Just Hatched

Google Buzz launched today. Check it out here.

We Love Collaboration

Delivered in Beta from KS12 on Vimeo.

Open design, collaboration, innovation, conversation - all ideas we've long ago adopted at Elements - are the topics discussed in this short video.

Can these new ways of working change how we all work together? Could this movement be as monumental as the industrial revolution? Human culture today is online. To make something relevant, do you need to open up your ideas to the online community? How is social media changing design? How are we blurring the lines between our work and play? Where is design headed in this next century?

“Delivered in Beta” begins a conversation on these topics and invites your participation (twitter hashtag #od10beta). This video was created during the Open Design Workshop at the Betahaus as part of Social Media Week Berlin 2010. Produced by KS12."

{via swissmiss}

Canceled: Elements Open Studio – Share the Love

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are canceling tonight's Share the Love Open Studio. Please feel free to stop by this week to drop off any donations for the Fair Haven Food Pantry from 9 am - 4:30 pm.

We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing our clients, friends and fans at our next open studio this spring. Stay tuned for more info!

Touchdown!

You know we watch the Superbowl mainly for the ad wars. Here's my hands down favorite {thus far, we're in the 4th}. Google's first plunge into television advertising. I loved it, and not just due to the whole French girl theme (but it didn't hurt, either)!

To cast your own vote, this year YouTube launched AdBlitz, which allows us to vote on our favorite ad as soon as SuperBowl 44 ends. You can also catch the ads you missed while refilling your (ahem) frosty beverage.

A Delightful Evening Speaking at Hartford Art School

Last night, I had the pleasure of speaking to a group of about 25 graphic design students at the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford (some pictured above). I will post more about my talk in a later post (which I hope to turn into an article for all design students to read). I mostly spoke about how best to prepare for entering the marketplace and what to expect as a young designer transitioning into the working world.

I spoke for about two hours last night and enjoyed every moment of it. I hope HAS invites me back again. Thank you to John Nordyke and Ethan Bodnar for being such great hosts. To the students - you all impressed me. You are a wonderful group of bright, curious, and engaged designers and I look forward to watching all of your careers take off. Thank you for sharing some time with me and please stay in touch.

And to my fellow graphic design friends who are reading this blog - if you plan to make a new hire this coming year, I'd advise strongly at interviewing the graduating students at HAS. They have a lot to offer, are passionate, dedicated are eager to work hard and learn from all of us.

Much, much more to report so stay posted!

Elements Open Studio: Share the Love

As we enter the winter doldrums, everyone could use a little early February pick-me-up. That's why, here at Elements, we say "Let's celebrate with chocolate! Lots of chocolate! And maybe a little champagne."

Next Monday, February 8 frmo 5:30 -8 we will host our February Open Studio and invite you and a friend or loved one to "Share the Love". We will be collecting non-perishable goods on behalf of the Fair Haven Food Pantry as Elements is now proudly an official drop off location.

So fight those winter blues with a pink and chocolate celebration at Elements - come one, come all! More information | RSVP here.

Feeling Bookish

Out of Print Clothing Co. is selling this sweet tees with out-of-print book cover art.

{thanks, Jeremy!}

These vintage-looking hardcover books are actually very cool cases for MacBooks by BookBook.

SeeClickFix Mobile App Launches

The smart folks who created SeeClickFix - a community-powered initiative created to help citizens report, comment, share and follow-up on non-emergency issues in their city - have launched an updated mobile app. They also have an informative blog and the SeeClickFix program has been gaining up speed as more and more mainstream media attention and branching partnerships to other cities have jumped on board.

Way to go, guys! We totally support your efforts and love what you are doing for all cities, but especially New Haven, our home. Keep it growing ...

State of the Union (Letters from Americans)

While watching tonight's State of the Union, I was reminded of a blog post I wrote a little more than a year ago. President Obama mentioned several letters he has read from struggling Americans. I noticed some of my Facebook friends scoffing about these letters, insinuating that it's a farce to convince the American people that the President is in touch with them. However, as I mentioned, the first thing I thought of was my blog post.

The post was about a New York Times article detailing the process by which Mike Kelleher, White House Director of Correspondence chooses letters – letters that arrive at the White House in hopes of being read by President Obama. Ten of those letters are selected each day and then read – and even responded to – by the President himself. Read the original blog post here or visit NYTimes.com for the full story.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

365 Slices

We spotted this Wüsthof - makers of the very best knives in the world - tear-a-day calendar on the Ads of the World site and think it's nearly perfect. Stunning design and very intelligent marketing piece. They sliced a red onion 365 times, once for each day, and photographed it. So simple. It really works.

Can you think of a clever marketing promotional piece for your business that is appealing, intelligent and shows off your product or service as beautifully as this piece does? Share!