BEST OF 2024 + 24

In a world of creators, few are truly creative. This is The Creative Cool.. a labor of love. Now a year in & 24 issues deep, we have a nice catalog of content for anyone who appreciates high art & design culture. Travis & I started +©© as a way to educate & inspire others with what has inspired us along our journey. We always celebrated being the non-traditional, the black sheep, the underdogs. +©© is a spotlight on all of that & a way for us to say thank you to all those featured. The Creative & the Cool, so enjoy taking a look at some of 2024’s most popular topics. Until next time, may your clients be easy, your payments fast & make sure to refer a friend to get some free limited edition prints from our studio!

-Ed Hume

+ Pool

In the works for over a decade, New Yorkers will soon be able to enjoy a summer swim at this floating pool in the East River. The $25M project will use a unique filtration device to fill the pool from the water it’s floating on.

+ Logo Beginnings

Jens Muller traces the evolution of over 6,000 iconic logos from the late 19th to early 20th century in Logo Beginnings. With meticulous research, this pioneering monograph isn’t just a graphic design manual, but a compelling narrative of social, cultural & corporate history, showcasing the profound impact of trademarks on our everyday lives.

+ Very Expensive

A favorite of celebrities, rich girls & us too, Chrome Hearts has never followed trends since their launch in 1988 by Richard Stark, making biker gear like leather goods, adorned by silver jewelry in the USA. Since teaming up with Laurie Lynn, the husband & wife duo opened a NY boutique & has since made everything from luxury clothing, sunglasses, furniture & even toilet plungers. With price tags of $1,000 for a tee-shirt & an unmistakable “Fuck You” aesthetic, you can’t help but to stand out wearing the brand.

+ From Streetwear Creative To Fashion Maestro

From A Bathing Ape, BAPE, Human Made & Kenzo, 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐎® has been undisputedly shaping fashion since the ‘90s. Mentored by Hiroshi Fujiwara, he co-created Billionaire Boys Club & Ice Cream with Pharrell, now directing fashion at Louis Vuitton. No denying Nigo’s Creativity & Influence.

+ By Binghatti

Experienced the epitome of sheer opulence at the the Bugatti Residences by Binghatti. With panoramic views of the Dubai skyline, every detail of the 52 story high-rise is designed with the spirit of inventive vivacity. Inspiration comes from the undulating contours of the beaches along the French Riviera & the majestic dunes of Dubai. The perfect place to park your new La Voiture Noire.

+ The Muska

26 years after the original release, ‘es re-releases their iconic Muska skate shoe! This classic silhouette was originally designed by street skateboarder Chad Muska. Fashion brands like Lanvin & Kenzo continue to be heavily influenced by chunky skate shoe styling from the ‘90s.

+ Momentum Through Motion

Roy Veldkamp is a multidisciplinary designer who focuses on blending the analog & digital worlds, merging the forms, colors & textures of different fields into continuously morphing compositions. Have a look at some beautiful motion design on his IG below!

+ 2NISM, RANE, SOBR, ETHL

Once a luxury condo development backed by Chinese investors who went belly up, Oceanwide Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles now stands abandoned, it’s unfinished structure transformed into a canvas for graffiti artists who have added their tags & vibrant colors to the urban decay. Locals remain divided between viewing it as an eyesore or an unconventional masterpiece, while city officials grapple with safety concerns & its neighborhood impact.

+ A Toaster Pastry, But Better

What happens when you take a favorite childhood snack, make it even better & then hire Blurr Bureau? You end up with Flings. Aesthetically enjoyable & deliciously cool!

+ Physical Vapor Deposition

Stone Island METAL MESH PVD NANOTECHNOLOGY fuses cutting-edge material science with bold design. Built on a Cordura® 500 base, it features dual layers of polyester organza coated in nanometric aluminum via Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), creating dazzling moiré effects & metallic reflections.

Padded with RDS-certified down, it offers warmth + function, with a down-padded hood, bellowed pockets secured by elastic-tipped cotton tape & inner elasticated cuffs. Finished with a concealed two-way zip & the iconic white Stone Island badge, this jacket is a sleek testament to modern innovation.

+ Reserve Kopi Luwak Cold Brew

VÉHICULE redefines luxury coffee with Kopi Luwak, crafted from cherries naturally fermented by wild Asian palm civets in Sumatra. Collaborating with Berlin’s top roasters, they slow-roast each batch to 391°F, unlocking rich, full-bodied flavors with smooth, nuanced notes of citrus, honey & chocolate. Brewed over 16 hours using pure spring water, their cold brew process eliminates bitterness, showcasing the bean’s essence. Micro-filtration ensures unmatched purity, delivering a coffee experience that’s both rare & exceptional—a true celebration of craftsmanship & taste.

+ Speed Kills

Murdered at just 59 years old in Miami, Don Aronow was a true legend in the world of powerboat design + racing. The former construction boss moved to Miami after making his money to race offshore boats before eventually founding multiple companies that still lead the industry today, such as Donzi, Formula & Cigarette. Personal friends became clients, including George H. W. Bush, the Shah of Iran, Malcolm Forbes & endless others lining up to spend ludicrous sums of money to go fast.

+ Learn 3D Lettering with Manasseto

@manasseto

Quick tutorial on a design i did for my recent collab with @Adobe Should I make a full youtube tutorial? #typographytrends #graphicdesig... See more

+ The Cheat Code.. LOL

Invest with the art investment platform with 23 profitable exits.

How has the art investing platform Masterworks been able to realize an individual profit for investors with each of its 23 exits to date?

Here’s an example: an exited Banksy was offered to investors at $1.039 million and internally appraised at the same value after acquisition. As Banksy’s market took off, Masterworks received an offer of $1.5 million from a private collector, resulting in 32% net annualized return for investors in the offering.

Every artwork performs differently — but with 3 illustrative sales (that were held for 1+ year), Masterworks investors realized net annualized returns of 17.6%, 17.8%, and 21.5%.

Masterworks takes care of the heavy lifting: from buying the paintings, to storing them, to selling them for you (no art experience required).

Now, you can SKIP THE WAITLIST when you use our exclusive link to get started.

Past performance not indicative of future returns. Investing Involves Risk. See Important Disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.