TheDopeFiend :: Your Daily Fix

Popdeck Stores

Awhile back I posted about a website called Bountee, Popdeck is a very similar site only it's for skateboards. Basically Popdeck allows you to setup an online store using their website, upload your graphics to be printed on skate decks and then sold through the store you setup with them. You are able to set your own pricing for your skate decks, and any decks sold over $30 is split 50/50 with Popdeck. You can also print and sell your own wheels, and soon they promise to have trucks and other products as well. Chuck Anderson of Nopattern even has a store.

Labels: design, skateboards, web

Mopa

Good design is fairly easy to find these days. There is an abundance of great designers all over the web, but about once a week I run across a website, or portfolio that really inspires me. Mopa is a Brazilian design firm that has some amazing work. "Mopa believes in the good side of things, optimism is a part of its everyday," says the crew of Mopa, and it shows in their work. Full of bright colors and shapes the crew has a very distinct style.

Labels: art, design

Mimobot VDC Content Creation Contest

Last year flash drive character masters Mimoco held their first design competition. This year they are at it again, but switching it up a bit with the VDC Content Creation Contest. In celebration of their new VDC Mimobot series coming out this October, they are asking you to get your creative juices flowing and submit any kind of digital media creation you want - music, video, animations, wallpapers, screensavers, games and whatever other digital creations you can think of. The winners will be selected and their creations will come pre-loaded on the VDC Mimobot series. Submissions are being accepted now so get to it!

Labels: contest, design, technology

Something in the Universe

It seems the creative people over at Beautiful/Decay are taking their abilities to the next level. Something in the Universe is a creative agency formed by the creators of the magazine. Something in the Universe has already done work such as identity, brand strategy, illustration and marketing for an impressive client list including MTV, Ford, Target, Scion, Stuff Magazine along with plenty more. So far their portfolio has some very impressive work and it seems like an agency any designer would hope to work for.

[Via: Josh Spear]

Labels: beautiful decay, design, something in the universe

Akutou Loves You

The amount of talented illustrators, designers and artists out there today is sometimes overwhelming. Everyday I find a new illustrator or designer that has so much talent, but on occasion I find one that really appeals to me. Akutou, or Thomas Pereira, is a French designer that really struck me upon visiting his website. Having done work for clients like RAC, Futurecop!, Threadless, and doing work like this, this and this Pereira is on a fast track to becoming one of my favorite illustrators. He also has a great music blog on his site worth checking out.

Labels: akutou, art, design, illustration

In The Mod

In The Mod is a small application that every designer will love. The application comes in four different editions: The Flickr Edition, Webcam Edition, Your Images Edition and the Online Edition. The concept of each edition is essentially the same, creating swatches from various photos from either various Flickr photos, photos from your webcam, and photos in your personal library. Have you ever been inspired by the color way of your favorite sneakers, or by a photo that you took of a building in you neighborhood. In The Mod can import and use photos to create a swatch of 1-1,000 different colors, and then export the swatch to Photoshop of Illustrator. A handy little tool in any designers collection of apps.

Labels: apps, design, technology

Kitsune Noir Desktop Wallpaper Project

When you spend as much time in front as your computer as I do you tire easily of your desktop wallpapers. In addition to using the application I previously mentioned, Desktoptopia, I also eagerly await the weekly release of the desktops on Kitsune Noir's Desktop Wallpaper Project. The project features super talented artists such as Mopa, Ryan Cox and Kelsey Brookes every week to produce designs and illustrations that are used for Desktop Wallpapers. All of the designs are free for download and available in almost all resolutions and even for the iPhone and PSP.

Labels: design, technology, web

I Vote For Art

I love simple online tools that do their job well, especially when they allow you to make a little extra dough using your creative talents (ie. the amazing t-shirt site Bountee). The new Australian site I Vote For Art would fall into this category. I Vote For Art is simple, it allows you to easily buy and sell art and support small independent artists. Artwork is voted upon by users of the website, the most voted being featured on the homepage and towards the top of the artwork pages. Pieces must be submitted and accepted before posted to the site, and judging by the work so far the site's management has a pretty good eye.

Labels: art, design, technology, web

Vitamin Water

I have never been a big drinker of Gatorade, Powerade or any of the other similar drinks. Call it this inner designer in me, but when I first saw the packaging for Vitamin Water I had to try it. With 15 different flavors and vitamin combinations Vitamin Water's selection is pretty awesome. Each one of these flavors/vitamin combos is engineered for a specific purpose, whether that be energy, focusing, relaxing, balance, endurance and a lot more. It tastes as good as it looks too, no sugary aftertaste and very refreshing.

Labels: design, drink, food, packaging

Wear Palettes

Like most other designers/artists I find myself being influenced by a huge variety of sources. More often than not I get a great idea for a project when I am away from the computer. Like say a color scheme for a website from a well dressed woman walking down the street. The blog Wear Palettes has taken inspiration from the street photography of The Sartorialist and created color schemes using the awesome web tool Colour Lovers, then posting them all on their blog. A great idea for cataloging inspiration for design and fashion. I think it would be interesting to do this with a party photographer's shots, like this one from Shadow Scene. I am sure you could come up with some some interesting schemes.

Labels: design, fashion, inspiration

Boosted VS Madsteez

I think it was close to 7 years ago when I first started Mesh Magazine I published an interview with Mark Darren AKA Madsteez. His crazy style really caught my attention and I knew it was only a matter of time before he blew-up. Now his name is all over and his artwork is crazier than ever. The recent project he collaborated with Boosted Mobile on is no exception. The Madsteez x Boosted Device Case Collection has pieces designed to accommodate just about any of your electronic gadgets such as cell phone, iPod or Blackberry. In addition to the electronic device cases the collection also offers a larger sized nap sack, messenger bag and hip bag, all of which are made from "vegan-approved" materials. Check out BoostedMobile.com for more info and retailer locations. Also peep this exclusive Boosted interview with Madsteez himself to see what he has to say about his art and his future plans.

Labels: design, fashion, mp3

Zuriick Fall '07

Zuriick's new Fall/Winter line has been released and it's about damn time. I have been patiently waiting for some of these new shoe designs for months and they are finally here. The line includes new colorways of the original "Ake", which I love for its simple but original design. Zuriick's new line also brings us three entirely new designs including the Jakob (my personal favorite), the Kettle and the Beata. These new styles present some features Zurrick has never had before like laces, high/mid tops and different fabrics. In addition to the new designs Zuriick has made other improvements, making their soles a bit thicker, more durable and stepping-up the quality of their shoes overall. Be sure to check out the new tee designs as well. Head over to Zuriick's blog to find a retailer near you, or their online store to purchase.

Labels: clothing, design, fashion, t-shirts

Humble Voice

Social networks are important for self-promotion, inspiration, boredom, and well... networking! Although, it's getting more and more difficult to choose which social networks to join simply due to the number of them out there. If you are an artist, or appreciate artistic work I would recommend checking out Humble Voice. This is a social network and portfolio site that showcases the portfolios of musicians, photographers, writers, videographers and other artists. It seems like a very to-the-point website that has filtered out all the extra bells and whistes, and focused on the essentials. Create and customize your own multi-paged portfolio, link-up with and browse the profiles of other artists. The website is very well built and deserves a huge pat on the back, I just signed up for my account and can't wait to start customizing it.

Labels: design, web

Blik Surface Graphics

Blank walls are bad. Customization is key. Blik is cool. Offering a ton of designs and different options for wall decals, Blik is the place to go for if you want a decal. If you have a blank wall in your house that you are looking to do something creative with, check out their wall decals. They have original designs, as well as designs from Threadless, Giant Robot, Undoboy and more. You can also do custom designs if you are looking to get really creative. Unlike paint or wallpaper the decals are east to apply and remove. They even have decals for your car and glass surfaces like lamps and windows. Stick away.

Labels: design, interior

DESIGNFLOOD

DESIGNFLOOD is essentially the web designer's version of the infamous Hot or Not website (or any of those other rating website people use to try and boost their egos). In this case people post screenshots and links to their websites. This is a great place to find inspiration, or just browse cool websites. However, I am not sure I would ever post a website here. It seems there must be too many design snob members who rate most of these sites much lower than what they deserve. I have checked out many well designed sites so far, and only one has had a score over seven.

Labels: design, inspiration, web, webdesign

Tuesday, September 2

Popdeck Stores

Tuesday, August 26

Mopa

Tuesday, August 19

Mimobot VDC Content Creation Contest

Wednesday, August 6

Something in the Universe

Friday, July 25

Akutou Loves You

Thursday, July 10

In The Mod

Wednesday, June 11

Kitsune Noir Desktop Wallpaper Project

Tuesday, June 3

I Vote For Art

Thursday, March 27

Vitamin Water

Monday, December 17

Wear Palettes

Monday, December 10

Boosted VS Madsteez

Thursday, December 6

Zuriick Fall '07

Monday, December 3

Humble Voice

Monday, November 19

Blik Surface Graphics

Tuesday, December 19

DESIGNFLOOD