Welcome to this week's edition of our Friday Quality Linkage column. Please enjoy this week’s collection of interesting and entertaining links. Brew a fresh cup of coffee, find a comfortable place, and relax.
The 2017 Audubon Photography Awards: Top 100 »
If you're familiar with the avian photographic work of the folks at Audubon, then you don't need me to say that this slideshow of images submitted to their annual photography competition is a sheer delight to peruse.
Real Men Might Get Made Fun Of »
Lindy West's debut op-ed column for The New York Times (big congrats to her!) is one that a lot of men need to read, whether they like it or not, even if they already consider themselves feminists:
So, if you care, how often do you say something? Maybe you’ll confront your close friends, but what about more powerful men, famous men, cool men, men who could further your career?
“Do you ever stick up for me?” sounds childish, but I don’t know that gussying up the sentiment in more sophisticated language would enhance its meaning. It isn’t fun to be the one who speaks up.
I know some readers hate when I link anything even remotely political in these columns, but I won't apologize any more for this one than I would about anything concerning climate change. Social justice is worth fighting for, and if you're ever in a position where you think you should speak up but feel scared about becoming a pariah, do it anyway.
Costume Design: The Hidden Layer of Movie Magic »
Jack Nugent's latest Now You See It video essay centers around the history Hollywood costume design and why it matters.
Illustration: Gavin Aung Than, Zen Pencils
Anonymous Creativity »
Gavin Aung Than's latest Zen Pencils comic takes an excerpt from Jiddu Krishnamurti's book, The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti, about the fulfillment that can be found in creating art without desiring fame.
Harry Potter International Covers — Book Design from Around the World »
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, book cover designer and "booktuber" Holly Dunn took a look at the book's different covers and translations from around the world. Interesting how different they all are.
Photo: Matthew Wyne
Letters & Liquor »
This 52-week project-in-process by designer and letterer Matthew Wyne is fantastic:
Letters and Liquor illustrates the history of lettering associated with cocktails. From the 1690s to the 1990s, I’ve selected 52 of the most important drinks in the cocktail canon and rendered their names in period-inspired design. I post a new drink each week with history, photos and recipes.
In addition to the gorgeous lettering and photography accompanying each story, I love how he writes these things. Take this excerpt from the excellently named "Green Swizzle" cocktail:
Fast forward 150 years however, and the English have taken up the torch. They are amongst the most-travelled denizens of this hurtling stone called Earth and, having been suitably impressed by the potions they encountered on their trips to America, they have now set about replicating these concoctions at the grand hotels they install in every third world country they colonize.
[…]
The contemporary recipe for a Green Swizzle uses Creme de Menthe to create its namesake color. It’s a charming drink: tall and viridian hued, with the mint amplifying the effect of all that ice. But there are a large contingent who assert that this is not the original recipe, yet they proffer nothing to take its place.
Illustration: Larisa Guriţǎ (age 13, Romania)
See the Amazing Kids' Maps That Won a Global Contest »
Betsy Mason of National Geographic compiled a gallery of winning maps from this year's bi-annual Barbara Petchenik Children’s Map Competition, and they're simply charming.
Got any suggestions for articles, videos, stories, photographs, and any other links you think we should be posting in our weekly Quality Linkage? Please do let us know on Twitter.