This post was inspired a little bit by Brian Warren’s monthly mix tape and a lot by the Design Work Flows panel I attended last year at SXSW… music seems to go hand and hand with design. While many designers regularly listen to music while concepting or photoshop comping, I am the type who prefers to listen to my headphones when I am coding some CSS. What intrigues me the most is WHAT people listen to, and when.

So the other day as I was working I decided to jot down what I listened to on my ipod and make a mixed tape. Now… my taste in music is all over the place. Don’t judge me. Ok fine… judge me. If this is your first time to my site, please keep in mind my taste in music in no way reflects my taste in design. Enjoy!

What do you guys listen to and when? What are your essential tracks?

Venus In Furs- Devotchka
I am really digging this band right now, check them out on the “Little Miss Sunshine” soundtrack as well. I like to start my day with them.

Gossip Folks- Missy Elliott (Featuring my boy Luda)
Because we are from the VA-Represent.

Heaven is a Place On Earth- Belinda Carlisle
One of the first Videos I remember seeing on MTV

Green Onions- Booker T. & The MG’s
This song is the epitome of cool. This song is the Bad-Ass Anthem

Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That- Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Because my boy can get down on the slide guitar.

Janis Joplin- Combination of the Two
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think… “Janis Joplin, now that is a Bitch’n Bad-Ass”. This is a great early tune.

Betterman-John Butler Trio
Because John Butler is pretty freaking hot.

Bears- Lyle Lovett
…but Lyle Lovett is hotter. You think I am joking? See this guy live with his Large Band and try and disagree. Best live show hands down.

Time Bomb- Rancid
Brings back the good ole days.

Steppin’ Out with My Baby- Tony Bennett
For an old dude this guy can still get down. Also a fantastic live performer.

Say it Ain’t So- Weezer
Was the official band of the store back when I used to work at Capitol Mac in Richmond. Back before there were Apple Stores.

Every morning I wake up, stumble over to my computer and sit down to digest my daily feeds. This morning I found a fantastic video on John Bell’s blog that I just have to pass on. I laughed so hard it hurt… I laughed so hard because some of it is so true. Who doesn’t know at least one art director who wears all black?

“When I grow up I want to be a Web designer… a freak… use terms that nobody understands…”

Designers can make a difference in helping the environment. Perhaps it is suggesting recycled papers to your clients, or encouraging the members of your studio to drink from reusable mugs instead of Styrofoam cups (thanks to Sara in our office). Some solutions are common sense and easy implementations, others take some planning. But the good news is there is a lot of help out there to get you started.

According to Re-Nourish.com sustainability is:

a systemic concept. It relates to the relationships between economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human existence. It organizes decisions to allow for current economic needs to be met while preserving biodiversities and ecosystems to maintain the same quality of life for future generations. Sustainability calls for humans (as civic creatures):

1. Respect and care for the community
2. Improve the quality of life
3. Conserve Earth’s vitality and diversity
4. Minimize the depletion of non-renewable resources Change personal attitudes and practices to keep within the planet’s carrying capacity

Some great advice from Re-Nourish.com is to “Design for the Death of your Piece”…

As opposed to designing strictly in a linear fashion (cradle to grave), keep in mind how your piece will be used when its past its useful life. Consider the “death” of your piece in the initial design process. This concept is explained more in depth in the “cradle to cradle” method conceived by William McDonough and Michael Braungart in their book “Cradle to Cradle: Rethinking the Way We Make Things.”
Here are the basic principles of Natural Systems Design:

1. Ask more “why” questions. “Why is this project necessary?”,” Why are we doing it this way?” etc.
2. Ask more “what if” questions.” What if we did this?”,” What if we minimized effort here and exerted more here?” etc.
3. Ask more “how” questions. “How is this piece going to impact the world while in production and after? “,”How can I minimize these impacts?” etc.
4. Minimize and simplify your design
5. Design for cycles (reuse, remanufacture)
6. Design for durability not obsolescence
7. Choose vendors that use renewable energy
8. Optimize your process, reduce your print waste, make sure its non-toxic
9. Support sustainable forestry, choose post-consumer waste (PCW) paper, FSC certified vendors
10. Rely on other designers, and vendors as a community of support
11. Communicate openly to your client about any concerns and help educate each other on the impacts of the project

Other sites dedicated to empowering designers for environmental change:

Design Can Change
Provides tips on producing more sustainable design and resources, including successful projects, that help raise awareness for environmental issues

The Center For Sustainable Design
is dedicated to providing designers with a wide range of information regarding sustainable business practice. Through case studies, interviews, resources and discourse, this site will encourage and support designers as they incorporate sustainable thinking into their professional lives.

The Mighty Odo
Their mission:
1. Use our creativity to try and rekindle a connection between people and nature.
2. Help foster a new sustainable design model based on nature’s laws through education, exploration and example.