The check that survived How Burberry saved its most famous design asset

open.substack.com/pub/firstitm...

Great Wave follows 'golden ratio' proportions.

Of course, the Great Wave follows 'golden ratio' proportions.

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

The New Yorker (US) 2017

Washington Post Magazine 2016

Objektiv (Slovenia) 2025, designed by Tomato Kosir

Tapas magazine (Spain) 2017 Art director Sandra de Miguel

Suddeutsche Zeitung Magazin (Germany) 2020 Concept & art Jonas Natterer / Artdirector Thomas Kartsolis / Editorinchief Tim Klotzek

Adbusters 2016

The Economist 2017

Some really interesting magazine cover designs featuring Donald Trump.

As shared by Cover Junkie: coverjunkie.substack.com/p/have-we-se...

See it, and many other Edo-period ukiyo-e prints at Beneath the Great Wave: Hokusai and Hiroshige at The Whitworth Gallery, Manchester until 15 November 2026.

When first produced, impressions could be bought in Japan for the price of a large serving of noodles. 8,000 prints were published, but only around 100 originals survive. Despite its humble beginnings the artwork has become a global icon, influencing design and popular culture across the world.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa artwork by Katsushika Hokusai.

Probably the most recognisable and timeless Japanese artwork, The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北) 1760-1849, is a colour woodblock print.

I also work in this industry.

I can’t understand why anyone ‘creative’* would choose to outsource the fun part of the process - problem solving, experimentation, playing with ideas. To be left with just admin.

Yes, it’s about filling the wallet, but what about the soul?

*everyone is creative.

Easter egg verses same weight of chocolate in standard packaging.

Easter egg verses same weight of chocolate in standard packaging.

The packaging of Easter eggs is so excessively wasteful. There’s a culture of bigger box is better. And gives more shelf real estate.

Pictured here ≈400g Easter egg. Versus ≈400g of chocolate in standard packaging.

The egg takes up 10x the space! Not efficient or economical. And dishonest too!

You’re confusing design (how it works/solves a problem), with styling (how it looks).

If the Miele works better, it is better designed.

Design is worth paying for.

Subscribe to First it Must Last Design that stands the test of time. Quality. Simplicity. Trend-resistance. Honesty. Durability: design with character and emotional connection. Design made to be lived with and loved. Click to read First...

My first First It Must Last newsletter goes out on Wednesday It's a bi-weekly look at design that stands the test of time. I'd love to include you on the subscriber list.

If you're interested, get involved here:

The first newsletter launches on April 1st. You can subscribe here: firstitmustlast.substack.com/subscribe

If you’re interested in creativity. If you want to hear the stories behind the world’s best designs. If you want to learn what ties all these things together. Please subscribe for free to receive new bi-weekly updates. Even better, tell a friend.

Explain what these items have in common. Why a great idea, craftsmanship, durability, materials. simplicity. honesty, history, character, repairability and trend-resistance help to create more meaningful design, build an emotional connection and last.

Once a fortnight I will tell the story of a piece of product, architectural, graphic or fashion design.

For years, I've been interested in what makes some designs stand the test of time. So much so that I have been collecting stories about these items.

I’m launching a newsletter called First it Must Last that will celebrate items and icons that have been designed to endure.

Hare Psychopathy Checklist (Original) (PCL-22) - Psychology Tools The Original Hare Psychopathy Checklist is a 22-item psychological assessment tool designed to assess the presence of psychopathy in individuals.

The Hare Psychopathy Checklist is a psychological assessment tool that was designed in the 1970s to assess the presence of psychopathy in individuals.

The original test consists of a 22-item checklist of perceived personality traits and observable behaviours.

psychology-tools.com/test/pcl-22

*Interval not internal.

I’ve also been to the Zippo and it’s quite traditional/old school. Revel Puck much better. More contemporary arts performances. No animals etc.

Revel Puck Circus The Revel Pucks are a contemporary circus company from East London. Touring productions for everyone, from everywhere.

Have a look at the Revel Puck Circus if they’re near you. Very family friendly and uplifting. They have an internal so your little one could have a run around outside or toilet break if needed. Highly recommended.

www.revelpuckcircus.com

Does anyone have any ideas what’s going on here?

It looks like a military fighter jet tailing a commercial airliner. They passed over Brighton going south at about 8:30am today. Made a lot of noise.

Wordle 1,727 3/6

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Yeah, apparently so. I’m not sure why I’d watch the film when I could just watch a real race. Seems like an advertorial for the sport. I’ll give the other two a go.

I’m thinking Hamnet, One Battle After Another and/or Sinners. Mainly because I don’t know much about the other nominees.

So far, I have only watched one Oscar nominated Best Picture.

❌ Bugonia
❌ F1
❌ Frankenstein
❌ Hamnet
✅ Marty Supreme
❌ One Battle After Another
❌ The Secret Agent
❌ Sentimental Value
❌ Sinners
❌ Train Dreams

I’ll try to catch a couple more before the awards on Sunday.

Any recommendations?

To Whom This May Concern, by Jill Scott 19 track album

Listening to the new Jill Scott album. Favourite song: Beautiful People.

jillscott.bandcamp.com/album/to-who...

Presuming United break the bank to bring in one (or more) of our well publicised central midfield targets.

Do you think we will unearth more relatively cost-effective, under the radar, but still first team ready gems like Dorgu, Lammens and Heaven to bolster the squad?

Would you recommend?

I originally watched Requiem for a Dream when it came out in 2000. I’ve just watched it again.

It’s a traumatic and heartbreaking depiction of the downward spiral of addiction.

It’s such a good film! The cinematography, soundtrack acting and editing and all on point.