weekly inspiration

Hey there, everybody. Here's another collection of coolness from the world of creativity.

Re-Imagining the Classics: Star Wars and Harry Potter
The power of illustration. Two artists take their turns bringing a whole new style to two epic fantasies known for their iconic artwork. In both cases I'm struck by the economy of aesthetic that yields something so evocative.

Handwriting Your Email
Very cool product idea from Pilot Pens. Now, if only I had nice handwriting, worthy of digital reproduction…

Content Marketing Institute
Useful article, tips, and case studies on the broad subject of content marketing and its many sub-topics.

Chronicle Books
My girls love "Ivy & Bean". I love this publisher's commitment to creativity and great design.

Happy New Year! Here are some interesting pieces from the design world (and related galaxies) that have recently popped up on our radar.

Hörst
Always enjoy a good branding case. Check out the trick bindery work.
(via ID)

Timeline: A History of Touch-Screen Technology
Your iPad can trace its roots all the way back to 1948.
(via Communication Arts News)

Creative Cow Magazine
Boundless tips, tricks, and ideas for media pros in film, broadcast and production.

NHL Winter Classic
Can you tell I'm from the Northeast? The annual outdoor professional hockey event, played this year on January 2, is a case study on the power of emotional branding. Who from our region hasn't played some form of pond hockey as a youngster?

I hope you all had a great holiday week. Here are a few things that stood out for me during the celebrations.

Family
A significant part of the "reason for the season", the reason for our work, and what keeps our batteries charged.

Flipboard
Yes, Santa brought the Nelson family an iPad this year. Although perhaps no longer the "App Du-Jour", I found myself addicted to Flipboard for the iPad because it transforms regular ol' Facebook, Twitter and RSS content into a new immersive experience that encourages deep-diving. For me, this reinforces the importance of a well thought-out, beautifully-designed user interface.

Nonesuch
As my family and friends traded gifts of recorded music, I pondered record labels and the value they represent to their artists in this new age. I think Nonesuch is part of a rare breed of labels that understands the power of brand. Nonesuch brings value to its artists by maintaining its own uncompromising brand standards. This is manifested in such ways as cream-of-the-crop artist roster curation, and by designing and producing a beautiful physical product (with several Best Recording Package Grammys to show for it). Nonesuch knows that a label with value is more than a logo on the back of an album -- it's a brand with which artists, music media, promoters, distributors, retailers and consumers alike want to be associated.

The Upcoming New Year
New resolutions and renewed commitment. A chance to bring old chapters to a close and open whole new chapters. To explore new opportunities to bring value. Happy new year everyone!

This week's collection of thought-provoking items from the world of creative communications.

Cowbird
"A public library of human experience." Great concept, with an immersive user interface that's designed to stay out of the way of the story. I'm interested in following the evolution of this project as more sagas are added.

A List Apart Magazine
"Explores the design, development, and meaning of web content, with a special focus on web standards and best practices." Bookmarked and referenced by web communicators the world over.

Issuu
A digital publishing platform for easy creation of digital editions. I'm eager to see how mobile development progresses.

SoundCloud
Sound sharing platform for aural communicators. Highly social and mobile friendly. Its bright, friendly user interface invites endless exploration. For podcasters and music geeks alike.

Our weekly round-up continues with more bits of inspiration from the creative world.

Infographic
A History of Western Typefaces. (Thanks to Julio Ahumada for sharing this link)

Custom Inspector Stamps
Always leave your brand behind, even if you're out of business cards.
(via Communication Arts News)

Mast Brothers Chocolate
Commitment to craft. Commitment to pursuing passions. (via This Good World)

Life of George
I'm intrigued by "exploring the interface between technology and reality". I gotta show this to my LEGO-infatuated son.
(via Communication Arts News and FutureLab)

The Worthy Suitor
Great photography, sharp products. Plus, Steve McQueen checking out an open-wheel race car will always be cool.
(via Joe Stocker of Son of the Sun)

Rekordit
So much musical art, enveloped in great visual art. Why not get it all on the wall?
(via Visual News)

COLOURlovers
Color palette and pattern inspiration.
(via Imprint)

Omni Group: OmniFocus (Desktop app / iPhone app) and OmniOutliner
Simple-to-use productivity applications with well-designed user interfaces, packed with power when you need to go deep.

Here's this week's list of bits and bobs from the world of design, in its many forms, that we've found inspirational, useful, or just plain cool.

Flipboard | Apple's iPad app of the year comes to the iPhone

Google Web Fonts | Free, open-source fonts optimized for the web; More creative possibilities for web developers

The Alphabet | A nice video diversion for fans of type (this one's for you Mike G ;)

Sugru | Everyone needs a good life hack

Armstrong | What can I say? I'm tackling a new kitchen floor project, and Armstrong's website is making it more enjoyable

SomeOne. | London-based design firm; Refreshing an already-attractive brand belonging to a Premier League club known for its attractive brand of football

What's inspired you this week?