Studio Tord Boontje

Tord Boontje is an incredible artist/designer originally from the Netherlands and he currently resides in France. His fine art background and experience with industrial design contribute to his impressive array of installations and individual projects. His work draws inspiration from nature and exudes emotion and sensitivity to form. But secretly what I love most is his website. An artistic experience in its own right, the Tord Boontje website is the perfect representation of his work. The subtle elegance and imaginative flash creations evoke the same sensibility that he puts into his masterpieces. Learn more about the artist and his philosophy here. ••••

Colored Pencils

My friends in high school used to joke that I was going to major in colored pencils. What can I say, you can do amazing things with a box of Prismacolors. That being said, I never thought about using the material in sculptural form. Artist Jennifer Maestre had developed a unique approach to using colored pencils. Her sculptures are inspired by the form and function of sea urchins...read more about her technique and process here. Ok, so they kind of make me a little uncomfortable, but they're definitely intriguing. ••••

Newseum

Perhaps it's mere coincidence, but I already have an update to my last post about the inevitable disappearance of newspapers. Are you ready for this? A museum devoted to nothing else but...... NEWS! A brand new museum - better known as the Newseum - in Washington D.C. just opened offering exhibits and information about how and why news is made. So who knows, maybe newspapers actually will live on...Of course, I haven't had the pleasure of visiting this unique museum, however, the architecture of the building looks amazing. From the pictures it appears layered in various textures, materials and form. The building was designed by the team at Polshek Partnership Architects. ••••

Anish Kapoor at the ICA

Tonight I had the lucky opportunity to attend a sneak peek opening for Anish Kapoor's exhibit Past, Present, and Future at the ICA in Boston. I felt very fortunate to be able to hear the artist speak about his work tonight, and then to be one of the first to see this rather exceptional showing of sculpture. Although modern sculpture does not always interest me (sometimes I can't help but find it sterile or elitist), I truly loved this show. I think it was Kapoor's humble, playful, and genuine approach toward making art that most impressed me— he spoke about this tonight, but you also got a real sense of it just by looking at the work. It was a bit like being a kid in a fun house— the reflective surfaces on some pieces were like those crazy warped mirrors at a carnival (but times ten), and the "void" pieces were some seriously amazing optical illusions.The British Kapoor is perhaps best known in the US for his "Cloud Gate" in Chicago (pictured below), and from September 19th—October 7th, he will be temporarily showing a "Sky Mirror" in front of Rockefeller Plaza (simulated photo at bottom). As for the exhibit in Boston, this is his first show on the East Coast and it is a retrospective of 14 works made since 1980. It will be open to the public from May 30—September 7th. Thanks again to Chung for inviting me to see it with him early! ••••

News Worthy

I have a confession: I get the majority of my news from the Internet. And yes, I say this with a bit of shame. I suppose I'm simply a product of my generation, but I'm definitely not alone. We live in a digital age, and newspapers have been hit hard. Leading to the debate that print is dead, and will soon be completely nonexistent. Call me optimistic, but I strongly believe (despite the skeptics out there) that print will live on. I can't imagine a day when I wouldn't prefer curling up with my favorite book over reading it on a harsh, bright computer screen. And although I have turned my back to newspapers, many people still have the same passion for reading the newspaper that I hold for the printed book. Nostalgia aside, realistic numbers prove that paid circulation costs and advertising revenue is down. Not good for the newspaper survival rate. However, newspapers are beginning to find new life in the digital world. Most major newspapers now have an online component. Diving into Web 2.0 the New York Times is taking this one step further. Check out this interesting article about the New York Times' effort to join the social networking craze. Details are still being worked out, however, it's interesting to see the idea surfacing. From a design standpoint, newspapers should be honored and appreciated for their grid-based design - one of the most fundamental and important design elements. And for all you designers and loyal newspaper readers, check out this article from Smashing Magazine which highlights some of the most impressive and well designed newspapers from around the world. Amazing the different design approaches taken in various countries - some use the beauty of white space while others play with the size and scale of headlines. Impressive! Again, it would be sad to see this disappear... ••••

Vintage Apple Ads

Comparable to caveman paintings. ••••

Type-O

I am a TERRIBLE speller! I was always the first one out in the spelling bee and an A on a spelling test was few and far between...I blame genetics. Jeff Deck and Benjamin Herson would probably hate me. These two men are on a mission across the United States to fix other people's grammar and spelling mistakes. "For the last three months, they have circled the nation in search of awkward grammar construction. When approaching a business or person who is guilty of an infraction, they are greeted warmly (sometimes). They are told to go away (sometimes). They are gently blown off (usually)." I find their mission both annoying and humorous at the same time...annoying only because I would most likely be a person they would confront. All I can say is, thank god for 30 pairs of eyes looking at my work before it goes to the printer! And designers...proof read your work!••••

Mind the Quote

Great campaign to "Get London Reading" by KentLyons, a design agency based out of (where else?) London. The passage below was found in multiple spots along Brick Lane. The concept is simple and, I think, very effective— a well written sentence drops off the page and right onto the path you tread everyday. What better way to remind people to take time out from their busy schedules for a good book? The Get London Reading website shows its visitors where books are found around the city, offers a list of literary events, and even has a "Rough Guide to London by the Book," which is basically a tour of the city through its writings. I would love to see a campaign like this hit the US! ••••

Logo Math

Logos Logos is a humorous website created to explain the complex orgins of popular logos. The creators say, "(This is)a waste of creativity based on the creativity of others." I kind of want to do my own.
Ok Ok, I caved and made my own. See the Starbucks masterpiece below.••••

Juno Title Sequence

Juno was one of my favorite movies this past year. Probably because I was hooked immediately by the unbelievably unique and innovative opening graphics. Thanks to the How Magazine blog I was able to find out a little bit more about this. The opening title sequence was designed by Shadowplay Studio. And for an even better peak inside the design process view this collection of photos on flikr showing the step by step process by the creative team responsible. I love that they actually sketched, cut, pasted and went back to the basics to create this amazing imagery. Proof that even in a digital age, as designers, we can get back to our roots and let our true artistic sides shine through. ••••

Tape Dispenser

I'm sorry, but this is awesome!••••

Found Across the Globe: Beijing

The Crew is going global! I recently took an amazing, all too short, work-related trip to Beijing. When I wasn't working (which was never) I was able to appreciate the beauty in the details of this very very very large city. It is truly a different world over there, literally on the other side of the planet. I was able to see the Bird's Nest and the Aquatics Center for the Summer Olympics; true architectural gems! The Forbidden City is ridden with gorgeous patterns, like none I have ever seen in the States or Europe. I became slightly obsessed with Chinese food packaging while there, as you might be able to tell from the slide show. The more colorful, the better; and totally in-your-face. I was on sensory-overload the entire trip, didn't know one word of mandarin (now I know 3), but I have returned feeling truly enlightened. And jet-lagged. Enjoy these tidbits of vibrant design in Beijing!

An Interview with Julie Burke

The Crew is pleased to bring you an interview with Julie Burke, an Industrial Designer from Chicago, Illinois. Julie has been a good friend of mine since Freshman year of high school in Cincinnati, Ohio. I love featuring Julie, not only because she is a friend of mine but because I am excited to feature a new kind of designer. While all the girls of The Crew are Graphic Designers, there are so many other directions design can take people. Julie is a fantastic artist and great talent. Enjoy the interview!

1. Who or what inspires you?
I enjoy simple things with just a hint of wit, i.e., things that make me laugh. I like products that surprise you and allow themselves to be discovered. I love looking at patterns and illustrations for inspiration for form. Places -- I love traveling. I think there is so much to be learned from the different ways different cultures approach things.

2. Do you have a favorite designer?
Right now I really admire Naoto Fukasawa. His work is all about an object being simple and natural in its environment. His attention to detail and awareness of human instinct is extraordinary. I love his work with Muji and ±0.

"Design means observing objectively.
It means being aware of our living
nature, a simple element in
the larger environment.
I like when a
project doesn't sell my name or my characteristic,
when it is just an object
that happens to be there,
...no, not anonymous, just natural.”
-Naoto Fukasawa

3.One word to describe your design style:
That’s hard to say. I’m a young designer; I feel as if I am still working that one out. Also, as an industrial designer in a consultancy, I feel as if my style changes with each product, client, or problem that comes my way, and they all tend to be radically different.

4.What frustrates you most about design (or your biggest pet peeve)?
Clients are so often afraid to make a departure from what they know even when the market is already full of similar products and bad ideas. I hate to see them shy away from new formats and ideas -- which would significantly improve the product -- in favor of traditional formats and features which already saturate the market. We call that “cherry picking.” You still end up with a better product, but one that often blends in with the rest.

5.If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?
In the last two months, I’ve been to South America and China; I feel like Europe should be the next stop on the map. I’d like to go to Prague before it switches to the euro.

6.If you could design or redesign anything, what would it be?
At some point in my life, I’m going to have to do some sort of sporting goods (to those who know me, that shouldn’t be shocking). However, on a less materialistic level, I would love to work on making sustainable products that are more accessible to the everyday consumer. People are looking for a way to be green; designers need to help create an easy avenue.

7.What’s the strangest request you’ve received from a client?
I was asked to rotate a sketch in 3D. Hmmm…. we’re not magical.

8.Favorite color?
Oh, I can never make up my mind. Right now it’s green. I just bought some green shoes. They’re fantastic.

9.Favorite font?
Probably Futura. I tend toward a sans serif font. Arial is the office font-of-choice.

10.East coast or West coast?
East.

11.Name one product/gadget can you not live without?
A Wacom tablet. I wish I could say I have a Cintiq, or an iPhone, but I don’t.

12.Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession?
Just because you are a designer, it doesn’t give you an excuse to act in an unprofessional manner. There is definitely more freedom as a “creative,” but you still need to be presentable. Additionally, you’re not expected to know everything coming out of school; you’re expected to learn.

13.If you were to change professions, what would you choose to do?
Oooh, maybe be a lawyer, but I don’t think that would last. I think I would end up right back in a creative field: maybe interior or graphic design.

14.Tell us three things about yourself that no one else knows.
1. Give me beer or give me bourbon. I would rather have either over a sweet cocktail.
2. I could be entirely happy on a farm with a horse.
3. I hate having to choose what I am going to order in a restaurant. I’d rather try everything. In China they eat family style and order 10+ dishes for the entire table. I loved it.

[If you, or someone you know, would like to be a featured artist on CrewDesign, email us at thecrewdesign@gmail.com] ••••

Crayola in 3D

Just in time for summer comes a product almost too good to be true: 3D Sidewalk Chalk! This is exactly what it sounds like— draw with the chalk and each color will register at a different depth when wearing the 3D glasses. I am beyond intrigued by the commercial I just saw, and I'm curious— has anyone reading tried this out yet? The only review up on Amazon is extremely positive, and I trust Crayola to put out a quality product. Looks like I will be scouring toy store shelves nearby so I too can try my hand at a 3D drawing of my own! ••••

Monsters in the Closet

Dave Devries gets paid to draws monsters. A New jersey native, Devries takes children's drawings and recreates them into wonderful, spooky, detailed Illustrations fit for a comic book or a cartoon movie. Dave's inspiration comes from his 7 year old niece, Jessica, "I painted monsters for Universal Studios-but these monsters weren't as cool as the ones I saw lurking in my niece's sketches. Her drawings were unselfconscious and possessed an intuitive understanding of the creative process." I love these for a few reasons: the pure fun and detail of the drawings and how these could work on so many levels for children's development. It could be a great way to help a child overcome their fear of the dark or a monster in the closet.••••

GAP Whitney Biennial T-Shirts

My old employer the GAP has released a limited edition line of t-shirts designed by Whitney Biennial participants. The artists include such icons as Jeff Koons, Chuck Close, Kiki Smith (designs shown below), Marilyn Minter, Cai Guo-Quiang, Barbara Kruger, and others. T-shirts are all $28+ and they are selling out WAY too quickly. While I thought it would be difficult to pull off wearing something as iconic as Close's image of Philip Glass, I did consider purchasing the Kiki Smith top but acted too slowly. To browse the collection, visit the GAP website here. Happy shopping! ••••

Black Book

To some, the little black book is their most prized possession. But to a designer, the BIG black book from Pentagram might just take the place of that once prized possession. Pentagram has just released this 800-page book that explores the work created by the designers of Pentagram over the past few years. The Pentagram design team has a rich history of creating remarkable design work across all mediums - from exhibition design, to package design, architecture, websites, corporate identity and much more! I can't wait to get my hands on this. ••••

Clever Banner Design

As you might have noticed in the past couple of weeks we have started rotating our banner image weekly. Past banners can be seen in our Banner Archive . Similarly, the creators of the design blog FormFiftyFive have clever banner imagery that refreshes continuously with each new click. I love the humorous approach of placing the three letters ("FFF" standing for FormFiftyFive) in unusual places and showcasing the photographs on their banner. The letters take on a personality and character while contributing to the branding of FormFiftyFive. Genius! I wonder where they'll show up next... ••••

Body Paint

Look Again! These are amazing trompel'oeil paintings applied directly to the feet. The images were featured in an article about what we are doing to our feet and how we walk in New York Magazine. Look at that Stiletto!••••

Found in Boston: Vintage Postcards

A designer friend of mine was recently planning her Boston-based wedding, and found some amazing vintage postcards of the city that served as invitation inspiration. In turn, they were inspiration for this "Found in Boston" post. When you walk through the Public Gardens or throughout Beacon Hill, you can't help but get a sense of the city's rich history, and these postcards evoke a nostalgia for Boston's heyday with beautiful images printed in muted tones. I love the backs about equally— one is scribbled with a message about the "moving pictures" dated 10-11-12, back when postage was only one cent! On the other hand, the "Greetings from Cape Cod" postcard dates back only to the 80s, but I just couldn't resist a photomontage so wrong it's right.

A majority of the postcards I purchased came from a store on the lovely Charles Street, which is absolutely ripe with antiques and ephemera. But on the suggestion of my roommate (who contributed some postcards of her own to the slideshow), I also checked out the Cambridge Antique Market. I was absolutely blown away by what I found— 150 eclectic dealers and 5 floors of antiques made this quite the shopping experience. I snapped a few photos, but if you live in Boston or enjoy antiquing, you should definitely stop in. ••••