A Pretty. Fun. Picnic. In a Box.
Eco-friendly picnic boxes for urbanites with a hankering for a picnic. Fully compostable utensils, plates, cups and napkins.
“Sorry, wicker, it was fun while it lasted, but the new picnic belongs to post-consumer pulp. So pack up and park on. It’s time to escape the office for an afternoon, schedule that over-due date or just go have some fun.” – Boxal
Categories: it's graphic.
via www.julianzimmermann.com
I’ve wondered before… does Madonna have a business card? John Travolta? The President? What the heck do they look like?
King Bansah is an African King. He lives in Ludwigshafen/Germany, works as a car mechanic and governs his people from there. A real King.
From the designer www.julianzimmermann.com, “The new corporate design should underline the authenticity and lordliness of the king because they are essential for him and make his activities possible. A combination of royal and exotic impressions. One example of his engagement is his own royal beer AKOSOMBO. The benefit of the beer is passed on to the aid projects of the King in Ghana.”
A business set and a beer – for a King. How’s that for a dream job?
Categories: it's graphic.
screenshot via www.icebreakertags.com
Event organizer, having a party? Use icebreakertags.com to get the ball rolling. Attach these conversation-starters with a safety pin, and instead of red-eyeballed stares at your next 8am meeting, get off on the right foot.
Icebreakertags.com lets you generate your own icebreaktertag for your next meeting or get together. Type directly into the tag to add your name/twitter/prompt, add a question, customize it with your logo or any graphic of your choice, and hit print. It will then generate a printout with 10 tags on it. I think these would also make good placecards at a dinner party or wedding.
From swissmiss.
Categories: it's graphic.
Back at my desk after a whirlwind of flying paper, light sabre fighting, family toasts and delightful dinners. While taking a break to eat a truffle… I came across this excellent letterpress calendar. I’m particularly fond of June.
via www.letterpress-calendar.com
New years plans? I’ll be sharing a recipe for Atholl Brose – traditionally served in Scotland on New Year’s Eve to the first guests crossing the threshold of the host’s home, hence its other name, First Footing.
You need a 36 hour head start, so check back.
Categories: it's graphic.
via http://shop.vardagen.com/
Does anybody know the history of the “ugly sweater party”? At what point was “ugly” defined in the world of sweater design? Is it possible that the sweaters we are wearing now will show up 15 years later at said party? Pressing questions.
What’s better than sporting an ugly sweater this season, is having a back up ugly t-shirt underneath. And these, well I don’t think they’re ugly at all. Have a look at the Vardagen shop.
Categories: it's graphic.
Prada AW 2010/11 look book - I love the mingling of illustration and photography - it all starts with a sketch doesn't it? | via www.wallpaper.com
This AW 2010/11 edition of Le Monde D'Hermès had a black theme, in tribute to Jean-Louise Dumas, Chairman of Hermès from 1978-2006, who died on 1 May 2010 | via www.wallpaper.com
Categories: it's graphic.
Admiring this work from www.3advertising.com for New Day, whose mission is to “engage troubled youth and their families in charting a proactive life course that will help them become meaningful and productive members of our community.”
“Will he own a rap sheet? Or a skate shop?”
“Registered drug offender? Or registered nurse?”
“Will she struggle to feed herself? Or fight to end world hunger?”
Check out the New Day logo. Notice the ‘Y’ about to flip over? Nice.
via www.ndnm.org
Categories: it's graphic.
via www.monet2010.com
Take a look at www.monet2010.com by www.les84.com, “french but happy and creative”. Incredibly beautiful interactive digital gallery for the launching of the Claude Monet exhibition at the Grand Palais Paris. I wonder if Monet would believe you if you told him his work was being explored this way.
via www.monet2010.com
Categories: it's graphic.
Getting a kick out of these entertaining cards from www.fomato.com. Check out Pessimism and Drink. Available online and at a number of retailers around the world and in our neck of the woods, Vancouver. This reminds me get back into designing some print goods…
from www.fomato.com
Categories: it's graphic.
Fabric and vinyl art at HOME! Download inkbloom’s designs, recolour them or coordinate with your project, add text to personalize and print on your inkjet. Cotton fabrics and vinyl are also available from them online. I’m thinking product tags, business cards, personalized pillows…
from www.inkbloom.com: tilly inkblock, purse from tilly fabric, product tags, scrabble pillow
Categories: it's graphic.
I was very excited to wake up to a message from Gloria at Hommu in Barcelona. The feedback from this post about their wall decals was overwhelmingly positive. Thanks for your news Gloria!
Hi, everybody!
First of all, thank you very much for your interest in Hommu.
We are very happy to know about people so far from Europe! 
Unfortunately, we are not physically at Canadian stores yet. But you can buy our products online with total security!
Due to an increasing demand on our products from people living in america, we decided to negociate better conditions with UPS.
As a result, from now on, delivery to any american country has decreased considerably, which means that if you live in any of those countries, you can still buy Hommu online at www.hommu.com, but spending less money!
We suggest you that also could share costs with a friend who could be interested in a Hommu vinyl too… Is an idea!
However, we will work hard for being at Canadian stores in the future!
Kind regards from Barcelona!
Gloria
from www.hommu.com
Categories: it's graphic.
Last night’s Oscar-Winning Animated Short Film, Logorama, proves just how permeating modern advertising is. The 16-minute film was comprised solely of well known logos and characters from over 2,500 large corporations.
Nicolas Schmerkin, the film’s producer, says “The brain can register 14 logos in less than one second. Making the logos characters with sets and props is about what we’re living. I’m not talking about what the logos represent. They’re used for what they are.” It took longer than Avatar to produce.
I was a terrible movie watcher this year, seeing only 2 out of all the nominees. Both were documentaries that I watched in flight. The Cove, won for documentary feature and follows an impressive team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers (a woman from Vancouver) as they embark on a covert mission to penetrate a remote and hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, shining a light on a dark and deadly secret. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide.
Everyone should see Food Inc. It’s a reality check and a reminder to re-connect with where your food is coming from, how it is processed and how to support a positive food economy. It’s worth watching just to hear what farmer Joel Salatin has to say. He’ll make you want to ditch your skinny jeans for a pair of overalls and get your hands on a family of pigs and chickens.
My pick for best dressed:
from www.moviephone.com
Categories: it's graphic.
image from www.stylemepretty.com
I call it “Mellow Yellow Wedding”: “Mum’s Ray Yellow”, “Groom Grey”, and “Gracious Green”.
Categories: it's graphic.
bid logo (L), olympic logo (R)
The flame is currently making it’s way through downtown Vancouver. Terry Fox’s dad and Walter Gretzky are among the torch bearers this morning, and the opening ceremonies are tonight at 6pm at BC Place. Pre-shows start around 4pm.
Below are the logos from the Vancouver games, upcoming London games and the bid logos for 2016. I don’t want to be critical here, but the London logo really had me scratching my head. The hard-edged geometric shapes, the colours…then it occurred to me – the 80′s trend!
London 2012 logo - and my 80's reference
What's your vote?
Categories: it's graphic.
French inspired postcard envelope wrap label download
For your next invite, letter to Granny, perhaps a little love letter, hmmm???
From The Graphics Ferry.
Categories: it's graphic.
Colour palette inspiration from a match made in heaven:
Single serving COPA Di Vino Charonnay
Hyatt at Olive 8 in Seattle
Copa Olive Palette
Check back for more inspiration from my recent jaunt to Seattle, Washington.
Categories: it's graphic, on the road.
I had lots of great feedback about the Hommu wall decals last week in this post. If a trip to Spain isn’t in the plan, then you can check out these options closer to home. Word on the street is that the brokerage fees are double the cost of the product if you order from some of the American companies. Splash Wall Art offers a flat rate of $10 within Canada. Surface Collective is based in Vancouver! They also ship via Canada Post. Home Depot carries some wall decals… patience is required for viewing their website so have a look next time you’re in and let me know.
underground decal from Surface Collective
origami cranes (!) from Surface Collective
demask from Surface Collective
in flight decal from Surface Collective
wall decals from Splash Wall Art
Categories: it's graphic, locals only.
Wall decals have been around for a quite a few years. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they are popular in kids rooms and are a convenient way to spruce up a rental. I’ve seen a lot of not-so-great ones out there, but Hommu changes all that. Their packaging is what caught my eye, and after further inspection, I think they’re on to something.
Paella wall decal from Hommu
Animal decal from Hommu
Impressive package design from Hommu
Hommu is located in Spain. Not so convenient for BCC: blog locals. Stay tuned for some Canadian options.
Categories: it's graphic.
It is the time of year when the “best of 2009 ____ ” lists appear everywhere. Today I’ve been checking out what REBRAND and Brand New have to say about the best and worst brands of 2009. The below were standouts for me, both for their messaging and for their dramatic transformation. It’s amazing what a little good design can do.
Before
After
Indie Bound
Meredith
Kudos to Meredith for catering entirely to women without looking… pink.
Categories: it's graphic.
Best Book Design 2009
I am definitely guilty of judging a book by its cover. Here is a full list of favorite 2009 covers from The Book Design Review.
The days following the Christmas rush and preceding the New Years fatigue are perfect for picking up a new book. I’m currently reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris.
What are you reading and is the cover worthy of the contents?
Categories: it's graphic.
Images from House & Home magazine (L), and www.stylemepretty.com (R)
After this post on Friday, the colour of “escape from the everyday troubles of the world” has been popping up everywhere. Most interesting is the inclusion of last year’s orange tone in the mix. Out with the old and in with the new. Coincidence? I think not.
Image on the right from today’s post at Style Me Pretty, a daily read during my wedding planning phase. One of the best places for event planning inspiration out there.
Categories: it's graphic.
The Girl Effect
Although it would be nice of one day the world would wake up to issues like global warming, poverty and suppression, good marketing doesn’t hurt. And in these cases, it really goes a long way. Meaningful words + beautiful timing + gorgeous graphics = Success. I think the goal in design is always to create a visual that conjures a thought that evokes an emotion.
Could educating women change the world? The Girl Effect is insightful and hopeful. The video is below, but I encourage you to visit the website for the full “effect”.
“There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women” – Women Empowered. Watch a video.
“Women are not the problem. They’re the solution along with men… We focus on this one because this kind of oppression feels transcendent – and so does the opportunity. Outsiders can truly make a difference.” – Half The Sky
Categories: it's graphic.
I think the desire to “love what you do” is universal. If you’re involved in the design world, you’ve probably heard of Frank Chimero, a graphic designer, illustrator and writer. I enjoy his take on work, as seen in this Love What You Do set on Flickr.
Another quote worth hanging on to:
“Failure is crucial. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying to get better.”
Do you love what you do?
Categories: it's graphic.
Kuler
Kuler:
Probably the most useful. Kuler is a community driven web app that lets your browse color palettes created by others. You can also create your own by using the color wheel, harmony rules, and color sliders. Love the names of the palettes. Today, the most popluar templates include “Christmas Help” and “Orange County”. Also helpful if you’re searching for a paint colour to go with that cushion.ColoRotate: Instead of using two dimensional viewers, it presents color palettes to you in 3d and in real time.
Colour Scheme Designer: You can actually preview what a web template might look like.
Colour inspiration can come from anywhere – nature, your favorite sweater, or a particular mood. I was taken with the palette generated from these J.Crew shoes from their November catalogue. I’ll be putting this image in my back pocket.
Categories: it's graphic.
Nationwide Insurance
Max Factor mascara - image changes when it rains!
Max Factor mascara - image changes when it rains!
Miele Vacuums
Categories: it's graphic.
