Inspired By #91
Hello friend! This is issue #91 of Inspired By, a monthly(-ish) newsletter from your friendly neighbourhood designer JPKoudstaal. ✌🏻
Here are some of the things I came across the last few weeks that inspired me:
🙌🏻 Elliot Jay Stocks
Elliot Jay Stocks is a creative director, writes (and talks) about typography, and makes music as Other Form. I remember back in 2010 Elliot launched – and I bought – a lovely printed magazine about type, typography, and lettering called 8 Faces.
He recently updated his personal website and I’ve been enjoying his newsletter Typographic & Sporadic for a while. He also started a podcast, with guests Jessica Hische, Dan Cederholm, Erik Spiekermann and Emma Luczyn, who was responsible for Elliot’s hand-lettered logo.
In a few weeks he’ll launch his first book: Universal Principles of Typography with 100 key concepts, theories, and guidelines for choosing, pairing, and using type.
Elliot Jay Stocks
Elliot Jay Stocks is a creative director, writes about typography, and makes music as Other Form
👽 Space Type Generator
Kiel Danger Mutschelknaus (I hope that’s his real name) created Space Type Generator, an open source tool that allows users to create their own kinetic type experiments. There are 16 variations with more on the way.
The tool has been used around the world for everything from music videos to magazine covers to large scale murals. I used this effect for the heading of this newsletter. (Via Elliot Jay Stocks)
⚓️ The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
What an incredible book! A gripping historical account of a British warship and its crew who faced the wrath of nature off the treacherous coast of Patagonia in 1740.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Dion Graham in a cinematic-trailer voice (“In a world...”). It took some getting used to, but after a while I got really into it.
I can’t wait to witness this remarkable story come to life on the big screen in the Scorsese/DiCaprio adaptation. Some (my) casting rumors: Christian Bale, Adam Driver, Timothee Chalamet, Joaquin Phoenix and Daniel Day-Lewis will come out of retirement.
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann | Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Killer…
😍 Travis Ruiz
Travis is an art director at Paramount Animation and has worked on many animation movies, like Coco, Sing 2, Minions: The Rise of Gru and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
I really like this blocky 80s “Beastie Boys” era Brooklyn. If you look close enough, you can even find MCA walking the streets as a little nod to the band.
Check out his website and instagram for more of his amazing art.
TRAVIS RUIZ
🍎 Apple Vision Pro × 🏎️ Formula 1 = 🤯
A pitch video for an immersive F1 spatial design concept that looks awesome. Made by John LePore, who has designed (real) next-gen tech for big brands and (fictional) tech for MCU films including Black Panther.
Some really good storytelling going on in this tiktok/reels-style video too, but I do wish I could simply read it on a website somewhere.
@johnnym0tion • I get asked a lot “what would make a killer app for Apple Vision Pro?” This is my pitch, a s... • Threads
I get asked a lot “what would make a killer app for Apple Vision Pro?” This is my pitch, a story about -design & innovation -racing royalty -property theft and more!
🍽️ The Menu Trends That Define Dining Right Now
The NYT visited hundreds of restaurants of varying styles, cuisines and price points — and left with 121 menus in hand. Together, they provide a snapshot of the distinctive new shape of dining right now. So interesting to see all these differently designed menus. (via Chris)
Restaurant Menu Trends - The New York Times
We gathered 121 menus from restaurants all over the country. Together, they offer a glimpse into the tastes and values of today.
🥰 Laurent Del Rey
Laurent frequently posts lovely conceptual art images. Follow his work on Threads or check out his website.
😢 How Google "perfected" the web
A long-read about how SEO-optimisation ruined browsing, filling the web with content designed for Google, not humans. And with generative AI gaining so much traction, this could all become even worse.
How Google perfected the web
The web is filled with content designed for Google, not humans.
💻 Curated collection of beautiful decks
I just love to see a well designed presentation/pitch deck. I even start most of my projects by setting up a deck at the start. It’s a great way to get my thoughts in order, see my project through the eyes of others, and have a head start when I need to explain (or convince) stakeholders.
This site has a nice collection of decks from some heavy-hitters like Claudio Guglieri, Smith & Diction and Frame.io. Curated by Muharrem Şenyıl. Check it out for some inspiration and guidance.
Deck.Gallery® — Beautifully designed decks, curated
Explore curated, beautifully designed presentation decks, slides, keynotes, and guidelines, all chosen for their exceptional design quality.
✌🏻 That’s it. Thanks for reading and until next time! 👋🏻