Not the kinda cool you're looking for

*

Embarking on a new venture - making notebooks (for others). After playing around with the idea for the past 6 months, the need has arisen for me and Emily to do a bit more than just play around. I have a business need, my company, People Who Do likes to give people handmade things like notebooks - I would prefer us to be making them. I also have a personal need, to make nice things, to constantly be thinking about the design of things like paper and notebooks.

I just sent notebooks to Sam and Mark who have some plans to do something special with them which they will document online - I love this idea, made me think about starting some kind of assignment based around one of our notebooks that anyone can take part in.

If you’d like us to make you one (or more), let us know. We are in the process of setting up a place to buy online, in the meantime, just email us to find out more.

More images here.

|

*

The February 2010 photo montage thingy.

|

*

this isn’t happiness.™ Peter Nidzgorski, tumblr

|

*

Amazing Old School BMX Photos | Defgrip

|

*

Went to the Design Museum today to see the Dieter Rams exhibition.

|

*

January’s photo montage.

|

*

crappytaxidermy:

liquidnight:

Thane L. Bierwert - Children learning about baby animals at Exhibition Hall Talk, November 24, 1937

[From the American Museum of Natural History photograph collection]

|

*

How are you?

How many times have you asked or been asked the question “how are you”?

This morning on my way back from my run I bumped into an old friend who I often walk past and we exchange pleasantries. This morning I decided to stop and do a bit more, I asked him how he was. I didn’t really want the normal “oh yeah, I’m fine”, and I didn’t get it. It warmed my heart that this turned into one of the most rewarding conversations I’ve had for ages. It made me think about the difference it would make if we all did this a bit more, opened up, offered some honesty to others. And more importantly when we ask someone how they are, to actually mean it and be prepared to listen without judgment or negativity.

I know I have some stuff I’d quite like to talk openly and honestly about. Money, a tough year for business last year, changes in my career, being a dad and the issues I face sometimes.

I don’t think these potential conversations need to turn into mini counselling sessions, they shouldn’t be about trying to fix the thing for the other person, just about listening. It’s amazing how much talking about something can aid with clarity, stress and focus.

I’d love to hear peoples thoughts on this. I know there could be many pitfalls and issues with this stuff, but I’d love to come up with some guidelines for people wanting to follow them. It’s like a lighter version of The Samaritans, something I’ve been involved with for a good few years. I’ve often thought there are many potential ways people can get help before it gets so bad they need the Samaritans. Maybe this is one way.

Anyway, it’s a very small seed of a thought and is still developing in my mind. If you see me in the street, ask me how I’m doing.

|

*

Liking the calendar stuff along the top and side. Very useful.

letterheady:

Kohnke Hanneken Advertising, Inc. | Source

|

*

Oh my god, this is beautiful.

Desk, Home Office Desk. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller

|

*

I like

Via - REFERENCE LIBRARY: XXXXXXX SWEAT

|

*

Garden cakes

|

*

Kraftwerk Medley on the mechanical music box for the January Likemind

|

*

This weeks likemind is all about noise, or, it can just be about coffee and chat if you prefer, it’s up to you.

If you feel like bringing something that makes a good noise, that would be cool.

For those that don’t already know,

Likemind isn’t normally about anything much.
It’s a monthly creative industries coffee morning or something near to that, and happens in sixty or seventy cities on the same day, see http://likemind.us

But for the last few months, here in Brighton, we’ve been setting tiny assignments in the form of ‘Please bring with you …’ - where the ‘…’ has been replaced by ‘something made of paper’ (August), ‘an idea you like from some other city’ (September), ‘something for the winter’ (October), ‘a list of stuff you’d like to learn’ (November).

Image - “It’s a Nagra. Swiss and very precise. (via mab @ flickr)”

|

*