|what every college grad needs|

OK, so maybe not every college graduate. But imagine my sheer glee upon discovering that a family friend had ordered 8 of these delightful letter coasters for me. This typography nerd got excited!

The company is Little Factory, and you can check out their other charming products, including a serif tote bag and typographic scarfs.

Graphic designer coasters: just another reason to anticipate my future apartment!

-J. Gibb

|shoot Comic Sans|

Rusty on font identification? Two years after my first—and only—course in typography, I know I am. Enter Deep Font Challenge.

This online game quickly quizzes your ability to distinguish telltale font characteristics based on single letterforms, a difficult but noble pursuit. Basically, you are commanded to either shoot or not shoot a specific font before running out of time. I had never seen and/or heard of some the candidates in this game, but I suppose that is to be expected. What really threw me for a loop was when I first received the order, "Don't shoot Comic Sans," a highly counterintuitive suggestion, in my opinion.

Do you have what it takes to master the fonts?

-J. Gibb

P.S. :-O>>> Thanks to Stephanie Ward for passing this site on to me!

|cut it out!|

Doubly delicious. Beverly Hsu has crafted these clever cookie cutters out of aluminum and acrylic, and I must say that I wouldn't mind owning a set (she plans to make more and sell them soon), even though I find Helvetica to be a bit overused right now.

Check out Beverly's blog for more yummy pics!

-J. Gibb

P.S. :-O>>> Thanks to Scott Cushman for this find.

|cats do what?|

A new year and a new decade calls for a new calendar! However, if your New Year's resolution is to save money, then this one probably isn't for you. Still, we can admire the design.

Created by Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar (ha), this calendar annually collects 12 seemingly random phrases and colorfully emphasizes the month name hidden on each page. I don't think I can pick a favorite, but I'm a big fan of January ("NINJA BUNNIES RUN NEARBY").

The calendar is available in two sizes, but the smaller one has already sold out, which leaves you with the $50 option. I'll just continue to admire it via the Web...

--J. Gibb

|catch intro if you can|

As a type lover, I adored the opening title sequence of the film Catch Me if You Can, and I remember it more than the movie itself. Designed by Paris-based artists Kuntzel+Deygas, the introduction elegantly combines extending letter forms with simple shapes, solid colors, and minimal texture. Overall, the sequence exudes a cool and modern feel while still alluding to the era of the film's story. Check it out here and let me know what you think!

--J. Gibb