I'm In Love With a DIYer

This simply amazing transformation by Adriana makes use of a simple IKEA BRATTBY kitchen cart, turning it into a fantastic side table that's both modern and full of chic-ness.

My New Possee: EffectiveUI

It's official! I'm joining the team at EffectiveUI as one of their User Experience Designer. From the people I've met thus far, it's one damn talented bunch and I'm quite excited for the opportunity. Not to mention the mountains, beer, and endless sunshine. Ready or not, Denver, here I come!

Sriracha on Everything Food Truck Concept

So this is what I've been doing all day instead of 'real' work. Can't tell if I'm digging the blood/Sriracha craziness along the steel finishes or not. I almost feel like it draws "too" much attention, if there is a such a thing. Cartoon vinyls by The Oatmeal. Logo by Jessica Hishce. Truck by Scion.

Food: In addition to a mouth-watering menu consisting of egg-spinach sandwiches, potato wedges, and ground turkey cilantro tacos, we'll also have available a delicious array of counteracting spice beverages such as soy, hemp, and coconut milk. Milkshakes will also be available.

I'm Gonna Start a Sriracha Food Truck

If you've been wondering what I've been up to, it's pretty simple. I'm starting my own food truck (yeah, I'm almost too trendy). But what sets it apart is my use of Sriracha - the infamous Vietnamese rooster sauce that makes everything fucking great. There will be red in everything. Did I mention the 5 different types of milk (regular, soy, almond, hemp, and coconut) available for cooldown? Oh yeah.

Escape Machines Pop Up in Paris

Now, this seems like a very fun ad campaign. Nice work, DDB Paris.

Audi Bikes

I could do without the logo (feels like a walking 'steal me' sign), but Audi's wooden 2-wheelers are something to add to my growing Christmas list this year. $6500 gets you one right now, though.

The Land Before Hipsters

Before there was OFWKTA, beards, and hipsters, there was Arthur Brown.

Hypothetical Hypotheticals

What better things are there to do at 6AM on a Friday morning? Esikmo is 1) a new media company. Esikmo is 2) a music production studio. Esikmo is 3) a collective of starving artists living in a studio in Brooklyn. Esikmo 4) makes modern homes.

Art Scene vs. Mainstream

Today, I'd like to make an argument for the art scene vs. the mainstream junk. Not just because I want to be a snarky hipster that thinks everyone should appreciate cinematography the way I do, but the stark difference between the two is incredible. 

Comparing two recently released videos - one by Katy Perry with Kanye West and Yoann Lemoine's Woodkid Iron is like looking at night and day (well, space and medieval times, to be exact). Both are pieced together by some very talented production teams, but even with the moody, muted palette, Lemoine's just looks damn good and brings forth an emotional brilliance that few will fully appreciate.

So, when designing, ask yourself: Is it better to create something that'll generally be accepted by millions or push the boundaries of what's possible by breaking the mold and go for something obscure and artful?

Auras

Most people view auras as some kind of spiritual thing. I see it as a way of living. A projection, if you will - and these projections can be represented as images.

Above, is my articulation of self. The way I see it:

"The future is old, but it can live in the now. The bright green lines represent an understated, yet bold design aesthetic, heavily articulated and well thought-out. It's built upon frameworks and knowledges of best practices, made by a man who enjoys working behind the scenes constructing the architecture of our existence."

It's a bit of a stretch, but a fun exercise to try and explain your design philosophy. So, try it - find an image that you feel represents your aura and give it a whirl trying to decipher the elements that truly define you.

Progress

Search results

Mixcrate (a.k.a. playlist creation tool)

Optional mixcrate color labels

A hidden surprise!

It's coming along. The final concept. The paper. The presentation. All I need now is a design team of 4, 3 months, and about $20k to fund the project to full completion. Maybe I should submit it to Kickstarter.

But what is the Bobi Digital Shelf, you ask? Think of it as a device that takes the trapped MP3 collections on your iTunes collection and gives them that valued space in your home once again. It lets you organize your music away from the traditional folder structure. It lets you use it as a jukebox at parties - a social monster that'll get everyone talking.

Seeing as it's being built by a UX student as his masters thesis, it's user researched to the core and designed with the context of the modern home in mind (internal ports allow it to act as a hub for your router and NAS). More importantly, it allows users to showcase their musical connoisseurship while maintaining an ambient presence. The perfect complement to any home tech junkie's music system and a sexy piece of equipment to boot.

Finally, for the curious, yes - this project is indeed a homage to the RZA of Wu-Tang Clan. I'd then add: "It's a kaleidescope of usability; one that builds from 30+ years of UX lessons learned, but also functional aesthetics. Like Charles Ray Eames once said, 'Who ever said that pleasure wasn't functional?' I, for one, wholeheartedly agree."

The Chase

A bit of a buried oldie, but definite goodie. Courtesy of Leo Burnett Vietnam.