I am the most boring person on Twitter. I have an account for the purpose of seeing what's happening with friends and for work-related reasons. I don't hate it, it actually is a great simple tool that is made really well. I know I am the most boring person on Twitter due to the newest Colle+McVoy creation, Squawq. It is an analytics tool that keeps tabs on all your favorite topics that are being tweeted about. Write in and request an account, it is worth it.

When we were working on the Toys in the Attic print we had a hard time figuring out which toy to use. Here is my alternate idea, a minimal Simon print. This whole project has re-energized me to start making my own screenprinting setup in the basement. We will break ground early January, stay tuned for coverage.

For now, enjoy it as a desktop wallpaper.

Melanie and I were asked to be in the Toys in the Attic art show, a benefit for Toys for Tots. The show is focused on toy-related art. After much debate about what toy to go with, we chose Lite Brite. The show should be fun, looks like lots of fun pieces will be in.
Show Info Here
Large version of our print

I posted about Afternoon EP when it first came about, but now the first album of material is out. Ambition Recliner have released the introductory batch of mp3s. The songs are available for download and are amazing, good job Neil, Tom, Czahr and all involved. I did a bunch of tweaking to the site to differentiate the actual release posts from the trailers and other fun. I used the Yahoo! Media Player which is amazing. It uses javascript to instantly convert any mp3-filled blog into something that more resembles a iTunes in terms of functionality. For the content management/blog engine of this site, I used Expression Engine. This is my third project with Expression Engine and I really love how you can take really basic html and convert into exactly what you want. I'm glad to be a part of this project and am excited for future releases.

I've been working with my buddy, Lee Hanson, over at Colle+McVoy on animations and in-store signage for Caribou Coffee's Flavors of Fall for a while. Yesterday we finally launched them. We worked with great local animators, Puny Entertainment. We had a lot of laughs making them, we had a lot of great voice work from Joe Weismann and our own hidden gem, Dan Mandle. Thanks to all that made these possible.

Watch all five here: jackandgourdo.com

I'm excited to be a part of a new music/art project with Neil Fasen and Tom Kemmer. Started as a way to record their bands and utilize a crusty practice space in Lowertown St. Paul, Afternoon EP will be a project that records bands/projects in an afternoon and then releases the songs as a free EP. All that are involved are talented musicians and artsy people, good things should come of it all. Here is start of the identity:

After an amazing response last year, Yearbook Yourself was brought back for another year. I had the pleasure of working on everything from the design of the site to combing through about 100 yearbooks to find the best photos. This year we played off what was great: keeping it super simple to have fun with these old photos, but also added some great new functionality. Also new this year is the Student Life section that allows you to work in pictures of your friends with yours. Lots of fun and a great team effort. Now go Yearbook Yourself.

www.YearbookYourself.com

Such a sweet and simple branding solution from Mucca Design. And that spokesmodel looks awfully familiar. You can take the boy out of the midwest, and put him in some fancy lingerie, but he'll still have that sweet set of design skills. Lookin' good Steve!

Mucca Design

While working with Olson last August, I partnered with Chris Henderson and team to develop a new identity for The Women's Foodservice Forum. I built an icon system and a set of illustrations for their collateral pieces. The lovely Miss Amanda Ward put it all together beautifully.

I don't think I remember a movie that I've been this excited about. We Love You So is an ongoing look at the things that have inspired the movie posted by Spike Jonze and others. I love seeing behind the scenes of the creative process especially with artists I admire. Terrible Yellow Eyes is another collection of artwork inspired by the book, this one is my fave.

My hubby got me a very thoughtful gift certificate for letterpress at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts for my birthday. It's something I've always wanted to learn, but never found the time. It was a little like meditation, setting the type by hand, adding little bits of leading, testing, changing, tweaking. Loved it! I set this little poem for my son. And as a nice little reminder for me too.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts

The perpetually inspiring Kym MacFarlane has recently launched an Etsy store featuring these awesome onsies and shirts which she has been working on in her spare time (which, I find amazing since she's a full time designer/art director AND mother of 3). I'm thrilled, because I seriously doubt that my son will tolerate the clip-on tie I had planned for his Easter best. If you want to see more of Kym's pieces, check out her Flickr page too.

KraftyKym's Etsy Store | Kym's Flickr

Great story, perfect director, only 7 months to wait. I'd better start on my son's Max costume now...
Where The Wild Things Are Movie Trailer

I've long been a fan of Orla Kiely's beautiful print and pattern (how could you not be with the sweet simplicity and fresh color), so I'm pretty excited that she's doing a whole slew of products for Target. I feel like I'm going to get that cabage-patch-grab-all-you-can shopping anxiety. Weee.