A nice typeface tribute to Gilbert Baker.
More back story here.
The Box →
This is a fascinating account of the very analog part of the Edward Snowden leak: how he moved the documents from point A to point B. It involves code words and, surprisingly, the United States Postal Service. The piece also points out that, while the narrative of the leak is fairly well known at this point, the story from Snowden's point of view still hasn't been told by Snowden.
“We would call the unnamed source the “architect” and refer to the mysterious shipment as “architectural materials.” The recipient of the package would be called the “sink.” Should that person prove to be unavailable, I would find a backup choice, whom we would call the “other sink.” The NSA or FBI would be called the “co-op board” — a tribute to the truculent nature of such boards in New York City. And if either of us wrote, “The carpenter quit the job,” that meant it was time to start over with a new plan.”
Curvature Continuity →
Mark Stanton writes on Apple's corner design:
...you might look at Apple’s icons and think that they’re just a rounded square or a ‘roundrect’. If you’ve been designing icons, you know that they’re something different and may have heard the word squircle used (mathematical intermediate of a square and a circle). And if you’re an Industrial Designer, you recognize this as a core signature of their hardware products.Ever since iOS 7, app icons went from being rounded squares to something more complex and refined. While everyone gets that Apple pays attention to the most minute details, not everyone sees the obvious logic behind this seemingly small change.
Manager Builders →
I wrestle constantly with the maker's schedule versus the manager's schedule.
This piece by Rands was a nice reminder to make time for making, especially this:
...every manager should have work on their plate that involves long periods of thinking as a daily antidote for busy. We need to be reminded of the healthy mindset that accompanies the act of building.
Middle America Does Not Have a Monopoly on Tough Times →
Drew Magary, writing for GQ:
Middle America does not have a monopoly on tough times. There are a lot of people living in cities and elsewhere who have it just as rough, if not worse. And guess what? No one seems to give a shit. In fact, the GOP just orchestrated a whole campaign to disenfranchise a lot these voters, so you’ll pardon me if I save my empathy for the people who are actually screwed now, instead of the voters who did the screwing. I’d rather not waste my time trying to psychoanalyze why so many people were captivated by a political message rooted in pure hate. There’s no time for that. I’m going to fight instead.