Is this someone you want working in YOUR library?

Read this excerpt from this blog.

"Censorship Love Note by ALA Councilor Rory Litwin

American Library Association [ALA] Councilor Rory Litwin has written a contemptible note proudly announcing his censorship of publicly available information and his permanent censorship of any future comments from me. This while defending the ALA for repeatedly refusing to assist Cuban librarians beaten and jailed for political reasons--including opposing censorship!"

Read more about this encounter with UMD Librarian Rory Litwin

Pentagram Hops on the GeoFont Train.

Pentagram recently posted a new identity design for the Museum of Arts and Design which was quickly posted on Brand New.

Pentagram describes the new identity like this:
"The museum’s new graphic identity can already be seen throughout the city, on the sides of buses, on street banners, in print ads and in the subways. The geometric-based mark reflects the circles and squares present in the building’s shape; its location, on Columbus Circle; and the building’s iconic “lollipop” columns retained in the redesign."

Here are some more images from Pentagram's blog:



I love the craft, implementation, and restraint used in this system, but it feels so incredibly trendy. I was a bit surprised to see this kind of work coming out of Pentagram, which I always felt made work that transcends trendiness. This style of geometric type has been around for ages, but seems to be extremely prevalent in the current design landscape.

Here are a few examples from ffffound:





Don't forget Milton Glaser's contribution, Baby Teeth, done in 1968.


To Pentagram's credit; when comparing their iteration on the geometric typeface to others, theirs holds its own. It is disciplined, quirky, and recognizable among the sea of geo-fonts. The identity is well designed and well implemented, and it has flexibility to work well over many mediums.

…Not to mention my friend from back in Duluth Kai Salmela worked on this project.


I'm pretty sure that's him there. Hi Kai!

Face Lift and a little liposuction

You may have noticed a change around these parts. This site's old design was starting to feel pretty worn, so I trashed it and made a new one using blueprint css. Let me know your thoughts.

I also plan on blogging again sometime soon…

I don't know about those politics

This presidential election has me drawn in like never before, as I'm sure the case is with lots of other people. I find myself watching all the news about each candidate, watching both conventions, and reading what I can online. I find myself somewhere in the middle, liking elements from both candidates. I also find myself watching their speeches and being keenly aware of all the bullshit that gets thrown around.

Obama left me inspired, but wondering how much of what he claims he can pull off. Biden didn't move me that much. Palin left me feeling dirty. Finally McCain left me bored until the very end of his speech when he finally started saying something with any specific relevance to what he plans to do if elected president. I need to find more neutral news sources to find out the "truth" of their plans. Politifact has a "thruth-o-meter" that gives a pretty good idea of the half truths that get thrown around.

Any other good sites out there?

Design Inquiry - The Journey Begins

IMG_1997
Originally uploaded by budr

Someone made a face on the Airplane!

I'm on my way to Design Inquiry! I don't really know what to expect. It's all kind of sudden. Yesterday I was speaking at Harrington College and finishing up things at work... Today I'm sitting in my room at a HOJO. I'm going to this conference and I am the youngest by far... I think it's going to be an exciting week. Hopefully I can keep posting along the way. This is my journey.

The bustling terminal at the Portland airport. The Security guard was very busy keeping all the cars moving.



This is my personal driver. She came to pick me up at the airport and also drove me to the "Maine Mall" (Get it!?) so I could get a new phone. My old one took control of it's life and now calls whoever it wants, when it wants... So sad, such a bright future.



Oh dear friend HOJO you charm me. Man, I need to go to bed and sleep of this snark.

Good Things.

Beer, Hot Tomales, The charleston, Topher, and Design. Such a good night.

Fact

Fitted sheets are stupid and impossible to fold.