“Can’t find the right word? You might want to start moving your hands. New research at the University of Alberta suggests that gesturing while you talk may improve your access to language.”

“Widely read in many areas, including technical communication, Edward R. Tufte is arguably the preeminent authority on data and statistical visualization.”

“An internal committee at The New York Times has recommended steps to increase readers’ confidence in the newspaper, including reducing errors, increasing coverage of religion, ‘rural areas’ and ‘middle America,’ making reporters and editors more accessible, and possibly starting a blog.”

“At present, books considered ‘pop-up’ or movable are popular sources of delight for children and adults alike. However, the types of books today’s audiences associate with such a genre are the result of a somewhat long development and, consequently, form an intriguing niche in the ‘history of the book.’ The first movable books actually predate the print culture. The earliest known examples of such interactive mechanisms are by Ramon Llull (c.1235-1316) of Majorca, a Catalan mystic and poet.” (Thanks Coudal Partners!)

“Crossing the blogs the last few months were a couple examples of stunt product design. While design agencies might think this is a good idea, a way to get some press, and design without that pesky restraint of clients, the solutions provided tend to be wholly unsatisfactory.”

“Now you can instantly draw the golden sections, or other divine proportions, as an aid to composition. This plugin can draw fibonacci sequences such as the golden sections, golden spiral and the golden triangles. In addition it also can draw the harmonious triangles and the rule of thirds - based on composition through identity. The best way to use the plugin is to output the drawing to a transparent top layer you can move around for cropping.”

“Typography, I find, is still a bit of mystery to a lot of designers. The kind of typography I’m talking about is not your typical ‘What font should I use’ typography but rather your ‘knowing your hanging punctuation from your em-dash’ typography. Call me a little bit purist but this bothers me. So, in an attempt to spread the word here’s the first of five simple steps to better typography. To kick it off, part one is about the Measure.”

“In Concert of Wills, the fascinating 1997 documentary on the building of the Getty Center in Los Angeles, architect Richard Meier is beset on all sides by critics and carpers: homeowners who don’t want the Center’s white buildings ruining their views, museum administrators who worry that the severe stone benches will be uncomfortable, curators who want traditional molding on the gallery walls. The magisterial Meier takes them all in stride, until one moment that is the hold-your-breath climax of the film.”

“With its 1340 entries, totalling 256,399 words and 10970 comments totalling 618,668 words, the Binary Bonsai archives are by now quite expansive… Though continually under improvement, I hope this selection of tools can somehow help you in finding whatever you’re looking for, or perhaps aid you in discovering something you weren’t looking for.”

“A resume is the key to your success. Whether you’re job searching, freelancing or starting up a small business, your resume is what will get the ball rolling. A resume is your single greatest asset and first impression.”

“Nothing stops a newspaper reader in his tracks like a printing error–or what seems to be. That’s the reaction TBWA\Chiat\Day’s Craig Crawford and Rui Alves were counting on when they designed this clever ad for Infiniti. Flipping through the paper casually, you come upon what seems to be a weather page with all the data missing.”

“…if there is so much demand for Information Design, where are all the Information Designers? It turns out that they are out there, in the business world, hiding under different names. Today, the practice of Information Design requires multiple skills such as graphic design, human factors design, writing and programming….”

“Unless you’re involved in production or the music industry, it’s often very easy to let the importance of a good piece of accompanying music slip by …for the past couple of months, whenever we’d have a second or two, we’ve been working on this simple animated commercial for Jewelboxing to be used in the product samples we send out, for web promotion, and whatever else we see fit. Now that we’re nearing the end of the visual process, we’re at the point when we’re starting to think about scoring and sound effects.”

“I have often wondered what it would be like to see a web site design progress from start to finish, with each tweak and change being shown as it progresses–a design timeline, if you will. I don’t mean from conceptual start to finish–from blank piece of paper to finished Photoshop image of the design. I mean from a blank browser and text file to a completed HTML file with associated CSS and images.” (Thanks Waxy!)

“Getting organized and getting things done couldn’t be easier: Gather your ideas, to-dos, notes, photos and files online. Set email and mobile reminders so you don’t forget the little things. Easily collaborate with others. Backpack is the personal information manager you’ve been craving. Perfect for individuals and small businesses.”