I put together some of my favorite photos using Issuu. It’s a very impressive application. The interface is intuitive and covers all the bases (Post to blogs, social network sites, etc.) Oh yeah – did I mention it’s free!

View full size here.

Artist Mike Mitchell’s inventive take on the NES classic. Well done. Check out some of Mike’s other artwork. I love the creepy Mickey Mouse.

Ikea is probably one of the best known global brands. Thank god they finally built one in my neck of the woods.

Their top notch design, no nonsense approach is at the heart of their success. It’s hard to walk through, what seems like miles of aisles, and leave empty handed.

Posted from iPhone.

Forget about the two remaining democrats for now – let’s ask the all important question – who has the better splash? The splash page is what you see when you first reach a Web site. In both cases, the primary goal is to get you on the mailing list. The good news is that they both drop a cookie so you never see the page again.Let’s start with the splash pages. Both use traditional colors – red, white, and blue. Let’s workshop the splash pages:

Hillary Clinton’s splash page

Info
Requires first name, last name, email and zip code. They obviously want to know who you are and where you live. Important for getting the word out. Once the form is complete, you are redirected to the homepage.

Tagline
“Help make history” - Somewhat confusing. Does it refer to the history that will be made because it’s a first for a woman nominee? If so, that message is really more about Clinton. You can help HER make history. This tag line appeals to some but not all.

Design
Traditional non flashy design displaying Hillary’s three quarter photo. Generally photos that are shot under the chin looking up are a no no. The face does point in towards the message and that works well. The logo “Hillary for President” is confusing as it also shares this tag line “Help Make History.” There are no styles attached to the form. The GIANT submit button is a bit overkill. It’s red. It doesn’t need to be bigger than the logo.

Overall
The design is very traditional and old school.

Barack Obama’s splash page

Info
Only requires an email and zip code. This tells me the Obama camp understands the internet much better. You can add your email and zip and still remain anonymous. In all fairness, Obama uses a rather large button as well. However, Obama’s says “Learn More” which may encourage a click. Also, unlike Clinton’s splash page, you are first taken to a “Thanks for joining the movement” page then redirected to the homepage. Good feedback for the user.

Tagline”
Change we can believe in” - Obama’s tag line appeals to all. Everybody can get behind this type of inspirational message.

Design
The overall design is pleasing to the eye. The bold use of blue works well and helps to frame the message. There is a clear distinction between the logo “Obama 08″ and the inspirational tag line “Change we can believe in.” The black and white photo of Obama and his family is tastefully done. The vignette also allows the photo to breathe and bathe in the whitespace.

Overall
The design is more web 2.0 and much cleaner.I give this round to Obama. Simply on design alone.

These are only a handful of clever bathroom signs I found over at the toilet sign blog. I imagine the possibilities are endless…

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The concept is simple. The artwork is stunning.
Here’s how the sketchbook was created:

For thirty-six weeks, a sketchbook was sent in random order between four artists: two in Brooklyn, two in Belfast.

Every Wednesday, one participant would receive book. In order to maintain schedule, it was sent out the following Monday, giving each artist five days to complete a spread in response to the one that preceded it.

A small portion of each entry extends on to the following page. Beyond this, there was no communication between the artists concerning the content of book during its making.

book’s first trip across the Atlantic was on 2 June, 2003. Its final trip was on 2 February, 2004. By the time it was completed, book had traveled over sixty thousand miles.

Shortly after the book was completed in 2004, the four artists sat down in a room together to discuss what the meaning was behind each spread and how it was interpreted. They did so over a bottle of whiskey.

The artwork was was reproduced and exhibited in Belfast. Each spread was set up at it’s own viewing station. At each station were headphones to listen to the round table discussion about the book.

The book can viewed in it’s entirety at LookAtaBook.com. In addition to viewing there is an option to listen to the artists discussing each spread. It’s very moving to hear the interpretation verses the actual artists intent. I found myself laughing right along as though I were in the room with them. It would have been interesting if a documentary was made of the whole event from start to finish.

The artists:
mac premo
oliver jeffers
duke riley
rory jeffers

I’m not talking about the counterfeit watches you can buy in the middle of Times Square in NYC. These are authentic fake watches. Sweet idea. More of a bracelet than a watch but still very clever.

realfakewatches are wristwatches that only work for one minute every day (well, two for analog ones). they are being made by linda kostowski and invited other designers.

the watches are laser cut from three pieces of genuine leather and manually assembled. they are fastened with velcro. each one comes with both a unique time (hand-picked by our randomizer robot) and a thinglink engraved on the back.

I stopped wearing a watch a couple of years ago. I’ve never missed it. I think at this point it would seem weird if I started wearing one again. If I want to know the time, I just check my mobile phone.

A brilliantly designed wine holder by Ron Arad. The pieces can be arranged to create an infinite number of rings to store bottles thus the name infinity. It’s made in Italy and is available in 4 different colors.

Available at Hive