Safer, Better product design

This is a little late but I figure if I just heard about it, it might be news to you as well.

First, the not-new part: many non-stick pans have been made with PTFE which is a known carcinogen.

The new part: Martha Stewart introduced a new line of ceramic non-stick pans that are more energy efficient to manufacture than other non-stick and don't use harmful PTFEs. The pans are really reasonably priced (which has been my impression of other items the Martha Stewart line at Macy's - which I couldn't say always say about her K-mart products). The line of fry pans has been out for a few months now.

Makes me wonder what other innovations can lead to inexpensive but more environmentally-friendly manufacturing.

Via The Kitchn. Image Macy's.

A good blog on the topic of color

hueconsulting is a blog I keep on my short list. Rachel Perls, the author, covers a broad range of color-related topics, from colored appliances to makeup and communication.

Go check it out!

Local winners in City Paper "Best Of"

The Pittsburgh City Paper just announced its 2008 "Best of". Many of the winners are in Lawrenceville, just a few blocks from where I live and include our bakery. James got #3 for "Best Chef" which I think is an impressive feat considering that we've only been serving soup and sandwiches during the week and brunch on weekends.

Check out the list of Lawrenceville winners:

Divertido: Editor's choice, "Best hipster alternative to The Sharper Image"
Sugar Boutique: 1st place, "Best Boutique"
Pavement: 3rd place, "Best Shoe Store"
Piccolo Forno, 1st place, "Best BYOB Dining" and 2nd place, "Best Italian Restaurant"
Coca Cafe, 3rd place, "Best Brunch";
Dozen Bake Shop, #2 "Best Bakery", #3 "Best Desserts", #3, "Best Chef" James Gray

Thanks to all the readers who think we are the best in Pittsburgh!

CMU Senior Studio Pieces Show

From Ash Huang, a student in CMU's School of Design:

See the work of some of Carnegie Mellon's senior studio! Based on the idea of individual pieces making a cohesive whole, students created work ranging from furniture to wallpaper, from toys to guitars. There is sure to be something for everyone!

Be sure to check out the show at UnSmoke Gallery this Friday at 7pm. Based on the poster I can't wait to see the face off in person.

H&M for Home

H&M is introducing a line of products for the home, from shower curtains and throw pillows to towels and sheets. Just don't plan on wearing any of them more than a few times.



The line will make its retail debut in February 2009 in H&M's more established markets: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. We'll just have to wait.

Read the press release. Via apartment therapy.

Recently Launched: LowerLawrenceville.com

Swing over to LowerLawrenceville.com, a website I recently launched. This is a community/business/neighborhood site for Pittsburgh's Lower Lawrenceville neighborhood located on and around Butler Street between 34th and 40th Streets.

Intern Beverly Hsu did most of the illustrations and conceptualized the design. I art directed and programmed the site.

Satoru Nihei - I Am Just Your Type

Satoru Nihei is a very talented designer and typographer I met a number of years ago at DesignInquiry, a summer design intensive.

Satoru recently launched Beautifool TYPE which features one of a kind text illustrations. Check out this piece, titled "I AM JUST YOUR TYPE".

Check out the original sketch he did here.

Check out Satoru's portfolio (PDF) if you're interested in hiring him on commission.

Saks Snowflakes by Marian Bantjes

Marian Bantjes is an incredible illustrator and designer whose work I've admired for a long time. In 2005, she created a design for my now-defunct t-shirt line. Though that shirt never saw the light of day in retail (something I regret every time I think about it), Marian has been prolific and she has had continued success.



Recently Marian was charged to create a series of snowflakes for Saks Fifth Avenue which were then turned into everything from packaging graphics to a winter hat.



I'd be all over that hat if it weren't for the tassel on top. I might buy one anyway and see how the looks if I remove the tassel myself. You can buy the hat here. It's on sale 50% off as I write this.

Images courtesy Marian's website.

Andrew Twigg: Blogworthy

Isn't it about time? There are things I come across I think you might want to know about. Or maybe you should know about. And I feel it's time I share.

So, welcome to Andrew Twigg: Designworthy.