A Chart about Charts!!!

Can my obsession with charts, maps, diagrams, etc. get any better than this??  Check this out, it's a periodic table of visualization methods; basically, shows all of the different ways data can be visually represented.  Some of my favorite formats would be: Da - Data Map, Tp - Treemap, Sa - Sankey Diagram, Sn - Synergy Map, Pr - Parameter Ruler, Mm - Metro Map, and nothing beats a classic Pi - Pie Chart!

thanks: Coudal

HISTORY

HISTORY
Originally uploaded by praank

Shepard Fairey on His Iconic Obama Illustration

You might know Shepard Fairey through his OBEY campaign, and aside from being an incredible graphic designer & artist, he is a DJ too. And no doubt by now you have definitely seen his iconic Obama illustration (above). I just love how a very influential designer helped spread Obama's campaign across the world to a very specific audience. Fairey's illustration of Obama will be hanging in the U.S. National Portrait Gallery tomorrow as Obama gets sworn in tomorrow.

In this clip, the LA Times interviews Shepard Fairey, and he discusses this project, and his role as an artist in this election.


thanks: Wooster

OMG WAOOOOOOW!

OMG WAOOOOOOW!
Originally uploaded by praank

Ritz "Open For Fun"

Ritz crackers just recently received a face-lift, and I think it's too pretty to pass up! I love it when an advertisement catches my eye, I mean, we are subjected to advertisements all day, so it feels nice to enjoy them every once in a while! This campaign, called "Open For Fun," stresses fun over function. A cracker being especially fun is kind of a long-shot if you ask me (although my inner fat girl, Jimica begs to differ), I still love the Ritz cracker shape as a graphic element, and the isometric box. Here is my favorite tv ad out of the campaign so far:



I made a playlist of the other spots on youtube. There are also some clever ads all over the net; from the ads I've seen, they are stylish, funny, and simple. Since this campaign is brand new, Jan. 1st 2009, there is going to be a lot more from the campaign over the next year or so! If you still want to know more, I found this New York Times article. I tried finding the campaign on Euro RSCG, the designer's, portfolio but no luck.

stuck in my head: Rods and Cones

Blue Man Group - Rods and Cones

It's funny that Pandora played this for me the other day, because I remember how much I loved it back in 1999 when Blue Man Group released their first album, Audio.  I had nearly forgotten (nearly, but I really liked 'I Feel Love' in 2004) about BMG, but thanks to Pandora, this song has been stuck in my head.  I know I have their CD stashed away somewhere back home, I'll have to pull it out and dust it off.

This clip is from a live show, so the song is a little different than what is on the album, but you still get the picture (and some knowledge of how the eye works!) plus, it shows you how cool their live shows are!

The Happy Little Handsaw

I just love vintage children's books.  The illustrations seem to be so stylized and fun, and the stories reflect their time.  Here is one of my favorites, about a unHappy Little Handsaw, who just can't quite fit in...  These spreads are just some of my favorite illustrations from the book, read the whole story here.

The Happy Little Handsaw

illustrated by Milli Eaton

written by Robert E. Mahaffay

copyright 1955

I especially like the woodgrain, all of the lumberjack's shirts, the happy little creatures, and all of the different types of saws.

read the whole story here

found via Golden Gems