To kick off their new Baby & Kids section, Drew from the ultra-hip SF onlne store Design Public asked several designers and parents whether they'd be willing to contribute entries to their site. The only mandate was that all entries should be somewhat centered around the theme of "Children & Design." Being a total polymath of random information, I told Drew I'd be more than happy to share my profound innermost thoughts on the subject. (Meanwhile, who knew I even had any thoughts on the subject? God forbid I turn down an open microphone!)
Unfortunately, I probably shouldn't have had that bottle of Japanese Sake before I started writing. I tend to start babbling incessantly, confessing my deepest secrets and throwing down challenges when I drink Sake. Turns out this was going to be no exception.
But anyway, if you want to hear my drunken thoughts about modern design, here's my contribution to their site. Let me know what you think.
I gotta say the post is hilarious, and you are spot on about those product areas that need redesigning. Thanks also for mentioning taking a dump and masturbation on our blog. Cheers!
Drew
Posted by: Drew | August 19, 2005 at 02:41 PM
Brilliant post, MD! I must say that I was disappointed in some of the other contributions. Yours was definitely the best and the funniest.
Posted by: Brent | August 19, 2005 at 03:03 PM
I also must commend you for being bold enough to admit that some of the more aesthetically pleasing baby gear is often not functional... and while parents desire form... babies SCREAM for function.
KUDOS on a great post.
Posted by: tpon | August 19, 2005 at 03:44 PM
MD...You cover the most random array of topics I've sever seen. Truly, you're a very gifted writer. And clearly, a pretty smart dude (especially for a Met fan)!
Posted by: D. Robbins | August 19, 2005 at 04:01 PM
Great post. But would it be unfair for me to point out the irony in your whorishness, given your recent post on the Boss Lady's shopping addiction? Yes? Okay, consider it deleted.
Posted by: landismom | August 19, 2005 at 04:07 PM
Good points on three our of four, but if you haven't found a diaper bag that doesn't look "mommy," you can't be looking that hard. (warning, blatant plug ahead) Check the links on my brand new site, notpastel.blogspot.com.
Posted by: Rebecca | August 19, 2005 at 04:09 PM
All this time, we never knew you were such a whore, MD! Thanks for sharing that info. I really enjoyed the post. It was definitely the best one out of all of them.
Posted by: C. Robson | August 19, 2005 at 04:22 PM
You're a true Renaissance man, Metro. Definitely enjoyed reading your thoughts on babies and design. My wife and I are expecting our first child in November and we've been scrambling to find cool baby stuff for the home. Not that easy!
Posted by: William | August 19, 2005 at 05:10 PM
a renaissance man, that's what i was thinking. and then i read drew's post and nearly slipped on the drool that was the byproduct of the laughter your design post gave me.
and don't think i didn't notice that you posted my most genius college trick - get a job as a writer for a paper and then turn those assignments in as my classwork. double the credit, single the work.
oh and the secrets sites. yum.
ty md
Posted by: bitemycookie | August 19, 2005 at 10:46 PM
MetroDad...you are seriously one funny dude. I can't figure out if you're the coolest, weirdest or the geekiest blogger I read. Maybe all of the above. All I know is that you totally crack me up. I've been reading your site since you started and I had no idea you were such a design whore. Learn something new every day.
Great post.
Posted by: Phillip | August 19, 2005 at 11:46 PM
Discovered your blog today via Design Public. I've been reading your archives for the past 2 hours. My wife and I are having our first child in 3 weeks and I'm just discovering this world of parenting blogs. Yours is one of the funniest I've stumbled upon. I can't wait to read more.
FYI...Jack Spade and Coach make some good diaper bags for men.
Posted by: Louis | August 20, 2005 at 12:50 AM
Bravo! Bravo! We could also use some attractive toy storage systems that aren't designed by fucking Pottery Barn.
Posted by: MIM | August 20, 2005 at 10:28 AM
Found you via Design Public. Couldn't agree with you more. There is such a dearth of well-designed baby products. It's amazing how ugly so much of this stuff is. Hopefully, some designers read your entertaining article and are now motivated to help us design-concious parents.
Posted by: William | August 22, 2005 at 10:37 AM
I refuse - REFUSE - to carry a mandiaperbag. Instead, I opted for a Circa skateboarder backpack. Cool looking (black with a skull-and-crossbones logo that says "Hey World! I'm A Father With a Serious Peter Pan Complex!") and functional (lots and lots of zippered pockets and it's a backpack so you don't have to wear it like a purse, thus preserving your macho image).
Posted by: Jason | August 22, 2005 at 01:32 PM
THANK YOU! My wife and I have been totally lamenting the fact that most baby stuff looks like total crap. You hit it right on the nose. Lately, it seems stuff is getting better looking. I think it's because some cool designers are having kids of their own and are so repulsed by what's out there that they've taken to the task themselves. Hopefully, things will be a lot better soon.
Posted by: Jeffrey | August 22, 2005 at 01:39 PM
Great articles and it's so helpful. I want to add your blog into my rrs reader but i can't find the rrs address. Would you please send your address to my email? Thanks a lot!
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