I'm hoping to get all of my 2009 reviews done before I need to start reviewing 2010 films. We'll see how that goes.

I enjoyed Helvetica. For what, at first glance, appears to be a narrow topic (it's about a typeface, after all) the depth of the film is surprising. Decades of design history are tied into both positive and negative reactions to the aesthetic exemplified by Helvetica. Watching fans and foes of the typeface argue their point with intelligence and passion exposes the best of the design mind.

I'd actually recommend this documentary to anyone. It's readily approachable and fascinating. And the ubiquity of Helvetica makes it almost permanently topical. Practically wherever you are you can walk out your door and see examples of it in action. Seeing Helvetica, you'll have a different appreciation for the design around you every day.

He didn't go civilian on us. I understand people doing that (it's sure worked for Barry McGee), but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate people staying true to their graffiti roots, both in style AND identity.*

That and he's an incredible artist. There's more style in his tag than in 99.9999% of the 100 color burners you see (see below. That tag burns you and your whole crew)

Anyway, Wooster pointed out that he's got a new site live.

You should check it out.

*Me? I'm going to have REACT on my tombstone.

We're doing a little bit more with social media at Cramer these days. I've been enlisted to help out on that front. As part of that effort I've started writing some posts for AWiderNet, Cramer's blog. Today I cranked out my first post:

On Internal Projects, Company Blogs and Making “Stuff”

It's a beauty.

Go. Read. Comment.

How about both?

Expect some more of these Field Notes sketches to flow through the site over the next few weeks.

These guys were mentioned in some project discussions I was having yesterday and after checking them out I knew immediately that I had to share them with you guys:

Check out the site for more goodness:
The Sicksystems / graffiti, graphic design, illustration, identity, typography