Journaling

I sat back, admiring my midnight E doodle, picking out shapes: raindrops, leaves, a mustache, sperm, goggles, nothing entirely unexpected. Then it hit me. I saw a bird, landing on a large piece of driftwood, nestled in the sand. Do you see it?

I love moments like this, when I have no expectations, and no vision - when I just follow my pen. Even when the results are ok at best, there is always something that draws me back and feels a little magical.

It's not often that I write my own experiences in this blog, or share my own stuff - and often I wonder, why? I'm starting to feel too safe. Well, we'll see.

Olofsdotter

I love the illustrations of Linn Olofsdotter (Sweden). I am completely drawn in by the delicate line and pretty shading and odd subject matter. Lovely.

When I see sites like this I'm always aching to pull out my own watercolours, ink, brushes and pencils. A career in illustration has always appealed to me ~ I long to get off this keyboard, out of this desk, out of this office. I wonder if it's in me. I wonder if I have what it takes. I wonder. It feels good to be wondering out loud. I think it's time to hit the moleskine again.

Daniele Buetti

I am crazy inspired by the artwork of Daniele Buetti (Swiss living in Berlin). Crazy inspired. It is totally glamorous yet thought provoking, commentating on fashion and advertising, beauty and identity. I would love to see one of these lightboxes in person - I'm sure they are a whole nother universe.

See more here and here.

Kleenex & JWT

I know this campaign has been out forEVER, but I think it warrants a mention, as it continues to make me smile, even after seeing it a million times (and even though it may be totally choreographed). Yes I still love it. Why? They stepped away from those generic, safe guarantees that most commercials throw at us. This campaign says that viewers are emotional, and we want to experience and feel and share and connect. I think it hits a little deeper. But, at the same time, it makes sense for the brand. Tissue is naturally connected to crying. But it's not sad, it's a release.

The campaign was created by JWT. In reading about this campaign, the idea of advertisers as anthropologists kept coming up. I think this is a good example of that, although I am kind of tired of people in the design/marketing fields trying to rename themselves, creating bizarre titles.

Posters

Tauba Auerbach has fun with type.

And - comments on a peculiar trend.

And - download MM Paris' 2008 Poster Catalogue.
It's crazy, beautiful, wonderful.

Dieter Rams: Ten Commandments on Design

Source, and larger, more legible version here.

Design Police

Made me laugh. Learn color theory. Ha. via Josh Spear

While we're at it, ruthlessly making fun of the less design-inclined, check out clientopia.

Cafe Revive

The identity for Cafe Revive at Marks & Spencer was created years ago, but I still think it's rather brilliant. Can this be a formula? Repetitive action becomes simple icon becomes pattern. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it just feels too trendy. But in this case, it's all fun, and it's perfect.

Designed by Graphic Though Facility (London). They are also the genius behind Habitat.

John Maeda

Quoted from John Maeda: Simplicity

"While watching my daughter's viola lesson, and as she stood in front of the class, I realized that the moment when the bow touched the strings was not something to be taken for granted. It was the moment when she was to begin the process of expressing herself by creating music. To create is to potentially embarrass oneself in front of others. It is about the courage to be oneself and to be seen as oneself. Putting ink to a page, or pressing one's fingers against clay, or typing a line of computer code, or blowing glass and realizing mistake. Or success. With everyone watching. But most importantly, you.

So it dawned upon me how important it is to be a creative. Because it means you have within you infinite capacity to experiment. You are unafraid to go somewhere new because you are creating a new thought process about your own creativity. You know that if you stop and no longer challenge yourself, you cease to be creative. You become still, silent, and the bow no longer connect with the strings and music is not made. And you do not exist. You show you do not have the courage to exist.

Creativity is courage. The world needs more fearless people that can influence all disciplines to challenge their very existence. Creativity is reflection aimed not at yourself, but at the world around you."

Weekend Project: Salon Wall

I have spots of quasi salon walls in my apartment, but I've always wanted something to reach from floor to ceiling, far left to far right, full of energy and life. I keep running into fabulous photos of salon-like walls, so I'm taking it as a sign, and finally tackling it this weekend!

The above photos are from Dania and Co on Flickr (top) and
Decor8, who blogged about Liza Giles.

I also love this wall, styled by James Leland Day.

This also has to go on my wall. I's just so great.

Revolt

I do not mesh well with history and politics, and cannot dive into a discussion about France 1968. I do, however, know impact and revolution when I see it. And it inspires me, even if not in the same way it was originally intended. The above posters are bold, fearless, raw, simple, created with true confidence. None of this subtle designy foo foo.

See more posters from the student revolt in Paris 1968 here.

By the way, loose translations of the above: be young and shut up/be quiet/be concealed (left) and he's the shit (right). Funny how these sayings have carried on and changed and become part of everyday language.

Persepolis

Movies are on the mind again. I just found out Persepolis is coming to Vancouver on Dec 25th, and went through all the great stages of no way! wow! really?! I have to find out more! So, the official website is here and a blurb about the buzz is here and buy the book here.

Beautiful Losers

A Must See. Beautiful Losers: a feature length documentary profiling a vital group of contemporary American artists in their journey from DIY roots to international acclaim.

It even features some of my personal faves, like Margaret Kilgallen, Ed Templeton, Barry McGee, plus plus plus..... These are just the people I want to know more about.

The release is set for Spring 08. See the trailer here.

Oh, Drama

I have always been more drawn to subtlety: sweet muted tones, quietness, fog. But every once in a while I crave drama... some kind of operatic, symphonic, dark, shiny, fabulousness.

This time I saw it at The Cool Hunter, in a little post about a Bookstore Made in Heaven. Totally stunned, I had to find out more. The architects, Merkx and Girod (Amsterdam), have inspired me to rethink drama. I was hit by a ton of ideas while browsing their site. I hope to introduce my aptmt to more darkness, more contrast, more sparkle. Very rich.

2008

Made me Laugh. 2008 Calendar designed by Noa Bembibre, titled: Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar. Available through Noa's website or Kiosk.

On Walls

Or, Wanting to be on my Walls.

Left to right, top to bottom:

• Lisa Congdon at The Shiny Squirrel.
• Michael Sowa (inspired by Amelie) at The Poster Shop. I often forget about posters, but really, all they need is a nice big frame and voila. I always love budget that doesn't look like it.
• Tapies Exhibit Poster at All Posters.
• Wilson Hsu at Thumbtack Press.
• Ashley G at Etsy.
• ISO 50.
• Cole Gerst/Option G at Little Paper Planes.
• The Black Apple at Etsy.

Restraint

Let me first say, I have been waiting, almost obsessively, to see this gem. (checking the site everyday, rechecking just to make sure!) So, my heart skipped a little to finally read "It's ready!"

Restraint is an ornamental font that contains letterforms. It is a collaboration between Marian Bantjes and Tiro Typeworks. Read about it here. Buy it here. Watch the hours wile away.

Lululemon

Fact. It is not possible to live in Vancouver without eventually purchasing something from Lululemon. I just bought my first pair of sweats there, and was frankly surprised I hadn't caved earlier.

Besides awesome yoga wear, they are also consistent with their philosophy. Everything (stores, graphics, people, etc) speaks about a healthy lifestyle, positive energy, friendly, fun, passion. This can be summed up in their manifesto (shown above). This image is also on their packaging, a reusable fabric bag, laminated on front and back. Ah, so much to love.