…because making is part of things.

Years ago, when Justin and I started putting together the first version of The Match Factory, we had this phrase that we used as an answer to why we are doing this. “…because making is part of things.” This awkward phrase really stuck with me. It captures the spirit of open-ended discovery without heavy-handed goals or judgments.  Why do we make stuff? Because making is part of things.

We both recognized early on that a workaday lifestyle could leave you feeling too focused on measurable goals and results. For the most part, design is about solving a specific problem. Art, on the other hand, can be more about personal expression. In an effort to walk the line between the two, I try to make time in my schedule for random acts of making. The images in this post are examples of time spent messing about. I think of them as design debris, lingering residue from thoughts and projects. Doodles and leftovers or something like that. Nothing really “good,” but then again, making something good isn’t really the point.

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I love these maps by Raven Maps & Images. I’ve always had a deep respect for mapmakers. The level of detail and exactitude that goes into a map is a staggering task in my mind. Also, having seen enough shitty tourism maps, I’ve come to respect a well-made map. The Raven maps are designed by Allan Cartography and I love the warm colors and exquisite detail. Via.

A STORY OF VOLUNTEER DESIGN

Personal pledge cards for our community group Lincoln Green by Design.

This article is part of The Volunteer Design Chronicles appearing on Design Observer.

On a random weekend evening my wife and I decided to sit down and write some lines about environmental stewardship. They turned into personal pledge cards for a community organization I got myself involved with called Lincoln Green by Design. The cards were designed in an eco-friendly way, made out of paper scraps from past print runs. The messages were both sustainable and witty. One of my personal favorites was “I will eat local. Food not people.” Right up there with “I will stop (using plastic sacks) in the name of love.”

Our small effort was just one part of a bunch of other small efforts by a handful of dedicated creative people who jumped in and helped make this loose collection of concerned citizens into something worthy of attention. (more…)

Majora Carter visits Omaha. Design by Metro Community College.

The Environmental and Community Design of Majora Carter 

“We create an environment where all dreams can thrive.” How’s that for a 21st century definition of environmentalism? I was able to see Majora speak at the Green Constitutional Congress (part of Dialog:City) during the DNC in Denver in 2008. It was a roundtable discussion led by Bruce Mau that looked at the future of environmental action and what it means to strive for sustainability. Both inspiring and challenging, her vision is one of finding the hidden potential of an area. Of adding the moral costs of denying future generations a clean and productive planet. And of working together to change the world. 

Design Alliance Omaha and Metro Community College are hosting a lecture by Majora Carter at the Joslyn in Omaha on Thursday the 25th of February at 7 PM. If you’re in the area, you should definitely attend.

Pecha Kucha Night

I love PechaKucha. A community of creative individuals get together. They present the finer aspects of their work in a rapid fire, fast and furious format. Each person gets 20 slides, 20 seconds per slide, and an engaged audience. It’s too short to get boring, and it moves too quickly for a presenter to get long-winded. Basically, an artist, designer, painter, photography, architect, or whomever, gets to show off in front of a group of friendly, interested people. It’s a lovely little form of cultural entertainment. If there’s a PechaKucha happening where you live, please go. If not, start a city.

From the official site: PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide.

45,000 deaths per year.

Our attempt at health care reform has just been sad. Pathetic. We certainly don’t get any good marks for our “democratic process.” For whatever reason, we have nothing to show for the effort. Except knowing that premiums will rise and people will continue to die because they can’t get the health care they need because they can’t afford it. How’s that for a “death panel?”

via GOOD

poster on ETSY 

Charting The Beatles

Who doesn’t love a good infographic? That’s right, nobody doesn’t love a good infographic! Michael Deal is making a great series of infographics dissecting different aspects of The Beatles’ career. Not only are the graphics themselves quite beautiful, the information is fascinating as well.

Handpulled for Haiti | Mayday by Karen Koch

From W+K Studio: A benefit show for the Haiti relief effort, all PRINT proceeds go directly to Mercy Corps. Our friends Karen, Curt and Steve are part of the effort with some lovely posters. The opening was February 4th in Portland. You can visit their online store to make a purchase and help the cause.

Frustration by Curtis Pachunka | We Need Somebody by Steve Denekas

The House of the Devil - Film Poster by Neil Kellerhouse

New York Magazine has a great slideshow of poster comps for “The House Of The Devil,” designed by Neil Kellerhouse. Be sure to check out Neil’s portfolio site, Kellerhouse Inc., which is chock full of brilliant graphic design.

DesignforHaiti.com: A creative call to action to design.

Design for Haiti is another design project from Aaron Perry-Zucker (Design for Obama, makeUSgreen). The mission: to collect Haiti posters that either advocate relief efforts or visualize information leading to a better understanding of the situation in Haiti. “We are especially seeking top notch info graphics that give the audience an ‘ah-hah’ moment where they learn something and perhaps see the situation differently.” Consider it a creative call to action to design. The following images are several fine examples.

Ayudemos a Haití by Neos Brand | The Living sleep among the Dead 2 by Christopher Griego

Help Haiti by Xhengis | Aid Within by deedee914