Scrabble-tabulous!

This is the perfect gift for a Scrabble lover and a typophile, like myself.  This gorgeously crafted game comes in your favorite font or an assorted font pack. If I were to get one, I'd have a difficult time choosing between Mrs Eaves, Chalet, Neutraface, though the assorted pack would be a great way to change fonts depending on the day/weather/outfit.

"The purpose of this project was to revive an old, but loved game. The idea was to excite people about typography by giving them the ability to choose what font their scrabble set would come in. " - Andrew Clifford Capener

The waiting list for the A-1 Scrabble designer edition by Andrew Clifford Capener is now open. Sign up here. 
 

Singapore Slingin'

I'm clocking lots of miles this year, so far. My company sent me to Singapore for a week and was excited by the prospect of landing in a new country. My preconceived notions about Singapore were spot on...so clean you could literally eat off the streets, no pollution, and everyone seems to be playing a part in an Asian version of Pleasantville - people are so friendly and hospitable! What was so incredible about this country was that it seemed like a melting pot of many asian cultures.

Here were my highlights from my brief stay:

On my way to eat my face off with some hot pot (steamboat) in Chinatown.

The only graffiti I stumbled upon: Alley next to the Peranakan Museum, Armenian Street

Night view from the rooftop of Marina Bay Sands

I'm really rocking one of my NYE resolutions, if only I could cross the other ones off my list...

Wind Beneath My Map

 

Last year, I had the pleasure to see Fernanda Viégas and Martin Wattenberg (when they were still Flowing Media) speak at a UX/UI lecture and was so inspired by their social visualization mantra and approach. They are a dynamic duo that creates artistic ways to rethink data. Check out their latest project is an interactive wind map that shows wind speeds throughout the country.

'Scapes

What a way to kick off the spring season. I've accomplished one of my new year's resolutions, which is to travel to a new country. Earlier this year, I did go to Mexico for a company off-site hands all. But we worked the whole time while we were in Playa Del Carmen. Then I escaped to Isla Mujeres for 2 days to be off-site from the off-site. So, it doesn't count.

For two weeks, I embarked on an Asian adventure through Krabi and Bangkok, Thailand and Shanghai, China. Some highlights were the gorgeous limestone islands of Hong, off the coast of Krabi, Wat Tum Sua (Tiger Cave) with the 1237 steps up to the top, hanging out in the French Concession like a local and eating my way through Shanghai with the most delicious spicy Sichuan food and the dumplings!!!

I still can't believe how much fun I had. Check out my new album of travel 'Scapes.

One down, four more to go.

Instagram Socialmatic Camera

I am a sucker for cameras, especially for the old school analog types, like
the polaroid. Step back into the future with the new Instagram Socialmatic
Camera that marries analog with digital. ADR Studios took the Instagram
icon and playfully re-imagined it into an actual real instant film camera.


Get the full stats here. My one question: Where can I buy this?

Elevator Music: Spring Fever 2012

I'm still mourning the fact that Fabio and Grooverider will no longer do their Drum & Bass Show on BBC1 Radio. I'm devastated that I won't have their mixes to listen to while getting through the work week.

I wanted to put together a playlist of my favorite tunes, to help ring in the new season of spring. Most of these have a heavy influence of liquid and juicy vocals on top of hard hitting beats. My new favorite female artist is Riya...who has an incredible voice. Go on, get your swerve on.

Finish Line
Yasmin (Shy's Smoking Rabbit Remix)

Rocking You
Los Contreras

Testimony
Total Science & S.P.Y feat Riya

Open Page
Lenzman feat Riya

I'm Thinking of You
Flaco

How Did I Let You Go
Lenzman feat Riya

Spread Love
Lenny Fontana Presents Black Sun (oldie but goodie!)

Hangin' On
Command Strange & Intelligent Manners

Dyslexie - Font

Last week, I went out to dinner with a former boss, Beth, from a job in San Francisco. The most amazing gift she ever gave me was teach me the fundamentals and best practices of interactive advertising. Still to this day, when I'm up against a challenge at work, I put on my invisible Beth hat and ask myself, WWBD (What would Beth Do?).

It was amazing to catch up with her and learn what she was up. She mentioned that she began tutoring young kids and one she suspects may have dyslexia. Similar letter combinations like i and j, or v and w, or p, d, b, q, and a, e, o are based on a common circular shape may be unconsciously flipped in their heads . I recalled seeing a font called Dyslexie that helps readers distinguish similar letters from each other - like accentuating ascenders or descenders by making them taller or shorter, or weighting the bottoms of letters to highlight the differences. Kudos to Christian Boer, who is the mastermind behind this typeface.