Do you love bacon? I mean L.O.V.E. it?

Those of you that know me, know that I love bacon. I love it in that make-the-Swine-Flu-jealous kind of way. I came across Bacon Pop on my daily digest of whatever digital.

Getting ready for movie night at home? You may not be able to beat the local cineplex’s huge screen or THX-certified sound system, but you can best them on drinks and snacks, starting with Bacon Pop ($12/3 boxes). From the same great minds that brought you Baconnaise and Bacon Salt comes this microwaveable bacon-flavored popcorn, with just the right hint of butter and outstanding real bacon taste. Grab your favorite beer, sit down in your own recliner, and enjoy.

So I decided I needed to have a post dedicated entirely to bacon. So here are some of my favorite bacon sites:

• http://www.baconnaise.com/ (makers of all things that are awesomely bacon flavored)
• http://www.iheartbacon.com/ (who doesn’t?)
• http://bacontoday.com/ (what’s happening in the world of bacon)
• http://twitter.com/baconsociety (instant bacon updates)
• http://twitter.com/baconinja (everyone loves nijas, right?)

So, if you like bacon, I hope this post gives you a little hope and joy for the day. Just remember, if your day kinda sucks…at least you aren’t a pig.

I like pretty things. Not in that “Diamonds are a girls best friend” way, but I do appreciate aesthetically appealing solutions. As I am sure you have read before, I am a big fan of design solutions that have meaning or create an impact that matters. Harc Lee’s concept “Colorless Coke Can” has given us a great example of this. If Coca-Cola was ever to produce such a can, they could have quite an impact on the amount of ink used. Even if they created a promotional SKU where they showcase an eco-friendly version. Here is how he explains it:

“COLORLESS_eco friendly package proposal A convex logo substitutes colorfully sprayed can. Naked can help to reduce air and water pollution occurred in its coloring process. It also reduces energy and effort to separate toxic color paint from aluminum in recycling process. Huge amount of energy and paint required to manufacture colored cans will be saved. Instead of toxic paint, manufacturers process aluminum with a pressing machine that indicates brand identity on surface.”
- by Harc Lee

I for one am a big fan…well done Harc my boy, well done indeed.

Visualization of Information…The Next News Frontier?

“I want it all, and I want now!”

No, no, I am not a huge Queen fan (although I do think Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest vocalists of all time, but I digress…) What I am referring to is how today’s media consumers want to digest the news. They demand more, faster, but with more insight and depth. It’s kinda like me asking for a beef brisket, slow roasted to perfection, at Burger King. I am sure The King could figure out how to turn out something that resembles beef brisket, but I’d bet it wouldn’t quite hit the mark. Same with today’s news. In a world of news tickers, “Top 5 Stories at 5” and CNN’s “More SPH (Stories Per Hour) we try to digest more and more in the waking hours we have. Yet, we complain that today’s news lacks depth and rich content that stimulate conversation.

I applaud the various outlets that have pushed the envelope trying to tell a different story (IMG’s Soapbox Cincinnati)) or a new way to tell the story.(Wash. Post/SLate’s “Innovations In News” Section)

We are a world that “likes pictures.” Visual communication speaks louder, faster and arguably more effective than any other form of communication. With just a picture you can tell a story on multiple levels, with the richness that stimulates conversation. Hmm, telling a story quickly, that is easily digested and contains depth? I hear a sizzle…

Cincinnati Innovates…

As a developer of new products, I am particularly driven towards ideas that “matter.” Cincinnati Innovates is an idea that changes landscapes…I don’t mean geological, I mean the landscape in which people bring their ideas to market. Innovation comes from all places, in various ways.

“Cincinnati Innovates is an innovation competition that is open to anyone who has an innovation, idea, or invention and has a Greater Cincinnati connection. This competition is designed to showcase the technological, artistic, and ingenious innovations of all Cincinnatians - whether you are from Cincinnati originally or live or work in the Greater Cincinnati area (OH, IN, KY) now. All levels of technical expertise are welcome.

There are several awards. There are three commercialization awards of $20,000, $10,000, and $5,000, sponsored by CincyTech and three patent awards of $10,000, $2,500, and $1,000sponsored by Taft Stettinius & Hollister. Know a great student innovator? Be sure to let them know about the $1,000 Student Innovator Award.”

Old Meets New

“Old meets new in the PF Flyers New Vantage ($80) sneakers. Originally launched in the 1940’s as a tennis shoe, the kicks retain their basic shape, chevron detail and logo heelpatch, but have been updated for the new millennium with black or natural waxed osnaburg and suede uppers and thick rubber soles. Simple, understated, yet still classy after all these years.”

I know I don’t fall into the “fashion elite,” but you gotta love these shoes. PF Flyer was THE original…and this is a great throwback. Yes my friend, classy for sure.

Tweet + Geo = Real News where I am NOW

Periodic Table of Typefaces

If this doesn’t make you love type, I don’t know what does…

Forget the Business Card. Just Google Me!

Two things here:

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is important. This is not new news, but this is a fantastic example HOW this important. Whether you are a brand manager, business owner, or individual trying to make a name for yourself…Google is the first place people go to learn about your brand/business/you.
2. Gina Trapani is a fantastic writer. Personally i am a fan of her, and her thought process. She is the founding editor of Lifehacker.com, a daily blog on software and personal productivity, Gina authored a book based on the website which is in its second edition: Upgrade Your Life: The Lifehacker Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, Better (Wiley, 2008). Her articles have appeared in Popular Science, Wired, Women’s Health, PC World, and Macworld magazines. 

California City, CA

- Re-posting a story by Ben Wojdyla for Jalopnik.

“You’ve probably never heard of California City, CA, but it’s the third largest city in California. It occupies a vast expanse of the Mojave Desert, but with a population of 8,385, it’s practically a ghost town.”

I feel this has “What would you do with me?” written all over it. So, what would you do with it?

50 Creative WWF Campaigns That Make You Think Twice

This is a re-post from the blog TheDesignInspiration.com (a great site if you haven’t visited before).

“The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment. It is the world’s largest independent conservation organization with over 5 million supporters worldwide, working in more than 90 countries, supporting around 1300 conservation and environmental projects around the world. With the mission” to halt and reverse the destruction of our environment”, WWF is trying hard to make this world a better place.”

- The Design Inspiration

I can’t say I am an “Activist” or anything like that, we all know I am far from that, but you have to appreciate good work when you see it.