13 April 2010
Since making it big with “A Million Things”, OK GO has had the daunting, but somewhat-enviable task of not just writing new pop hits, but coming up with new choreographed dance routines and artistic continuous-shot music videos. Their latest, “WTF” is another hit. The almost Pollock-like use of the frame traces of their bodies on the canvas is super cool.
20 January 2009
While not everyone is 100% thrilled for this day, most people, I think, are. And a lots been said about Obama’s near-flawless campaign and his beautiful integration of great graphic design and the exceptional way that he sparked grass-roots effort by new, young voters of all walks and race across the nation, and there’s not a ton I can add to all of that. But in commemoration of this historic day, I’ll point your way to a few Obama-related stories that I found interesting.
First, going back to where it all began for me about three and a half years ago: Dreams From My Father. A couple weeks ago, Pentagram revealed its redesign of the book. It’s simple and elegant… As my copy of the book was actually a Father’s Day gift to my dad (the title had “Father” in it and the cover images were intriguing, so I bought it… I think it impacted me more than him, however), I would love to purchase this edition. Unfortunately, it’s only sold in the UK.
Obama definitely struck a chord with the artistic community in America and that was something that really excited me. Not in my recollection has there been a President that, as a nation, we could respect and look up to. And I was a little sick of all the BUSH*IT flags in dog crap and the “Design of Dissent” that flooded the market. So it was both refreshing and inspiring to see artists create positive work promoting a candidate. And this shirt above—one I just saw today—may not be the most humble, respectful, or whatever T-shirt, but it’s funny. And I like it.
And what more can be said about Gotham and the Obama brand? I’m not even going to try. Just this, though: Hoefler & Frere-Jones released new weights of Gotham today. Coincidence? I would guess “no.”
I know there’s a million more things worth commenting on today, but I’ll rest at that and with this picture of Barack Obama’s sans-typography cover on Rolling Stone that totally blew me away (the articles with words inside the magazine are great, too, if you can get your hands on one…)
Good Luck, Mr President. ~