Ckie (pronouced seeky) is an interntational funding and pre-ordering platform for product design. Yes, like a Kickstarter clone, but this time just for product design. There aren’t a ton of projects for you to explore quite yet, but they’re getting there. It’s not clear if this is a solution in search of a problem– because Kickstarter has plenty of traffic and works just fine, but we’ll see where this ones goes.

Update: I didn’t realize Takashi Yamada, the force behind Yanko Design was behind this one. That makes things more interesting.

Love fonts? Me too. Want to see them in use in print design and all over the web in the real world? Check out Fonts In Use where you can see type at work in all it’s beauty and glory.

Hypebeast has a fantastic interview with my good friend George Bamford of Bamford Watch Department and Dr. Romanelli. Check it out!

I discovered de Medici Ming Fine Paper today strolling around in my free time after a meeting here in Seattle. What an absolute gem of a shop. I was mesmerized by the fantastic selection of cards, journals, handmade papers, letterpress work and gifts. Perhaps one of the most quirky paper boutiques I’ve seen in a very long time. I left with a bag full of goodies.

They don’t sell online, but if you call them directly the owner will speak with you and help you out with an order– but you really have to pop by in person to get the full feeling. Calls will work for refills afterwards.

de Medici Ming Fine Paper opened in 1983 on First Avenue and University Street. Inspired by Marie Papier in Paris, the store was originally dedicated to the art of letter writing. It quickly grew into providing papers from around the world in all forms for all sorts of projects.

The name comes from two of the cultures who historically have had the most to do with development of paper: The Chinese who invented it, and the Italians who made an “everyday” style of it. The de Medici Family and the Ming Dynasty governed their respective cultures from the 1200’s-1600’s, and, still today in Seattle, in this Renaissance paper bouquet.

de Medici Ming Fine Paper
1222 A 1st Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
206.624.1983

Procrastination, Cat Videos and more!

An idea for a series with honest logos, revealing the actual content of the company, what they really should be called. Some are cheap, some might be a bit funny, some will maybe be brilliant. I don’t know.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics is a mouthful.

But you know what isn’t? A bike that can switch between a freewheel and a fixed gear at the touch of a button. It’s called the Alpha and I’m very impressed. They call it SWIFT Drive Technology and I hope they are patenting it!

The bicycle is the first fully internal drive system that includes a transmission that allows the rider to switch between freewheel and fixie using just a switch on the handlebars! It also includes an internal cable routing system which holds an electronics system inside the handlebars. An LCD mounted in the handlebars feeds out real ride data. Handlebars were 3D printed and laid up in carbon fiber.

Cocoon desk designed by GamFratesi for Ligne Roset. These would be great in schools (not to mention my office!). Via Le Blog Deco (French)

Must. Have. Sushi. Notepad. $23 from Tokyo. Must Have Now. Via Hypebeast

You Took My Name is another great logo project– reminds me of the distorted identities project we saw, and of course Zev’s great logo destruction.

“We’re working on a series of paintings that strip famous logos back to their basic graphic forms. Creating pieces that we think are artworks in their own right. Recognise any?”

Love some of the new De La Espada projects launching at Porta Romana this month. All these pieces are by designer Matthew Hilton.

Pretty. The Turncoat functions with the simplicity of a sleeve while offering the protection of a more robust case. A single cut of 6oz, domestically tanned leather accommodates your iPad / iPad 2 with or without a smart cover. Four hand fastened duty snaps securely hold everything in place and allow for quick access from the top or bottom.

Also worth checking out their Straight Jacket sleeve for the 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air.

Molo is taking their felted wool hobo bag and transforming it into a nightlife staple. The portable luminaria [hobo lantern] runs on an energy efficient LED light that can be plugged into a wall or battery-powered for lighting on-the-go.

They are currently making 50 special limited edition versions of this luminary with the Japanese “sun-disc” hand painted on the lantern and its packaging. The full proceeds of our heartfelt lantern for Japan will be donated to support Architecture for Humanity’s reconstruction efforts in Japan. These special lanterns will be available at molo’s exhibit in Milan at the Temporary Museum for New Design.

Another easy way to support Japan. Thanks Marisa.

Corter Leather, a small shop based entirely out of one room in Massachusetts, just announced they will be selling these cuffs with hand painted snaps for $20 to support relief efforts in Japan. All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross. From the Corter journal about the bracelets:

I need these Shark Bite Oven Mitts to remind me of the shark dive I did in Sydney. Except I didn’t put my hand in the sharks mouth, thankfully. Via Foodbeast

One of the more bad ass guitars I’ve seen in a long time. Via Daily Icon

The Blackbird Rider features an all-hollow uni-body shell setting it apart from any guitar in the world. That is the body, neck, and head are cast in one-piece with the sound board, fretboard, tuners, etc. added to that main component. Forming the main component in one-piece eliminates the weak and sound-absorbing joints associated with standard guitars. This patent-pending construction relies on the incredibly strong and stiff properties of carbon fiber as well as plenty of unique design features to create the strongest, most resonant small-bodied guitar available anywhere.