1000 True Fans

Back in March, Wired Editor-At-Large and Cool Tools Blogger Kevin Kelly posted a business plan for working artists entitled, 1,000 True Fans. The concept is pretty simple. From the article:

"A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author - in other words, anyone producing works of art - needs to acquire only 1,000 True Fans to make a living."

How you ask? With a little more marketing, of course!

Article via BoingBoing.

Shoot the Day: July 20th

Stock photography agency PhotoShelter, along with Apple, Nikon, and others are sponsoring the first ever "Shoot the Day" worldwide event and contest:

"Wherever you are on July 20th, PhotoShelter wants you to Shoot! The Day. The mission is to revitalize stock photography. Thousands of photographers worldwide will connect, take pictures, and learn. Together we'll make the stock photo supply fresh again... In doing so, we'll also create success for photographers who want to sell their work as stock."

Details and categories here.

Recycled Bags - Three Inspirational Brands

Looking for a bag that says “me be hip, urban, and environmentally responsible? Vy&Elle, Freitag, and Baumm are three inspirational companies that use recycled billboards, truck tarpaulins, and seat belts to compose sharp, one-of-a kind accessories.

Based in Tucson, Arizona, Vy&Elle was founded in 2002 by British designer Nicola Freeguard. As of 2007 the company has reused over 100 tons of PVC billboard vinyl to create colorful totes, messenger bags, and other accessories.

Read more:
www.handbagdesigner101.com
Vy&Elle Bags, Treehugger.

If you've never seen a Freitag bag or surfed their ultracool website, just stop and click: Freitag. Around since 1993, the popular European brand offers an extensive line of graphically bold bags, computer and iPod cases made from truck tarpaulins, seat belts, and bike tubes. One of their newest products, the F84 Mac Sleeve Air is constructed from rooftop tarps and looks like a manila envelope.

The company’s keen eye for design is evident not only in its products, but also by its website. Be sure to play with the F-cut tool, which allows you to move stencils over a selection of truck tarpaulins and "cut out" your own bag.







Last but not least, Baumm is based in Buenos Aires and, like Vy&Elle, uses old billboards as its material source. Interweaving the arts with environmentally conscious product design, Baumm collaborates with artists and has also has entered the realm of furniture design. Especially clever is their concept “B-own,” whereupon Baumm designs bags with a company’s billboard campaign and gives them back to the same company as a new marketable product.

Read More:
Baumm Recycled Advertisement Bags, Inhabitat.

Animated Mural

Italian artist Blu and his crew put together this excellent stop motion video called MUTO. Captured in a series of stills, the characters in the mural move across the walls and streets of Buenos Aires. Must see not-TV, for sure. I also enjoyed his sketchbook series entitled, Four Suicides. Paperwork. It's a killer. Found on Gizmodo.