Authored by
Alexander Ross Charchar
13th of March, 2009 
Links 7 Comments
This week’s links swing between the rusty, dilapidated scenes of abandoned gas stations, through to delicate collages of type and image. There’s also some amazing work form studio KXX, some images that will bring back memories for many, the original iPhone and some of the best newspaper design in the world.
Abandoned Gas Stations by Eric Tabuchi
Strangely intriguing shots of abandoned gas stations taken by French photographer Eric Tabuchi over a six year period. Tabuchi’s work captures abandoned, rusting, toxic-leaking architectural ruins that blight the landscape and roadscapes of France.
Mary Virginia
Mary’s collages are so beautiful I want to throw away my MacBook and grab a pair of scissors, a stick of glue and my pile of old magazines and go hog-wild for a rainy afternoon. Some of the illustrations have too much going on for my tastes, but the quieter ones take my breath away.
Studio KXX
Studio KXX has been getting a lot of attention on image collection sites like ffffound lately but when they really knocked me out was when they did the splash page for Fabien Barral’s Graphic-Exchange. Exploring their folio deeper, you find yourself in a world of detailed illustration that spans many mediums and truly inspires.
The iPhone, circa 1983
Designed by Hartmut Esslinger, the man behind the first portable computer, the 1984 Apple IIc, this is what appears to be a semi-touch screen attached to a phone. I say it looks something the Doc brought back to him to show Marty, but Biff stole and claimed the patent on it only to make himself millions and create an alternate 1983 (therefore, an alternate 1985.. it’s all on the blackboard!).
The Posters of LucasArts
Over at a LucasArts forum, a collection of posters from some of their legendary (and damningly addictive) games are being collected. Brings back some memories! There are large (60x80cm) copies available for download too.
A Library Full Of Dead Trees
The CR Blog has a great article on typographic engravings that have taken root as part of a new library. These logs and their words were the brainchild of Gordon Young and a group of collaborators. The elegance of some of the curves is astounding when contrasted with the texture and grain of the wood – especially when a crack in the wood cuts through a beautiful R.
Society for News Design
Announce World’s Best-Designed Newspapers
The Society for News Design has recently announced the best newspaper design from around the world. The winning entries hail from Russia, Greece, Portugal, Mexico and Germany, ranging in circulations from 10,000 to 400,000. Check out the SND produced video where I originally found this info at FontFeed and enjoy a slideshow of some of the award-winning design here. Who would have thought that the paper on the bottom of tomorrow’s birdcage would be so well designed?
Have a week!
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• Comments •
7 pieces of brilliance put forth by the audience
inspirationbit
13th of March, 2009 • www • twitter
You’ve collected some fascinating links here, Alex. Some of those newspapers look more like magazines (especially the last two).
That vintage iPhone is classic! Signing cheques over the phone, who could’ve thought? ;)
Btw, there’s something wrong with your links, they all take to your beautiful 404 page (your site’s url is added to all links).
Alex Charchar
13th of March, 2009 • www • twitter
The newspaper designs are amazing, aren’t they? I thought they same (about them looking like magazine spreads). Don’t often see newspapers so well designed in my part of the world. They’re not ugly, but not this great.
And thanks for the note about the links, but they all seem to be working for me in Firefox on a Mac? I’ll keep looking!
Alex Charchar
13th of March, 2009 • www • twitter
I spoke to soon, sorry Vivien! Just found them and the cause (I have curly quotes turned on in TextEdit and they carried over in a few of the URLs)
Thanks for the tips, I owe you a coffee!
inspirationbit
13th of March, 2009 • www • twitter
I also don’t see that many beautiful designs in local newspapers.
Sorry, I should’ve clarified: your image links are working, but not the text links. Check the ones that precede the Newspaper pics, do they work for you?
(I’m also on FF/Mac)
Sephra
16th of March, 2009 • www
Love this post. Thank you for the beautiful, inspiring artwork. (: I know where to look for great music, but I don’t know where to look for great visual art… Except mostly here. haha.
Alex Charchar
17th of March, 2009 • www • twitter
Even though I quickly said thanks on Twitter, thanks again Vivien, I wouldn’t have caught those silly mistakes if you hadn’t said something :)
Hey Sephra, glad you enjoyed the post! I’m not great at finding new music (I find my self listening to the same albums over and over), so you’ll have to give me some advice on where to go hunting!
inspirationbit
17th of March, 2009 • www • twitter
oh, you’re very welcome, Alex.
Are you on Last.fm? It’s a great way to discover new music: just start a station with your favourite artist or tag and Last.fm will take care of the rest, playing other similar artists. I was like you, listening to pretty much the same old music, albums, until I started using Last.fm daily, discovered lots of new artists. I have Fire.fm add-on for FF installed, very handy.
Shall you delight, entertain & enlighten
us with your own thoughts?