How To Think Visually Using Visual Analogies

People often present ‘visual thinking’ as an inherent skill- either you have it, or you don’t. (And those who ‘have’ it are often portrayed as more creative and artistic than those who ‘don’t’.) But in reality, visual thinking can be learned and improved in a myriad of ways, such as coming up with new ways to conceptualize information.

Curiosity is a Superpower

Hollywood producer Brian Grazer’s grandmother changed his life when she told him curiosity would be his greatest attribute as long as he maintained the courage to use it. Grazer’s latest book, A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life (http://goo.gl/HxbfO2), maps his life’s journey of courage and curiosity.

The Phycology Behind Font Choices

Whether you’re writing a letter to a friend or creating a website, paying attention to details is crucial.  The ways we put our words together and the colors we pick can all become a reflection of who we are.  It’s no surprise that even our favorite fonts can give clues about our personality.

In typography, most fonts that have similar elements are grouped into families.  The serif family includes typefaces that carry a small extra stroke (or line) that’s usually attached to a larger stroke.  The most notable representative of this group is the Times New Roman. If you want something traditional, this is the font for you.

Looking to keep things a little more modern?  Ditch the extra letter stroke and switch to sans serif family.  It seems like an unimportant detail, but it makes a world’s difference.  This group includes century gothic, which many perceive as chic.

For something totally different, you can browse through the display family.  This is where unique fonts like Cooper and Giddyup are sure to bring some playfulness to your text.

If you want to really express yourself and Arial just doesn’t cut it, don’t worry.  There are plenty of other fonts to choose from. Just make sure you don’t spend more time choosing one than actually using it.  

Every Place in The Beatles Lyrics, Mapped

Take yourself on a tour of lyric locations in The Beatles songs. From Eleanor Rigby’s gravestone in Liverpool to Abbey Road in North London, see the locations behind The Beatles lyrics throughout England, France, Russia, India, the United States, and more countries, covering 25,510 miles around the world.

 

How 9 Iconic Creators Found Inspiration

The ways people search for their ideas can be both odd and dangerous. From laying down to headstands, find out how these 9 creators found inspiration in unique ways.

The Oldest Surviving Form of Theater in the World

The Japanese art of Noh is the oldest surviving theater tradition in practice. Dating back to the 14th century, the classical musical drama is derived from the Sino-Japanese word for “skill” or “talent.” When combined with the theater art of kyogen, Noh is known as nogaku. It was named an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

In Noh theater, there is little plot. Many performances are allegorical and metaphorical; historically, spectators were educated, thus they were familiar with the stories being represented and were able to appreciate the subtle references within the words and movements. Noh actors wear intricately carved masks to which they have a deep spiritual connection; some are handed down generations and believed to contain energies from past performers. Many masks are deliberately asymmetrical so that they evoke different emotions when viewed from the right side, left side, top, and bottom.

John Legend and Jesse Williams on Art and Activism

The Atlantic’s Adrienne Green sat down with Jesse Williams and John Legend for the cialis MLK special edition of the magazine to speak about their stances on racial injustice, the struggle for civil rights, and how artists can move the needle on both counts.

The sound that connects Stravinsky to Bruno Mars

If you listen to the first few seconds of Bruno Mars’ “Finesse” (hint: listen to the Cardi B remix) you’ll hear a sound that immediately creates a sense of 80s hip-hop nostalgia. Yes, Cardi B’s flow is very Roxanne Shante, but the sound that drives that nostalgia home isn’t actually from the 1980s. Robert Fink and the inventor of the Fairlight CMI, Peter Vogel, help me tell the story of the orchestra hit – a sound that was first heard in 1910 at the Paris Opera where the famed 20th century Russian composer Stravinsky debuted his first hit, The Firebird. The video below is, in short, a history of the original orchestra hit sample from The Firebird Suite to the 1982 hit “Planet Rock” to “Finesse.” And as a treat, here’s a playlist of way more songs with orchestra hits than you probably wanted.

I love the scene where Herbie Hancock is showing Quincy Jones the fairlight.

The Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument

See how playing a musical instrument can improve your life!

source: GuitarLessons.org