After marveling at Michelangelo’s statue of Goliath-vanquishing David, the Pope asked the sculptor, “How do you know what to cut away?”

Michelangelo’s reply? “It’s simple. I just remove everything that doesn’t look like David.”

While I’m not totally sure of its accuracy, the conversation still offers three very sage design lessons:

1. Good design starts with a goal

Before David could physically exist, it had to first exist in Michelangelo’s mind. In other words, a mental model, a goal. Michelangelo then prototyped through sketches and, presumably, miniature models of the final David. Why not just go with your gut? Because there are no Undos when carving a block of marble.

2. Good design removes the unneccesary

Instead of piling on more and more doodads and features on your design, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” and “What can I take away and still achieve my goal?.” Remember, less is more.

3. Good design isn’t magic

Since we have such fancy computers now, good design must happen with just the press of a button. Not. Like Michelangelo’s David, design masterpieces don’t magically take form overnight. It takes tons of time, prototyping, and iteration. So how long did it take Michelangelo to sculpt David? Three years.

Great reading ...

What Michelangelo Can Teach You About Good Design

plus D have dropped their monthly best of, Bootie Top 10, capturing the best in the world of mashups for the month of January, 2008. The mix offers a pretty good selection, but I think that the best of the bunch is actually the duo’s contribution.

Look about 1/2 way down for 'ComaR “Shut Up on a Blue Monday” (Rihanna vs. New Order)!!!

I almost LMAO ... some are not as good as this one but hay...

This Week in Mashups - 01/26/2008

After Velvet Revolver wraps a spring tour in support of its second album, "Libertad," frontman Scott Weiland will rejoin his former bandmates in Stone Temple Pilots for a handful of summer reunion shows, guitarist Slash tells Billboard.com.

STP broke up in late 2002; the band's last album was the previous year's "Shangri-La Dee Da." No other details have yet been revealed about STP's plans.

I really liked this band, hope to see them in the 'ville.

Weiland Playing With STP This Summer

I don't really consider myself a fan of KT Tunstall's, but I will give her full fledge props for not only bringing out Missy Elliott's classic jam "Get Ur Freak On" from the dead, but doing it justice with a spectacular cover.

Listen to KT Tunstall cover Get Your Freak On

Hahaha she has done covers of other songs by the Jackson 5 too and I have to say... good job! lol!

KT Tunstall Covers Missy Elliott

He's back... And he's mildly upset.

This is funny... might be NSFW due to lang...

:P

Everyday Normal Guy

The age demanded that we sing
And cut away our tongue.

The age demanded that we flow
And hammered in the bung.

The age demanded that we dance
And jammed us into iron pants.

And in the end the age was handed
The sort of shit that it demanded.

-- Ernest Hemingway

They fear a stock market crash/slip and all I can say is Hemingway said it best,
"And in the end the age was handed, The sort of shit that it demanded."

You give it and get it...

The Age Demanded -- Ernest Hemingway

This site is the on-line companion to the book Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students, by Ellen Lupton (Princeton Architectural Press, 2004).

why we are on the design topic... good info here...

Thinking w/Type

I have recently finished a demo of my playing and as a gift to all my friends I am giving it away! www.myspace.com/zanderwyatt I only ask that you provide any comments you may have and if you like it please share it with your friends. As of now there are four tracks available and there is one left (my favorite) that will be up soon. Thanks to all!
Zander Wyatt

Great music from Zander Wyatt! Get it why you can... and YES Nashville does have talent...

Music: Zander Wyatt

A group of six drummers break in into a dwelling, in order to give their musical art there expression.

YouTube - music for one apartment and six drummers

..."of the spliced together "found sound" one-man rhythm section videos out there, this is one of the best i've come across..."

Beats Of Boredom