I’d like to shine the light on a new online project called Riottt!. The team at Riottt! is small, but very big on talent and includes creative heavyweights Kevin Craft formerly of Vapors Magazine, Sean Miyashiro, founder of Sole Division, Sky Gellatly from MTV’s Sneak Attack, and Rickey Kim of Evil Monito and The Social Trust. Through a theme encompassing intellectual engagement and a collaborative atmosphere, Riottt! actively seeks to subvert the “mass culture” that has been forced upon the majority of the population. Riottt! is already off to a blazing start and has features on creatives like graffiti legend Haze, Peanut Butter Wolf who founded Stones Throw Records, and photographer Peter Graham. Unfortunately, the interviews are the only area with unfettered access, as the full content of the rest appear to be blocked off to invitation-only members. Keep an eye on this site though, I have a feeling that Riottt! will indeed rise up to lead a new movement.

When in the city we often find ourselves on the streets sans car navigation system or without quick access to the laptop, the solution– HopStop. This city transit guide provides door-to-door maps, walking, driving, subway, and bus directions for NYC, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, and San Francisco. With countless online mapping services available HopStop features a few choice options that can make you trip a little easier than the rest. The service will plot your course not only from addresses, but also to nearby bus stops and subway stations and allows you to choose what type of transportation method you would like to use. Don’t like mass transportation? HopStop will also calculate the cab fare for you and in addition tell you if it is the best method based on traffic during the time of day you will be traveling. We had no trouble getting info to our BlackBerry, but if you are without access to the web you can also call in or text message them for directions–and the best part is it’s free! HopStop is truly a unique and useful resource for navigating the city streets.

If you made a visit over to Knacktion, you may have seen co-founder and visual artist Josh Feldman’s work. Growing up in the Bay Area and attending the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Josh developed the style of work which he has been honing for the past twelve years. Like many artist Josh experimented with multiple mediums and approaches, but found himself gravitating back to an abstract and textural style seen in his current pieces. These have taken the form of a flat piece of art encased in clear plastic, or a dimensional work by breaking the plane into repeating panels that are mounted perpendicular to the wall creating art that is unique when viewed from different angles. Josh has seen some notoriety, being featured in the New York Times and receiving an award from WIRED magazine. Combining graphic design and sculpture, Josh’s works allow us to find our own vantage point to appreciate his 3D artistry.

Some companies merely make products. Others strive to create not just a “product,” but instead something that becomes a natural extension of the consumer, almost like a second skin. This metaphor works extremely well when applied to the premium denim market. By essentially weaving their passion for denim into the jeans, Nudie Jeans Co. has succeeded in creating a product that forms an emotional connection with the owner. Nudie Jeans suggests that denim becomes more personal and more beautiful as they are worn in. In fact, Nudie instructs people to wear their jeans as much as possible for the first 6 months before washing them for the first time. This allows the denim and indigo to become customized and a reflection of the daily grind of the owner. The Nudie Jeans Co. website is really top-notch and has a gallery section with jeans on virtual display that illustrate the different ways in which the jeans can get worn in. There is also a really great video on the manufacturing process used by Nudie Jeans. It’s really fascinating to see all the work that goes into each pair.