The best thing about my life is that I am the least awesome and noteworthy of all of my friends.  Here is by buddy Oliver Uberti at the recent TEDxNASA doing a design and art presentation called “Smash The Design Button” — he’s a designer and artist for the National Geographic Magazine — enjoy!

From the video’s description:

The design process begins and ends with research — so he shares an office with a human skeleton. Oliver Uberti is a visual journalist and designer who dabbles in maps, infographics and words. He is a Design Editor at National Geographic magazine.

On a given day at Geographic, Uberti says he may be found painting with crude oil, charting man’s migration from Africa, drawing Stonehenge, counting jelly beans or directing a photo shoot of highway litter. He’s drawn to images that make him feel something — joy, sorrow, surprise or wonder.

Uberti writes a blog titled The Process, the stories behind National Geographic’s award- winning art, maps and designs. Here he answers the oft-asked question “How did they do that?”

About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Jalopnik is a blog after my own heart.  I would surely design an entire home around being able to view a couple beautiful things — such as a Ferrari and an Eames lounge chair and ottoman.

I mean, Sub-Zeros, Vikings, and 50″ plasmas might be aesthetic and I know most architects and interior designers worth their salt would never indulge me, but I mean, come on! Wasn’tFerris Bueller’s Day Off a movie about a pretty, red, Ferrari 250, no?

Via Jalopnik via Flickr via SaveTheEnzos

While I am not (yet) rich enough to indulge my passion for design, architecture, style, or interiors, I must say that I am feeling a little aroused by the selection of fixtures offered by Swiss bathroom products manufacturer Laufen. Via the Contemporist.

I am so drawn to the aesthetic of the design concrete-rich Habita Hotel in Monterrey, Mexico — this will surely influence my next apartment, that’s for sure! Via the Contemporist: Habita Monterrey Hotel by Landa Architects and Joseph Dirand

The Habita Hotel in Monterrey, Mexico, opened in 2008, and was designed by Landa Architects with interiors designed by Joseph Dirand. Via the Contemporist