Apache vs. Sneaky Sound System

This is a mixed version of the Apache video with Tommy Seebach VS the "Sneaky Sound System" song "Pictures (Remix). Enjoy!!!

Perroquet by SHOWstudio

If you, like me, have a bit of a parrot fetish, then the Perroquet project by SHOWstudio will not disappoint. The project comprises of eight film shorts and a selection of photographs by fashion photographer Sølve Sundsbø, was exhibited in Paris and Stockholm in 2008. The photographs present ‘frozen moments’ of the bird’s journey; rather than showing its full body, the cropped viewpoints bring abstract qualities to Sundsbø’s powerful images, while the slow motion short films seduce the viewer as the slender bird flies slowly across the screen showcasing its gorgeous long feathers and and striking colours. Oh so sexy...view the films here.

Please sign the dotted line...

A signature, something completely personal to each individual, can be the most beautiful script. Every time I go to the bank, I have a problem, my signature never matches with the one they have on file. I opened the account when I was 18 years old, and while my handwriting may (unfortunately) still be the same, my signature is ever changing. I really can't stick to one signature, and they just seem to get uglier and uglier. So, I've started researching signatures on the net with the aim of finding a style that I can learn and keep. I've come across some lovely ones, most of them old as you may imagine. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that in the 1800s they never signed with cheap ol' biro pens. Or perhaps that not everyone was fortunate enough to be educated, only those of a high social status and thus their class is depicted in their writing...or maybe I'm just a commitment phobe and feel I have yet to find my signi-mate. Or perhaps I'm just a lazy signer...who knows. The above image with Lincoln's signature from 1843, and the ones below are from a petition signed in 1737 and mormon prophets signatures from a Salamader society site - random I know!


Anyhoo...I stumbled across these gorgeous signature vases (below) from Droog Design by Dutch designer Frank Tjepkema. You send in a copy of your signature and they make you a personalized signature vase made from nylon. How lush is that? I'm sure that even the ugliest or most boring signatures on paper could look pretty spectacular in 3D. The extruded shapes of signatures are really beautiful, and the oversized scale makes it take on a life of it's own.


Is handwriting something you just develop or something that can be taught to become second nature? I work with a woman who writes EVERYTHING backwards and upside down and her handwriting is beautiful. She says she's always written like that, since she was a child. It was not taught to her, thats just how she saw letters. Have you heard of any other strange cases like this or do you have a friend who has a great handwriting. I'd like to hear about it if you do.

BEST OF BRITISH at Liberty

British shopping emporium – Liberty – is giving designers the opportunity to pitch their designs to a panel of the store’s buyers and industry experts. The best designs will get the chance to have their products sold there. Register online prior to the event on 6th February.

‘BEST OF BRITISH’ OPEN CALL, Saturday 6th February 2010, 10am-3pm

More info on London Design Guide website.

Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell (February 3, 1894 – November 8, 1978) was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. You may be familiar with his works, though not by name, as he's a very prolific American painter and many of his work have been used in war posters, and was the illustrator of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. His "Four Seasons" illustrations for Brown & Bigelow that were published for 17 years beginning in 1947 and reproduced in various styles and sizes since 1964.

Four Freedoms 1947

Many of his works appear overly sweet in modern critics' eyes, which tend toward idealistic or sentimentalized portrayals of American life— this has led to the often-deprecatory adjective "Rockwellesque." One of his more serious work is The Problem We All Live With, which dealt with the issue of school racial integration. The painting depicts a young African American girl, Ruby Bridges, flanked by white federal marshals, walking to school past a wall defaced by racist graffiti. Rockwell worked from photographs, as you can see in the case of the little girl.


Rosie the Riveter 1943

The problem we all live with (1894–1978)

Stefan's 7 year itch

Stefan Sagmeister's TED talk on his 1 years sabatical every 7 years. Truly inspiring.

Dyson takes legal action over vacuum cleaner design

Now, I don't know much about the mechanic of these two vacuums and how different or similar they are, but I do know a bit about the aesthetics. On the left we have a Dyson, on the right, a Vax. Would your average consumer be able to identify thet these are made by two DIFFERENT companies...um, not very likely! I would assume that one is a newer model by the same manufacturers. So, quite rightly so Dyson is taking legal action against rival vacuum cleaner manufacturer Vax over its Mach Zen model.

'Vax’s Chinese owners have flagrantly copied a Dyson design,’ says Dyson founder James Dyson. ‘We defend our intellectual property and design rights, protecting our inventions and setting a precedent on behalf of other designers. After all, plagiarism is a form of theft.’

While Vax's spokesperson says '...Although copying is technically not a relevant legal issue in the court action Dyson has launched, the fact is that Vax did not copy Dyson. The Vax product was independently designed by British designers at its headquarters in Droitwich Spa UK. Vax has no need to copy anyone.’

Four years ago, Dyson won a claim against Qualtex for selling vacuum cleaner parts that infringed Dyson’s design rights.

(via Designweek)

Photographer: Tony Duran

Famously non-famous, photographer Tony Duran has photographed everyone who's anyone in the celebrity and fashion world. His work blurs the line between high fashion and S&M, slim, greasey bodies lying around in orgy style shoot vs. lithe models playing a role. 'Duran confronts gender roles and challenges stereotypes of what is considered sexually explicit and high art without a trace of vulgarity.' Having prviously shot for GQ, Rolling Stones, Glamour, Flaunt, and Curve, his obsession with flesh is ever-evident. See more on his website.

Landor's trends forecast for 2010

An interesting article from Landor with some fact and opinions on the trends of branding in 2010. Paris's Creative Director Jason Little wrote the design predictions and pointed out the global homogenization of design that's taking place, blaming design blogs and online portfolios for this. He has a point: if we're all looking at the same libraries, so to speak, we're bound to have similar styles whether consciously or unconsciously using these as point of inspiration. Jason also writes 'Companies and agencies need to remain true to the underlying concepts that define them rather than chasing fads. It’s this expression of fundamental purpose that ultimately results in striking design.'

For the question 'Which brand will stand out in 2010?' Little writes to watch fashion brands Uniqlo, Anthropologie, and H&M, which collaborates with couture designers to their mutual benefit.

The article also covers trends on social media, green, consumer spending, CSR, food and beverage and airlines. Worth the read.

Download the article here.

Shelves for life...and death

Better late than never, this is the ultimate repurpose design: Coffin - bookshelf - coffin! Designed by the British design team ww.modcons and exhibited at the [Re]Design 2006 exhibition in London.
The subtly ironic Shelves for Life are artfully assembled slats of wood begin their existence dutifully propping up books and knick-knacks, but when their time is up, instead of getting kicked to the curb, these shelves convert into a coffin!

If you tend to get precious about throwing away items you’ve grown attached to, Shelves for Life might be just your style. The designers’ wry commentary on the disposability of everyday objects is well-tucked into an inarguably beautiful piece of furniture.
Shelves for Life is just one of the many intriguing design items we found on display at [RE]Design – currently on at the Truman brewery on Brick Lane in London. Stay tuned for a report back later today on the rest of the show.

(via InHabitat)

Autistic Artist Simon Wiltshire

Artist Stephen Wiltshire was mute until the age of 3, when he was diagnosed with autism. At the age of five, Stephen was sent to Queensmill School in London, where it was noticed that the only pastime he enjoyed was drawing. It soon became apparent he communicated with the world through the language of drawing; first animals, then London buses, and finally buildings. These drawings show a masterful perspective, a whimsical line, and reveal a natural innate artistry. The drawing above is the result of a 20-minute helicopter ride above Manhattan. His camera-like memory enabled him to sketch the entire skyline from memory. Every building was correct and drawn to scale!

Pantone basics

Rubitone (Rubik + Pantone) by Argentinean designer Ignacio Pilotto.

As every graphic designer knows Pantone is a matching system, and every designer and design student has at some point or other been inspired to create something Pantone-inspired. Here's a collection of Pantone-inspired products and designs. I'm wondering if this is a niche-trend though that only appeals to all types of designers (in other words only the people that KNOW what Pantones are, I guess printers are included here)?! Do these product verge on being kitsch?

Pantonecans a project by Nico189.

Pantone bags from the Design Mueum Shop of London (also available at London Graphic Centre last I checked).

Panettone box designed by Purpose of London.

Pantone tea mugs and espresso cups (left) and Colour chip mugs. All of the mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe - except for the pink one for some strange reason?!

Ok...so these My Cuppa mugs from SuckUK are the only exception to this Pantone post, but they do fit with the concept.

Paper explorations

Fresh work from Sylvain Allard's (of UQAM blog) packaging students:

"To begin our session and create a complete immersion in the world of packaging, I invited the students to do this exercise during the first course this year. The two-dimensional sheet of paper takes shape and becomes a volume. Therefore, shadows and light act on the white surface and create an image.

From a single sheet of paper, they should design a label for a bottle of wine. Through manipulation, bending, cutouts, and mechanisms or in repeated patterns and structures, they should create an image consisting solely of paper. All work should explore the potential of the paper and printing was not allowed.

Since it was meant to be an exploration to push the limits of paper. Transportation constraints, marketing and handling were not an endpoint. In contrast, research, innovation, virtuosity, originality and skill were the criteria for evaluation."

This is an excellent brief for any level designer. The outcome is spectacular from year one students.





(via The Dieline)

The Spanish Matador

The Spanish Matador is a series of portraits by photographer Jeff Martin, taken in and around Madrid, Spain. These photos are absolutely splendid, the mix of colour, desaturated and soft lighting is gorgeous. I also particularly like the young boys in training, it's such a fantastic tradition. Jeff's work centers around adventure lifestyle themes and environmental portraits. Shooting on location with natural lighting is a strength that has attracted many of his clients. You can see more on his website.

Nostalgic impressions - the wax seal.

Just a collection of various products (mainly alcohol) which have used a wax seal or dipped the necks of bottles in wax.

Makers Mark did it best during the elections with the limited edition USA coloured wax. They also use the 'melted wax' extensively as you can see here the stirring stick and whiskey flask gifts.

Studio spotlight: Asylum

Another studio spotlight, but this time from Singapore. Asylum Studio's work ranges from wayfinding systems (Check 8 Shenton Way project) to packaging and retail design (enter Chocolate Research Facility). Seriously well thought through work, clear, edited and stimulating. One word - WOW! Their style is clean and clear, with a nice little collection of non-commercial work (a sign of inspired minds and designers with a can-do attitude). They also have and Asylum shop, a concept store which sells experimental music, books on culture, limited edition designer product and art. The space also serves as a gallery.

ASOS has style

I receive newsletters from many online shops (Threadless, Victoria's Secret, Debonelle, you get the picture)...but the ones that really stand out to me as the ASOS e-newsletters. I must admit, their in-house designers and stylists ROCK!! I especially love when they do a trend or colour layout with all things matching. ASOS base alot of importance on their online presence (as this is the concept after all - As Seen On Screen). Besides their great customer service, free returns on UK postage, low international shipping rates (get the hint here VS), I love everything about ASOS. Their cheap outlet is good for some designer sales too.

La esencia de Klimt

Gustav Klimt inspired photoshoot for Spanish magazine Ae. Art Direction by Kattaca on Behance. See more here.

Haiti Print

This Haiti poster by Vanguard is available at Society6 with all profits going to the people of Haiti after the recent tragedy. It is a 17"x17" Giclée print on natural white, matte, ultra smooth, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson K3 archival inks. Custom trimmed with 2" border.

From the designer: I will be donating my share of all sales from the ' Haiti ' image to the people of Haiti. My thoughts go to you.

We are all part of the same geometry...
I think we should remind ourselves of that now and again.
All purchasers will be named and promoted as a thank you.
Best wishes friends.

New Peugeot. Motion & Emotion

Peugeot turned 200 years in 2010, and has unveiled it's new visual identity and global signature "Motion & Emotion", with the objective of reinforce the emotion of driving a car. The website is clean an contemporary with the web address New-Peugeot.

The Lion, a symbol of Peugeot since 1858, has been brought up to date. The new icon is simpler and more dynamic earning a more three dimensional form with the use of a metallic effect. The detail of the lion (the serpent like tongue) is lost, so it looks less heraldic, which is a shame.

The blue colour, associated with the brand takes the form of a sleeker word mark that sits below the new symbol. Below is the evolution of the mark:


The advert was created by BETC Euro RSCG with the new mark and tag line. I think the whole campaign is excellent and the concept is timely. New year, fresh look, contemporary style. Keeping up to date!


(via Comunicadores)