With our recent launch of our SXSurvival, we are also serving up an awesome free download: our illustrated digital wallpapers! The illustration captures all three parts of the festival (music, film, interactive) and some other visuals from our beloved city of Austin. We’ve got a variety of sizes for phones, tablets and desktop computers, and Read More...

This video struck me. Not for its production value or for its featured artist’s (G-A-B) somewhat interesting beats but because these kids are Libyans who until recently had no way to express their true feelings beyond a notebook or to a few close confidants without fear of imprisonment or worse. But since the fall of Read More...

“Untitled” by Chrys Grummert When is advertising not advertising? When it’s art. This very cool Austin billboard caught my eye a few weeks ago. Each time I passed it, I wanted to know the story behind it. Today I finally visited the site, AustinArtBoards.org. Turns out there are ten pieces total, all the work of Read More...

Hugh MacLeod cuts through the bullshit and tells things like they really are, whether you want to hear it or not. We met Hugh back in March at SXSW, when he displayed some of his great art in our building. He’s worked with purpose-driven brands like Rackspace and Intel, helping relay their brand story. When Read More...

Explained most simply, it’s an online pinboard, or some may call it an “image sharing network.” I’d agree that it’s both of those.  And a whole lot more.  It’s social bookmarking that makes sense and is highly fueled by recommendations from friends. Or people you choose to follow. (Similar to Tumblr in that sense)  I Read More...

Magda Sayeg, considered the mother of yarn bombing, also happens to be the mother of one of my daughter’s best friends.  She is the artist behind the beautiful staircase installation we enjoyed here at Idea City this March during SxSW. I caught up with Magda recently and learned how a serendipitous decision to make a door knob Read More...

There’s no denying we live in a wildly creative city, and this becomes especially apparent every November — when the East Austin Studio Tour (E.A.S.T.) occurs. Over two weekends and nine days, this annual self-guided tour invites Austinites and visitors to explore the work of hundreds of local artists in their studios east of IH-35. Read More...

I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to review student work at the AIGA Student Portfolio review a few weeks ago. Here was some advice I had for students… 1) THINK BIG IDEAS. … What’s the bigger picture in all of your assignments? Think of the core purpose of the product/client you’re working Read More...

I think this is the best PSA against gun violence I’ve seen… well, ever. It’s poignant, it properly describes a lot of what goes on with gun violence in America, and the fact that we never really blame ourselves for our actions. Especially coming from an action movie man with both talent and a history of Read More...

I remember the first time I saw the “Corporate American Flag” by Shi-Zhe Yung in 2004. It was cynical and unsettling and it appealed to my 20-something zeal for revolution.  It made me want to raise my fists in protest.  At the same time, it made me marvel at the incredible power of all those Read More...