The Illustrious Omnibus of Superpowers.
I just bought this taxonomic superpowers poster from Brooklyn-based Pop Chart Lab (“…founded in August 2010 by a book editor and a graphic designer who joined forces for one reason: to bring order to a swirling chaos, that is, to render the world as charts”) for Evan. Isn’t it awesome? I had no idea it’s even super-possible to have prehensile hair.
We already have Pop Chart Lab’s Grand Taxonomy of Rap Names poster in our hallway, and I gave my nephew the Evolution of Video Game Controllers poster (which coincidentally uses the same font as my blog header) for Christmas. Yeah, I was the cool aunt for a minute or two, believe me.
These are posters for nerds. Design-loving nerds. Like me. I’m a fan.
It’s hard to appreciate how awesome this stuff is at small sizes, so hop over to Pop Chart Lab to check out some enlargements. The level of detail in the taxonomy charts in particular is pretty amazing.
Pictured above, clockwise from top left:
+ Bill Solo t-shirt (the only thing better than Bill Murray is…Bill Murray)
+ The Splendiferous Array of Culinary Tools poster
+ Periodic Table of Heavy Metals poster
+ A Visual Compendium of Notable Haircuts in Popular Music poster
Ahhh the culinary tools. Just love these designs. Now where to hang it…?
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Gosh, I am thinking the same thing! Where to hang these…..
These posters are awesome – thanks for sharing! I’m definitely going to get that Culinary Tools poster for our kitchen!
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I might have to get that Bill Solo tee for my husband’s birthday pressie!!! He LOVES Bill Murray.
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Audrie, there are a bunch of Bill tees…and more to come! Maybe he needs a whole new wardrobe :)
ugh, you are reminding me of what a weakness i have for collecting silkscreens. i had to unsubscribe from a few of the poster blogs to stop enabling myself. seen these before, and now i want since they’re made here in brooklyn. must stay strong.
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Absolutely lovesticks, Anna! Have just bought 3 tees for Tim, and that amazing haircuts poster for our new bathroom (when it’s finished)!
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Both of my sons love t-shirts like this. They are really cute nerds and they tell me that nerds are in these days, “not like the nerds of your time, mom”. I was an 80s girl.
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Hah!!! I guess nerds are cooler now than when we were kids. ;)
‘nerds are in these days, “not like the nerds of your time, mom”’ is probably the best thing I will hear all day. (I’m an 80s girl, too.)
I love Pop Chart Lab! A friend of mine bought me the culinary tools poster for my birthday last year when I was in the thick of culinary school. It hangs proudly in my kitchen and makes me chuckle all the time.
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I am a huge fan of Pop Chart Lab and have wanted to purchase a poster for a long time. (One of those deals that pops up then you forget)
Would love to see the process of creating a chart. The thought already sent my anxiety through my head.
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I know!! I’d be in a constant state of panic that I’d leave something out and another bigger nerd would come along and point it out and mock me.
This is brilliant! My husband would love it too (plus the Breuckelen one).
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Okay – setting aside the amazing *content*, the designs are pure genius. I hope they are making a million dollars. Just LOOK at the font in the one you bought. Amaze balls.
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The font in the Super Powers poster, Umbra, was actually designed in 1935 by R. Hunter Middleton.
http://www.youworkforthem.com/product.php?sku=T1160
I’m noting that not to diminish the design of the posters (which is indeed great!), but just to clarify the origins of the type you mentioned.
Thank you so much for the link! The posters are absolutely fantastic and I’m already working on getting the superpower one sent for my husband, who used to love comics as a kid – and in fact still does. Actually I’d love all of them but the flat is small.
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Anna,
Weird, I was just on the site yesterday. I have the rap poster, and will be buying the periodic table soon for my husband. You are a fountain of knowledge!
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This is just what I need it!!!
super power ans kitchen tools.
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Ah I remember checking out the site when you posted about the Taxonomy of Rap Names poster and wanting to buy one… but I procrastinated and out of sight, out of mind. Thanks for reminding me.
In another note I couldn’t stop laughing at the migratory patterns of fresh princes poster. I used to watch that show all the time when I was younger and when I started dating the boyfriend (it had been long since off the air) I would put on his old baseball cap from youth (sideways ofcoarse) and sing him the theme song. I know I’m a loser! I still remember all the words.
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Yay Pop Chart Lab! I bought the Grand Taxonomy of Rap Names poster for Chandler and she LOVES IT. They’re really nice quality and so reasonably priced, too.
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I might have to buy the Haircuts poster for my dad to put up at the barber shop….It’s amazing and very extensive!!
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I ordered exactly the same poster a little over a week ago. My husband is a massive comic book fan and I was so excited to find something that appealed to both our tastes. It should arrive any day now…
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The culinary tools poster might be exactly what I was looking for our little kitchen space, I just hope that all those other priorities don’t suck up my urge…
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the periodic table of heavy metals… in the shape of Dio horns!! that is just beyond amazing!
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ok is it just me, or does the ‘culinary tools’ circle in the middle look like it’s pulsing as you scroll down?? (and no, i am NOT high, lol)
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HAHAHA, no, it’s not just you! That’s what happens when you look at dense shapes like that with spaces that are smaller than a pixel—when you scroll down, you’re actually “losing” part of the image as you cross a pixel. Then it’s back! Then you disappears again…etc.
ok, thanks! tee hee!
I have the superpower poster in my house and got my brewer brother the beer one. I love all the details in their work. It’s like art and hours of entertainment all in one.
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i LOVE the Compendium of Haircut in Popular Music. I recommended it to a friend for her hairstylist boyfriend. Awesome.
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