Triphop's Universe

Pixel*Esc

Posted on 5:20 PM by James | 0 comments

Back in January of this year, after six years of writing this blog, I put the blog behind me. When I started six years ago, I wanted an outlet for all the things that I was thinking about. Over the years, the blog became my online notebook where I posted those things that interested me.

I have always wanted to go beyond what this blog became. I wanted to expand on it. Toward the end, I had wanted to go back to writing longer posts in the way that this blog got its start. But I didn't have the time to to long form writing and still make the blog posts consistent.

So I had the idea of starting over. Create a blog that would be more collaborative, with multiple writers posting about things they were interested in. Now after almost ten months of talking about that idea, it now has its beginning.

The new blog is called Pixel*Esc. It is a collaborative blog between myself and my good friend and collaborator Patricia Fraser. It is being produced under our Inquiry Project banner. The blog will continue on the tradition for Triphop's Universe. We will be bringing you things related to the arts. Consider it the little place you escape to on this vast Internet.

I will keep this blog up as its own record. This blog has truly been my journal of ideas and interests. One day I hope to comb through all of my posts to discover things anew for myself. I hope you will follow Pixel*Esc to wherever it will go. Patricia and I have just opened another fresh notebook to write in. I can tell that it will be a whole lot of fun.

Blockhead — The Music Scene

Posted on 3:47 PM by James | 0 comments

It's Saturday. You don't have to be at work. How about tripping out on a music video?

Tron Posters

Posted on 12:17 AM by James | 0 comments

I guess I am still on Tron, because I love these posters by Eric Tan. The posters were produced by Mondo. It looks like they are all gone, but no matter. I can still admire them from afar.

True Romance

Posted on 6:15 PM by James | 0 comments

Tank Tankuro

Posted on 2:42 PM by James | 0 comments

Here's a book I am going to keep my eyes out for—Gajo Sakamoto's manga Tank Tankuro from Presspop. The cover and slipcase are designed by none other than Chris Ware. via Fantagraphics

Pantone Chip Cookies

Posted on 4:39 PM by James | 0 comments

These have to be the most delicious Pantone chips you will ever lay your eyes on. Today design*sponge posted images of Kim Neil's savory creations. They look so appetizing I had to repost. Kim is a a freelance designer and illustrator. She used Royal icing to mix out the colors. She even made the metallic ones. Kim wrote on her blog that she made these as gifts for her clients. Lucky clients indeed.

Tame Impala — Half Full Glass of Wine

Posted on 6:02 PM by James | 0 comments

My friend Amy sent me a message this morning about this year's Coachella. Along with it came a link to a forum thread with videos of bands that have been confirmed for the line up. I have never heard of this band, but I'm really into this video. I just love the aesthetic of it. Also, I do kind of dig the song.

Grizzly Bear — Ready, Able

Posted on 10:33 AM by James | 0 comments

I went to see Blue Valentine yesterday, and it had music by Grizzly Bear. I love this band, but I have to admit I haven't listened to them in awhile. Also, if you haven't seen Blue Valentine, go see it. It's a little sad, but it's a really good movie. It's a story about falling in love as much as it is about falling out of love. I love Michelle Williams, and I think she's really good in it. And so was Ryan Gosling.

Tron: Legacy Buzz Lightyear

Posted on 3:54 PM by James | 2 comments

Yeah, I am into this. Tron: Legacy Buzz Lightyear by iamclu on Deviantart.

Starbucks Rebranding

Posted on 9:08 AM by James | 0 comments

Starbucks recently unveiled its rebranded identity. The new logo will be lauched in the Spring to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Starbucks chose to emphasize its iconic mermaid in its identity, striping away the company's name, as well as the wraparound green band. According to Starbuck's senior creative manager, they decided to enhance the form of the Siren, "smoothing her hair, refining her facial features, weighting the scales on her tail to bring the focus to her face"

From the start, we wanted to recognize and honor the important equities of the iconic Starbucks logo. So we broke down the four main parts of the mark – color, shape, typeface and the Siren. After hundreds of explorations, we found the answer in simplicity. Removing the words from the mark, bringing in the green, and taking the Siren out of her ring. For forty years she’s represented coffee, and now she is the star.

It's interesting to look at the evolution of the Siren, from her 16th Century root to her current incarnation. Once the logo is implemented in the Spring, it would be interesting to see how it will play out for the company.