End of an Era (The Year's Best)

As we are getting towards the end of an entire decade I thought I would announce a schedule for a recap/highlights of 2009. These will be looked at individually and in depth over the next few weeks but the winners are...

Best Sneaker Release: This one is a draw... both movie inspired, both redic releases. Nike McFly Hypermax NFW, Nike Air Flight Light

Biggest Sneaker Release: Nike Air Yeezy's

Best Menswear Collection: Junya Watanabe MAN for Comme des Garcon

Best Runway: Jeremy Scott Flinstones (S/S 2010, LFW)

Best Designer (Streetwear): Carri Munden, Cassette Playa

Best Accessory/Line (Men): Dita 2009

Best Gadget: iPhone (I hate to do it, and I know it's not new... but it's true)

Best Mixtape: 10Deep Presents: Donnis - Diary of an ATL Brave

Best Update: Windows 7

Best Album: Draw... Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More & Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3...
Honorable Mention: The Temper Trap - Conditions.

Image Credits (in order): Highsnobiety, Hypebeast, Nike, Hypebeast, London 

Fashion Week, Cassette Playa, Gear Culture, Apple, 10Deep, Complex Magazine, 7Digital

Sick of Being Outdone by the Griswold's?

Probably my favorite picture of the year.

From: Unplggd

Drogba Does Something Cool

I was trying to figure out why on earth Didier Drogba was wearing red laces in his boots at the Emirates this weekend as Chelsea demolished Arsenal (3-0). I saw him pointing to the boots after the match and couldn't for the life of me figure out why... well now we know.

Nike and project (Red) have launched the laces as a fundraiser/awareness campaign and Drogba as the (Nike)RED global ambassador was just doing his part. The launch took place at the Nike store last night and featured many famous footballers (Arshavin, Dempsey, Joe Cole, etc.) and everyone's least favorite do-gooder (Bono).

The laces are available at the Nike Store as well as at NikeTown, London (presumably they will be available at other major sports outlets as well). For the full article hop over to Nike Football.

Artist of the Day: Pete Harrison

As we haven't really been giving much credit to the digital designers here I thought it was worth choosing a strictly digital Artist of the Day today. Pete Harrison, UK based artist, knew he wanted to be a graphic designer since the age of 10. His work is quite indicative of the larger "mash-up culture" at hand and he describes his work in this most recent collection "Aeiko" is a crash between artists and designers and computer programmers. The outcome: well, judge for yourself. To me it seems sort of more like a collision between centerfolds and Tron-fans... but hey, I like the look.

Check out Pete's portfolio.

Mood Chair - Aether and Hemera

As we get closer to the holidays, I must admit that I have been feeling a bit guilty about my excessive consumerism over the past few years... I suppose working on a "low carbon" project/product development for three months will do that to you.

However, that said... I thought it was worth starting an unrealistic holiday wish list by way of the interweb.

In addition to a solution to global warming, world peace, universal healthcare for the states and a winning lottery ticket... I will start with my first item on the list.

Behold:

Introducing the mood chair by Aether and Hemera of Newcastle upon Tyne. So far there is no indication of cost or availability (probably a good sign that it will either not be made for production, or follow the age old rule: "if you have to ask you can't afford it").

However, the LED powered chair is designed to help you relax after a long day at the office by setting the mood. It seems a bit like a mood ring made for geeks, but that said... I can't help but think that this would put me in a better mood if it greeted me on my way into the house every evening.

I suppose a child, dog, cat, or even goldfish would probably have the same effect... but we all know that I'm not ready to take care of any of those things. Come to think of it-- I'm just not sure I have enough time to take care of a chair right now anyways.

Via: Unplggd

Reasons why I love working for a design agency...

#1 - Because I get emails including the following link: Designer vs. Businessman
#2 - Because I am certain that everyone in my office has thought about sending out a similarly snarky email at least once.
#3- Because I am confident that at least one of them has sent or will send out such an email at some point.

The above picture is from the linked site and the link absolutely warrants a full read to appreciate the humor of said pie-chart.

New Lupe Mixtape...

is absolutely fire. 22mins of pure pleasure, this Thanksgiving he truly gives us something to be thankful for. Cannot wait for the new album to drop in the new year. He is rumored to be dropping another mixtape on Christmas day called "Friend of the People".

This tape utilizes beats from Timbaland, Radiohead, Weezy and some others... really pretty incredible. Read more about it and find the link to download at: LUPEND Blog