process work

For the past few years, Nicholas Felton has published "The Felton Annual Report" (in digital and print format). Dry as it may sound, it's actually chock-full of data visualizations, all based on information he collected while going about his daily routine. The 2009 report relied on the response rate of people he encountered throughout the year; he gave them a business card with a unique URL, they submitted information on their interaction. The result? Another year of beautiful data. Enjoy!

Read more in an interview with Nicholas Felton

Just saw this used on http://www.fm1071.com/loj/photos/celebrities/ and realized that it's available for free. Haven't given it a shot yet, but looks like it has some potential. Simple, easy to navigate, and works how you think it should work. Anyone else have experience with this?

The idea: "Design education typically begins at the college level, but if we wait until then to teach design thinking we are missing critical points in the growth of young minds, whose ability to think creatively is boundless. Teaching high school students to think like designers would help shape the way they look at the world around them and positively affect their future endeavors."

The proposal: "Inspired by these notions, a team of designers from the Austin studio of frog design got together and started an initiative called “TeachDesign.” The objective of this initiative is to expose high school students to design methodologies through immersive, real-world projects that have a lasting positive impact on the participating students, school, and community."

Rewarding results: "What is most rewarding is progress the students made in their critical thinking and ability to solve real world design problems. The students have shared their enjoyment not only of the learning process, but the ability to express all of their ideas in an open forum. The TeachDesign team of frog designers and SHW Group architects collaborated with the students, helping them to refine their ideas and develop a point of view to present to their audience in a powerful and persuasive way.

"I became a designer so people would come to me with their problems. Then I can be creative." Tru'dat, Michael.

Playback is committed to creating clothes from recycled materials, guaranteeing that their entire process–not just the concept– is environmentally-friendly.

"Partner shuts the lid of laptop on your fingers."

'Nough said.

As I gain more experience in design–both in education and hands-on work– I've realized the importance of designers to have hobbies and interests that expand beyond design. Dancing, cooking, gardening, gaming… there are countless ways to diversify your design thinking, and it starts with diversifying your free-time. For the same reason, I think it's important that designers think beyond 'making something pretty' when given any task (be it in school or at a job). Force yourself to think beyond what you know, bringing to the table your individualized skill set; eventually (if they don't already), colleagues will recognize your importance in the grand scheme of any problem, and your assistance will expand beyond the surface.

The new U.S.-Canada border crossing station at Massena, NY, as seen from the Canadian side.
Photo by Michael Moran.