Movie Monday : drawing from the past & future

Sci-Fi Ikea Manuals Jurassic Park

by Caldwell Tanner, Susanna Wolff and Conor McKeon via designmilk

While on an inspiration hunt for my new illustration project this morning, I spotted these sci-fi Ikea manuals by Caldwell Tanner, Susanna Wolff and Conor McKeon for College Humor --- great idea, definitely made me smile & I am digging the use of varying lineweights mixed with a storyboard layout. Perhaps I should incorporate this type of detail in my project?

Sci-Fi Ikea Manuals Back to the Future delorean 

(or if you ask Ikea Djiloriann)

Other inspiration directions:

 Norwegian Turi folklore painted pottery via aprill aprill

"Blast off" Disney 50's illustrations via kevin kidney

we shall see how it develops...

Movie Monday : Life Imitating Art

{via national geographic}
The eternal question....
do we imitate art, or does art imitate us?
Well, it seems either way you want to look at it we are all inspired by animation. Two recent examples:
1. National Geographic's show "How Hard Can It Be?" attempting to float a home using a series of helium balloons a la Pixar's Up (2009)


{via national geographic}

2. An old Scrooge McDuck & the Beagle Boys comic "Uncle Scrooge in the Dream of a Lifetime" who's story holds striking similarities to Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010)
"Uncle Scrooge in the Dream of a Lifetime" {via boing boing}

& because I can't resist the opportunity to highlight another beloved movie poster:

designed by matt needle {via pinterest & yay!everyday}

Happy Friday

photo credit Rina Castelnuovo for The New York Times
{via The New York Times, Hamantashen: Trendy in Tel Aviv, Traditional in Paris}

This past week has been extremely difficult, filled with tragedy and loss, locally and worldwide - I have been overwhelmed. But this coming weekend is the Jewish holiday of Purim, when we celebrate our survival and rejoice. Normally, I love celebrating this holiday with family and friends, but this year I find the timing particularly challenging. I want to be in the mindset of celebration and happiness, but it is hard. It is hard to look past the tragedy and evil in this world and be hopeful, sometime very hard. One family tradition of Purim (that I hope will get me somewhat in the spirit of Purim) is baking Hamantashen, a traditional triangular cookie filled with jam that is extra delicious - I bake it every year. So this weekend I will be baking Hamantashen and hoping for a better week to come.


help japan poster designed by zac neulieb
{& for more donation designs click here via aiga houston}

Another primary component of the Purim holiday (much more important than baking cookies) is giving charity. There are lots of fantastic organizations doing great work, but in consideration of the events of the past week I would like to highlight

For Japan
The American Red Cross: Those who want to help can go to Red Cross site and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by this disaster. {via unplggd}

For the Fogel family, victims of terrorism in Itamar,Israel
One Family Fund: OneFamily provides direct financial, legal, and emotional assistance to victims of terrorism in Israel.

Happy Friday : Geometric & Minimal Style

what a wonderful combination.
I wish all my projects could have that pairing as a central component of the design brief...maybe one day...


{via grain edit}

work by Jelle Martens from Gent, Belgium. Recently featured on grain edit, also seen in swiss legacy (a great graphic & typology design inspiration site). More images here.

"Why Not Together?"

my new mantra thanks to marimekko

{via marimekko}

Marimekko is celebrating their 60th anniversary by highlighting a central theme within the company, collaboration. Teaming up with Converse for a women specific sneaker & the Aalto University School of Art and Design with the theme of "Why not together?" design competition, they are promoting design collaboration worldwide.

Marimekko, est. in 1951, is a Finnish textile company who's imagination and strength in pattern composition and color has led them to the forefront of the design world. Today they design & manufacture clothing, bags, textiles and accessories.

When I traveled through Scandinavia last summer I did not get a chance to stop in Helsiki and soak up all the Marimekko love :(
Luckily, this video highlighting Marimekko's partnership with Converse gives me a taste of the city & inside Marimekko.
{via Converse ♥ Marimekko video & the house that lars built}
Converse ♥ Marimekko video here

& because I rarely click on videos while blog-scrolling, some screen shots to entice you...


{via Converse ♥ Marimekko video}

Dont worry - of course the marimekko video is in color. I just never saw these shots before so I thought I would share - lots more great visuals & sneaker details within.

So back to my new mantra...

{via marimekko}
loving it!
Some other wonderful marimekko quotes....

"...look for beauty in everyday life."

-Noora Niinikoski, designmanager Marimekko, 2011

“I only want to bring people together so they can get to know each other and gain something from one another.”

-Armi Ratia, the founder of Marimekko, 1969

Eyewear Excitement

Framework poster by Moxy Creative House

Just a few weeks ago I got a fresh pair of frames from my favorite spec company Prodesign Denmark - very exciting! I think this new addition to the team has sparked my current frame design extra-awareness (or perhaps my extra-awareness sparked the new purchase???)
Below some visual frame fun....


Framework detail
Suggestion...next set consider including
30 Rock's Liz Lemon & Daria

Design & Mischief Odin Cappello's designs for Prodesign Denmark
Based on angled interior objects - no wonder they are so wonderful.Very exciting to see process and inspiration drawings side by side.

I even love ProDesign's logo - the small clipping of the p & g descenders - beautiful!



& did anyone know Lisa Loeb has her own eyewear line? I know I didn't. Is she the only celebrity/artist with an frame line? Janeane Garofalo what are you waiting for???

Seeing the World Through a Grid

vitrine paperback notebooks {via bloesem}

So you thought working within the lines was something you focus on in kindergarten.....nope still a priority. Recently, I have been working on a print project that has me working with lots and lots of grids - all I can see now is lines --- on and off the computer!
Some favorites.....


Verne OWI {via emmas blogg}
indie furniture by nicola enrico staubli
{via 101-woonideenblog & bloesem}
3d grids- make your own grids lines into storage with universal furniture joints and customized wood panels - brilliant!

photo + mat frame wall {via napcp}


grid-it super organized travel storage {via designspiration}

gridness featuring connect magazine