HIPSTER RUNOFF

Sometimes I doubt the world so much
I lose faith in humanity
Honestly believe that 'money' is the only thing that makes the world go round
'Oil' and 'cash money' have torn apart our relationships with the A-Rab world
leading to terrorism & acts of mad violence + hate

Every1 just wants to be rich and famous
gathering piles of moneys in buildings called 'banks'
Wish money didn't exist, and we could just barter goods & services
People would pay to be an artist
I could pay 4 my bread and cold cuts with cool paintings and digital .jpg memes
Wish ppl didn't give a shit about Rolex Indiglo watches, Macbook Pros, and 'huge houses in suburbia'

I guess the Arcade Fire was right when they sang the infamous line
"H8 u the Suburbs, yall."
And also AnCo was right when they sang
"I'd rather be chilling in Adobe slabs... Seeya!"
Vampire Weekend was also right when they sang
"Sigh... Wish we lived in the 3rd world, appreciated our lives' and chilled on Horchata."

How can I get back 2 basics?
How can I restore my faith?
How can I believe in us again?
How can I believe in humanity?

A meaningful interactive real life art installation
Taking place outside 'in real life' [via on my street]
Going to put several hundred $1 bills into a tree on my street
and see if real life humans
act like 'hunters and gatherers', 'savages'

Each piece of US currency will also have an 'inspiration note' on it.

It seems like I only live in a white neighborhood
and every1 'adhered to chill societal rules'
taking only one or two dollars
And took a moment to read the meaningful note on the dollar bill

As a white person, I can guarantee that minorities would have been 'savages'
about this tree
Homeless people would have acquired a month's supply of drugs, alcohol, and Burger King
relieved they didn't ruin my video
Relieved I picked a safe location
outside of the apartment which my parents pay 4 with their metaphorical money tree
which I pull dollar bills from

At the end of the day, maybe I wasn't really even interested in 'improving society'
or 'restoring faith'
I just feel better about myself for creating an art installation in public space
creating a meme that exists on the internet
even though it was a pretty trivial 'experiment'
that offers no valuable insight in2 humanity/consumerism/greed

Did this unique artistic project transcend society?

Do yall feel 'inspired' by this project?
Was it 'brilliant'?
Do u h8 society/consumerism?
Do people and tweens only care about money?
Should they have 'manned up' and put $100 bills in the tree?
Should they have done this in a black neighborhood?
Is some 'generic white neighborhood in Chicago' representative of humanity/society?
Do u think black people were arrested if they took a dollar from this money tree?

I was recently shopping for some miscellaneous items at my local Target store, and I walked through the 'clothes' section to see if there were any 'sweet buys' that I could find that 'didn't look like they were from Target.' It's always rewarding to 'get compliments' about elements of my wardrobe, since I am a rlly trendy person, and then 'surprise' people by telling them that I 'got it for cheap at a relatively mainstream outlet.'  Then I made 'the ultimate discovery' that might turn the entire alternative world upside down.

Photo via flickruser

It seems like the display rack in Target looks 'a whole lot like' the display racks in American Apparel. Like the products are 'complete rip offs' or something.  At first I was excited, since I thought I would get a ton of Am-Appy-ish materials 'on the cheap' but then I started to wonder if these knock-offs would enable me to achieve the same brand goals.  Not sure if I would be able to 'lie' to myself, kinda like women who use fake purses.  Not sure if the $5-$10 prices would be worth paying if they weren't officially amAppy.

Can't believe Target 'totally ripped off' Am Appy. Wonder what they are trying 2 do.

I feel like Am Appy owns the 'design rights' to this aesthetic, and probs deserve to sue any1 who rips them off. They are responsible for branding this aesthetic as 'kewl.'

Maybe Target decided to 'rip off' the Am Appy clothing aesthetic in order to 'get back at them for 'stealing their logo aesthetic.'

I did some internet research and found out that Target was founded in 1902. American Apparel was founded in 1989. I feel 'very surprised' by that fact, since I have only known about Am Appy for a few years (I first found out about them when they moved into my suburban market mall.) It is interesting that they both have similar logos that rely on 'the power of Helvetica' to get across their store's aesthetic. It seems like Am Appy might have 'ripped off' the Target logo by using Helvetty/Arial as their font.

Yall can probably notice the similarities in the store logos.

Seems like most 'everything' stores are trying to appeal to alts. Or maybe alternative aesthetics have 'taken over', and they are trying to enable the poors to wear solid coloured shirts. Maybe poor people will no longer think that they need 'branded logos' + scribbly shit [via Ed Hardy] on their t-shirts to make them look like they are rich/fit-in.

Just don't know what belongs to who, and what type of 'intellectual design property' can really be owned. I feel like the Font Industry and the Music Industry are really similar. I think I expect to utilize fonts for free, much like I expect to listen to music for free. The person who creates a font is looking to 'go mainstream' by 'getting included' on tons of personal computing machines. This is the same thing that buzzbands need to try to accomplish. Fonts + Music can't really 'change the world' but they can definitely be an under-appreciated element of ur every day life.

Bands need to create files that make it on to as many computers as possible. MP3s, JPGs, MOVs, FLVs, PDFs, EXEs, DMGs, and any other type of file known to man. Buzzbands need to 'make it' on to pplz computers.

Having a huge crisis.

Do u think that Target will get sued by Am Appy?
Do u think Am Appy will get sued by Target?
Do u still think Am Appy is a 'relevant brand'?
Is there a new Alt brand?
Should I be a font designer, or should I start a buzzband?
How does the law decide 'who owns a font'/font-based logo?

Previous Target Coverage
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2009/09/is-target-the-most-authentic-everything-store.html

American Apparel

Company

Lists: Californians

Read more>>>>

Video by Wojciech Kosma

A lot of people tell me 'Carles, ur an artist' but I have to tell them, 'I'm not an artist. I'm a blog.'  After seeing a video of this artist broad giving a microphone a 'hummer' while wearing a slutty lil outfit, I feel like I can 'adamantly confirm' that I am not an artist. It seems like most authentic art must take place in a gallery with white walls, and there can't be 'that many' people there. It probably has to be an opening where wine is being served, and every1 must stand around and watch/feel pressure to 'get' performance artists performing their performance art.

Feel overwhelmed by 'art.' As we continue to move forward in time, there are just more&more ways 2 express yourself--more tools, more ways 2 communicate, and more metaphors to be showcased. Kinda makes u wonder what is 'art' and what is 'just being alive.' Always feel very confused about this topic. I never went to Art History class during undergrad, and actually failed because of my poor attendance. Maybe if I had attended, I would have a better eye for 'what is art' and what is 'bullshit.'

It's kinda weird how art is supposed to 'represent life', and challenge u to think about some aspect of humanity/society is 'kinda fucked up.' I am not sure why people think expression is so important. Maybe it's bc we're all afraid of dying, and we feel like if we were able to 'make people think abt life [via art]', then we will never be forgotten. If u 'never forget', then u will live forever, kinda like 9-11 (until Generation Z has kids).

I feel confused about performance art. It seems like people who 'just want attention' made by the demographic of art students who have minimal technical skills, and must 'get sensationalist.' Possibly were neglected as children. Like they didn't have good parents who discouraged them from spending 5 years getting a 'master's degree' in Art. I am not sure if I want to be a designer or an artist when I grow up. Design seems 'corporate', and art seems 'raw.' Not sure which person I want 2 be 4 the rest of my life.

Not sure how 'the internet' has changed art. It seems like u shouldn't try to make 'art' n e more, maybe we should just focus on 'designing and branding streams of memes.' I did a googsearch for 'art vs design' and this image came up. Maybe it explains everything.

Just want to 'jack off' and 'shit' on objects, but not because I want it to be 'art', but because I sincerely have the desire to 'tug off' and 'defecate' on stuff. Wish I could just 'be' without having to put everything in a box/label/genre with dumb name/ stereotype.

Just want to stand in a gallery with a group of my closest bros, buzzed, and 'snicker' while some1 'seriously performs' something that might be 'very stupid.'

/////WTF IS ART?

Photo via MIA blog

As yall know, popular rapper M.I.A. has a personal brand that is 'very political.' I'm not even sure where she is from, or what this flier is encouraging me to do. I think it is for some governmental election or something. She is apparently 'giving away an mp3' for people who vote. I'm not sure if you get a 'redemption code' after you vote, or if this is some sort of online election, like hotornot.com.

I wonder if M.I.A. has enough reach to impact an election. Maybe if the election was in Sri Lanka/Brooklyn, but I am afraid that it will be a difficult for her to sway the vote of people who don't listen to indie/mainstream rap. I feel like if I were a political candidate, and some sort of 'zany minority with ties to terrorist groups' supported me, I would say 'thank u, but could u keep quiet.'

It's weird when celebs have a personal brand that is 'political.' It's like u know they are yapping about something 'important', but you sort of just filter it all out as 'noise' and just think 2 urself 'thats nice that they wanna make an 'impact' or something.'

How do u feel about celebs with a political voice?
Do u want to be elected to a political position 1 day?
Do u think that M.I.A. should take a graphic design course a community college?
Does M.I.A. need to pick more authentic fonts/colour schemes?
Do yall think M.I.A. used PAINT or PHOTOSHOP 2 design this flier?

M.I.A.

Alternative Celebrity, Buzzband

M.I.A. is known for thinking that the American government is out 2 get her.

Lists: rappers, indie songstresses, annoying ppl, 2k10 buzzbands

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Is He AZN?
Or Is He Viral Meme?

I was watching this alternative viral meme by an AZN Yale graphic design student, and I think it was made to resonate with people like me. I think this meme is about being a lone bro, who listens to bloghouse + remixes + popular pop dance songs. For many days, u dance alone inside ur head [via iPod]. But sometimes (day 100) u get to dance with a group of your closest friends. Music sometimes seems pointless, but it is memes like this that remind u that music is kinda like a BFF-type of figure in most people's lives'.

Wish we would stop 'reviewing' music and start 'learning how 2 have fun with music' again.

Anyways, this video also reminds me of the significance of tools like the hypemachine, mp3 blogs, and user-generated-content-centric communities like vimeo. All of these tools come together to make like more meaningful. I kinda want his life. U can see how he traveled from the suburbs to a well-respected university with a relevant design program.

After the jump, I have copied and pasted the bro's playlist. I have colour-coded the songs which r bloghaus.

In the future, product packaging will be 'minimal' (kinda like a tumblr), and vowels will be omitted from brand names.

All bottles of soda will look to include a 'circle' where ever they can. Circles represent life, unity, oneness, and great taste, and fun, and other deep stuff.

I <3 MTN DW, yall. Kinda wish it was named "MNTN DW", though.
Maybe I can get some with my BRKLYN Pizza and it will make my life a lil bit more mnngfl. (meaningful)

BUT SRSLY, isn't there something a lil 'mysterious' about the mist in Sierra Mist? I luv how typography can truly 'express' the essence of a product

(Authenticity Note: I took an Experimental Typography Course at Design School taught by the intern for Jim Helvety, the creator of Helvetica.)

Hopefully in the future, all authentic alternative people will look like they are in a Promotional Photo for a corporate advertisement. Kinda like how this broad looks like she is modeling the new uniform for Chili's new brand in 2k9. Can't wait to be served by beautiful women in bow ties, yall.

"May I take yalls order? K. I'll be right back with ur Sparks Martini, Diet Pepsi bombs, and SXSWestern Egg Rolls."
[FaceHunter]

Are yall gonna stop drinking _______ and only drink Pepsi Products?
Can n e 1 find a leaked photo for the Crystal Pepsi cover art?

Remember when the Animal Collective album art became the most bloggable/blurbable/meme-able cover art in the history of the Music Industry? I wonder which mainstream artist will contact the AnCo designers to 'design a Magic Eye' for their upcoming release (for viral buzz blog marketing purposes).

Is this what my tummy feels like after eating Mexican/Chinese/Indian/American food?

Remember the PHARRELL CAN'T SKATE phase where black people (and miscellaneous groups of street-people) revolted against Pharrell because he did stuff that was too white?

I'm glad he designed a chair that has legs that are shaped like real legs.

"I had often wondered what it's like to truly be in love, not lust for once. So I decided not to ask what it was like in someone else's shoes or what it was like to sit in their seat. I decided to sketch out my own experiment; the perspective chair." - Pharrell Williams, co-designer of Perspective

s00 deep. I wonder when the toilet version of it is coming out, or if you are encouraged to just relieve yourself on the chair.

I read in a blog that Justice is making a crucifix with the ______s made out of _______.

Did Scarlett Johansson hire a graphic designer who made crappy album art in the early 1990s to design her album cover?

With album art like that, you'd have to speculate that she's being invited to Lillith Fair 2008.

I wonder when some promoter will create a festival that is a celebration of mixed gender bands.

Crystal Castles' video for "Courtship Dating" is intended to have a dark tone; however, it's pretty interesting to think about the design challenges behind making a video for a target audience who mostly watch videos embedded various websites.

Whether you watch this video on youtube, Pitchfork.tv, or HIPSTERRUNOFF.org, can you really get sucked into the 'darkness'/strobe light effects that Crystal Castles artistic director Ethan Kath utilized in this video? I think it might have a powerful effect in a movie theatre, or the 10 times it is played on the MTV2 show Subterranean, but it's tough for me, the prototypical internet consumer of 'below the radar' music, to really get into this video.

Am I being unreasonable in guesstimating that most people will view this Crystal Castles video on the internet?

However, I am pretty into the "Magic Spells" video because I am a member of the valuable 18-35 demographic who are really into dropping cinder blocks on the heads of women.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSsvcT9cDZ0&hl=en]
But seriously. The internet is great because bands can create music videos where dudes drop cinder blocks on people's heads.

<3 <3 <3 snuff films <3 <3 <3

Crystal Castles on Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/crystalcastles

Crystal Castles

Buzzband

Crystal Castles are an 8 bit bleep bloop band from Canada.

Lists: electro, Members of Crystal Castles, Canadian, boy & girl duos

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Ethan Kath

Alternative Celebrity

Ethan Kath is the 'genius' behind Crystal Castles.

Lists: Members of Crystal Castles, Canadian, indie hunks

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Building your brand is a series of design challenges. One popular way to extend your brand's presence is promoting a weekly event at a local club, complete with the best new music and local photographers.

However, it's a challenge to effectively brand your weekly night, both in-person and on-the-internet. One of the most successful branding tools is the SIGN BY THE DJ BOOTH. If the sign is a visual success, it will enhance the night's photographs and leave a mark in the party goers subconsciouses.

The sign is also important to enable the online spectator to establish a sense of location in a flood of party pic thumbnails. Designing a party experience is about creating a sustainable image that will lift the collective spirits of your local alternative community.

The Sign By The DJ Booth is an undervalued, but very important part of any blog/promoter/record label/DJ's brand.

Which of these signs gives a better sense of the brand?

Sign Analysis: DIM MAK

[Cobrasnake]
DIM MAK's sign is a design failure. It would take the average Middle American spectator who orders Cobrasnake tshirts by mail at least a year to figure out what the sign even says. Additionally, the typeface is somewhat underwhelming, but maybe I'm just not a big fan of the handdrawn DFA-style logos. If I were Dim Mak, I'd definitely put a team of 5 to 10 interns on assignment to redesign their sign behind the DJ.

If I had to put my money on what the new sign will look like, I'd bet on the DOODLE aesthetic, which was deployed for Steve Aoki's hit album "Steve Aoki's Pillowface and his Airplane Chronicles."

FINAL GRADE: D+

-----------------
Sign Analysis: I HEART COMIX

[RedSlurpee]
If I were I Heart Comix, I'd consider a move of the sign to behind the DJ booth. Not only will it showcase the entire sign in more pictures, it will hopefully minimize the camera flash's interaction with the glossy textured wall. I HEART COMIX's logo is a design success that deserves to be showcased. As opposed to a doodled logo, IHEARTCOMIX chose to deconstruct what is widely considered 'the perfect font,' Helvetica, by disjointing the alignment and the letter spacing of the type.

The corner space and counter are difficult spaces to approach, but they do offer more creative opportunities for expression than Cinespace's 'Infamous Brick Wall.' I would look to create another sign, since the corner space allows for two walls of coverage. While I think it is a good idea to wrap the counter with something, I'd consider a different sign, material, or lighting installation.

It's also important to value your sign. Duct tape can devalue your product, so I'd encourage a trip to a local Home Depot to speak with a representative about mounting options. While your sign may have been well-crafted on-screen in Adobe Illustrator, the context and presentation are a vital part of the sign's perception.

FINAL GRADE: B (with opportunity for extra credit)

Are there any more signs that have caught your eye? Do you have any feedback for popular record industry and nightlife brands about the perception of their product? The blogosphere enables consumers to join together, and give feedback to our favourite businesses.

HIPSTER RUNOFF: The Music Blog That Evaluates the Complete Consumer Experience in the Modern Music Industry

I [HIGHLY ENCOURAGE] design and marketing majors to comment on this post.

The barefoot sneaker does a great job of catching your eye. I'm not sure if this is a bigger threat to the 'girls in cute ballet-type shoes' or 'guys & girls in checkered vans' demographic. If you own stock in either one, I'd consider selling, and buying stock in BAREFOOT SHOES.

Check it out here. I'm sure the designer, okat, would be willing to do a custom order if you took a picture of your own feet.

[Via SwissMiss]

BEARD BANDANA

Made by Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.

Official product description:

Beard-Bandana Scarf. We suggest wearing this while you rob a bank, then they'll all be looking for a man with a beard, not you. Perfect for your friend who can't grow facial hair and seriously funny on anyone who already has a big beard. A win-win kerchief.

Why wear a traditional red bandana around your neck when you could get some real attention by wearing the BEARD BANDANA? We're not sure if it would be useful for scene stars who leave a bandana hanging out of their back pocket.

Buy it here.
[Found at Swiss Miss]

Speaking of bandana commentary:
"If there's one way I don't want to die, it is definitely having my brains eaten by a retarded bandana-clad hipster zombie wearing a happy birthday tablecloth and a backwards hat with chili peppers on it." -BLUE STATES LOSE @ Gawker

[Photo at LightNightsParty.com]

Some people shouldn't have to know how much they weigh. Instead, they should step on a scale and be told that they are as heavy as a farm animal.

Do you think this product is only interesting if you are in the buffalo range?

Also check out Celebrity Scales

Hulk Hogan weighs more than Rosanne and Michael Moore?

Buy them here.

Thanks Swiss Miss.

I'm no graphic design guru, but is Britney Spears' cover art for BLACKOUT really worth taking seriously?
What aesthetic does it convey, and do you think it reaches her target audience?

When I look at it, here's what comes to my mind.
Google Image Searches for:

FASHION SHOW FLYER

HAIR SALON AD

CAR SHOW FLYER

ASIAN FOOD MENU

Am I being unreasonable? How is she able to evoke so many tacky aesthetics in one album cover? Does this make her a genius?

Check out these iPod Nano cases made by Contexture. So maybe you feel like iPod Touches are not worth it, or you feel enslaved by a second generation Nano that you got just a few months ago. For only $45, you can upgrade to have a really interesting take on your iPod Nano. Apparently they are working on a design for the new, smaller Nano models.

“Reusing an old music medium to protect technology that surpassed it really resonates with us as music fans and sustainable designers,” says Trevor Coghill, Contexture Design co-founder.

“Before iTunes’ playlists, people made mix tapes,” says founding partner Nathan Lee of the similarities between cassettes and digital music players. “And like iPods and nanos, tapes were also a really portable music technology.”

Who needs an iTunes store on their iPod any ways? You can't even download songs from MP3 blogs on to your iPhones or iPod touches.

Order one here.