Likes & Likes

Putting spent soda bottles to good use! Made from exactly one hundred and eleven recycled plastic Coke containers, the 111 Navy Chair is the result of a collaboration between Emeco and Coca-Cola, available only through retailer Design Within Reach.

Coke describes the collaboration as such:

The goal of the 111 Navy project was to alter consumer behavior by illustrating the value of rPET with beautifully designed and everyday products - ultimately encouraging more recycling.

The plastic version of the iconic 1006 Navy Chair, introduced in 1944, took four years of research and testing in order to retain the same attributes of the original version. Engineering and tooling design began in 2008, with the first prototypes being made in 2009.

For the first time, the chair will be available in a range of “earth inspired” colors, as opposed to the standard aluminum of the original.

Find out more at the collaboration microsite here, and view DWR’s page here.

The recently opened Pantone Hotel in Brussels is a part of the Pantone Universe, an ever-expanding line of products inspired by color and design,

Each of the hotel’s seven floors are themed by different color palettes to complement guests’ emotions with distinctive hues either vivid or subdued. There are a total of 59 rooms and suites in seven different color palette that create their own unique ambiance. The hotel was designed by Belgian interior designer Michel Penneman and Belgian architect Olivier Hannaert,

Photos courtesy of Pantone.

Previously on this blog, we’ve covered other films pertaining to my obsession with old hand-painted signage. So you can imagine my delight when we learned that production has begun on another film on the subject, entitled The Sign Painter.

This documentary on smaller-scale commercial sign painting will include interviews with several of the artists that still practice this age-old craft. The directors, Sam Macon and Faythe Levine, were recently capturing footage of artists such as Jeff Canham, Bob Dewherst, New Bohemia Signs, and Jimmie Collier. Can’t wait to see some the trailer!

Find more about the film at the website, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Rob Forbes, founder of Design Within Reach, is launching Public Bikes this May. Public will offer a small collection of bikes patterned after classic European city bikes. These bikes will be available in three different gear setups (1, 3, 8-speed) and multiple subtle colors. Prices will range from $650 to $1200.

Blu Dot will have a couple of bikes on view in their Soho store during the upcomingICFF in May. Bikes will be available for sale at online shortly thereafter.

Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts and Design is about to be taken over by the crew from House Industries:

For a week starting on Wednesday, April 28th, Andy Cruz, the founder of House Industries, will be here working with students in many of our design programs on a creative problem that he’ll present as a challenge. Cruz will also be working with Music Industry students on packaging and promotion for the upcoming three-track 7” release by acoustic singer/songwriter Dave Hause. The House Industries residency will conclude on May 5th when we take over the Armory for a fun afternoon that includes an impromptu exhibition of House Industries work, a talk by Andy Cruz on the House design philosophy, a concert by Dave Hause, and ping-pong and other table games to keep you amused. When you’re not listening to Dave Hause perform or facing off in a ping-pong match with one of your professors, you’ll be able to walk the Armory and see the creative work of the students who participated in the residency on display.

Very interesting stuff. I’ve seen the House crew do a live “performance” before at one of their AIGA events, and based on that experience, I can confidently say this will not an event to be missed.

More information here and here.

Came across this short documentary called “UP THERE”, which follows walldogs as they paint advertisements for Stella Artois on walls in SoHo:

Shot high above the streets of New York City, “UP THERE” reveals the dying craft of large-scale hand painted advertising and the untold story of the painters struggling to keep it alive.

As some of you may know, I am rather fond of ghost signs, and this inside look at the lost art of sign creation is fascinating.

The film itself is also very well made. Directed by Malcolm Murray, from a concept by Mother, with music by The Album Leaf.

Once again, the guys at House Industries are rolling out an incredible collection of typefaces called Eames Century Modern - 16 serif fonts, two stencil cuts, four number sets and an assortment of  ornaments, 26 fonts total -  this time based on the work of legends of mid-century modern design Charles and Ray Eames.

Unlike Richard Neutra, whose Neutraface was developed by House based on Neutra’s specified signage, the Eameses did not originally design lettering. These fonts were derived from the way Charles and Ray used type in their illustrations, films, layouts, exhibitions and ephemera:

Before drawing a single letterform we embarked on a journey that took us far beyond the low-hanging fruit of published material and internet searches. Our process of building a foundation for Eames Century Modern started with breakfast meetings at the kitchen table of the Eames House and took us through in-depth tours of their studio and living space, visits to the archives of Herman Miller in Michigan and Vitra in Weil am Rhein, and quality time in a cramped carrel at the Library of Congress. We took every opportunity to learn even more through our nearly constant interaction with the Eames family and Eames Office employees of past and present.

The first few copies of Eames Century Modern will be delivered in a sleeve made of solid furniture-grade plywood, material which the Eamses championed. Hand printed in 30 different random versions, each block can stand or hang on it’s own. And, in addition to the great fonts and packaging, there’s also an alphabet block set which assembles to form a scale model of the Eames Case Study House.

Check out this Masters degree in Packaging Design project designed by José Luis García Eguiguren. It’s a new take on both the dated look and packaging for teh shaving cream brand Barbasol. for Not sure of the feasibility in terms of cost, but graphically, this is an astounding and energetic revamp or a seemingly tired brand. While still staying true to the original feel of the dispenser, the look has been given a jolt of modernism and sophistication to bring it upmarket without alienating previous customers.

Here’s some background information on the project:

This project’s objective was to re-style the popular American “Barbasol” shaving cream in order to introduced it into the European market. For this, I maintained the basic form that they have used for years: the barber shop pole (stripes). The aggressive diagonal line that divides the stripes suggest a mix between the shaving cream and the fragance. It also alludes to the razor blades on the surface of the skin cutting through the facial hair. The way the lines drive all the way up and down on the sides makes a perfect simulation of the shaving cream mixing and exiting the can. The form of the can (cap & bottom) are in harmony with the angle of the stripes, thus providing a fluid motion for the eye. The typography utilized provides a more industrial and tech appearance.

John Langon, professor of typography and corporate identity at Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, will have several paintings hanging at the Type Directors Club in New York in February and through March. On Thursday, February 4th 6-8 pm, there will be a reception and Professor Langdon will be giving a brief talk about his work. More information at the TDC website.

Letterheady is an online collection of letterhead design. An initiative of freelance writer Shaun Usher, the site is simple, straightforward, and instantly addicting. A must for anyone interested in typography, vintage ephemera, or just curious as to what a letter from Luke Skywalker might look like.