Designers are always trying to find projects that help the greater good, but often when they take on a cause, they find themselves working in isolation and cramming in the pro bono work alongside their other clients. Cause/affect is a new design competition held by AIGA San Francisco that provides both a community and exposure for socially responsible work. Submissions will be accepted until Nov. 9, 2007. Selected entries will be showcased online and at an event to be held at AIGA SF's office Dec. 4. In addition, work will be entered in a People's Choice Award competition, where online voting will determine an additional winner, also to be announced at the awards ceremony.
http://aigasf.org/causeaffect/enter

The minds at frog design never stop thinking. Even after they've completed the work for clients like PlayStation and Motorola, they still have some brain cells left to put together frog design MIND, an online magazine. In the latest issue, focused on finding meaning, designers write essays on everything from the influence of technology on family, to a guide for letting your kids define themselves online, to an article about fixed-gear bikes and the future of branding. Nell Daniel, executive director of Marc Ecko's Sweat Equity Enterprises, makes a guest appearance to discuss the program's empowerment of urban youth. All in all, it's serious fuel for your head.
http://www.frogdesign.com/design-mind

If you were going to attempt to find the best new retail experiences worldwide, you'd probably rack up a lifetime supply of frequent-flier miles before you could even scratch the surface. A better option is to trust the recommendations of Wallpaper.com's Retail Directory, featuring not only favorite places to drop serious cash, but the best-designed concepts as well. The 30 picks veer wildly from standard offerings: Stores include an optician in Japan and a patisserie in Monaco. Plus, it's truly international, covering pilgrimage-worthy spots like Vitra in Sao Paulo, Hermes in Osaka and Moroso in New York.
http://www.wallpaper.com/news/retail-directory-2007