The Ministry of Type

There are several design blogs that I try to keep up with to keep inspirational juices flowing, and keep up with the latest design trends. One of my favorites is The Ministry of Type, by English designer Aegir Hallmundur. Not only because the site itself gorgeously designed, he has this compulsion with tracing everything, which I love. It’s the design/illustration equivalent of taking something apart to see how it works, and it’s something I feel like I should do more of every once in a while. You can look at all the inspirational images in the world, but in taking them apart you’re going figure them out so much better.

Some of his retracing inspiration (but visit the site, they look better in context):

The Fall

I finally got around to watching The Fall last week, and I have to say it’s perhaps one of the most visually stunning movies I’ve ever seen. The landscapes and the colors are just so unreal, it’s hard to believe that nothing is computer enhanced. I’ve probably watched it three times since I rented it, and then both commentaries, just because I wanted to see how they set everything up. It completely works as a fantasy/storybook version of India.

(For a slightly more realistic, gritty, but still cinematographically great version of India, Slumdog Millionaire is also gorgeous. I think I’m going to have to add both of these to my very small dvd collection.)

More of my favorite stills below, as well as the opening title sequence, which is graphically brilliant.

Title Sequence:

Google’s Project 10 to the 100th

Google’s put out a call for ideas to change the world, and they’ve introduced it with this adorable little video. They’re pledging $10 million to fund up to five of the best ideas, though the winners get nothing but warm fuzzies and good karma (and it might look good on a resume, but that’s not why you should do it!) Find out more here and submit your ideas here. You can also create a 30 sec. youtube video to illustrate your idea. Any attempt to change the world for the better gets a thumbs up from me.

Bell Canoe Works

I’m in love with these ads for Bell Canoe Works. I could seriously look at them forever. From the heavy, printmaking paper to the watercolor/collage inspired illustration to the handwritten taglines… I want to hang these in my house. And hey, they got me to link to their website. Check out more below. (I can’t decide which is my favorite.)

Found via Graphic-Exchange (of course).

Who Says Words with My Mouth

This is gorgeous. I’ve been such a sucker for poetry lately (which is a bit new for me). And coincidentally, Clair de Lune has been making frequent appearences on my iPod quite a bit lately as well.

Damn, you caught me

(via frank chimero)

Ouch, definitely guilty of this. All the “inspiration” in the world doesn’t mean anything if you never do anything with it. But on the less talk, more action front, I finally sucked it up and bought one of these:

and I’m hoping to get my photography bug moving again. I have the 35mm version, but I’ve been finding shooting with film a lot less satisfying lately without easy access to a darkroom. (Another one of those perks of being in college.) And there’s just something about that instant feedback. Though I know getting myself back into photography is going to result in a “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” scenario. (“Give a girl a camera, then she’s going to want some new lenses…”)

I like this.

via frank-c on flickr

What do you know now that you wished you knew then?

“I never thought there would be a place for me. I was always in a mild panic because I couldn’t see me in anyone around in the places I worked, and I couldn’t see where I might end up. It’s part of the challenge for creative people…to feel comfortable with where you’re going. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer other than to perhaps try to be sensitive to where you are, what works and doesn’t work for you, and what brings the best out of you. Learn from it and use it to work out where the next step is. If you fix on objectives too far ahead you might discount opportunities that arise along the way, openings that could take you somewhere much more interesting and much more “you.” This of course can leave you a bit vulnerable to the “what do you want to be when you grow up?” question, but I’m afraid not having a good answer is something we just have to get used to living with.”

Nicolas Roope, Poke

I found this poking around Coroflot, and it’s exactly what I needed today. The rest of the interview can be found here, and he gives some fabulous advice.

Behind the Scenes of Scott Hansen’s Obama Poster

Scott Hansen posted the making of his limited addition Obama print on his blog. It’s fascinating to see his process, and how he pulls it all together.

I Met the Walrus

In 1969, a 14-year-old Beatle fanatic named Jerry Levitan, armed with a reel-to-reel tape deck, snuck into John Lennon’s hotel room in Toronto and convinced John to do an interview about peace.

I absolutely adore the animation in this.