Newsletters for the letters T-Y feature subscribers who each volunteered to adopt a letter, select a word, explore the topic with a project, and then write about the experience. If you want details on the why and how behind this, check out Quest.
With that, I want to introduce Dan Toyama who has chosen time as his word. Dan and I connected through Design Dream Lab and I was thrilled he volunteered. I hope you enjoy his project and writing as much as I do!
ALPHA BITS
You can find the full post for time here and also on the homepage. Here’s more info on Dan’s project:
I love that Dan chose the word time. Learn why I chose to illustrate what I did on the website.
Follow along with Dan as he reflects on inspiration found in a toy keyboard as he contemplates time.
After Dan produces beats on his Casio MT-70, he serendipitously realizes he did so in a style that’s called the Minneapolis style, created by musicians Prince and the band most closely associated with the sound: The Time (whoa!).
Watch Dan’s video of his lo-fi music on the website!
CONNECTION(S)
This section is for my email friends—you won’t find it on Alpha Projects. Dan and I wanted to share these links with you!
Delight in music made on toy and semiprofessional keyboards of the 80s and early 90s thanks to Keen on Keys via his SoundCloud and YouTube
Tap into one of Dan’s sources for inspiration: 8-Bit Keys’ YouTube and a featured YouTuber and his SoundCloud
Understand the purpose of nostalgia and recognize the nostalgia trap
Browse the internet strategically with 15 minutes and Notion
Read the time with this Literature Clock and be productive with a Pomodachi
Get an invite to the most magical calendar experience. ✨🗓✨ Reply to this email and I’ll hook you up with Cron!
💖 Show Dan’s project some love by sharing this post via email or social media—and tag @dantoyama on Twitter and/or Instagram with #alphaprojects.💖
You can also respond to this email if you want to pass on kudos and feedback to Dan.
Thanks for reading (and sharing)!