I’m sold. They look good and they are 100% post consumer!

NO SCREAMING GREEN The majority of New Leaf Paper products use 100% post-consumer fiber, far higher than the industry standard of 30% post-consumer fiber found in most recycled products. Processing is chlorine-free, and in addition, New Leaf has another line of paper from Costa Rica that uses byproducts from banana and palm tree farming. Packaging also encourages consumers to recycle.New Leaf wanted to make its debut to a wider audience by creating a 100% recycled line of notebooks equal in quality, paper brightness and weight to virgin paper. Since there would be no discernable difference betwen the papers, the designers decided on a strategy of producing a stylish product that just happened to be green. “Just because a notebook contains recycled paper doesnt mean it has to scream “THE WORLD WILL END IF YOU DONT RECYCLE” across the front cover,” says design director Zack Shubkagel. “A little subtlety goes a long way.”

via Why Your Next Favorite Notebook Will Be From New Leaf Paper | Designerati | Fast Company.

Check this GOOD piece on “Rest Stops, R.I.P.”

It’s hard to imagine rest stops going away, and now that I have a 3 year old, I realize again that they are unquestionably a necessity. When I was a kid, my family would road-trip from SLC to LA every summer… rest stops made those trips easier for everyone. What better way to break up a long road trip. A place to stretch and play! Without them we will be forced to stop at strip malls, and oversized concession/gas stops or McD’s. Then have to choose between a big mac, quarter pounder, snicker bar or whatever… And, what about our dogs who travel with us? In Washington, many of the stop have volunteers handing out free coffee and homemade snacks… It’s just a nice option. Please don’t take them away. Stop decorating overpasses and give us our rest areas.

As mentioned in a earlier post, this was a fun (and successful) project to work on. And, here are the samples from the completed series and the landing page. Click on the image to view larger. The purpose of this campaign is to peak interest and inspire educators, students, and the general community and reinforce awareness of Microsoft’s commitment to education initiatives. 1000′s of 24×36 inch posters will be distributed at Microsoft conferences and through various channels. Our client has been very happy and I hope you see one in a nearby school or community center soon! Check out The Landing Page.

Agency: Phinney Bischoff Design House