<p><em>Filter Foundry caught up with Silicon Valley vetaran <strong>Brett Lovelady</strong>, Founder/CEO of <a href="http://www.astrostudios.com/">Astro Studios</a> in San Francisco, and picked the juicy parts of his brain. Pull up a chair and lets start with his title: “<strong>Chief Instigator</strong>.”<br /> </em><br /> <strong>Brett:</strong> I’ve been a classic fire starter, someone who gets big ideas quickly, rallies a lot of people, gets them all talking, cross connecting, gets all the big ideas out, formulates it, and gets out of the way. I’m not really into tending fires, I’m better at starting them …just sort of felt like the right title compared to CEO or President or something else.<br /> <strong><br /> FF: Astro has a very "cool" image, both with Studios and with Gaming, how would you describe the work of both businesses?</strong><br /> <strong><br /> Brett:</strong> I started <a href="//astrostudios/">Astro Studios</a> in 1994 so it’s 17 years old, going on 18. We’re hitting adulthood, coming out of our adolescence. <a href="http://www.astrostudios.com/">Astro Studios</a> is a design firm at heart. We're basically a design service business, [we] work with many different clients from around the world. <a href="http://www.astrostudios.com/">Astro Studios</a> is really the hub of everything, all things Astro, design driven and [it] works with a mix of lifestyle, technology, design, people, projects, and programs.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.astrostudios.com/dispatch/_depot/project_image/927x491/ce15580dc176bacdaa2ad44dac13af47.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.astrogaming.com/">Astro Gaming</a> started 6 years ago producing [the] commercialization, if you will, of the Astro brand into premium products in the video gaming space. It’s really based on gaming experiences and gaming culture. I would say it's a mix of game play, technology, experimentation and invention to improve video gaming, really creating a lifestyle and a brand around that.<br /> <strong><br /> FF: How do you guys find fresh creative talent?</strong><br /> <strong><br /> Brett:</strong> We look for talent via our network with other creatives, we’re also at schools. We’re online tapping into central media, sites like <a href="//">Filter Foundry</a>, the Coroflots and the other folks out there. There’s a lot of cross drops. Sometimes you drop a note on LinkedIn or Facebook. You’d be surprised where it comes from sometimes. We’ve been around long enough that we get hit by the best of the best wanting to showcase their talent. So fortunate in that regard, that talented people [just] show up at the door.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.astrostudios.com/dispatch/_depot/slideshow/927x232/41a044944ce8164a169008d6e99cd63e.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <strong><br /> FF: Do you ever find resumes tucked into your classic mustang’s windshield wiper?</strong><br /> <strong><br /> Brett:</strong> You know, it’s been a few years. Mustang’s in the garage, a little too far away. We’ve had people standing out front with a portfolio in-hand waiting to come in. We get a lot of those “hey I’m visiting for the day. I’m from France, so let me show you my work.” Those things happen a lot still.<br /> <strong><br /><img align="right" alt="" height="232" hspace="5" src="http://www.astrostudios.com/dispatch/_depot/project/291x232/aee1b445356659e490d9a216feaecfd6.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" width="291" /> FF: Asking who is your favorite client is probably like asking a parent to pick a favorite child, but...what are some of the fun projects your team has worked on?</strong><br /> <strong><br /> Brett:</strong> I think one of our favorites, has been (for the last 15 years) <a href="//astrostudios/728/nike-slingshot-golf-irons/">Nike</a>. Phenomenal company quite honestly. Our first program with them was all of their digital watches: [their] first electronic products.  Since then we’ve been sort of a scout team, if you will, doing advanced concepts and helping them break into new categories year in and year out. They’ve been a pretty amazing client. We [did] their first golf clubs, some of their first soft goods, their first hockey helmet and a lot of things that people don’t see because they’re in the advanced concept. We love a lot of our other clients, but <a href="http://www.astrostudios.com/projects/archive/?client=nike">Nike</a> has a special place for us because they do a lot of things really right, they go pretty deep, they try to sell real performance products. It’s a good source of work inspiration for our crew.<br /> <strong><br /> FF: Since not every project goes by the numbers, how you handle a problem is important. Can you share any hair-raising experiences that my readers might find inspirational?</strong><br /> <strong><br /> Brett:</strong> Since we start every project with a problem statement, I think [it’s] sort of inherent in the business. I think, in "specific projects" there’s a few things that have happened more than once: changes have been made in a program last minute. A big part of our job is to hold onto the original design intent and to solve our problems. <br /> <br /> [For example,] we’ve thought we were done, in the can, going into production and we find out, <em>oh wait</em>, there’s a new battery, there’s a new display or there’s a new material we want you to use. “We need you guys to scramble, dive in, fill a team of people… and come up with a new solution overnight.” Meanwhile, our engineers will be on a plane and by the time they land we want the solution in their hands so that they can go to the manufacturer and change the tools so they don’t miss the marketing window.</p> <p><img align="left" alt="" height="232" hspace="6" src="http://www.astrostudios.com/dispatch/_depot/project/291x232/82c7e71b34e633195695533d823517bb.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" width="291" />You have to be really reliable and flexible and hopefully you have enough tricks up our sleeve and a “little magic sauce” to sprinkle on things to figure out how to get to the other side of this problem. A lot of it has to do with the fact that you bring teams of people together with different experiences and disciplines as well. <br /> <br /> I like to think of us as the <a href="http://www.redadair.com/">“Red” Adair</a> of design sometimes. “Red” Adair puts out oil fires that no one else can, and we do that quite often where clients will come in and tell us “this is good but not great. What can you guys do to make this great?” Or “We’ve got a limited amount of time with a limited budget but can you guys pull rabbits out of hats, help us find something.” We look at that as a challenge, our job. It’s what we do as designers for hire.<br /> <strong><br /> FF: Does a particular software program or suite help in the creative/production process? What are some of the Astro team's hardware and software "can't-live-with-outs"?</strong><br /> <strong><br /> Brett:</strong> A lot of the stuff is classic software. You got Alias, SolidWorks, Rhino, 3D packages [for] modeling and development, layered in Photoshop, Illustrator with classic illustration tools. There are some interesting rendering packages like <span style="background-color: white;">KeyShot </span>and another one I can’t remember off the top of my head. We experiment with them all the time. After Effects for motion graphics [and] some of the guys know Flash. It depends on what story you’re trying to tell. <br /> <br /> Most of our guys are very fluid with both mac and pc and kind of go back and forth between them. [We use] multiple big displays, tablets for drawing and sketching, [and] lots of hi-res mice. Whatever tool will help them free their creativity. The guys still rely on hand sketching, white boards and scanning all those in (whether it’s photos or papers in their notebook.) A lot of the good old pen and paper… It’s crazy… We’re trying to keep it alive. <br /> <strong><br /> <img align="right" alt="" hspace="5" src="http://dqau2yyaezwn4.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/product/cache/2/small_image/975x800/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/s/r/sr3_b_skull_side_621x800_3.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" width="290" /> FF: We have many gamers walking our virtual halls, what new products can we look to seeing on the shelves soon?</strong><br /> <strong><br /> Brett:</strong> The “hover chair” for gaming is something we’ve been working on for a long time but not sure if that’s going to hit marketing anytime soon. We’re working on really great wireless solutions for gaming, an amazing <a href="http://www.astrogaming.com/">wireless gaming headset</a> that will be coming out in the coming months. We don’t talk about it a whole lot because we don’t want to overpromise too early. <br /> <br /> Gaming audio, in other words the audio that’s embedded in the games, is pretty amazing. It’s really movie quality. Most people still listen to games on crappy TV speakers or PC speakers that aren’t hearing everything so once they start [using] headsets, we’ve found most people just don’t go back. So we’re going to continue with the audio side of the business.<br /> <strong><br /> FF: Brett, for those who are looking to venture into I.D., can you offer some recommendations and tips? </strong><br /> <strong><br /> Brett:</strong> Learn to sketch and learn the tools. That’ll be the foundation of learning your craft, and the craft of industrial design. Then take those and transform them into physical experiences. Do the modeling; make physical things to solve for physical people or tangible environments. Make sure you spend enough time in all of those areas: the sketch phase, the computer phase, and the physical modeling phase. <br /> <br /> Understand how your products are defined and how they’re sold and the whole supply chain of how they go from your end to the retailer shelf or to the consumer’s hands. Think about designing that whole experience.<br /> <br /> <strong>FF:  And finally, can you give me 'the short list' of people or companies you think are doing innovative work in design and that inspire you?</strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Brett:</strong> For me, it’s that constant feeding of all [the] different forms of media. People outside of our disciplines, I probably find a little more interesting than folks inside of the same things that we’re doing day in day out. To name names might be a little difficult. I’d rather stay out of that side of it but there are all sorts of different people who produce things on a daily basis… classic architecture and fashion for example.<br /> <br /> Seeing people take existing tools and create new experiences out of them. Like the people who created Microsoft / Xbox Kinect, as an open platform created all kinds of new experiences for people that weren’t necessarily for profit but because they wanted to experiment. I think you see a lot of open source experimentation going on. I think that’s really healthy.</p> <p>For more sample from Astro Studios visit their PAD: <strong><a href="//astrostudios/">/astrostudios/</a></strong></p>

<p>I met <a href="//Bogie/">Bogaert</a> many summers ago in Hollywood while visiting a friend. At the time Bogie was working on his <a href="http://www.bogaertstudio.com/musicseries/index.html">Music Series</a>. His flat was a bare bones bohemian art loft with only the essentials: every color imaginable in tube form, canvases, brushes, cigarettes, an amazing coffee maker that looked like it came from outer-space, and a 'fridge made for one. With <a href="http://grooveshark.com/#!/search?q=The+New+Latinaires">The New Latinaires</a> in the background I got to see how "the magic" happened. Bogie is no longer in Los Angeles, once the wind changed he blew with it but he continues to paint and shares some of his work and insight with us today. I shot him a few questions:<br /><strong><br /> I always like to start with this question since it helps us get an insight into you, How would you describe your work in one short sentence?</strong><br /><em>People in Motion by Bogaert</em><br /> <br /> <strong>When we met, you were working from Hollywood, how did painting in "the states" affect your work?</strong><br /><em>I became a painter in the states. I arrived in LA as a designer and that's how I got my work permit, there was some sort of an adventurous playfullnes in the air and also the people I met were open and curious.<br /> LA - Miami Beach - NYC , it was all eye candy and interacting with people was fairly easy. All the elements to keep the artist creative. Moving from state to state was (each time) discovering a new world.</em><br /> <br /> <strong>It is my understanding that you travel a lot, does the location change how you work or what you paint?</strong><br /> <em>It's not really traveling, I just move. When I stay to long in one place, after a while, things start to run smooth. I tend to go on automatic pilot. I become a bit lazy and bored. When I move to a new place, all my senses and emotions work again . It gives a lot of energy. When I lived in New York I got sucked into the city and my work was not all that great, but years after I left , I made some great New York paintings . </em><br /> <br /> <strong>Is there a series you are currently working on or planning on working on?</strong><br /><em>I am working currently on the POP PORN series, 32 oilpaintings depicting pornography as popular culture. With this series i want to take porn out of the shadow and make it more or less tasteful, acceptable and funny. For each painting I designed a different wallpaper backdrop, refering to the fetish the characters are playing out. I posted the full series on <a href="http://www.bogaertstudio.com/" rel=" " target="_blank">www.bogaertstudio.com</a></em><br /><br /><strong>Do you ever collaborate with other artists?</strong><br /><em>No till now</em><br /> <br /> <strong>Can you share with us an artist or two that inspired you?</strong><br /><em>There are so many great artists dead and alive, impossible to pick one out, well there's one guy I know about today making great feel good stuff: Takashi Murakami. I like the worlds he creates, I want to go live there, but is it good art? </em><br /> <br /> <strong>Impart some wisdom for the young artists on filter foundry who are reading this and looking to follow in your footsteps:</strong><em><br />Who cares if you do it for the money. The world is saturated with images. Invent the missing image. Borrow and steal. Pay somebody in China to work it out. You sign it. Start to twitter.<br /></em><br /><em>If you do it do it for LOVE. <br /> All little children are artists, Don't Grow Up . <br /> Don't get to deep in the system. <br /> Smell the terpentine.</em><br /> <br /><strong>PAD: <a href="//Bogie/">/Bogie/</a></strong><br /><br /></p>

<h3><strong>Our team went to Vegas and met with top electronics companies on the CES trade show floor with one purpose…to find the best products for a Creative Professional to explore. We handpicked our Top 10 list for you know about. <br /> <br /> <em>Check 'em out and NJoy!</em></strong></h3> <p><strong><a href="http://www.samsung.com/us/news/presskitRead.do?page=1&news_seq=20057&rdoPeriod=ALL&from_dt=&to_dt=&news_group=ALL&news_type=&news_ctgry=&search_keyword=galaxy+note"><img align="right" alt="" border="0" src="http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxynote/note/image/img_img01.png" width="200" />Samsung: Galaxy Note</a></strong> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhoyMdzjWNw&list=PL34B4A3AD22A79CBE&index=7&feature=plpp_video">video</a>)<br /> The NEW Galaxy Note combines an HD display & supreme portability with advanced S Pen, creating a new type of smartphone. Great for the traveling artist.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.samsung.com/us/news/presskitRead.do?page=1&news_seq=20068&rdoPeriod=ALL&from_dt=&to_dt=&news_group=ALL&news_type=&news_ctgry=&search_keyword=series+9+laptop">Samsung: Series 9 laptop (15-inch display in a 14-inch chassis)</a><br /> </strong>Weighing as light as 2.5 pounds and measuring just a half inch thin, the second generation Samsung Series 9 can be effortlessly carried anywhere. (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_nWUvsWNtw&list=PL34B4A3AD22A79CBE&index=8&feature=plpp_video">video</a>)</p> <p><strong><a href="http://pro.jvc.com/pro/pr/2012/releases/gyhmq10.html">JVC: GY-HMQ10 Compact Handheld Camcorder</a></strong><br /> The world's first handheld 4K camcorder which captures, records, and plays video images at four times the resolution of high definition television.<br /> <br /> <strong><a href="http://usa.canon.com/app/images/pressrelease/photokit/thumbL/20111026_thumbL_pixmapro1_open.jpg"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" hspace="10" src="http://usa.canon.com/app/images/pressrelease/photokit/thumbL/20111026_thumbL_pixmapro1_open.jpg" vspace="5" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/printers_multifunction/professional_photo_inkjet_printers/pixma_pro_1">Canon: PIXMA Pro </a></strong>(<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfyv_N4clG0&list=PL34B4A3AD22A79CBE&index=3&feature=plpp_video">video</a>)<br /> The PIXMA PRO-1 Professional Inkjet Printer is the quintessential tool for the professional photographer or creative agency that gives you the ability to print the images you captured with your Canon EOS Digital SLR, exactly as you envisioned it.<br /> <br /> <strong><a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/professional_cameras/cinema_eos_cameras/eos_c300">Canon C300 Cinema EOS Camera: </a></strong>(<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PPzgT5Z2XM&list=PL34B4A3AD22A79CBE&index=6&feature=plpp_video">video</a>)<br /> The introduction of the EOS C300/C300 PL coincides with the launch of the Cinema EOS System, marking Canon's full-fledged entry into the digital high-resolution production industry.<br /> <br /> <strong><a href="http://press.nikonusa.com/post/2012/01/05/when-there-is-no-second-chance-the-new-nikon-fx-format-d4-multi-media-digital-slr-is-the-definitive-unification-of-speed-and-precision/">Nikon: D4 </a><br /> </strong>The New 16.2 Megapixel Nikon D4 Wields a Formidable Fusion of Swift Performance, Battle-Tested Technologies and Innovative New Features to Create High Caliber Photo and HD Multimedia Content.<br /> <br /> <strong><a href="http://world.casio.com/news/2011/Imaging_Square/">Casio: Digital Painting </a></strong>(<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKkHx1mr4_w&list=PL34B4A3AD22A79CBE&index=2&feature=plpp_video">video</a>)<br /> Expaning the world of digital photography and art, Casio has launched what they are calling "<a href="http://art.casio.com/en/Default.aspx">Imaging Square Online Service.</a>" Definately worth a look for printing in 3D and in relief.<br /> <br /> <strong><a href="http://gopro.com/news/">Go Pro: HD Hero 2</a></strong> <br /> Arguably the most versatile camera in the world thanks to its innovative mounting system, renowned durability and small form factor, the HD HERO2 surpasses its predecessor with several technology upgrades. <br /> <a href="http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=NEX7/B"><img align="right" alt="" border="0" hspace="10" src="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/articleImages/MR15/nex-7.jpg" vspace="5" width="200" /></a><br /> <strong><a href="http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&identifier=S_NEX&SR=sony_search_sem&SQS=NEX">Sony: NEX7 Camera </a></strong>(<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeFdyZAdQ0Y&list=PL34B4A3AD22A79CBE&index=5&feature=plpp_video">video</a>)<strong><br /> </strong>An "all-in-one" compact interchangeable lens camera with 24.3 megapixel resolution. In this case size doesn't matter, this small camera packs just the right punch. <br /> <br /> <strong><a href="http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prModelDetail?storeId=11301&catalogId=13251&itemId=467153&modelNo=Content09202010032351935&surfModel=Content09202010032351935">Panasonic: GH2 Camera </a></strong><br /> A hybrid touch-control camera featuring full High Definition (HD) video recording and compatibility with the world's first1 interchangeable 3D lens.</p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL34B4A3AD22A79CBE"><br /> <strong>Take a look at our YouTube Channel to see all of the CES quick videos.</strong></a><br /> <br /> <br /><br /></p>

<p>Today we feature a UK artist whose geometric & surreal illustrstion have been brought to our attention.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="http://samchivers.com">Sam Chiver</a> is a UK based Illustrator and print maker. Working with both digital and handmade materials his work often explores themes of a universal nature. He produces limited edition prints, some of which are available [at his <a href="http://samchivers.com/#735987/About">online gallery</a>.]</p> <p>Take a look at his <a href="http://samchivers.wordpress.com/">blog</a> for more insight into the mind of <a href="http://samchivers.com">Sam Chiver</a>.</p> <p><img alt="" height="600" src="http://samchivers.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/dope.jpg?w=720" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="567" src="http://payload3.cargocollective.com/1/1/62213/2360413/multiverse.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="954" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/1/62213/891106/crystal_virus.jpg" width="670" /></p> <p>From a young age he was inspired by mountainous landscape found during trips to France and also a love of comics. He similarly takes much inspiration from the realms of fantasy art. Working with different mediums he says, “I like the infinite possibilities working digitally affords, coupled with the limitations that screen-print imposes”. This hints at the progressive attitude towards his work.</p> <p>-</p> <p><strong>1.What would you say is the most important theme in your work?</strong><br /> The unconscious flow…man</p> <p><strong>2.What’s most inspiring to your working process?</strong><br /> Drawing without thinking</p> <p><strong>3.Have you any strange talents that influence the work you produce or the way you produce it?</strong><br /> Nope it’s pretty straight forward</p> <p><strong>4.Which artist of the past would you resurrect to collaborate with and why?</strong><br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Jodorowsky">Alejandro Jodorowsky</a> although he’s still alive and very much in the present, which is why I’d want to collaborate</p> <p><img alt="Sam Chivers" height="234" src="http://www.indigits.net/wp-content/gallery/sam-chivers/oxygene.jpg" style="float: right;" width="336" /></p> <p><strong>5.Do you think your work is understood or misinterpreted and why?</strong><br /> I don’t really understand it myself. So the more misinterpretations the better</p> <p><strong>6.If you could decorate one place in the world what would it be and how would you do it?</strong><br /> A flyover with grass?</p> <p><strong>7. What to date has been your ‘cherry on the cake’ moment and what was it that got you there?</strong><br /> finishing my last print I think, and what got me there was lots of tea…</p> <p><strong>8.What we ask everyone! Does your artistic style influence your underwear?</strong><br /> Yes</p> <p> </p> <p>Sources: <br /> http://www.indigits.net/2011/06/sam-chivers/<br /> http://samchivers.wordpress.com<br /> http://samchivers.com</p> <p> </p>

<p>As a water sign I am usually keen on the tidal forces that pull on us during this time of the month and that feeling of change, good and bad, that's in the air. With the full moon rising and a eclipse on the horizon, this issue of SPARK! is dedicated to the moon, change, time and the forces of nature (or <a href="http://adobe.com">Photoshop</a> ;)</p> <p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/03702613729114228887" rel="author">Courtney N. Hathaway</a>, interior designer, brings us these perfectly distressed images:</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9RFMK_wbd-Y/Tkoee9cIEXI/AAAAAAAADIM/IZn0wLD7vCU/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-16+at+12.38.25+AM.png" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTAOhAHCwUc/Tkoedk7iSMI/AAAAAAAADII/FSVa0sSRwAM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-16+at+12.38.16+AM.png" width="600" /></p> <p><a href="http://chadwys.com/works_process.htm">Chad Wys</a> uses his talents to help time and take us away to another reality with his Nocturne series:</p> <p><img alt="" height="620" src="http://chadwys.com/images/works/process_of_elimination/nocturne013.jpg" width="475" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="605" src="http://chadwys.com/images/works/process_of_elimination/nocturne064.jpg" width="475" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="574" src="http://chadwys.com/images/works/process_of_elimination/nocturne018.jpg" width="475" /></p> <p><a href="http://www.preserve.co.nz/">Preserve</a>, brings us a collection of distressed typographical signage:</p> <p><img alt="" height="375" src="http://www.preserve.co.nz/images/may_2011/clothiers01.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="375" src="http://www.preserve.co.nz/images/may_2011/tobacco03.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="375" src="http://www.preserve.co.nz/images/may_2011/newman08.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.rawtype.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Preserve_Inner_02.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><a href="http://alexjowettart.tumblr.com/">Alex Jowell </a>captures the power of nature as well as her artistic flare:</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/5454206963/1/tumblr_ll5aiocEh11qavrrx" width="600" /></p> <p>and one "for good measure" a first edition of the iconic New York Magazine:</p> <p><img alt="" height="679" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lut97abkmJ1qztcnqo1_500.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p> </p>

<p>Who's your favorite character of all time... which version.. by what artist? I know mine: Bob Kane's Batman by Alex Ross. I like to think of Alex's style as the best of both worlds, it's 2D that looks like it was rendered in 3D. This week I've pulled a few characters from both the pop-culture and the obscure pile. Share yours with us by posting it below.</p> <h4>1. The Batman (rough sketch phase) by <a href="http://www.alexrossart.com">Alex Ross</a></h4> <p><img alt="" border="1" src="http://www.alexrossart.com/galleries/batman/full/batman_headstudy_full.jpg" width="600" /></p> <h4>2. Gollum by <a href="http://www.wetafx.co.nz">WETA Digital</a></h4> <p><img alt="instantShift - Amazing Character Designs" border="1" src="http://cdn.instantshift.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/acd-be-20.jpg" title="instantShift - Amazing Character Designs" width="600" /></p> <p><strong>3. Bettie Page by <a href="http://cargocollective.com/bambinomonkey/#303147/About-Bambinomonkey" id="p303147" name="bambinomonkey" rel="history">Bambinomonkey</a></strong><a href="http://cargocollective.com/bambinomonkey/#303147/About-Bambinomonkey" id="p303147" name="bambinomonkey" rel="history"></a></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/25980/303192/bettiepage.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><strong>4. Octo-Owl by <a href="http://www.64colors.bigcartel.com/">64Colors</a></strong><a href="http://www.64colors.bigcartel.com/"></a></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"><img alt="" border="1" height="640" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6145/6020700412_05b5130db0_z.jpg" width="477" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong>5. Belly Dancer by <a href="http://onlycreative.com.au/carlos-jaugeon-perez-character-design/">Carlos Jaugeon Perez</a></strong></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"><img alt="" border="1" height="637" src="http://onlycreative.com.au/images/blog-images/carlos_jaugeon_perez_03.jpg" width="450" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong>6. Cathy Ray by <a href="http://andyh.cgsociety.org/gallery/">Andrew Hickinbottom</a></strong></p> <p><img alt="" height="800" src="http://features.cgsociety.org/newgallerycrits/g62/54062/54062_1308650848_submedium.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p>7. TMNT by Eastman & Laird (3D by <a href="http://www.cgarena.com/gallery/3d/description/tmnt.html">Nikita Volobuev</a>)</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.cgarena.com/gallery/3d/description/fullimages/tmnt.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p>8. Taarna by <a href="http://www.chrisachilleos.co.uk/art-gallery.html">Chris Achilleos</a></p> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"><img alt="" height="699" src="http://www.chrisachilleos.co.uk/images/artgallery/amazons/taarna.jpg" width="474" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong>9. Rei Ayanami by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshiyuki_Sadamoto" title="Yoshiyuki Sadamoto"> Yoshiyuki Sadamoto</a></strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshiyuki_Sadamoto" title="Yoshiyuki Sadamoto"></a></p> <p><img alt="" border="1" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmT-QOgVQ4w/TeYd2eEzRwI/AAAAAAAAFn8/WujIF0Oe4SY/s1600/ayanami_rei%2Bblue_hair%2Bneon_genesis_evangelion%2Bred_eyes.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><strong>10. Jack Skellington by <a href="http://www.timburton.com/">Tim Burton</a></strong><a href="http://www.timburton.com/"></a></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"> <p><img alt="" border="1" height="600" src="http://www.mxonline.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/2007jack.jpg" width="391" /></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p>

<p>When I was in high school, I in inherited the old family hi-fi. We had upgraded the sitting room's entertainment center and in the middle of it was a state-of-the-art Sony component system that included a CD-player, a turntable, an equalizer, an amp, a stereo tuner, and a dual cassette deck. Back then vinyl was king and portables (like the yellow sports Walkman in my school bag) were gaining ground quickly. My local Record Store was walking distance and it was my happiest place on earth.</p> <p>We all have our favorite songs, our favorite albums, but I also had on my wall opposite the bunch beds, among the Anime posters & the comic books, some carefully mounted album covers. These gems had 2 qualifications the music had to be epic and the artwork inspirational. So since we missed our weekly issue of SPARK! due to the holiday, here is a little something that will take the edge off until Friday.</p> <p><a href="http://inspiredology.com/?author=2">Chad Mueller</a>, fellow designer and inspirational blogger posted a few of his favorites. We at Filter Foundry agree :)</p> <div> <div> <p>"The album covers are listed in no specific order."</p> <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" </div> </div> <p>Source: <a href="http://inspiredology.com/99-best-designed-album-covers/">http://inspiredology.com/99-best-designed-album-covers/</a></p>

<p>Thanks to <a href="http://www.ohny.org/" target="_blank">Open House New York</a>, [S Allan] got to view the inside of the absolutely remarkable TWA Terminal at JFK Airport, designed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eero_Saarinen" target="_blank">Eero Saarinen</a>. It opened in 1962, but has not been in use for a while. When American Airlines bought out Trans World Airlines (aka TWA) in 2001, the terminal was closed.</p> <p>We’ve admired the building from the outside for ages.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/outside.jpg"><img alt="" height="367" src="2011/10/outside.jpg?w=490&h=367" title="outside" width="490" /></a></p> <p>But the closest we’ve ever come to seeing the interior is from watching the Steven Spielberg movie “Catch Me If You Can”, which used the terminal as a location in the film.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/catch-me-if-you-can-1.jpg"><img alt="" height="288" src="2011/10/catch-me-if-you-can-1.jpg?w=432&h=288" title="catch-me-if-you-can-1" width="432" /></a></p> <p>Open House New York is an annual weekend-long event that opens the doors of many New York City institutions to the public – places that are not normally open to the public. Or, in many public buildings, OHNY offers behind-the-scenes glimpses that the public seldom gets to glimpse.</p> <p>So, you want to see one of Eero Saarinen’s masterpieces? Okay – here it is (as always, to view a picture larger, click on it, then use your “back” arrow to come back to this home page):</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/twa.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/twa.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="TWA" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/twa-2.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/twa-2.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="TWA 2" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/twa-3.jpg"><img alt="" height="315" src="2011/10/twa-3.jpg?w=490&h=315" title="TWA 3" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/twa-4.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/twa-4.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="TWA 4" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/twa-5.jpg"><img alt="" height="325" src="2011/10/twa-5.jpg?w=490&h=325" title="TWA 5" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/window.jpg"><img alt="" height="325" src="2011/10/window.jpg?w=490&h=325" title="window" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/rest-room.jpg"><img alt="" height="324" src="2011/10/rest-room.jpg?w=490&h=324" title="rest room" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/rest-room-2.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/rest-room-2.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="rest room 2" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/seating.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/seating.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="seating" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/twa-6.jpg"><img alt="" height="324" src="2011/10/twa-6.jpg?w=490&h=324" title="TWA 6" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/twa-7.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/twa-7.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="TWA 7" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/sign1.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/sign1.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="sign" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="2011/10/twa-8.jpg"><img alt="" height="325" src="2011/10/twa-8.jpg?w=490&h=325" title="TWA 8" width="490" /></a></p> <p>Wow.</p> <p>OHNY is finished for 2011, but be sure to check it out next year. I filled my weekend with so many activities, I’m still recuperating  ;)</p> <p>All the events I participated in were really great.</p> <p>But, this one left me tongue-tied and speechless.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://sallanscorner.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/the-twa-terminal-at-jfk-airport-wow">http://sallanscorner.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/the-twa-terminal-at-jfk-airport-wow</a></p>

<p>I never really considered myself an illustrator, even though my first foray into the art world was drawing. I even came close to posting some of my pseudo-anime pencil sketches from "back in the day" to prove my point. Sure I have tons of coffeeshop cartoons and down-time doodles but an illustrator, I am not. When inspiration strikes however, I am always prepared. Professor Brown's habit of always carrying a Pilot Rolling Ball (Precise) V5 has come in handy while waiting for friends and my never-on-time younger brother. I even started carrying what my colleague calls an  "idea book," but I still call it my sketch pad. <br /> <br /> Who knows maybe one of these days I will add some of those old delineations into my PAD.<br /> <br /> In the meantime, let me show you what I came across this week while perusing the world wide web. And when you are done, pull out your favorite pen, pencil, Rapidograph, charcoal (I prefer wet,) Conte-crayon or digital-water-color-brush-set and show us what you can do.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.jessicafortner.com/">Jessica Fortner </a></p> <p><img alt="" height="900" src="http://www.jessicafortner.com/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/SnakeSkin_600px.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="774" src="http://www.jessicafortner.com/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/GreenSource_600px.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <a href="http://www.core77.com/blog/accessory/sight_unseen_launches_online_accessories_shop_20999.asp"></a></p> <p><img alt="" height="841" src="http://www.jessicafortner.com/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Mouthy_600px.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.mathis.tv/">Mathis Rekowski</a></strong></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/27873/326241/Coin_final_Mathis_WebLarge_detail3.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/27873/1018771/110125_vw_golf_streets_2-1_web.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/27873/326241/circus_mathis_01.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://vasastudio.com">Vasa</a></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://vasastudio.com/paintings/images/paintings/IllustratorPainting_1401.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://vasastudio.com/paintings/images/paintings/IllustratorPainting_0577.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://vasastudio.com/paintings/images/paintings/IllustratorPainting_1306.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://borderlineamazing.com">Devin McGrath</a></p> <p><img alt="" height="800" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/21092/281012/crowshaded.jpg" width="559" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/21092/1142882/Screen%20shot%202011-03-07%20at%206.35.19%20PM.png" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" border="1" height="326" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/21092/1142882/Skulls%20plain.png" width="504" /></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://pulphope.blogspot.com/">Paul Pope</a></p> <p><img alt="" height="833" src="http://thesecretheadquarters.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/pulphope-550x833.jpg" width="550" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="972" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5958800004_8014da510a_o.jpg" width="569" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4500758358_04e76876e3_o.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><a href="http://www.mariowibisono.com">Mario Wibisono</a></p> <p><img alt="" height="610" src="http://www.mariowibisono.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Purgatory_4ac3853c04e45.jpg" width="446" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="610" src="http://www.mariowibisono.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Nika_4aa0cfc8a0ce1.jpg" width="446" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.mariowibisono.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Tsuruchi_Saya_4aa0adbe9b458.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p>end of line.</p>

<p>It's the most wonderful time of the year. Thanks to Staples, and a half dozen other mega-stores, that song will always remind me of holiday shopping. And when I think of shopping for gifts, be it for loved ones, office mates or myself (insert smile here) I think of all the wonderfully unique products I have seen my fellow designers create. Some of the more creative contrivances unfortunately are not for sale :( as was the case with <a href="http://www.designincstudios.com/imaginativepackagedesigns.html">Design Inc.'s dumbbell sports bottle</a> and <a href="//blog/49/">Andrew Kim's green designs</a>.</p> <p>So with credit card in hand (I'm getting those cuff links) this issue goes out to you Mr. and Mrs. Industrial Designer and anyone else who needs a little gift of giving Inspiration... or lighting, for some reason there are a ton of industrial designers producing stellar lighting. Totsiens!</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.studiogorm.com/flow2.html">Flow2</a></strong><br /> Flow is a living kitchen where nature and technology are integrated in a symbiotic relationship, processes flow into one another in a natural cycle, efficiently utilizing energy, waste, water and other natural resources. It provides a space not only for preparing food but an environment that gives a better understanding of how natural processes work. A kitchen where food is grown, stored, cooked and composted to grow more food</p> <p> </p> <p>The flow products can be used independently but are far more effective when they work in concert as part of a larger system. The individual objects are relatively uncomplicated, acting as simple vehicles for the more com- plex natural processes to do the work. This kitchen is developed as a flexible system where resources are reused by several elements creating a dynamic flow between the products.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.studiogorm.com/images/flow2_information_diagram.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p>The flow kitchen focuses on three major areas Waste, Water and Energy.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.100percentdesign.net/design/hurdle-lighting-your-desk">Hurdle Lighting</a><br /> </strong>Don't be deceived by its simple form or somewhat ironic name. While it certainly resembles a hurdle, Hurdle Lighting aims to remove, not create, barriers to getting the right amount of illumination on a table or work space. The light structure is designed to stand either horizontally (like its namesake) or vertically, more like a desk lamp. A sensor detects how it's been positioned and operates the light accordingly.</p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.100percentdesign.net/design/hurdle-lighting-your-desk"><img alt="" border="0" height="1008" src="http://www.100percentdesign.net/files/Hurdlelighting2.jpg" width="480" /></a></p> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Hurdle Lighting was designed by Koreans Lee Suk Woo and Byeon Dong Jin, and received a Special Mention in the 2007 Lightouch Design Competition in Singapore. No word on its commercial availability yet, but every contemporary work space could certainly use a lighting device as sleek and user-friendly as this.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://copenhagenparts.com/products/bike-porter">Bike Porter by Copenhagen Parts<br /></a></strong>Old-school basket weave is fine if that’s your thing, but what real choice is there if you care about how your bike looks, and your style is more urban than country cottage? What if you ride a stylish single-speed but you also want to carry bags and groceries? Our response? The Bike Porter.</p> <p><img alt="" height="493" src="http://www.copenhagenparts.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/display2.jpg" width="483" /></p> <p>The Bike Porter combines cool aesthetics with practical function without corrupting the clean, simple lines of your ride.</p> <p><img alt="" height="554" src="http://www.copenhagenparts.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/CphParts_Forside03.jpg" width="483" /></p> <p>By integrating the basket into the handlebar, the Bike Porter offers a sublime transport option which works as part of your bike as well as introducing an evolution in style.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/10/11/one-handsome-chair/">One Handsome Chair by Minwoo Lee</a></strong><br /> Inspired by the human form, the beautiful Klassiker lounge chair was designed to comfortably hug both the back and bottom of the seated person. A polished oil finish and high back make it an elegant choice for classic and contemporary rooms alike.</p> <p><img alt="" height="437" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2011/10/10/klassiker_01.jpg" width="600" /><img alt="" height="437" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2011/10/10/klassiker_02.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <a href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/10/11/one-handsome-chair/"></a><img alt="" height="437" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2011/10/10/klassiker_05.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <br /></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.mrporter.com/product/192585">Alexander Copper Cufflinks</a></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.mrporter.com/product/192585"></a>Lightweight and high shine, these polished cylinder-shaped copper cufflinks from <a href="http://www.mrporter.com/Shop/Designers/Alice_Made_This">Alice Made This</a> will bring a contemporary urban touch to formal shirting. Added to a crisp cuff, these solid pieces will make a sartorial impact. Untreated copper will form a unique patina over time; use a gentle metal cleaning product to restore the shine. <strong> </strong></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" height="475" src="http://www.mrporter.com/images/products/192585/192585_mrp_in_l.jpg" width="455" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="475" src="http://www.mrporter.com/images/products/192585/192585_mrp_fr_l.jpg" width="455" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="475" src="http://www.mrporter.com/images/products/192585/192585_mrp_e3_l.jpg" width="455" /></p> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.afroditi.com/work/candy-lamp/">Candy Lamp by John Lewis</a></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.afroditi.com/work/candy-lamp/"></a>Although the final outcome of each project is varied, the process is very much the same. Afroditi was commissioned by the John Lewis Partnership to design a signature desk lamp for their collection. “Real” (not the one involving pretty images stuck together on a mood board) research revealed an issue with their existing range: although their market is mainly domestic, their desk lamps are very “contract”, highly technical pieces. The Candy Lamp is designed with the domestic tablescape in mind, things like vases, fruit bowls and glasses sitting next to it. Also, it picks up on people’s little habits, like taking your watch off before going to bed, so it provides with a little bit of a resting area.</p> <p><img alt="Vancouver BC" border="0" height="500" src="http://media.filterfoundry.com/blog/afroditi-designer-johnlewis4.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="Vancouver BC" border="0" height="500" src="http://media.filterfoundry.com/blog/afroditi-designer-johnlewis1-500x500.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p>The Candy became the best selling lamp of the John Lewis range. In 2005, it was a finalist in the Laurent-Perrier Design Award and was voted as Observer’s Top Ten lights. The product entered the Innermost range of lighting, in February 2006.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.core77.com/blog/accessory/sight_unseen_launches_online_accessories_shop_20999.asp">Tanya Aguiñiga</a></strong></p> <p><img alt="" height="500" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/rope_knot_dip_rope_red.jpg" width="547" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="250" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/wool_lace_neck_store3.jpg" width="250" /><img alt="" height="250" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/wool_lace_neck_store1.jpg" width="250" /><br /> <img alt="" height="250" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/wool_lace_neck_store4.jpg" width="250" /><img alt="" height="250" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/wool_lace_neck_store2.jpg" width="250" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="375" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/seating_trays3.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="322" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/seating_trays2.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><br /> <a href="http://www.core77.com/blog/accessory/sight_unseen_launches_online_accessories_shop_20999.asp"></a></p>