Goodwill, which is funded by a massive network of retail thrift stores, is not usually associated with high end brands, but rather affordable prices. To set itself apart from increased competition in the thrift store market, Goodwill is taking a new approach by opening select boutique style stores, which are designed to feel more like Urban Outfitter or Anthropologie rather than a thrift store.

Rare by Goodwill is the nonprofit’s latest retail experiment. (David Kawashima / The Suitcase Studio)

One of the OC Goodwill’s boutique stores, located in Huntington Beach, CA. (David Kawashima / FastCompany)

Over the last four years Goodwill has opened approximately 60 such stores across the country, trying to take advantage of luxury donations and to appeal to a broader audience. Prices are slightly higher than regular Goodwill prices, but still beat the price tag high end name brands, such as Prada, Chanel, Burberry or Ralph Lauren would fetch at traditional retailers.

The O.C. Goodwill Boutique in Huntington Beach features wooden floors and artfully arranged clothing displays. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Frank Talarico Jr. of the Goodwill in Orange County, was quoted in the LA Times saying: “The boutiques set us apart. This is a really nice way to expand. We are definitely not going to stop.” Adding “The only reason retail is relevant is because we are using the money to serve.”

Google’s homepage introduced a new sans-serif logo today – the biggest redesign since 1999. Small screens and readability on all devices have been a major consideration, with modern typography (a new Google specific font called Product Sans) that scales better to smaller sizes for easier reading.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve changed our look and it probably won’t be the last, but we think today’s update is a great reflection of all the ways Google works for you across Search, Maps, Gmail, Chrome and many others. We think we’ve taken the best of Google (simple, uncluttered, colorful, friendly), and recast it not just for the Google of today, but for the Google of the future” the company stated on it’s blog.

Google also changed their icon – instead of the blue “g” – an uppercase “G” in Google’s four colors will be displayed, which many are saying will become “people’s primary association with Google going forward.”

The video below recaps the evolution of Google and it’s logo – the way people interact with Google today across many different platforms, apps and devices.

New logo animation & video via Google

How cool would this have been? A small post office in Tieton, Washington was supposed to get a new facade consisting of 41,500 stamp-size glass mosaic tiles, commemorating the look of vintage postage stamps from the early 20th century.

Image via Kickstarter | Tieton Stamp Mosaic: A Monument to Small-Town Post Offices

The Kickstarter campaign had initially raised enough money, but the USPS declined the offer, with Ernie Swanson, U.S.P.S. communications field contact, stating “It’s just inappropriate, basically, for us to do that, to accept such gifts; we operate and maintain our own facilities.”

Luckily the town will still produce six typographic mosaics that will be installed around Tieton landmarks, as part of the Tieton Mosaic Project, which was funded in part by the National Endowment of the Arts. Ed Marquand, co-founder of Mighty Tieton (an incubator for artisan and design-related light manufacturing businesses), is behind the Tieton Mosaic Project and helming the revitalization effort of the small, agricultural community in central Washington.