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Archived Interview with Tibor Kalman

One of my favorite discoveries this summer has been the video archive on the Charlie Rose website. As a regular viewer of Charlie Rose on Thirteen weeknights at 11:00pm, it's been a real joy to pour over his old interviews or catch them if I happen to miss a show. It didn't take me long to find an hour long interview with the late Tibor Kalman taped just 5 months before he passed away. In the interview they discuss his work at M&Co and Colors, and among other things, the benefit of naiveté, the use of vernacular, as well as the interesting story of his family escaping Hungary in the 50's. It is truly a testament to Tibor Kalman's wit and humor, and wonderful way to spend an hour.

Also, interviews with Bruce Mau, Calatrava, and a whole host of artists, architects, and thinkers are available to watch as well.


 

An Industrial Author

Read the San Francisco Chronicle's article on industrial designer Robert Brunner's new firm Ammunition's plan to help forge a new trend in the design business model. Moving beyond the traditional role of creating the look of a product. Brunner and Ammunition plan to help develop its story and follow through the initial idea, to manufacturing, marketing, and distribution.

"This way, you influence the running of the business and you are not just helping to advertise it."


via Core77 and the San Francisco Chronicle

Vintage Subway

A train manufactured in 1930 rolled into my local subway station last week and transformed the way I experience subterranean commuting. After fifteen frustrating minutes at High Street / Brooklyn Bridge the dark tunnel produced a Manhattan-bound A train replete with ceiling fans, upholstered seats, a green exterior and copperplate type (not pictured).

Steve and Alice on Design Criticism MFA, part 1

This past spring, School of Visual Arts announced the birth of a new Masters study in Design Criticism, to begin fall of 2008. Steven Heller, co-chair of our own program, is helping to develop the curriculum with Alice Twemlow, who will also be the chair of the department. Focusing on such a specific topic in criticism might seem risky, but as CRIT sat down to speak with Steve and Alice earlier this summer (over a heaping plate of bagels), there was a sense of energy and overwhelming enthusiasm from the design community at large (even the proposed Faculty list reads like an AIGA town-hall meeting), and suggestions of new formats and discussions for the way we act and react to design.

CRIT Interview by Tamara Gildengers Connolly and Len Small

A Blog Worth Reading

I recently came upon a blog that I would like to recommend. Granted, you may think that you need another blog to read as much as you need a hole in your head, but this is different. The blog I am recommending is 2dinar.com. The focus of the site is to offer reflection on war, foreign affairs, and current events from the point of view of veterans. Forget any stereotype you may think of involving unintelligent jarheads, these guys are thoughtful, articulate, and understand far more then merely taking orders. Certainly worth your time to read if you crave another perspective as much as I do.