5th St Insights: Bricks, Logos, Mastery 🚇🎨

Hello Makers 👋🏻

Welcome back to another edition of The Makers St.

In this issue, we’re excited to bring you:

• Maker Moments: Dive into a build-along as I assemble the fascinating LEGO Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera.

• Inspiration Everywhere: Insights into Massimo Vignelli’s iconic design influence on the NYC subway, which continues to inspire the world.

• Random Fact: Discover how a $35 design became the global icon known as the Nike Swoosh.

• Top Picks: Check out this week’s curated selections to spark your creativity.

Remember, this newsletter is our little corner of the internet to explore, share, and celebrate the joy of making. So grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let's get started!

✺ MAKER MOMENTS

This week in Maker Moments, I’m excited to share my latest build: the LEGO® Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera. This model is part of the unique "LEGO® Ideas" category, where fans submit their own designs and those with enough votes come to life as official sets. The LEGO® Polaroid camera is a celebration of creativity and nostalgia, capturing the iconic look and feel of the original camera in stunning detail.

From its classic design elements like the viewfinder, Color Spectrum, and exposure compensation dial to its playful twist of being completely "photo-free" and tech-issue-free, this build is a delightful blend of form and function. And here’s the fun part – it's designed to be waterproof and rebuildable, making it a durable piece of art.

@lcp30

Build with me my new set of @LEGO. The Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera. 📷 --- This 516-piece set is so much fun to put together! —perfect fo... See more

✺ INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE

Massimo Vignelli's NYC Subway Design

This week, let’s take a moment to appreciate the legendary design work of Massimo Vignelli, particularly his transformation of the NYC subway's visual identity. When Vignelli was commissioned in the 1970s, he wasn't just asked to create a map; he was tasked with designing a system that could guide millions of people through one of the world’s most complex transit systems with clarity and ease.

Vignelli's solution was brilliantly simple yet bold. Here are some key technical aspects of his design system:

• Color Coding: Each subway line was assigned a specific color, making it easier for commuters to follow their routes without confusion.

• Typography: Vignelli introduced the use of Helvetica, a sans-serif typeface known for its readability and modern appearance, which helped unify the signage and maps.

• Grid System: He employed a strict grid system to organize information consistently across all materials, enhancing navigability and coherence.

Beyond the subway, Massimo Vignelli's impact on the design world is profound and enduring. He was a major protagonist in the history of design, particularly graphic design. Vignelli created graphic systems that continue to serve millions daily, thanks to his unwavering commitment to understanding and addressing the real needs of users. His work demonstrates how design, when deeply rooted in user needs, transcends aesthetics and functions as a vital tool for making everyday life more manageable and understandable.

The importance of Vignelli's design goes beyond its functionality. It helped define the character of New York City itself—a city that prides itself on being both vibrant and navigable. Today, Vignelli's influence is still felt not only in the subway signs but in the way designers think about public space and information systems around the world.

✺ RANDOM FACT

From $35 to Iconic: The Story Behind Nike’s Swoosh

So, have you ever noticed the Nike "Swoosh" and wondered where it came from? It’s actually a pretty cool story. Back in 1971, Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, needed a logo for his then-small shoe company. He had a tight budget and turned to Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student at Portland State University, for help.

Carolyn took her inspiration from the Greek goddess Nike, known for her speed and strength. Thinking about the goddess's wings, she sketched what we now recognize as the Swoosh, perfectly capturing that sense of motion and energy. And here’s the kicker—she was originally paid just $35 for the design!

Today, that Swoosh is more than just a logo; it's a symbol that’s recognized all over the world. Isn't it crazy to think it all started with a $35 design?

✺ TOP PICKS

✦ This Week’s Highlight

beehiiv attracts $33M to make its newsletter publishing platform more sticky + community round.

✦ Book Recommendation

Extra Bold: A Feminist, Inclusive, Anti-racist, Nonbinary Field Guide for Graphic Designers. Part textbook and part comic book, zine, manifesto, survival guide, and self-help manual, Extra Bold is filled with stories and ideas that don't show up in other career books or design overviews.

✦ Finds from the Internet:

Meet Analog: The Simplest Productivity System. Analog is a physical companion for your digital tools that helps you prioritize and focus on your most important tasks. Created by Jeff Sheldon

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✺ YOUR VOICE