Japanese WWII Air Raid Defense Posters

From the "i've never seen those before" file, comes these very cool WWII Japanese Air Raid posters. Note how the men get to wear gas masks, and the women get a handkerchief. The illustration style and compositions (especially the first image) is very interesting and shows an obvious link between the traditional japanese woodcuts and manga styles that will become popular in the decades after the war. 

New Simpsons Opening Titles

For the first time since 1989, the Simpsons finally redid their opening titles as the show transitions to HD broadcast. The same general idea is there, with some hiddle gems (like Mr. Sparkle) inserted. I wonder if this extra long sequence will be the new usual or if they'll just condense it back down in length.

The Vignelli Canon

I generally don't like ebooks for a variety of reasons, but i have to make an exception for this particular one. Legendary designer Massimo Vignelli has  published a great 96 page book on graphic design that he's giving away for free in PDF form on his website. Its definitely worth a read. If only he would have published this a few years earlier...i could have saved some money on design school. (insert sarcastic smiley here)

Why do Russians hate Coke?

There is this  extremely odd Russian calendar that is using Russian propaganda style posters to protest....coca-cola. hmmm i mean i get that American brands have taken over the world, but is coke really that bad? Maybe Russians are just mad that New Coke (remember the 80s?) never took off and they've been steaming ever since. 

Anyone can Swiss

Anyone Can Swiss is the most brilliantly simple commentary of International style, Swiss type i've ever seen. While i have great respect and appreciation for Swiss type, grids and some of the legendary designers who were part of this movement, I feel that recently its become sort of a default design solution...kind of like when you're art direction ideas fail, go swiss kinda thing.  I'm glad someone is poking fun at it. Found via Swiss Miss