Sao Paulo artist Bruno Dicolla’s illustrations have an immediately charming disposition, despite how oddball their subjects are portrayed, like one of a shark rising out of an ice-cream colored sea or another of a bear-mermaid exulting about something rad s/he just found out about. It’s the magical stuff for CD and book covers, both areas of which Dicolla has already added into his short but steel-strong list of works. Besides his portfolio (which includes an awe-inspiring movie called Scooter and Jinx, shown at worldwide Resfest stops and a stateside animation festival), there’s not much else I can find about this artist. Does he like going to the zoo? Does he have a mustache? Does he wear belts? Let us know if you have the inside track on this obviously rising up-and-comer.

While we’re on the subject of saving the world (Were we? Do Superheroes ever rest?) perhaps today is the right day to enter cause/affect, AIGA San Francisco’s biennial graphic design competition, which celebrates work that positively impacts society and communities. Work submitted must “do good” in some way, meaning raising awareness, supporting or promoting social niceness, or actively engaging in enriching lives. The competition is open to all, with the only rule being that the work does not contribute directly to the profit of a commercial organization. Deadline for entries is November 11th, so get creating, start wheat-pasting that stuff all over town (even though… does that count as littering?), then bask in the warm-fuzzies of a talent put to proper use.

Let’s face it…that BFF heart necklace is so 8th grade, and wearing it around your neck at your age might cause people to look at you a little strange. Luckily, the clever folks at Atypyk have solved this problem with a new way to declare your adoration for your top confidante without the embarrassing public display of affection. With the Best Friends Cup you can stow your solidarity safely at home next to that Pulitzer, Nobel Peace Prize or the tattered blue ribbon from the Junior High Science fair, instead of around your neck for all to see. On the other hand, if your best friend is your dog, it may not be the most ideal chew toy.

Starting this Friday, the country’s best eco-friendly designers will take to the catwalk for Portland’s fifth fashion week. The sustainably produced fashion week will feature the Spring lines of over 30 earth-loving fashion labels, including some class favorites like Sameunderneath and Holly Stalder. While PFW has always been produced with mother nature in mind, this PFW 2007 will mark the first time (in the nation!) that the production of the event itself is entirely sustainable — from the products used on the models to the construction of the runway, Portland Fashion Week will be created and conducted while giving our planet every consideration possible.

If any of our readers happen to make it to PFW (you can still buy tickets here), let us know what the experience was like. Additionally, a few new eco-lines will be debuting at the event, so be sure to fill us in on the new competition…

Once upon a time, “clubs” required a variety of proper attire; things that sparkled without glittering, that impressed without oppressing, that served a purpose without seeming too purposeful. This was vintage country club fashion, and it made men out of boys and ladies out of lasses with its equally sporting and serious whimsicalities. The new online store Gargyle promises to bring back some of that old-fashioned refinement with its carefully curated collection of modernized country club apparel. In more modern terms, this translates to selections that approach dressing in the same manner that one might approach a proper game of croquet — ready to win, but only while having a damn good (and good-looking) time in the process. To that, we say: jolly good, old chap.

I have soft spot for cartoons. I don’t watch them often anymore, but in theory, I could. I guess it brings back fond memories of early Saturday mornings, of course as I’ve grown up (well, sort of), so have cartoons. Case in point is the movie, Renaissance. I hadn’t heard of it until last night when I went on-demand surfing for a decent movie; the lure of a few stellar reviews on IMDB and a name star sucked me in.

Renaissance treated to me an amazingly animated story set in 2054 Paris. The visuals are impressive to say the least; the entire movie is done in high-contrast black and white with color and grays used only in a couple of key places to emphasize the action. And, to top it off, the lead character is a police officer, voiced by none other than Daniel Craig. What Renaissance lacks in story, it more than makes up for in stunning visual quality. This alone makes it a must-see for any of you designerds out there, like me.

Vinyltoys Templates is a website that compiles the plans (blueprints?) for a wide variety of vinyl toys from manufacturers that span the alphabet from All City Style to Woodentoy. There are currently about 40 templates up for your downloading and hacking pleasure, with more to come. In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that the information you will find on Vinyltoys Templates means absolutely nothing to this writer. I don’t know much about vinyl toys, nor do I know how to work with vinyl in any sort of artistic way (though I do believe I’ve done a good job of sitting on some vinyl car seats in my day…minus the sliding that takes place during sharp curves). But none of my shortcomings should stop any of you vinylphiles out there from getting high off the fumes and creativity involved in your hobby. If it’s your bag, consider this site your new best friend.

One of my new favorite places to go out in London is certainly The Groucho Club, a members-only club with three bars, a brasserie and a formal dining room. The best part, really, are the people — everyone invited or involved in the club has a deep history in publishing, arts, media or creative fields. Unlike most clubs in London, everyone was actually very nice; they knew if you were in there, you were probably doing something interesting. The space also has a constantly evolving and fantastic art selection (when I was there, Banksy and Damien Hirst were on the dining room walls). In addition to all the open space for some good partying, the club has 19 bedrooms for members coming in from out of town that need a place to call home. The name was naturally inspired by one of Groucho Marx’s famous quips; “I don’t want to join a club that will accept me as a member,” which I absolutely love. Find someone respected in creative arts or media who knows the London scene and they’re likely a member — this place is worth a visit on a Saturday night.

I’m back in the US after a mad and hectic trip through London and Greece; you wouldn’t have known I was out there this time, unless you follow the Spear Geolocator or my Twitter account. I’ve missed blogging, so I’ll be doing my best to write and twitter all my thoughts this coming week at Pop!Tech in beautiful Camden, Maine. The speaker lineup looks absolutely incredible, as do all the activities. The theme this year is all about exploring the ways human beings impact, and how we’re affected by the world and each other. If you’ll be there, drop me a note for a drink, if you wont be there, don’t worry — you can watch the Pop!Tech stage live online from October 18th to 20th.

Related: PopTech’s Pop!Casts