Nostalgic Is Sometimes Flat Out Better

The problem with technology is that it sometimes solves a problem that doesn't exist. In the case of design, photoshop and illustrator effects and filters give us visual styles that can look cheesy and contrived. Take a walk down the cereal isle at your local grocery store and you'll see design thats run through a marketing department filter. Every element on the box has been studied by focus groups to get you to buy it. Puffy, 3-D, dropshadowed and outlined the designer is removed from the final output and some of its visual value is lost in the process.

Even if its a PR stunt, its refreshing to see General Mills turn back the clock and release limted edition throw back cereal boxes available at Target. They're not better because they're nostalgic, They are just better because they are stronger design pieces than anything currently available. The Wheaties and Kix Boxes are my favorite.

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.