Freelancers Union is issuing an open call for new designs for their homepage. The entries will be voted on by Freelancers Union members, with the designer of the winning submission receiving a contract to redesign the site.

For details, visit their competition page.

Silence, 2005, oil on canvas, 36″x31″ by Jordon Schranz

The exciting group exhibition, “The Sheltering Sky” opens today at the Black and White Gallery in Chelsea.

Presenting emerging artists working in a variety of mediums: photography, painting, video and installation. At the core of the exhibition: investigating the everyday life disconnect between the external environment and our thoughts, dreams, attitudes and feelings. The exhibition title, The Sheltering Sky appropriates a title of the cult classic book by Paul Bowles, a complex tale from which while one emerges as if from a dream, a little reflection makes it clear that our dreams can so easily become our nightmares.

For more information 

Alrightie now! For all you kids out there with a sweet tooth, it’s time to get creative!

Häagen-Dazs® ice cream, creator of the majestic Dulce de Leche creamy delight is looking to you for the winning idea for their next delectable flavor.

To enter: write, draw, photograph, video tape your flavor idea and submit it online at Häagen-Dazs.com/Scoop. While you’re there, be sure and check out all the entries thus far…some great selections like Banana Flambe, Champagne Brunch and Sesame Chocolate Chip, (at least they sound good). The winning flavor will be sold as a Limited Edition in both your local grocery store and in Häagen-Dazs shops across the country.

Even sweeter, the winner of Scoop: The Häagen-Dazs Flavor Search will be given the culinary opportunity to work with Gourmet magazine’s Executive Chef Sara Moulton in NYC to launch the winning new flavor.

Get a move on…the last day for entries is February 9.

This year marks the taxi cab’s 100th Anniversary. To celebrate the joyous occasion, the Design Trust for Public Space asked the city’s top designers to do some “creative-reinventive” thinking about the taxi. The results will be exhibited at the Auto Show in April.

Can’t wait till Spring? Not to worry. This Thursday, at 6:30pm, Cooper-Hewitt will be hosting “Transforming an Icon,” a panel discussion focusing on how some of the these designers met the challenge. ($10 to get in).

Download the Design Trust’s Designing the Taxi here (PDF).

Design Blog to Watch:
Be A Design Group

With more graphic design blogs starting up every week, it takes something unique to get noticed. Be A Design Group has risen to the top of the clutter with a team of practicing designers who deliver consistently provocative design commentary. They tackle a broad range of design topics but always present their observations with a firm point of view that is sure to spark discussion. By challenging and empowering its readers BADG has earned some of the most dedicated readers in the blogosphere. Be sure to check out their design podcast that will be entering season three in February.”