Rob Kimmel Design

2012 Pratt Show

robkimmel — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:38:01 +0000

It’s that time of year again: the Pratt Show, showcasing the graduating class of Pratt designers, illustrators, and others. It runs for the next few days, May 7–May 10th at the Manhattan Center on 34th Street in Manhattan. Come check it out and hire all my wonderful students. The Communications Department website is worth a look.

May 7 – May 10, 2012
Manhattan Center
311 West 34th Street
New York, New York
Exclusive Reception for Industry Professionals
Monday, May 7, 6 – 9 PM

Public Show Hours
Monday, May 7, 12 – 5 PM
Tuesday, May 8, 9 AM – 9 PM
Wednesday, May 9, 9 AM – 9 PM
Thursday, May 10, 9 AM – 12 PM

More info here.

Empiricist League: Darwin v Robots May 9th

robkimmel — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:32:51 +0000

The Empiricist League, who we’ve branded, has their first event, “Darwin Vs Robot” on Wedenesday, May 9th at the Lolita Bar at 266 Broome Street in Manhattan. Beer + science? What could be better?

Three amazing speakers will be presenting.

Darwin’s Devices: What Evolving Robots Can Teach Us About the History of Life and the Future of Technology

Biorobotics expert John Long creates robots that look and behave like extinct animals, subjects them to evolutionary pressures, lets them compete for mates and resources, and mutates their ‘genes’. In short, he lets robots play the game of life. Professor Long will speak to the Empiricist League about his new book, Darwin’s Devices, where he tells the story of these evolving biorobots—how they came to be, and what they can teach us about the biology of living and extinct species.

Unleash the Bots of War: Envisioning the Robot Army of the Future

Noah Shachtman is the editor of Wired magazine’s national security blog, Danger Room, as well as a non-resident fellow at the Brookings Institution. He’s reported from Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and the U.S. military’s classified military drone “cockpits” in Nevada. He has spoken before audiences at West Point, the Army Command and General Staff College, the O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, the U.S. Strategic Command Cyber Symposium, and the National Defense University. The Empiricist League is pleased to host a Q&A session with Mr. Shachtman on the topic of the robot hordes that will soon be marshaling their forces, and what it means for both our security and our very survival as a species.

God’s Mistakes: Bizarre Plants and Animals from the Frontiers of Science

Michael Malice is a horticulturist and subject of Harvey Pekar’s graphic novel Ego & Hubris. He is also the co-author of five books, including forthcoming works with Bret Michaels and D.L. Hughley. Mr. Malice will speak to the Empiricist League about the most grotesque inhabitants of the natural world.

Client Kristen Davis of Popcorn Noir wins cooking competition

robkimmel — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:03:57 +0000

Kristen Davis, proprietor of Popcorn Noir, whose identity and signage we designed, won the Beringer Wine Estate’s Great Steak Challenge, which will be aired on the Cooking Channel April 10th. Her earlier press release gives the details. Can’t wait to watch the show.

Wandermonster featured in BIG kids magazine

robkimmel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:02:27 +0000

Our son-and-dad blog Wandermonster, has a feature in the Australian kids’ magazine, BIG. This is their second issue, exploring the theme of treasure maps, which is one of those things that makes my heart beat a little faster. We contributed three before-and-after Lunch Posts, and the readers are encouraged to do their own “afters.” We’re very curious to see what the response is….

We post (almost) daily at www.wandermonster.com

UnMap Polaroid show up at Pratt

robkimmel — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:16:01 +0000

The UnMap Queens show is hanging in the Communications Design office at Pratt Institute. This is a collaboration with designer and artist Carl Gambrell of Projector Creative, sponsored by the Impossible Project. Gambrell and I spent several weeks exploring the mysterious corners of Queens, armed with Polaroid Spectra System cameras. Queens is a fascinating spot on the planet, rich in history and culture, but overshadowed by NYC’s other boroughs. We hope our photographs reveal some of its depth and weirdness.

UnMap Queens had previously hung at the Queens College Art Center and the Manhattan gallery space of the Impossible Project. Thanks to Communications Design Chair, Kathleen Creighton, for the opportunity to show our work again.

More of the UnMap Queens photos here.

Bill Kontzias’ Brooklyn Portrait Project

robkimmel — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 23:40:06 +0000

I’m honored to be (with my son, Ben) part of photographer (and Pratt colleague) Bill Kontzias‘ Brooklyn Portrait Project, now hanging at Kingsborough College through March 21st. Kontzias’ shots of Brooklyn locals have been seen recently in the NYTimes’ The Local and BAM. As the life in the images attests, the snapping of the shutter is just punctuation to Kontzias’ conversation with the people he shoots.

Where’s My Jetpack?

robkimmel — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:00:40 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Where’s My Jetpack show opening and Social Media Week panel. The show is still up at Cyber-NY for the month (by appointment only 212 475 2721 ). Here are some shots from that night, by Mike Brown, our host. More on my installation here and more to come….

Join us for the opening of “Where’s My Jetpack?” tomorrow night

robkimmel — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:32:03 +0000

We’re gearing up for the “Where’s My Jetpack?’ opening tomorrow night. There’s a lot of spectacular work—from Benton Collins’ film, to Matt Carr’s photographs to curator Matt Held’s paintings and sculptures.

My contribution is a Roc Jetpack Laboratories installation.

Please join us at Cyber-NY, 23rd and Madison, from 6pm to 9pm. Check out the show site, http://heldjetpack.com for more information.

Garamaniacal!

robkimmel — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:17:12 +0000

2012 is rich in sci fi projects. In addition to our work on Black Dawn and the “Where’s My Jetpack?” show, we’re participating in the Garamaniacal group show at FOE Gallery in Northampton, Massachusetts. Curated by Jim Shea of Foe and Michael Nordstrom of Garamania, this show is an homage to the iconic Japanese monster Garamon. I grew up on kaiju, and they are a key part of my creative DNA, so it’s been a treat to work on this.

Please join us at the opening, February 10th, or stop in to see the work, which hangs through March 4th.

There’s also a cool coloring contest, which raises funds for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Jet Pack press

robkimmel — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:06:04 +0000

The official site for the Where’s My Jetpack is up.

Matt Held has been getting some nice press in advance of our “Where’s My Jetpack?” show.