As I mentioned in a previous post, my absence from Cardboard Monocle can largely be attributed to my company launching its own magazine! VIE (pronounced “vee”) sets itself apart as a Northwest Florida regional, high-gloss publication focusing on human interest stories and celebrating the “people and places” of the region spanning Pensacola to Apalachicola - COLA 2 COLA. In addition to regional features, the magazine will include national stories on fashion, food and travel.

This magazine has been an awesome experience, and I have been extremely lucky to be involved in the creation of a magazine from the ground up as the Art Director of VIE, and my wife Jessie Shepard has done some amazing photography for both issues (including both covers) as well!

I have been waiting for the online version to share VIE here on the Monocle, and we have just launched our second issue online! To check it out, please visit VIEzine.com!

Great new stuff from STRANGEco!

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I’ve been bad about press releases in the history of this site, but these caught my eye! Take the jump for the scoop.

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Jim Denevan made the world’s largest freehand drawing a few weeks ago in Nevada. Three miles across, and over 100 miles of line-work. This isn’t the only time he has done something like this either. [Source= DarkRoastedBlend]

I finally have an internet connection! I apologize for the extreme lack of new content on the site for the past six weeks. Starting a new job in a new city is quite a transition, and even more so when you have only two weeks notice. While searching for a permanent residence, my family and I lived in three different homes over the course of five weeks, and I just happened to start my new job during the busiest time of this particular year.

I have been chomping at the bit to get this site cranking out the goods again, so expect some regular updates from this point on! Thank you for your patience!

Sincerely,

Eric Shepard

Due to a recent move and a new job, I have been without internet and very busy for the past two weeks. Naturally, the flow of content on the site has slowed considerably. I should get hooked back in later this week!

While you are waiting, feel free to peruse some of our great lists, doodles or the recent OUT OF ORDER Project!

I first saw Cheuh’s work on the I am 8 bit website and loved it. I saw today that he is currently holding his first solo show at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles. The show is called Paintings of Hope and Hopelessness and runs  through September. This is the first I have seen his other work, and I am intrigued. As you can see, he places cuddly animals in thoughtful or just downright disturbing moments of reflection. The juxtaposition isn’t groundbreaking, yet I find myself captivated by the hopeless little critters. I’d love to see him do some animated shorts. Take a look at his work here.

On a recent episode of Pulp Secret, they featured a quick draw segment with Robin artist Freddie Williams II. They then had a drawing (heh) to win the sketch. Well I won! I never win anything, so big thanks to the folks at Pulp Secret. Keep up the good work! Watch the episode below for the feature. (It starts at the 3 minute mark.)

This event is FREE, ALL AGES and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

For more information visit:

www.strangeco.com

www.tokidoki.it

I also had a chance to interview BOTH STRANGEco AND tokidoki, so check em out as I post!

Say hello to Vince’s new son, and the newest member of the Cardboard Monocle clan, Dante Giovanni Labolito! Big congrats to the Labolito family, and to big brother Anthony!

Welcome to Earth, Dante!

The Design for the Other 90% exhibition is currently on view at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City through September. Here’s the gist:

Of the world’s total population of 6.5 billion, 5.8 billion people, or 90%, have little or no access to most of the products and services many of us take for granted; in fact, nearly half do not have regular access to food, clean water, or shelter.

… They help, rather than exploit, poorer economies; minimize environmental impact; increase social inclusion; improve healthcare at all levels; and advance the quality and accessibility of education.

Clearly a remarkable and inspiring project. To say the least, it is a huge challenge for the designers to solve these problems in the most simple and cheapest way possible. Some of the solutions are so simple, they blow me away. Take the “Q Drum” (pictured above) for instance… Created in 1993 as a water transportation method, it’s an ingenious survival tool and just doesn’t get much more simple or cheap than that. Rolling the water in a cylindrical container, rather than lifting and carrying it, gets the 75 liters to where it needs to go quicker and easier.

In addition to purifiers and other survival tools, there are some fantastic products designed for revenue-generation. Pictured below is the “Big Boda” load carrying bicycle, and the “MoneyMaker Hip Pump” irrigation system. These products are designed to give these people an opportunity, and the pumps are making an enormous impact. You know, the whole “teach a man to fish” thing.

Damn, stuff like this makes me feel like the worthless, self-centered consumer that I am. I guess the very least my lazy ass can do is help spread the word with my little website. So check out the site for more info, and there is a nice Flickr set of pics from the exhibition as well!

[Source= Inhabitat]

Yay! South Florida gets the opportunity to meet Chris Lee at the release of the Flocked Mellow. He will be signing prints, fuzzie little guys (Mellows), and almost anything your little heart desires The first 25 customers to purchase a Flocked Mellow at the release will receive an Exclusive Mellow print for free! There will be raffles and so much stuff you don’t want to miss and of course free coffee, free cupcakes and awesome music as always.

HOST: PINKGHOST & CHRISTOPHER LEE
WHEN: SATURDAY JUNE 30, 2007 from 8:00 PM to 10PM
WHERE: PINK GHOST
21 WEST LAS OLAS BLVD
FT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301

Flocked “Sherpa” Mellow Pre-Orders are available at www.pinkghost.net!

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With the increased concerns of global warming lately, Canadian design agency smashLAB is raising awareness amongst graphic designers with their web project called Design Can Change. This project will provide a forum for information on how designers can waste less energy, including Green Paper Guide, a list of paper companies using less chemically treated paper. Of course the site is nicely designed, and there is an awesome slideshow that illustrates the problem in a very clear way.

As a print designer and moderate recycler, I am feeling worse and worse about the impact I have on my environment. The Design Can Change project is a great idea, and it changes your perspective a bit. I will definitely be exploring the site, and seeing what I can apply to my work to make less of an impact.

Also, PingMag has a great interview with Eric Karjaluoto from smashLAB!

This is pretty sweet, and you don’t even have to attend to enter!

“PinkGhost has joined forces with some of the coolest toy companies to bring you an awesome contest! PinkGhost costume Contest sponsored by Wheaty Wheat Studios, mimoco, Jamungo, Gama-Go, and STRANGEco. We challenge YOU to design and build a costume based on our mascott the PinkGhost.
A special event will be held at the store for contestants to wear and show off their designs before judges, who will ultimately pick 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.

Everyone in the US is welcome to participate and wearing your costume at the judging event is encouraged If you cannot attend the judging event you can mail your costume to PinkGhost by June15th.”

Go to their site to check out the prizes!

For anyone interested, there is now a five minute interview with Watchmen director Zach Snyder on ReelzChannel!  The interview starts with the blood curdling suggestion of Tom Cruise’s involvement that thankfully gets cleared up.  Snyder goes on to make me feel better about the making of this movie.  He seems to have great respect for the book, and is not afraid of a long movie.  Best of all, he is firm that it will take place in 1985, which was a huuuge concern of mine.

The making of a Watchmen movie is a scary endeavor that I would not want resting on my shoulders.  I almost don’t want them to try… almost.  Frank Miller has smartly been involved in the movies of his creations, and the results speak for themselves.  Moore has been hands off and grumpy about the whole thing, and I can understand that he doesn’t want movies made of his books, but these studios are making some serious poo sandwiches out of his masterpieces.  I wish… for our sakes, that Moore would get involved in the Watchmen project and get it done right.

Watch the interview…