NINE cool type games for designers

This post is a bit  of a cheat this, as I have already posted "EIGHT cool type games for designers" ages ago, http://crocodilejock.posterous.com/eight-cool-type-games-for-designers and all the links still work (i've just checked). And they're worth a play, even if you're not a designer! But there's another great one that's doing the rounds on the interwebs, the adictive "kern game" . So that makes NINE. Know any more? Let me know!

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Road legal bumper cars

A guy in San Diego has built seven street legal cars from old bumper cars from an abandoned amusement park. They're street legal (in California), and pretty cool.

They run on modified motorcyle engines… and one is reputed to have a top speed of 160mph… which just sounds silly to me. 60mph would be scary in one of these!

Although I do like quirky, and I do like small cars, I think on balance, I'd rather have a Morgan Threewheeler… or, ideally, if it gets into production, a Smite.

From DalesDesigns via my twitter pal Purple Karan

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Defusable alarm clock.

I don't know why these appeal to me so much. Maybe it's because when I was about six or seven, I used to make 'bombs' out of biscuit tins, old batteries and wires I had collected. Probably watching too much Mission Impossible*, DangerMan or The Persuaders. Or maybe it's because the IRA were always on the news.

Luckily, these never left the house, and were quickly dismantled and defused by my parents. They probably weren't quite as convincing as these alarm clocks. 

When they start to go off, you have to 'defuse' them. I think the novelty of that could wear off pretty quickly, I don't know if 

One word of warning, I wouldn't want to take one of these on a plane. Or the tube. Even posting them is problematic… Actually, if you have the slightest worry that your house may be raided by the old bill, probably best not to get one of these. Maybe stick to the Stephen Fry "Jeeves" alarm. 

Originally on Paranoias.org via DesignYouTrust.

 

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The new Lambretta, and why I'm not posting so much (here) anymore…

Mostly because I've been bitten by the Lambretta bug, for the second time in my life. For most people, this is an ailment that they get out of their systems in their teens, but for a significant minority, the reinfection can occur at anytime, although it usually strikes in the late 30s or early 40s. 

Anyway, I'm posting a lot of stuff over at my Lambretta blog – including the ongoing saga of the new Lambretta LN, a scooter which as I write this, has a uncertain future. The owners of the Lambretta brand name have decided it is a copyright infringement, and not a proper, licensed Lambretta scooter after all. All the controversy, along with a ton of images, a pdf brochure and video are over at the other blog, so if you're at all interested in the rebirth of a style icon, and the difficult delivery it is having (I'll stop the pregnancy analogies now) pop over and see. 

In the meantime, Crocodile Jock blog isn't dead, I'm just being a little more discerning about what I post. So if you like it, thank you, stay tuned.

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Typographic Maps of London

These stunning maps combine two passions of mine, London and Typography. They are by Ursula Hitz, a Swiss born, London based artist and designer. Check out Ursula's website here for more maps, including New York, Paris and Zurich. Or follow her on her blog. Ursula has also designed a range of hand crafted typefaces, available here.

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Typographic Maps of London

These stunning maps combine two passions of mine, London and Typography. They are by Ursula Hitz, a Swiss born, London based artist and designer. Check out Ursula's website here for more maps, including New York, Paris and Zurich. Or follow her on her blog. Ursula has also designed a range of hand crafted typefaces, available here.

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Great comments thread

Capn, you have mastered the art of the witty put down, go to the top of the class!

From a Cult of Mac article on iPad performance.

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Apple family tree infographic

Love this infographic by Mike Vasilev so much, I nicked it from Mashable. It's gloriously simple, but there's a lot in there.Although there's a few things missing… the original LaserWriter printers were Apple products, as were the QuickTake digital cameras… anything else?

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Want one of these

Pencil sharpening will never be the same again.

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Sardine tin cameras

If you're pockets aren't quite deep enough for a Leica, and you like the idea of Lomography, these Sardine tin cameras might be up your alley.

Inspired by, rather than made from real sardine (and calamares) tins, you can find out more here. Nice website too.

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Bookends

If you like these, you can buy 'em here. 

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iCufflinks

Grab 'em here. 

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29 Ways to stay creative

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Does you logo really need "Holidizing"?

If you get your logo designed at Logoworks, they will give receive (well you would if you bought it yesterday) a free "holidized" version of it.
Lovely. May I suggest, if you are prepared to mess around with one of your core brand assets like this, Logoworks probably IS the right place to buy a logo.

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Watch this video. Get inspired.

Kind of reminds me of the premise behind the TV show "Why don't you?"

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Cool iPhone dock/clock radio

. 

Love the simplicity of this design! Available here

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If logos were honest…

Reinterpretation of some famous brands logos… by Victor Hertz

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The Tweed Run

Loved this wonderfully retro poster for the Tweed Run. (Check the date by the way – this weekend if you're in the smoke)

It was created by Zoë Barker, she has a website, natch. 

So what is The Tweed Run? Well it's "A metropolitan bike ride with a bi of style – a friendly 10 mile jaunt around the Capital will take in London’s famous sites –– including St Paul’s, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Savile Row –– with a stop for a spot of tea, and ending with a bit of a knees-up out Shoreditch way." As the name suggests, Harris Tweed is more "de rigeur" than lycra… deestalker hats optional. Only in London. It's the third year they've done it, and they're expecting about 400 chaps and chappesses to turn up. It's all for a good cause too… Bikes4Africa is their designated charity.

This all reminds me of a few years ago, when I was sweating and grunting up a big hill on my state-of-the-art 20 gear mountain bike, on the London to Brighton. First I was passed by a couple of blokes on big old posties bikes, having a chat. Then, to rub salt into my wounds a gent cruised past on a PENNY FARTHING. Gods honest.

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You took my name…

The Dorothy Collective have taken some well known brands, and turned them into art, by A) removing the brand name, and B) putting them on canvas.

If you're working on creating a brand, this is an object lesson in recognisability… if you remove YOUR brand name from the logotype… would you're customers still recognise you?

Food for thought. More on the project on The Dorothy Collective site, here.

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