Wishful Thinking

The next time you find yourself debating a colleague about whether a logo should be purple or periwinkle, dispense with the overly analytical arguments and whip out the Wishpaper. Just like breaking an actual wishbone, the unpredictable tearing of a fibrous sheet of Wishpaper can be used to answer questions and resolve dilemmas.

Creator Daniel Young of Paradoxy Products says that in addition to saving countless turkeys, he wants to encourage people to submit to the power of random chance instead of always seeking control. Check out more of Young's products, including Lovepaper and Decisionpaper, at www.paradoxyproducts.com

MAKE A WISH

Wishpaper notepads ($4.99 each) contain 100 pieces of specially prepared paper printed with the image of a wishbone. Each fibrous sheet has a starting slit and tears randomly. Simply assign an outcome of a wish or hope to each side, grab a bottom corner and pull. Whoever gets the bigger piece wins.

The King of Brit-Bashers

After reading "The Evil Empire: 101 Ways That England Ruined the World," you get the sense that author Steven A. Grasse isn't totally smitten with the Brits. Grasse's book is an angry and amusing assault on everyone from "inbred royals" like Queen Elizabeth II ("the direct descendant of cannibalistic Druids") to the "pug-faced louts" of Scotland Yard. He also skewers cricket-playing, "pudding-bellied barons," Big Ben, the band Oasis, vainglorious Shakespearean actors and Sir Isaac Newton. Even poor Harry Potter doesn't escape Grasse's vitriolic wrath.

In addition to the tongue-in-cheek rants, the well-designed book features scores of clever illustrations. Find out more about "The Evil Empire" (Quick Books, $15.95) by visiting www.evilempirebook.com.

WORLDWIDE DOMINATION

Author Steven A. Grasse is founder and CEO of the edgy Philadelphia ad agency Gyro Worldwide. He also oversees "The International Coalition for British Reparations" (www. britishreparations. org), which is asking Mother England to dole out $58.4 trillion for ruining the world.

CALENDAR

December

  1. DECEMBER 1
    I.D. Annual Design Review

    Submit your designs from graphics and packaging to consumer products, environments and even concepts and winners will be featured in an upcoming issue of I.D. magazine.
    FEE $100 per entry
    FOR MORE INFORMATION (513)531-2690, ext. 1328;
    idcompetitions@fwpubs. com; www.id-mag.com

  2. DECEMBER 14
    TDC2 2008

    This Type Directors Club competition is for typefaces created in 2007. Winning works will be exhibited and published in a competition annual.
    FEE $30 for a single typeface entry; $25 for a single typeface entry for TDC members; $50 to $120 for type family entries.
    FOR MORE INFORMATION (212)633-8943;
    director@tdc.org; www.tdc.org

  3. DECEMBER 31
    Strathmore Letterhead Contest

    Submit letterhead and identity systems produced on Strathmore Pure Cotton, Strathmore Writing and Strathmore Script papers.
    Prizes range from $150 to $500.
    FEE None
    FOR MORE INFORMATION (800)THE-MILL;
    www.strathmore.com

January

  1. JANUARY 4
    TDC 54

    Enter your design work into this Type Directors Club competition that recognizes exellence in the use of typography, calligraphy, handlettering and other letterforms. Winning works will be exhibited and published in a competition annual.
    FEE $75 per entry; $60 per entry for TDC members
    FOR MORE INFORMATION (212)633-8943;
    director@tdc.org; www.tdc.org

  2. THROUGH JANUARY 20
    IDEO Selects: Works From the Permanent Collection

    See what past works have caught IDEO's eye at this exhibit that the design consultancy has curated from the Cooper-Hewitt's storerooms. Items on display include a wooden walking cane encasing a pullout map and a patterned woodcut from the 1700s.
    WHERE Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, New York City
    FOR MORE INFORMATION (212)849-8400;
    www.cooperhewitt.org

January

  1. THE LOOK BOOK
    BY CHRIS SICKELS

    HOW Books, $17.99
    A beautiful book chock-full of inspiring art and witty wordplay from award-winning illustrator and HOW contributor Chris Sickels.

  2. THE ALL NEW PRINT PRODUCTION HANDBOOK
    BY DAVID BANN

    Watson-Guptill Publications, $29.95
    A comprehensive and practical resource covering every aspect of contemporary print production.

  3. PICTURING AND POETING
    BY ALAN FLETCHER

    Phaidon Press, $39.95
    A final Alan Fletcher (1931–2006) monograph featuring the brilliant doodles and drawings of the Pentagram co-founder.

  4. BRAND JAM
    BY MARC GOBE

    Allworth Press, $24.95
    The subtitle of this invaluable branding book says it all: "Humanizing Brands through Emotional Design."

  5. SKETCHING USER EXPERIENCES
    BY BILL BUXTON

    Morgan Kaufmann, $49.95
    Author Bill Buxton's take on design process and thinking will intrigue creatives, usability specialists, product managers and business executives.