We’re firm believers that when traveling, it’s best to consult with a local to gain the best perspective on any foreign city. A guide book will never reveal the insight and knowledge of a native. Boat, a magazine coming from a design studio in East London by the same name, takes on this concept for its publication. It describes itself as a nomadic biannual that temporarily places itself in different cities in the world. They work with local writers, photographers and artists to tell regional stories that result in insight into the culture and location. They’ve traveled to turbulent cities like Athens, Detroit, and Sarajevo only to discover that there’s vitality and creative energy from within. Their fifth issue is a departure with a visit to Kyoto – a more subdued city than the others before it but just as rich in history. Stories include the secretive world of Geishas told through a feminist, a visit with a ‘Bonsai Businessman,’ traditional Kyoto sushi, an exploration into Zen Buddhism, and others. The issue concludes with a fictional story from Kyoto-born Haruki Murakami. You can order Boat directly from their site. via magCulture

When placed in the right hands, food has the ability to transcend beyond nourishment. It becomes an experiential adventure and at times elevated to an art form. The two Franks, Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo and their mini empire in Brooklyn are attempting to do just that. When rumors surfaced that they would open a new restaurant in Red Hook, many wondered if it would be an expansion of Frankies Spuntino. They recently announced that it will not be. In fact it will not be anything we’ve seen before in NY. The name of their next project is called RES. The Franks are creating a residency program for chefs. Much like an artist residency, chefs from around the world will be invited to stay and work on their creations. With three kitchens to work from they will be given the opportunity to take their time in perfecting their menu or whatever they have plan while presenting it in an intimate setting. Whether it’s a collaborative dinner, one-off event, or installation, RES is a brave and bold new concept that will surely draw the attention of the global audience of diners.

Like the title from George Nelson’s 2009 exhibition catalog declares, Architect / Writer / Designer / Teacher, Nelson was a multi-disciplined designer and creative director with six decades worth of work to show for it. Though his creations were mostly associated with Herman Miller, everything from furniture to graphic and installation design, his oeuvre was much more broader. Unfortunately, many of his work have either been discontinued or never produced and sit dormant as prototypes and concepts. Though a giant in the design world, some of his work has been forgotten. The George Nelson Foundation has been established to change this as well as to preserve and publicize the legacy of Nelson. They’ve archived many of his important and rarely scene work from the 1930s all the way up to the 1980s. It’s filled with an array of high-res photos that bring to light many of George Nelson’s design that existed beyond Herman Miller.

What we collect and why we collect has long been a fascination of ours. Today we launch our first feature on Collection, a new series that looks into a collector’s stock and to understand the value they place on these objects.

Brooklyn based designer Jordan Viray has long been a collector. His apartment is filled with art, vintage finds from flea markets, and backpacks – many, many backpacks. His collection began in 2010 and has gradually grown over the past two and a half years to an impressive assemblage of outdoor and climbing packs from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. See what the significance of these backpacks are and the innovation that came from this era that is just as relevant today as it was then.

We collaborated with Pilgrim Surf + Supply to showcase a select few of Jordan Viray’s vintage backpacks. They are now on view at their shop in Williamsburg. 68 N 3 St, Brooklyn, NY.

The list of events and parties surrounding ICFF can be a dizzying one. For the next five days designers from around the world have descended on New York to shill their latest creations. Core 77, Designboom, and Metropolis magazine have compiled a list of over 200 events. It’ll take some time to dig through them all so we’ve compiled an abridge version of our own.

Noho Design District – One of the more exciting and unique off-site to take place this weekend. This year NDD expands its reach to include the Bowery. This event is always a great place to discover young talent as well as to see new work from established New York favorites.

Wanted Design – A more digestible event than ICFF that takes place under one roof. It features national and international exhibitors, special programs, workshops and a pop-up store.

Heath Ceramics started in 1948 but since Catherine Bailey and Robin Petravic acquired it 10 years ago, they managed to grow the company without compromising its heritage. The San Francisco based ceramic manufacturer is expanding its reach into the east coast by celebrating the last 10 years with a store within a store at Future Perfect.

In celebration of Vitsoe’s launch of the 620 Chair Programme, they’ve partnered up with Dashwood books to transform their storefront into a reading room.

Designjunction, a relatively young but recognized destination during The London Design Festival makes its way to New York for the first time with INTRO NY.

There’s been a proliferation of independent quarterlies and journals in the last couple of years with food themed titles leading the way. The popularity in these titles is driven by people’s interest in the subject and it doesn’t seem to be letting up. But we’re now seeing an emergence of another popular topic taking hold in independent publishing. Makers, crafters, builders; publications that profile the people behind the objects. Titles like Made Quarterly from Australia, Hole & Corner from England, Atlas Quarterly from Brooklyn, and now Collective Quarterly from the U.S.

Collective Quarterly’s distinctive angle is on exploration, not only in discovering the artisans and the way they work but the journey and the land they work from. The publication is founded by three gents from three cities working collectively, from Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, to Middlebourne, West Virginia. The premiere issue will take us to Marfa, Texas, with profiles on Minnesota based Faribault Woolen Mill Company, and Drift Eyewear from Chicago. Contributors include Max Wastler of All Plaid Out, and photographers Kevin Russ and Duncan Wolfe. Collective Quarterly is now accepting pre-orders with a launch date to be announced soon.