Studio Notes #65

Happy New Year, folks! Here's issue #65 of Studio Notes™—quick bits delivered to you each Friday.

🥔

Got mesmerized by these weaved Pringles photos. Art is everywhere! I'm going to try and find new ways to create with everyday, out-of-the-ordinary, temporary media this year.

🎥

My deep dive into Formula 1 continues. This past week, it was watching the movie Grand Prix (1966) for the first time. James Garner stars as an F1 driver, but it's an ensemble cast that tells the story of a racing season on and off the track. The movie on the whole is enjoyable, but I was blown away by the first twenty minutes where the cameras captured actual Monaco race footage alongside the fictional cars. And later scenes at Spa in Belgium and Monza in Italy. For 1966 (!) I thought the camera work, sound, and editing were incredible (for which it unsurprisingly won Academy Awards). The director even hired graphic design legend, Saul Bass, to help visualize race footage with artistic split screen effects. The plot was...okay. But visually, this movie was really inspiring. ★★★★

🪚

I could watch woodworking videos all day. I'm not a woodworker, but wish I had the patience and handiness it requires. One recent example: This satisfying video of a mid-century modern TV enclosure being made from scratch. Love this design! With space for sound bar and game stuff. Bravo.

📼

I'm so grateful for Stranger Things. A show my kids literally grew up on, and one that's been a household favorite. I absolutely loved the finale and it's championing of the outcasts and misfits as heroes. I'm refusing to nitpick it. Also...I believe.

What are you working on?

Took a little time over the break to figure out a template for F1 race result posters that I hope to make throughout 2026. You can follow along on a new Instagram account I made for fun type/motorsports experiments.

I'm also looking forward to making more type this year! And have some plans to evolve our Secret Club™—more on that very soon, along with the release of our latest typeface.

I send this with best wishes for a creative, peaceful New Year. Thanks, as always, for being here.

Cheers,