As part of a new feature, we asked Matt Sung andKaren Horton, co-founders of the social networking site designrelated.com, to elaborate oneight items from their collection of design inspirations. Submit your own designinspiration, which could be featured in upcoming issues.
It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be [Matt]Paul Arden’s mini-manifesto tells you to“give away everything you know, and more will come back toyou.” That kind of advice can be applied on a mass scale—andread in 30 minutes.
The Wanderer dust jacket [Karen]My obsession with the work of Alvin Lustig began after reading a 1956Print magazine article in the University of Florida College ofFine Arts library.
Vintage Polaroid Camera [Karen]
I found this camera at the Waldo Flea Market, a favorite destination when I wasliving in Florida. No new digital invention compares with the instantgratification you get when a Polaroid photo comes into view.
Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel [Karen]My dad introduced me tothe songs and lyrics of Simon & Garfunkel at an early age. Though theBookends album was released back in 1968, the music is timeless,and it always sounds better on vinyl.
Kidrobot vinyl toys [Matt & Karen]It all started with collecting fast-food toys, but wegraduated to collecting designer vinyl toys. Ninety percent of thethrill is the mystery box and the anticipation right before opening anew toy.
Grado SR80 headphones [Matt]Music is a must forany designer. These Brooklyn-made cans are minimal and borrow designsfrom the 1920s, but they’re heavy on sound quality.
Pentax Fixed Lens [Matt]Though not always practical, a fixed lensoften leads me to take more interesting photos. Creating a compositionusing only the viewfinder can help me find beautiful things in myeveryday surroundings.
Studio Ghibli [Matt & Karen] We wereinstantly hooked on the films of Studio Ghibli after seeing the 2002U.S. release of Spirited Away in the theater. Hayao Miyazakimasterfully blends imaginative storylines with gorgeous animation.