Here's something new I'm trying. Every day I see, hear, read and watch a bunch of interesting things that come my way. Some of those things are interesting enough to share with others, but get lost and forgotten in the rush of the day. Observed is my way of collecting a few of the most interesting bits that get my attention each week.
So here goes the first edition of Observed
Photography: Slitherstition by Andrew McGibbon
Durban photographer Andrew McGibbon has published a new photo shoot featuring snakes on brightly coloured backgrounds with a lovely graphic quality. Check it out on Behance. He was also interviewed about the project over at Between 10 and 5.
Typography: Turnip typeface by David Jonathan Ross
While researching typefaces for a project, I noticed Typographica.org is set in a beautiful but as yet unreleased face called Fern RE, designed by (http://djr.com)[David Jonathan Ross]. His Turnip typeface is available, and it shares a lot of the personality and quirks of Fern, while setting long text beautifully. Now I'm just waiting for an excuse to license the font and use it in a project.
Reading: Stefan Sagmeister interviewed on The Great Discontent
The Great Discontent is one of my favourite weekly reads of the last couple of years. Their in-depth of interviews give great insights into what makes smart, creative people tick, presented in an eminently readable magazine-style format. They've just redesigned the site, launching with an interview of graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister. More than his well-known body of work, I've always admired Sagmeister's grounded attitude to what he does and why does it. Full of inspiring, quotable lines, this interview makes for a great read over a cup of coffee.
Illustration: Christoph Niemann visits Brazil ahead of the World Cup
Christoph Niemann's illustrated column for the New York Times is always packed with charm and self-deprecating wit, and a fun mix of experimentation mashing up his illustrations with photography and interactive elements. His latest assignment was a trip to Brazil ahead of the World Cup, which resulted in this diary of his friendship with the curse of the host country's 1950 defeat by Uruguay.
Reading: Simon Dingle's Awesome Newsletter
Email newsletters are the new-old-new blog. Smart people are using them as a platform to share their thoughts rather than standard web-based blogs. Simon Dingle, one of the smart people, has just launched his own newsletter. The first edition is a great look at Bitcoin and disruption, with a review of the week's tech news and his favourite recent book (so many people I respect are recommending this book. It's next on my reading list.). I've signed up, and so should you.