Mc Sweeney's

A great literary blog type website:

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/

They get short stories/poems/etc. submitted daily, and choose a simple no clutter type of website. The whole operation seems to suffer as it is hard to differentiate between links, headings, subheads, etc. The text remains centered as is never interrupted by any visual dominance (pictures,ads,etc). Mc Sweeney's has an iPhone app, that sorts the content fluidly and it would be nice to see some kind of an update to their less user friendly website.

The Great Wave Of Kanagawa

One of the many posters I own, and maybe my earliest favored print. The contrast between the yellow boats (poorly represented in this jpeg) and the deep blue of the wave is capturing. The sharp great wave, over a seemingly calm and sky dull sky also contrasts size and visual dominance over Mt. Fuji in the background.

Sigur Ros - ( )

I've always been fond of this CD package design. It is a regular jewel case with a frosted plastic slip cover. The album is appropriately entitled ( ), or (the nothing album), as its lyrics are comprised of gibberish. The booklet is made up of stencil drawings on a fine opaque paper which complements the overall gray scale package. Aside from the band name on the front, there is no text in the design making it a complete visual and textural feeling. In a time where tangible media seems like a waste, it's designs like this that give value to physically owning music. I adore the whole package, from first track to last, front to back, cover to cover.

On The Road - Penguin Cover

Penguin book cover designs have been steadily impressive, and they re-work many classics to form new collections. This one is for On The Road, for Penguin Classics. The design concept here is a simple layout of 8 equal picture size rectangles. The 5 beautiful pictures bordering the edge all create that 'captured in motion' or travelling feel. This is ultimately effective as it is contrasted by the static images on the inside. A static car in the parked heat, and portraits of the author, and friend Neal Cassidy (main characters) create the paused and personal side of the novel. All the pictures cover, what seem to be, plans or measured blueprints. I don't know if it was intentional, but it creates a visual metaphor that sums up the novel in many ways.

A Bigger Splash

I've been a fan of David Hockney since I saw this painting. A print of it hangs on my bedroom wall, so I've come to analyze it occasionally. The color palette used is breathtaking, and a perfect balance of warm and cool hues that results in a joyous sunny day kind of feeling. The layout is pure excellence, and I especially enjoy the use of angles vs. straight lines. Of course, the best part or the painting is the splash. I've read that Hockney spent two weeks perfecting the splash, loving that it is an event that last for two seconds.

Trade Gothic Bold (No.2)

As my default font of choice, I enjoy Trade Gothic Bold because it's noticeably less unified than most sans serifs, yet distinguishable. A unified variety? During my introduction to typography, Trade Gothic was the first font I came to respect (especially No.2).