PLAZM BLOG: 06/09

Monday, June 29, 2009

The Potential of Web Typography

Firefox 3.5 is out now- go get that sucker!

The Mozilla Japan team asked that Craig Mod and I jointly write and design this demo page of what is now possible using Firefox's new @font-face, a CSS rule implemented in Firefox's latest 3.5 release which allows web designers to reference fonts not installed on end user machines.

(In other words: it allows web designers to store fonts on their server and reference them in CSS , regardless of what fonts the user browsing the page has installed.)

Look at it in Firefox- it is designed for that. It looks OK enough in Safari, but we'd rather have you see it in all its glory. Click around a bit and see what the future of typography for the web looks like....

We lucked out in getting Underware to agree to being our foundry partners in making this demo happen. The demo coincides with the release of their new typeface, Liza.

Original referring page on Mozilla's site is here.

Thanks to Craig for dropping crazy hours with me on getting this project together. Shoutouts to Mozilla for their support, encouragement, and sheer radicalness!

Labels: graphic design, type design, typography, web design

Help Fight Corporate $ponsorship

Here in NYC, the parks department is threatening to sell the naming rights to McCarren Pool. The pool was named 200 years ago, in 1809, is currently being renovated and is the centerpiece of a favorite artistic Brooklyn community. The community response to this shameless cash grab? PoolAid. Consider taking a minute to sign the petition and just as importantly, spread the word, the arts community is not for sale.

Labels: corporate greed, mccarren pool, pool aid

Michael Jackson, The Next Phase

Back in 1996 Rick Valicenti/Thirst guest-designed a cover for Plazm #14. His concept was to design a cover based on Michael Jackson's "Next Phase." There were a number of iterations. First just a highly polished, synthetic-looking face (pictured above). A subsequent comp found a metallic chrome protrusion emerging from Micheal's forehead. I liked that one a lot and recall giving some minor comments to Rick. The next day I received an email with the latest version (pictured below) which we published. Rick said something like "we just peeled off his skin and reflected him back on himself." Perhaps this is what Michael looks like in the afterlife? One can only speculate. I do know for sure that in commemoration of the King of Pop's passing, Plazm #14 will be free with any order from the Plazm store during the month of July.

Labels: Michael Jackson, Plazm #14, Rick Valicenti

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Audio Dregs on Plazm.com

Listen while you browse the Internets. Audio Dregs curates Plazm Radio featuring songs by Dim Dim, Strategy, Lullatone, D.J. Copy, e*rock, Melodium, lots more. Tune in at www.plazm.com

Labels: music

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Eberhardt Press

Eberhardt Press is a sweet little publisher and job printer based in Portland, Oregon. I feel selfish giving this one out, as they do the raddest, cheapest offset printing in the Pacific Northwest. Check their Printing section for proof...

Mic Crenshaw, Alicia Rose, Slim Moon: TONIGHT

The New Oregon Interview series launches tonight, discussing music with Mic Crenshaw, Alicia Rose, and Slim Moon. Come on down and have a cup of coffee with host Nora Robertson, and find out what the heck is going on in Portland, Oregon...

AN EVENING OF CONVERSATION WITH THREE PORTLAND MUSIC-MAKERS TONIGHT AT URBAN GRIND EAST, 2214 NE OREGON, 7-8:30PM, $5 ADMISSION

info: www.neworegon.org

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Scion Installation Phila

sc_inst5-philly_evite

Scion Presents:
Installation 5: Self-Portrait
Philadelphia

T & P Fine Art
1143 South 9th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Featuring Self Portraits by:
AJ Fosik, Alex Hornest, Andrew Schoultz, Angela Boatwright, Asylm, Blek le Rat, Christina M. Felice, Codak, David Choe, Edwin Ushiro, elYem, Eriberto Oriol, Eye One, Francesco LoCastro, French, Ian Lynam, J. Shea, Jamel Shabazz, Jeff Soto, Kelsey Brookes, Kofie, Lisa Alisa, Logan Hicks, Mark Mothersbaugh, Nicholas Harper, Patrick Martinez, Peter Beste, Peter Glover, RETNA, Rick Rodney, Rob Abeyta Jr., Ron English, Saber, Sage Vaughn, Skypage, Something in the Universe, Souther Salazar, Stormie Mills, Tessar Lo, Todd Tourso, Too Tall Jahmal, Usugrow, Will Barras, Yoskay Yamamoto

Show runs: 7/03/09-7/25/09

Opening event:
Friday, July 3rd
7pm-11pm

Artists in attendance: AJ Fosik, Asylm, Christina M. Felice, Patrick Martinez & Something in the Universe

Music provided by DJ Apt One

www.scion.com/installation
www.tandpfineart.com

Monday, June 22, 2009

TOPSY

Topsy is a new search engine for Twitter that beats the crap out of the regular old Twitter search.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

The Originators

The Originators are a nice hip-hop clothing label and storefront based in Los Angeles.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Master Blaster

Darrin Bendall: true master! Australia's raddest import.

Poster Initiative 001

poster_initiative1

I just started a new series of two-color posters called "Poster Initiative" that will be distributed for free around Tokyo. The first batch were dropped off at Nagi Shokudo last night and another went to Cafe Pause today. Poster Initiative 001 was printed in a series of 1,000.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Jon Raymond + Zak Love + Quasi = ???

This Thursday, Today, June 18
Portland, Disjecta

Tin House and Disjecta's latest installment of "Arty Words" features a reading by Plazm editor Jon Raymond, live music by Quasi, and art from LA's Zak Smith. Disjecta, 8371 N. Interstate, 7:30 pm, $7/door.

event: http://disjecta.org/events/artywords-tinhouse-v2.php
signed book: http://plazm.com/books/livability

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Entarte Kunts

Dennis Dread's amazing annual collective exhibition of punk art, Entartete Kunts, resumes again in Portland on June 19 at the Life Gallery.

Featured artists:

Nick Blinko (Rudimentary Peni)

Arik Roper (High On Fire, Sleep)

Rob Miller (Amebix)

S. Clay Wilson (The Accused)

Away (Voivod)

Necrolord (Dissection, Emperor)

Lino Reca (Villains, Hemlock)

E. Danielsson (Watain)

Chanel Adair (Lebenden Toten)

Tokyo Party Alert!!! Exercise: Lesson Three

What happens when you give two graphic designers and three programmers turntables, then team them up with a duo of professional sound artists?

THE ASS-SHAKING, MIND-BLOWING, BUDONKADONK-CLAPPING, EYE-REDDENING DANCE PARTY OF THE YEAR!!

If you are in Tokyo, you obligated to make your way to Lesson Three of Exercise, the official unofficial dance party of IMG SRC/Non-Grid, Tokyo's top web design and interactive agency.

Friday June 19th
@ Rubyroom Shibuya
11pm - 5am
¥1,500 including one FREE drink

Get out from behind that monitor and get your sallow, pasty ass on the dance floor, motherfucker!!!

Liza Ryan Catalog Release Tomorrow at Griffin

Artist Liza Ryan's catalog, designed by Plazm creative director Joshua Berger, will be released June 17. Cooley Gallery director and Plazm contributor Stephanie Snyder will discuss the work with the artist beginning at 7 pm at Griffin, 2902 Nebraska Ave., Santa Monica.
Info at http://www.griffinla.com

Monday, June 15, 2009

ART FOR THE MILLIONS

On Sunday, June 28, the Dill Pickle Society, a newly-formed experimental education/ cultural center, warmly invites you to "ART FOR THE MILLIONS: THE ENDURING LEGACY OF THE WPA," a leisurely bicycle tour of Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects in Portland. The ride will make several stops along the way to hear from leading scholars and examine the WPA’s relevance to contemporary society.

From 1935-1943, the WPA put more than 8 million people across the United States back to work, many in Western states, including Oregon. While many are familiar with Timberline Lodge, the WPA also helped create and improve Portland city parks, public school buildings and a variety of other public projects.

Among the tour stops are Paul Grellert’s mural at the Morrisson Street post office, the Portland Art Museum, Woody Guthrie Circle, Skidmore Fountain (where David Milholland will talk about C.E.S. Wood and the history of public art in Portland) and Abernathy School (where Friends of Arts in the Schools will show us their efforts to restore a WPA mural). The ride will also stop for lunch (provided) at Westmoreland Park (itself a WPA project), where attendees will participate in a discussion on the feasibility of implementing a federally-funded arts program today.

Registration is required to attend and space is limited to the first 40 participants. A $10 donation goes towards lunch, admissions, a “merit badge” and supplemental materials. To RSVP, e-mail: yes@dillpickleclub.com.

For more info, check out the attached poster (feel free to forward on to friends, colleagues, neighbors etc) or visit us online at: www.dillpickleclub.com <http://www.dillpickleclub.com/> .

Friday, June 12, 2009

New T-Shirt of the Month Design

This awesome shirt by the incredibly talented Kate Moross is available for pre-order now at Plazm Thread. Order now and get this sweet shirt and 5 more awesome designs!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Almost the New Newsweek

Much has been written about the redesign of Newsweek magazine. It's been on the stands for about four issues now. Plazm has a unique perspective on the new design. About nine months ago, we became one of three design firms contracted to reimagine, redesign and reposition Newsweek magazine. We partnered with our friends at SmithMag and, under a blazing 3-week deadline, we wrote, designed, and developed a complete prototype issue from scratch for the new Newsweek. Although we didn't win the pitch, we were honored to be asked and had a blast working day and night to upgrade the magazine.

The typography in this prototype is a beta font designed by longtime Plazm collaborator Gus Nicklos to represent the new Newsweek brand. Its overall perspective points to the future while its proportions and contemporary optic properties give it high legibility at small sizes. The beta version includes three initial variants: Regular, Italic and Black as well as custom Slab Serif characters created for initial caps. This approach signals an evolution of the Newsweek brand towards the future with every typeset letter.

We developed a new Newsweek Signature utilizing a modified version of Gus' custom type. Slab serifs have been added to the initial cap N as well as to the K. These bookends connect the brand to its rich typographic heritage while the bold geometric sans suggest a contemporary vision. The slabs are also brought forward as the basis for initial caps, the N as a supplement brand, and the edge of the K as a mnemonic graphic device suggesting forward movement and pointing to all web call outs.

You can view some of the spreads from our prototype on our web site.

Happy to hear any comments.

Labels: editorial design, Newsweek, Newsweek redesign, redesign

Record Release Tonight

My band, Gay Deceivers, are having a show tonight: both a Pride Kick-off Party, and a record release. It is free! At the Portsmouth Pub, 5264 N Lombard St Portland, OR 97203. There will also be DJs and special readings. And pizza. And pinball! Doors at 9. This is what the Mercury said about our record:
"On their debut, Let it Come True, Portland's Gay Deceivers have created a surprising amalgam of familiar sounds. Rumbling, mossy, riot grrrl riffs sit on top of jerky, mechanical beats, and the off-kilter songwriting ranges from mundane subjects like playing videogames to more expansive issues like global politics and gender issues, but even the weightier topics are given a quirky, dance-pop buoyancy. Tonight celebrates the album's release on Sarah Dougher's Cherchez la Femme label as part of the FAME queer dance night."

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Portland Queer Readings

Lit Star Press has just released a new anthology called "Portland Queer". Edited by Ariel Gore, it includes contributions from Tom Spanbaeur, Sarah Dougher, Dexter Flowers, and some illustrations by myself. There are a bunch of readings going on this month; see the full schedule here.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

IPRC Intern Needed

One of our favorite Portland Organizations need an Intern. Details below.

Zine Summer Camp 2009 seeks Intern

About the Camp:

The mission of IPRC's Summer Camp is to educate and inspire
children about independent publishing and promote creativity
by providing hands-on educational activities and creative projects in a fun and
safe learning environment.

Activities include: field trips, fun and educational games, visiting
artists, and of course lots of projects!

Session 1: Teens Age 13-17 July 7-24 on Tuesdays and Fridays; Session 2: July 20-25
Teens: 12-4pm, Youth: 11-3pm $125 with sliding fees available.

About the Position:

Be a camp counselor at IPRC! Join the team of people designing and implementing
the camp! Help with planning and promotion and then be a counselor
for both of the sessions this summer! Great opportunity to be creative and work
with kids! Inspire kids about art and educate them about media literacy.

The position is 20-25 hours per week, starting as soon as possible and ending July 30th.

Please contact A.M. O'Malley at iprcworkshops@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

This Weekend! Two Performances Only!

TIFFANY LEE BROWN: THE EASTER ISLAND PROJECT
We are compelled to create—to make, write, act, and give birth. How do we manifest this deep desire? How do our creations—novels, babies, and atom bombs—affect our lives, our culture, and our planet?

The Easter Island Project invites audiences to explore the questions through the act of creation itself with Plazm editor and 2GQ/New Oregon Arts & Letters director Tiffany Lee Brown, as she prepares for an interdisciplinary art expedition to Easter Island in the South Pacific. The "Easter Island: participatory tour" welcomes live audiences at intimate gatherings in Seattle, New York City, Portland, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

MAKE, PLAY, BE: THE EASTER ISLAND PROJECT IN PORTLAND
Tiffany Lee Brown & Eric Hausmann
with help from Gary Wiseman

June 6 7 pm and June 7 2 pm w/ Tastebud Bagels

Featuring live music, video installation, and the option to participate and make your own DIY writing, music, sound, or artwork, each creation a "seed" that Tiffany will take to the South Pacific isle of Easter Island next year. AGES 15+ only please.

BYO: Feel free to bring your drink of choice to open at the reception afterward.

Performance Works NW
4625 SE 67th at Foster Road, Portland
503 777 1907

$10
Advance tickets recommended, at Brown Paper Tickets
If paying at the door, please bring cash

Monday, June 1, 2009

Dreams of Progress

I have a video in the upcoming exhibition Dreams of Progress in London starting on July 6th through July 18th. It marks the first time that my animation Tokyo.Now will be publicly viewable in its original high resolution format.