Took a stroll around the Chelsea Market this past weekend, to delightfully come across Dave Mead’s “Magnificent Specimens” photography exhibit. It was an amazing collection of some of the top purveyors of male facial hair from around the globe. I was equally inundated with the frames they chose for the show. Good times.

I took in the Shepard Fairey exhibit “May Day” at the Deitch Gallery last week, and was able to catch of few of his other pieces in the neighborhood. If you haven’t gotten down to check it out yet, I highly recommend you do. The exhibit is running through the end of the month.

I took a journey on the F train this afternoon to Brooklyn. After a few minutes on the train and a short walk, I got to The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company. Acting as a very fancy vestibule between the street and an after school program, this little shop had everything a superhero would need. The best part was that you could try on your cape, and with a flip of a switch get the fans going to give it a true air test. If you’re ever in the area, you have to take a few minutes to browse around.

I spent the last couple days attending The 99% Conference, presented by Behance and Cool Hunting. To say it was inspirational, and the jump start I needed, would be an understatement. We were treated to thought provoking lectures from Eve Blossom of Lulan Artisans, John Maeda from RISD, Stefan Sagmeister, Masamichi Udagawa and Sigi Moeslinger from Antenna Design along with many others.

Day two brought the attendees to the stage, as we participated with each other in workshops ranging from visual storytelling to meditation exercises.

I strongly recommend that you consider attending next year’s conference, as I’m sure it won’t disappoint. In the meantime, be sure to visit The 99 Percent for a plethora of tips and articles to support you in making your ideas happen.

I took a recent trip to The Standard Hotel on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. The hotel was fantastic, but what I soon became obsessed with was the product packaging and overall vibe of the hotel’s products and signage.

I love the simplicity of the design and typography. It’s nice seeing an entire system being held up by simplicity and clever copywriting.

I received this fantastic calendar from my dad the other week. He had received it from Barnhart Press.

It was a combination of 4CP and printed x-rays. The x-rays were all modified to communicate different steps in the creative process, such as information overload, brain storm, hearing voices, the big idea, et al.

As long as I’m on the “designed living” wave, I figured I’d share a few photos from my last trip to Punch Pizza. For anyone who has been to one of the Twin Cities’ Punch Pizza locations, they will tell you that the decor and ambiance make you feel just as good as their delicious, neapolitan pizzas.

I recently visited Rustica Bakery in Uptown Minneapolis. Beside brewing some of the best coffee I’ve ever tasted and serving amazing pastries, they have nailed the “designed living” concept. From the dark woods, and simple serving dishes, Rustica is a place you can go and enjoy coffee and a book, while feeling at home.

A recent journey to Las Vegas was a run of the mill Vegas trip, but I was able to see some nice uses of typography. Side note…if you’re ever in the Summerlin area, I recommend a meal at Vintner Grill. Their food is just as impressive as the front door.

I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that December has become a time when consumerism puts America in a headlock until we finally give it everything we’ve got.

One thing I do like about this time of indifference is that retailers don’t hold back on presentation, especially displays and promotional designs. Here’s a few I ran into this weekend…from Starbucks’ kiosk covers to Louis Vuitton’s classy light display.

Happy Holidays.