Hey You, Work Harder

Time and Space

Influencers : FULL VERSION

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

A Pop-Up Bar? Dig!

READ ON >>

Switch by Yuko Shibata | I am a sucker for modular design

Japanese designer Yuko Shibata created separate living and working areas in this Tokyo apartment by installing two mobile walls.

A beer brewed for outer space ::.

With space tourism moving ever closer to reality, it only makes sense that enterprising companies would look for ways to capitalize on the coming boom by developing customer-centric amenities fit for zero gravity. To that end, the world’s first beer specially brewed and bottled for the unique conditions of outer space has been created in a joint venture between Saber Astronautics Australia and the 4-Pines Brewing Company. The as yet unnamed brew is a stout, due to its robust flavor profiles and relatively low carbonation – when in orbit, astronauts experience a dulled sense of taste and difficulty belching.

The beer is slated to make its maiden voyage onboard a series of parabolic flights scheduled for November 2010. The trips will operated by the ZERO-G Corporation with members from the non-profit organization Astronauts4Hirevolunteering to take the first sips on behalf of all humankind. The astronauts will record their thoughts on the drinkability and taste of the beverage, along with their biometric data such as blood alcohol level, temperature and heart rate. The test flights, will be funded in part by sales of the beer on Earth, but there is currently no information on its availability.

Astronautics Australia

4-Pines Brewing Company

[via PopSci] - ] PSFK [

Image by Veer. Veer has recently relaunched its site, Veer.com, with a simplified, easy to use interface allowing for enhanced and simplified image search. The site, which is a go-to source for creative and affordable stock photography, illustrations, fonts and merchandise, helps people add style to business, marketing, and personal design projects.

Y!?

"Before, if somebody offered to invest in your company, you just jumped at the chance," says Harjeet Taggar of Y Combinator. "It meant your idea is not going to die. But for the first time, people are starting to grill investors on why they should take the capital, if they can get the capital elsewhere."

Taggar is a venture partner at Y Combinator, a VC that makes small investments in startups (rarely more than $20,000) in exchange for small stakes in the companies (around 2% to 10%). Rather than seduce startups with offers of millions in seed money, Y Combinator is part of a growing trend of investors that offer what Taggar describes as a mix of mentorship, networking, leverage, and brand value.

READ ON >>

Abandon Six Flags New Orleans ::. Rare Imagery

Katrina: 5 years later. This is horrific and insightful at the same time.

Amazing Imagery HERE>>

The Story HERE >>

Purple Haze/Kush with your Fine Dining?

Jonesing for some gourmet tri-tip and a solid buzz? Check out Cannabis Catering, a San Francisco-based outfit that specializes in marijuana cuisine. The brainchild of Chef Frederick Nesbitt, a California Culinary Academy-trained chef who has worked as personal chef for Jerry Rice and John Madden, Cannabis Catering offers four and five-course meals laced with ganja.

READ ON >>

via* Fast Co.

Marco Beghin ::. the interview

One doesn’t have to look far to hear talk of the dwindling “print” industry and most things analog. Our shift in the last few years towards a “paper-less” lifestyle with our iPads, e-readers and mobile phones stoked my inquisitive mind. How were traditional paper-based brands adapting? While reading’s future is seemingly cemented on a digital format, the age-old documentation of both serious and casual thoughts seems to be a little slower to adapt to a new electronic landscape. I can attest to this, my use of note-taking software such as Evernote really didn’t catch on for me when the convenience and ability to format size, color and boldness all came with the flick of a wirst; all the tools which lay before me with a simple pad and paper. It is this convenience, this authenticity and this intimacy that has become among the important factors that go into Moleskine’s continued success. Moleskine has become one of the most visible paper and notepad brands out there today. Finding itself into the repertoire of the lifestyles of many, an opportunity to speak with Marco Beghin meant getting to the bottom of how a paper brand can co-exist and succeed in an increasingly digital world.

READ ON >>

Interview: Eugene Kan Photography: Andrew Krause

Via* Hypebeast

ZERO waste wears ::.

As Nonetheless is in the middle of production here in Chicago. I couldn't resist to share one of the hardest parts of the design, development, and production phase. The reality of ZERO WASTE! Over and over I find myself explaining why things are done a certain way. Sustainability in product design is not an easy feat. Those of you that know me well... know I dig solutions. Here is a nice story from the The New York Times. -- JSP

Vegetable Butcher Shops ::.

In NYC at Eataly customers will have the option of speaking to a vegetable butcher.

Here customers looking for insight into how to prepare an artichoke, the best way to cook a delicata squash or who simply don’t have time to prep their produce before they get home, will be able to take advantage of the free service while they shop. And to make sure no one walks away without paying full price for the freshly cleaned and peeled carrots or cucumbers, all customers are given their vegetable trimmings in a separate bag for weighing at check out, at which point the store will take care of composting.

Hope to see this in Chicago soon!

via* PSFK

Michael Bierut: 5 Secrets from 86 Notebooks

Renowned graphic designer Michael Bierut claims that he's not creative. Instead, he likens his job to that of a doctor who tends to patients – "the sicker, the better." Digging into the 86 notebooks he's kept over the course of his career, Bierut walks us through 5 projects – from original conception to final execution – extracting a handful of simple lessons (e.g. the problem contains the solution; don't avoid the obvious) at the foundation of brilliant design solutions.

VIDEO HERE >>/

* Via THE 99%

Less Than ZERO and American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis ::.

He argues love and sadism are linked, and that technology has stopped us feeling. A great modern day writer. Period.

Alex Varanese ::. Back to the Future

* What if... an industrial designer could have went back in time and dropped the "today" technologies? The world would be a different space for sure.

More of Alex's work here...

Christophe Lemaire Scorns ‘Luxury Prostitutes’

* This is a very awesome interview pertaining to the world of fashion at the moment. It's refreshing to hear that someone like Christophe is so forward in thought...

French designer Christophe Lemaire is poised to take the reins at Hermès this fall, heading up the women's ready-to-wear collection. The fashion veteran has designed his own men's and women's RTW label since 1991, which he is presenting with his first runway show in seven years today in Paris.

Read the quick interview here >>

via* New York Magazine

Outlaw Royalty ::. Inspiration from a Designer

I have started a new space to communicate my design inspirations pertaining to Nonetheless and Connect. We can't forget my little brand communications studio 3.ZERO.

* Don't open this link if you are in a cubicle or corporate office.

Outlaw Royalty

My best,

Jonathan Shaun

Robot House presents: Loose Cannons

Connect is very pleased to announce a truly authentic conscious event on the lower -level of our boutique in Wicker Park. The event promises to be a fun, lighthearted way to kick off the weekend and to be completely different than the usual wine-and-cheese art opening.


Robot House presents: Loose Cannons, opening in it's new event space, Connect Commons on September 11, 2009. The collaborative show will feature a full-room graffiti art installation from local artists, James Ford, Dave Valente, Jason Nonnenmann, Ken Klopack and Brandon Hanson. This marks their 2nd collaboration in the past few years.

This event will take place from 7 to 11 pm on the 11th.

Loose Cannons will be a full room installation depicting a seaside wharf in full swing. The town is replete with buccaneers and bar wenches, all causing chaos and blowing off steam. The three-dimensional installation will have live action aspects to it as well, with some of the pieces moving.

Rum drinks will be flowing. Light food will be served. DJ's will be here throughout the night. There will be apparel, screen-printed posters, and other art for purchase. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Little Black Pearl.

A suggested donation of $5 will support:

Little Black Pearl

ABOUT:

NO GIFT IS AS PRECIOUS AS THE POTENTIAL OF A CHILD.

Their talents, needs, questions and hopes are entrusted to us. Our job is to guide, nurture, support, empower, and challenge them. They are the heart and hope of our community. At Little Black Pearl (LBP) we commit ourselves each day to achieving success for all children by empowering them to envision and achieve their unique potential through art and entrepreneurship. Moreover, we believe that art is an integral part of a healthy community and its presence creates opportunities for community and economic development.

WHO THEY WE

Beginning as a dream ten years ago in the basement of a gray stone, today Little Black Pearl is a thriving nonprofit serving youth in the Kenwood/Oakland, Woodlawn, and Bronzeville neighborhoods on Chicago's south side. Firmly rooted in the black community, as the population has changed, so has Little Black Pearl by working with an increasingly diverse youth population and adding curriculum and services for adults and families. Today home for Little Black Pearl is its state of the art 40,000 square foot Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center located in the Kenwood/Oakland neighborhood. This cultural arts center not only houses LBP but provides opportunities in art, culture and entrepreneurship to youth, adults and families across Chicago.

WHAT THEY DO

LBP works diligently to counter the challenges urban youth face by providing a safe environment, positive role models, and rigorous program and skill development activities and opportunities. Our 10-year history has successfully proven that it is possible to marry art and entrepreneurship through real life application of talent, interest and skills. At Little Black Pearl, youth feel safe and open to exploring, expressing and challenging their ideas and feelings through art. The combination of art and business bring out innate talents and shows youth the value of their work. They learn lifelong skills; enhance their self-esteem and benefit from the sale of their art. A wide array of works of art created by youth in programs and workshops provided by Little Black Pearl are available for purchase through the Art and Design Center.


When:

Friday September 11th 2009
From 7-11pm

Where:

Connect
1330 N.Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL, 60642
(Lower-Level Event Space)

Questions:

773.360.1520


Our best,

Connect-Chicago

Jonathan Shaun... giving Keynote at Magic in Las Vegas

If you are going at the end of August for Magic. Please stop by and say hello.

September 1st

11:00 am

Sustainability. Creativity. Authenticity.

Keynote by Jonathan Shaun, Founder 3. Zero, Co-Founder of

Connect-Chicago

Jonathan Shaun will communicate the importance of a holistic management approach to sustainable product and ethical brand communications. To date, Sustainability and Social Responsibility communications have been overly righteous, misleading, and disorienting. Many businesses have good product, however, they don’t fully identify with the conscious marketing elements needed to effectively deliver their brand story. Jonathan feels that the ultimate goal of the sustainable business model is to responsibly create new revenue streams based on the principles of conscious capitalism.

Room N256

September 1st

1:00 pm

Eco Materials

Moderated by Matt Grigsby, Ecolect

Panelists include: David Basson, Apparel Source, Moses Cohen, Teijin, Jonathan Shaun, Founder of 3.ZERO and Co-Founder of Connect-Chicago

At this years MAGIC, Ecollection event, Ecolect will host a Panel Discussion highlighting the true importance of using sustainable materials. Specifically tailored to the fashion industry, we will explore fiber options, their associated footprints, and the market rationale for using eco-materials. We want to help industry leaders to ask the right questions when souring, ordering and selling. This panel discussion is not to be missed and will equip the audience with the knowledge and examples to make educated purchasing decisions.

Room N256

Conscious Capitalism ::.

By 3.ZERO and Elizabeth Redmond © 2009

 

Life at Connect Chicago is an ethical journey in assisting people, preserving the planet, and sustaining a profitable business.  The singular bottom line has been replaced by conscious capitalism.   What does this mean?

A conscious consumer is someone who is aware of the effect each decision has on the globe. Whether they know the full history behind a purchasing decision or the simple implications of conventional vs. organic, they do know that their actions have an impact on the future of our global environmental and social conditions. Consumers today have the opportunity to vote with their dollars and create change through educating themselves, sharing facts, and reacting.

Begin learning about the secrets behind the products on the shelf and watch

The Story of Stuff produced by Free Range Graphics.

Making responsible purchasing decisions can be hard but incredibly rewarding. 

Eco-conscious consumers are becoming more aware of the positive impact that eating clean foods and purchasing responsible products will have on their own lifespan. As consumers learn about their exposure to toxins through plastic water bottles; synthetic hormones through food, fragrances, and plastics; diseases through poor diets and exercise; the demand for product and corporate transparency has never been greater. The LOHAS consumer (a $424 B US market composed of 60 M people) wants to wear healthy clothing, eat organic foods, and vote with their dollars by making responsible purchasing decisions.

New Ground is breaking:

The conscious consumer is an authentic change agent, they are recognizable by virtue of their overall attitude towards life more so than any specific psychographic characteristic.  This psychographic has a youthful spirit and a desire to engage in life to learn, to change, and to remain vital and active. This core individual seamlessly combines their attributes, attitudes, values, behaviors, and worldwide views through a multidimensional life-style balanced between their professional and personal lives.

At the center of their optimism is a genuine desire to exercise personal responsibility, make a difference, and leave a legacy.

The conscious customer lives an integrated life, one that embraces technology as a tool for constructive change while honoring and referencing the wisdom of traditional cultures.  The idea of progress is not inherently uncomfortable to them as long as its aligned with what we need, not just what we are capable of.

These consumers are inherently curious- they are students of life. .  Although they understand that not all is right in the world, they don’t stagger in resignation, complacency, or passive acceptance.  They appreciate the benefits of the material realm, but do not abuse them; instead they are more passionate about creating a soulful, authentic life that is infused with purpose.  This impulse leads them to cultivate a finer appreciation for the importance of good design and the aesthetic experience.  Their creative enthusiasm, intellectual engagement, and active approach to life allow them to live for an optimistic future and serve as acolytes to their peers.

They’re mobile and adaptable which enables them to easily cross or blur traditional geographical, cultural, informational and social boundaries.  It’s this physical, intellectual, and social mobility that enables them to find global inspiration while becoming locally active and well rooted.

The Conscious customer seeks out urban environments with a combination of diverse stimuli and dense connections.  Increasingly, they also are the individuals looking for material surroundings that possess a combination of smart invention, design, thought, high efficiency, and environmentally friendly building techniques.

 Core Values

Conscious Customers, in general, have a multi-facet of beliefs and/or feelings that make up their value system.  Authentic brands that share and identify with this value system are most likely to gain loyalty from these individuals.  The following are just some of the feelings and beliefs from these forward thinking individuals:

• The planet is a living, interconnected system, and in need of immediate protection.
• Humanity is only a part of nature’s complex web of life, and not it’s master.
• Government activities should emphasize children’s education and well being, rebuilding our neighborhoods and communities, and creating an ecologically sustainable future.
• Corporations, left unchecked, will often engage in irresponsible and immoral social and environmental work.
• Much more needs to be done to guarantee equality for women, religious, racial, and ethnic groups internal and externally outside of The United States of America.
• That concerned people can make a difference in solving the world’s problems.
• Eager to purchase goods and services from businesses that are doing responsible social and environmental work.
• Value authenticity and quality.

here are like-mind links to explore;

 

Treehugger

World Changing

Plenty

Sustainable Business

Sustainable Industries

Environmental Leader

Inhabitat

Sustainable Life Media

TED.com

Renewable Energy

Ideal Bite

Sara Snow

Sustainable Table

Future Natural

                           3.ZERO