Foil Hats and Flats

Supply and Demand

2010-02-17T18:15:00.000-08:00

Shephard Fairey author of OBEY and the ever-famous Obama "Hope" poster has a show opening this friday at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati. I feel like nothing with substance ever comes to the city, so I'm more than excited to see this Grafitti artist, turned clothing designer, turned contemporary artist exhibiting right here in the Queen city. The exhibition, Supply and Demand, will host 250 pieces as a retrospective covering Fairey's 20 years of work. Not to mention 4 murals that will go up throughout the city. Fairey's exhibit will be opening this Friday, the 19th of February and be up until August 2010. Get there or get lost.

Era Apparel Drop Today

2010-02-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

So February is a lot of things to a lot of people. Black history month, another work holiday to look forward to, a birthday, my birthday. But today, was the drop of Era Apparel, a tee line, marketing guru Tiki Guerrant and myself have worked on, and off, for a year or so now. With support from friends and family, our line launched in the newly opened OTR Fresh, which houses other popular lines such as aTYP, Sucka4love, and Babylon Cartel to name few. OTR Fresh (Original Thought Required), is a street wear boutique located in Cincinnati's historic Over the Rhine district. If you're in the area, I'd recommend you check it out, and pick up a few things. Not to mention copping an Era tee.

A Design Year Salary Survey

2009-12-30T08:47:00.000-08:00

For all of us designers we know design as a competitive sport. And even more competitive is the salary. It depends on your field, technical skill, location, and savvy shoe selection to reach your so called worth. And Coroflot has been nice enough to put together their annual salary survey to further explain what goes into determining the price paid for creative talent. I found it to be very helpful as well as comforting. They also highlight some new trends taking place in the market. By the way if you're a designer and don't check Coroflot to browse the portfolio's for inspiration and job openings for insight, you're nuts. So if you soon find yourself fighting for a raise or negotiating a salary. Take note to some of these tips, brush up on your techs, and go in there with some stats!

Rock Out the Year's End

2009-12-29T11:17:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for some good tunes to mix it up to this New Years Eve. Maybe check out Pitchfork's Top 100 Tracks and Top 50 Albums of 2009. There are some pretty cool underground hits, as well as the radio cuts we all loved this year (cue Gucci Mane Wasted). Earlier in the year a friend of mine bypassed buying Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 to get Raekwon's Only built for Cuban Linx album, and funny thing it's listed here as number 5 on Pitchfork's list. Maybe he was onto something, personally I think they're both smoking dope. Either way, check the list, it'll give you some listening or purchase options to rock out a year and ring in a new!

Photography Kick!

2009-12-22T11:15:00.001-08:00

Ever see something and say to yourself... Dang it! I wish I thought of that! Well I thought that about Phillip Toledano's conceptual fashion photography. Just genius. Simple, yet creative. And who doesn't love a balloon? Not me! I love balloons.

Flickr Find : Gabriela Camerotti

2009-12-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Bravo! to Miss Camerotti. She somehow manages to capture an eery beauty. Absolutely love it!

Chamillion-Chameleon

2009-12-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

Chamillionaire is a rapper I hate. Some people love him, they call him a legend. Liu Bolin is a Chamillionaire I love! Think chameleon, like the animal. Not Chamillion, like an improper/ridiculous amount of money. (What is a "chamillion" anyway? someone? Do tell) Anyway, Liu Bolin has a way of blending into his surroundings. Chamillionaire has a way of clearing a room. But let's address the real artist. The former, not the latter. Bolin is a 37 year old Beijing-based artist who covers himself from head to toe to blend into his backdrop. Whether it be a landscape, a graffiti wall or a construction site; Bolin has turned himself into the "Invisible Man". Now if we could only get Chamillionaire to really disappear...

(look closely, he's in there!)

Funny Story | Legal Weed

2009-11-29T13:01:00.000-08:00

(all the designs, possibly oregano, & uptown schwag By: the heads of state)

When I was a junior in college, a fellow designer (who will remain nameless) and myself briefly considered experimental narcotics use in an attempt to become better designers. Wait! before you judge..there was motive. All the kids we knew as great and inspired designers were also stoners (they shall also remain nameless). And we thought, if for a semester we could do drugs, produce awesome designs, our portfolio's senior year would score us a to die for job. Needless to say, we decided to forego our plan of action and buy some more design books and invest our time in new interests (not drug use) to become inspired. Not to mention to tap into our already present natural talent.

Not long ago I stumbled upon a project by former professor and designer Jason Kernevich (of The Heads of State) called Legal Weed. Developed for Print magazine as a hypothetical take on the legalization of marijuana and the question, What would the packaging look like? It's a pretty fresh approach to a controversial idea. See above. My favorite: Possibly Oregano?

Era Apparel | Tee Shirt Launch

2009-11-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

(Swagger Tee)

(Be : Conscious Tee)

Back in July I along with another designer (Caroline Alvarez) and a marketing guru (Tiki Guerrant) launched Era Apparel and Design built to be a creative outlet for our design and corporate lives through fashion, more specifically tee-shirt design. Since then, we've been working to produce more tees, print collateral, and give things away in an attempt to get our pieces in the right hands. We're still working at it, but thought I'd give a little peak into our product....Enjoy!

All things I've wanted to say but haven't

2009-11-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

Last year this time I started this blog and since I've only done about 20 posts. Not because there hasn't been any inspiring design in the world, or I haven't seen anything cool (I think I see something cool daily) I just haven't had the time to stop, and tell about it. So I apologize for being a deadbeat and not doing my part to spread the design word. With that said...Let's play catch up....

2009-07-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

I know I'm not just coming out of school (we see I'm stuck on this college thing) but I wish someone would have given me these words of wisdom upon my exiting. Or maybe they did and I just didn't listen. But I was hanging out on the AIGA site and read the article After School Special: Advice for Emerging Designers and found myself hearing the reinforcement I needed to hear, and I wasn't emerging from anything. So imagine, had I actually still been a student, the potential it may have had. If we get technical, I could be considered an "emerging" designer dependent on what we judge as an entrance or an exit but that doesn't matter...either way, there are some simple principles to design/live by that will take me pretty far. Enjoy!

I Miss College...Well Sorta.

2009-07-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

I will preface this post, as a definite rant. But after seeing this project it made me miss being able to be just that good. Not that I've lost my touch...never that...but as another holiday came and went, I realize how much I miss being in school. In college, I would KNOW when a holiday was coming because it was a chance to come up for air after being buried under paper samples and pantone swatches (this is cool). Now, holiday's breeze by, sprinkled in between work days, and time just seems to blur by. For some reason, this isn't as fun. When it comes to work, I miss being able to get lost in a concept or an idea, so much so, that you forget to call your friends or eat, or even sleep...For some reason, I liked this. That you're buried so much in this "grand" idea you can hardly wait to get it done. I miss the critiques, where you had to pick your work up off the floor because you're professor ripped it off the wall (no, really)..and you realize your idea wasn't really that great. I miss the two hour brainstorming sessions that you had when you were creating the "best" work of your life, not just getting it done. Not that I'm a masochist or something, I just miss being that involved, everything happens so quick now. So as time flies by, I wonder, is this how fast it's gonna go by? Or will there be the chance again to get lost in it? Just wondering.

Credit: Senior Project : Savannah College of Art and Design, Bang-yao Liu. This video is pretty hot!

As I did my iPhone Upgrade...

2009-06-19T20:13:00.001-07:00

I'm all about inspiration this month. As I said I'm in a funk, a big creative funk. So.. as my iPhone upgraded (yes, I'm two days late...moving on....) I did some browsing, and found some things to perk up my insides...Enjoy!

Inspiration

2009-06-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

So I've been in a rut..and had to bury myself in design mags to get a little inspired. I'm not sure what it is, but it's like someone is siphoning off my design vibes and I have none. Anyway, what brought a little bit of life to my design desert was an article in this month's PRINT. It highlighted patterns of the past reinventing themselves into graphically charged trends of the present. So it sent me on a mini-scavenger hunt (mini=around my apartment) to find these patterns, and surprisingly I did..take a look!

stripes are said to be classic, exuberant, and transgressive!

polka-dots have an energy all their own, inspired by yes..the polka.

birthed in Paisley, Scotland this pattern has spanned both time and genre

one of my favorites, the fleur de lis, a decorative ornament has inspired many a type of flare.

Note: Check out the Print Magazine website to download the cool pattern from the article for free.

FRESH

2009-06-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

I've been in the trenches and I rarely come up for air. However, I got a fresh breath when I stumbled onto Communication Arts feature on photographer Reynard Li. I love capturing people and admire when people with skill do it. Check the philosophy..it's so real.

Updates to come...Era Apparel launch, 1984 limited editions...Things are looking UP.

You can't deny how brilliant this solution is. So simple, just genius.

Cut and Paste.

2009-03-29T17:48:00.001-07:00

Fun Gun, 2005 Paper Collage, 16x19 in., copyright G.Lamarche

If you ever loved paste. Or paper. I love both. I think I ate both at one time or another. (I know) Anyway, if you like that, then you'll love Greg Lamarche. He uses cut paper (type and imagery to be exact) to create these wonderful collages, logo designs and inspiring installations. Featured last August in Print Magazine, he's still at it with solo exhibits in San Francisco and group showings in New York.

Name Value, 2003, Logo Design, copyright G. Lamarche

WORD, 2004, Cut paper, Bronx River Art Center, Bronx, NY, copyright G. Lamarche

Sunny Days

2009-03-20T17:28:00.000-07:00

converse illustrators @ Office Glasgow and London from Orange Dot on Vimeo.

It's Spring! Everywhere. Well not everywhere, but at least the sun is out. And when there is sun, there are smiles! It is proven to show that UV rays (sunlight) promote Vitamin D, which is responsible for metabolism and positive moods (or something like that). So since we're out of the "winter blues", let's have some fun. Check out Converse illustrators at Office in Glasgow and London as they make a masterpiece of these store windows.

All Things Fun

2009-02-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

I've been underground this past month like one of Snow White's seven dwarfs (probably a combination of Grumpy and Sleepy). Whistling while I work, but I did take some break's to umm Heigh-Ho? So although the month's not through, I have some pretty fun updates. First, actually on the 1st, I turned twenty-five. I was blown away by a surprise tea party, just like Alice in Wonderland, complete with friends, scones, tea, and a Mad-Hatter cake! (it would've been discrimination to make one of my short friends dress up like the Mad-Hatter, so the cake was just fine).

(me, katie, and ashley)

Another fun thing, India's baby shower, coming soon, but the invites are done! The theme is a bedtime story, so of course the invite starts with Once Upon a Time...see pictures below. And last, February is the month of love, and although I don't have a Valentine (well Chloe) but remember the Heavy D joint, where he was givin Nothin but Love? I used to love that!

(india's baby shower invite)

Happy New Year!

2009-01-19T15:42:00.000-08:00

The new year came mid-month for some of my collegues and designer counterparts as I sent out New Year self-promotions. They were sent around the country to design firms, agencies, publishers and designers that I admire and appreciate all the like. For those of you that didn't get one - it could still be in my living room or the mailman stole it - but here is the scoop. It's a fortune teller (like the ones from elementary school, high school for some) , you pick a color, pick a number and get a motivational fortune to inspire you through the new year. I plan to keep my own desk-side to serve as a burst of motivation through the cold winter! Enjoy.

My Unofficial Relationship with Type

2009-01-13T20:32:00.000-08:00

So yeah I have a thing for type. I like letters, they make me happy. We take long walks, whisper sweet nothings in each other's ear. Okay, no. But I do feel some type of way about a slab-serif lowercase "G". I never imagined function and fantasy merging and creating .... the " leather type-bag" (gasp!) Yes, I kid you not. A handbag, made from type! (shock! and awe!)

from Assouline ($450) made by Cole Haan...fabulous yes!

Also some creative things from The Heads of State, former professor Jason Kernevich and partner (design partner folks) Dusty Summers. They went back to their Alma mater Tyler School of Art (Philadelphia, PA) and carved an alphabet in the ceiling (pretty awesome huh?). See kids this is what you can do when you graduate and make a name for yourself. Slam! Those guys are always up to something creative, check their site, check the accolades...check their books, they have to bribing someone. Seriously, they're crazy talented.

What More Can I Say | ilovedust

2009-01-08T18:59:00.000-08:00

Jay Z once said "I'm not a biter, I'm a writer for myself and others, I say a B.I.G. verse I'm only biggin up my brother...I'm big enough to do it..." Well, I'm that thorough; so when I see great design, that I admire and would like to mimic, I must give props where props are due. With that said, it brings us to overseas design group ilovedust. ipersonallylovetheirwork and I find myself loving work that I didn't know they created. Short story... they designed Beyonce's last album "B-day" (which I can admit to playing out), and I remember purchasing the disk and saying to myself "hmm, different, I like the typography, good use of color, blah blah." Come to find out, they designed it. They are based on the south coast of England and made up of a total of 7 designers from England, South Africa, and China, I guess it takes that much to have design this great . What more can I say, they paint pictures, I just trace them.

Vanilla Splits | Printed Collateral

Artful Dodger | Fall 2007

Art for the Low

2008-12-21T21:40:00.000-08:00

I Bought all of These | Kate Bingaman-Burt (above)

Balloons | Juliane Eirich | archival pigment print

By looking through Print's regional design annual I learned of the best place for artist and art collectors alike. 20x200 is a site that sells prints in limited editions at low prices. You can purchase 8x10's in editions of 200 for $20, and larger sizes in editions of 20 and 2 for $200 or $2000 (I won't be getting the latter any time soon). Your able to get exclusive as well as impressive artwork and photography all online. So if you're in the market, they introduce 2 new pieces weekly (usually a work on paper and a piece of photography) Tuesday and Wednesday's at 2pm. Happy Hunting!

Party People

2008-12-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

I'm not really a party person but the title of this event alone had me intrigued. Feet Don't Fail Me Now, is an "after hours kick back" happening this weekend (Saturday the 20th into Sunday) on the westside of town (4106 Hamilton Ave.). Those Galaxxy boys will sure to be in tow not to mention some of the other usual suspects, Freshdaily included. So, if you can't stop your feet a dancin (or want to do the robot, maybe even a little breakin) and would like somewhere to take them, this will be the perfect venue. The party starts at midnight and goes until you can't move anymore. sounds fun!

GOOD Design | GOOD Times

2008-12-15T20:14:00.000-08:00

So I've been cooking in the creative kitchen, and came out with some good eats. I was able to shoot some pretty great (think Tony the Tiger GRRREEAAT!) photos of model and best friend Ashley Bryant, not to mention the use of an inspiring location at the American Sign Museum which harbors vintage hotel, motel and restaurant signage (see below).

vintage pharmacist sign

strong & stoic

fun & flirty

On top of having a great (again like Frosted Flakes) shoot, I entered the HOW Magazine poster competition with my Obama "Flow for Change" event poster (poster below). The poster was a limited edition production for an election day Watch Party/Speak Easy in NYC. The party was off the chain, and Obama won if you didn't know. The competition results will be released March of next year, I'll keep everyone posted.

Flow for Change @ DROM NYC

Universal Mind Control | Galaxxy Enterprise

2008-12-01T21:13:00.000-08:00

Common and I have a love hate relationship. Maybe it's because he's with Serena Williams (depending on who you ask), maybe because he went a little crazy. Maybe I just despise bald head men with beards. Either way, his new song "Universal Mind Control" is absolutely insane (cue the drums and a little Afrika Bambaataa). And I haven't seen a video as inspirational since Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy". So I must say, I am ecstatic for the album to drop (12.09.08), a little bit of Christmas come early. Oh yeah!

Speaking of good music and Christmas come early; I had the opportunity to sit in on a studio session and take some pictures for one of my most favorite people with a 513 area code, artist and performer Buggs Tha Rocka. I had a great time and got some great shots too (see below). Mainly I'm regretting not sneaking in my tape recorder so I could leak the track (I prolly won't be invited back now). Nonetheless, good music is on the way, they've got some pretty hot coals on the fire. To check out more from Mr. Rocka and Galaxxy Ent take a trip into outerspace, or a little place called myspace.

Andrew and Buggs. They liked what they came up with

Contemplating (above) & Buggs with a diddy-bop

Turkey 911?

2008-11-27T04:05:00.000-08:00

Raise your hand if you knew Butterball turkey had a hot line. My hand is down. I was even more surprised to find out that this has been going on for twenty-seven years, and the first year they received 11,000 calls (from who I don't know). Since then they have opened a Butterball University, (I'm not joking), and every year from October to December you can contact the University trained experts with all of your turkey preparation questions, or emergencies. So; if you've opted to fore go your traditional holiday roast, and go for the gusto, and prepare a beautiful turkey (or maybe Turducken), help is just a call, text, email, or web-chat away (all this for a turkey, yes). You can contact them at 1-800-Butterball, or find out easy tips at Butterball.com. I also found out, they have some pretty hilarious stories of people who either lost there turkey in the morning snow (it's possible), or their Chihuahua got stuck inside of the turkey. I'm keeping Chloe away.

Type is my Boyfriend

2008-11-23T05:43:00.000-08:00

If I had a boyfriend, he'd be a lot like a good typeface. Strong, structured, stylish. He'd offer a lot of variety, and bring personality to the blandest situations. He'd be so perfect, that when I saw him, my heart would go pity-pat. I don't have a boyfriend (the reasons are obvious), but I do have some great typefaces (hey you can't have it all). Earlier this month Smashing Magazine posted 40+ Excellent Freefonts for Professional Design, they are absolutely beautiful, and did I mention the free! Find me a man whom can do that. Check them out. The site is also a great resource for other free downloads (usually typefaces), printing & design techniques, and designer showcases. Enjoy!

Q-Tip | Gettin' Up

2008-11-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

Q-Tip's Gettin' Up has been a nice way to welcome the winter. If you've gotten tired of the synthesized voices and song's encouraging you to umm..."Show Out", this will be a nice departure. I love his style, very Davey Crocket, taking me back to the days of "Bonita Applebaum",putting me on. Also it's the free video download of the week on iTunes, score!

The Obama Brand

2008-11-20T20:26:00.000-08:00

Obama logo | created by Sender LLC

The icing on the campaign trail cake, had to be the smart, and energetic design of the Obama logo. Funny thing, it's ironically reminiscent of the State of Ohio Seal, but better thought, "educated" (like it went to college, Columbia or Harvard even). Designer's and bloggers have been so invigorated by it, that you can now create your own. Logobama.com now gives you the chance, I did it, you can too! Even the presidential typeface Gotham has got me all excited about "Change".

Gotham | by: Hoefler & Frere-Jones

Mybama | Created on Logobama.com

Creators of the Obama "O" from Sender LLC speak about the mark's creation.

A little history on how the Gotham typeface was developed