Feeling a bit uninspired? Maybe this collection of vintage posters, prints, book covers, and postcards can kickstart your creative engine.
Flickr Pools
Jazz-Age in Print (20s-30s)
Celebrating the fabulous jazz-age illustrators and (graphic designers) and the illustrations and print design they created in the 1920s and 1930s.
Wartime Forties in Print
Celebrating the fabulous illustrators (and graphic designers) of the 1940s, and the illustrations and print design they created in (circa wartime) 1940s.
Beer and Booze: A Damn Fine Product
Vintage ads, product and package designs for America's favorite alcoholic beverages.
Vintage Cigarette Ads
Cigarette ads from the 40's and earlier.
Retro Kid
Illustrations associated with children's books from the mid-1940's through the mid-1960's.
Vintage Cookbooks
Pictures of vintage cookbook covers and page illustrations, from wacky to wonderful. Pamphlets, menus and old cooking advertisements.
Vintage Advertising
Advertising images from the past.
Vintage Magazines
Images of vintage magazines (including the eighties).
Vintage Illustration
Vintage illustrations from before 1970.
Vintage Childrens Books
Images from vintage childrens books and other items for children like cards, games, posters, etc.
Posters Post Cards
Posters and postcards old & new.
Flickr Sets
USSR Posters
Russian and/or Soviet propaganda & advert posters [1917-1991]
Vintage Book Illustration
Vintage illustrations.
Espacios Publicitarios
Anuncios publicados en las revistas "Clínica Rural" y "Glosa"
Años 50-60-70
Penguin Books
Retro covers of old Penguin and Penican books
Pretty Pictorals
Colorful retro children's pictorials.
Vintage Kid Books
Covers and illustrations.
Misc Online Resources
Soviet Propaganda Poster Gallery
A colorful resource of vintage soviet propaganda posters. Contains other soviet vintage galleries as well.
The Museum of Anti-Alcohol Posters
A gallery of anti-alcohol posters from soviet propaganda era.
The Ad*Access Project
Funded by the Duke Endowment "Library 2000" Fund, presents images and database information for over 7,000 advertisements printed in U.S. and Canadian newspapers and magazines between 1911 and 1955.
Chinese Public Health Posters
A collection of vintage chinese posters from the National Library of Medicine.
Hungarian Vintage Posters
Nice raw scans of an excellent group of vintage Hungarian Posters.
Vintage Print Ads
A small archive of vintage print advertising.
Misc Vintage Ads
Hilarious, shocking and creepy advertisements from the past century.
For Collectors
Vintage European Posters
A great gallery of original posters for sale from 1890-1960.
Poster Classics
A nice collection of original vintage French and Italian art posters for sale.
Rare European Advertising Posters
Authentic European Vintage Posters for sale.
Vintage Italian Advertising Posters
Original lithograph posters from the Ricordi Portfolio, published by the famous Italian printer Giovanni Ricordi in 1914.
Christopher & Co Ltd.
A great vintage collection including travel,entertainment, and propaganda posters.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Vintage Inspiration
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Top Three Guilty Pleasures To Get You Through The Work Week
In an attempt to continue to avoid any relevant blogging here's a quick post about some fun diversions to get you through the work week.
1. Mac Widgets
Dancing Hula Girl Widget
Because everyone needs a dancing hula girl widget. Damnit.
Solitaire Widget
The only thing I miss about my PC is solitaire. Unfortunately this version for the MAC is so difficult to beat (I haven't yet) that you may be better off spending your time mindlessly staring at the Hula Girl widget. Has anyone ever beaten this thing? Seriously? Ever?
Lorem Ipsum Widget
Sleep soundly at night knowing the power of latin text will be at your fingertips. Handy for designers.
CSS Cheat Sheet Widget
No, I don't actually use it. But it makes me feel 'professional' and I'm certain it gives the other widgets an inferiority complex.
2. Celebrity Blogs and MySpace pages
9 out of 10 the MySpace pages of famous people are completely bogus. After all, famous people are far too good looking and spend way too much time tanning to ever be troubled by tasks as mundane as 'typing' and 'forming sentences' and 'punctuating sentences' and crap like that. But a few are worth a visit.
The James Gunn MySpace Page+Blog
To put it simply, the man has a way with the f*word. When he isn't bubbling over with obsessive man-love for Nathan Fillion (and his body parts), he's volunteering advice to would-be industry types along with inspired lists like 'The 5 Women I Pleasured Myself To Most As A Teenager'. Gunn is probably best known to the public as the writer/director of the horror/sci-fi flick "Slither". He is also well known for being the guy married to the chic from The Office. She has MySpace Page+Blog too. Less swearing.
The Barry Manilow MySpace Page
Why? Because who in their right mind doesn't want to be friends with Barry Manilow? I mean, C'mon.
Pink Nano MySpace Page
Hot pink. Hot music. Hotter design.
What is the motivation behind these MySpace pages and blogs? Do celebrities really want to be your friend? Does the Pink Nano? UNLIKELY. Maybe they want what everyone else on MySpace wants - to beat your freakin'friend count'.
The tally so far:
Diddy 581550 friends
Jesus 100947 friends
iPod Green Nano 47504 friends
Duran Duran 47266 friends
iPod Blue Nano 46508 friends
Mr Spock 45977 friends
iPod Pink Nano 44652 friends
Kevin Rose (Digg.com founder) 14807 friends
Barry Manilow 9664 friends
James Gunn 9578 friends
Captain Kirk 3482 friends
Nate Fillion (his evil MySpace twin) 3440 friends
Nathan Fillion (real guy) 3132 friends
Martha Stewart 1627 friends
Joss Whedon 662 friends
Yeoman Rand 290 friends
Me 29 friends
Conclusion? If you could tap into the "i-like-rap-ipod-wearing-jesus-is-a-cool-dude-trekkie" demographic you would be a god on MySpace.
3. Last but not least: Start an eclectic, offbeat, oddball group just to see if someone will join it. Join a few yourself.
my flickr groups
I *heart* my iPod Group
Pictures of your iPod? Suweeet.
The dog at my "fill in the blank" Group
You just post a picture of something your dog destroyed. That simple.
my last.fm group
Barry Manilow IS The Man Group
It's takes a certain kind of god given talent to copa around the cabana like my precious Barry.
That's it for list. Enjoy.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
lcd woes
I've been experiencing some 'technical difficulties' lately. A few weeks ago I cracked my nearly brandspanking new powerbook's LCD display in a freak 'frame falling off of the fireplace mantle and hitting my screen' accident. The frame survived the fall. My powerbook did not. For those of you who don't know what a cracked LCD looks like I'm posting a photo of one for you. It's not a pretty site. This wasn't taken from my computer screen because my digital camera was out of commission when this 'catastrophe-to-end-all-catastrophes' occurred. But trust me, if you've seen one cracked screen you've seen em' all.
But hey, it's all a learning experience in the end, right? So what did I learn from this experience?
1. Crying and excessive cursing won't help. Apparently, whacking the outside of the case a few times doesn't either.2. LCDs don't grow on trees. Replacing one is not cheap by any means. Unless you are ready to shell out $700.00+ bucks it's best to protect that pretty little screen with your LIFE.
3. Steve Jobs is a cold hearted bastard. Although my Mac is only about 4 months old, it isn't covered under Apple's one year warranty. It has something to do with the fact that I'm the one responsible for scratching the screen. You would think they might at least offer a discount on 'accidental' damage under their one year warranty. Sure, it's my fault. But c'mon Apple, have a heart. Can't you provide some kind of 'idiot' warranty for idiots like me, damnit?
4. When you walk away from your powerbook you should close your top case. Close it, you ninny! (Why didn't they mention that in the manual?)
5. Powerbook 'withdrawal' is a real and serious affliction. Living without your powerbook for the first few days can be tough. You might find yourself aimlessly wandering through the streets and muttering at trees. But it's ok. Eventually the fog clears and you remember that you did actually have a life 'before' your powerbook (although it wasn't nearly as meaningful and fulfilling, obviously).
Weeks later and all is well again and I'm back online and ready to post some updates for my blog. The biggest news of the week is that the new preview site of the Zoto 3.0 interface is online for testing (Zoto is the online photo hosting and sharing site I work for as a designer). It's not the full release and there are still plenty of formatting issues and bugs that need to be fixed. The full release of the actual site won't be ready until November or December. Until then we are letting our users sign up to help us break (I mean test) things out on the new site. I should be blogging about the homepage redesign later this week. Till then, cheerios and cheers!
Related Linkage:
This nice company fixed my LCD for a competitive price of $644.00 which included the cost of overnight shipping. They sent me an idiot proof box. I sent it back with my computer and voila...new LCD! Very fast turnaround. I don't have any complaints about their service (just empty pockets).
http://www.macservice.com/
Wanna make someone with a powebook cry like a little girl? Install this cracked LCD wallpaper on their screen, then sit back and watch them totally FREAK out. (don't forget to hide/remove their desktop icons)
http://www.fontblog.de/C1413545161/E1863918477/index.html
My favorite wallpaper-of-the-moment.
http://files.myopera.com/gausz/albums/52249/snooze_by_rndl.jpg
Beta test the Zoto 3.0 preview site. Go ahead. Test it till it breaks. (this is a working development site)
http://www.zoto.net/
http://www.zoto.net/kbarrett
The Zoto official site. (the old site is still online while we work on the new one)
http://www.zoto.com/
Friday, July 21, 2006
The Amazing Bailey
WooooHOOO. She's a lean, mean fetching machine. I love this shot of her in mid gallop. I'm actually running backwards trying to get her in the frame before she barrels over me.
She actually looks like she's part bat. Oh my gosh, those ears!
Friday, July 14, 2006
How To Be The Perfect Client
1. When giving creative feedback try to avoid phrases like:
"Bleh."
"It's weird."
"It doesn't do anything for me."
"I don't get it."
"Maybe you'll get it on the next try."
"I don't like it."
*I have actually heard all of these. No kidding.
2. Try to give creative feedback that is constructive. The goal is not to make your designer cry. Joyless designer = joyless final product.
3. Do not ask for a flash intro. (They have actually built a special level of Hell for those who do)
4. Do get your content and all of your digital media assets organized, proofed, and delivered in the proper format to your designer/developer at the beginning of the project.
5. Do touch base with your designer/developer as the project progresses. Be involved.
6. Do not constantly call and email your designer on a daily basis. They need time to work.
7. Keep your scheduled meetings and try not to show up with uninvited guests. Keep your entourage (girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse, kids, friends, and pets) at home.
8. Do not show up unexpectedly when the mood strikes you. Your designer/developer may have more than one project going on at the same time...Or be having a bad hair day. Avoid throwing curve balls.
9. Do pay your designer/developer on time, all of the time. Never balk at the amount (it's tacky).
10. When a project is over and you are happy with the result try phrases like:
"You're the best designer...Ever"
"Do you accept large cash tips?"
"Will you marry me?"
Note: Your designer/developer will probably say no to the last one (and possibly feel a little creeped out) unless you are Russell Crowe or just really hot. So it's probably best to avoid it.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Buffy on iPod
buffy on iPod
Originally uploaded by kerfuffles.
Another silly iPod photo? But of course.
No time to blog about it or anything else. The new season of Project Runway just started. Must watch bitchy designers make lettuce/lampshade dresses...
Must hear Tim speak those magic words, "Make it work."
Sunday, July 09, 2006
BSG on iPod
more bsg on iPod
Originally uploaded by kerfuffles.
A pic of actor Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek - Bastille Day) on my iPod was posted to Galacticaa.net! Need a BSG fix? Visit the site.
Related Linkage:
Mac widget: Cylon Bum
Sci Fi Talk : Richard Hatch Podcast
Saturday, July 08, 2006
colors are pretty
Originally uploaded by kerfuffles.
Just finished making the blog look pretty. I've purchased a new typeface for the header which I think is fun and campy. Two big stacks of cd's containing archived files are sitting next me, waiting to be sorted. This is by far the most daunting part of putting together an online portfolio; finding, organizing, and prepping files...Oh joy.
Related Linkage:
Cocktail shaker: http://www.veer.com/products/typedetail.aspx?image=UMT0000056
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Firefly on iPod
firefly on iPod
Originally uploaded by kerfuffles.
Yet another silly photo of my iPod screen. It seems someone has decided to join my flickr group. However, I am still the only one posting photos (sigh). The other flickr group I started (the dog ate my "fill in the blank") is fairing a little better.
In other geek related news, I discovered a new service that I *do not* recommend (http://www.myipodownloads.com/). From what I can tell you basically pay for this service in exchange for a free BitTorrent client and a link to some software to help you convert files to an iPod compatible format. Um...hello? I could have done that on my own. I felt mislead by the site and emailed them to ask for my money back. Fortunately they quickly issued a refund. Thank goodness. But it still makes me feel a little annoyed. I guess if you can sell air on Ebay...
I'm also looking for an .asx converter or player that is Mac compatible. I recently strolled over to http://www.greatwarofmagellan.com/ (A sci-fi project created by BSG actor Richard Hatch) and realized that none of the clips are Mac compatible. An email to the webmaster came back returned. I have been surprised that a Mac compatible player or a converter has proven so difficult to find. I finally gave up and ordered the comic book. Website 1, Me 0 (minus a few dollars for the comic).
I've finally updated my resume. It only took about 20 revisions after I discovered typo after typo after typo (grrr...arrgg). I've gone back to a more traditional typeface but I'm not sure if it's industry appropriate. I've read that san serifs are more typically used by professionals in technology related fields. I've also tried to keep it as simple and brief as possible. A colleague told me once that ideally a resume should never be longer than one page. Now I just need to take the time to find my files and get my portfolio site online...Or I could try establishing a career taking photos of my iPod screen and my dog.
Not So Related linkage: Two words. Silly. Pointless.
Captain Reynolds in a kilt? Shiny. http://www.ferretgeek.com/2005/10/serenity.html
Firefly bloopers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEHd-qKZ_AU
*Learn chinese with Firefly? Strange but true. http://signal.serenityfirefly.com/chinese.html
Firefly lyrics? Why the heck not. http://www.fireflywiki.org/Firefly/FireflyThemeSong
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Cake goes well with iPod
cake goes well with iPod
Originally uploaded by kerfuffles.
Newly obsessed with taking photos of my iPod screen. I even started a group on a flickr: I *heart* my iPod
Am I the only one who sees the deeply emotive power of a photo of an iPod?
Ok, somebody stop me. I'm whacky and out of control. The really funny part is that I'm the only member. Truthfully, half of this is for my own entertainment and the other half is research for the new Zoto interface. R&D. Yup.
Related linkage: One word. Handy.
Free ipod converter. (Now it's easy to transform that pesky .avi into an iPod friendly format)
www.jodix.com/
Back up your iPod (In case you upgrade and need to transfer music from one iPod to another) It saves your playlists! WooHoo. Fairly affordable and worth every penny.
www.ipodaccess.com/ipodaccess/indexWin.html
Geniuses at digg say it's easy to get songs off your iPod.(maybe I didn't have to spend any money after all...)
http://digg.com/apple/How_to_get_Songs_off_your_iPod_using_iTunes
Rip dvd's to iPod. Simple and free.
handbrake.m0k.org/
Lyrics to Cake's "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps"
www.lyricsfreak.com/c/cake/perhaps+perhaps+perhaps_20026654.html
