Aesthetic Apparatus: Amazing posters from folks fighting the good fight in Minneapolis. This crew is putting some serious ink to paper. One of their test prints is a good career for most designers.
Beast Pieces: The official blog of letterpress masters Studio On Fire. Be glad that people like this still have their hands on centuries-old technology.
BLACKCAPstudio: The husband-and-wife team of Kristofer Henry and Lynn Robinson are doing great things way up there in New Hampshire. Their blog, beyond the shadow of a doubt, is a daywrecker. Kris is a very able design foosball volleyer, too.
Chris Glass: Chris is one of those people who make you proud of your home state. Amazing talent. Worked for the man. Part of an amazing creative collective. Took part in the best Layer Tennis match ever. And a great beard, to boot.
CoinOp: Let's face facts - Portland is "bringing it" on the design and printing front these days. One example is PDX's own Pinball Publishing. Their official blog is worth your time.
Coudal Partners: A several-times-daily visit. Their Fresh Signals offer regular inspiration and their DIY ethic is something for everyone to shoot for. The folks behind Field Notes and Layer Tennis. Wow.
Design Observer: This group blog, which boasts Cleveland's own Michael Bierut (of Pentagram fame), brings decades of experience to each opinion. Great insight, served fresh each day.
The Donut Project: You've got to love the tagline of this blog started by a team of friends and graduates from Kent State University's Visual Communication Design program - "A young group of designers who aspire to inspire". Inspire they do, as The Donut Project is a daily visit, without a doubt.
Draplin Design Co.: Aaron James Draplin "gives a shit", and his blog - and work - is a testament to all that's right in the design world. His Field Notes are in my work bag and his merch is in our house. Once said, "Joseph Hughes. That's a good solid name, whichever way you look at it."
Grain Edit: An inspirational site "focused on classic design work from the 1950s-1970s and contemporary designers that draw inspiration from that time period." What more do you need?
Hoefler & Frere-Jones: These two brought the world a little font called Gotham. Maybe you've heard of it. Everything they do is amazing.
Hucklebuck Design Studio: Andy Hayes is doing some really great things down in Springfield. Another reason to believe in the Buckeye State. While you're at it, check out his blog - Andy's got "the eye".
House Industries: Originators of some seriously awesome typefaces. Whether it's function you're after or it's a certain, well-designed novelty, these guys have it.
ISO50: You've seen Scott Hansen's spectacular work everywhere, and his site ranks very highly among my daily reads. Dig deep into his portfolio if you want to see excellence in action and don't mind crying yourself to sleep.
Marian Bantjes: Marian's got talent in spades and a supernatural skill that we could all spend lifetimes working toward. A hard worker who deserves every accolade that comes her way.
Mikey Burton: Ohio pride! Mikey is a good friend and occasional co-conspirator. Part letterpress, part screenprint, all badass. Frequently works with another local institution, Cranky Pressman.
Nice Red Shorts: Josh Gerken is a friend and coworker who cares about good design, good food and making the world a better place. Also brings the pain from behind the drum kit for The Celebrity Pilots.
Pentagram: The masters. Great work, done over more than three decades. Big-time projects, big-time talent.
Strawberry Luna: Our friend Allison Glancey is reppin' it, and reppin' it hard, on the gig poster front from the Steel City. Hell, you've probably got one or more of 'em hanging on your wall already. Because, to put it mildly, she's kind of a big deal. Read her blog, too, if you love process like we do.
Words & Eggs: Lesley Yoder is crazy prolific. This super-talented Francophile not only runs the amazing Words & Eggs, but she also helms Every Bell That Tolls Me, My Green Screen and sells her awesome wares on Etsy. To say nothing of her penpal skills. Oh yeah, and she's working toward her Ph.D. All in a day's work.
