B U C K

Los Angeles based graphics/production company BUCK has a fantastic portfolio for clients such a Ikea, Puma and Nike.

Buck has also branched out with their own clothing line, Buck Garment Designs.

TAKORA

Some recent work from graphic designer Takora Kimiyoshi Futori.

He also has a nice range of graphic applications from glassware to wallpaper. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

Graffiti to Go !

Taking graffiti to a whole new level, an artist by the name of FI5E along with a number of other contributors have created the Graffiti Analysis Project.

Temporary images are displayed on various building facades throughout New York to help generate a new appreciation for this often misunderstood art form.

Octopo

Exclusively for Android 8, Octopo comes from the creative minds of Unkl Brand.

This 6" high vinyl product also comes with a detachable companion called Mini-8 that's magnetically held in place.

Production is limited to a run of 500.

Manchester Rangers ?

Being a staunch Chelsea FC supporter, I don't mind tossing the odd jab at ManU. Case in point this seasons new kit that looks a wee bit like the traditional colors of Glasgow Rangers.

Can't all be winners in blue.

Electric Eel Shock

This is the official logo for Japanese hard rock gods, electric eel shock.

It's not just peace, but double peace !

Great band.

Kuo Hua Building

The Kuo Hua Life Insurance building in Taipei was designed with a wild system of nighttime lights with TIR's Destiny CW system. 220 individually programmed box-lights were incorporated in the outside façade of the 16-storey building.

Nice.

Birdball

I've been planning to design a birdhouse for the past year but keep putting it off for other projects. Since then i've seen a rash of new designs that brings up the old saying "you snooze you lose".

Case in point the ultra simple UK designed Birdball.

"Birdball is a handmade clay sanctuary for small garden birds which is meant to offer year round nesting and protection from the elements and is a natural replacement for birds own vanishing habitats."

Jienshu

Born in Singapore and educated with a Masters degree in Design in Milan, Jason Ong has put together a clever line of pieces through the name Jienshu.

Though the line is limited to four pieces at the moment, each one is solid in it's own right and well worth a look.

Print'em

PRINT'EM is a poster output center that offers a fantasric assortment of graphic artwork posters created by young Japanese designers

It's an amazing collection of prints by the likes of DevilRobots, Firelight, Arko,Beatservice and much much more.

Wallpaper to go !

Japanese publication SHIFT and Blog support site CHOBI recently announced the winners of their wallpaper competition. The winners were chosen from 105 entries from over 20 countries.

The 12 winning entries are now available on CHOBI's website for clicking and pasting onto your site.

Mobile Metallico

I was introduced to this Berlin based design manufacturer awhile back through Mocoloco and came accross them again today over at Core77. Mobile Metallico produces serious industrial influenced furniture. There's absolutely nothing cute and cuddly about their work, which is what makes them so great.

I like how they refer to their style as "Minimalist Kitsch". I just imagine them saying this in an angry German accent.

The Fall : Fall Heads Rool

It's been 26 years since The Fall debuted with 'Live at Witch Trials', so really you shouldn't expect too much from a band that's been around as long they have. Heck, look how lenient we've all been with The Stones and their march of duds since the early 80's. But with the quality of work from long in the tooth acts like U2 and Depeche Mode these days, you gotta say why not The Fall ?

Fall Heads Roll does a pretty good job at making them a viable act for today. The only problem is with every solid release, there's a dud to follow it up, so there goes talk about band of tomorrow....day after tomorrow would be more suitable. The opening reggae laced track 'Ride Away' is not bad, but that's only after a half dozen listens. First impressions should not be taken too seriously on this one to avoid a quick trip to the cd archives. 'Pacifying Joint' does a splendid job of rewarding you for the 5:01 minutes endured through the monotonous opening track. With the old school synths in the forefront and Mark E. Smiths banter about who knows what, it's the perfect pick me up to garner interest for the rest of the album. But again it's an album that needs patience. 'What about Us' really isn't that far off of 'Pacifying Joint', infact it sounds like a continuation of it which really isn't a bad thing. After all, 26 years is a long time to keep up with the creative process, so whatever works I guess. But again, this is an album that demands you to gain it's trust by giving it time to open up to you. Case in point is 'Blindness' and it's continuous 3 note baseline that you just do not want to go away, which by the way it does not for the entire 7:24 minutes. This is a fantastic tune that should be noted as one of The Falls finest work. It reminds me of some of the work done on The Jesus and Mary Chain's overlooked 'Munki' release from a few years back which was outstanding in it's own right.

If you've got time and patience, Fall Heads Roll will become your friend if you want it to.

3.5/5

Figure Factory

This was a great way to kill off a slow Friday afternoon at the office.

Marvel's new line called Figure Factory seems like a throwback for me. Various characters that come in pieces within a crate for you to assemble. I was abit skepticle as to what the finished item would be, but was pleasantly surprised at the amount of detail in the end product.

Series 1 is out now.

BEEF

Any designer that goes by the name of BEEF, clearly has some...er...meat to their portfolio. UK designer, Lucy Turner has some great pieces like this floor lamp made from reclaimed jumper sleeve and "magic sustainable stiffening solution". The ambience of a room can depend on the knit and there are only ever two alike.

Jenette

This is by far my favorite chair this year.

Designed by Humberto and Fernando Campana for Edra, the Jenette chair has a back consisting of flexible bristles that mimic the look and feel of a broom.

Esque

I came accross this odd puppy at an online store called, Branch.

This is the Squeezy Head vase by Portland Oregon manufacturer, Esque. The item was adapted from a toy and rendered in hand-blown glass.

What's also cool about this product is that it was made from recycled glass stock and put in an electric furnace that's wind powered.

Sidepony

Kimberly Dawn Robertson runs a fantastic line of hand crafted cards through the name, Sidepony. There's quite a range to choose from as well as the option for custom work.

SUCK UK

While doing some online X-mas shopping, I came upon this gem at Elsewares. It's the Glow Brick by designers, SUCK UK.

Paperweight, nightlight, objet d'art, the glow brick is a real light bulb encased in a solid acrylic brick. It recharges from daylight and then glows in the dark.

Brendan Monroe

If Tim Burton had a weekend drinkng buddy, it'd be Brendan Monroe. His off beat sculptures, prints and installations are amazing.

Up and coming toy manufacturer, Android8, is planning to produce some of Brendans pieces for retail distribution.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

New York trio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs are giving fans a chance to design the cover of their next album by holding an open competition.

The design is to be a flag that best represents the band and the vibe they bring to their rabid fanbase.

Deadline is December 8th / 06 and the new album is slated for an early 2006 spring release.

Good Luck !