NOTHING: SOMETHING: NY COMPLETES DESIGN OF THE ALEMBIC BAR & RESTAURANT, SAN FRANCISCO; RAVE REVIEWS

We are happy to announce our completion of The Alembic. Thank you to friends and fans for the incredible feedback pouring in from all over the country -- everyone seems to be really excited by how this turned out. Tremendous thanks to Dave McLean for the amazing trust and support shown throughout this beautiful project. Cheers, man – we look forward to a serious toast. Below are a few reviews we liked.

“The wittily laid-out menu features a cover that somewhat mysteriously states "Good Friends and Great Enemies," and whose back mentions "Unsurpassed Attention, Unless We're Busy." The Alembic's menus are short and sassy. Inside there's a page of "Nibbles," seven dishes ranging from sweet and savory roasted nuts with sage to crispy duck and porcini mushroom risotto cake with mango coulis, and another page entitled "Local Love," — we're told ingredients come from nearby "small ranchers, farmers, and other artisan producers." There's also one with 14 small plates meant for sharing with meat, vegetable, and fish dishes interspersed in no particular order. It's a menu that inspires hunger in me: Everything sounds yummy, from the charred young Monterey squid, nine-spiced, with coriander seed vinaigrette, to the jerked lacquered chicken wings with cool yogurt dipping sauce.”
–Meredith Brody, SF WEEKLY

“An atmosphere of gritty, bluesy cool pervades this intimate, rough-hewn yet sophisticated bar and small-plates restaurant, where a person can get a bourbon old-fashioned and a slow-braised oxtail sandwich. The whole room smells of roasted malt and old wood, and features a tin ceiling and soft, bare-bulb droplights against dust-colored walls. The drink list is filled with the brown stuff---Manhattans, Sazeracs, and a turn-of-the-century rye whiskey concoction known as The Bone---perfect for gambling types and transients in vintage fedoras."
–Zagat

"The Alembic wooed me with its expert mixologists, smooth atmosphere, and sexy graphic design. Hot menus! Yeah, baby. Their website is slick, too. Done by the reputable NY firm Nothing:Something. One might have considered "accidentally" slipping a menu into ones jacket before stumbling out the door."
-Yelp

EDEN LUN

january, 2007

We are entering the second phase of what has become a beautiful relationship with Couture Barcelona Atelier Eden Lun. Can’t wait to show everyone some of the amazing work coming out of this project. Can’t wait to get back to Barcelona…

NSNY PRESENTATIONS

January, 2007

kevin landwehr & devin becker to present on nothing: something for maryland institute

NEW YORK CITY: Saturday, January 6th, 2007 – 7PM / Hotel Sofitel / 45 WEST 44TH STREET

PHILADELPHIA: January 13, 2007 – 7PM / Hotel Sofitel / 120 SOUTH 17TH STREET

cantaloup redesign launches / e-commerce shop goes live

NSNY redesigns for the future perfect entering production (maybe) (probably)

Yes! So close! WE CAN TASTE IT.

CHARITABLY CHIC!

December, 2006

charitably chic! nothing: something’s “apparel for life” line for the american red cross launches with national “pop-up” fashion show support

Calling it “glam that gives back,” the American Red Cross launches its new line of stylish T-shirts “Apparel for Life.” These fashion-forward T-shirts, designed by New York design Agency Nothing: Something: NY, draw on the history and longtime values of the Red Cross that are spun into fresh designs for the in-vogue Red Cross supporter.

The Red Cross Apparel for Life line features eight trendy tees drawing on historical elements of the Red Cross that are recast in a funky fashion. As part of its publicity launch, all eight tees will be featured in public, high-energy fashion shows being held on college campuses across America. While there, lucky attendees will receive A-list treatment as they sit in the traditional fashion show atmosphere of a white chair-lined, 36-foot runway.

Log on to the Redcross.org Store (www.redcross.org/store) to learn more about the Apparel for Life series of t-shirts. Proceeds from the Redcross.org Store support the lifesaving work of the American Red Cross.

Great thanks goes out to Peter August Heffner for his invaluable help with this project.

HONORS, IDENTITIES AND MOVIE MAKING

November, 2006

NSNY honored by print magazine for typographic excellence [print 2006 regional design annual] made her think: “procession of obsessions”

We’re very grateful to be featured in the 26th edition of Print’s Regional Design Annual. The winning project is last season’s “Procession of Obsessions” catalog for Meredith Kahn’s Made Her Think, our third such award, this time beautifully photographed by Carlo Van de Roer. Over 25,000 entries were submitted for this year’s competition, with less than 3% selected for publication. More information is available at http://www.printmag.com/. Thanks Print!

NSNY short film for meredith kahn’s made her think (volume v) complete

A HUGE nod of love & gratitude to Meredith Kahn, our rock and our muse. Great thanks also to Whit Lane & Craig Salmon for bringing the Bravado, the Corpse Bride cameras and (as always) the skillz.

café 1980 identity program & interior complete

Love & congratulations to Noel Hennessy, whose fixed dedication to the vision is what makes it all work. Noel, we can’t imagine where any of us would be without you, But if we had to, we’d say we’d be uninspired & sleeping. Thanks also to Karyn Wiseman of REPLICATE for the gorgeous wall prints. Wow!

NSNY PROFILED IN NOVUM

October 2006

NSNY profiled in october issue of novum.

Nothing Something goes to Europe! We’re pleased to announce our publication in the October issue of Novum: World of Graphic Design, a monthly periodical covering the best in contemporary design, photography & illustration in Germany. A review and samples from our portfolio are featured throughout the magazines showroom column, which highlights new talents and the latest design trends from around the globe. Projects for Bo Aveshek, Made Her Think, Bing Bang Jewelry, The Metropolitan Club and A&G MERCH are among the 15 pieces on display.

“Nothing : Something: NY – or NSNY for short, offers a whole lot more than what the name indicates. These finger-on-the-pulse graphic designers in Manhattan are reconfiguring the creative boundaries in branding.” Scroll down to read the full article.

Visit http://www.novumnet.de/ for more information.

FULL ARTICLE:

Nothing: Something: NYWatch out Manhattan! Some of the 'mojo" is exiting SoHo. Yep, it's drifting across the East River to the ultra-hip Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. There's a full-blown design scene sprouting there, spearheaded by some of America's most adventurous artist/designer types who are busily reconfiguring the creative boundaries of clothing, furniture, jewelry, interiors and such.

Amid the hullabaloo is one of the new trendsetters in graphic design, the Nothing: Something: NY (NSNY) design office. Since Kevin Landwehr and Devin Becker founded it seven years ago, NSNY has jumped into the cultural mainstream, establishing its reputation with work for the young Manhattan/ Williamsburg tastemaker sets. "When it comes to style and taste making we work in the belly of the beast, many times for the beast," laughs Landwehr.

However, according to the principals, who met as students at the Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore, they avoid trends. "Our work is intended to be in the moment, never about the moment." Marked by a penchant for balancing typographic classicism and an appreciation of vintage visual vernaculars and specialty printing, with a restrained, "ok, sometimes chaotic" modernism, their approach reflects respect for classicism while projecting a sense of edge. "Consistently, our goal is to channel the past into something meaningful, beautiful, and emotionally compelling."

And effective!At NSNY the bottom line is the bottom line. Yes, they're inventive types, but they're also businesspeople that quickly get at client ambitions and trump them. "Many of our clients are seeing profits and growth in excess of 300% per season. We're not just creative to them; we're an investment that pays big dividends."

Obviously, whether they're developing branding approaches for the New York fashion vanguard or trendy SoHo eateries, designing album packaging for half-dressed electro-punk girls and over-dressed rockers, or producing animated spots for FUSE Music Television, the highly individualistic approach of the Nothing: Something: NY team gives clients a bunch more than nothing for something.

Lanny Sommese, NOVUM

UNBELIEVABLY BUSY

September, 2006

bramm premium denim identity program complete

Thanks to Carlotta Elektra from CHOICE – you’re right, you looked wicked in those jeans, girl ;-)

It’s been another unbelievably busy month spent designing identities for THE MUSICIANS AGENCY, FUNCTIONWORKS, BRAMM PREMIUM DENIM, BARTHOLOMEW, NEAL SPERLING & JOHNNY ROZSA. Our eyes hurt. Our heads hurt. Everything hurts. Stop whining. Wash ink off hands. Put on cleaner shirt. Tussle hair. Go to bar. Feel better!

PDN HONORS AND 50,000 HITS

August, 2006

bo aveshek campaign on cover of PDN

Gorgeous photography by Carlo Van de Roer. Sick, Carlo!

NOTHING: SOMETHING: NY Turns 50,000

Double shots of bourbon for everyone in honor of our website’s 50,000th hit. We get it. They drink a lot.

WINDING DOWN WITH A & G MERCH AND STARTING UP WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

July, 2006

A & G merch – NSNY completes art direction/display and signage production for new williamsburg market

We’re all very excited by the amazing response to this job! Thanks to Van Hanos for outstanding work applying our interior art. Big thanks also to Jill Goldhand and Dave Alhadeff for their amazing persistence and positive vibes.

the american red cross signs NSNY to develop brand repositioning with new "caring couture" clothing line

NEW CLIENT ADDITIONS FOR NSNY

June, 2006

label bo aveshek signs with nsny to direct brand / campaign development and interactive strategy for new york division

neal casal - limited edition digipack and promotional campaign for new neal casal (ryan adams, willie nelson) solo album - no wish to reminisce

bing bang - art direction/design for bing bang fall/winter 06

johnny rozsa - art direction/design for untouched, the new book from the infamous celebrity portrait photographer who started it all

jumelle - art direction/display/signage production and floral neon installation for williamsburg womens boutique

THE FUTURE PERFECT AND NSNY

May, 2006

dave alhadeff of THE FUTURE PERFECT signs with NSNY for ID redesign & brand repositioning, to bring flagship williamsburg design store online

NSNY to manage rebranding of icrave design studio (crobar, koi NYC, playboy club shanghai, one hotel)

kevin landwehr & devin becker leave NYC for the dominican republic, typographic research on beer and rum labels goes exceptionally well

ELLEN LUPTON BOOKSIGNING AT NSNY

April 20th, 2006

ellen lupton booksigning for DIY: design it yourself hosted by nothing: something: NY and coeur noir letterpress with maryland institute

A wonderful evening was spent with the always elegant writer, curator, and graphic designer Ellen Lupton in the Nothing: Something studio. Together with Coeur Noir Letterpress and Maryland Institute College of Art, friends and fans alike came out to hear Ellen speak and to have her sign copies of her new book, DIY: Design it Yourself. If you haven't yet picked up a copy, we highly recommend it. Personally we gave copies to every friend and loved one who ever asked “What exactly do you do, now?” at the dinner table.




Ellen Lupton is a writer, curator, and graphic designer. Her most recent books are D.I.Y: Design It Yourself (2006) and Thinking with Type (2004). She is director of the MFA program in graphic design at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore. She also is curator of contemporary design at Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City, where she has organized numerous exhibitions, each accompanied by a major publication, including the National Design Triennial series (2000 and 2003), Feeding Desire: Design the Tools of the Table, 1500?2005 (2006), Solos: New Design from Israel (2006), Skin: Surface, Substance + Design (2002), Graphic Design in the Mechanical Age (1999), Mixing Messages (1996), and Mechanical Brides: Women and Machines from Home to Office.

NEW MASTERS OF POSTER DESIGN

March 29th, 2006

nothing: something: NY profiled in new masters of poster design by john foster [rockport]

Big thanks to John Foster of Fuszion for his good will & faith!
Buy it here: Amazon



Brief:
“Some of the world's best designers just could not stand idle while the poster fell by the wayside. They turned to the poster for personal expression and as an outlet from more restrictive mediums. This book showcases their breathtaking artwork, which has proven that the poster can still serve as a worthy communications tool. In doing so, they've brought the poster back to prominence. In this book, the author has compiled the world's finest new work at the height of this rebirth. There is currently no book on the market that can claim it features a "definitive" poster collection."

[quote]

[Nothing Something’s Kevin Landwehr loves working with the fashion industry in New York City. “Fashion designers can be characters,” he exclaims. “Eccentric, intelligent, fun, funny, and intensely warm if they like you; take caution if they don’t. Only in the fashion world do your clients show up at a meeting in matching pink jumpsuits with bottles of champagne in hand.”

With the help of consultant Devin Becker, Landwehr designed a poster for an event for the BLACK ANGUS brand. The look relies heavily on their current mode of thinking. “For work that advertises events, we tend to use typography, controlled chaos, and a sense of history as our primary tools. Modern and postmodern poster design so often relies on the image or the idea for emotional impact. I wouldn’t presume to criticize the approach of modernity, but I can tell you this: Right now we’re into regression. Computer, television, and cell phones; we’re all staring at screens for 75% of our days, so we love it and clients love it when we channel the past into something modern, beautiful and emotionally compelling,” he says. It would be awfully hard to argue against this piece on the subject of compelling beauty.” – John Foster]

artist michael bevilacqua includes NSNY work in show at deitch (SOHO) for customized racecar, installations, paintings

It was a proud day as one of our favorite VIP’s had an extraordinary show at Deitch. Congratulations to Michael on another inventive and beautifully fun remark on everything cool.




Michael Bevilacqua
Installation view, Beyond and Back, Deitch Projects







Michael Bevilacqua
Beyond and Back, Acrylic on linen, 72 x 96 inches






Michael Bevilacqua
Around the Corner from the Pick-Your-Poison Café (detail)
Installation collage including acrylic, gesso, vinyl transfer, stickers, wine bottles and paper cups

Michael Bevilacqua combines an enthusiasm for pop culture with a sophisticated study of modern painting. His work is a lexicon of contemporary icons and logos, embracing among other things, music, fashion, and art. The paintings are a visual diary of his artistic influences, recording such things as rock album covers, fashion house logos, children’s cartoon characters and images from celebrated contemporary paintings. There is no separation between high and low culture. The works are like time capsules funneled through the sensibility of someone who grew up in Northern California during the 70’s and 80’s. Bevilacqua is a painter as social sculptor.

For more info: deitch.com

FRESH KILLS

February, 2006

FRESH KILLS (williamsburg) Retains NSNY for interactive marketing & visibility strategies

ONE OF THE BEST OF 2005

December, 2005

NSNY profiled in poppytalk’s best of 2005

[“Your first steps, though cautious, began immediately to reinforce your faith in greater possibilities". Wise words, and very true for Nothing: Something: NY; a graphic design studio out of New York. I'm in awe with designer Kevin Landwehr's portfolio, each piece a visual source of inspiration and reference to beautiful design. His vintage references weaved into current designs are so refined they look like original vintage with a twist. Treat yourself and take a tour.]

NSNY PROFILED ON DRAWN!

November, 2005

NSNY profiled on DRAWN!

[“A tour de force for the uber-hip”.]

NSNY WINS AWARDS IN HOW AND PRINT

october, 2005

NSNY awarded [how 2005 self-promotion]
bing bang fall/winter 05 catalog

NSNY awarded [how 2005 self-promotion]
made her think fall/winter 05 catalog with photographer bill phelps

NSNY awarded [how 2005 self-promotion]
saved gala invitation

We’re a triple threat! Proud to be included alongside design luminaries such as Stefan Sagmeister and the crew at Veer, Nothing: Something: NY has been recognized by HOW magazine for excellence in the area of self-promotion. Three pieces from our agency have been awarded citations of merit and are featured in the magazines Self-Promotion Annual, which from 30,000+ entries selected 140 winners from around the world. Did we mention we won THREE times? The winning projects are some of our favorites; gorgeously letterpressed anniversary invitations for St. Helen Café, and sumptuous catalogs for New York City labels Made Her Think and Bing Bang Jewelry. Thanks HOW!

NSNY wins print award for typographic excellence [print 2005 regional design annual]

Project: FORMICA / Client: Maryland Institute, College of Art / Project Designers: Kevin Landwehr, PJ Richardson, Shayna Kreisler & Devin Becker.

NEW ADDITIONS

devin becker joins NSNY team as partner &
director of interactive

shayna kreisler joins NSNY as GM &
director of operations

NSNY welcomes peter august heffner (design)

NSNY welcomes gillian macleod (design)

NSNY welcomes aimal arbab (r&d)

ADDITIONAL RECENT WORK

oksana krovytska (new york city opera) CD drops

blue star camps - brand repositioning for largest summer camp in the nation

los angeles brand rowan andelin gets a new face

kittichai identity completed, restaurant launches in thompson hotel, SOHO