTLIER CYCLING CAP

I would love to have this cap. The maker, OUTLIER, believes that the bicycle is the best form of urban transit for the 21st century and their clothing makes that fact more true. Find out more about them here.

The hoddie below would be awesome too but I am just dreaming at this point. It rings up at $225.


Photo by Björn Wallander