Nanospore+Cool Hunting: Guide to LA

by Ami Kealoha

On a recent trip to Los Angeles, the locals who head up the multi-media design studio Nanospore tipped Cool Hunting to some of the freshest new spots and a few old standbys. Perfect jumping off points for a day-long layover, here's proof that LA's more than just Grauman's Chinese Theatre, freeways, and the Getty.

The Social Trust
155 West Washington Boulevard
Suite 714
Los Angeles, CA 90015 map
(213)-743-9745

A group project of Chad K. Uyeno, Haakim Walker, Paul Sun, Eric B. Nam, and Evil Monito magazine, The Social Trust is a new 4,500 square-foot, multi-use space in downtown LA. Housing a gallery and retail space that will carry upmarket streetwear brands, books and more, the studio opened earlier this month with their photography exhibit titled " Community One" that celebrates a global network of artists and designers.

Lion's Den
711 New High Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012 map
(213)- 596-0887

Among Chinatown vendors, restaurants, and a growing crop of galleries, Lion's Den has set up shop to offer a selection of apparel, sneakers, and accessories that reflect owner Raymond Tseng's design sensibilities that come from growing up Asian American in LA. Check out a short video about it on Turn Here.

Bay Cities Italian Deli
1517 Lincoln Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401 map
(310)-395-8279

This unassuming grocery in Santa Monica is a great place pick up gourmet imported treats, but the Bay Cities Italian Deli is more well-known their classic sandwiches made on bread baked fresh every hour. Try the Poorboy or Godmother for a delicious sandwich under $6.

Father's Office
1018 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403 map
(310)-393-2337

With over 50 beers and blue cheese burgers piled with crispy shoestring fries, Father's Office in Santa Monica fills up nightly with the after-work crowd for good reason.

Avalon Hotel
9400 West Olympic Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 map
(800)-670-6183

Low key and well-designed, the Avalon in Beverly Hills is a welcome alternative the over-hyped scenes at other hotels. Like Nanospore's Paul Hwang puts it, "you can't go wrong with any hotel that has cabanas and a pool view."

Hoopla

by Ted Cahill

The new book titled Hoopla, full of dynamic images and insightful descriptions, is the first to fully deconstruct the freewheeling, visionary agency of Crispin Porter + Bogusky—the firm that brought a new meaning to thinking outside of the box by redesigning the box itself. USA Today hailed them as "the ad world's most talked-about agency" and Business 2.0 called them "the next big thing" as they launched the MINI car craze in America, took on Big Tobacco in the controversial "truth" campaign, sexed up Virgin Airlines, and put the sizzle back in Burger King. Now veteran journalist, Warren Berger who has tracked the CP+B phenomenon over the past decade, reveals the mystery behind the madness. Hoopla also includes practical advice on how to find and promote big ideas and generate excitement around them in today's increasingly cluttered world. Due out August 2006, pre-order it from Amazon ($45).

Sonos ZP80

by Josh Rubin

Last month Sonos released their new Zone Player 80 (ZP80) and and I've been demoing the system ever since. The Sonos solution allows you to play your digital music throughout your house without having to run any wires between rooms. Playback can be controlled from software installed on your computer or by using the super intuitive wireless remote. The music remains on your computer but can be accessed from each zone separately to play different songs in each room. Multiple zones can be combined for unified playback or all zones, up to 32 are supported, can be combined in "party mode." What makes the Sonos system so good is how well they have simplified an otherwise complex scenario. I was up and running (in my little 2 room apartment) in 10 minutes.

The Zone Players all communicate over a proprietary wireless network which did not have a single drop out during my testing. The ZP80 differs from the original ZP100 because the ZP80 does not have a built in amplifier, making it appropriate as an addition to an existing stereo unit. For rooms where you have no equipment at all, the ZP100 is perfect because you can just plug in speakers that are powered by its 50W/channel amp. And of course the ZP80 and the ZP100 play nicely together and are equally controllable from the wireless remote.

A bundle with 2 ZP80 units and the wireless remote is currently being offered for US$999. Additional ZP80s are US$349, the ZP100s go for US$499 and the remote can be purchased separately for US$399. All available direct from the Sonos Store.

Move3

by Ami Kealoha

For the third year running, AIGA presents Move, a conference bringing together some of the best and brightest in the creative community. The theme this time around, is "Under the Influence" and boasts a formidable line-up of renowned innovators, including performance-based songstress Laurie Anderson, legendary fashion photographer Jean-Paul Goude, computer artist Cory Arcangel, and Adult Swim's Michael Cahill and Jacob Escobedo. The two-day event runs 19-20 May 2006 and, with talks like Arcangel's DIY hacker "cooking class," it promises to entertain as well as inspire. Advance registration ends this Sunday 14 May 2006. Sign up here.