Get into my life

Check out this cool product design website I found, I think they post stuff that looks good but has a purpose that would go along with it.. I’m definitely going to have to pull out my wallet for this one. Get Into My Life

Welcome Back Designite!

Designite ~ matches for the mind has returned!

Welcome to those new to this design blog, and a big hearty hug to those returning to the site!

I honestly have to give credit to reubenmiller over at typepad for the inspiration to go back to the keyboard, I do miss the great big world of design.

The purpose of this site is to give inspiration not only to you, but to myself – a freetime designer.

I’ve been doing some planning, and there will be a few new projects on the horizon, which of course I will let you know about. My writing feels clunky, and I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. So bear with me as I gather myself together, and enjoy the new content.

much love.
Joey (Joe) xx

Gardens and Design – enclosed by walls of green

God, there are one or two things that I simply hate in life. One of them is Gardening and the other is the feeling of something under your fingernails.

Somehow, My lovely mother managed to recruit me into turning her yards wasteland of dead plants, and weeds into something resembling a garden.

In between mumbling profanities, and planting frangipannies I managed to actually see how people enjoy gardening.

Though I prefer paper and pen, some would forgo this indoor pursuit for caloused hands, a sweaty brow and a nice row of tulips.

It might be dirty, and somewhat restricted to the over 40’s age group,
but its really just a different form of art.

while I pick the dirt out from under my fingers with a breadtag (1) (2) have a look at some Vertical gardens.

And before I start thinking about posting pictures of gnomes have a look at

Apparently europeans have been into this a while now
check out there streamgarden – under products.
officially added to the wantlist.

Wordle Typography – A picture paints a thousand words

Or at least a coupla hundred!

Wordle was created by a mr.JonathanFeinberg. a Master of Java. (IBM RESEARCH)
In short wordle scans a site or text, provided by you for keywords and metadata.
and then using the words creates a giant colorful word cloud.

example I wrote a quick… well maybe not so quick description of myself, and…

Fun huh!??!

Ps. I’m a little in love with the font expressway free right now. I’m off to find the filezzzz. =)

Design & Development

I have had a lot of time not having a job as of late, and one of the best things about it has been that I have had my hands surgically attached to my mouse and keyboard. (they are wireless, but still manage to hinder making tea, and greeting people)

Now, I know I haven’t spent time writing to you my beloved, instead I have been catching up on a lot of design and development that I had a giant pile of in my to do (later) box, and never actually got around to.

10+ logos, and a couple of websites later. I had a look at my work and decided that it was

ME GOOD.

for those of you that can’t interpret my cave mindspeak
“I really think my designs are good. but they all look the same.”

Something that I find as a free time designer, is that unless I am continuously learning new design techniques and looking at other peoples designs, my own quickly get boring and predictable.

a designer I once worked with often spent extra time on projects coming at them from a completely different angle.
so instead of creating something with his style he would try to put someone elses style on the peice.

Not encouraging copycatting of course, but this is a great idea to start developing your own style.
its time to evolve! something I would encourage is spend time looking at other peoples portfolios.
and sit down and do a few tutorials. you’d be surprised, you might actually learn something!

sixrevisions.com – some advanced Text effects

psd tuts+ Some nice advanced tutorials available.

also here are some designers/designers you might or might not like.

alvin chan
http://www.alvinchan.nl/

ASYLUM
http://www.theasylum.com.sg/v3/

Christopher Allen
http://www.christopherallen.ca/

Studio David Hillman
http://www.studiodavidhillman.com/

Draught Associates
http://www.draught.co.uk/


James Warfeild
http://www.jameswarfield.com/

Luciano Marx
http://www.lucianomarx.ch/

Metagramme
http://www.metagramme.com/

Micah Lidberg
http://micahlidberg.com/

Nitrocorpz
http://www.nitrocorpz.com/

Playoff
http://www.p-off.ru/

Socio
http://www.sociodesign.co.uk/

Studio 1500
http://www.studio1500sf.com/

Studio Round
http://www.round.com.au/

Suck UK – Novelty has migrated to the internet

Suck.UK.com offers a surprisingly large range of stuff you want, but most likely don’t need.
You remember the days of novelty stores? selling gags, and junk for your house?
Well Suck.UK does it with a lot more style, (and quality)

Some of my Favorites are..

The Door “STOP”

The London Tube Mirror

Carve your own Postcard

Solar Powered Clocks

Picture Book Frames.

Everlasting Calender Tape

Give them a visit

Coffee and Oranges

Okay, so I’m having a really rough day, and am a little busy fighting for my Job, So instead of what I was going to write enjoy this.

for all the budding photographers here is a really cool way to develop your film….

Coffee & Oranges

make sure to check out the caffenol flickr group at the bottom of this page.

Cassette Purses.

I’ve always wondered what happened to obsolete technology.
Often they break the items down, and recycle them into all kinds of clever things, like astroturf for childrens playgrounds… (tyres not mobile phones!)

Why recycle, when you can ”REDESIGN”

marcella foschi, (italy) has come up with a great way to keep your cash safe,
but I just want it to put my nano in!

officially added to my Iwant account
most of which are italian tapes, but there are english ones
added everynow and then.

You can pick one of these puppies up from DESIGNBOOM

 

Catch a falling star an’ put it in your pocket.

I have recently made some new friends, who for the sake of anonimity will be called D + K,
It has been a little while since I have been able to talk about literature, life, and culture with
such young, fresh perspectives.

about a week ago D,K, and I went and knocked back a couple, and talked
on the grass. (**okay.. rephrase “sat” on the grass!) after asking K if she was a collector, (I have a large collection of novelty ashtrays, Lampshades, and Stones.) I was impressed to hear what it was exactly that she collected.

‘life’

She explained to me that she collected “found things” which is much better put than “lost things”
Shopping lists, dolls, anything that had a story.

K called her items “a glimpse into someone else’s life, however small”

Which confirms that really we artists are all voyeurs.  : )

I really wanted to apply this idea,
sometimes instead of a person trying to represent themselves,
a simple item can afford a far better description of that person.

Here is a website by Photographer Nicholas Venaglia.
His photos are by no means professional, but instead candid, un-posed and unplanned, immediate and unobtrusive.

perhaps some of his photos will lend you a little insight.

http://www.nicholasvenaglia.com/

 

See you in Helsinki

In the land of the Finnish, where presidents pace their palace halls, and water still comes from the ground, Helsinki lies. Helsinki spanning over 300 Islands is one of Europe’s wealthiest capitals, yet it is also its most scarcely populated capital after Brussels.

To most, London, Tokyo, and New York, maybe style capitals, but thanks to the footwork of Jokinen and Karhalainen, two 30 something photographers, Hel-Looks gives a great insight into the Fashion and style of Helsinki’s Populace.

    Visit them!