first snow of the year

Ian jumps from his free platform into a 5 foot snow pile

2011 NFL Draft

Only one regular season game left this year so maybe it is time to start looking at the draft. The two websites I trust the most have the Bills getting either Cam Newton or Nick Fairly. It makes me wonder if the teams that are not in it think of throwing the last game to improve their pick.

Christmas Gift idea #19

The ultimate last second gift idea, the Amazon gift card.

Christmas gift idea #18

If you know someone that enjoys playing chess, Gameknot.com has an intuitive interface and a decent range of options. It is less complicated than chess.com and has nearly as many players. The Chess tactics are especially enjoyable and memberships start at $7 a month. Their logo is weak though, so I borrowed this one.

This years tree

Confused

It seems like it could get confusing.

Christmas gift idea #17

There is only one day left until Christmas. I think that a new watch makes a great last minute idea if you are still out searching. Coach usually has some nice ones for women. For men. if you have the money, you can't miss with a TAG. Even if they decide to exchange it they will be impressed by how much you spent. Stay away from watches at Tiffany's.

Palmer

logo

David, this is an example of what I was talking about when I mentioned an overall successful form and detail language cheapened by an oversized mark. I agree that logo size can vary quite a bit depending on the product category and the demographic you are trying to appeal to but this is a miss. Had it been embossed perhaps.

Christmas gift idea #16

Cohesive branding, good graphics and mediocre product design made something out of nothing in this stale category and now all the kids want some Skull Candy

Christmas gift idea #16

Lego's disco DJ. I believe he is from series two

Christmas gift idea #15

Paper ornaments from Pottery Barn

Buffalo Bills

It is hard to believe that the Bills management is stalling in resigning Donte Whitner. Not only is he one of their impact players but he almost never seems to complain about anything and seems to give 100% every game. If more people on the team hit like Whitner the defense would be right up there with the Ravens and Steelers. I am sure the CBA issue is slowing the signing...but still

X-Head

The side storage compartment is interesting. Could make a great concept for a camping focused vehicle. Generally those vehicles are very thoughtful in how they use the interior space but completely neglect the exterior and miss the opportunity to create a toal solution

Suzuki X-Head

Most of this concept is in the proportions which seem to me to be way off. But some of the details are interestingly thoughtful. Many of the auto places on the internet have joked that the designers of this concept used to work at Tonka.

Christmas gift idea #14

Spirograph. The new sets are cool or you can pick up classic ones on EBay without spending very much at all. It is hours of fun.

Monica Cook

Currently on at Postmasters in NY. I believe that this is oil on canvas. Titled Succi

iphone

Two and three did not seem like much of an advance, but four is much more precise looking and has the same quality feel as one.

Christmas gift idea #13

Was just doing a little research and checking these out. The picture quality is amazing and the size is perfect for carrying around what is really unbelievable is the price. The PowerShot/Elph line have always been nicely priced but this is even lower than normal. I think the 12MP comes in several colors too. I like the black. They need to add an impact and water-proof sku to the line.

Christmas gift idea #12

Pick up a couple of shares of TIV. They are trading near an all-time low today and I expect them to triple in 2011.

Christmas gift idea #11

According to our friends at Unicahome "ink dish is a company that has assembled a new brand of china for a new more youthful generation. The look is entirely different reflecting new tastes in music, art and culture in dinnerware. it is not formal and stuffy nor is it the mass produced mainstream dinnerware so commonly found. This tableware is unique and the designs speak volumes. the porcelain is fired in asia with an in-glaze decal where the decal is fired at the melting point of the glaze and sinks into the glaze making an in surface pattern that is microwave and dishwasher safe that will never scratch. The tattoo designs come from famous tattooist Paul Timman of the world reknowned sunset strip tattoo parlor.

design

Have to admire the details.

greenpeace design awards

Not sure what the 2010 poster looks like but this planet of the apes graphic is creative.

New idea homepage

From the new idea homepage, this is a compelling idea in a completely unappealing form. Specifically, the vertical posts are foreign to the rest of the language. It is fun to think of these kinds of projects and we often get approached to develop them for start-ups or individuals but without the correct mentality and clear goals most of the projects never even get started. the design might look better with a square bar in the photo.

Nike

They are difficult to work with and at times over-rated but they do some surprisingly good stuff. The deviation from the typical stacked layers or "sandwich" construction and the evolution from the footwear of the 90's is impressive. Also, the subtle detailing and restrained palette are compelling. They should get back to this and away from the gimmicks.

From treehugger

"One of the few complaints about the iPhone is the short battery life. Most people need to charge their phones on a nearly daily basis. The possibility for a low battery while away from a power outlet is pretty good, so off-grid charger concepts have come up often over the last few years. Most revolve around solar power, but the new iFan concept from Tjeerd Veenhoven utilizes the power of a good strong breeze." Nice find John.

Christmas gift idea #10

I know that they say buying movies is a 90's thing but maybe this is good for someone that doesn't believe that.
It is not great cinema but Stephen Chow is always really enjoyable to me.

Christmas Gift idea #9

A gift certificate to Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant. There has been a ton written about the amazing organic & locally sourced food. The restaurant features salvaged wood for the looring, beams and table tops. Also the bar top, is mounted on a rescued altar from a Mexican church.

Harney and Sons

Tonya: This is the tea I mentioned in the Christmas gift idea #8. I am sure you will love it. According to their website (www.harney.com), "from Oregon comes a marvelous, brisk peppermint. The peppermint leaves from this area produce a great smelling and crisp tasting tisane. We find a cup of this can also get a pesky stomach under control in no time." I have also found that it helps my stomach and I like to save the tins and use them to hold stuff around the house.

circle

chair

This is also a cool look. A lot of the forms in furniture right now seems to be derived from forms that are easy to model in 3D. I doubt that is how they arrived a the form but it certainly feels that way. The leather helps take this one in away from that a bit. It also help warm-up the basically cold form.

cool bed

It doesn't work well for many products but this slabby look is great for this one. Almost makes me wish that our house was more contemporary.