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Anicorn introducing Order, a timepiece inspired by NYC
We would like to introduce a cool project that launched today on Kickstarter coming from the makers of Hidden Time Watch. Now they are back and introducing Order. They have partnered with we partnered with graphic designers Hamish Smyth and Jesse Reed. You must have heard about their well-known projects like the Standards Manual, the reissue of NYCTA Graphics Standards Manual when they were at Pentagram. Following their departure, the duo team opened the only bookstore in New York specializing in graphic design (would love to visit!) and it sits right in front of their design office, Order. In their words Now, Anicorn is continuing their journey in New York City—the location chosen by backers of their first campaign on Kickstarter—and partnering with graphic designers Hamish Smyth and Jesse Reed to create the next The Trio of Time timepiece—“Order.”. Anicorn Watches Last year, they have launched The Trio of Time, a collaboration where we visit three different cities around the globe to partner with local designers and explore their perception of time. They are thrilled to introduce our newest collaboration—"Order"—a timepiece inspired by New York City. More Links Learn more about Anicorn Watches Follow Anicorn Watches on Instagram How to read the time Order has no watch hands. Instead, the entire watchface is perforated with an ascending number of dots, which rotate to align with the frame and tell the time in 15 minute intervals. The designers hope to inspire the wearer to not worry so much about the exact time; instead, to focus on the world around them. The 40mm case is designed for both men and women. Order runs on a Ronda 512 Swiss Parts Movement. The watch has a 316L stainless-steel enclosed casing, available in black or silver. The casing is ultra thin—only 8.7mm. All straps are interchangeable with TTT#1—Hidden Time Watch—thanks to the smart docking system. Introducing Order, a timepiece inspired by NYC
Standards Manual launching the First Ever Book of the Original Emoji from Japan
We have featured successful campaigns before by Standards Manual on ABDZ. Now they are back with something that we all use every single day...Emojis! They have launched the first ever book of the Original Emoji from Japan. Emoji debuted back in 1999 designed by Shigetaka Kurita, let's help reach their goal at creating the first hardcover book and smartphone keyboard of these drawings live on Kickstarter. In 1999 Japan debuted the original emoji. Now, we're releasing the first hardcover book and smartphone keyboard of these drawings. In their words In 2016, the Museum of Modern Art in New York made an unusual acquisition for their permanent collection: the world’s original emoji, designed by Shigetaka Kurita at NTT DOCOMO and released in Japan in 1999. Now, almost two decades later, we are releasing the first hardcover book and smartphone keyboard of these drawings—the direct ancestors of the emoji we all use today. The original 176 emoji, NTT DOCOMO, 1999 More Links Learn more and support the Book of the Original Emoji Shigetaka Kurita designed the original emoji for the Japanese telecommunications giant NTT DOCOMO when he was just 25 years old. The name was created from the Japanese “e,” which means picture, and “moji,” which means character. At the time, Kurita and DOCOMO had no idea that their work would leave Japan, evolve, and eventually be used by billions of people on a daily basis, and revolutionize the way we communicate today. First Ever Book of the Original Emoji from Japan Emoji will present images of sketches and digital artwork with technical data from DOCOMO for each character. It will also include an introduction by Kurita and an essay by The Museum of Modern Art's (MoMA) Paola Antonelli and Paul Galloway. Four versions of each emoji will be included in the book: color 1:1 scale, enlarged in color, black and white with underlying grid, and black and white 1:1. Smartphone Keyboard Along with the book, we are releasing a keyboard extension, available for download in the App Store and on Google Play, which will allow users to send these emoji—making them available on smartphones in the Western world for the very first time. Backers will receive a free copy of the app, and it will be available for purchase to the public when the book ships. More Links Learn more and support the Book of the Original Emoji
Meet ELIA: The world’s most intuitive tactile reading system
Back in 1829, Louis Braille introduced us the braille system. What seems to be working after all these years, studies show that the system relies on outdated technologies from the 1800s. Meet ELIA, a new, modern and efficient alternative that's incredibly easy to learn for people who have a visual impairment. This is such an interesting project that is currently live on Kickstarter. After testing this new system to over 300 participants, and analyzed over 175,000 responses, this what they came up with. Check it out! On our quest to re-examine braille, we created an easy to use tactile reading system, utilizing modern printing & technology. ELIA letters—known as ELIA Frames—leverage modern printing technology and design principles to optimize each letter’s design and create easily identifiable characters. We based ELIA Frames on the standard Roman alphabet, since roughly 70% of the world’s population uses it to read and write. Each ELIA Frame features an outer frame (circle, square, house) and interior elements that combine to form the main characteristics of standard alphabet letters. Most of you looking at this page likely aren't visually impaired—but maybe you know someone who is. Or, perhaps you're a designer who believes in the mission and would like to support the campaign by taking home a poster. Either way, we need your help and support to share our message. • About 200 million people with a visual impairment could benefit from ELIA in its current design, and another 85 million could benefit from it if customized to their standard scripts. • Currently, the employment rate among individuals with visual impairment is at an estimated 43%. For those who read braille, that rate soars to 85%. ELIA can have the same benefit for the 99% who can't read braille. • ELIA Frames can be learned tactilely in as little as 3 hours—and visually in a few minutes—since the font leverages a previously established alphabet. More Links Learn more and support ELIA on Kickstarter Meet ELIA
Moment is introducing the Future of Mobile Filmmaking
We have been featuring the incredible from Moment ever since their beginning and yet they always find ways to innovate with exciting new products for us to use. I personally use Moment every single day and I do encourage people to use their products when you are into mobile photography. Now they are back on Kickstarter with what they called: The Filmmaker Collection. What is it? Well, let's just say this is their introduction to the Future of Mobile Filmmaking and it looks amazing! They need our help (they crushed their goal already by the time I was writing this) to launch not one but four products that will include: Anamorphic Lens, iPhoneX Battery Photo Case, Universal Gimbal and Lens Filter Adapter. I would suggest to watch their latest Mega Vlog so you can see for yourself the new lens in action. We’re announcing not one, but four new products. In their words Anamorphic Lens - $149 A lens that makes your videos look wide screen With sweet flares and letterbox screen, this is the holy grail of video. Typically super expensive, but we made it affordable. iPhoneX Battery Photo Case - $99 The first photography battery case on the market for iPhoneX. With wireless charging and an electronic shutter button we make it easier to shoot video and recharge your phone. Universal Gimbal - $40 To get butter smooth video on your phone, you need a gimbal. The first adjustable counterweight to balance your gear on a DJI Osmo, Zhiyun SmoothQ, and Evo Shift gimbals. Modular to 60g, 90g, or 120g. Lens Filter Adapter - $40 The Moment Filter Mount lets you attach a standard 62mm filter to any of your Moment Lenses. Simply press fit the mount onto your lens and you’re ready to go. More Links Support Moment on Kickstarter Follow Moment on Instagram Follow Moment on YouTube Product Gallery More Links Support Moment on Kickstarter
Peak Design is launching their greatest hits revamped of Capture, Slide, and Slide Lite
The folks at Peak Design just launched a 5-day Kickstarter and at the time we are writing this, the project has been funded 3 times the initial goal. Congratulations to the whole team! They are launching their greatest hits products but with an all-new revamped design. Introducing the new Capture, Slide and Slide Lite; I personally use the Capture Pro and it is such an incredible built as your camera carrying clip. Check it out and support them! In their words We're Peak Design, a San Francisco based product design company. We're also the luckiest goobers on the planet; we engineer and make world-class photography gear, and we both shape it and share it with the Kickstarter community. This is Peak Design's 7th Kickstarter project! Holy Toledo, we can't even believe it ourselves. This time around, with your help, we are making our best products even better. Camera carry, reimagined. A new level of performance and aesthetics for our iconic photography tools. More Links Support Peak Design via Kickstarter Learn more about Peak Design at peakdesign.com Photo Gallery
Kickstarter: Introducing Phantom, the complete Clear Ice System
It's always amazing the number of great projects we stumbled across on Kickstarter and also landing in our inboxes over the years. It's also inspiring seeing entrepreneurs creating products and businesses around small things that can make a great difference, not necessarily in our field but rightly for others. Introducing Phantom by Wintersmiths, a complete clear ice system for your next cocktail! In their words Beyond creating clear ice that looks amazing, Phantom gives users the ability to consider the ice shape that optimizes the taste of their beverage. For example, if you’re drinking a strong cocktail and want to water it down, you should opt for Phantom’s standard cubes. These have a large surface area to volume ratio, which dilutes drinks faster. And if you’re drinking an iced coffee and want to maintain flavor, you’d opt for the ice sphere. This shape has less surface area per volume and melts very slowly. How it works! About Wintersmiths Wintersmiths was founded in 2013 by brothers Chris & Pat Little to revolutionize ice making. Leveraging patent-pending technology, their products create crystal clear ice in a variety of unique shapes to achieve the proper dilution rate and deliver a truly memorable experience with every drink. Today, Wintersmiths products are used in thousands of homes, cocktail bars, restaurants, and hotels. The team continues to innovate in the premium barware industry with new designs and partnerships with top spirits producers, establishing the brand as a rising star in kitchens and bars worldwide. More Links Support the Kickstarter Project Learn more about Wintersmiths at wintersmiths.com Product Gallery Disclaimer Over the years, we think our audience is mature enough to remember that drink responsibly and to stay within your alcohol tolerance level. Thank you.
Astro Alphabet Space-themed Flashcards
Our good friends at Lunar Saloon, Alex and Meg Griendling launched a really cool project on Kickstarted, the Astro Alphabet. Astro Alphabet, a grow-with-you set of space-themed flashcards, has launched its funding campaign on Kickstarter. Lunar Saloon, creators of STARDECK, have developed a set of alphabet flashcards to be used by parents and children alike. Unlike traditional flashcards, AA is designed to be used beyond letter recognition, with pronunciation guides and facts accompanied by custom illustrations. The “grow-with-you” cards are designed for children aged 3-10. “AA begins a dialogue with children about galaxies, moons and planets, giving parents a jumping off point to explore beyond the backyard.” says creative partner, Alex Griendling. “We hope parents will embrace the ‘why’ stage and use their child’s curiosity as a catalyst for the first steps of scientific inquiry.” The campaign will run from September 26 to October 25 with the goal of raising $21,000 USD. Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing fundraising platform, meaning the goal must be met for the product to move forward. You can back Astro Alphabet on Kickstarter now; starting at $18. Astro Alphabet Flashcards
What's Worth Preserving? Chicago Design Museum's Heartfelt Book Project
We love Kickstarter almost as much as our morning Cup of Jo so upon discovering this heartwarming project by Chicago Design Museum's Founder and Executive Director Tanner Woodford we just had to share with our readers in hopes we could help bring it to life. My personal affection for handwritten notes and helping save this lost art is also a motivating factor for supporting this special cause. Over the past year, Tanner has sent hundreds of letters to a variety of people across all walks of life. In it, he kindly asks the recipient to answer a broad question that traces back to the medium on which it was sent. “What's worth preserving?” Responses poured in. Each was more interesting and profound than the previous, expressing its author's heartfelt, authentic and captivating thoughts through their handwriting. While the individual letters are fascinating, the sum of the portfolio is greater than its parts. In an era of constant distractions, the process of writing a letter by hand serves as a reminder to breathe, and to be in the moment. Writing an answer to a thoughtful question promotes reflection. The book of 50 letters is the first edition. It's published by ChiDM, created by its executive director Tanner Woodford, edited by Christopher Jobson of Colossal, with a project video by Bowie. Thank you to Kickstarter for helping projects like this exist and please click on this link to help bring to life! People who have answered "What's worth preserving?" in their handwriting so far. The first response came from Dave Eggers of McSweeney’s and 826 Valencia, who suggested "it's worth preserving the knowledge that good design comes from good designers (not robots)" on a custom, hand-drawn letterhead. Bestselling author Seth Godin sent a giant novelty post-it note with a short list on it that included both "lemons" and "giving a damn/making a ruckus." Proceeds from sales of this book support ChiDM, a 501c3 non-profit organization that strengthens design culture and builds community. For ChiDM, the book is a critical step in a broader effort to promote cultural discourse, preserving ideas alongside those that have them.
Industrial Design: Tiller, a Minimal Device for tracking your time
We would like to share another project that is currently live on Kickstarter. For this case, it's a beautiful, minimal device for tracking your time. Introducing Tiller, approached with a clean industrial design. This product has been created to make time tracking straightforward, simple, and unnoticeable. Just one tap starts or stops a timer, and a small turn switches between items. It’s a significant reduction compared to other software-based products. Let's dive in. In their words We solve real problems by bringing good design and technology together. Like most professionals, our work stacks up, so we strived to find an easier way to track our time and get the most out of our work day. That's how Tiller was born. Take the time out of time tracking and get more work done. Product Gallery Some Facts • Integrations with some of your favorite apps starting with Harvest, Toggl, WorkflowMax, and AND CO. • Our software has been designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. The interface to track your time only pops up when you need it. More Links Support Tiller on Kickstarter Learn more about Joan at wearejoan.com
Introducing ZIPPELIN: a Travel Bag and Inflatable
We would like to share this interesting product that is currently live on Kickstarter. Introducing ZIPPELIN, a one-of-a-kind travel bag that is inflatable! Hand-cut in Switzerland from recycled truck tarps. This is the first rolling travel bag that is spacious when you need it, compact when you don't. I love the fact that it's inflatable because you can easily store it AND use high-quality recycled material makes it even better. What a wonderful concept, check it out! In their words For 24 years, our team at FREITAG has been making robust, water-repellent bags out of used truck tarpaulins, discarded bicycle inner tubes, and car seat belts right here in Switzerland. Our extensive catalogue includes over seventy products, but there’s one item we've always wanted to make––a spacious, rolling travel bag. Introducing ZIPPELIN––the world's first inflatable travel bag that's spacious when you need it and compact when you don't. Product Gallery Some Facts The bag has a capacity of 85 liters (5200 in3). Each bag is a recycled individual product (R.I.P.), and our truck tarps are perfectly suited to create water-repellent, robust bags that––we are proud to say––could never be mistaken for anyone else's at baggage claim. More Links Support ZIPPELIN on Kickstarter Learn more about Freitag at freitag.ch
Louis Rossetto and Erik Spiekermann Launch Crowdfunding Campaign For Change Is Good - A Novel and Collaborative Art Project
We were so thrilled to hear about an amazing new partnership between Wired Magazine co-founder Louis Rossetto and the illustrious designer and typographer, Erik Spiekermann in the launch of Change is Good, a novel and a collaborative art project highlighting the heroic era of the internet. Today, this dynamic duo launches a crowdfunding campaign for Change is Good available as a collector’s first edition of 1,000 numbered copies exclusively on Kickstarter starting at $98 USD. Under Rossetto’s leadership in the 1990s, Wired was the first magazine to focus on the people, companies, and ideas shaping the Digital Revolution. Wired also helped start the web media when it launched Hotwired, the first website with Fortune 500 advertising and original content. Hotwired actually invented the banner ad. Uniquely positioned to tell the story of this time, Rossetto sets his in January 1998 in San Francisco, as five idealistic GenXers (and one Millennial for good measure) pursue their adventures in the Digital Revolution precisely at the moment it’s mutating into the "orgy of the Dotcom Bubble." “What we now take for granted, was then just a dream,” said Rossetto. “In the ‘90s, young people came to San Francisco with fire in their eyes, big ideas in their heads, and passion in their hearts to make change happen. It was a time of possibility and risk. The future was unknown. There was no map. There was only frontier. Those pioneers faced a world full of uncertainty and insurmountable opportunity. It’s especially important today that we connect to that pioneer spirit.” Louis wanted his novel to be the best possible reading experience, so he turned to Spiekermann, who coincidentally was developing new technology to revolutionize letterpress printing. Change is Good is the first book of its kind to be designed and printed with Erik’s Post Digital Printing process. Spiekermann will be printing the book on his own classic "prince of presses" the Heidelberg at his p98a Berlin digital/analog lab in Berlin. Spiekermann spent two years developing a laser platemaker that brings direct-to-plate technology to letterpress. For the first time, designers can marry the power of modern digital tools to the superior quality of letterpress printing by going direct from screen to letterpress plate without film intermediaries — like they can with lower quality offset and digital. “We love print. It’s still the best medium for reading complex ideas and long stories. We love its physicality, its sensuality,” continued Rossetto. “We want to make the best reading experience possible today — a state of the art book that is also a piece of art.” Unlike offset, letterpress can achieve true black and the type is sharp, because it directly imprints the paper. This leaves a faint impression on the paper that catches a subtle shadow and adds character to the printed page. “This is a story of how the digital entered and changed our world,” said Spiekermann. “But, as analog humans, Louis and I thought it appropriate (if a little ironic) to use traditional technology – which itself was considered revolutionary at its time – to make an old-fashioned book.” The Change is Good campaign will run from August 15 to September 15, 2017. For a full rundown of the pledge levels visit their Kickstarter page.
Editorial & Graphic Design: Everyone, El Salvador
The mighty folks from Toronto-based Underline Studio have partnered with the Salvadoran human rights organization, Asociación Pro-Búsqueda. To create and design a special edition newspaper that highlights the atrocities of El Salvador's civil war through art, poetry and action. Their goal is to spread awareness and promote their cause. You should definitely check out their Kickstarter and give them your support. Behind this Kickstarter Campaign, it's the work from Underline Studio. Based in Toronto, Ontario; they focus their work into brand, corporate and marketing communications. Project Gallery More Links Support their campaign now on Kickstarter Learn more about Underline Studio at underlinestudio.com Follow Underline Studio on Instagram
Product Design: Bringing Back Humanscale Manual from the 1970s
As of late, we've have published a series of revisited things from the past on ABDZ coming from manuals, branding items and more. It's somehow quite interesting because the things are stuff that we haven't even known its existence. It's kind of where I am heading with this Kickstarter Campaign of the Humanscale Manual originally created in the 1970s. To be specific, it was created by the team of industrial design pioneer Henry Dreyfuss and now back by the folks over IA Collaborative to publish the reissue. Give it your support! Behind this project, we have IA Collaborative is a global design and innovation consultancy based in Chicago, IL, USA. Their field of work is all around User Driven Design with research, strategy, prototyping, product development and more. Definitely check out their site to learn more. In their words These iconic, beautifully designed, and visionary tools to design for people are still so relevant today. Published between 1974 and 1981, the materials have been out of print for decades and fetch extremely high prices on the used market due to their scarcity. After finding so much value using Humanscale during the prototyping process in our own design work, we wanted to make them available at a reasonable cost to people everywhere. Photo Gallery Humanscale was published as three separate sets––Humanscale 1/2/3, Humanscale 4/5/6, and Humanscale 7/8/9. Each set includes one booklet and three two-sided selectors. More Links Learn more about Humanscale Manual: humanscalemanual.com Follow Humanscale Manual on Instagram Learn more about IA Collaborative iacollaborative.com
Introducing the EPA Graphic Standards System
The EPA Graphic Standards System was a guide to consolidate numerous US state offices with their graphic design and communications department. Back then, millions of dollars were being wasted annually due to non-standardized formats, inefficient processes, and almost everything being designed from scratch. 40 years later, creators of the NYCTA and NASA Graphics Standards Manual reissues are back in collaboration with the design firm that once worked on the EPA for a new edition. Currently live on Kickstarter is a collaboration from designers Hamish Smyth and Jesse Reed of Standards Manual partnered with AIGA and legendary design firm Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv (responsible for Chase bank, NBC & PBS logos) to reissue the 1977 EPA Guide as a hardcover book. A portion of the proceeds will go to Earthjustice’s programmatic expenses in their mission to protect the environment and AIGA’s operational expenses for its Design Archives, which identify, preserve, and make collections of enduring value available to the public. Original Scans
AIAIAI TMA-2 Modular Headphone Goes Wireless
Back in summer, we’ve featured a review of one the best headphones out there and it’s the AIAIAI TMA-2 Modular Headphone, you can check out the review right here. From the sound, the minimal look, the material; I thought its best feature was to be able to modularly customize your TMA-2 the way you wanted to be (more than 1000 possible configurations). The mighty folks from AIAIAI are back (on Kickstarter) with their latest model that is still the TMA-2 but wireless with a smart Bluetooth headband also called the H05. They are not stopping there, you will also be able to Play, Pause, Skip, Volume, and also Answer a Call. Any cable still can be inserted into the speaker unit for cabled audio, bypassing the Bluetooth in the H05 headband. Give it a look! In their Words The modular system creates the ultimate flexibility for our business and our customers, as well as a more creative way of interacting with our products. This adaptable, versatile approach to our headphones offers radical new opportunities for future product development, enabling us to expand the system to create better options for our users. Video About AIAIAI AIAIAI is an audio design company dedicated to developing high quality audio products for everyday use. AIAIAI’s modern, minimalist headphones and earphones deliver clear, amplified sound. Headquartered in Copenhagen, AIAIAI is proud to contribute to Denmark’s worldwide reputation as leader in acoustic and electro-acoustic design and engineering. Show them some love and support their Kickstarter.
Redesign of comp
Notebooks. However you use them, there’s always been a nostalgic feeling of going through your old notes. Taking a little march through the past and relive those emotions about what you wrote either they made sense or not. You’re leaving a trace of your memory into these little sheets wrapped with hardcovers. Feeling the wistful affection for the past? It’s because we are featuring a designer (Aron Fay) from Pentagram that redesigned the classic composition notebook. After some research, this new design is more than just a simple redesign, it is the launch of Comp challenges the premium brands like Moleskine and Baron Fig. Available today for pre-order on Kickstarter, Comp is coming for the long run. Give it a look and support their Kickstarter! comp is a redesign of the classic composition notebook––made for the 21st century. Through extensive research, I've learned that, interestingly enough, these notebooks haven't changed all that much since they came into being centuries ago. And that they have an 180+ year history of being produced using the most economical manufacturing methods available. With all the new advances in the fields of papermaking, printing, and binding since the 1800s, I was interested in what it would be like to create a notebook that uses the new printing and binding technologies and the highest quality materials possible, while still maintaining the nostalgic pattern that we all know and love. Watch the Video As a graphic designer, printmaker, and bookbinder I wanted to create a notebook that uses today's finest available processes, materials, and design to create something that will be kept, cherished, and used for years to come. Photos by Brian Kelley Support their Kickstarter Project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/comp/comp.
STARDECK - Ultimate Deck of Cards
STARDECK is a custom deck of poker-sized playing cards, the design and illustrations were done by Lunar Saloon, and printed by The United States Playing Card Company. The project was launched on Kickstarter and is waiting for our support. The people behind Lunar Saloon are my good friend Alex Griendling and his wife Meg Griendling. As we could expect the illustrations are beyond stylish and in addition to that there is a beautiful Kickstarter-exclusive wooden etching where they worked with Neutral Ground to produce. We struck out to create STARDECK after unsuccessful attempts at finding a well-designed set of sci-fi themed playing cards. Most are based off of existing properties like Star Wars or Star Trek, and their face cards are decorated with uninspiring photography. In response, we created our own world and filled it with richly illustrated characters in the style of classic card art - Lunar Saloon. STARDECK tells of four archetypal sci-fi factions as they vie for control over Proxima B, Earth's terrestrial neighbor in the Proxima Centauri system. Proxima B's native population, the aliens whose subterranean existence has earned them the moniker "Spades", defend their world from outside invaders. Their overwhelming numbers are enabling them to fend off Earth's militarized colonization effort. The Hearts, an advanced robot population, aid Earth's various civilian and military factions via combat, manufacturing, and espionage; all while advocating for equal treatment and representation on Earth. The Club, Earth's most decorated combat unit, was the first to touch down on Proxima B. Quickly overrun by the Spade horde, its surviving members defend their landing site from the planet's hostile natives. The Diamond Corporation, currently profiting from a lucrative arms market, are diversifying into natural resource commodities, arriving on Proxima B with the goal of claiming rights to the planet's unassigned lands. Card designs and illustrations About Lunar Saloon Lunar Saloon is the Minneapolis-based creative studio of Alex and Meg Griendling. With nine years of industry experience, we've worked with clients like Google, Tumblr, IGN, Game Informer, and Double Fine. We hope that STARDECK will be the first of many fun products in our studio's lineup.