Eric Bana...my car is my campfire.

This is a great trailer to what looks like a great documentary.  Too often we feel lost sometimes without a purpose.  For us as a company, we like to embrace the things that create community...the things that create "our campfire".  Whether it's going out riding or skating on the weekend, getting greasy working on a project car, it doesn't matter.  It makes you happy the same way it makes us happy. 

May your New Year be safe......and full of campfires.

Merry Xmas....late

Saw this post on another music blog and wanted to spread it around because it's crazy....40 years later and we're back in the same boat.  So, it's only fitting.  John Lennon is a legend and wrote one of the most memorable Christmas songs ever.  So on to the show....Merry Christmas Y'all (and Happy New Year).

Top 10 viral videos of 2009

So it's getting time to say goodbye to 2009 as we head into 2010 and what better way to go head first into the New Year than with a little reflection.  Here we present to you our top 10 viral videos of this year (not in any particular order).  Enjoi.

1.)  Water Slide, Funny, Long & Dangerous


2.)  The Evolution of Dance


3.)  Ronaldinho Touch of Gold
 

4.)  T-Pain Obama (autotuned)


5.)  JK Wedding Dance


6.)  The Longest Way 1.0


7.)  Italian Spiderman


8.)  Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc.


9.)  Guy Catches Laptop With His Butt


10.)  Inspired Bicycles
 

Are You Serious....Again?

OMG.  Not sure the fascination with these guys but damn.... Anyhow, here's another little ditty.....but....this time don't watch.  Close your eyes, crank the shit up, and be amazed.  The talent, the banjo, the string bass, the harmonies, the raw complexity of their sound.  It's probably 'cause it's too late or too early, whatever...enjoi.

Meet The Natives.

So we've become enamored by this new show on the Travel Channel called "Meet the Natives" quite simply because it's brilliant.  TV has become the same stale, old crap for quite some time now...to hell with reality TV.  Ok, it might have been cool when the first season of "The Real World" was on but damn...that was in 1992.  It may have been authentic then, 18 years ago.  Need we say more?  So, this new show comes out about 5 true-to-life tribesman from the remote Pacific Island of Tanna that were handpicked by their elders to undertake a mission to America. They come from a community with a traditional way of life -- wearing grass penis sheathes, performing vibrant dances and growing all they need in their gardens.  Sounds stupid, huh?  After watching, this show is instantly the most insightful show...maybe ever.  Ok, a bit much, but their tribal wisdom is astonishing, enlightening, humorous, humbling, and seriously might be the answer to all of our issues.  Why are we so obsessed with money and possessions? Why do we treat our pets better than some of our fellow citizens? What does "family" mean to us? What do we do with our elderly? How come we make all our important decisions in bars? And what's the point of ironing a shirt?  Now that we've gone into detail, you have to at least watch an episode.  It will blow you away as it did us.


For show listings and more information check out www.travelchannel.com.

...says this will save GM.

Well, maybe we shouldn't go that far but what about this makes it arguably the coolest car on the planet (at least at this moment)?  It's called raw-ness.  Pure simplicity.  No airbags, no chrome, no plastic crap...nothing.  This car is made solely from an aluminum drop fuel tank from a WWII bomber plane and a 60-degree flathead V8.  So maybe it won't save GM, but someone should take note.  Simple is beautiful.  Can't wait for the next Escalade to show up with rivets down the side.  Enjoi...be inspired.

Check out more here.

Fixing impossible ecology through design

When we think of desert land, we think dry, uninhabitable, impossible landscape.  Not these guys.  Finally mankind is fixing it's mistakes.  At one time, these lands were extremely fertile and full of life.  It's simple, well-executed design at it's finest.  When good design pops up, regardless of the medium, it cannot go unnoticed.  Watch and be humbled.  Enjoi.




 

is Ken Block's 400-hp Subaru Snow Monster.

Two words...Bad Ass.  Ken Block is a rally driver extraordinaire and co-founder of DC shoes.  Well, here's his latest whip.  Thanks Hale, for sending us this!

...is Mumford & Sons.

Mumford & Sons...well...kick ass!  If you don't like twangy folk or knee slappin' bluegrass music, these guys will change your tune.  Mix a little banjo, some accordian, acoustic guitar, string bass, keys, a single foot-stompin' kick drum, a heap of talent, a whole lot of heart, and you've got these guys.  They spout some of the most sincere lyrics and have some of the most honest music heard in a while.  A beautifully chilling album where every track is every bit as good as the next.  Hailing from the UK....Mumford & Sons.  Check out their debut album, "Sigh No More".  Promise, you'll be happy.

  

...is Marques Toliver

I've been hearing some buzz about this guy for a bit now and decided to check him out.  I'm sure it's not for everyone but the song is beautiful and probably the most innovative violin playing I've heard in a while.  I'm a big fan of those who are creative and unique with their craft.  Marques Toliver.....enjoi.


Marques 4 from Bon Duke on Vimeo.

...is About three years late.

We recently discovered this documentary (three years late but oh well) and were mesmerized by it.  If you are into street art then you should definitely check out this documentary called Open Air.....it's 20 minutes well spent.
OPEN AIR from knox on Vimeo.

Fun Theory

Since the piano stairs were so cool, we just had to post more.  Again, good ideas at work....and working well.

Check out more at www.thefuntheory.com

...is fun.

Design has definitely become a household word but what constitutes good design?  Design solves problems.  More importantly, good design solves real problems. Too often, we see new problems magically "poofing" out of design studios, but was it really a problem in the first place or was is some marketing ploy to sell more "new & improved" stuff.

Volkswagen must have the magician's touch on this one because they are constantly "poofing" out really good stuff.  Design solving real problems... Go figure.

...is Penguin Prison

Ok, I admit it.  I fall in love with good music...lots of good music across many different genres.  It's hard to keep track sometimes.  Here's a new one that was sent to me from a fellow product designer.  You know who you are.  Check out the "Animal Animal" remix by Jakwob.  It's an electro-dub-indie-pop goody that's just....So damn good.

Check out Penguin Prison on Myspace.

Papa Smurf Sighting

So we ran into the Smurf himself this week at a pep rally for the upcoming UC football game (here in Cincinnati). Papa Smurf was pumped for the game and told me he was "All Smurfed Up!".

What a guy.

Pre-famulated Amulite

We plan on using this technology on our next big project.

Welcome M80

Design Communication is a beautiful thing. It's also a dangerous thing in the hands of people who care more about themselves than the products of packages they are hired to work on for clients.

M80 takes this responsibility very seriously, which is why we put all communiques in the hands of our Ministry of Propaganda. As High Chancellor of the M80 Vibe, you can count on several things:

1. We will not b.s. you with idiotic tall tales of how we realigned the planets with a brand or how we turned a start-up into a Fortune 100 company overnight (that clearly takes 3 nights...).
2. The Ministry will always commit to the real deal when it comes to what went down.
3. We love design, but we love successful designs even more. So no crowing about this award or that interview, just us talking about the firm, our culture, our family of designers and (sometimes) the success we bring to our clients.

Peace,

Bill & Zack