Sometimes people create bits of design that amuse us or make us take a second look. Even more enjoyable is when designers put a fresh, new twist on a typically so-standard-you-don’t-even-notice-it thing. Like UPC codes gone wild, or a startling new twist on a familiar recycling icon. This blog is for all of those little moments of design delight. Share a photo of microdesign that you run across! Founded by Kim Stearns and Amy Lamp from Forty.Tumblr (3.0; @microdesigning)http://microdesigning.com/<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmg0jzqa8E1qbiip2o1_250.png"/><br/><br/><p>A different twist on the three-word string with a punch in the face at the end. Thanks to James Archer from <a title="Forty" target="_blank" href="http://fortyagency.com">Forty</a> for the submission.</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/6299580909http://microdesigning.com/post/6299580909Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:14:24 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmfztgspdH1qbiip2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>Katie Archer from <a title="Forty" target="_blank" href="http://fortyagency.com">Forty</a> pointed out this cute solution to the UPC code on a Skinny Cow snack box.</span></p>http://microdesigning.com/post/6299016381http://microdesigning.com/post/6299016381Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:01:00 -0700<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lgz6q2S2ZU1qbiip2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Chris Conrey shared this slide that he saw at a presentation. It was notable to him because instead of being a blank slide, it supplies upcoming presenters with helpful tips for successful pairing with the projector.</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/3425388110http://microdesigning.com/post/3425388110Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:20:26 -0700<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l575fgQ08V1qbiip2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Along the lines of the 5 Gum, Orbit gum and their encouragement to put litter in its place.</p> <p>-Submitted by rob.jamieson@gmail.com</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/781637999http://microdesigning.com/post/781637999Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:12:07 -0700microdesignpackagingsubmission<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4u9g9dcLp1qbiip2o1_250.png"/><br/><br/><p>I loved the little grayed out logo next to this copyright.</p> <p>- Submitted by chevyz24</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/754859950http://microdesigning.com/post/754859950Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:20:34 -0700microdesignfooterssubmission<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l2tu6vCZ001qbiip2o1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The photo doesn’t do justice to the coolness of this packaging for a ring.  The ring is suspended between two pieces of a rubber material.  Really innovative.  </p> <p>- David Schoenecker</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/628614232http://microdesigning.com/post/628614232Mon, 24 May 2010 10:30:18 -0700packagingsubmission<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l2vfa18qjT1qbiip2o1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Fun ranking system on Engrish.com </p> <p>- Submitted by bchestnut</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/628613393http://microdesigning.com/post/628613393Mon, 24 May 2010 10:29:54 -0700microdesigniconssubmission<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l2gitmfCKe1qbiip2o1_250.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Sad little empty shopping cart on <a href="http://photojojo.com/store/">photojojo.com</a>. He changes when you add something to your cart, though. :-)</p> <p>- Submited by Ben</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/601781763http://microdesigning.com/post/601781763Sat, 15 May 2010 14:06:23 -0700websiteheadersiconssubmission<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l2dnycG0i91qbiip2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Form meets function with Wacom’s pen holder. </p> <p>-David Schoenecker</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/598537013http://microdesigning.com/post/598537013Fri, 14 May 2010 10:17:52 -0700packagingformssubmission<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l27tidDSAr1qbiip2o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Everything about this banner ad is adorable, but I especially liked the little touch with the not-so-perfectly placed sticker. It looks haphazard and relatable. </p> <p>- Submitted by Kim Stearns</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/587321745http://microdesigning.com/post/587321745Mon, 10 May 2010 11:10:22 -0700microdesignsubmission<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1zbkxpuMc1qbiip2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Red Bull likes to shake things up - and the bull stamped out of this tab supports that idea.</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/576559969http://microdesigning.com/post/576559969Thu, 06 May 2010 10:00:00 -0700packagingtabenergy drink<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1yxz1HbOC1qbiip2o1_100.png"/><br/><br/><p>I have loved looking at this little ‘tag’ on burdastyle.com for months now!</p> <p>- Submitted by Melissa Balkon</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/575114262http://microdesigning.com/post/575114262Wed, 05 May 2010 20:07:00 -0700microdesignwebsitesubmission<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1wp3xD7pV1qbiip2o1_250.png"/><br/><br/><p>This little guy discovered on the Mail Chimp website. Instead of the typical “back to top” text link, they have this handy little arrow that matches the theme of the site. </p>http://microdesigning.com/post/571287652http://microdesigning.com/post/571287652Tue, 04 May 2010 10:46:19 -0700microdesignfootersubmission<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1uxxf64z41qbiip2o1_400.png"/><br/><br/><p>Twitter Form Field Highlighting</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/568747381http://microdesigning.com/post/568747381Mon, 03 May 2010 11:56:03 -0700<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1uu4zWmUN1qbiip2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This oft-overlooked area of a beverage is cutely adorned on this can of Rockstar Roasted Light. </p>http://microdesigning.com/post/568616297http://microdesigning.com/post/568616297Mon, 03 May 2010 10:36:55 -0700microdesignsubmission<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1sysbUEJZ1qbiip2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Instead of the typical “toss in garbage” icon, 5 Gum customized it to further their branding (suggested by Kim Stearns)</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/566080799http://microdesigning.com/post/566080799Sun, 02 May 2010 10:19:00 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1r6unMo0A1qbiip2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Daniel Davis takes UPC & ISBN codes to new heights on his Steamcrow book <em>Monster Commute 1</em></p>http://microdesigning.com/post/563747065http://microdesigning.com/post/563747065Sat, 01 May 2010 11:18:22 -0700<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1q3kh1vc21qbiip2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Hip little people under the mailing address area on an AIGA San Francisco brochure</p>http://microdesigning.com/post/562403396http://microdesigning.com/post/562403396Fri, 30 Apr 2010 21:09:53 -0700bluemailerpeopleillustration