HOW I MET YOUR MOTHERBOARD

How I Met Your Motherboard is a fantastically nostalgic computer website where nerds of all shapes and colors can share memories of their earliest computer experience. How I Met Your Motherboard was created by Jason Bitner. Bitner is also the the creator of Cassette From My Ex, the co-creator of Found Magazine, and editor of the Found Polaroid Book.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE GREEN

In honor of Earth Day I'm sharing some advice on how you can make being green work for you.

Here are 5 basic environmentally-friendly practices I preach in my design business:

1. Electronic Proofs & Billing: I use paperless proofs whenever possible. As an added bonus it speeds up the process of concept to final product. Clients receive the proofs instantaneously and the same goes for corrections/changes. With PayPal and electronic banking, paper has been drastically reduced from the accounting side of my business.

2. Recycling: Paper, plastic...yup. I recycle.

3. Bulbs: My studio is lit by compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. These twisty bulbs use 1/4 as much energy as incandescent bulbs and last longer. According to Statistics Canada, if every Canadian household replaced one incandescent light bulb with a CFL energy-star rated bulb, we could save over $73 million a year in energy costs and reduce our CO2 emissions by 397,000 tonnes - the equivalent of taking 66,000 cars off the road for a year. Did I mention the bulbs also reduce your electrical bill? This one's a no-brainer.

4. Digital Printing: I use digital printers for projects whenever possible because they uses 100% nontoxic toner. Toner-based inks also produce less chemical waste.

5. Upgrades: I give away my used office and computer equipment. Schools, libraries, non-profits and community centers are great places that often welcome these sorts of donations.

For tips on designing green, I recommend Green Graphic Design by Brian Dougherty. Click here for a PDF of the first 23 pages of the book.

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It's easy to go green in your home or when you run your own business, but what can those out there in cubicle land do? Below are 5 environmentally conscious practices you can implement without needing approval from the man:

1. Emails: Don't print them. Make folders and stay organized digitally.

2. Plants: Freshen up your desk with a small plant. Office items like plastics, particle board, pressed wood and carpeting produce lots of toxic gases. Earlier this year some studies by NASA concluded that houseplants are able to remove up to 87% of these harmful gases in 24 hours.

3. Turn It Off: Over the span of a week, turning off your computer at the end of the work day can save 15 kg of CO2 emissions. Turning off a printer after a week saves 6.5 kg of CO2.

4. Pack Smart: Bring your lunch in a reusable container. Bring a reusable coffee mug. Using earth-friendly alternatives saves resources and landfill space.

5. Get a Beemer: Bus. Metro. Walk. BMW. How many readers will I lose on this cheese? Google Analytics says....

VERSATILE SEATS

The Magic Hole chair, designed by Eugeni Quitllet in collaboration with Starck design, is meant for use outdoors and incorporates a hole to hold newspapers or other objects.



















The Barnacle chair by Ania Wagner is made from sustainable wood and lined with a cultivated industrial felt. You can sit in it or flip it over for multiple people to lean on it while seated on the floor.














The Flip Stool is another multi-purpose piece by Ania Wagner that I had to include. It can be used as a stool, storage piece or magazine rack.



















The New Bambini by Toshimitsu Sasaki is an adjustable chair for the whole family. The chair easily adjusts from a rocking chair to a baby's high chair to a stool for kids and adults. Brilliant!
















The Oz chair by Cate & Nelson is a low chair with layers of felt you can flip to change it's color. A chair you can match to any space or mood.

A SALT WITH A DEADLY PEPA

For those who once rocked out with their Walkmans, hope you got the title reference.

Anyway, I was going to post some cleverly designed salt and pepper shakers (still might later on this week) when I came across these Steampunk designs from an artist in Moscow via this link that I thought were worth sharing. In a nutshell, Steampunk art is created from materials, design elements and craftsmanship consistent with the Victorian era that speaks to the future. I don't know the artist that created these which is unfortunate. Since last year I have been emailing all the designers I blog about, so I'm sad I can't let this person know I think their work is steampunk-a-licious.

WILL IT BREAK YOUR GEEKY HEART?

Blendtec has caught my attention with their clever and upsetting marketing videos. In this heart-wrenching youtube commercial they blend an iPad to show the strength of the Blendtec blenders. Watching this video makes me really upset and wonder if they want me to test drive all pre-blended products for a year or two. Hey Blendtec, what about the new Mac Pro featuring the Intel Xeon Nehalem processor. Will it blend?

iDECAL

With the latest apple product flying off shelves, it's no surprise that designers and entrepreneurs are trying to get a piece of iPad action. For a few bucks add some personality to your pad with these creative designs.



















Get your own.



















Get your own.



















Get your own.



















Get your own.



















Get your own.

WHIF THIS

Le Whif was invented by Harvard professor David Edwards in conjunction with the art and design innovation center in Paris Le Laboratoire. Marketed in this neat package, it's essentially an inhaler packed with hundreds of particles that enter your mouth as you take a puff. Le Whif was introduced in May of 09' and is now available in over 40 countries. It also comes in a variety of flavors from mint chocolate to coffee.

Puff puff pass.

INDOGNITO

This shiny black toy is a ball on one end and an oversize cartoon mustache on the other. Dogs naturally pick up the ball leaving them indognito. The Humunga Stache can be purchased from Muttropolis for $15.

IF DESIGN IS YUMMY, THESE PAINTINGS ARE DELICIOUS

I was introduced to the delectable world of New York's Will Cotton through an article on The 99%. Cotton's tasty visions are illustrated through paintings, sculptures and drawings.