Friday, May 16, 2008

Project 6: Booklet

This booklet will help you make the most of your kiting adventures, regardless of your age or kiting experience. It is not necessary to study aerodynamics to fly a kite. However, some basic knowledge will help you to change the experience from frustrating to enjoyable. For those who have flown kites before, it is an intuitive process. Sure, you lift a kite in the air and run. But if you have ever seen a person fly a kite for the first time, you realize there is more to it and sometimes can be dangerous.

Step1
Check your local weather report to determine if conditions are favorable for kite flying. Warning: Never fly your kite during rain, lightening or a thunderstorm. Electricity in clouds is attracted to damp kite lines and foolish kite fliers.
Step2
Find a large and windy open area free of trees and power lines. These two things are notoriously dangerous for kites and their owners. Warning: Always fly kites away from airports, power lines you already gave this danger, and never fly over roads or near cars.
Step3
Stand with your back to the wind. Hold your kite up by the bridle point and let the line out. If there is sufficient wind, your kite will go right up. Warning: Many people believe you must run with a kite to launch it. Many accidents are caused by people who run with a kite while trying to keep an eye on it instead of watching where they are going.
Step4
Let the kite fly away from you a little, then pull in on the line as the kite points up so it will climb. Repeat this until your kite gains the altitude necessary to find a good steady wind. Warning: A frequent injury during kite flying is a cut or burn from the kite line. Do not allow the line to zip through your fingers. Protect your hands by wearing gloves.
Step5
You will want your kite string to be without knots, clean and wrapped around a spool or spindle. Begin letting out string until the kite reaches a height with which you are comfortable. Warning: If you tangle lines with another kite, don't pull the line or it might break. Fliers should walk together and the tangle will slide right down the line to where you can un wrap it.
Step6
Keep an eye on your kite, as it may come crashing down because of sudden changes in wind. If it dips, run or pull in the string a bit to give it some lift. Warning: Tighten the string around a spool and secure the spool to the ground if you want to tend to other activities. Keep your kite under control, never unattended.
Step7
Enjoy your kite flying. Bring the kite down by slowly winding the kite string around a kite spool. Warning: The most frequent injury during kite flying is sunburn. Be sure to protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Step8
Reach out and grab the kite before it hits the ground to avoid damaging it. Warning: Don't fly kite alone. If your kite dives into problems or into someone, you will want the support of others to keep any arguments diplomatic.

So please be careful, and launch both your kite and your spirit into the sky.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

FordAdFormula/InformationGraphic by Tyler Lang




Best Book design from all over the world 2008




Pedro Cunill Grau
Geohistoria de la Sensibilidad en Venezuela
Fundación Empresas Polar, Caracas
Design: Álvaro Sotillo & Gabriela Fontanillas & Luis Giraldo

Complex yet very subtle typography. Diverse information is characterised just so as to make it clearly distinguishable. The book-designer has refrained from using coloured type, working instead merely with small contrasts in size, thickness and highlighting. The manner of binding (French fold) opens up a wonderful possibility for navigation through the book. Its front edge is graced by a subtle thumb index. The layout is open and flexible. The designer has not become constrained by his own mesh, as is so often the case with such a large number of illustrations.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Show+Tell:70 Best-Loved Words

An intriguing survey conducted by the British Council collected and compiled the top 70 favorite words of the English language. The Council asked more than 7,000 learners in 46 countries what they considered the most beautiful English words.

The magnificent 70:
1 Mother
2 Passion
3 Smile
4 Love
5 Eternity
6 Fantastic
7 Destiny
8 Freedom
9 Liberty
10 Tranquillity
11 Peace
12 Blossom
13 Sunshine
14 Sweetheart
15 Gorgeous
16 Cherish
17 Enthusiasm
18 Hope
19 Grace
20 Rainbow
21 Blue
22 Sunflower
23 Twinkle
24 Serendipity
25 Bliss
26 Lullaby
27 Sophisticated
28 Renaissance
29 Cute
30 Cosy
31 Butterfly
32 Galaxy
33 Hilarious
34 Moment
35 Extravaganza
36 Aqua
37 Sentiment
38 Cosmopolitan
39 Bubble
40 Pumpkin
41 Banana
42 Lollipop
43 If
44 Bumblebee
45 Giggle
46 Paradox
47 Delicacy
48 Peekaboo
49 Umbrella
50 Kangaroo
51 Flabbergasted
52 Hippopotamus
53 Gothic
54 Coconut
55 Smashing
56 Whoops
57 Tickle
58 Loquacious
59 Flip-flop
60 Smithereens
61 Oi
62 Gazebo
63 Hiccup
64 Hodgepodge
65 Shipshape
66 Explosion
67 Fuselage
68 Zing
69 Gum
70 Hen night

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Show+Tell: Collection


This is a welcome present and I really like it. As you might know it's a program that honors the individual 50 states that comprise the United States through a series of circulating quarters being issued from 1999 - 2008. There are five reverse designs appearing each year for 10 years. State Quarter Designs

Design Guidelines

Designs shall maintain a dignity befitting the Nation's coinage.

Designs shall have broad appeal to the citizens of the state and avoid controversial subjects or symbols that are likely to offend.

Suitable subject matter for designs include state landmarks (natural and man-made), landscapes, historically significant buildings, symbols of state resources or industries, official state flora and fauna, state icons (e.g.. Texas Lone Star, Wyoming bronco, etc.), and outlines of the state.

State flags and state seals are not considered suitable for designs.

Consistent with the authorizing legislation, the states are encouraged to submit designs that promote the diffusion of knowledge among the youth of the United States about the state, its history and geography, and the rich diversity of our national heritage.

Priority consideration will be given to designs that are enduring representations of the state. Coins have a commercial life span of at least 30 years and are collected for generations.

Inappropriate design concepts include, but are not limited to logos or depictions of specific commercial, private, educational, civic, religious, sports, or other organizations whose membership or ownership is not universal.

The part I'm missing, obviously, is the 2008 quarters.