Haven't visited the Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) website yet? Hop on over there posthaste to fill your soul with forward thinking ideas and people.  

Today, TED announced its winners of the first "Ads Worth Spreading" competition. The goal? To celebrate and recognize ads that are so good you actually want to watch them. 

All the winners used compelling imagery and messaging but our favorite is "Girl Effect:Clock is Ticking" by Wieden+Kennedy in Portland, Oregon for the Nike Foundation. Great use of compelling animation. 

What's your favorite and why?

When I saw this espresso maker, I seriously considered redecorating my kitchen. Unfortunately, this design is only a prototype - for now. Created by Øsyten Helle Husby, Audun Grimstad, Åsne Kydland and Mariko Kurioka Rohde as a design school assignment, it brings a Nordic approach to coffee.  I give it an A+++++.  To see more, visit their website.  

We just wrapped up a full-page ad design for M Culinary - one of Phoenix's top catering and restaurant companies. For all you foodies and event planners, look for it in the upcoming issue of Special Events magazine. If you need culinary assistance and/or catering, M Culinary expertly handles small intimate gatherings and large events like the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament. Give them a call and tell them that the ladies at Alchemy referred you! 

Today, Fast Company posted an article about the impression your Email style makes on others.  A first meeting with a potential client is always a little nerve-racking, right? But what happens when you send them a post-meeting email?  That interaction has consequences too, so beware.  Whether the message is a brief thank you or includes requested information with a lengthy explanation, follow the three guidelines from this Fast Company article to make the right impression.  

Oh, and for all of you who think you can text abbreviate your words - don't.  Using text abbreviations in formal business correspondence like  "u", "mtg", "thx", "btw" or <smile> will result in a CUL or CUL8ER. 

Great information, as always from Fast Company.

Click here to access the article.

My  2011 New Year's resolution is to drink more water.  It is ambitious considering that I don't like water and probably drink only 8 oz a day.  My "drinking" schedule is coffee in the morning, Diet Coke during the day and a glass of red wine at night. . . . I turned to design for inspiration and am pleased to present some stunningly beautiful water bottle designs.  

Here's to a more hydrated 2011. 

 clas·sic /ˈ[klas-ik] –adjective : of enduring interest, quality, or style: a classic design; classic clothes. 

I am trying to find the perfect gift for a dear friend who is pregnant with twins (yes Andrea, I mean you!) Enter alphabeasties: and other Amazing Types. This beautifully thought out concept features animals created out of representative typefaces. There's a dachshund made out of Bauhaus "d"s and an alligator made out of Volta. Is it ever too early to teach children about good design? Created by the brilliance that is Werner Design Werks and available at Amazon.com or Chronicle Books.  

Vintage Audi poster created between 1968 and 1972 by Armin Hofman.  Love the headlights.  Simple and elegant.

Coca Cola is a sponsor of the 2010 Winter Olympics so I thought it would be interesting to show the history of the Coke bottle.  Enjoy.

100 Years of Coca Cola bottles: (Left to Right) 1899 - 1900 - 1915 - 1916 - 1957 - 1986

I am always amazed when I travel overseas at how design is so functional and well thought out.  In the European apartments, everything has a place and there is a place for everything.  It isn't a surprise then that the designers of the new Guerlain Rouge G lipstick took the same approach.  The packaging combines both glamour and functionality into one small handheld "device". They turned the lipstick package into a compact; a magnet holds the two parts together, and the opening with lipstick reveals a two-part mirror with which you can easily apply the lipstick. This is one powerful pistol for your pout!  Find more great packaging over at The Dieline.