Not Quite Random Aesthetics of the Day: The Mighty Paul Bradshaw + My Perennial Hero Swifty Dazzling Again

Most of you know that I would most likely never have become a graphic designer if it weren't for the work of Swifty. Since the days of Straight No Chaser + his years art directing for Talkin' Loud his staggering brilliance has constantly inspired me + filled me with awe. In the past few years I've been honored to be in touch with his equally dazzling literary compatriot Paul Bradshaw on Facebook. Here they are again with another exhibition that shows their matchless range + sense of musical history. For more go to Paul's blog. x, B.

Random Aesthetic Sublimity of the Day: Spellbindingly Brilliant Letterpress Work from Jesus Morentin + Bunkertype

Jesús Morentin / BUNKERTYPE from Marc Castellet on Vimeo.

Exquisitely Brilliant Sonic Work from a Very Cute French Boy: Marc de Pape's "The Chime"

The Chime: LIVE IN GALLERY from Marc De Pape on Vimeo.

The Chime performs "I Can't Tell If You're Coming Or Going" at the edge of Grenadier Pond at Sunset in Fm from Marc De Pape on Vimeo.

Utterly lovely in every way, + Marc is adorable. Thanks again designboom.... xo, B.

Finally Uploaded Another of the Old DJ Comps to Mixcloud! It Might As Well Be Spring (from 2005)!

It Might As Well Be Spring Part 1 by Eleganthoodlum on Mixcloud

It Might As Well Be Spring Part 2 by Eleganthoodlum on Mixcloud

A set I compiled in 2005—still happy w/ part 1 but part 2 is one of my 5 favorite discs that I ever put together! Please enjoy! x, B.

Because I'd Rather Be in Chile: James Florio's Breathtaking Time Lapse Short for the Elqui Domos Hotel

LosDomos TimeLapse from Boppin Community on Vimeo.

For anyone who didn't already know I've been pining to move to Chile for years. This just made that desire a hundred times worse. Damn you designboom. (Just kidding, I love designboom.) xo, B.

Random Boundlessly Endearing Aesthetics for the Day: The ABC of Architects by Federico Gonzalez + Andrea Stinga

The ABC of Architects from fedelpeye on Vimeo.

Marveling at this! Via designboom.

Perennial Dream Husband of the Day: The Ever-Beautiful Adam Rapoport

Now as ever wondering how Adam Rapoport just gets more BEAUTIFUL + SEXY AS HELL every day! If only Geoffrey Zakarian didn't get on my nerves so much this would be perfect.... Still, many thanks to Bon Appetit for having Adam film another installment!xo, B.

Wanderlust + Food Porn Aesthetics for the Day: The Traveler's Republic of Tofu

The Traveler's Republic of Tofu from The Perennial Plate on Vimeo.

Sharing simply because I'd rather be here.... Enjoy! x, B.

Devastating News: RIP to the Miraculous Marva Whitney!!!!

Absolutely gutted to hear of the news of the loss of the miraculous Marva Whitney. Had always held out hope that I might get to see her one day with Osaka Monaurial. RIP to a beautiful, awe-inspiring, incomparable woman! For more see the NME obit. Still hope everyone has a happy holiday. xo, B.

Random EPIC Color for the Day: 1766 Color Wheel

Marveling at this hypnotically dense + epically vibrant color wheel from 1766, one of Scott Christianson's 100 Diagrams That Changed the World via Brain Pickings. Happy holidays all! x, B.

Random Aesthetics for the Day: Crystal Aqua Trees @ Tokyo's Sony Building

Swooning over the color + vibrancy of this motion sensor-driven light installation as part of the annual charity drive @ Sony Tokyo's Ginza headquarters! Thanks to designboom for another jewel.

BREATHTAKING Visuals for the Weekend: Time-Lapse Video of Olson Kundig's Roof-Raising Beachfront House

Shadowboxx from Röllerhaus on Vimeo.

Thanks to Architizer for this miraculous time-lapse video depicting 24 hours in Olson Kundig's awe-inspiring beachfront house with a RETRACTABLE ROOF! In the San Juan Islands off the coast here in Washington, I'd love to find it. Hope you all enjoy! x, B.

Perennial Culinary Dream Husband: The BEAUTIFUL Andrew Knowlton Shows How to Shuck an Oyster

Free Holiday Gift from Wah Wah: Free Scrimshire!

Not Quite Random Aesthetic + Sonic Sublimity from a Beautiful Man: Diego Stocco's Custom Built Orchestra

Diego Stocco - Custom Built Orchestra from Diego Stocco on Vimeo.

Absolutely marveling at this incredible piece of work from Diego Stocco, who also happens to be as lovely as he is brilliant! Having grown up as an industrial boy + revisiting some of my roots lately even more than usual this is especially welcome. I'm fairly certain that the fact that this reminds me of SPK, Test Dept., Einsturzende Neubauten, Laibach, + so on isn't a coincidence. Either way, I'm in love! Thank you Designboom.... x, B.

Far from Random Sonic Brilliance: Gilles P + the Havana Cultura Band Live! Full gig!

Random Aesthetic Loveliness of the Day: Okkervil River Gig Poster by DKNG Studio

Okkervil River from DKNG Studios on Vimeo.

Having a bit of illustration envy here (I make no claims otherwise—I'm a designer, not an illustrator + am still looking for the right illustrators to collaborate with) but I am still LOVING this understated but monumentally vibrant poster for a recent Okkervil River gig in Baltimore by DKNG Studio. I'll be honest, the band don't do much for me, but they clearly have stellar taste, + DKNG's standard of exquisite work has never been more evident. The process clip is just an extra bonus jewel. xo, B.

Because I Love the Beautiful Marc Forgione!

New Short Clip I've Created for One of My Favorite Saint Etienne Songs!

This is a brief new design project—a clip for one of my favorite Saint Etienne songs (from the achingly rare Misadventures of Saint Etienne) that had been missing on YouTube. The most I've ever played around in iMovie, new territory (doing a proper film title job I'd have someone else handling the tech aspects—this is just me playing around) but I am fairly happy with the graphics! With the first of Saint Etienne's US dates confirmed (@ Lincoln Hall in Chicago on October 29), it seemed a lovely time to post it.... Sadly it appears that there won't be a Seattle show (For those of you who didn't know I moved to Seattle in June—to a radiant spot on 13th Ave. in Capitol Hill that's such a beautiful change of pace from the awful Long Beach ghetto I was living in that it truly cannot be put into words. I'll be posting in more detail @ some point but for now you can see plenty by following me on Instagram @eleganthoodlum (or by viewing my feed on Followgram)). Not much likelihood I'll be able to get to SF for the show there so I'll have to content myself with the incredible Decibel Fest coming up here + recollections of the two times I saw Sarah, Pete + Bob before. In the meantime, hope you enjoy this! x, B.

Random Genius for the Day: "Barcode Band"

Via designboom.