Last August I traveled to El Salvador with the All The Way Live Foundation and had the privilege of being alongside some of the most talented and generous dancers and artists I have ever met. Among them was ‘Terrible’ Mike, a pretty sick dancer and equally passionate photographer, which I would later learn as we documented the foundation's Central America trip. Here are a couple of the photos Mike recently finished developing from the trip, but if you have some time to kill, I recommend checking out more pics here.
Check out more of Mike’s work at http://michaelkenneth.squarespace.com/ And go to http://allthewaylive.tv/ to find out more about All The Way Live Foundation.
HUMANS OF NY
Hiding behind every face is a story, an emotion, a friend, an enemy, teacher or mentor, a husband or wife, brother or sister, but most importantly a human being. A human being with a CRAZY story. It's freaking amazing to me how we're capable of painting such vivid pictures in our minds, connect dots and understand someone else's story with such minimal descriptors.
Real candid snaps of real NY peeps - a few random faves:
I stumbled upon this gem while reading a Chase Jarvis interview. As designers we create products, objects and experiences for human beings. It's always good to see and feel humanly things like this site! Wish they had this for every city! Enjoy. :)
BAKERS SON @ Asterick SF
My brother Keith Magruder is doing #legit #crazy #sexy ass things!!!! come thru tomorrow --Asterisk San Francisco COME JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT! 7PM.
http://www.creativesession.com/bakers-son/
ADIDAS FOAM BOTTOMS
Again, I must re-clarify the situation at hand. I do not stray away from Nike often and in no way am I a serious runner. I just happened to be in the market for a nice pair of running shoes that are capable of keeping my feet safe for the three miles I run a week. Comfort wise, I've searched hell and back for the one and only sneaker that is capable of replacing my ancient Nike Free zero-point-ohs. I had no intention of purchasing these, but upon trying them on... I WAS SOLD. The "bounce" factor is pretty serious on these, kinda fun actually. Adidas did a wonderful job designing these, the heat tape and details on the toe is AMAZING! Shout outs to the Adidas employee hook up! ;)
Tech note: Best for heel to mid foot strikers
DOLLARS OR SENSE
A solid quote on MANY levels. It makes me wonder. What is our purpose? What role do we play? Why be a slave to the dollar if life does not yet make sense? Be the change you wish to see in the world, start small. One step at a time! #PASSIONOVEREVERYTHING #POSITIVECHANGE
TRMNL
I think about my experiences when travelling from one place to another. About our existence right before leaving and immediately after arriving. These moments in time- Have they ever been memorable? We hang in limbo in anticipation of our final destination. Compelling stories, excited people and impending memories await. But what about in between? This terminal we navigate through and through is so temporary. It is brief, vague and only a passage. For me the attractiveness of this space is vast. The impression left by others who have come and gone. The comfort and familiarity- however in a foreign place. This space is adaptable and constantly changing, this space inspired TRMNL. TRMNL captures the gray area in between places. Celebrating a brief moment but preserving what’s overlooked. It's effectively the checkpoint that bridges each important moment to the next. Familiar, transitional, yet temporary at the same time; a home for digital nomads. TRMNL is a mobile work station.
GOOD LISTENING: Brian Bennett "Solstice"
Kanye West sampled this one for "Lord Lord Lord" - The beat is super spacey chill! Enjoy!
Y-3 QASA NINJA SNEAKS
I don't stray from Nike too often and have not fallen so deeply in love with a pair of shoes since the Nike Inneva NRGs. I would have to say these are the best designed sneaker of 2013. Yohji Yamamoto definately made the decision easy for ya boy! Experience the hovercraft/floater/donut/airbag sole for yourself! :)
GOOD LISTENING: MAJID JORDAN "AFTERHOURS"
My friend shilena put me onto this Canadian Duo goodness. Enjoy folks.
THE AUDI EXPERIENCE
"The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work."
--Thomas A. Edison
Coming into 2013, Anh and I felt hopeful for Creative Session and excited for what the future will throw our way. Incredibly for the both of us, opportunities are perceived as fun and hard work merely feels like playing. While we both juggle regular day jobs at Astro Studio and Lab126 we make it a priority to routinely get together, have fun, and design without limitations via Creative Session. With C.S. we love what we do, therefore it never feels like hard-work. As ambitious as this year unfolded, I have to be honest. I never imagined it ending working with AUDI.
It went down like this. We posted on Instagram. Audi Re-Posted with the caption "If this is just a doodle, imagine a full drawing. Now that's impressive. " The sketches gained traction on Social media. Sarah Lindberg (Marketing @ Twitter) tweeted "That would make an incredible fabric print. #IWantanAudiDress." Audi reached out and the rest was history.
"If this is just a doodle, imagine a full drawing. Now that's impressive. "
--Audi
The best part about doodling is the freedom to imagine and explore ideas loosely on paper and then to interpret them into something of visual value. These therapeutic sessions inspire new avenues but notably has become a series we dub "5 Minute Doodle." Who would have imagined a simple 5.M.D posted on INSTAGRAM would've opened up unimaginable doors: designing a dress inspired by Audi from a Post-it note and attending an Audi A3 reveal, a private rooftop party. It still feels unbelievable, even today.
(Custom artwork designed using our Audi sketches.)
"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but doing it."
--Greg Anderson
Audi’s request was simple but the experience was HUGE. Design a dress that retains the original sketch and captures the company's aesthetics. For us both, this journey was worth every moment; as professionals, we are often silo-ed into very specific trades and to say we're only industrial designers is to deny us of the very reason we started designing. Basically, we do what we do for the love of art and creativity and shouldn't be limited in anyway. This project captured more than just industrial design for us, this project allowed us to be uncomfortable, to experiment and to collaborate which is what CS is all about.
Here is a photo diary and video of our Audi experience. We can't say this enough but we are truly thankful and honored to have been a part of all this.
--
This is what started this all:
THE AUDI EXPERIENCE
"The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work."
--Thomas A. Edison
Coming into 2013, Anh and I felt hopeful for Creative Session and excited for what the future will throw our way. Incredibly for the both of us, opportunities are perceived as fun and hard work merely feels like playing. While we both juggle regular day jobs at Astro Studio and Lab126 we make it a priority to routinely get together, have fun, and design without limitations via Creative Session. With C.S. we love what we do, therefore it never feels like hard-work. As ambitious as this year unfolded, I have to be honest. I never imagined it ending working with AUDI.
It went down like this. We posted on Instagram. Audi Re-Posted with the caption "If this is just a doodle, imagine a full drawing. Now that's impressive. " The sketches gained traction on Social media. Sarah Lindberg (Marketing @ Twitter) tweeted "That would make an incredible fabric print. #IWantanAudiDress." Audi reached out and the rest was history.
"If this is just a doodle, imagine a full drawing. Now that's impressive. "
--Audi
The best part about doodling is the freedom to imagine and explore ideas loosely on paper and then to interpret them into something of visual value. These therapeutic sessions inspire new avenues but notably has become a series we dub "5 Minute Doodle." Who would have imagined a simple 5.M.D posted on INSTAGRAM would've opened up unimaginable doors: designing a dress inspired by Audi from a Post-it note and attending an Audi A3 reveal, a private rooftop party. It still feels unbelievable, even today.
(Custom artwork designed using our Audi sketches.)
"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but doing it."
--Greg Anderson
Audi’s request was simple but the experience was HUGE. Design a dress that retains the original sketch and captures the company's aesthetics. For us both, this journey was worth every moment; as professionals, we are often silo-ed into very specific trades and to say we're only industrial designers is to deny us of the very reason we started designing. Basically, we do what we do for the love of art and creativity and shouldn't be limited in anyway. This project captured more than just industrial design for us, this project allowed us to be uncomfortable, to experiment and to collaborate which is what CS is all about.
Here is a photo diary and video of our Audi experience. We can't say this enough but we are truly thankful and honored to have been a part of all this.
--
This is what started this all:
A COUPLE FUN THINGS COOK'N IN THE KITCH
As most of you know, CS is our little passion experiment. Hoang and I both have daytime design gigs so it doesn’t take much to get us bitchin and moaning about how freaking busy we are! Anyways, with the crazy amount of projects we’re handling I feel like I haven’t done my part on the blog, so I owe you guys a little bit of content. Here’s a little sneak peek into what’s cooking! Please stay tune’d and thank you so much for your patience. Super rough and under major progress, I promise nothing but sweetness coming your way! #RARE
FIRST
First off I would like to apologize for the sloppy iP5 photos! You're looking at the first watches I've ever designed. This was a colaboration between the man David Whetstone and I through our design gig at ASTRO studios for Electric! These were intended to expand their brand and launch a new watch division! After working in the consultancy world for 4+ years I can tell you this - RARELY does a design stay true to its original intent so when it does EMBRACE the shit out of it. It is definitely awesome seeing the product through production and how honest the watches kept to the original sketches. Thanks to ASTRO + Electric for the oppertunity, the design experience was truly one of a kind! #THUMBSUP
Muji Smartphone Bluetooth Dock
Our buddies over at Yamamoto Industries are amazing for this. Roy and Jay travels between SF and Japan so often for work that I wish my life were theirs. A few months ago Muji released this dock exclusively in Japan and I knew I had to have it. Roy co-owner of Yamamoto Industries happen to be in Japan the same week and scooped one of these up for me. Speaker quality isn't great but I'm infatuated with the design aesthetics. Muji one company that continues keep my minimalist thinking in check.
Enjoy.
MINUS-8 LAUNCH VIDEO
We worked on this video last night for tonight's event. Enjoy. Follow us @creativesession and them @minus8sf on instagram. Enjoy:
COROFLOT LOVING'S
As the holidays roll through and the work load piles up, features like this make everything worth every bit of sweat and energy. 2013 has been a blessing and we hope to match the drive through new years and onto the next. Thank everyone for keeping up with the Nguyen's.
Here is a quick screen capture taken from the site. (Hey, ma i'm at the very top!)
GOOD LISTENING: CLUBFEET CAPETOWN
MINUS-8 LAUNCH PARTY - RSVP!
The DOPEST thing about designing with the ASTRO crew is the amount of creative control and support each and every designer is provided. We're all given the rare opportunity to explore and fall in love with design through creating "passion projects." It is the things we love most, we fight the hardest for- and personal projects are the ones that push us to do just that. This is the result of a 3 year long ASTRO incubation from our CD Dana Kreiger with the support from the whole ASTRO crew! Make sure you RSVP and show up to the event to see and hear the complete process, from sketch to manufacture! Below are a few grainy snaps of what to expect from the Minus-8 launch party!
BE SURE TO RSVP: LAUNCH@MINUS-8.US
"LAMPFIRE" CORE77 FEATURE
"Welcome to the Great Indoor Gathering" --Core77 <--read the full article here.
We designed "Lampfire" around this same time last year at about mid December to early January. If it was remotely anything close to how cold it is right now, I can imagine the influences in having a faux indoor campfire. (doesn't produce heat though haha.)
Nostalgia is really the main driver in designing LampFire. The memories linked with crackling fires, burnt indigenous wood, clothes suffocating in smoke and mesquite flavored hair are all attributes of bonding around an amber lit campfire. The feel involved around a campfire are the influences applied in designing an indoor lamp that advocates coming together and bonding around a central matter.
In light of the situation here are some unreleased photos of "LampFire" (no pun intended.)
FALL IN LOVE W/ ART AGAIN
"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
--Vincent Van Gogh
Silence the noise around us by doing- for the act of doing solidifies our thoughts and dreams.
Art has always been the one thing that keeps me sane, it is my escape without needing to ever leave. I appreciate making art because there isn't a right or wrong way of attacking and the freedom to explore is endless. This is the one reason why I love design, I get to constantly challenge conventional ideas.
I've had this doodle in my notebook for a few weeks now and finally got around to it this holiday. The idea stemmed from WEBRAND after featuring Creative Session as a company to follow on Instagram. We're totally stoked about that- Thank you. While checking out the "CHALLENGE" section on the site I saw the latest challenge is to design a graphic for the Venice Art Crawl coming up in December. Although I didn't think I would have enough time to work on this challenge juggling work for Amazon and Audi, I knew I wanted to do it for myself because ART plays an important part of my life.
More info about Venice Art Crawl.
Check out my process:
download as wallpaper HERE.