I recently found a great site for texture images called Lost and Taken. They have quite a number of freebies, but also offer premium content as well. Next time you’re looking for images of paper, cardboard, coffee stains, et cetera, make sure this site is on your list.

I love Information Graphics. In some ways there is nothing quite as beautiful. Graphic designer Nicholas Felton has released his fourth installment in his own Annual Report project, which visually represents his time and activities for that past year. Each year his Annual Reports have attracted more and more attention, and perhaps as a result, Nicholas has taken each past report to new heights. This year is no different. From the books he has read to the places he has been and the music he listen to along the way, each piece of information has been laid out beautifully in the form of charts, graphs, and even his own version of an atlas map. Available in both folded and unfolded versions, it is available here.

Today I ran across these two posters; both very beautifully done and both very different. Each one of us brings something slightly unique to the game. Every once in a while it’s nice to look at completely different styles and remind myself of that. Unfortunately, I don’t have any information on who did these posters; if you do, let me know in the comments.

In light of the continuing controversy surrounding the 2012 Olympic Logo, and since we are moving right along through the current Games, I thought it appropriate to post a couple items from Otl Aicher. Otl Aicher was the lead designer of the 1972 Munich Olympics, and introduced the first Olympic mascot and the graphic symbols that we have derived much of our current day signage from. The second image shows a few pieces I ran across today that I was unfamiliar with. From the simplest pamphlets to the medals themselves, the minimal design is truly refreshing.

As a designer and illustrator I am always looking for elements to use in my work. If you are like me, textures are invaluable; that being said, I love it when they’re free. This site offers just that: high-quality, free, wood-grain textures. Enjoy.

I love to go out and take photos of things that inspire me or very often textures to use in illustrations; but I never considered taking photos of simple painted walls and stripes. Grant Hamilton has done just that with his Polaroids and the results are fantastic! His Flickr photostream can be seen here. His simple compositions are truly inspiring and have made me appreciate what is often overlooked.

Images via Flickr

A new glass bottle for portuguese olive oil company, designed by Industrial Designer Michael Young. I love the shape of this bottle with the thick glass bottom. The mix of serif and san-serif typefaces are beautiful as well.

Great design + environmentally friendly + a twist of humor = a product I would buy.
Visit their site here.

Here’s some great design from long ago. A very refreshing piece with nice images and a clean layout. Images from this site.

What an amazing concept. Visually beautiful, and factually hard-hitting. By using a familiar image like a country’s flag as a way to illustrate the unsettling statistics, this campaign connects so easily to the viewer. There is a good write-up about campaign here.

This fourth day of July, as Independence is celebrated across the US, let us all remember the things we take for granted—one of the greatest being the right to choose.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”