Two streams of water collide with remarkable results. At the top, under the influence of pressure and gravity, the streams squirt out into a flat sheet, while surface tension draws the fluid into strands and then globes as it falls. “We often associate complex behaviors—the spontaneous formation of intricate patterns, unexpected changes over time—with systems that are themselves complicated,” Whitesides writes. “Even the simplest systems have the potential to show behaviors that confound us.”

More excerpts from the book ‘No small matter’.

To be continued…

As part of the London Design Festival 2009, he discussed his ongoing collaborations as well as his upcoming publication Open Book: Design and Content in the V&A, South Kensington.

As a member of the audience, I sensed a feeling of appreciation, as if he wanted to convey his gratitude for reaching the position where such a wide variety of design opportunities are available to him (the holy grail I, and probably all designers seek).

He studied design at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York and in 1989 he founded the multidisciplinary studio Design/Writing/Research where, in collaboration with Ellen Lupton (his wife), he pioneered the concept of “designer as author”. He joined Pentagram’s New York office as a partner in June 1999, and is, in my opinion, an inspiration.

Some of the thoughts discussed included the balance of writing vs design, how the two separate (design = collaboration, writing = isolation) and how the two sometime cross (see 2wice magazine which he designs and edits).

Also discussed (and a favourite of mine) was the identity for the Art Institute of Chicago (which uses the Topaz font).

After the talk I was fortunate enough to share a brief conversation with Abbott, and was even given a business card to discuss the potential of undertaking some work after discovering that the web is of keen interest… so, Mr Miller if your reading this… email@munjeet.com !

• Flickr pics

I love my Havaiana Brazil flip flops that were bought back across half the world (thanks again Marina!) but these are pretty awesome too.

Never bump those tootsies again on a late night visit to the loo!

and these are simply awesome…!

T.A.G ad agency based in San Francisco (for whom I couldn’t find a working website) has created another advert film for the releasing soon Halo 3: OSDT. The live action approach, fits brilliantly again, with the film shot across Eastern Europe in underground caves and even an old nuclear reactor.

The overall feel of the advert with the Hungarian speech and unsettling approach to life, training and death in battle works fantastically. I love the attention to detail and nods and winks to the Halo3 world – which for being so subtle make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

As with all fans of the game, I’m hoping the Halo film currently in production and due for release in 2012 doesn’t disappoint as most other video game to film conversations have, but if they follow on from these adverts, I can’t wait.

No excuses for leaving your phone at home again or having a dead battery.

Great idea.

20-over, 1-day match. Result: Sussex won by 21 runs