Craig Richardson’s weblog, guestbook, database of music and collections of writings

We've all mastered the emoticon, but design duo Brighten The Corners challenges the QWERTY keyboard's full graphic capabilities with their new book "Victor & Susie," a children's tale for adults illustrated completely from type. The 72-page, pocket-sized book is a study on how we perceive and read letters. By using third person narrative and equal proportions for both text and illustration, Brighten The Corners'...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

Kinetic sculpture remains one of the most enchanting fusions of technology and high art. A perfect example opened recently near Zurich at the Swiss Center of Technorama. Artist Reuben Margolin worked with museum staff to suspend 450 aluminum rods by 256 wires and connect 3,000 pulleys and sliding bars. The resulting specimen uses pure mechanics—not computer-controlled servomotors—to create almost limitless figurative shapes. The effect...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

Christopher Raeburn cleverly constructs high-end street wear from re-deployed parachutes and military fabrics. Sourced from uniforms of specific countries and vintages, Raeburn creates elegant pieces of clothing in stark contrast to the combat-ready materials from which they were made. We especially like the Parachute Jacket (pictured) for its breezy look. Using mainly recycled materials, these ethically-correct garments are produced in England. The outerwear features...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

by Ezra NataliaA normal work day for Nahum Villasana, the man behind Architectural Clothes, lately includes waking up before six in the morning to make it to his day job teaching English at an elementary school in Mexicali, Mexico. After the school day ends at three, he goes back to his house to start working on clothing designs. He often knocks off at around...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

by Laura NeilsonDespite all the steam and excitement generated by the long-awaited arrival of the Smart Car on U.S. roads, rental companies for the little roadsters are surprisingly scarce. In fact, (other than our beloved Zipcar) GeniusRide is currently the only company with a fleet of Smart Cars available for daily, weekly and monthly rentals in the New York metro area. While other rental...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

We are in love with the new Fornasetti collection of wallpapers from Cole & Son. If you're into Damask patterns, oddities, and a hint of the early surrealists, this wallpaper has your name written all over it. Cole & Son has been around since the 1800s and has become one of the oldest and most respected wallpaper companies in the industry. We're ready to cover...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

Take the misery out of holiday shopping with these funny gifts, designed to make even Scrooge crack a smile. Our favorite is the F*CK The Rain Umbrella, which would cheer up any gloomy day. Other fun items are bacon dental floss (look for other bacon-inspired items in the gift guide), and the Savin' Up For series of tin banks which offer a plethora of options...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

Stamp collecting just got a little less nerdy, with Portland-based graphic designer Gavin Potenza's new poster, "A Field Guide To: The Stamps Of The World," which features 20 original stamp designs symbolizing 10 countries. Created specifically for the Tiny Showcase Learning Press, the goal is to have fun with education by creating a series of mildly factual, mostly fictitious posters. Gavin's colorful approach was inspired...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

Entermodal, a luxury leather goods producer known for their quality craftsmanship and commitment to sustainable practices is relocating their Portland-based factory to the streets of Soho tomorrow with their first-ever "Pop-Up: Factory" at Odin boutique.Designer and founder Larry Olmstead is moving his custom tool set, a century old stitching horse, a selection of never before released leather options and linings, along with his team,...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

The progressive online publication, Format Magazine, just took playing with Legos to a whole new level with their collection of 20 classic (and some not-so-classic) hip hop album covers recreated with those iconic plastic Lego men. Shot in the Format studio by Nick Hanekom, and graphically produced by beat-maker Glen Manucdoc, the little Lego guys assume the notorious album cover poses once carried about by...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting