Truly, one of the best reasons that I enjoy BigStar is the ability to choose the clients I work with. I have life-long  relationships and amazing late-night stories from all of the experiences over the past 10+ years. So, to show how much I care, I’m going to give a little prize for the client of my 400th project. I’m not announcing what it is until the big day, but it will definitely be one of a kind. Good luck and thanks for all the fun!

Tribeca Film Festival Lighting Installation from Justin Weiner on Vimeo.

Every few days I have to fill the creative well with a tour of what is out “there”.

I could watch this video by 18bis [www.18bis.tv], a Portuguese design firm, over and over. Cut paper, set to the story of Pablo Neruda’s poem, “The Me Bird”.

The Me Bird from 18bis on Vimeo.

I am the Pablo Bird,

bird of a single feather,
a flier in the clear shadow
and obscure clarity,
my wings are unseen,
my ears resound
when I walk among the trees
or beneath the tombstones
like an unlucky umbrella
or a naked sword,
stretched like a bow
or round like a grape,
I fly on and on not knowing,
wounded in the dark night,
who is waiting for me,
who does not want my song,
who desires my death,
who will not know I’m arriving
and will not come to subdue me,
to bleed me, to twist me,
or to kiss my clothes,
torn by the shrieking wind.

That’s why I come and go,
fly and don’t fly but sing:
I am the furious bird
of the calm storm.

Pablo Neruda

And the making of this beautiful film:

Making of The Me Bird from 18bis on Vimeo.

I am not an engineer. Couldn’t be farther from it. But I am from them, surrounded by them, and love them. Scientists, designers, engineers, dreamers, makers, artists of the technical, all have made this country so amazing. And many of the best and brightest today were inspired by the dream of space of their childhoods. Neil DeGrasse Tyson makes a strong appeal for the reinstatement of the United States manned space future. I think it is worth it. The $850 billion bank bailout was more than the entire 50 year working budget for NASA. Is that silly? Is he correct that the dreaming is over? Or can companies like Space X fill the gap? Do we tell our children, “An astronaut? Don’t be silly, you can grow up to be a fun manager, Billy!”

What inspires you to dream?

As young adults enter the gray area between young children’s first chapter books and mature tween/teen lit, there can be a sad time of searching. The marriage of illustrations and terrific tales gets lost sometimes as the the subject matter gets more mature. Colin Meloy, of the Decembrists, and his wife Carson Ellis, illustrator of other young fiction such as Lemony Snicket and The Mysterious Benedict Society (another great book…but that is another story), have created a wonderful world out of the non-fictional setting of Portland. Not only is the story  exciting, dramatic and deep, but the interspersed illustrations lend a definite richness that makes for a perfect story for the kid that has a broad reading level and interest, but doesn’t want to read just about middle school angst.

Now to the business of these books:  I’m always interested in the process of other illustrators, and I’m amazed at couples that can work together like this. And to make me even happier, they post an iTunes “soundtrack” to each book. [scroll down: http://www.wildwoodchronicles.com/extras] Of course, Led Zeppelin, Ramble On, to get the adventure on the right food. GREAT way to sync all of my favorite muses… music, illustration, written words. Of course, I’m in love with this collaboration and savvy marketing. You can see that Ellis’ illustrations touch all of these websites, hers, her husband’s, the Decembrists’ and more. The music is a great connector too.

Meloy and Ellis talk a bit about their process:  a tiny glimpse of The Wildwood Chronicles.

Check out Wildwood here.

I’ve been working from home for 10+ years now. I am extremely efficient, extremely low cost (in terms of physical overhead) and very happy.

Now imagine that your new boss, builds a nursery for his or her baby, next to his office. Installs a full-time nanny. Enjoys the perks of telecommuting while still at work. Imagine that that boss cancels your telecommuting contract. How are you feeling?

Many pundits are saying this is a mistake. I tend to agree. Considering the Number 1, Numero Uno, tip top reason people want to work somewhere is meaningful, exciting work, I still think it is a bust. What is Yahoo doing that is exciting? Do you telecommute and do you think it is a top perk or do you long for the office life?

Wendy Taylor, Writer — illustrations for website and stationary

cloudbeam™ Corporate illustrations for web and print:

Compassion International — Demographic model, illustrated:

Knowing your favorite Pantone colors by number is similar to the classic, favorite fonts. I know they are going to work for certain projects and can take side trips off of my core set for the appropriate needs. And I can pair them all with my beloved black. I’m really interested to watch how Pantone has infiltrated all areas of design — fabric, interior, etc. Download the full report here.

So, for you that want to be fashion forward, the 2013 Pantone predictions:

Have you ever seen a glossy, moody interview or bio on a famous Ad Man and feel like they must be slightly touched or wonder who is really behind half of what they created?  Usually, I feel a little hmmm… after. Not sure I’m always buying it. Maybe because I’ve been doing this long enough that I know it sometimes just smacks you in the forehead. That little nudge often seems hard to claim.

However, I love, love hearing about artists and writers that speak to children, and how their actual processes work. They have to be part kid + psychologist + nut job.

This is just an awesome little visual bio on how picture book author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers works. Funny and tender, just like his books.

Oliver Jeffers Author Film 2013 from Oliver Jeffers on Vimeo.

I use it all the time. In my design, in my life. I’m always leaning toward symmetry.

This video for Holland, by Cold Specks instantly reminded me of some of the early RadioLab videos about symmetry. Beautiful song – interesting video. The lead singer, Al Spx is just amazing. Remind anyone of the 70s?

RadioLab Wonderful!! If you don’t know Radiolab, find it. It is an amazing collaboration that started with Robert Krulwich and Jad Abrumrad. It is a radio show, video hunt, experiment about curiosity.