Blank Space - Visual Design in Seattle, WA

East German Typography

Riley — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:35 +0000

A very cool sampling of typography from the former German Democratic Republic. Most are not digitized yet, but some of them definitely should be.

Our Weekend Wilderness Excursion

Mindi — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:40:52 +0000

Another beautiful Washington hike. Riley and I saw Bridal Veil Falls and the mountain range view pictured above on the way up to Lake Serene.

Invitation Design for NPCA Exhibit

Mindi — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:23:32 +0000

The wonder of photography comes from the nearly magical
effect that captured moments in space and time can have
on our hearts and our minds.
—Nathan Myhrvold

Our Invitation design for NPCA’s Exposure Exhibition is now on our print projects web page. The invitation features the exhibition’s national park photography by Nathan, Conor, and Cameron Myhrvold.

Finally. The Money Book for Freelancers.

Mindi — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:47:22 +0000

I found this gem at the library last week. It is a refreshing look at personal finances. The authors are real, to the point, and entertaining. I highly recommend this book to any freelancers, sole-proprietors, and anyone with an irregular income. Here’s the synopsis:

This is a personal finance book for people like us, and we all know who we are.

We make our own hours, keep our own profits, chart our own way. We have things like gigs, contracts, clients, and assignments. All of us are working toward our dreams: doing our own work, on our own time, on our own terms. We have no real boss, no corporate nameplate, no cubicle of our very own. We are the independent workforce. We are freelancers, self-employed entrepreneurs, part-timers, permalancers, temps, consultants, contract workers, and all-around go-getters. Some of us choose to work like this. Some of us have been given no choice in this world of mass layoffs and ever-shrinking benefits.

Ask yourself: Who is planning for your retirement? Who covers your expenses when clients flake out and payments are late? Who is setting money aside for your taxes? Who is responsible for your health insurance?

Take a good look in the mirror: You are.

The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed is the only comprehensive system for earning, spending, saving, and surviving as an independent worker.

Now here’s to putting The Money Book’s system in action! Thank you Joseph D’Agnese and Denise Kiernan for writing this much needed book. I have read a ton of books about personal finances since starting Blank Space. This book is the most relevant for the irregular income that comes with having a new business and waiting for the inevitable checks in the mail.

good fences make good neighbors

Riley — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:12:20 +0000

My dad makes cool random art sometimes. His big yard on the busy Airport Hwy is his gallery. I particularly enjoy this white picket patriotism piece he made to celebrate independence. The structure is 50′ long and 15′ high, pretty wild for citizens of Delta, OH (The Heart of it All). His blog, The Aristocrats, is not for the faint of heart.

Amazing Space

Riley — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:46:10 +0000

This is excellent space design for a family entertainment center by designer Maria Yasko from Russia. Each room is based off of the Moomin books by Finnish novelist Tove Jansson. Very cool.

Where Will the Next Volcano Erupt?

Mindi — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:20:22 +0000

Great information graphic design by GOOD and MGMT.

The April 14 eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano disrupted air traffic over much of Europe and stranded thousands of passengers across the world. The total cost is estimated to be $5 billion in lost GDP through May 24, 2010. But now that dust has cleared, we can see that the eruption was small by historical standards, and there is always the chance of a bigger one: At any given time there are roughly 20 active volcanoes around the world, and there are 16 volcanoes—called “Decade Volcanoes”—that are currently noted to have a history of large eruptions and a proximity to populated areas. Imagine the cost if one of those erupts.

Click here to view the full infographic.

If you open the infographic you will notice that the PNW is in the Ring of Fire, and that Mount Rainier is one of the 16 decade volcanoes. Riley and I are hiking to the summit of our other local volcano, Mount St. Helens, on August 27th! Hard to believe that the recent eruption of Ireland’s Eyjafjallajökull and the eruption of Mount St Helens volcano in 1981 were so small in comparison to the top 10 eruptions!

Analog Computing

Chris — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:53:18 +0000

I stumbled on this amusing video called “the Art of Analog Computing“.

What did we do before computers anyway?

It amazes me how much our “typical day” has shifted over the past 15 years along with, because of, and in response to the technology we have also developed. As someone who loves technology – I feel naked when I leave my house without my iPhone – I also find something nostalgic inducing when I think about those analog days of yore…

Perhaps it’s a strange connection to make in relation to this video, but I am reminded (mostly by my own nostalgia) in this age of rampant technology to think about what I gain and what I lose when I incorporate the latest techno-advancement into my daily life.

Enough thinking, I hope this video amuses you too.

Thrilled To Be A Winner!

Mindi — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:33:21 +0000

Laura Bee Designs is dedicated to creating original handbags and accessories without sweatshop labor or leather products

I just won a new “gelato” handbag on Laura Bee Designs Facebook contest! It totally made my day! And guess what? I’m going to talk about it. Then when I go to pick up the bag, I will be completely thrilled all over again. Who knows how many people I’ll tell. For starters, I am telling you right now.

As far as internet marketing and social media goes, local business owner Laura Buzard, is seizing the opportunity to connect with the people who adore her handmade fashions. The Laura Bee Designs website allows you to browse her goodies from custom wallets, to hairpins, to bags. I even found a you-tube video about how the inside of the Madeline Mega Wallets looks and works. Don’t live in Seattle, no worries, you can purchase online. She utilizes Facebook contests as a way to learn more about each of her customers. An active blog, facebook, and twitter account keeps customers updated about featured items and sales. Local businesses should take note and discover how they too can increase their online presence and become part of this viral word-of-mouth marketing.

Congratulations to Laura Bee Designs for creating a unique retail experience that woman are excited about and want to share with their friends, in person or online. They sold their first handbag nine years ago in July at the Ballard Sunday Market. Happy Anniversary!

A celebration of 25 years of Montessori Education

Mindi — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:19:50 +0000

Pacific Crest School is celebrating 25 years of excellence in Montessori education! This is the logo we created for the occasion. The layering of simple shapes captures the fun and dynamic energy of Pacific Crest. It can stand alone, or work along side with the School’s logo (as pictured above). The festivities kick-off on September 25th, 2010 and continue through May 22nd, 2010. Connect with PCS on their new Facebook Page.