Black Rebel Motorcyle Club

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Just looking at this makes me want to head to a dive or hit the open road (windows down, of course). The colors, textures, die-cuts, and detail not only look great but really go with the band and music. The black CD just makes sense and really goes the attitude that makes BRMC so perfect when you are need of some solid rock music.
(design via The Uprising)

Broken Bells

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One of my favorite albums of the year, the Broken Bells debuted with this stellar limited edition box set. Not only does the box play an exclusive song made just for this set, you get a notebook, soft pack CD, glow in the dark stickers, and exclusive poster. Again, the design really goes with the music: moody, simple.
(design via Jacob Escobedo)

Broken Social Scene

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With the release of Forgiveness Rock Record, Broken Social Scene offered a limited edition colored vinyl box set. Along with the vinyl, the covers offer plenty of room for the artwork that has made even their CD’s nice.

Menomena

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I love Menomena. I was introduced them, coincidentally, at the same time that I was introduced to the fabulous works of Craig Thompson, who did the artwork for this CD case. The red parts of the image are actually the CD showing through die cuts in the case. As you spin the CD, different objects fill in the blanks and tell a story of their own. Thompson also did the artwork for the group’s latest release – I doubt it will disappoint..

I’m going to end with an album that isn’t a box but that I can totally appreciate. Nicely done:

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Have an album that isn’t listed here? Or maybe you’ve seen other formats used creatively? I’d love to see more!

Underwear by FM Belfast (Music Video) from Daniel Scheinert on Vimeo.

They understand why you are working at midnight on the day after Christmas
Some fellow designers and I lamented the fact that very few people understand our jobs or our schedules. They don’t understand why we work late, or on weekend and holidays. They also don’t understand that this is something we chose to do.  Being a designer is similar to being a doctor in the sense that you don’t leave the job at the end of the day. You are on call, you revolve around deadlines, and you wake up at 3am worrying about spot colors and trim sizes. While other people will be angry at your boss and the terrible injustices you suffer, another designer will understand that this isn’t just a job – it’s a lifestyle.

They will say I love you in the most attractive ways
Sure the message of the card is important, but really, the stock and design are more important. When something says “I love you”, it’s nice to know that someone checked the kerning as much as you will. Die cuts? Embossing? Interesting stock?! It’s the stuff of true romance.
*Bonus: You will have awesome wedding invitations.*

They will join you when you geek out
There are very few people who will let you talk about screens, fonts, and programs as much as another designer will. A few minutes into a conversation about the latest Apple offering and you can actually see someone’s eyes glaze over. They will pretend they can’t hear you talk, in detail, about the logo or typeface that catches your eye while you’re walking down the street. Start talking about upgrades or techniques in Photoshop and might actually kill a non-designer. Designers, on the other hand, will geek out just as much if not more than you. Instead of being a side topic, the shortcomings of the menu design can actually be the main topic of conversation (and they won’t think that is sad).

They come with a great music collection
I have met very, very few designers that didn’t have a totally killer music collection. When we work we listen to music, and we are constantly looking for new music to fill the hours. I know quite a few designers who design by day and are involved in music  at night. When you aren’t geeking out about design, you get to geek out about music to your hearts’ content.

They have passion
Designers are passionate about what they do. If they aren’t, they’re in the wrong field. Most of the designers I know have a constant stream of side projects that keep them entertained and exploring new ideas. It’s rare to hear a designer talk about how boring their job is because their job will most likely never get boring. This is a win for both people because you can share your side projects and interests and continue to learn and grow together. And passion in a relationship is usually a pretty good thing.

1.0 When you have a family, you will inevitably have family pile-ups! And they will be so fun!
Ah, the classic family pile-up. You’re all just chilling in the living room and bam! you’re suddenly crushed under the weight of your average looking parents and opposite sex sibling. The fact that your clothes are coordinated makes it so much more pleasant. You all smile at how pleasant it is. And then you look at a camera. Wait. What?

2.0 All you have to do to be a business professional is shake hands and smile
They say you can tell a lot about a person by their handshake, and this is especially true in the business world. Bonus points if you shake hands with skyscrapers or the entire world behind you.

3.0 Your coworkers will be so attractive
Old people? In the workplace? Don’t be ridiculous. Your coworkers will look will look like they just walked off the set of the TV show about your awesome job. Should someone be over the age of 30, you can rest assured that they will have the appropriate trendy eye wear to help those ancient eyes. The old lady that walks around muttering doesn’t exist, nor do the novelty sweatshirts that come out at every holiday. Also, that hot coworker isn’t flirting, he always just smiles and makes eye contact like that.

4.0 Old people love riding bikes
There’s really nothing more to add…

5.0 Pregnancy is a freakish thing
Not only does it involve a human being growing inside your stomach, pregnancy also causes people to do strange things, like make hearts with their hands over your stomach, or take close-up photos of them making out with your stomach. It causes people to think “cute! symbolic!” when they take picture of themselves holding a teddy bear in front of their stomach. Make that photo b+w and you’re done. I’ve seen way too many photos of pregnant women in bras, being kissed on the neck by the one partly responsible for the whole situation. Make a bunch of middle school kids go through one pregnancy stock gallery and you won’t even have to worry about teenage pregnancy.

6.0 Everyone is more diverse than you.
I’m sorry, but you’re borderline offensive if every outing doesn’t include one person in a wheelchair and at three diverse ethnicities, all wearing a coordinating but different colored polos. According to the photos, these diverse relationships and polo trends start during childhood. Despite the diversity, everyone is still skinny and attractive, so you don’t have to go too far outside your comfort zone (and yes, that’s sarcasm, so you can cancel that hate mail).

Ironically, I don’t have any photos on this page because I couldn’t justify paying for them and they weren’t worth breaking usage/copyright laws. Use your imagination or do a quick search on any of the topics above.

January 29: Burglar
I haven’t seen these guys live, but they promise to put on a good show. Channeling the days of dark cabarets and burlesque shows, and with some real local talent, I’m really excited to finally catch them!

February 9: Jemina Pearl
I wasn’t a fan until I saw her live, but wow was she fun. I may not ever listen to her in my car, but the girl knows how to rock. I’m guessing that this will be great to see in one of my favorite dive bars.

February 20: St. Vincent

St. Vincent is one of those artist that I just can’t help but like. Even if I didn’t like her, I would still probably try. Maybe it’s the whole vintage style, or maybe it’s just her eclectic style in general. She’ll be playing at a local goth bar, so even if the show disappoints, the venue will not.

March 4: Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s

I was devastated to learn that this band had been in town only one day before I found their music. I fell for them immediately and now, a year later, I can’t wait to see them live. Check out their single A Children’s Crusade on Acid and you will understand completely. Or just watch the clip above and swoon.

March 26: Temper Trap
Temper Trap is on regular rotation (once a day, at least) in our studio and it never seems to get old. Just announced today, the group will swing by Columbus for a CD101 Low Dough Show ($5!). This makes me, once again, thankful for a station that brings such awesome music our way!

March 29: Joanna Newsom

The high ticket price for this show (after Ticketmaster robs you with fees, about $50/ticket) has me doubting I’ll be there, but I’m sure it’s going to be great. While this is one artist that not everyone can appreciate, I find that her lyrics more than make up for her unusual voice. And hey, kudos for making it big by playing a harp.

March 30: Tegan + Sara
They were on the list, then off the list, and now they’re back on the list again. It’s taken a while, but I think I’ve finally come to terms with the new sound on their latest album. Plus, I’ve always wanted to see them live and I’ve missed the last three or four shows they played in town.

March 30 – Thursday, April 1:
Cincinnati’s MusicNOW Festival
Okay, Cincinnati: who has a music festival in the middle of the week?! I would absolutely hand over the the mere $50 to see St. Vincent, Joanna Newsom AND Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) but alas, I am normal and work during the week. To top off the awesomeness of this event, all of the shows will be held in the historic Memorial Hall. So, if you’re closer to Cincinnati than I am or have the freedom to just not work, please go and enjoy this for me.

March 31: Passion Pit

The song Sleepyhead was probably somewhere in my favorite songs of 2009 list. While I passed on their last stop in town, I’m really looking forward to seeing these guys this time around. There were talks of glow sticks and frenzy, and who doesn’t like that?

April 5: The XX

One of my favorite new bands of 2009, I was more than happy to find out that The XX would be stopping in Columbus. There might have even been a shriek of joy involved. While I’m not expecting a thrilling show (just watch the video), there is something undeniably addicting about their music that will still give me a concert buzz.

What shows are you most excited to see?

*READER ADDITIONS*
I have it on good authority that Langhorne Slim will be at The Summit on February 13. I have been informed that I will be there.

Also, Cracker will be performing an acoustic set at The Basement on February 12. It’s worth going for the song Low alone.

Cage the Elephant have had quite a bit of airtime this past year and will be playing at Newport on March 14.