Magic Potion

Still haven't picked up any Halloween candy? T.26 Digital Type Foundry offers up a much better solution than turning out the lights and hiding from the trick-or-treaters: Download the Creepy Crawly font and print out a sign that reads, "We eat little children here!" Besides a great sense of humor, this Comicraft design wins friends because each letter resembles a wayward little monster in search of a home. Just imagine them all cavorting around inside your Mac and offering up unconditional scares. A bargain at $19.

by Michelle Taute

Is it just us, or has every company suddenly joined the Sierra Club? The nonstop choruses of "We're green, too!" are making us want to see some official membership cards. Maybe that's not so realistic, but the folks over at PaperSpecs want to help us spot the faux greenies and make sure your clients aren't among them. Just sign up for the free webinar, "Greenwashing: Wringing Out the Truth," on October 30. It's a crash course in everything from greenwashing to third-party certification.

by Michelle Taute

We've popped up a few camping tents, but a pop-up neighborhood is a feat to behold. As part of Design Philadelphia, local gallery Minima put together an exhibit called A Clean Break. It creates an on-the-fly urban utopia with prefab houses, public art, green furniture, bike advocates and urban farming. You can get a taste of these temporary environs online, but we call first dibs on the weeHouse. Organizers hope the show offers a realistic picture of how this fashionable dwelling—and other prefab houses—can mingle among existing city architecture.

by Michelle Taute

There’s a certain kind of discount store that sells grab bags for a few bucks. You know there’s useless junk inside, but it’s worth plunking down the money for the thrill of uncovering the hidden goods. Now you can experience the art lover’s version of the grab bag, courtesy of famed designer James Victore. Over at online design mall Supermarket, he’s offering batches of up to four random, signed posters for a mere $50. And we bet these are stashes worth coveting long after the packaging comes off.

by Michelle Taute

Yeah, yeah, they keep you safe. But on an average day, street signs are mostly an annoyance that slow you down when you're late for work. Panos 2013 is a project that enlists a worldwide roster of artists to jolt you out of your downcast commuter trance by posting fake street signs designed by artists from around the world. These little round red-and-white creations resemble European street signs, but if the residents of Lyon, France (where the project is centered), are paying attention, they'll receive beaucoup entertainment. One sign professes, "You are beautiful," while another features a delightful stick-figure pooch. Others resemble mad-cap comic book art.

by Michelle Taute

Have you been practicing your satire skills? If not, Minneapolis advertising agency Campbell Mithun has gotten the ball rolling with their Make an Effort campaign. It gently mocks Republicans by giving you some Saturday Night Live-style ideas for welcoming the Grand Old Party to the city. Idea one: Take that flag pin out of your nose and stick it in your suit lapel. Idea two (for those averse to piercing): Break out the white paint and lengthen those parking lot lines for limos. See the whole campaign online for enough laughs to last until November.

by Michelle Taute