* Hodinkee + Huckberry + Timex Limited Edition Collaborations //

Loving my new Timex collaborations from Hodinkee & Huckberry with their fresh limited edition redesigns of the classic 1970’s Q Timex.

The Q Timex was one of the first affordable mainstream quartz watches upon its release in 1979, designed to combine accuracy and ability in a single functional package. Last year Timex re-issued its iconic quartz watch to immediate success. Hodinkee created their own limited edition version by deleting the calendar complication for a more symmetrical dial layout and stripping the steel bezel bare. The crisp white dial completes the simplified, cool, clean look.

Instead of reissuing a watch from Timex’s archives, Huckberry sat down with them to build their very own classic from the ground up—a tribute to legendary divers and flight watches from the mid 20th century. They drew on styles from the 70s and 80s and went with a military-inspired ‘crosshair’ dial with polished and faceted 6, 9, and 12 markers. Finished with a woven stainless steel bracelet and a functional aluminum timing bezel.

_photos : Eric Kass

* Travel : American Sign Museum //

* Finally visited the amazing American Sign Museum the last time I was in Cincinnati, Ohio and was overwhelmed with the awesome collection. Shot at ton of photos and a video to share with everyone but highly recommend you go check it out in person... historical, educational and simply beautiful. Really appreciate that they are rescuing and resurrecting these expertly crafted works of sign art preserving and protecting them for us all. See a few more photos and the video at Ephemerotica.com where I share my personal collection of vintage inspiration for folks with a passion for printing, typography, design and history //

* Collection : For the Record //

* My dad recently handed down to me his Epicure stereo setup he purchased in 1972 including tube amplifier and pyramid speakers which I added a modern U-turn Audio turntable. This has sparked a renewed interest in physical music and special limited edition vinyl collecting of classic and contemporary artists. Pictured are a few of my collection, many of which are from Luna Music an awesome, just down the block, Indianapolis record store and Newbury Comics . Through words, sound and vision these artists and albums endlessly inspire my life and work//

1. Soft Pow'r _Little Wings / 2. The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions _Seu Jorge / 3. Payola _Desaparecidos / 4. Lush Life _John Coltrane / 5. Golder _Haley Bonar / 6. Broken Bells / 7. Rivers and Stream _Lubomyr Melnyk / 8. Quiet is the New Loud _Kings of Convenience / 9. Spissy / 10. Illinoise _Sufjan Stevens / 11. A.M. _Wilco / 12. Nocturne _Wild Nothing / 13. 1989 _Ryan Adams / 14. Within and Without _Washed Out / 15. Easy Tiger _ Ryan Adams / 16. What's Going On _Marvin Gaye / 17. Chet Baker in New York / 18.  Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown _Vince Guaraldi Trio / 19. The Grey Album _Danger Mouse / Jay-Z / The Beatles / 20. Built on Glass _Chet Faker / 21. Kind of Blue _Miles Davis ***
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* Funnel : Eric Kass Studio Hideaway //

* collaborating with patrons worldwide, with Toby the wooly cockapoo, from an eclectic-mid-century-modern-infused-Midwestern-hideaway, south of Broad Ripple Village ( SoBro ), snug in the historic, densely wooded, Meridian-Kessler neighborhood of Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.// ( photos : Eric Kass unless otherwise noted ) 

 1. Falls City molded foam beer sign I've had since I was a kid 
2. College Court Condos courtyard ( photo details : 1928 College Park Apts - Bass Photo Collection / original non-working Dictograph transmitter in lobby ) 
3. Me & Mr. Toberson head of HR with part of my vintage books and objects collection and my drawings on the back wall ( photo : Stacy Newgent ) 
4. Work station with desk I made, vintage girl scout flag and original 1968 Robert Indiana The German Love limited edition serigraph
5. Stack of 55+ books I have work published in + Evel Knievel giant puzzle poster I got in 1972 and one of my paintings ( photo : Stacy Newgent ) 
6. Uturn turntable spinning Within & Without by Washed Out 
7. Succulents still thriving with Jonathan Adler vases 
8. Branded antique blasting caps wood box from the farm where I grew up and found explosives metal sign

* Travel : Seeking Truth & Beauty in The Great Pacific Northwest //

* Spent an amazing week in The Pacific Northwest crashing on the couch of one of my oldest friends and mentor Darryl Brown, who lives in Newberg, Oregon and is a designer at George Fox University. We explored Crater Lake National Park and hiked the Oregon coast. I spent a couple days in Portland scouring vintage stores, design boutiques and the cavernous Powell's Bookstore. Also while in the city I enjoyed local beers with an old Indiana friend & great photographer Kurt Hettle and was fortunate to meet with another Hoosier transplant Brad Trost, a talented Art Director at the legendary ad agency Wieden + Kennedy, who graciously gave me a tour of the renowned office. I rounded out the trip driving to Seattle for coffee & conversation with Liz Pachaud of Honor Society Coffee to discuss potential branding work and met with the awesome in-house design team at Starbucks HQ to present my portfolio. //

1. Souvenir Loot : ( map / engraving patch / matchbook : Smut Vintage Portland, OR ) ( beauty, great, explore patches : Prism Seattle, WA ) ( Hand-Eye Supply patch, Portland, OR ) ( key tags : Budd + Finn Portland, OR ) ( Deschutes Brewery patch, Portland, OR ) ( Stay True patch, Porch Light Portland, OR )

2. Portland Outdoor Store, OR

3. Pacific City Oceanside, OR

4. Ford Thunderbird : City of Creswell, OR

5. Me in Oceanside Beach, OR ( photo : Darryl Brown )

6. Crater Lake National Park, OR

7. Wieden + Kennedy Ad Agency Basketball Court, Portland, OR

8. The Alchemy of Coffee, Starbucks World Headquarters, Seattle, WA

9. Space Needle, Seattle, WA