pinterest, are you a pinner?

Pinterest seems to be one of the hottest new things on the web but with good reason. As a designer I use this virtual pinboard as a source of inspiration. Type in any keyword you can think of and it will return with thousands of images and boards created and pinned by other pinners. You can even follow people or like their pin rather than repinning it to your board.

I currently have only 9 boards but find great pinners almost everyday. It takes the 30 minute search for a cool idea down to 2 minutes. After signing up for Pinterest just install the plug-in for Firefox so you can pin your interest as you search.

Did I mention that Pinterest is free? The only drawback is that it is crazy addictive. I even have the app on my iPhone (I don't think it is available on droids yet).

Get pinning! Just be sure you tag your pins so others can find it. You can thank me later. :)

geeks paradise

Design geek or regular geek I think there is something all geeks can agree on, off beat rare products are awesome! A geek with a replica 11th Doctor Who bow tie is a very happy geek. Although the design geek would order it for the cool factor and pick apart the packaging design seconds after ripping the tape off that FedEx package.

Anyhoo, for all the nerd, geeks, and dorks out there check out Geek Alerts. Trust me you will not be disappointed.

Here a few of my favorites. I think my geekness is showing.

11th Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver Prop Replica

 iPhone Pinball Magic Desktop Pinball Machine

Bavarian Electric Touring Bicycle SWEET!

Futurama Slurm Energy Drink


Geek Alerts

Adobe Muse (get it while it's free)

Adobe finally caught on to the fact that not all web designers know how to code. Most web designers would like to build the darn thing themselves and just can't figure out the code mumbo jumbo.  So, Adobe has come out with a easy to use program for all designers called Muse. If you know how to use Illustrator, InDesign, or any other Adobe program you will most likely be able figure out Muse.

"Create websites as easily as you create layouts for print. You can design and publish original HTML pages to the latest web standards without writing code. Now in beta, Muse makes it a snap to produce unique, professional websites. - Adobe" 
Yeah, what they said.

Since this is in beta form IT IS FREE...for now. Follow me to get your free download of Muse before version one comes out and see how easy it is for yourself. I cracked this sucker open and played around for only 10 minutes and noticed how easy it was to edit various types of menus and sideshows. I am excited to build a site in this tool. 

With muse you can set-up your site-map, have design freedom, and make your site interactive with not one custom line of code. FINALLY!

Happy creating! Feel free to share your thoughts and sites after taking this sucker for a spin. 

words from the wise (Scott Wise)

Need a fresh view on things to simplify your complicated day?
Then Scott Wise has just the thing. Check out his site Wise Idea.

Simple. Beautiful. True. Hilarious!

"The grass is greener on the side without all the fucking geese"

"Don't count your chickens until they have hatched. Because then you're counting eggs, not chickens. Idiot."

"S is for scissors. N is for nife."

"now that's how it's doneth."

All ideas copyright Scott Wise.

art of the menu

Let's face it, every restaurant menu you set your eyes on you critique it and think of all the ways you would have done it different. The type is too big, the color is all wrong, or it is just overall horrible and breaks your designer heart. If this is you, then you will enjoy "Art of the Menu," a site dedicated to showcasing very well designed menus. It makes my mouth water just looking through all the delicious choices.

If you have designed a beautiful menu and would like it shared just send it to Art of the Menu. I am sure since this site has just been baked they will gladly post your work of art. Here's how to send.

Order up! Dig in.
Not sold yet? Here is just a taste.

The Kickin’ Chicken
Multiple Locations, US

Maaemo
Oslo, Norway

the world's easiest making system (Ponoko)

If you have not heard of Ponoko then I would like to introduce you to the world's easiest making system. With Ponoko you can make, sell, and buy custom products. Here is an example; you have a cool idea for an awesome clock that is shaped like a stack of post-it notes that you can write notes on, you design it, upload it, and get a prototype from Ponoko. How simple is that? You can choose from a long list of materials to make your product out of like leather or steel and they even have electronic parts if you want to take on the challenge of building a cool new electronic doodad (that is the technical term). It's like your own little factory and you maitain all creative rights to anything made with Ponoko. There are even free files shared by the creators that you can use and personalize to make it your own, like the "Pono" figurine below. You can download him and make him out of clear silicone or gold plate material.

Follow me to check it all out and create something cool. I have included some cool products made on Ponoko below to show the wide range of possibilities.

Nanocade Arcadestik KIT

 'Geek is the New Cool' Laser-Cut Geek Necklace

your number...laser cut leather cuff watch 

Rainbow Ceramic Pono

kickstarter

Everyday great ideas from creative people (like you and I) for projects or products go to Kickstarter for funding by people who believe in their creativity. Help a designer, product designer, or even a writer get their ideas and dreams off the ground by being "backer" and help fund their project.

You may have the question in your head "Well, what do I get out of this?" Good question, depending on the level of backing you are in you will get to not only see and experience the project from start to finish, but you may get the first items off the assembly line. It is really up to the person or people running the project.

So, follow me and help kick start some awesome creative projects that could change the world. Kickstarter

movie buff game

Fellow movie nerds, put your knowledge to the test with the "Famous objects from classic movies" game. Its fun, simple, and really well designed. Guess what movie the object is from, "Wheel of Fortune" style.

Don Hertzfeldt forever!!

I will always be a Don Hertzfeldt fan. Check out his work at bitterfilms.com. He is the best twisted animator ever! But, don't take my word for it.

free periodical eye candy

If you are in need of inspiration or just want to pass the time, check out pdf-mags.com. This site is a "infobase for PDF magazines made all over the world." There are magazines that cover almost every topic from architecture & art to writing. You could spend hours on this site and not scratch the surface. Enjoy!

a damn good flash site

happyingreenville.com

Make sure you click on the hot air balloon and take it all the way to the top.