Following our previous post of Starbucks’ efforts in Amsterdam to slowly change their model and interiors, for more of an ethical value and approach, they have recently commissioned architect Kengo Kuma to design a branch in Dazaifu, which is a small city found in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture.
Business
Viktor Hertz has created this series of Honest Logos to exemplify the truthful aspect behind some brands. Some are spot on, some maybe not so much, but all very hilarious.
Architectural firm Merkx + Girod have created a graceful blend of historical and contemporary space, to make a modern bookstore using the shell of a 13th century cathedral built in 1294 in Maastricht, Holland.
Starbucks… Most would cringe as I do when murmured. The only thing that comes to mind is poor atmosphere and terrible syrup induced coffee. Though the franchise has been rumoured to do a few things which in short has turned a few heads.
As a bit of Sci-Fi fan (particularly Alien and Blade Runner), I’m childishly excited about the release of Prometheus, Ridley Scott’s new epic based in the Alien universe. The film itself looks like it could be a return to dark science greatness for Scott, and they have ramped up the promotion with this great TED talk envioned for 2023.
Assuming that you managed to get to this post all by yourself you probably don’t have an innate fear of the tinternet. That said, it’s less likely that you are completely clued up on how the sites you visit on the internet are put together. Luckily for you (and me), Jessica Hische and Russ Maschmeyer have kindly stepped in to rectify this problem with their video series ‘Don’t Fear The Internet’.
I just checked out the new Windows 8 preview and have to say, so far I am impressed. I like the fact that they’re doing something different to what’s been done the last decade or so, or more accurately, an elaboration to their phone OS.
For a discerning hip hop head its always difficult to be totally sure what your favourite Leftcoast rapper is trying to say when they throw up random hand gestures in music videos.
Short documentary by Intel Visual Life with Michael Wolff, co-founder of Wolff Olins Agency, considered one of the visionaries of 20th century brand expression and identity, talks about his approach to looking at the world, including the muscles of curiosity, appreciation, and imagination. Video Below.
A nice piece of eye-candy from Dowling Duncan with their entry for the Dollar ReDe$ign Project. If only we could start making money look like this while obtaining all the security features we have in current notes. More image below.
Dowling Duncan.
Dollar ReDe$ign Project.
Via WeHeart.
Divvy is a cool little program that let’s you easily manage your windows to make your desktop more functional and organised. I am definitely reaping the benefits right now. 
Video below.
Divvy Website.
Via Swissmiss.
An excellent image provided by Nowhere Else with a clear indication of what iPhone 5 could be! Some of it is far fetched but a lot of it seems quite likely and typical of the ‘kind of thing’ Apple would do. View the complete image below.
