SRC ID

I recently had the pleasure of meeting the fine folks that make up the Chicago-based art collaborative that dub themselves The Post Family. One member, Chad Kouri, along with co-conspirator Jesse Brown have been spending their workdays in front of a window.

Specifically, working as transparently as any artists or craftsman could. Literally in front of a window. Together they’ve transformed the storefront of Renegade Handmade into their personal workspace. I have yet to stop by, but am hoping to make a personal visit this Friday before things close out.

To say the least it’s a very inspiring process, and the result is even more interesting to me personally. Each piece of work they produce during the week will ultimately go on sale at the upcoming Renegade Crafts Fair (September 12th & 13th, 2009), and throughout the week they’re inviting interested parties to participate and engage as they work. Participatory design? Crowdsourcing? Group Collaboration? Yeah, sounds like it’s pretty much all that.

For those who know me, you know where my current interests rest. Working in an open, collaborative, and involved manner with your audience is the only way to create something truly storytelling, interesting, and personal. Nice work to both Chad & Jesse on this ambitious effort, and I look forward to the next evolution.

Hardcore cyclist and design aficionado Naz Hamid will be presenting at this years 2008 South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. I’m certainly attending and looking forward to hearing what he has to say and seeing what he has to show. His topic this year is “Design is in the details“.

Subsystence was nominated for a win during the 2005 May 1st Reboot. I’m equally flattered, humbled, and and yet not surprised. Ken Meier and I, along with our team of editors, contributors and designers have continuously put an inordinate amount of blood, sweat, and occasionally tears into this project. Ultimately we didn’t come out on top, but we’d very much like to thank Jeffrey Zeldman of Happy Cog and A List Apart for his very kind and thoughtful words. We think he hit the nail on the head.