ok, i’m not a huge techie person but i’ve really enjoyed my new iphone while i’ve been away this week. it’s allowed me to publish comments, keep vaguely up to date on emails and make calls when i need to. what i don’t love is the choice of wallpapers i have to choose from. waterfall? nah. earth shot? nah. but i could certainly handle a few of these iphone and ipod touch wallpapers from poolga. all of these beautiful wallpapers are free to download and are created by independent artists around the globe- click here to check them out. thanks to ac (my fiance!) for the great tip.

this weekend i ordered the book brand makeover: identity crisis (by jeff fisher, HOW books $35) because i have an irrational love of the concept of branding and brand makeovers. i get uneasy thinking of d*s as a ‘brand’ but i’m totally comfortable talking about other people’s companies, websites, publications and stores as brand- it’s always so fun to think about ways to update and better communicate a company’s mission and goals visually. but perhaps that’s because my dad worked in advertising when i was growing up. i remember digging through his old issues of communication arts and tearing out great logos, ad campaigns and business cards. totally dorky i know, but looking back now it’s fun to think that was a sign of what was to come. anyway, back to the point, i love reading about brand makeovers so i always pick up HOW magazine and see what companies they’re profiling. this month they did a great piece on mucca design and their rebranding of a 93 year-old specialty food store in nyc called butterfield market. i was really taken with the colors and script they chose to use- simple, modern and perfect for a shop that’s all about high-quality goods. you can see more on the transformation right here (under ‘clients’) or visit mucca’s site here and butterfield’s site here (i highly suggest a visit if you’re in nyc- it’s a foodie heaven).

bowie has a wonderful post on today’s d*s guest blog about art deco fonts- it’s definitely a must read for any font-lovers in the crowd. and for any diy lovers in the crowd there are 4 new projects coming up today from 10:30 to 2pm.

just a little wednesday morning eye-candy as i get warmed up. a week away from the computer and my typing fingers are a little rusty. these patterns by julia rothman always make me smile…

eszter at hatch design in sf sent over this fun little mobile hatch is using as a promotional piece. it’s always interesting to see how design teams choose to design their calling cards and i think this little number is a fun take-away. the birds are letterpressed and screenprinted onto egg carton stock that then pops out easily and attaches to red string. now to find a place where the cats won’t kill it….

birdie at dear ada has some beautiful links on her site right now. i was immediately taken by the beautiful sweet paul doily vases and the artwork of james gullver hancock. she’s always got such incredible artwork on the site, click here to check out more.

alice stevenson just sent over a beautiful selection of her latest work, including book covers for “berlin poplars” and “the secret garden” (i love penguin’s covers). she always has such a nice way with color and line. click here to check out her newly updated website and shop. and if you’re interested in alice’s work for the holidays, click here to pick up her work in gift wrap form.