Wonderful New Stop-Action Short from PES

A little outside the usual box, but this is so perfectly done it’ll just make you smile all over. Thanks to PES for creating such wonderful things…

Readius Book Reader’s Flexible Screen: Size Matters

The New York Times‘ technology section reports on the Readius reader–an electronic device that’s the size of a cell phone, but utilizes a flexible fold-out screen to allow viewing on a more convenient size window. The device is made primarily for reading books, magazines, newspapers, and mail. 

I’ve been watching the technological changes in electronic book readers with a curious eye. At some point, sooner rather than later I think, someone will enter the market with one that is compact and easily portable–and yet enough like a real book in the ways that are important to people–that the scales will finally tip, and the world of books and publishing will be forever changed, almost over night. Or at least, it will seem that way. The Readius is certainly approaching that milestone in some areas.

More to come on this in the near future, I’m sure. Thanks to Karen Horton at design:related for the post.

Penguin’s Wonderful “Great Ideas” Collection

Masterful design & typography displayed on David Pearson’s site showing all three volumes of Penguin’s “Great Ideas” philosophy collection. Beauty in simplicity… just magnificent. Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3. Thanks again to BoingBoing for the find.

New York Street Artist Creates Creatures from Trash Bags

I absolutely love street art–it’s artistic expression in a very pure and unbridled form. However, this guy beats anything I’ve seen yet. Using trash bags mounted over subway grates, he creates animals that inflate each time a train passes through. It’s just mesmerizing… NY Magazine has a behind-the-scenes look at how he does it, here. Thanks to BoingBoing for the find.

The Outer Banks: A Little Vacation, a Little History

Back from vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where we had a great time, for the most part doing nothing but being lazy and laying on the beach. Did sneak in a bit of sight-seeing and photography, mostly toward the northern end of the islands, in a neat little community called Corolla.

Since I love all things old (especially architecture), and this being a design blog, I’m posting a couple images of some of the interesting things I was able to photograph. This area has unfortunately built up tremendously over the past several years, so there’s not a lot left to see. Still, if you venture out early enough in the morning, you can clearly imagine what must have been a very quiet peacefulness that existed many years ago.

The Life Saving Station was especially interesting. Once located in Kitty Hawk (south of Corolla), it stood very near the site of the Wright brothers’ flight. In fact, the gent who took that very famous photo of the Wright brothers’ plane worked in this very station. It was moved in 1986 to Corolla, and now functions as a real estate office. An agent who worked there was kind enough to let me in to have a look around–it’s furnished with many original artifacts from its early days. Very cool indeed.

50s Auto Nameplates Show Nifty Trends in Typography

Thanks to Mark Simonson, who provides some very cool images of 50s automobile nameplates that he took at a recent car show. Very nice, especially taken as a group. I could look at this sort of thing all day long, as it’s two things I love all rolled into one:  vintage cars and type.  Enjoy!

Book Reader Buying Survey Provides Interesting Results

The New York Daily Star provides some recent survey results about book readers that you might find interesting:

–11 percent of people like to read digital books.
–13 percent of those who would consider digital books are under age 30.
–6 percent of those who would consider digital books are over age 65.
–43 percent of people visiting bookstores go there looking for a specific title.
–77 percent who are looking for a specific title then go on to purchase more books.
–52 percent buy a book for its cover art (who says you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover?).
–49 percent are influenced by book reviews in their purchases.
–60 percent of purchases are influenced by recommendations from family and friends.
–35 percent of purchasers bought a book because of the quote on the cover.
–86 percent of purchasers buy books written by authors they like.
–49 percent of shoppers buy at both physical and online stores.

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I’d be willing to bet that more than 52% buy a book for its cover, or are at least swayed heavily by the cover art… I know I am. It makes a difference, even though it probably shouldn’t. But I’m glad it does.

Random: Fun with Kittens!

On vacation this week, but this little tidbit crossed my desk from boingboing…  if you know anything about cats, this will make you laff out loud… Enjoy!