Asterisk Group

Strange — but True

2011-08-29T14:09:00.005-05:00

Have a look at some fabrication samples for a signature interior sign for our clients at Brush 32 Dental and their new clinic in Round Rock. Finally, we get to specify dental floss as a signage material. Our friends at Capital Architectural Signs have worked up a prototype to make sure wound floss will hold up to heat.

New Fiction Confab

2010-04-08T14:09:00.003-05:00

Readers, literary aficionados: mark your calendars for Saturday, April 17th. The Austin Public Library Friends Foundation is hosting five of America’s finest emerging writers for readings and a Q&A moderated by Texas Monthly editor Jake Silverstein. Hear from writers Doug Dorst, Nell Freudenberger, Julie Orringer, ZZ Packer, and Wells Tower at the first in a series of “Confab” events at Austin’s libraries. Thanks to APLFF’s Tim Staley for looking the other way as we took an x-acto knife to a few paperbacks to create the promotional graphics and invitations.

More info at austinlibrary.org

ReFine magazine launch

2010-04-07T21:37:00.011-05:00

We joined clients Katy Sulester and Cord Shiflet (above left) — and a couple hundred of their friends and colleagues — to celebrate the publication of the first issue of ReFine magazine. Katy and Cord launched ReFine as a showcase for Central Texas' finest real estate offerings, and we were honored to be trusted with the naming, masthead, and magazine design. We believe ReFine signals a sense of optimism in the residential real estate market — surely a sign of an economy on the upswing. Cheers to Katy and Cord on their exciting new venture. We wish them pages and pages of success.

Our Friend Franklin Gothic

2009-11-10T16:04:00.006-06:00

We recently had the pleasure of meeting with a talented young illustrator and designer, Claude Ramey. Claude is a recent graduate of Texas State University and a transplant to Austin from San Antonio. Among the solid design work in his portfolio is a series of terrific illustrations called "Personality Types." Our favorite among them? Franklin Gothic. We'd like hang out with Franklin. Maybe have Bodoni over for bridge and gimlets. Futura? We're not so sure about that guy.

Claude is on the market. See more of his work at http://clauderamey.com

On the Road to Somewhere

2009-09-26T00:03:00.005-05:00

A true Talking Head will be leading a panel discussion on bikes, cities, and the future of two-wheeled transportation in Austin on Sunday, September 27th, at the Paramount Theater. The event starts at 7pm and is FREE. Reserve a ticket at www.austintheater.org/byrne

We were honored to create the advertising for the event.

Design Review: Cuisinart Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker

2009-09-25T23:34:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago, our beloved and well-worn coffee maker up and quit on us. It was a wretched morning to be sure, but it happened to coincide with yet another show-stopper of a sale at the local Macy’s. How lucky for us.

So we schlepped to the marble-floored Mecca of merchandise that evening and found ourselves a worthy replacement. Same body as the stalwart one we loved, but this time we splurged for the stainless steel thermal carafe. Hey, we thought, it'll save a little energy because it shuts off immediately after brewing in the morning.

It’s true all right. Hot coffee with less electricity. Tastes the same as that from our late glass-pot model. Ready for the slurpin’ at 6:45 each morning. Sadly, though, one thing was missing: the smell of the coffee. Seems that because the fancy thermal carafe is sealed up tight to keep the heat in, it also traps the aroma. Which makes the coffee experience seriously disappointing. Which makes 6:45 a bigger hurdle each day.

Next time, Cuisinart User Experience Team, please remember to consider all the senses that influence taste. Now where’s that receipt...