history
design
Consider the Beer Can
In 1964, John Updike bemoaned the arrival of the modern beer can, offering food for thought to designers who would disrupt familiar experiences.
principles
Alan Kay’s Answer to What Made Xerox PARC Special
Alan Kay describes the principles that made PARC so uniquely imaginative during his tenure there.
touch
Touch Means a New Chance for Radial Menus
Radial menus are suddenly in vogue, but it’s not just passing fashion. For touch, this is good interaction design.
history
Grids, Design Guidelines, Broken Rules, and the Streets of New York City
The history of New York City’s aggressive grid of city streets offers plenty of lessons for digital designers.
history
Eve's Wireless
A 1922 silent movie shows off perhaps the first mobile phone, “Eve’s Wireless,” a contraption that required a fire hydrant and an umbrella to work.
art
Jacques Villeglé: The Original Mashup
An exhibition of torn poster art asks fascinatingly relevant questions in an era of online mashups and user-generated content.
art
Design Treasures Found and Lost in the Paris Métro
Tons of cool historical design in the Paris subway is getting gutted.
art
Vu Magazine: Photos, Robots and Cutting-Edge Design
I expected nostalgic photos, but instead got insight into how technology works to spark design innovation.