Camping Season

I love this illustration by Adam Simpson; it reminds me of a Wayne Thiebaud painting.••••

Fred Perry Heritage

It seems to me that most brands are playing up their heritage pretty hard these days. Don't get me wrong, I love a heritage story, but it is quickly becoming white noise. Fred Perry has a nice twist on it- bringing your stories to them. I really like the aesthetic they are using on the site, but I am a sucker for most things handmade I suppose. I like seeing handmade things on a digital space, call me crazy. ••••

Kazuto Nomoto

Kazuto Nomoto (or Nomoco) is a really amazing illustrator I recently happened upon. Nomoco has done work for some high profile brands including the Gap and Marc Jacobs. I love the playfulness of the gouache/watercolor technique. Also, her fearlessness of color is awesome, the crew really respects a good color sense. Her work has found a home in fashion, she has even done some work for my hometown mall (awesome) but it remains extremely delicate and genuine. Also, view a video of her Moleskine here. ••••

Robert Samual Hanson

I am currently digging the illustrations by UK artist Robert Samual Hanson. Hmm, wonder where I can find some prints of his work? ••••

Best Illustrated Bar

Yesterday I took a day trip to New York, and after visiting a few museums I was introduced to a hidden gem of the city (at least to me): Bemelman's bar at the Carlyle Hotel. Bemelmans bar is thus named because it is painter from floor to ceiling by Ludwig Bemelmans, writer/illustrator of the Madeline series. The walls are filled with paintings of giraffe families, fully dressed bunnies smoking cigars, and, of course, twelve little girls in two straight lines. Even the lampshades are painted! Bemelmans undertook the project in exchange for lodging at the hotel over the year and a half he worked on the mural. I've never blogged about a bar before, but this one is truly unique— pricey drinks are well worth it for the chance to see this in person. ••••

Number 44

-via tcritic ••••

Stina Persson

I recently came across the work of Stina Persson, an illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. Her collection of work ranges from watercolors, to photography, to illustrations using cut paper. Each illustration displays her delicate touch and painterly quality. Persson has also been fortunate enough to work with corporate clients such as Coca Cola, Absolut Vodka, Bloomingdale's, and many more! Visit her website at www.stinapersson.com for her complete portfolio of work. ••••

Andrio Abero

Andrio Abero is a designer widely known for his amazing print work. He develops strong concepts and carries them through with gorgeous execution. Although his work is not limited to print design, I am primarily drawn to his posters which emphasize his artistic sensibility and impressive illustrations. ••••

Is nothing sacred?

The New York Times recently ran an article in which it unveiled American Greetings Properties' redesign of Strawberry Shortcake. I, for one, am horrified— the revamped Strawberry Shortcake bears absolutely no resemblance to the 80s character I grew up with. She looks more like a Bratz doll than the lovable version in bloomers I remember from my youth. I understand the need for making the character accessible to children today, but to me this is extreme. In fact, I stumbled across this amusing article in which a plastic surgeon outlines that costs that would have been incurred if the makeover were real, likening it to an episode of The Swan. The hypothetical total? $23,675.19.

Much like a classic logo design revamped for the worse (think Rand's UPS or Bass's AT&T), in American Greetings Properties' haste to modernize the character they have sacrificed the straightforward charm of the original. In my opinion, this trend toward making everything from logos to cartoons sleeker and sexier is yielding increasingly generic results. Below, take a look at what has become of poor Angelina Ballerina. Next on deck? The Care Bears are returning with a "fresh look" this fall, this time with "less belly fat, longer eyelashes." I'm scared. ••••

Three Bears Design

I was recently introduced to the very impressive portfolio of Three Bears Design, a creative collective with "caves" in both Pittsburgh and Northeast, Ohio. Three Bears does it all— from CD album covers, to logos, to t-shirts, to web design (and everything in between)— and to each job they bring a wonderful spark of originality. I especially liked the playful work they have done for bands (directly below, a t-shirt design for Arrah and the Ferns, and a poster for the singer/songwriter Jennie Devoe— some really exceptional illustration and hand-drawn typography!)
I was also enjoying their logo design and branding for Hope Runs, a non-profit group working to assist AIDs orphans in Africa.
And from my perspective, Three Bears' design sensibility seems especially suited to the making of CD covers— especially loved the distressed bar code on the 'Sospiri' CD for the Winston Jazz Routine above.

Oh, and be sure to check out their blog as well! ••••

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. ••••

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.••••

Kakofonia

I love the illustration work from Brazilian artist Kako. The sensibility and combination of objects, patterns, shapes and shadows make Kako's work truly incomparable. The images above were created for a Brazilian musician Maria Rita's website. The illustrations are alive with energy and intensity, however, they are quiet and have a subtle beauty in their touch. Simply gorgeous. ••••

If I wanted to own a scale...

...this would be the one. Spotted in this month's Print, this animal scale is the work of Irish illustrator Chris Judge. Judge is one of twelve exceptional illustrators featured and interviewed in this issue of the magazine. His work is described as "a little bit menacing and a little bit cute"— you can check out more on his website, or view recent projects at his blog. The article mentions that the scale was created in collaboration with Angry Retail, but when I checked out their website they had a different version for sale (above). I think the understated silhouettes are pretty nice as well, and the celebrity weighing scale is kind of a riot too. ••••

Susan Burghart

Love these illustrations by artist Susan Burghart. They are a classical combination of watercolor, photomontage, and pen with a hip art nouveau feel. Check out her website too...susanburghart.com

Emotibles

Have you heard about Emotibles yet? Since reading an article in the NYTimes, I have seen these little guys everywhere. Emotibles.com describes them as emotion inspired characters that bring color and expression to otherwise colorless or expressionless things. The business originated as producing one of the first sets of charms for ipod ear buds. Emotibles have since gained a huge following following of young consumers who value self expression and good design. You can browse through hundreds of expressions on the website from "happy" and "thinking" to "alienated" and "befuddled."


Personally, I think they are cute, but I am specifically interested in the brand's unique marketing and growing popularity. Although they do eerily remind me of Pokemon characters. ••••

An Interview with Tai Snaith

CrewDesign is proud to present our very first featured artist: Tai Snaith. Australian artist Tai Snaith has an extensive portfolio ranging in performance art, installation and illustration. Her wide range of work is imaginative, playful, and truly original. Please read our interview with Tai Snaith and visit her website at www.taisnaith.com for more information. Enjoy!


1. Who are you? (name, occupation, and city you live in)
My name is Tai Snaith and I live in Melbourne, Australia. I work as an artist/ producer/designer. I like to draw, design objects, make large installations and paint walls. I also work as a visual arts producer for an arts festival here in Melbourne called ‘Next Wave’.

2. Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by a range of weird influences; for example I love finding images of animals dressed up in costumes and other visual anecdotes on the Internet. I tend to just search random combinations to do with animals and then use those ideas as the basis for some drawings. I also collect all sorts of old black and white books about animals and plants. I also spend a lot of time rummaging through op shops and markets looking for old postcards, music sheets, pianola rolls, packaging and bones. I am also inspired by abandoned spaces.

3. Do you have a favorite designer/artist?
That’s a hard one. I really love the work of another Melbourne artist Ghostpatrol (www.ghostpatrol.net) at the moment. I also love the installation work of US artist Phoebe Washburn and the drawings and installation of Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara ( I was lucky enough to meet him last year too). That’s just to name a few.

4. One word to describe your style:
Playful

5. What frustrates you most about design (or your biggest pet peeve)?
Computers and money

6. If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?
I’d really love to go to Spain, it’s next on my list for sure.

7. What is your favorite website to visit daily? Why do you like it?
I don’t visit one website daily. I tend to shop around… I often check the weather, but that’s practical boring. Lately I have been reading www.somethingawful.com - a very funny look into how retarded the internet can be, especially the weekend web page. I also like Wooster www.woostercollective.com to keep in touch with what's going on on the streets.

8. If you could design or redesign anything, what would it be?
I would love to design a new breed of animals. Half horse, half giraffe.

9. What is the strangest request you’ve received from a client?
To design a collar made from plastic spoons.

10. Favorite color?
The crispy brown/cream colour of faded pages of old books.

11. Favorite font?
I have an old 1940’s Tippa typewriter that actually has a running script font, it’s unusual and beautiful.

12. East Coast or West Coast?
In Melbourne its more Northside or Southside and I am definitely more a fan of Northside.

13. Name one product/gadget you cannot live without?
Size zero brush.

14. Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession?
Don’t make things for money, make them for love.

15. If you were to change professions, what would you choose to do?
I think I would work with animals or as a gardener.

16. What is one thing you wish you knew when you started your career?
How to write about what I do and also that you have to document every single thing you do, well.

17. Tell us three things about yourself that no one else knows.
1. When I was a kid I used to write letters to the moon in the sand every time I went to the beach.
2. This morning I stole a lemon from my neighbor’s tree.
3. Yesterday I wasn’t actually sick...

[CrewDesign is always on the lookout for creative talent. If you, or someone you know, would like to be a featured artist please email us at thecrewdesign@gmail.com] ••••

Zela Lobb

I love these graphic illustrations by Zela Lobb. Imaginative, bold, and refreshing.