When we were designing the menus for Olympic Provisions, nothing was quite working as we hoped: so we took a rather recognizable font, printed it out, traced it and then made our first typeface. At an introductory rate of $5? WHY NOT.
The Official Mfg Co Shop — OMFGCO Handjay
Good art inspires; good design motivates.
Otl Aicher
We just received our custom recycled wood Needmore sign. Isn’t it gorgeous! Made for us by one William Dohman at wkdstudios (he also makes some of the cutest hand-crafted toy robots for kids). This sign was originally going to live on one of our green walls, but we were smitten with the simple shadows and shape of white on white.
Also, our building is having an art opening tonight from 6 pm to 9 pm – I Want to Feel at Home Here, a group show curated by the lovely Megan Scheminske. If you are in the neighborhood, stop in a take a peek at the show and our new sign! Depending on the whims of one little Zoë Brigleb, we may or may not be here, but the lovely sign will be hanging out.
The ugly can be beautiful. The pretty, never.
- Oscar Wilde
We’ll be heading to San Francisco this week to attend the start conference, a one-day conference in San Francisco designed for smart, talented Web people to take hold of their ideas, follow their dreams, and start their own companies. Now, that sounds just up our alley! Not only does the conference promise much insight, but we’ll have plenty of time to talk shop on our 12 hour drive south. That’s right – we’re driving! Hello, Prius (the scooters just aren’t up for the gig).
We’ll be back in the studio Tuesday, August 12. Until then, enjoy our latest release and we’ll have more to show upon return!
Mornings typically consist of approximately three albums, selected at random, shuffled if necessary.
Njuzu Mbira
Picked this up at the Farmer’s Market in Portland a few months ago. It’s traditional music of Zimbabwe, and it’s perfect for background music while you work. Helps to clear your mind, and relax.
“Accordions from France”
I don’t know what the actual title of this album is. I think I copied the two CD set from a friend some time ago, and only recently started listening to it. It’s perfect, relaxing, and reminds me of France. No words, just accordions!
Charles Mingus
I’ve managed to collect about ten Charles Mingus albums, and I tend to put them on shuffle and leave it playing much of the morning and into the afternoon. I enjoy a lot of old jazz, but this is a favorite. They’re catchy!
The afternoon gets a little more energy. I usually start to play music with lyrics as the afternoon wears on, and more upbeat as well, to keep us alert. The type of work we do in the afternoon is typically different as well – more creative, less technical. That way I can usually manage to sing along, since I’m not using the mouth part of my brain for work. There is a mouth part of the brain, right?
Afternoon music lately is Wolf Parade, old R.E.M., or various new wave or rock compilations. Although this might all change, due to some good recommendations from last.fm. Stay tuned!
Van Gogh arrived in Arles in 1888 and, over the course of 15 months, painted 200 (or perhaps 300) canvases. This is when he began to use swirling brush strokes and intense yellows, greens, and blues.
His work in Arles was inspired by the sights around him; see travel photos and paintings here. The city is full of markers where Van Gogh painted, along with replicas of the paintings themselves (sadly, there are no original Van Gogh’s in Arles).
Van Gogh said that The whole future of art is to be found here in the south of France and we’re here to soak in the colors as well as meals crafted with local garlic and herbs.
The colorful city is home to the Riviera’s finest flower market. Full of bright colors and relaxed living, it is no wonder that the Riviera was a source of inspiration for the Impressionists. While in Nice, we may be visiting the Matisse and Chagall museums and sampling delightful seasonal produce and handmade pastas, pastries, and chocolate once eaten by Queen Victoria.
Today we embark on our France journey by arriving in Paris, wide-eyed and travel weary. There are so many museums here, such as the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, that we’ll be exploring Paris on a two day museum pass, experiencing a tour de force of art and design. We’ll be making our home in rue Cler, a neighborhood with a farmers market and an array of small shops, right near the Eiffel Tower.
Friends, we’re off packing our bags and prepare to cross the ocean in search of rainy paths to galleries and plenty of long, relaxing meals. Read more in our latest newsletter. We’ll return to Portland on Tuesday, May 13 refreshed, inspired and ready to design.
