Just received a number of Ochre’s shirts + a hoodie produced via. Spreadshirt, and am so thoroughly impressed with the quality I’ve decided to create a couple NK items, in both mens & womens styles. The printing method being used is a transfer called Flock. It resembles a very thick silk screen. I had a couple shirts made this way almost 10 years ago and they’re still in great shape. I’ve ordered twice with Spreadshirt now, and had shipping confirmation within 24 hours. Quite an excellent solution for POD, it seems. Check the offerings here. All NK merchandise is commission free (at cost), if you care. Many items have multiple design placements, signified by +, ++ etc.

Otherwise noteworthy I discovered Kashiwa Daisuke last week. He’s got a really interesting style going- for example on his album 5 Dec. I hear influences including Steve Reich, Juno Reactor, Venetian Snares and Proswell to name a couple – all sort of riveted together with a bubbling acid jazz vibe. Definitely worth a listen, 5 Dec. is his most recent release, but in my current state it’s somewhat jolting (I’ve been digging into Program Music I mostly, which is a gorgeous album–far more melodic than his newer works).

Ochre’s new album arrived today–I already knew it was amazing, Acrid Avid Jam Shred is a staple of my life, Clarence Park is still my favorite Clark album, and between Gridlock’s Formless and Speedy J’s A Shocking Hobby I think there’s enough static energy to spark some sort of small fusion reaction.

I recently had the pleasure of designing a logo for one of my favorite musicians, Christopher Leary (Ochre). He’s just recently made a number of tshirts available for sale with this design. These are American Apparel shirts (the best imho), and they’re priced on the low (under $19)- so if you have any love for Ochre, IDM, or great music in general, head over and grab one. Great color variations too..

http://ochre.spreadshirt.com

That being said we’re less than a week away from the release of his new album Like Dust of the Balance. You can preview the entire album on his site, or at last.fm. Preorder it here. This is an awesome release and should not be missed! If you’re not familiar with his work, there’s no better time to get acquainted.

*edit*
Like Dust of the Balance is now available for download from Bleep and Amazon. Also, there are new logo hoodies available at the shop.

Without spending some time with a book first it’s really hard to tell whether you’re getting something solid or another half-baked ham from xyz publishing. Which leaves you with buying online. That means reading reviews, listening to your gut-and if you’re lucky, eventually discovering publishers with output you like pretty consistently. Doing so I’ve found books that I can’t imagine living without, and quite a few that give purpose to a post like this. Having spent some time recently rummaging through my book shelves I’ve decided to short list some of my favorites.

IdN 10th Anniversary

A 10-ton anvil of design ga-ga. IdN held nothing back with this one-we’re talking varnishes, metallics, stickers, vinyl, even an injection molded hard plastic carrying case (and a couple CDs in typical IdN fashion). The book explodes in aesthetic value, and does not let up when it comes to content. Huge variety of designers, medias- and taste aside, you’re gonna find something you like (very likely a great many). If you’re into graphic art and you buy only 1 book…

Amano

I know we’ve crossed over into the realm of fine art with this one, but I’m not much into categorizing any way-the principals of color, value and composition are relevant across all visual art disciplines. fine art, graphic art, still, or motion. That being said this book is one I turn to pretty consistently, as Amano has a control and style that seems quite unreal at times. Imaginative, highly stylized, ornate, gritty in places and polished in others. If you like the image on the cover even a little bit, the rest will not disappoint.

Sketching

Product design is rad. It’s not a field I frequent, but it’s one I would like too. This book is a candid look at the ideation approaches of a number of product design studios and internal corporate design groups. Products are all over the place, which keeps it interesting. Sketching walks through the entire creative process, and offers up some great tips along the way. A great book if you’re into that kind of stuff.

The Skillful Huntsman

is to entertainment design what Sketching is to commercial concept design. TSH documents the concept design of a Brothers Grimm by 3 Art Center students, in parallel. In a way this book picks up where Sketching left off, and walks you through the development of an entire world- characters, props, vehicles, buildings, environment. All while discussing the considerations involved in each case. Being able to see it done in parallel by multiple people is really enlightening as well. I wish they’d continue with it, releasing future installments with different artists working on different stories. Another must if you’re at all interested in product or concept design.

Other notables:
Narita Inspected (hard to find, but excellent graphic design book)
The Art of Darkwatch (game concept design process)
Los Logos (should go without mentioning)
Fusion (another IdN release, like a mini-me of 10)
FontBook (the best font reference ever, browsing online is ok but nothing beats printed samples)
StyleFile Blackbook Sessions (any of them, graf)
10×10 2 (architecture, #3 looks hot)

and some publishers to watch:
IdN
Design Studio Press
Rotovision
Phaidon