Category: Somewhat Interesting Things

  • who gives a *!%# about typography?

    Records

    While I am by no means an expert on typography (very few folks are in my opinion), I do love to share my passion for it.

    Tomorrow night I will get exactly that opportunity, as I am very honored to be participating in the second annual Ignite Austin.

    Who Gives A *!%# About Typography?
    Rock ‘n roll. Typography. Two subjects that many believe shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath. I beg to differ. Come hear what happens when you dare to combine the two.

    If you are in town, come on down to The Phoenix to hear how Rock That Font got started, get a dose of inspiration from the intersection of rock’n’roll and typography, and see the words that surround you in a new light.

    Hope to see you there.

  • rocky mountain high, colorado

    It’s true… I lost my karaoke virginity to a John Denver tune in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was a week before his tragic death in 1997.

    The song was “Take Me Home, Country Roads” — which happened to be one of my late grandmother’s favorite songs (being that she grew up in West Virginia of course). There was also some Neil Diamond involved, but perhaps those scandalous details are best left for another time.

    In any case, it turns out that I’m headed to Colorado this weekend. Boulder to be exact.

    I’m honored to be giving a six-minute TEDxBoulder talk entitled “Psychotherapy for Community” — where I will reveal some secret sauce on how to better manage your community, run your business and ultimately transform your life.

    Hope to see you there.

  • rock’n’roll + typography = rockthatfont.com

    rockthatfont.com why have i been so quiet as of late? well, i’d like to introduce you to one of those reasons: rockthatfont.com

    it’s a fun little project that i’ve had in the works for quite some time. a big hug to pals eric hurtgen and les jacobs for joining me on this adventure.

    explore the site and let us know what you think. then keep an eye out for some new community-based shenanigans in the near future — as we still have a few tricks up our, uh… sleeves.

  • when is a design worth saving?

    great design is often loved by some — and hated by many others. but regardless, it provokes.

    scirocco such is the case with my recent purchase of a 1978 volkswagen scirocco champagne edition ii. the amount of surface rust and missing parts really puts the project in project car, aesthetically challenging my neighbors even as it sits covered in my driveway. despite significant issues (the previous owner was attempting to create the ultimate scca race car) and my love/hate relationship with cars due to their environmental impact… i believe it to be well worth saving.

    the scirocco was designed by giorgetto giugiaro, named car designer of the century in 1999. from wikipedia:

    “Noted initially for such sensuous efforts as the Ferrari 250 Berlinetta Bertone, De Tomaso Mangusta, Iso Grifo and Maserati Ghibli, Giugiaro switched courses to introduce the highly angular ‘folded paper’ era of the 1970s. Straight lined designs such as the BMW M1, Maserati Bora, and Maserati Merak followed before a softer approach returned in the Lamborghini Cala, Maserati Spyder, Ferrari GG50.”

    in addition to various supercars and a laundry list of popular everyday cars, giugiaro has designed nikon camera bodies, computer prototypes for apple and even a new pasta shape called “marille” in 1983.

    future plans for my particular specimen include new tires, a non-cracked windshield, an actual dashboard, some seats, and potentially a tdi engine swap to run biodiesel. a ginormous amount of tlc will be required to get it streetable again, but i think i just might be up for the challenge.

    one less car in the landfill, particularly if a special and rare design, is a good thing in my book.