Scrabble Typography, The 2nd Edition by Andrew Capener, Spells A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

I first wrote about Andrew Capener's original Scrabble Typography Edition back in April of 2012. Only 200 sets of his original design (shown below) were made and quickly sold out to typophiles and scrabble enthusiasts.


above: The first Scrabble Typography edition had different fonts, tiles, game board and packaging

The 2nd Edition:
Since then, the designer has been busy refining and redesigning the game board, pieces and packaging. This beautiful and improved second edition has been produced in a limited series of 2,000 but again, is selling out quickly.



The signed and numbered limited edition set designed by Andrew Capener combines the beauty of typography with classic Scrabble gameplay PLUS premium features, making this the most fun, beautiful, and functional Scrabble set ever.




The Typography aspect is highlighted by 15 fonts never used before on any Scrabble set. These fonts look truly marvelous juxtaposed against the beautiful maple wood of the Scrabble tiles. These tiles look just as amazing against the walnut Scrabble gameplay surface.



There are numerous deluxe components included with this set beginning with the built-in lazy susan and the non-slip surface on the back of each tile. This enables each player to rotate the set with each turn.



Lift off the beautiful walnut cover to reveal a maple base with cork lining and compartments to store all of the deluxe components.

• Walnut Cover featuring Scrabble Typography Gameplay Surface
  
• Maple Base w/ Cork-lined Interior for Game Component Storage
  
• Built-in Lazy Susan
  
• Fabric Scrabble Tile Pouch with Drawstring
  
• Timer with Solid Walnut End Caps
  
• (100) Solid Maple Tiles + 15 new Typefaces and non-slip backing
  
• (4) Solid Walnut Tile Racks
  
• Stitched Scorekeeper with Pencil
  
• Stitched Rule Book
  
• Signed and Numbered Certificate

This edition features Bauhaus inspired game components including solid walnut tile racks and solid walnut timer end caps. This set also includes a gorgeous fabric tile pouch with drawstring and a stitched “scorekeeper” with pencil to allow you to record some truly beautiful memories.

$199 buy it here

Also available through Fab.com (if you don't have an invite to this terrific site, please use mine by clicking here )

ABOUT ANDREW CAPENER:
Andrew Clifford Capener is a designer and entrepreneur. His work has been featured in GQ, DETAILS, New York Magazine, TIME and in many other major publications throughout the world. He was named to the "Global Hot 100" by the World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2013. He lives and works in Southern California where he is passionately honing his design craft.

Resurrect Your Workout With Limited Edition Zombie Bells.

Onnit's Zombie Bells are four different limited edition, fully functional kettlebells made of chip-resistant iron with enlarged handles that are cast in wonderfully goulish faces of the undead.




Hand sculpted from real human skull dimensions these collectors limited edition Zombie Bells are functional embodiments of undead iron. Perfectly balanced and ideally proportioned for swings and fitness lifts, Onnit is including FREE Zombie Kettlebell Wristguards for the 1.5 pood (54lbs) and 2 pood (72lbs) editions to ease the arm pressure for heavier overhead training.



The four different sizes, weights and faces (shown below)can be purchased individually or as a set

MegaDead (72lbs):


GhostFace Thrilla (54 lbs)


Staple Head (36lbs)


Brain Goblin (18lbs)







Buy them here.

PICTO, The 2D House Symbol Turned Into A Charming Abode For Birds.

Picto created by Birds For Design for brand Qui est Paul? is a birdhouse that offers a modern attractive shelter for small birds. The simplicity of its 3D shape is inspired by the common 2D symbol or pictogram of a house, hence the name Picto, as in pictogram.



Besides its reduced design, it is mountable on different ways: standing on a wooden spike or suspended. In Fall, when all the birds leave the protective birdhouse, it is easily opened from inside in order to clean it properly. The backside clap consists of translucent-grey Plexiglas window which allows you to observe the nesting birds.



Suspended or perched, the cute and colorful Picto fits all gardens and balconies and it available in tons of color options.

Material : Polyethylene HD (Leg is wood)
Dimensions : Nest box : 25 cm x 20 cm x H 28,5 cm - Leg : H 140 cm

buy it here.

For distribution in various countries, go here

Hot Design and Branding For A Cold Product: Batch Ice Cream

The Ice Creamists and Eyescream and Friends are only two of the newer ice cream companies to have unique and fun branding. Meet Boston's Batch Ice Cream.


above: Batch Ice Cream founders Veronica Janssens and Susie Parrish

Founded in 2009 and launched in 2010 by native Bostonian Susie Parrish and Netherlands-born Veronica Janssens, Batch Ice Cream is ice cream made completely from scratch, using only real ingredients. By “real”, they mean there’s nothing in there with a crazy name, like xanthan gum or carrageenan or even corn syrup. The two worked with many local and Fair Trade suppliers to find just the right ingredients for their natural, pure and unique flavors.




Now with seven delicious flavors and a mobile food truck, Batch Ice Cream has been receiving a lot of favorable press in the Boston area. Not yet available outside of New England, the simplicity and purity of the product is conveyed through their chalkboard-illustrated packaging and branding.

Packaging:




Mobile Truck:




Point of Purchase:


Info Cards:


Logo:


Website:
Their new website, created by the Boston office of Arnold Worldwide, utilizes the chalkboard typography and look in an easy-to-navigate, charming and informative fashion.

Below are examples of the website's design and interface:




Pints of Batch Ice Cream can be found in grocery stores and other shops throughout New England - look here for the list of shops that carry batch® -

Batch Ice Cream
images courtesy of Batch Ice Cream, The Boston Globe and The Dieline.

Uber Stylish Backgammon Set by Arik Ben Simhon and Ben Frankforter.

This lovely, easy-to-carry, modern backgammon set crafted of oak with wooden playing pieces comes in a self-contained case of either wood or a flocked finish.





Photos © Ori Ackerman

Price $440
Buy it here

Game Of Thrones and HBO Unveil Their Second Brew, Take The Black Stout.

If you hadn't already heard, Brewery Ommegang and HBO partnered on a series of beers inspired by the critically-acclaimed drama Game of Thrones.

The first release, the golden amber Iron Throne ale, sold out quickly due to small quantities and great demand. The second, soon to be released "Take The Black Stout", is said to be doubled in volume, so there's enough to go around for avid fans.



Take the Black Stout is a 7% beer, brewed with base, caramel, chocolate and roasted barley malts. Hopping includes Great Northern hops; spices are licorice root and star anise. Hue is black with full tan head. Aromas include chocolate, caramel, and earthy hops, light roastiness, a touch of fruitiness. Tastes include chocolate, coffee, rich malts, and balanced roastiness. Clean hop bitterness joins with slight woody character and spiciness; the finish offers sweet malt character leading to spicy, earthy, hop bitterness.



Take the Black Stout is named for the oath taken by those who stand the Night’s Watch at the Wall, defending Westeros against northern.



above: The label features the Weirwood trees considered sacred by the people of the North. It was designed by a52, the same studio that designed the impressive opening sequence for "Game of Thrones."


above: screengrab of a Weirwood tree from Game of Thrones

Take The Black Stout will be available in limited quantities in 750ml bottles & 1/6 BBL kegs beginning October 2013.

Brewery Ommengang and HBO are said to be releasing four game of Thrones Beers in total.

If you never heard about the first release, Iron Throne Ale, here's some info and pics for you:



Iron Throne is a blonde ale at 6.5% ABV and brewed with a robust amount of pils, honey malt, aroma malts and red wheat. Gentle hopping includes Styrian Golding and Hallertau Spalter Select, appropriately noble hops. Spiced with grains of paradise and lemon peel. Hue is a slightly hazy golden amber. Head is full and fluffy. Finish is crisp, backed by a touch of spice and hops. Aroma is a bit grassy with a hint of lemon fruitiness from the lemon peel. Taste is lightly malty, rounded out by honey malt sweetness.



info and images courtesy of Ommengang Brewery.

As a fun aside, check out this "Beer of Thrones" parody video by Comediva:


Don't miss this post on Geekologie where they share some fun faux beer labels inspired by fantasy drama.