It's not all about the food and drinks when you go out for dinner or cocktails, right? Atmosphere plays a significant role in the dining experience, and to honor the achievements of restaurant, bar, and nightclub designers, The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles (AIA|LA)'s panel of judges have come up with the nominees in three categories for the 8th annual Restaurant Design Awards (RDA) Competition. more ›

The sleek modern lines and vibrant touches of color in Don Draper's new apartment on "Mad Men" spring from the changing styles of the mid-1960s, and set decorator Claudette Didul took the L.A. Times on a virtual tour of apartment 17B. more ›

It's time to get bent, lovers of shiny things and the revitalization of historic buildings: Downtown L.A. will soon be home to a "Sparkle Factory." If you, like us, are wondering WTF is a "Sparkle Factory," (and if any My Little Pony products are involved) we can explain... more ›

Things are moving ahead for the proposed NFL stadium in Downtown Los Angeles, and today the firm commissioned to design Farmers Field revealed their official design. Gensler's current design (the initial one was the entry into the design bid competition) is characterized as being "light and airy" with "flight-like" attributes, according to Blogdowntown. more ›

The Humane Society of the U.S.'s fashion design contest Cool vs. Cruel challenges students of The Art Institutes to reinterpret a "furry" runway look by crafting an improved, animal-friendly version. This year's competition culls from inhumane designs by Fendi, Alexander McQueen, Gucci and Oscar de la Renta. more ›

Last Saturday we listed seven reasons not to miss this Saturday's L.A. Street Food Fest. Today we thought of an eighth. Purchase your ticket for Unique's LA's first-ever summer show, and you'll receive $10 off your food festival ticket. Use the code "UniqueFoodie" to receive your discount. more ›

Forget how delicious the drinks or dishes are; the American Institute of Architects in Los Angeles is all about how a bar or restaurant looks. Superficial? Nah. It's a huge part of the dining (or drinking) experience, and the best of L.A. and elsewhere were named and honored by the organization as part of this past weekend's annual Dwell on Design expo and conference. more ›

Dwell on Design, the annual design expo, concludes today, with a day full of great panels and talks, demonstrations, shopping, and a hall full of innovative design vendors and their eye-catching goods. Though we've already shared our tips for what not to miss, including panel picks for today, after strolling the Convention Center's West Hall yesterday, we've put together some images representing just a few of the interesting things to see there today. more ›

Dwell on Design, the annual event focused on green, conscious, and innovative design, decor, and lifestyle, returns to the Convention Center this weekend. A multi-dimensional event, from home tours to panels and demos, to a full exhibit space with opportunities to investigate and interact, it definitely takes some planning and a do-it-yourself approach to making sure you get the most out of your time there. more ›

The sun-dappled back room of Brentwood's Tavern, the retro-chic game room vibe of the Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt, the resort getaway relaxation of Red O, the exposed brick-chic of the recently-remodeled Osteria La Buca...these four and eight other L.A. restaurants (or bars) have made a reader-nominated list of 14 venues up for the Best Designed in a poll run by California Home + Design. more ›

One of the first pieces of art patrons of the soon-to-open Saint Felix in Hollywood are promised to see when they enter is an angry nun who is primed to judge the debauched time you're about to have. No, this isn't a destination dreamed up by the whackadoodle folks who brought you the #fail fest that was the May 21 rapture. It's a new dining destination done up by L.A.-based designer Troy Silva. more ›

Hey, LA design community! Get out your planner, or launch your fancy calendar apps, and take note of some great design industry events happening around town for the last two weeks of April. As usual, if you have an event to share, post it in the comments to maximize the direct proportionality of the more truly being the merrier. more ›

You are in control of the patterns and designs you encounter (at least within the confines of the cubicle or office). Instead of zoning out on the desktop wallpaper that you never change or the series of cacti that has occupied prime real estate on your desk for years without requiring much water, perhaps it's time for action. Today is the day for discourse -- if not action -- according to design advocacy organization AIGA's One Day for Design campaign. more ›

Here we go again with a line-up of design-related, creative industry events to pepper your calendar. As usual, if you hear of new ones you want to share, post them in the comments so we can all join in! more ›

AEG has selected global architecture, planning and design firm Gensler to take the lead on the Farmers Field project, a large sports complex slated for construction at current site of West Hall of the L.A. Convention Center. Though it has no experience with NFL stadiums, Gensler is already familiar with the area having designed another L.A. Live cornerstone, the J.W. Marriott hotel and Ritz Carlton Residences. more ›

Hey LA designers, get out and get social with some these great creative industry events for the second half of March! Below is my round-up for the next two weeks, but it is by no means exhaustive. If anyone has more to add, post them in the comments so we can all join in. more ›

Calling all print, web & motion graphic designers from all corners of the Southland, come out and meet your colleagues, listen to lectures from the masters, participate in talks, see exhibits, and celebrate our fantastic profession. Plan your industry social calendar right here! more ›

I think the first thing that impressed me about Andrew Gibbs was his youth and energy. I’ve been reading his blog, thedieline.com, for the last couple years, and it’s so comprehensive, professional, and full of content, I somehow assumed he had to be older than 25. But he’s been ahead of the curve since he graduated high school early at 16, so he’s been out and about longer than most guys his age. more ›

Every year, AIGA LA (the professional organization for design) bestows the highest honor of the organization upon individuals carefully selected for outstanding contributions to design in Los Angeles, the AIGA LA Fellow Award. But don’t be fooled—this is no stuffy awards show with long speeches from relatively inaccessible stars. This year, the Fellows celebration, AIGA LA: Speakeasy, is a party in a salon-style soirée at the Palihouse in West Hollywood on January 20, 2011, where you can chat up creative brilliance around every corner. more ›

Your daily cup of store-bought Starbucks brew just got a little nekkid, thanks to a logo redesign released today by the global coffeehouse powerhouse. Like any lady reaching the big four-oh, it was time for a bit of a makeover. The mermaid is bigger, and, apparently, like most of the half-dressed Hollywood celebutantes who carry her around in their skeletal hands while the paparazzi pounce, so easily recognized she doesn't need to say who she is. more ›

Leave it to a pair of Ohioans to give us a fresh look at Los Angeles, cartographically speaking. The map-making team of Jen Adrion and Omar Noory, under the banner These Are Things, launched their project to create simple and modern world maps to "help [them] chart [their] future travels" in 2009. Today they dropped us a note to say they've finished their map of Los Angeles. more ›

As a graphic designer, I’ve been reading Alissa Walker in various design publications for years. She’s been somewhat of a household name for designers and architects, but when I started seeing her name pop up with other credits, like Good, Fast Company, Longshot Magazine, helping produce DnA for KCRW, speaking on and moderating panel discussions—it seemed like she was suddenly everywhere. This is a great thing, however, because she writes about the things I love: Los Angeles, design, walking & gelato! I got my complimentary Coolhaus bacon ice cream sandwich (yum!), poured myself a coffee and got settled in for her talk as part of the Creative Mornings Los Angeles series. more ›

The La Brea Design District is hungry. Hungry for ice cream sandwiches. Hungry for gourmet Vietnamese cuisine. Hungry for tacos and specialty fries, and hungry for your holiday shopping dollars. more ›

It's a good time to be a logo. Or is it? After clothing retailer The Gap unveiled their "new look," came the news Friday that Beverly Hills-based social networking site MySpace has a new logo, too. more ›

New York City's Bloomingdale's is poised to open their 41st store--the 8th in California--which will anchor the newly remodeled Santa Monica Place mall. Taking a cue from their SoHo location, as well as drawing liberally from the aesthetic of the beach, the two floors of high-end fashion and accessories is set to appeal to the discerning customer in search of trends, color, style, and the customer service of Bloomingdale's. more ›

Whether it's Apple's iPad, a new building or the latest fashion, California's artists and designers have left their mark on the world. Perhaps that's why museums around Southern California indulge in celebrating the local talent. Later this year at the Orange County Museum of Art, the California Biennial makes a comeback. But this week marked a separate biennial at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. more ›

What do you do when you love the design and architecture of Los Angeles, but the world only hones in on one part of the city? Make your own damn organization. In 2008 a group of design-oriented friends began to loosely organize informal social events. But as creative people tend to do, it's not enough to just meet up for drinks -- things must get more adventurous... more ›