"The best thing on television is the ads." I'm not sure who coined that particular phrase, but the Brits are about to see if it's true. Launching in September, The Advert Channel will air current and popular commercials, and programs about making commercial magic. Unfortunately, this is a UK initiative only, and until North America gets its own station about advertising and design, Chum City's mediatelevision will have to see us through.

A space to call your own - no matter where you are. The totable Cloud Room inflates quietly in minutes for quick escapes from the chaos. In aesthetically pleasing, antiseptic white. Cool backlighting not included.

Flowers on the table can now do more than set the mood - they can play the mood music. A new sound system from Japan uses flowers to emit sound through leaves and petals. Still in the experimental phase, the speakers' sound can be altered by the size and type of flower placed in its acrylic base, and the jury's still out on whether orchids or foxgloves kick out the biggest base.

In an undertaking of odyssean proportion, Matt Frondorf photographed every mile of his road trip between New York and San Fransisco. Twice. Circuitously reached through Daily Photo Project via No Comment.

Gather 'round for updated folk tales (and other stories) from Nathan Jurevicius, creator of Scarygirl. There's a certain monsterism flavor to it.

Planning a trip to France this summer? Watch out for Four Tail Monkey crossings, The Misproportioned Fish points of interest, and make sure your canary isn't carrying ballons. PANOS is a signage exposition on the streets of Lyon, produced by Unchi and supported by a crew of international artists.

Once a symbol of corporate curmudgeonry, the tie gets re-screened and remixed at Jim & Gen. Now someone needs to do something about the much-maligned cravat and bow tie.

Kid Robot recently brought together well-known artists, designers, and a 20-inch vinyl action figure with an attitude. The union gave birth to The Dunny Show, a New York opening, and 50 custom-designed, -painted, -stitched, -glassblown, and otherwise uniquely fabricated bunny-esque bad boys.

The Big Bout has been extended! Due to several requests - and the Memorial Day weekend - the deadline is now June 8th. While we're changing things, we also decided to open up the Bout to the masses! If you've wanted to try your hand at Lightboxing, now's your chance. You've got a week. Good luck! (And thanks to all of you who sent your entries in on time. Your clients would be proud.)

The 2004 HOW Design Conference ended last week and it has taken us this long to recover from the great time we had. Thanks to everyone who dropped by the Veer booth. We thoroughly enjoyed talking design and meeting a bunch of new people. A quick reminder for all HOW attendees: The Big Bout Lightboxing event closes Tuesday (June 1st) - we can't wait to see the remaining entries!