Just to get this out of the way- Yes we know, Kanye West is crazy. That said, we have a lot of respect for Kanye for taking chances chances with millions of people watching. While the results usually fall towards either utterly amazing or disastrous, they are almost always worth watching. Hence we wanted to take a moment to talk about Kanye’s newly redesigned site.

While Kanye west is obviously a musician frost and foremost, he decided to make KanyeWest.com a forum for art and design, with no mention of records, tour dates, or any other self promotional information. This is a very bold move for a pop star and one we endorse whole heartedly. This is yet more evidence in West’s active interest in being a cultural artiber and influencer. A move that would only make pop stars like Miley Cyrus or Justin Timberlake look ridiculous.

But KanyeWest.com isn’t just daring site for a musician. In true we’re-not-sure-if-he’s-crazy-or-a-genius form, West breaks with standard publishing (blogging) formats. This site has no advertising, so in it’s current format it can’t generate revenue. The navigation is invisible until you roll over it, and then fades after a few seconds. Our favorite part of this site however, is the large scale use of photography and video. This clip from the film “Eyes Wide Shut” is one of the largest embedded video’s we’ve seen to date. While we’re not 100% sold on the giant frames around the photo’s, we’ll admit the work well for the likes of artists such as Alexander McQueen. We’ll take a wait and see approach however as West starts to get back to artists like Takashi Murakami.

All in in all, this is a very daring project for 2010, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see many of these elements incorporated on a broader basis over the coming years. have a look for yourself at KanyeWest.com

One word of warning, some of the material on this site is NSFW.

Decode: Digital Design Sensations showcases the latest developments in digital and interactive design, from small, screen-based, graphics to large-scale interactive installations. The exhibition includes works by established international artists and designers such as Daniel Brown, Golan Levin, Daniel Rozin, Troika and Karsten Schmidt. The exhibition features both existing works and new commissions created especially for the exhibition.

The exhibition explores three themes: Code presents pieces that use computer code to create new works and looks at how code can be programmed to create constantly fluid and ever-changing works. Interactivity looks at works that are directly influenced by the viewer. Visitors will be invited to interact with and contribute to the development of the exhibits. Network focuses on works that comment on and utilise the digital traces left behind by everyday communications and looks at how advanced technologies and the internet have enabled new types of social interaction and mediums of self-expression.

Digital technology is providing new tools for artists and designers. Innovative, often interactive, displays use generative software, animation and other responsive technologies to install a ‘live’ element into contemporary artworks. Some works exist in a state of perpetual evolution; others are altered by the behaviour of the spectator.
From designs that draw on the barest fundamentals of code – the zeros and ones of the binary system – written by a single programmer, to art that encompasses a global collective of online creativity, many of the exhibits here defy traditional design categories. They blur the boundaries between practices, between programming and performance, creator and participant.
Decode will be on display in The Porter Gallery. Exhibits can also be found on the V&A Exhibition Road façade, in the Grand Entrance, John Madejski Garden and South Kensington tunnel, at the bottom of the stairs to the National Art Library (Staircase L), as well as in the Science Museum.

While flash games are a dime a dozen this is truly something different, creative and amazing.
“One Bit Increment is two designers (Leon Hong and Camile Orillaneda) who find some enjoyment in coding interactive experiences. We spend our work days in front of our laptops, sketching, debugging, and eating (roasted) potatoes. One Bit Wonder is where we document our thoughts and projects.”
We’re all about creating interactive experience websites and look forward to seeing more work from these two in the future.

Every time we fly into Los Angeles we’re struck by how the city seems to go on forever. If you live in the middle of LA it’s easy to forget we’re surrounded by natural wonders on every side.
We we’re reminded of this by a beautifully designed new site from the National Park Foundation that makes it easy to find all the national parks in your area. There’s so much beautiful nature photography here that we were quickly reminded of how spring is fast approaching. This is a great way to plan your first hike or road trip of 2010.

826LA presents CHICKENS IN LOVE, an online pledge-a-thon fundraiser, full-length album, and one-day music festival.

For those of you who don’t know, 826LA is a non-profit that started in San Francisco at 826 Valencia. There are 8 chapters around the country in SF, LA, NYC, chicago, etc. The goal of 826 is to help kids with writing and tutoring. They hold workshops and after school programs to help kids with their writing skills. You may have seen the echo park time travel mart.

This coming Saturday (3/6/2010) they are holding an event to support “chickens in love” which is a full length album of songs written by 826LA students and performed by LA artists including Cold War Kids, She & Him, Submarines, Fiona Apple, etc.

They are accepting pledges here. You can see all the songs here performed and vote. some of these kids are just so cute.

The mini music fest is kind of the culmination event for this. tickets are $15 and can be purchased here:
http://826lachickensinlove.eventbrite.com/

Madrid based Illustrator Silja Goetz is working for some of the biggest names in publication and product. Nike, Vogue, Cosmo, and Nylon tout her work among others. From portraiture and product integration to her more pensive personal work, her illustrative style evokes emotion and warmth. The imaginative typography she contributed to the The Bill Clinton Foundation is a prime example the range she posesses. Born in Regensburg, Germany Silja studied in Nürnberg before assuming a post at Allegra Magazine in Hamburg and finally venturing out on her own which has certainly paid off.

Cover illustration for “Camino de ida”/ Carlos Salem Sola ? Salto de Pagina

It’s never to early to start learning about good type. You can give your recent addition a leg up with this type mobile. If you know any designers about to have kids this looks like the gift to get. Available at Veer.com.