Freitag Zurich

Freitag, maker of messenger bags crafted from old truck tarpaulins, has completed their retail store in Zurich's Kreis 5 district. Recycled shipping containers tower 26 Meters high, and allow natural light to enter from removed sides. The understated design pays homage to the bags' beginnings an the minimalist interior keeps the focus on the product. Hmm: relevant, recycled materials coupled with clean, functional design. Weird. Wonder if it will work. From:Wallpaper

Ronald McHummer

While I'm not entirely convinced that this site will keep Hummer-drivin' soccer mommas from shoveling happy meal after fat-injected happy meal into the mouths of their squishy little offspring, it may help to elevate the collective consciousness of our super-sized obsessions. Give Ronald McHummer a go and see if you can't create your own cutting witticism that will only preach to the choir.

Snakes on a Phone

Obviously, we are all counting down the hours until this summer's epic Snakes on a Plane takes-off. Why not let those poor souls who have yet to see the light sip from the grail as well. Better yet, why not let Samuel El tell them himself. Any word on who put this extra slice of viral together?

Cock-A-Doodle. Sorry Mom.

In an effort to elevate awareness and money for nut cancer, poke has erected the Cock-a-doodle site. As you can see by my picture of The Challenger Rocket Ship, I am far above this type of childish humor. Seriously. Grow up. For more, see Adland I highly suggest you give it a go. And while you're at it, reach down and pull it out--you're credit card, that is. I'm so sorry.

GM: Build the Saab BioPower Hybrid NOW!

Again with the cars, I know, but I really do think that this may be the missing link from hybrid to electric (or even hydrogen). As I see it, we are already starting to miss the boat on hybrids. They really are not drastically more efficient than gasoline-only, at least on the vehicles that companies have chosen to apply the technology. And with rumors of fully electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to be made affordably available to consumers within 5-10 years, hybrids are looking less and less eco-sexy.

Until I saw this. The Saab 9-3 BioPower Hybrid Convertible. A mouthful. And potentially a car-full. This would be the world's first fossil-free Hybrid Vehicle, utilizing pure bioethanol with zero fossil CO2 emissions. And far from a sleeper pumping out 260 bhp and three times the torque with the E100 fuel and electric motors. And all-wheel drive for improved traction, so you can ditch your worthless SUV. But most appealing to we urbanites is the fuel saving 'Zero Mode' for city driving on electric power only for speeds under 30 mph.

I believe that this vehicle, or hopefully one of the many iterations of it's technology, will carry us into the next generation of oil-free vehicles. Building such a car may begin to atone for GM's horrendous past and unsightly present (ahem, Hummer). Go ahead and let them know if you think they can do better. I definitely will.

Upper Playground PDX

Upper Playground has opened up in Portland, only a few blocks away from the handi-pad. Although I was out of town for the grand opening, I stopped in yesterday and snapped a few shots. These guys hire some of my favorite designers and illustrators (see David Choe and Eduardo Recife) for their shirt designs. Love the prints, but any chance we'll see this stuff on a fitted tee?

Attn: Type Geeks, Helvetica the Movie!

That's right, Helvetica, a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture is here--or will be shortly. The launch is set to coincide with the 50th birthday of the typeface, and is meant to open larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. You can even order helvetican garb from the site; if you would consider wearing the "I Hate Helvetica" button, there's no need to continue reading alchemi.

Fail Harder Tees Now for Sale

You too can be a walking monument to failure. Clear script typography on a white American Apparel tee is a subtle reminder to keep failure close to your heart. And just look at how much fun you can have! Thanks to Ross and Chemin for being beautiful. To get yours, send Chemin an email and let her know how many you want. At 20 bones, I'll take one!

If it doesn't show up too well on your screen, NOTCOT had some nice things to say about it. Say something nice about WK12 on your highly-visited website and we might send you a free one too.