Pilcrow #21
Long black, typewriters and hands-on activities
Hey friends!
I'd like to start this edition by expressing my gratitude for your help with the survey I sent in the last edition! You provided a lot of feedback, both regarding the content itself and what you'd like to see in upcoming editions. Thank you very much! 🖤
Here are today’s topics:
What I’m working on
Thoughts on hands-on activities
Interesting works of the week
What I’m working on
This week I worked a bit on future updates of my Styles to Variables plugin for Figma, allowing users to have more options and flexibility.
I spent most of my time on a different project this time: my first LEGO mod. Steve Guinness came up with the original idea, and James May, Wes Talbott, and Martin Fink turned it into an official LEGO set. Steve tested various methods to accurately reproduce the movements and signature clicking sound of a real typewriter.
Through his iterations, he tested 3 colors: yellow, green, and gray. LEGO designers released the official set in green.
But if you know my work and/or me personally, you know that I’m not a big fan of the green color on objects in my environment. So I went through the instructions manual in the index section listing all the pieces and ordered additional pieces to replace the green ones with black ones. I used Notion to keep track of everything.
I’m still working on it, but the process so far has been great, I’m really excited to see it fully built and have some fun with it.
Thoughts on hands-on activities
Whether it’s a LEGO set, woodworking, pottery, or whatever — I think it can help us a lot with the stress, the fatigue, and the constraints we confront every day as designers, engineers, makers, etc.
There's a certain intangible quality associated with working with physical materials that goes beyond the act of typing on a keyboard. It's challenging to articulate precisely, but perhaps it relates to the sense of nostalgia and fulfillment we experienced during childhood when we were more actively involved in such endeavors. By reconnecting with these tactile pursuits, we tap into a source of joy and contentment that can positively impact our well-being.
Does that ring a bell to you? Well, welcome to the club!
Interesting works of the week
Variable fonts support in Figma — Website
Slé — Brand Identity
Gravity Climate — Website
Guimarães Jazz 2021 — 30th edition
That’s all, friends — have a great Sunday! 🖤