Holiday Greetings, from Circle!

Holiday Greetings!, originally uploaded by Adrian J.K. Shum, CGD.

From all of us at Circle - Merry everything to you and yours!! Cheers!!!

In lieu of the traditional, Circle has opted to distribute holiday greetings electronically (past cards drew from Chinese proverbs, ancient rune translations, etc.). This year's message was written by Robert L. Peters.

Recommended | Berns & Black Salon...

A few months have passed since the grand opening of Winnipeg's greenest, eco-friendly salon, Berns & Black located at 468 Main Street (in the old Birt Saddlery building - Main and Bannatyne)... it has now become my salon destination of choice. ;)


Check out this video (taken before the grand opening) I came across on Youtube...

A number of factors influenced my decision... but, mainly, it's conveniently located in the Exchange District (within walking distance from Circle), it's dedicated to being eco-friendly(+) – plus, the staff, service, product selection (and decor) is second to none.

On my most recent visit, I took the opportunity to take a few quick pics... my apologies as they really don't do the space justice.



The decor is very cool IMO...


Hanging on one of the walls was this shadow-box display, housing authentic tools from Anthony Berns Barbershop (c.1951). :D

Berns & Black offers salon and spa services (including straight razor shaves for men)... I highly recommend that you check it out! If you're looking for a new stylist, ask for Kitty... you won't be disappointed (tell her I sent 'ya).

You can read more about Berns & Black online via the Winnipeg Free Press and the Winnipeg Sun, here and here.


Berns & Black is open at 9:00 am Monday thru Saturday (closing hours vary), walk-ins are welcome, but pre-booking is recommended. For more information, or to book an appointment call (204) 944 8454.

Cheers!

COOL! MOSSTIKA Urban Greenery...

A very cool 'living portrait' hanging on a green space wall in Brooklyn, NY. Created by Edina Tokodi and József Vályi-Tóth.


Check the details on their website - http://www.mosstika.com/ - enjoy! Via Robert L. Peters' News+ (via Visual Culture) - cheers!

Happy Birthday Nikola Tesla...

Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856 – 7 January 1943) was an inventor and a mechanical and electrical engineer. Tesla was responsible for revolutionary developments in the field of electricity and magnetism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries... his patents and theoretical work formed the basis of modern alternating current (AC) electric power systems. Why is it then that so little is known about this 'forgotten wizard'?

I came across this video on YouTube while skimming through the related Google links on Tesla's birthday. I had no idea Tesla was responsible for so much... enjoy!

Recommended Viewing | Carved in Stone...

The Leeds School of Business flew master lettercutter Douglas Coffin from Sandpoint Maine to carve the Koelbel name into a new building.

Coffin is one of only six lettercutters in the US. View the video to see the carving in progress and hear Coffin describe the art, techniques, and pleasure inherent in this rare (perhaps dying?) art form. Watch the video embedded above or on YouTube, here - enjoy!

Happy World Graphics Day!

Today is World Graphics Day. From Wikipedia:

World Graphic Design Day is celebrated on April 27, the anniversary of the founding of Icograda, the world body for graphic design, in 1963. It is a day to celebrate the profession of graphic and communication design. The day has been celebrated since 1995. On this occasion, designers reflect and hope that an international network can contribute to a greater understanding between people and can help to build bridges where divides and inequities exist.


As you should be aware, I (along with other Manitoba Chapter delegates and representatives) attended the GDC National AGM (held in Winnipeg) from 23 April to 25 April. Lively debate, discussions and passion was evident around the AGM table, with much fun to be had in the evening, as the photographic evidence shows in the GDC National 2009 AGM Flickr Group Pool... ;)

Above is a group snapshot of the GDC National Council which I took on the front steps on the Fort Garry Hotel. Thank you to all the National Executives, Chapter Delegates and representatives from affiliated associations who made this AGM, one to remember. I hope you enjoyed your visit to Winnipeg.


Much was accomplished at this year's AGM. One of the most important (IMO), and in celebration of World Graphics Day, the GDC adopts 'Sustainability Principals'... read the full story on http://www.gdc.net/ - cheers!

Antique Road Trip...

This past Saturday, I attempted to go see the Marilyn Monroe: Life as a Legend exhibition at the WAG with good friends, James, Doug and Raelene. Unfortunately for us, we were a bit late in arriving, and opted to visit the Forks Market instead.

For those of you who are familiar with Winnipeg and the Forks, you can see in the picture above, the river walk is completely invisible, covered by a thick (and rising) layer of ice. Flood worries are definitely running high as the ice 'jams and dams.'


We ended up exploring the Antique Mall located on the lower level of the Johnston Terminal. It's quite an interesting place to say the least...


I've always enjoyed classic pop bottles... for nostalgic reasons perhaps? I wonder what Snow White pop actually was? I'm guessing cream soda? I wonder if it was actually white like Calpis or Calpico (a Japanese beverage).


James offered $10 to anyone who would drink this (after signing a waiver of liability that is)... ;)


Doug aka The Orange Kid, posing with his Elvis shades amongst the Elvis antiques(?)...


One of the more interesting finds was this creepy, Colonel Sanders statue/bank (enhanced creepiness via Photoshop). It was immediately dubbed the 'Why so serious?' Colonel (ala Dark Knight - Joker).

View the rest of the pics from my antique road trip on my Flickr, here - enjoy! Cheers!

Recommended Viewing | The American Package Museum...

If you're a fan of nostalgia or packaging, I highly recommend that you take the time to visit The American Package Museum... where curator, Ian House has taken his personal collection of early 20th century packages and created an online gallery/archive to share with everyone.


There are some really neat old packages in this gallery, it's interesting to recognize some familiar brands and see how they've evolved... check it out at http://www.packagemuseum.com/ - cheers!

Seasonal Greetings from Circle...

For a number of years now, Circle has sent out inspirational quotes/seasonal thoughts as part of our holiday e-greetings (past cards drew from Chinese proverbs, ancient rune translations, etc.).

May your holiday season be blessed with peace, love and happiness! Cheers!

Did You Know...

Watch this video on YouTube... :O

Recommended Viewing | LIFE Photo Archive hosted by Google...

An awesome link to share today... excerpt from the website: search millions of photographs from the LIFE photo archive , stretching from the 1750s to today. Most were never published and are now available for the first time through the joint work of LIFE and Google.

To awesome for words to describe. You have to check it out for yourself! Goto http://images.google.com/hosted/life - enjoy!

Thanks to Dean McNeil, MGDC for posting the link to the GDC Listserve - cheers!

The Girl Effect...

A nice website link and typographic intro video (embedded above) to share with you all today. When you have a moment, go take a look at http://www.girleffect.org/ - a link posted to the GDC Listserve by designer, Danielle Autran. I think it's quite nicely done... a good use of typography, music and Flash(?) IMO, what do you think?

Thanks for posting the link Danielle - cheers!

International Day of Non-Violence... (Happy Birthday Gandhi!)

Today marks the first official International Day of Non-Violence, it coincides with Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. Excerpt from Wikipedia:

On 15 June 2007 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution by the General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate 2 October in "an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness."

So remember, be at peace with yourself and others today (and everyday for that matter)! As a wise man once said, "Nor an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, for him who counts no man his enemy, but all his neighbors, and therefore can never stretch out his hand for vengeance." (St. Irenaeus) - cheers!

Via Robert L. Peters' blog (read his original post here) - enjoy.
Image: Statue of Mahatma Gandhi taken in Saskatoon, SK while attending the GDC National AGM.

GDC MB Lunch Talk w/ Tétro Design...

Yesterday, we had the first GDC Manitoba Lunch Talk for the Fall season, "Designing the GDC National Website." This lunch talk was presented by Paul and Andrea Tétrault (Tétro Design), and focused on the design of the 'front-end' of the new GDC National Website (CMS/'back-end' coding powered by SmallBox Software).


The presentation was well attended, informative and enlightening... I think Tétro has done a great job, and deserve applause/thanks from all the GDC. You can see more pictures from Paul and Andrea's presentation on my Flickr, or via the GDC Manitoba/GDC National Flickr Pools - enjoy! Thanks again to Tétro, for a job well done!

The GDC Manitoba Lunch Talks, are part of the Manitoba Chapters' ongoing professional development activities... as the current Activities Chair for the GDC Manitoba Chapter, I'm looking forward to the lunch talks and activities we've got planned down the road! Look for more information to come... visit the GDC Manitoba Chapter website often, for more information and updates as they become available - cheers!

National Digital Media Day – Inaugural Celebration at Pastry Castle...

Yesterday evening marked the inaugural debut of National Digital Media Day, which saw members of New Media Manitoba, the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (Manitoba Chapter), Flash in the Peg, and the International Game Developers Association band together to celebrate at the Pastry Castle in the Exchange.


Kevin Hnatiuk of New Media Manitoba was on-hand to welcome all the guests who turned out to the event. Kevin, along with his volunteers played a huge role in organizing the event.


The Honourable Jim Rondeau (Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines), made a brief presentation, welcomed the enthusiastic crowd, and introduced the keynote speaker, Robert L. Peters. The event wouldn't have been possible without the Ministries' support so, many thanks!


The keynote presentation, by Robert L. Peters, FGDC was entitled Do the Thing Right.



Rob's quote-filled, Do the Thing Right keynote presentation was very well-received (you can see more random images from Rob's keynote via the GDC Manitoba Flickr Group, here).

People stayed afterwards, had a few beverages, mingled and chatted on the patio (all the while, enjoying the beautiful Fall evening)... a good time was had by all. You can see more images from the event via the GDC Manitoba Flickr Group, here - cheers!

Recommended | What? Clay Art & Curios...

Evelin Richter is a talented Winnipeg Beach based ceramist, I've blogged about her previously on MUHSASHUM, here. Anyhow, Ev's website/blog is now live (design by Circle and powered by Wordpress)! You can learn more about Ev, as well as see some examples of her work, visit her website/blog at http://www.whatclayart.com - enjoy!

COOL! Anna Garforth / ABE...

I highly recommend you check out Anna Garforth's work... I totally dig her Mossenger - 'moss graffiti', as well as her Head Gardner projects. Anna graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2007 with a BA in Graphic Design and has since worked on a variety of commissioned pieces for a diverse range of clients.


Her self-initiated Head Gardner project involves re-purposing plastic milk bottles into plant heads. From her description on her website: 'It takes on the guerilla gardening concept of beautifying neglected or unwelcoming public space through gardening and growing plants, making it a more inviting environment to be in, as well as attracting a healthier biodiversity.' Tres cool IMO.

Visit Anna's website to see additional pics, along with more cool stuff at http://www.crosshatchling.co.uk/ - enjoy! Thanks to my friend, and local Winnipeg designer Mark Simpson for sending me the link. Cheers!

Images © Anna Garforth, All rights reserved.

Street Art or Graffiti?

I'll admit it... I'm a fan of graffiti (the image above was found on Adelaide in Winnipeg). That being said, I do feel a need to clarify the types of graffiti I'm a fan of. I can completely understand how building owners/property managers just loath the idea of graffiti in general and I tend to agree with them - to an extent. Winnipeg has a big problem with the non-sensible, graffiti 'tag' artists who aggressively scrawl their typically un-creative and rather bland 'tags' all over, in what appears to be an attempt to see who can 'tag' the most(?). Just taking a drive around the city or a walk around downtown and you'll see examples of these 'garbage tags' abound.


Graffiti has a very long history which goes back to ancient times, there have been examples from Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire (I'm sure that some artists would argue that cave painting could also be considered graffiti). Like the above image (found in the alley behind the office) states, 'graffiti can make your community beautiful.' I'd like to think that many people would agree with this statement (I'm also quite positive that there would be just as many that wouldn't agree ;P). There's a bit of a back story to this poster (FYI, it's not there any longer)... some of my closer friends and associates should know all about it. ;)


Check out some of the 'Reverse Graffiti' artists out there via the Environmental Graffiti blog... such as the Skulls in Sao Paolo by Alexandre Orion.


You can watch a video of him in action embedded above, or on YouTube, here.


Oh, and let's not forget about BANKSY... who's prolific stencil work, humour and political satire (who some would argue) has single-handedly, changed the world's view on the subject of street art/graffiti and garnered him thousands of fans (I'm one of them), copycats and millions of dollars. If you enjoy street art/graffiti, be sure to check out the Wooster Collective online. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the subject... feel free to comment - cheers!

Recommended Reading | ideasonideas - Running Your Own Race...

If you're a designer or working in the creative industry, I'd highly recommend that you take a few minutes to visit ideasonideas, where Eric Karjaluoto (of Smashlab) discusses design, brands and experience. In particular I recommend that you read one of Eric's recent posts entitled, Running Your Own Race.

I found the article to be quite interesting, and felt that Eric made some keen observations and raises some interesting points (thanks for sharing your thoughts Eric). Anyhow, I'll let you decide for yourself... go and read the article at ideasonideas, here. I'd welcome you to make a comment here after reading it. Enjoy!

Blog Therapy - An Endeavor to Quit Smoking...

I'm very happy to hear that my good friend, Doug Fedrau has resurrected his blog, the Orange Kid as Blog Therapy in an endeavor to quit smoking! I'm 110% in support of his endeavor, and I would encourage you to visit his blog and show your support! Doug is a talented local designer, illustrator and photographer, who also recently started a Flickr account, you can check out his photos on Flickr, here.

Doug was the photographer who was responsible for taking the amazing collection of images from last year's Guardian Challenge - Kyokushin Karate Knockdown Tournament, which is collected on my Flickr account, here. I would encourage you all to start a blog, it's an amazingly rewarding experience... if you want any further encouragement, read Michael Surtees', recent post on DesignNotes, here - cheers!