Wallpaper* Design Awards: Judge’s Shortlist

Robert Capa's surprising color photos, Google's 2013 Zeitgeist, Nico Muhly's review of Beyoncé and more

With the end of the year all but here, Wallpaper* Magazine is just weeks away from announcing this year’s winners of their annual design awards. As a teaser, the London-based publication recently posted the Judge’s Awards shortlist, which reflects exciting selections from a diverse panel, which includes Victoria Beckham, Spike Jonze and restauranteur-turned-designer Michael Chow. Accolades span a bevy of categories, including Best New Hotel, …

Japanese Temari Spheres

Robert Capa's surprising color photos, Google's 2013 Zeitgeist, Nico Muhly's review of Beyoncé and more

Temari spheres, a craft brought to Japan from China in the seventh century, are hand-embroidered using bits of thread—often from old kimonos—which are carefully crafted into spherical balls (though they’re most certainly not meant for kicking around). A Flickr user recently discovered her grandmother’s collection of over 500 of the the folk art masterpieces, each revealing a unique geometric pattern with bold color contrasts.

Colorful Feelings

Robert Capa's surprising color photos, Google's 2013 Zeitgeist, Nico Muhly's review of Beyoncé and more

Vladimir Nabokov, Billy Joel, David Hockney, Stevie Wonder—these are all well-known influencers of culture who have synesthesia, a neurological condition where stimulation of one sense evokes the sensation of another. Chromesthesia (experiencing sounds in color) is the most common form, and Noisey explores its potential for taking music to a new level, with chromesthetes like Pharrell Williams and Aphex Twin leading the way.