I heard someone discussing the root causes of the discord of modern times recently and it occurred to me how important it is to actively encourage those around us. To be certain everyone knows that virtually all human beings go through rocky times, even times when we feel fundamentally isolated, when we think no one is listening, and/or that no one cares. And that there are even times in life that we might get so upset or angry that we want to exact punishment on those around us or maybe even on the world in general. But that we shouldn't.

They need to know that we owe it to our fellows to weather the storm, to deal constructively with disappointments and anger, to look at our situation and see the bit of good that could come from it. They need to know that sometimes, we simply need to step back and take a deep breath and, of course, to never to be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.

I have personally witnessed how even the smallest offering can make a life-altering difference. I'll never forget, for example, the time I was sitting alone at church when someone I barely knew passed by and briefly placed a hand on my shoulder. It was a small gesture in passing, but at that particular moment, it was a great encouragement to me--a reminder that I was connected to the world, and that, when I thought no one was paying attention, someone was.

Do you know of a colleague, a friend, a family member, or even a stranger who needs encouragement? It's a wonderful, powerful gift, that's free to give.

Be well. Chuck

One of America's great designers on the United States of America's most prominent symbol

One of America's great designers, Kit Hinrichs, is also an avid collector of American flags and patriotic memorabilia

Martha Stewart talks with Kit Hinrichs about the design of the American flag...

Here > http://www.marthastewart.com/1002646/collector-flags-kit-hinrichs

And about patriotic memorabilia...

Here > http://www.marthastewart.com/995504/patriotic-memorabilia-kit-hinrichs#995504

Hinrichs' book on the subject: Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag...

Here > http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580082408/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1580082408&linkCode=as2&tag=ideabookcomju-20&linkId=HHOS77CYRTKY2UIY

Studio Hinrichs website...

Here > http://www.studio-hinrichs.com/blog/?p=1465

About Hinrichs...

Here > http://www.aiga.org/medalist-kithinrichs/

A representative portfolio...

Here > http://www.graphis.com/portfolio/kit-hinrichs-2/

An aside: When I was a kid, I was a Boy Scout and we were taught to have great respect for the flag. The United States Flag Code is the U.S. federal law that establishes the rules for its display and care (don't worry, thanks to the First Amendment, there's no penalty for failure to comply with it).

First and foremost, "The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing,"--it is not a decoration. The law states, for example, that the flag should not be used for commercial purposes, on any type of apparel, flown at night without illumination, and so on.

In honor of all the people who have sacrificed so much to build and maintain this country and our way of life, I figure the least I can do is to demonstrate respect for its most prominent symbol.

For those interested, here's "Our Flag" a publication of the Joint Committee on Printing, United States Congress (11MB PDF)...

Here > http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CDOC-109sdoc18/pdf/CDOC-109sdoc18.pdf

Robin Lewis, a long time retail/consumer products consultant, has some ideas about why many retailers are in trouble and what they can do about it. If you have clients who are struggling, this may provide some valuable insight.

Malls are the New Anchors by Robin Lewis...

Here > http://therobinreport.com/malls-are-the-new-anchors/

Some of the ideas explained in more depth...

Here > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtXBPL3pWAY#t=16

Here > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ

Michael Newhouse is my kind of designer-he's all over the place. Someone else called him a "jack-of-all-trades,"-what we're getting at is he has a talent for adapting to the project.

Example 1...

Here > http://newhousedesign.com/v22/images/portfolio/infographics/type_wheel.jpg

Example 2...

Here > http://newhousemaps.com/images/portfolio/maps/25.jpg

Example 3...

Here > http://newhousedesign.com/v22/images/portfolio/plans/floor_kirby_.jpg

Michael Newhouse's website...

Here > http://newhousedesign.com/

From earlier this year, an interview with Workbook...

Here > http://www.workbook.com/blog/21586

In January of 2014 I pointed you to the lawsuit regarding Hoefler & Frere-Jones.

Here > http://www.pageplane.com/typography/tobias-frere-jones-v-jonathan-hoefler.html

And today is it was resolved in October.

Here > http://www.frerejones.com/about/press/2014-10-30/

I feel as though I overheard the argument, took sides, then was told by both parties to mind my own business. I must say the press release is written with all the emotion and interest a good, bad lawyer allows.

Michael Waraksa is a master of reinvention. Watch how he jigsaws old parts and pieces (plus colors, and shapes) into new ideas.

Example 1...

Here > https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwaraksa/5810507022/sizes/l

Example 2...

Here > https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10505158_864952700205113_4619473166019908454_o.jpg

Example 3...

Here > https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwaraksa/4473501588/sizes/l

Michael Waraksa's website...

Here > http://www.michaelwaraksa.com/

More of his collage work...

Here > https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwaraksa/sets/72157629372313505/

Mr. Waraksa shares several interesting sets of images on Flickr...

Here > https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwaraksa/sets/72157605687529788/

The folks at YouEye thinks so. It offers a new platform for research that automates in-person interviews of digital product users. Here's what it's all about...

An overview...

Here > http://vimeo.com/58948124

Example of a competitive analysis (4.7MB PDF)...

Here > https://www.youeye.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/jcrew_competitive_analysis_desktop.pdf

And a few interviews...

Here > https://app.youeye.com/studies/7a4adfb2/results/videos

The YouEye website...

Here > https://www.youeye.com/

If you have the occasion to design signage, you have probably searched for the hardware used to display it. I happened on this resource recently and thought you might be interested.

So, for example, I could design a corrugated plastic sign and have two copies printed for roughly $75 (plus shipping). Then purchase an Blank A-Frame Folding Sidewalk Sign to hold them (one on each side). Total cost, roughly $200 (plus shipping).

For the right client, that's very cost effective marketing.

Sidewalk signs and sign stands...

Here > http://www.hooksandlattice.com/sidewalk-signs.html

Banner brackets...

Here > http://www.hooksandlattice.com/banner-sign-brackets.html

Sign blanks...

Here > http://www.hooksandlattice.com/sign-blanks.html

The Sign Bracket Store website...

Here > http://www.hooksandlattice.com/signage.html

The parent website is Hooks and Lattice (pretty interesting too)...

Here > http://www.hooksandlattice.com/

Wow. More of the best of black and white photographers and photography... 

Here > http://life.time.com/photographers/