Observatory from Design Observer

John Foster: A Nod to Surrealism

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:11:54 GMT

For artists not working in digital media — those who cut, build, draw, paint, glue, bend, and make things in the more traditional manner, there is something of a “Surrealist” popularity at hand today.

Alexandra Lange: Ruth Asawa's wire scuptures qualify as extreme craft: they look weightless, but suggest you back off.

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:58:56 GMT

On a retrospective of the work of midcentury sculptor Ruth Asawa at Christie's, her first solo show in New York in 50 years.

Rick Poynor: The Conceptual Posters of Boris Bucan

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:51:27 GMT

Boris Bućan’s little known early posters, produced in Zagreb, were reductive, sharply defined, cerebral and enigmatic.

Rob Walker: Emily Spivack's exhibition of unexpectedly interesting stories from eBay.

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:30:11 GMT

Emily Spivack's exhibition of unexpectedly interesting stories from eBay.

Alexandra Lange: Why are there no prices in museum galleries?

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:25:24 GMT

Is the museum store a distraction or an enticement?

Kit Hinrichs and Delphine Hirasuna: The Alphabet Card

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:16:50 GMT

Excerpt from The Alphabet Card, a new book by Kit Hinrichs and Delphine Hirasuna.

Mark Lamster: The Tower that Beer Built

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:01:17 GMT

A review of the Kirby (nee Busch) Building in Dallas, now a residential apartment house but originally a spec office tower financed by the St. Louis beer barron Adolphus Busch.

Rob Walker: Jill Stoll combines artistic ritual, creative reuse, and the postal service as connector.

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:36:23 GMT

Jill Stoll combines artistic ritual, creative reuse, and the postal service as connector.

Rick Poynor: A landmark illustrated edition of The Age of Wire and String by Ben Marcus

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:26:50 GMT

Granta’s new edition of The Age of Wire and String by Ben Marcus is a landmark of experimental illustration.

Jessica Helfand: Our Shopping Lists, Our Selves

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:23:18 GMT

Jessica Helfand on lists: from the mundane to the historical, the shopping list to the Bill of Rights.

John Thackara: Parnaoid But Pretty: The Art and Business of Public Safety

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:18:28 GMT

A review of Matthias Megyeri's new show at the German Architecture Center, and a review of the question the exhibition inspires: "Are we safer?"

Daniella Zalcman: Part New York, Part London: Collectively a Vision of Home

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:42:33 GMT

Daniella Zalcman created a series images that are part New York, part London, and collectively represent her vision of home

John Foster: Enjoying TypeToy

Sun, 05 May 2013 15:17:01 GMT

This week's Accidental Mysteries highlights the blog TypeToy — an online collection of mid-century design and typography created by Aaron Eiland.

Owen Edwards: Reminiscing on Frank Zachary: A Man About Town and Country

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:49:22 GMT

Owen Edwards reminisces about Frank Zachary, former editor-in-chief of Town & Country magazine.

John Foster: Accidental Mysteries, 04.28.13: The Inkblot and Popular Culture

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:14:45 GMT

Accidental Mysteries for April 28, 2013 focuses on inkblots.

Rick Poynor: On the trail of Robert M. Coates's The Eater of Darkness

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:10:58 GMT

The Eater of Darkness is a collision of science fiction, murder mystery, Surrealism and experimental typography.

Alexandra Lange: Is prettiness a distraction? Yes, when it comes to taking Alexander Girard seriously.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:24:44 GMT

Is prettiness a distraction? Yes, when it comes to taking Alexander Girard seriously.

Mark Lamster: The Bush Library

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:38:05 GMT

A review of the Bush Library.

John Foster: Accidental Mysteries, 04.21.13: The Deep Roots of Modernism

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:57:11 GMT

Accidental Mysteries for April 21, 2013 focuses on the Deep Roots of Modernism.

Alexandra Lange: If you can't find the entrance, there's a problem with the architecture.

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:28:04 GMT

If you can't find the entrance, there's a problem with the architecture.

John Thackara: Big, Hairy, and Agile: Winner of the Digital Design of the Year Award

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:41:31 GMT

The UK government’s digital services platform, gov.uk, has won the Design of the Year award.

Rob Walker: Why did some Columbia architecture students treat their annual like garbage?

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:10:59 GMT

A book vs. its cover: Why Colubmia GSAPP students treated this year's architecture annual like garbage.

John Foster: Accidental Mysteries, 04.14.13: The Imagination of Playgrounds

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 16:29:56 GMT

Accidental Mysteries for April 14 focuses on the Imagination of Playgrounds.

Alexandra Lange: Participatory budgeting lets communities put their own urban priorities in order. It also adds a price tag.

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:22:03 GMT

Participatory budgeting lets communities put their own urban priorities in order.

Rick Poynor: The practical virtue of Works That Work magazine

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:48:07 GMT

Works That Work magazine reclaims the word “creativity” from the stultifying embrace of branding culture and design thinking.