Couldn't have put it better myself...

Am amazing blog post from illustrator Gary Taxali entitled "Don't Call Me"

"In the last little while, there has been a MAJOR backslide in the industry. Poor rates have been an issue for a while but things are becoming worse. Clients' fees are getting even lower and the rights they're demanding are even higher.


You want examples? How about SWATCH calling me and asking me to design a watch. They wanted a complete transfer of copyright for a paltry fee. As if that's going to happen. Google calls me and wants my work for their new search engine all over the web, the fee? Nothing. Editorial clients are slashing 1999's fees almost in half and citing the bad economy as an excuse. You know what? My excuse is that the economy is bad so you have to pay me MORE for an illustration. How's that for an economic stimulus package?


So here's to every client with shitty fees and terms. Do not waste my time or contact me. I am very busy working with clients who respect artists and you're wasting my time with your solicitations. So for you, I give you a special salute that I hope will keep you away because I don't need your work."

The Ampersand

Yup, a blog entirely dedicated to the Ampersand. This under appreciated, sweet dude is finally getting the attention he so deserves.

The Ampersand is one of my favs!!!

Check the blog out here
While you are at it check out this flickr group dedicated to our curvy friend.

Addictive Website.

I have been obsessed with this website for sometime now, thanks to our intern Allison. Check it out here NOTCOT.org

It's a user submitted website featuring all things design.
Also check out NOTCOT.com, TasteSpotting.com and NotCouture.com, also equally addicting.

So what is NOTCOT?

NOTCOT Inc is a growing network of design sites currently including NOTCOT.com and innovative community contributed sites NOTCOT.org + TasteSpotting.com + NotCouture.com.

NOTCOT is a visual filtration of ideas + aesthetics + amusements. NOTCOT's two sites have become the daily sources of inspiration for creatives everywhere, fighting the good fight against "creative block" since 2005 with visually stunning imagery, the latest in international trends, and a passion for all things well designed.

NOTCOT.ORG is a community of creatives, design lovers, and trendsetters - where .org serves as the studio bulletin board gone digital - each image and caption brings you to a place worth visiting. It's about sharing what inspires you. Bookmarks, del.icio.us, digg, blogrolls, etc. make you read, search and think. This is the PICTUREBOOK to their novel. NOTCOT.COM is the editorial face of NOTCOT, offering in-depth features on products, artists, technology, innovation, and up-and-coming trends.

With the addition of TasteSpotting and NotCouture, what more could one need. TasteSpotting delivers the creme de la creme of delectable food and drink from our community of foodies. NotCouture keeps you looking your best, as users find the latest and greatest in fashion and beauty for men and women. (And don't be fooled, this is a designer's take on fashion, not just the usuals in every magazine you see)