Daily Moustache

Ali in Portland, Oregon is creating a Daily Moustache...

Why did you decide to do this project? I decided to do this project for a few reasons. First of all, I was faced with unemployment, and needed some structure and levity. I thought that making something every day would help me with that. Also, I wanted to learn new design skills such as vector drawing, product photograpy, and laser cutting and I thought this would be a good opportunity to practice those skills.

Why moustaches? Moustaches aren’t too serious, and I was in serious need of a laugh at least once a day. Also, I noticed a resurgence in the popularity of the moustache, along with a wild array of moustache-themed products. I’ll admit it... I just didn’t get it at first. Moustache wall decals, moustache erasers, moustache bottle openers, moustache this, mustache that. But why? Who eats moustache-flavored candy? What does moustache-shaped soap smell like? What kind of food do you pair with moustache wine? It wasn’t long before I started to see moustaches in everyday objects. I made a list. Then, I started making them. It was fun, so I kept on making them.

How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I have developed new design skills throughout the course of this project. This project also gave me the motivation to reopen my long-defunct Etsy shop with my new laser-cut designs. I tried working with some materials I wouldn’t ordinarily work with, learned some fascinating moustache trivia, and started to notice moustaches all over the place. Sometimes, I find myself making a moustache without setting out to do so. For instance, the other day, at a party, I made a moustache shape out of a champagne bottle cage without really realizing I was doing it.

See all of Ali's moustache's HERE.

Napstaches in Austin

I recently gave a talk about my new book Unstuck at the SXSW Interactive conference in Austin, Texas. And I ended it with a challenge: make a napkin moustache (inspired by Phil Ford's Napkin Moustache A Day project) with a new friend while you're at SXSW. Several people took the challange and here are some of the results...

 

Yes, that's me on the right with an invisible napkin mustache!

Why not give it a try! It's an easy way to get out of your comfort zone and have an unusual experience that could spark some new ideas and connections. If you do try it out please share the results with me and I'll post them on the site.

Also if you're interested to know what I said, you can now hear the audio from my entire talk HERE.

Napkin Moustache A Day

My friend Phil Ford was inspired by me to start making a Napkin Moustache A Day!...

Why did you decide to do this project? Being silly for my wife at various meals, then Noah had to go and do this thing to inspire to create and all that...so, can I do this for a year?

How has doing a daily project affected your life? I have already had a positive response from people, some even asking to contribute (which I may do as the year goes on).  I think what has been interesting so far is the directions that I can go with it.  What is kind of happening is that I have been writing about what is happening at that moment to bring me right up to the photograph of the Napstache.  A captured diary moment, if you will.

See all of Phil's "napstaches" and read the stories of the meals behind them on his site HERE.