“…at the end of 1990, a revolution took place that changed the way we live today.”

Even though there is no virtual yardstick to measure advances made within the World Wide Web, there is no doubt it has come a long way.

In 1990, a physicist, Tim Berners-Lee finalized a proposal to build a “Hypertext project”  as a “Web” of “hypertext documents” to be viewed by “browsers”. Or, in other words, a common information space in which we communicate by sharing information. Originally it was created to allow physicists to track each other’s progress. The idea was that people working in different places could learn what each other was doing by looking at a hypertextual document set up on a computer that could be accessed through the Internet.

What would this new browser be called? The Mine of Information and The Information Mesh were two names considered. When they settled on a name in May 1990, it was the World Wide Web. Can you imagine using the alternative, “Just surfin’ the Mesh”? » Read the rest of this entry «

Though the devastating earthquake struck over two months ago, Haiti is barely beginning to rebuild and will need aid for years to come. There have been many calls for donations, especially through organizations such as the Red Cross, but you can also support the recovery effort just by shopping.

The Haiti Poster Project has launched what they describe as a “collaborative effort by the design community to help effect change through our work. Signed and numbered, limited edition posters have been donated by designers and artists from around the world. All money raised will be donated to Doctors Without Borders.” Browse the stunning collection here.

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Sailors do it. Musicians do it. And now even geeks and grandmas do it. These days tattoos are almost ho hum, almost de riguer. But still of intense interest to designers and other fans of visual art.

The reasons behind particular tattoo choices may be personal but a lot of people seem to be using their bodies like they use the bumpers of their car. If you can’t get that vanity plate you wanted, why not just pay to have someone permanently embed the message into your skin—with needles?

Maybe the weirdest decisions to do this are on the behalf of those that want to show their love of new technology. Tattooing your brand loyalty may have seemed hip in 1984 and could be cool in 2010… » Read the rest of this entry «

Turquoise, specifically Pantone® 15-5519, has been crowned Color of the Year for 2010. If it makes you feel like slipping on your sarong and sipping a Coconut Willie by the pool…well, then you are a very strange young man. But on trend, apparently.

Pantone, the global authority on color and color standards for the design industry, says that Turquoise (which they inexplicably capitalize every time they mention it) “evokes thoughts of soothing tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well-being.” It’s also the color of a ’55 Ford Station Wagon I once had that was actually the cause of many of my everyday  troubles but we’ll let that pass. » Read the rest of this entry «

Whether you’re jacked up on java or jack frosted on iced tea, your travel mug should be decked for the holidays with Caffeine Couture.

So those merry elves at Gravity have created 4 original illustrations for you to show your good taste wherever you go. Visit our Caffeine Couture page to choose your favorite festive design, then download and print templates sized to slip into one of two create-your-own tumblers from Starbucks or Aladdin. Links to purchase tumblers are on the site as well as other delightful diversions. Cheers!

With the holiday shopping season upon us, and an intensely difficult economy surrounding us, retailers are coming up with creative solutions to responsibly entice customers and to survive the season.

Since a majority of Americans planning to spend less on gifts this year*, how can retailers attract holiday shoppers? » Read the rest of this entry «

Do people really care where the products they buy are manufactured?

Yes. Well sort of. When asking the question, “Does where something is made influence your purchase or not? Is it important?” I got a lot of great responses.  At first the answer would seem to be an obvious “yes”, but when you get down to it, there are a lot of considerations. My simple question became fairly complicated when really examined. Thanks to all those in the TED group and others for your responses.

Overall, people said it is important where something is made and that it does matter, but questions surfaced, like:

What does “Made in…” really mean?
In our global world, who really knows where something is actually made? Parts may be designed or manufactured in one country and then assembled in another. Is a Japanese-designed car with parts made in China and assembled in America still a Japanese car? » Read the rest of this entry «

When I attended the third annual “101 Things Designers Can Do to Save the Earth” workshop, I thought I’d hear about choosing sustainable materials, reducing packaging, and maybe witness a soapbox tirade about eliminating printing altogether. But as Larry Asher of the School of Visual Concepts kicked things off, we were clearly leaving that discussion back in 2008. This year, the presentation focused on being practical while still trying to do the right thing.

Only 5% of people are truly altruistic

It’s expensive (and even sometimes wasteful) to create new designs. 95% of people and businesses are not altruistic, and will not “go green” simply for the sake of saving the environment. But when businesses can cut costs and keep their products high-quality and desirable, they will make better packaging and design decisions with regard to the environment. » Read the rest of this entry «

My son excitedly calling me to check out something on the computer is pretty much a daily, if not hourly, occurrence. He’s a teenager addicted to the wonders of the electronic world. We’re talking IGN podcasts, NPR streaming radio, animation programs, and music mixing capability as well as Charlie the Unicorn, Bill Cosby licks, and other popular YouTube videos. » Read the rest of this entry «

All across the country, chefrepreneurs are taking their highbrow palate pleasers to the streets. Foodies have evolved the roach coach concept to stylish refurbed trailers vending complex flavors in compostable packaging. You can grab a lemongrass pork sammy, blackberry lavender hand-shaved snow cone, or warm chocolate bread pudding with bacon custard sauce for affordable prices. » Read the rest of this entry «