Meanwhile #060
The joy of getting lost.
This is an old edition of Meanwhile from an inferior, more simian newsletter platform that has unhelpfully severed all the hyperlinks. It’s included here in the archive simply for sake of completeness.
Flâneur. In my latest Creative Review column, I ponder the wonders of a good wander about London. There's joy to be had in simply getting lost, if you have time for it.
Straw Camera. An experimental analogue camera made from 32,000 drinking straws. Resulting images are very Chuck Close. It's amazing to think that, in just a few years, all mobile phones will be fitted with 32,000 drinking straws.
Elevator Pitches. Tiny stories by Jonathan Lethem, illustrated by the wonderful Cristiana Couceiro. The first in a series of flash-fiction pieces that The New Yorker will be presenting throughout the summer.
Letterform Archive. A collection of over 40,000 items related to lettering, typography, calligraphy, and graphic design, spanning 2,000 years of history. So much incredible. The archive's first book, on WA Dwiggins, is due out later this year.
Galaxy. Acomplete archive of the science fiction magazine, published from 1950 to 1980. So many short stories and so much pulp scifi art to pour into your happy little face.
El Paquete Semanal. Absolutely fascinating long read about how Cubans deliver culture without internet. Makes you think about what we've lost by having access to everything everywhere all of the time.
Ornament is Crime. Matt Gibberd and Albert Hill, aka The Modern House, talk about their new book on modernist architecture. Looks ever so yummy.
Asbury on Asbury. For my latest SuperHi interview, I chatted to writer Nick Asbury about Sideways Dictionary, how to make jargon understandable again, and the value of a good analogy.
Sneezecount. Peter has been logging his sneezes for ten years. Because … why wouldn't you? Strangely fascinating.
What is a fantasy map? The new season of Game of Thrones looks like it's going to be particularly cartographic – a good excuse to read this British Library article on the design of fantasy maps. See also: Fantasy City Generator.
Shelf Heroes. Fargo, Fight Club, The French Connection, Fantasia, Festen, First Blood, Frances Ha – the new issue of the fantastic film mag looks fabulous.
Micro Machines. Designer Tim Smith has created an online museum showcasing his collection of the tiny toy cars. Used to love these (and the Playstation game) so darn much.
50 Books | 50 Covers. Design Observer's annual round up of the best book cover designs from the past year. So much fantastic work. Weirdly presented as tiny thumbnails for some reason.
Loud quiet loud. A group of bored developers and designers compete to design the worst volume control interface in the world. Hilarity, as the universe dictates, ensues.
That is all.
