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Retro Airline Ads

This is one coffee table book I’d love to have: Airline Visual Identity 1945-1975, by Matthias C. Huhne.

The 400+ page tome, broken down by airline, features ads from the golden age of flying.

Many of them exude a retro glamour scarcely associated with flying, these days:

Airline Visual Identity 1945 вЂ“ 1975

While others are cringe-worthy in how un-PC they are, by today’s standards:

Airline Visual Identity 1945 вЂ“ 1975

Yiiiiiiikes!

The book has a hefty price tag ($400!) so I’m doubtful that it’ll end up on my coffee table any time soon. But if you’re interested in seeing more interior pages, check them out here.

(Images via Callisto Publishers)

Planting Carrots

Going back to work after a looooooooong summer weekend is never easy, so I was tickled when I came across Kitt Santos‘s amazing blog, Little Bunny. Big World .

The name is pretty accurate. Santos depicts a little rabbit going through the stuff we humans feel every day.

This particular illustration, entitled “You’ll get there,” resonated with me.

I’m not exactly a patient person. I like to feel like I’m always in motion, working towards my next goal or latest project. It’s not always easy for me to accept that some things are out of my control, and that sometimes I have to wait—and find peace in those moments.

ButВ I’ve found a way to help myself through those times. I’ve long used the expression “planting carrots” to describe planning fun things to look forward to—especially trips and vacations. Knowing that I have an upcoming getaway helps me throughВ life’s ups and downs, likeВ the annual long slogВ orВ a super-busy period at work. Anticipating those carrots makes me feel as zen as that bunny.

And speaking of carrots, I’ve actually planted a few more in the past week: In addition to my upcoming Chile trip, I also booked a weekend to visit my dear friend in Indiana, and an end-of-summer trip to London and another TBD destination with my best friend. Hooray for carrots!

(Illustration by Kitt Santos)

More Amazing Aerial Photos

And while we’re on the subject of awesome aerial photos, check out the Daily Overview.

The project, founded by NYC-based Benjamin Grant, was inspired by the Overview Effect:

This term refers to the sensation astronauts have when given the opportunity to look down and view the Earth as a whole. They have the chance to appreciate our home in its entirety, to reflect on its beauty and its fragility all at once.

Grant strives to give viewers that same feeling by showcasing thought-provoking aerials of places around the world where people have affected the landscape.

The images are beautiful and often astounding—and they really do make you think. A few of my favorite recent images include the Istanbul Shipyard…

…Kuala Lumpur’s palm tree plantations…

…California’s Roseville Yard…

…and Lollapalooza in Chicago.

Check out the Daily Overview’s site or follow them on Instagram for even more images.

(Images via the Daily Overview)

Christoph Niemann’s “Summer Sky” New Yorker Cover

Christoph Niemann is amazing.

I’ve long been a huge fan (remember I LEGO N.Y. ?!) and for years have followed his quirky, creative work in the NYT, the New Yorker and via his Twitter account.

Not surprisingly, I’m loving his animated illo, “Summer Sky,” for this week’s New Yorker cover. It’s so whimsical and bright and just makes me smile.

…now if only it felt more like summer in NYC!

(Image via the New Yorker)

Beach Bunnies

I love these prints, from British designer Jo Ham.

The idea of bunnies at the beach just makes me happy—and reminds me of my favorite season, which is coming soon.

Happy Friday!

Airport Codes, Decoded

This is too cool: Airportcod.es,В a site dedicated to the backstories of airports’ three-letter abbreviations.

I’ve always loved searching for flights and discovering my final destination’s airport code. Some are self-explanatory: LHR, MIA.

Others have made me think, whaaaaaaaaa??—likeВ MSY for New Orleans, EZE for Buenos Aires. (Click the images below, if you’re curious!)

I’m glad that I now have an easy place to go to demystify them. Airportcod.es currently hasВ 369 airports from 91 countries, and the sites’ designers/developers, Lynn Fisher and Nick Crohn are adding more each day.

Someone You Love: A Feel-Good NYC Project

While we’re on the topic of delightful participatory art, I’m also smitten by theВ “Someone You Love” project.

Matt Adams, formerly the videographer for Improv Everywhere (remember this awesome conducting stunt?), recently asked New Yorkers to do three things: call, write to and kiss someone they love. He captured their reactions, which are priceless.

For “Call Someone You Love,” Adams taped quarters to a Brooklyn phone booth and put up a sign asking people to do just that.