« February 24, 2008 - March 1, 2008 | Main | March 9, 2008 - March 15, 2008 »
Advertising trade cards reached the peak of their popularity in the 1880s and 1890s. According to the Miami University Libraries, the rise of magazine publishing led to the ultimate demise of this uniquely American form of advertising.
Via Bibliodyssey.
I know a lot of people just don't get Twitter. If that includes you, perhaps this Commoncraft video will help explain what Twitter is and why it appeals to some of us. Personally, I value Twitter for a variety of reasons, some of which are explained in the video. But here's a professional reason. Oftentimes, when I'm percolating on an idea or two, I'll jump into my Twitter stream and just see what happens. While my subconscious continues to chug along, I scan various tweets, click through to links, see what other people are doing and thinking about, and then WHAM! A word, a phrase, a thought spins my brain into a totally new direction. Over the past year, I can think of quite a few ideas directly generated or made better through this use of Twitter. I'm talking client work, not just creative play. As a person who must create on deadline, one of my jobs is to keep my radar up for any source of inspiration. Right now, Twitter is one of my favorite tools for doing so.
Of course, if you're going to take from Twitter, you better be prepared to add something. I find that aspect of Twitter creatively stimulating, as well. Already on Twitter? Please feel free to add me.
Video via Greg Verdino.
In her new book, The Somnambulists, Edinburgh-based photographer Joanna Kane offers up a series of beautiful but haunting portraits. Haunting, because the portraits are of life and death masks cast more than 150 years ago. There's something fascinating about these intimate photos of people who lived before the invention of photography. Even more fascinating, some of the subjects are famous by name but not face. From top to bottom, that's John Keats, William Blake, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and William Wordsworth. Images from The Somnambulists are currently on display at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery through April 4.
Via Creative Review.
You know what that boring ad needs? A good moustaching, according to this site. Moustache Me even provides you with a nice variety of black vinyl nose-manes to choose from (I'm partial to The Bolton). Order a few, go wild on your local advertising scene, then email pictures of your handiwork back to Moustache Me for the whole world to enjoy.
Via NotCot.
Dutch artist Desiree Palmen goes to great lengths to create her visual deceptions. First, she chooses a suitable background. Next, she painstakingly paints the background onto cotton suits. Then, either she or a model poses for a photograph wearing the suit. Pretty cool.
Via Wooster Collective.
I love the way Coca-Cola is embracing design with their new aluminum contour bottles. A great use of the icon shape as a blank canvas.
Via The Dieline.
"Chocolade Haas" is a short piece created by Dutch filmmakers Lernert Engelberts and Sander Plug for the preschool art project "Big Art for Little People." Strangely hypnotic.
Via Old Glutton.
Korean designer Chul An Kwak aims to inject furniture with dynamic motion. The furniture series shown here was modeled after images of running horses.
Via Designboom.
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