Tim did it again. Nice Web Type, “one place for web typography, using our collective knowledge for the betterment of typographic style and practice,” gets a bold, new gray look. Check out his latest work for Vassar too. This guy is unstoppable.
Stopdesign gets a new design for the new year. The layout has some similar features of SimpleBits.
For the past three weeks Dana and I had worked tirelessly well past midnight to launch our collaborative online jewelry store: Simplexpression.com. While she handcrafted and took photographed each piece, I touched up the images and put the web site together.
With Simplexpression, our goal is to create simple, elegant jewelries that are not only visually attractive, but also comfortable to wear on a daily basis. To reflect on our products, we wanted a clean, classy site with ease of use. The layout lets the products speak for themselves. We also integrated PayPal to handle our transactions for a smooth, secured experience.
Dana is obviously the creative mind behind the works. I am not sure how she comes up with the design, but she always strikes the perfect balance between shapes, colors, tones and textures while still manages to keep the piece simple. The labor goes into each piece is intensive, yet the final product is just stunning.
One of the fun tasks of the project is to come up with the name for each piece. We listen mostly to jazz in our design process. So we figure why not name them after the jazz ladies. All we have to do is matching up each piece with a female jazz artist based on her style and personality. For example, we honored this necklace after Billie Holiday because it shows Billie’s dramatic lifestyle. She was like the brilliant, orange centerpiece that still lid up inside the ring of darkness. We named this piece after Anita O’Day because its rhythm and its flow correspond to her dazzled sense of time and improvising virtuosity.
What makes this project so special to us is that we get to put our skills together as a couple even though we have different career paths. Because this project is a result of love and passion, we make our products affordable so that we could share them with you and hope that you would take pleasure in wearing them as much as we do in crafting them. So head over to Simplexpression.com and check out our small but expanding collection.
My buddy Tim redesigns his web site. The set of photos added a personal touch of to the layout. Nice job, Tim.
Collection of striking photos from yesterday’s historic event.
Jay-Z’s “My President is Black“:
My president is black, in fact he’s half white
So even in a racist mind he’s half bright
If you have a racist mind you’re alright
My president is black but his house is all white
Rosa Park sat so Martin Luther could walk
Martin Luther walked so Barack Obama could run
Barack Obama ran so all the children could fly
So I’ll spread my wings you can meet me in the sky.
Check out Jay-Z’s “History” too.
President Barack Obama’s inaugural address:
We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
The White House web site gets a beautiful new look as Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. Nice first change.
Nguyen Hong Nhung’s new album, Mo Ve Anh, is a return to the intimate-setting style she had abandoned since her debut. Working only with producer Vu Quang Trung on nine tracks, the record feels closed and personal.
Nguyen Hong Nhung’s big, gorgeous voice floats like songbird on the semi-classical “Bai Ca Cho Anh” (written by Vu Quang Trung and Bang Kieu). Her version of Kim Tuan’s “Bien Can” is surprisingly pleasing thanks to the intoxicating bossa-nova arrangement. She also gave a soulful cover of Vu Thanh An’s “Bai Khong Ten So 8” accompanied by an elegant, solo piano; however, the smooth saxophone should have been left off the break.
The only bad interpretation is Y Van’s “60 Nam.” The beat is too slow for this joyful track and it causes her flow to be stilted. It would have been a great cut with a swing-up rhythm. Technically, Nguyen Hong Nhung still needs to work on her breath control. It’s all over the place and bringing down her delivery a notch.
Stride requires mastery of piano. A stride player does it all: beat, melody and bass. James P. Johnson’s “Caroline Shout” is a prove if one can actually stride. Stephanie Trick proves that she could despite her small fingers. Check out Willie the Lion Smith’s masterful version as well. Another favorite version of mine is from Fats Waller. He was amazing on the high keys.
“A young lady who has experienced spontaneous romanticism is unlikely to fall in love with someone of grudging manners.” –Miss Manners.