Studio Notes #106

Greetings and Good Vibes to you, Fine Folks. Here are this week’s Studio Notes™—quick bits delivered to you each Friday.

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I’m mesmerized by Hajime Miura’s freestyle performance at the 2026 World Yo-Yo Contest in Japan. The artistry and skill here is insane. The crowd’s reaction is entertaining as well. And to think, Hajime came in FIFTH place with this entry. I need to dig out my old yo-yos. Always had one around, but my goodness I had no idea about this wild scene.

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Today’s inspiration: a small collection of vintage lottery tickets from Japan. The color, type, and illustration is unexpected in an otherwise mundane thing. Which is common in Japan (see their manhole covers!). Even when you don’t win, you win.

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Also inspiring this week, David Notts’ tufted “rug” art. Simple designs, bold color, and meticulous carving (or shaving?) the threads to add dimension. Love these and would love to see some progress videos.

🏴‍☠️

The Goonies remains possibly my top favorite movie of all time. Fight me. So, you can imagine a studio-licensed prop recreation of the Copper Bones Key (and doubloon and map) caught my attention. This thing looks like the real deal, cast from the original prop owned by one of the actors.

This Week’s Poll

Last week I asked about your go-to pen type and surprisingly the good ‘ol ballpoint took a decisive win. I like a rollerball or gel, but I get it. Ballpoints are everywhere, dependable, etc. Sometimes you can’t beat a classic.

Featured Font

Danmade This Week

I think Flyrail will be my first variable font, which is potentially exciting for perhaps dozens of you and at the very least...me. It’s adding some extra work to this one, but progress is happening, fluidity is...fluid-ing. It consumed my week though, and this is all I have to show for it. So goes the glamorous profession of designing type.

I hope you have a restful weekend, and I’ll see you back here next week!

Cheers,