I think this is the last weekend I’ll be chained to the work table for a little bit. I’ve been working on a bunch of new pieces and if all goes well I’ll be posting pics first part of next week.  It’s actually been a very good time. I’ve recently  reconnected with a former colleague from Universal Studios and we have been collaborating on some new web projects. More on that when stuff goes live, or at least gets final approval! I also shot a quick video giving a brief overview of what goes into my mixed media pieces. I’m planning on something more detailed, so this first one is very basic. I’ll try to get it posted over the weekend.  And finally, I’m working on a post that sort of explains why I choose the subject matter I do. I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit since my friend Katie commented on it. I’m hoping the post will be at least somewhat coherent. Peace.

David Carson is a design legend. His influence over modern typography and information design is immense. He’s also been one of my biggest influences for a good number of years, despite the fact that my own design work has little in common with his, save perhaps one thing. It is his attitude about design that has influenced me more than the actual content of his work, though I have on occasion attempted to make my work more Carson-esque, which simply ends up with the work lacking authenticity. It ends up looking as if I was “painting with someone else’s brush”, as my friend Father Bill Moore says. The folks over at TED, whom I have blogged about previously, are posting (or perhaps re-posting) past lectures and have recently added the TED Talk that David Carson gave in 2003. As always, David is witty, quirky, and absolute in his belief that design is a discovery, and can be explored virtually anywhere…great stuff.

Can’t get enough Helvetica? Wish your jeans were just a bit more #6699FF? Well, the fine folks over at HONGKIAT.COM feel your pain and have posted a fantastic list of magazines for Design Geeks just like you. And in honor of the struggling economy, all 42 can be yours FOR FREE! (Okay, I made the economy bit up, but all 42 really are free) From the site:

“Just in case you weren’t aware, there’s a huge pool of free design magazines on the net; we meant those softcopy magazines you can either browse online or download (.PDF, .SWF) for offline viewing. Not only they have high quality content, each issue released is also free.”

So, what are you waiting for? Click HERE and let the inspiration begin.

This is yet another brilliant video from the annual TED conference. In this video, Barry Schwartz makes a passionate call for “practical wisdom” as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy. He argues powerfully that rules often fail us, incentives often backfire, and practical, everyday wisdom will help rebuild our world.

I have simply got to go to TED next year…Each year the talks get better and better.