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The color of money

These days, I get really depressed when I look the design of US money.

At least the one dollar bill is going to stay the same (not worth counterfeiting), but gads; new money we have: so ugggly. Tiny gold 20s floating everywhere. Horrid layouts, random mismatched Helvetica number on the back. Bleeeh.

The Art of Money author David Standish picks the ‘top 10 most beautiful bills’ from around the world – check out the slideshow here.

And
Here’s a look at the color – and current, um, design – of US money at COLOURlovers.

Tags: design, illustration by steve
1 comment . . .

The Book of Kells, animated

‘Your eye travels over Celtic crosses and through forest glades, studies architectural schematics and drinks in delicately washed landscapes . . . And it is only fitting that a movie concerned with the power and beauty of drawing – the almost sacred magic of color and line – should be so gorgeously and intricately drawn.’ –A. O. Scott, NY Times

The Secret of Kells, which premiered last year in Berlin, has been quietly gaining attention on the festival circuit, racking up awards – as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Film. (tho – Disney’s Up won the statue)

The film is the story of Brendan, a 12-year-old who – in 9th century Ireland – discovers the beauty of art and sets out on a life’s journey to complete work on The Book of Kells.

Official website here. Filmmakers’ blog here. Facebook fan page.

The film is still in limited release, slooowwly making the art theatre circuit.

Early promotional trailer

Final US trailer

Tags: cool finds, design history, education, illustration, music by steve
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The Book of Kells

Right now my history students are freaked out by the study guide they received this week.

Among the many graphic design historical items listed is the Irish Book of Kells, c. 800 A.D.

The Book of Kells is the most elaborate illuminated manuscript ever created – that we know of. A brief overview can be seen in the NBC video above; its origins are the stuff of legend.

book of kells resources
Many different resources exist for study. A detailed history can be found on the Wiki site here. There are also introductory books, official sites, fan sites and more. The most accessible would be The Book of Kells on DVD, which details every page of every folio. Preview video below:

Or
If you simply want a Kells-based journal, you can snag one here.

Today Show video found via MSNBC

Tags: cool finds, design history, education, illustration, typography by steve
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Colm

One of Doug Savage’s Sticky Note comic panels.

Tags: cool finds, illustration by steve
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Muppet propaganda

The work of illustrator Kevin Skinner.

Found via Drawn!

Tags: cool finds, illustration by steve
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Obamabats

24 Obama dingbats. TrueType format. Free. Here.

Tags: cool finds, fonts, illustration, typography by steve
3 comments . . .

Digital graffiti at the Olympic Village

‘Canada’s home grown electro kings Holy FUCK lend their funk to this incredible snippet of the digital graffiti out of the olympic village. A huge backlit projection was set up in conjunction with photoshop and given to a group of anti-athletes’

Presented by Chairman Ting and Tangible interaction.

Snag Holy Fuck’s tracks here. MySpace here.

Found via YRB Magazine

Tags: art, cool finds, events, exhibitions, illustration, music by steve
2 comments . . .