Made In Brooklyn from Brooklyn Bridge Ventures on Vimeo.
Made in Brooklyn is a short film supporting, documenting and inspiring entrepreneurial talent in Brooklyn.
(via BKLYNHAUS)
A Cabin, in Brooklyn
Hey New Yorkers, need a place to go for a staycation? A Cabin in a Loft in Brooklyn is a two-bedroom loft in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The cabin is available for short-term rental as an alternative to hotels and hostels to those seeking a more local experience of New York.
Made me smile.
(thank you The Design Ark)
Lucky Ant
Brand new Lucky Ant is the Kickstarter for your community. Instead of funding short films and art projects, you help support improvements to your favorite neighborhood hot spots. Whether it’s sponsoring an outdoor patio for the cafe around the corner or even helping a local high school build a student-run restaurant, this is your chance to help build the community of your dreams.
Two thumbs up for this idea. Hoping they’ll add my Brooklyn neighborhood soon! Luckyant.com
(via TBD)
Sh*t New Yorkers Say
(via Kottke)
Emergency NY Tech Meetup
The New York Tech Meetup is organizing a protest of the PROTECT IP Act (the Senate version of SOPA, the Internet censorship bill) outside of the offices of New York senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. That’s 12:30 PM on Wednesday, January 18th at 780 Third Avenue (at 49th St.) in NYC. Here’s more info.
Wikipedia entries for PROTECT IP Act and Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). Also interesting, Boing Boing will go dark on January 18th to fight SOPA.
Dr.Brendan | The iphone Doc
In september of 2010 I discovered iPhone Doc Dr.Brendan. After a quick email exchange and a description of my ‘patient’ we met up in a hotel lobby in Manhattan. 20 minutes later my iphone looked like new. Impressed by his story I wrote a post about him, which apparently sent a lot of new customers his way. Yay! Well deserved!
I luckily didn’t need Dr.Brendan’s services since, until 2 weeks ago, when my husband dropped his new iPhone 4s in water. Outch! I emailed Dr.Brendan and an hour later, Tony, one of his employees was in our living-room, trying to ‘revive Siri’. But there was no heartbeat! He took “Siri” with him and a few days later, we got a call with good news: Siri was alive and kicking! YAY!
During the short visit at our apartment, I learned that Dr.Brendan since has moved his business out of his living-room and opened two stores. And not only that, he has a whole army employees and they now also fix Macs. I was thrilled to hear that as my 2.5 year old iMac at work was giving me a hard time. Tony, a Dr.Brendan employee, came to promptly pick it up the next day and conveniently brought it back a few days later, fixed. Pick-up and drop-off? Yes, please!
Dr.Brendan and his team not only fix iPhones but now also repair pretty much any Apple device, do data recovery, help you set up your network and much more.
I can’t praise Brendan and his team enough. Go check out his site. And if you live either in the East Village or Park Slope, drop by their shop. And no worries, if you don’t live in NYC, you can ship your patient to Dr.Brendan.
Yay for this wonderful entrepreneurial story.
Girl Walk // All Day Premiere
Do you live in NYC? Yes? Do yourself a favor and cancel any plans you might have on the evening of december 8th. Why? Girl Walk // All Day is premiering at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple. If you see one movie this year, this should be the one. It’s a love letter to NYC and will get you dancing. Trust me. Here’s what the NYTimes had to say about it.
#mademedance
Brooklyn Brainery
Brooklyn Brainery offers community-driven classes on anything and everything. Anyone can teach–you just need a passion for the topic and a desire to share it with others. Here are some of their current classes that made me look: Cutting Hair, Design for non designers, Foreign Alphabets and Beginning Calligraphy.
Love that they are right down the street from my house. The concept of learning by people in my community makes me so happy. Somebody warn my kids, I just signed up for the Cutting Hair class.
(thank you Cameron)
Iconathon
Now here’s an idea that made me look: The Iconathon is an initiative to collaboratively design new civic symbols for the public domain.
In August & September 2011, several cities across the US will participate in a series of design charrettes — day-long collaborative workshops — called “Iconathons”. Through facilitated design sessions, event participants will generate icons and symbols that visually convey concepts frequently needed in civic design.
Iconathon events will include design workshops and networking opportunities for local designers, urban planners, city staffers and developers who are passionate about civic design. Participants will sketch ideas and concepts during the events, and refine them from their home or design studios while continuing the collaboration process through social media.
The NYC event is on September 10th, from 11am -4pm at the School of Visual Arts new space in the Flatiron District. Register here. Boston is happening tomorrow.
More info: www.iconathon.org
(thank you Josh)
NYC Evacuation Zones
G thinks is pro-actively thinking about how to prepare best for the approaching hurricane. I am a bit more optimistic (or is this called ‘denial’?). I am mostly wondering if we have enough wine in the apartment.
Anyhow, do you live in the NYC area? The above map might help you prepare for approaching Hurrican Irene. (you can zoom in an out!)
Update: Looks I really need to stock up on wine tomorrow. Just read this NewYorkTimes article about how NYC is preparing for Irene.
(via @davedawson)
GROUP
My studiomate Larry Legend and composer Aaron Siegel have been working hard on a collective sound performance for multiple people and iPhones called “GROUP“.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 21 is the big day!
As part of Make Music New York and the River to River Festival, at 12:45 pm on Tuesday, a mass of people with the rainbow checkered, sound-emitting GROUP iPhone app will swarm to the intersection of Wall Street & Broad Street in downtown Manhattan and create a dense, evolving drone of sound and color that will last for about 10 minutes. Part flash mob, part ambient music meditation, and part performance art, the piece is turning out to be something really unique and fun.
Here’s how you can participate:
1. Just download the free GROUP app from the App Store and be there a little before 12:45 pm! It’s an unusual opportunity to take part in something really special.
2. Please spread the word!
+Pool Kickstarter
I have written about the +Pool concept before and am thrilled to see that the team at Dong-Ping Wong are trying to make it happen. Considering that this floating pool could potentially become reality right outside our Studiomates windows is making me giddy.
They started a Kickstarter campaign to raise $25,000 to begin physical tests of the filtration materials and methods that they spent the winter studying. With each donation amount you’ll receive an article of + Pool summertime attire, from tantoos and koozies on up to sunglasses, tanktops and towels.
I am so totally backing this and encourage you to do the same.
2011 Jell-O Mold Design Competition
It’s that time of the year again where New Yorkers get crafty with Jell-O! It’s time for the 2011 Jell-O Mold Dedsign Competition here in Brooklyn. Designers must register by Wednesday June 15, 2011 to participate in the competition. The event is open to the public so even if you don’t compete you can come check out the action and vote for your favorite mold for People’s Choice!
Designers must make their own molds for the contest–either by creating a new mold or recontexualizing pre-existing forms–and they welcome submission of process images of mold construction.
More info here.
NYC Type
NYCtype is a lovely side project by Luke Connolly. I am sure every typography enthusiast will aprove!
Unheard in New York
Underheard in New York is a project that gives New York’s homeless a voice via social technology.
(via curiosity counts)
AIGA/NY Data Visualization Event
Here’s an event you shouldn’t miss if you live in NYC: AIGA/NY Data Visualization: Method and Madness
Brooklyn Living
Are you in the market for a 2 bedroom in BoCoCa, Brooklyn? You should read on, as we are selling our place.
With the birth of our second child Tilo Red we realized that we will be outgrowing our wonderful 2 bedroom within a year or so. The time has come. We are heartbroken, but if we only had one child, we would never leave this place. The view is killer, the location couldn’t be any more perfect and the walk-in-closet and master bathroom makes every woman’s heart beat faster.
The apartment is in a designy new construction (3 years old). With many design-focused readers based in Brooklyn, it only makes sense for me to share this on my blog. So, please, bear with me.
Here are the facts:
Our apartment is a generous 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom with a super-awesome walk-in-closet (Currently Tilo’s bedroom) and a huge master bathroom. (The separate shower in there is to die for.)
We live on the 8th floor on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Smith Street. As I mentioned, it’s a new construction and we are the first owners.
We are south facing which means our apartment is extremely bright. We see over the brownstones of Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens and even see the Verrazano bridge. And if you peek out the window, to the right, you can also get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty.
Some of you might have seen pictures of our lovely Brooklyn home in last year’s DesignSponge feature or in Apartment Therapy’s Big Book of Small Spaces.
If you have visitors and don’t feel like having them stay with you, just tell them to stay in the design/boutique Hotel NU below. (Floors 1-4 are Hotel, floors 5-12 are condos) It has proven incredibly practical to have a hotel right underneath us. And if you’re into working out, you can pay the hotel $60 a month and they let you use their always empty gym. And you don’t even need to go outside, all you need to do is take the elevator to the C level.
And then, of course, there’s Smith Street right outside your door. That means, lots (!) of wonderful restaurants and shops in close proximity.
If you have kids, you might want to know that we’re in a fantastic school district and zoned for PS 261. (literally one block away, in fact you can see the school from the living room)
There’s literally every Subway line you can think of in a 2-3 block radius, which makes this location so desirable. No matter where you need to go in the city, there will be a train closeby that will take you there. (In fact, we love this location so much that our new place is a whopping one block away!)
If you like you can see photos of our place over on Flickr.
If you’re interested in adopting our beloved home, check out the real estate listing and get in touch with our lovely broker Terry Naini.
City Hall Subway Stop
Here’s a blog post that makes want to jump up and run to take the 6 train:
“New York’s famous City Hall subway station, one of the most gorgeous gems in the world of mass transit, has been closed for decades but now it can be viewed again by in-the-know riders of the 6 train.
Although it’s not open to the general public, there’s a way in-the-know New York subway riders can still see this famous and beautiful architectural glimpse at the city’s past. The 6 train used to make all passengers leave the train at the Brooklyn Bridge stop, but no longer.
If you have a little extra time, you can stay on the train and view the City Hall Station as the train makes its turnaround.”
I can’t wait. Can NOT wait to do this.
(via jalopnik and @HelenWalters)
NYC Stamps
Two iconic New York stamps—a taxi cab and the Chrysler Building—let you create handmade gift cards, wrapping paper and stationary inspired by the city that never sleeps. I wish they’d also include the Brooklyn Bridge and a hot dog stand. Or maybe a pigeon? Hmm…
The Scoop
The Scoop is an iPhone App and according Website by the NewYorkTimes giving you an inside scoop to New York City. Well done. Hat tip!
Brooklyn Beta
My fab studio mates Cameron and Chris have been working hard in getting a brand new Brooklyn based web conference off the ground: Brooklyn Beta!
Chris and Cameron want Brooklyn Beta to be the friendliest web conference you’ve ever attended. Their goal for the conference is to inspire you to “make your own stuff.” They’d love to see what the Web would be like if all you talented web people started using your magical abilities to bring your own ideas to life.
They hope you’ll leave inspired and anxious to build something of your own to beta in 2011. If that happens, you’ll have a hard time wiping the smiles off their faces.
BrooklynBeta, the site, launched today and while you can not register yet for the conference day you can register for the Workshops.
Please note that space is extremely limited. They want this to be an intimate conference where attendees play just as important a role as speakers. The workshops will sell out pretty quickly! So, go and register quickly.
See you there! Brooklyn Beta!
Follow BrooklynBeta on Twitter.
Become our StudioNeighbor
Are you in need of an office space? Become our studio neighbor and hang out with the lovely folks in Studio612a and Suite606. There are two spaces currently for rent on our floor at 10 Jay Street in DUMBO. Think creative community, nice views on Manhattan and the East River and a daily workout due to not so reliable elevator. Email me if interested and I’ll put you in touch with our landlord.
A Floating Pool In New York
We desperately need one of these Floating Pools outside our studio.
+ Pool is an initiative by a group of architects and designers to build a floating pool in the rivers of New York City… and they need your help. The project was launched with the ambition to improve the use of the city’s natural resources by providing a clean and safe way for the public to swim in New York’s waters. This site is the culmination of Concept Design for + Pool and they are looking to build a team of interested organizations and professionals to continue the development of the project into a buildable proposal.
Their next step is to partner with local cultural, developmental and environmental groups to raise public and private interest, identify civic potential and approach the municipality, while working with engineers, planners and specialists to refine the social and ecological performance of + Pool.
To find out more, contact them at info@pluspool.org.
(thank you Michael)
