Knock Knock. Who’s there? It’s Jen Bilik, the Head Honcho (founder, creator, owner) of Knock Knock. (Sorry, I couldn’t help it.) She is the one behind all of those funny, well-written, cleanly-designed pads, books, folders, binders, notebooks, and flashcards that you always see in that Kitschy shop on the corner. (Everything is also for sale on-line, and, HINT HINT, the Nifty Notes and Pocket Notes make great stocking stuffers.)
1. Pack This! Pad, $7; 2. Pro Con Pad, $7; 3. Dial an Excuse, $7.50; 4. Thanks a Lot!, $4.50, 5. Daily Mood Tracker Paper Mouse Pad, $11; 6. Things To Do Pocket Notes, $5.50; 7. Accomplish Pad, $7; 8. Random Dawdle Paper Mouse Pad, $11
Due to my various neuroses, which result in an incredible amount of list-making and indecision, Knock Knock pads frequently come in handy. Due to my obsession with clean, functional graphic design and witty writing, I feel a tickle of joy in my heart every time I see them.
Yes, the pads can be considered humorous novelty and joke gifts, but often they are quite functional. I use my “Pack This” pad every time I go on a trip. The “Rate that Wine” pad would have been perfect for the Wine class I took in college. I’ve always thought the “Daily Mood Tracker” should be used in therapy (you might need to ignore the “kill me now” column…) rather than ugly black and white xeroxed sheets (seriously, if you’re already depressed, ugly designed mood tracking sheets aren’t going to help). And, while I hope the entire “Shit List” pad wouldn’t come in handy for anyone very often, I think Steven Colbert might like it if he were renamed it “Dead to Me.”
I wanted to make a Gift Guide featuring all Knock Knock products, but then I could just write a post that says, “Please go to the Knock Knock site for your holiday shopping.” So, instead, I’ve been including them here and there, like in the Neurotic Gift Guide post. Since then, several people have said they wished they could get me The Complete Manual of Things That Might Kill You. (TIP: For someone as paranoid as me, this would be a cruel joke.)
Anyway, in place of an All Knock Knock Gift Guide, I’m offering you an interview with the founder and owner of the company that puts the “fun in functional.”
INTERVIEW WITH THE RULER OF KNOCK KNOCK (more…)
See all parts of the Luke Williams interview, as they are posted, here.
Last time I posted about these beautiful and funny Thanks for Nothing (ex. Thanks for nothing… you’re blocking my driveway) cards by Luke Williams for Gilah Press you guys (and I) loved them! So, when Luke offered up-close pictures (and an interview to-boot!), I was thrilled and decided I had to post again. I’ve also got info on where you can snag a set for yourself!
“To help suppress any potential drastic measures, these cards allow you to subtly deliver your true feelings towards a particular public service with minimal confrontation.” — Luke Williams
Check out all of the pictures that follow, & then get ready for my interview with Luke, coming tomorrow! (Hint: he actually makes more than just these beautiful cards!)
My adventure-loving friend who joined me (or, er, I joined her) in Flushing and at Renegade, recently informed me that now you, too, can get your portrait painted like a Chinese propaganda poster at Maopost.com. The artwork is hand painted in oil on canvas by professional Chinese freelance artists.
You can choose from a variety of layouts and complete a solo or group portrait (maybe the whole family?!). They cost $180 to $270 (plus $35 for shipping) and are 24×15 inches to 32×21 inches.
So, yes, I’ve posted approximately seven times about Threadless, the t-shirt, and now print-making, company of great graphic design, and, having recently received my Spoilt print in the mail (yay!), I had to post again.
The prints are thrilling because I’m not an everyday T-shirt-wearer, but I just love all of the designs on the T-shirts. The only real problems with my print are: (1) I wish it were more giant, (2) I wish I could find a frame that works with it. Alas.
Anyway, one of the most fabulous parts about receiving my print was seeing which number print I was getting (they have runs of 250). I believe I was number 90-something, so that means over one-third have been sold. Secondly, the print came in a fabulously thick and huge tube.
Luckily, the people at Threadless knew that we lovers-of-graphic-design, having a general affinity for creativity, would wonder what to do with this monster-of-a-tube. Thus, they provided the above insert: “It’s Not Just a Tube! 12 tubular uses you might not have considered” (with art by Olly Moss, who recently posted this Wilde at Heart design, which I love, on his blog, and is the artist of my beloved Spoilt print!)
The tube-ideas include everything from “Ninja Sword” to “Huge Glass” (my personal favorites are “Robot Arms” and “Hamster Cannon”). Also, the bottom warning is spectacular: “Many of these uses are not safe or possible.” Though I would really like to give “Giant Spit Baller” a try…
Update 7/4/08 9:15AM: Threadless prints have been reduced to $19.
