Currently Crushing on Christina Vanko and Her Modern Day Snail Mail

Tags

Calligraphy, Christina Vanko, Cursive, Email, Emilio Estevez, Erik Estrada, Graphic Design, Handwriting, Indiana University, Modern Day Snail Mail, Snail mail, Technology, Text messaging

(Image by TSL)

Oh, Erik Estrada. I loved you when I was about 11…

If you’re old enough to know who both Erik Estrada and Emilio Estevez are without googling them, then you may better understand just why I love the quirkiness of Christina Vanko’s recent project, ‘Modern Day Snail Mail’.

There is something so much more personal in the handwritten word than of those merely typed onto a screen. There is a sense that the writer is closer to you. That a little piece of them is on the page.

I’ve always had a thing for beautiful handwriting. Especially, when one has such a fabulous calligraphy technique as Christina Vanko! 

Sadly, my calligraphy skills are not up to par with Christina’s
(Image by TSL)

Anyhoo, who is this Christina Vanko of whom I speak, you may ask?

A fairly recent graduate of Indiana University’s BFA Graphic Design, she started this whimsical project after trying out her father’s calligraphy pen and falling in love.

She decided to create handwritten text messages for a week – 7 days without using the keyboard on her phone to send a message. Instead, she wrote out all her messages on paper before taking a photograph, which was then sent as a text message.

Copies of Christina Vanko’s Handwritten Texts
(Image from here)

Copy of Christina Vanko’s Handwritten Texts
(Image from here)

In this modern age of texting in lieu of telephone conversation, or even face-to-face communication, this is no mean feat. And, if you think I am joking – consider this: the teenager has been known to sit on the same couch as his best friend while they text each other. Seriously.

And, don’t even get me started on whether he can write in cursive…

So, as I received so much pleasure out of Christina’s project, I am making my own wee pledge to hand-write whenever I can. Instead of dashing off an email ‘thank you’ note, I am promising myself that I will make the time to hand-write a card and send it via snail mail. And, who doesn’t love receiving a handwritten note or letter in the post…?

Today is ‘Marta Altés Monday’

Tags

Art, Barcelona, Book illustration, Cambridge School of Art, Dr. Seuss, Drawing, England, Graphic Design, Humour, Illustration, London, Marta Altés

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Bullfighter’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try! (Dr. Seuss)

Who does this? Who has the imagination and whimsy to come up with the lovely idea of creating images out of discarded pencil savings? Marta Altés – that’s who.

Originally from Barcelona, Marta started her career as a graphic designer before moving to the UK to study children’s book illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. She now works as an illustrator, and by the looks of things, it was an inspired decision.

Her work puts a smile on my face…

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Wave’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Ole’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Fly’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Hell Yeah!’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Flower’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Swan Lake’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Grrrr!’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities. (Dr. Seuss)

Marta’s website is just as whimsical as her playing with pencil shavings. Go check it out here.

Good & Co Ain’t Half Bad!

Tags

Australia, Camilla + Marc, Clothing, Fashion, Graphic Design, Karen Walker, New Zealand, Photographic Image, Scarf, Shopping, Sydney, Trelise Cooper

We are well overdue a scarf post, I reckon. Today, I’m very happy to bring you a wee exposé on Good & Co, which aims to intelligently amalgamate fashion and art with their yummy silk scarves. A lofty idea? Let’s see if you think they deliver… Apparently, each piece turns its wearer into a walking artwork – though only those in the know will be aware of the detail.

‘Union Lane’ Scarf by Good & Co
(Images from Good & Co)

Feminine and functional but never fussy, the Good & Co aesthetic claims to appeal to those who like their luxury to come with a playful twist. I think I fall into that category. Sometimes, anyway.

The best part, for me, is that New Zealand designer Lillie Toogood is the brains behind the brand – her love of photography, travel, textiles and design all come together with her Good & Co label. Having worked for labels including Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Camilla + Marc, Sydney-based Lillie started Good & Co last year.

Lillie’s background in graphic design is evident in her eye for colour and form – each piece is based on a photograph she’s taken in her travels, from the lush green leaves disguising a German post box to the display of bottles on a bar in Barcelona. Shapes, patterns and colours that are captured to create beautiful textiles.

See what you think…

‘Secret Sydney’ Scarf by Good & Co
This scarf is made from 100% flat silk chiffon with a rolled hem finish, 160 x 130cm
(Images from Good & Co)

Motherland Classic by Good & co
This scarf is made from 100% flat silk chiffon with a rolled hem finish, 160 x 130cm
(Images from Good & Co)

Hawaii Time by Good & Co
This scarf is made from 100% silk satin with a rolled hem, 90 x 90cm
(Image from Good & Co)

Leipzig Love by Good & Co
This scarf is made from 100% silk satin with a rolled hem, 90 x 90cm
(Image from Good & Co)

Do you know what else is great about a scarf from Good & Co? They offer free worldwide shipping from their online shop!

If you’d like to see more of the Good & Co range, you can check it out here. I feel a scarf purchase coming on…

Chase and Wonder Screenprints are Just Lovely

Tags

Art, Cats, Christmas, Christmas Gifts, Design, Dogs, England, Graphic Design, London, Printing, Retail, Screen printing, Shopping, Silly season, Worcestershire

We are officially in the run up to the silly season now. I’m hearing on the news here in Oz that retailers are expecting online sales to be up for the Christmas buying rush. So, with that in mind, today’s wee offering comes to you from the deliciously quirky duo at Chase and Wonder – all delivered to your door at the touch of a few keyboard strokes, wherever you may be…

Dandy Lion by Chase and Wonder
Limited edition of 400
2 colour Screenprint
Paper size – 210mm(w) x 300mm(h)
(Image from Chase and Wonder)

Faye Pearce and David Aspinall founded Chase and Wonder in late 2010 with the simple aim of creating finely designed products with British personality. They design and print all of their products in their converted cow shed in rural Worcestershire.

It also sounds as though they might just be soul-mates, given they met at primary school and reconnected in their early twenties while in London. That just makes me like their lovely screen prints even more (what can I say – I’m feeling the love today!)

Anyhoo, these lovelies have quite a reasonable price-point for the silly season – and are especially great as potential gifts for those hard-to-buy for boys in your life…

Sophisticated Dog by Chase and Wonder
Limited edition of 400
2 colour Screenprint
Paper size – 210mm(w) x 300mm(h)
(Image from Chase and Wonder)

Manners Maketh the Man by Chase and Wonder
Limited edition of 400
2 colour Screenprint
Paper size – 210mm(w) x 300mm(h)
(Image from Chase and Wonder)

Sophisticated Cat by Chase and Wonder
Limited edition of 400
2 colour Screenprint
Paper size – 210mm(w) x 300mm(h)
(Image from Chase and Wonder)

Chase and Wonder have lots more to see at their store. You can check it out here.

Héctor Sos & His Paper Faces are Kind of Mesmerising…

Tags

Business, Graphic Design, Materials, Paper, Paper Faces, Printing, Publishing

From the Paper Faces Series by Héctor Sos
(Image © Copyright Héctor Sos)

At first glance, the Paper Faces series by Héctor Sos was just a little kooky. But then I felt compelled to go back and investigate further. Maybe it’s my brief history in the printing industry here in Sydney…

the Paper Faces project was created with the intention of linking the use of CreatorVol paper (a coated paper for offset printing) with the idea of the publishing industry as natural and vital, hence the visual relationship between paper and face. From this idea, and also from the need to show the qualities of the paper in a four-color printing process, is a series of distinctive structures made ​​with paper covering the face of the different models.

I can’t say whether Hector was successful in his brief, but it certainly made me look twice…

From the Paper Faces Series by Héctor Sos
(Image © Copyright Héctor Sos)

From the Paper Faces Series by Héctor Sos
(Image © Copyright Héctor Sos)

From the Paper Faces Series by Héctor Sos
(Image © Copyright Héctor Sos)

From the Paper Faces Series by Héctor Sos
(Image © Copyright Héctor Sos)

If you would like to see more in the Paper Faces series, or learn more about Héctor Sos, check out his website here.

Aled Lewis Gives Toys a Snarky Story

Tags

Aled Lewis, Arts, Books, Born This Way, British Humour, culture, Design, Graphic Design, Humor, Humour, London, Toy Confidential: The Secret Life of Snarky Toys, Toy Stories, Toys, Victoria Wood

‘Some Similarities’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

I know I’ve got a degree. Why does that mean I have to spend my life with intellectuals? I’ve got a lifesaving certificate but I don’t spend my evenings diving for a rubber brick with my pyjamas on.” (Victoria Wood)

What is it about the English and their humour? For some reason, it just seems to resonate…

With that in mind, have you come across the slightly kooky yet clever world of Aled Lewis, yet? He may not be a comedian in the traditional sense, but I reckon’ he’s a pretty clever social commentator. His ‘Toy Stories’ series is bound to give you a lift. Promise.

According to his bio, Aled is a “designer, illustrator and author based in London“. A life-long gamer, he is influenced and inspired by comics, film and television — and this shows in much of his work. The speech bubbles he adds to each of his toy images are insightful and funny.

Which one’s your favourite?

‘Body Double’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

‘La Mode’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

‘Born This Way’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

‘Murder Mystery’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

‘Holy Cow’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

‘Maybe Next Year’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

‘Lonely Wolf’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

‘Grounded’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

‘Competitive Advantage’ by Aled Lewis
(Image © Aled Lewis)

Aled is currently completing work on his first published solo project, a book called ‘Toy Confidential: The Secret Life of Snarky Toys’, which is due to be released before this Christmas. He started creating these wonderful images as a personal project for his own amusement, and then found it began to develop a life of its own. The toy stories have all been created with figurines that Aled bought in toy stores, found on eBay and was given by friends.

If you would like to see more of Aled Lewis’ funky ‘Toy Stories’, check out his gallery here. Selected gallery-quality giclée art prints of this series are available to buy from here.

Woop Studios and their Corker Collection of Collective Nouns

Tags

animals, Arts, Collective noun, Gifts, Graphic Design, Harry Potter, Interior design, Limited Edition Print, Natalie Dee, Shopping, Visual Arts, Woop Studios, Words

LM has a birthday coming up. It’s in July. I have to get organised because, as we’ve already established (here), it is almost impossible to find a suitable (read: meaningful, gasp-worthy-in-a-good-way, unexpected, tasteful and/or funky) gift for him. I am not exaggerating. He’s a guy – if he wants something, he gets it for himself. And, before you suggest I make something, my response to that is:

1. have you seen my recent post on learning to crochet, and
2. I have, on more than one occasion, made something (which could possibly fall under my ‘haberdashery‘ label).

Exhibit A: the teepee embroidery I made for LM (based on a Natalie Dee Cartoon)
(Image by TSL)
And yes – I did all that embroidery by hand and it took me a hell of a long time*.

Anyway, in my search for the right gift for LM’s birthday, I came across the awesome design team that is Woop Studios. Their website says they are the graphic designers of Harry Potter, so they must be cool! In addition to the Harry Potter connection, Miraphora Mina, Eduardo Lima, Harriet Logan, and Mark Faulkner have a love of words, specifically collective nouns and terms.

They have created gorgeous alphabets of limited edition prints to reflect their love of collective words. Even better, their website also offers the visitor the opportunity to learn about and have fun with the images and phrases. Each of the images is accompanied by fascinating facts about the animal depicted.

So, the one that caught my eye first was the ambush of tigers…

‘Ambush of Tigers’ by Woop Studios
(Image © Woop Studios)

Did you know that an adult male tiger eats 150kg of meat per month? – or, that the roar of a tiger can be heard more than a mile away? – or, that tigers don’t purr? – or, that tiger stripes are like fingerprints in that no two are alike? – or even, that a tiger’s saliva contains antiseptic?

I didn’t know any of that.

Here are some more of their seriously groovy images:

‘Bale of Turtles’ by Woop Studios
(Image © Woop Studios)

‘Mob of Kangaroos’ by Woop Studios
(Image © Woop Studios)

‘Gaze of racoons’ by Woop Studios
(Image © Woop Studios)

‘Aurora of Polar Bears’ by Woop Studios
(Image © Woop Studios)

‘Zeal of Zebras’ by Woop Studios
(Image © Woop Studios)

If you want to go and check out the full collection, you can find it here. It is well worth a visit. I promise.

*So that you have some context for the embroidery, it should possibly be mentioned that LM doesn’t have a lot of hair on top. In the past, when I have suggested it may be time for a hair cut, he has been known to threaten to grow the sides so long that he will be able to form a tepee out of his hair. This would be an alternative to a comb-over, if you will. He then believes he could create little dioramas inside this ‘head tepee’ which could reflect different holidays or celebrations throughout the year. For example – Guy Fawkes, Hanukkah, Easter. This has turned into a bit of a running joke.

I think I may be in trouble for over sharing…

Mark McGinnis & His Less-Than-PC Alphabet Series…

Tags

Brooklyn, Colour, culture, Design, Future Perfect, Gifts, Graphic Design, Letter (alphabet), Mark McGinnis, Shopping, Stationery

They are a little bit rude. They are a little bit contentious. They won’t appeal to everyone. They are certainly not for children…

Brooklyn-based artist Mark McGinnis and his series of most un-PC Alphabet Series prints seem to have found a comfortable wee niche. For the uninitiated, you’ll love ’em or you’ll hate ’em, but these spoofed alphabet cards (remember them from primary school?) will definitely cause a reaction.

I’ve got a sample of some of (what I consider to be) the tamer cards here:

I’m not sure I actually want to hang one on my wall, but the letter M did make me smile AND whichever letter you chose, it would be a conversation starter… What do you think?

If you decide you’d like a Mark McGinnis Alphabet Series print on your wall, you can buy one here, from The Future Perfect.

(All images sourced from here.)

The art of ‘Thank You’…

Tags

Able and Game, Benjamin Disraeli, Etiquette, Graphic Design, Kate Spade, Letter (message), Letterpress, Manners, Photos, Post, Snail mail, Thank You, Vera Wang

I feel a very unusual sensation – if it is not indigestion, I think it must be gratitude. (Benjamin Disraeli)

Call me old fashioned, but I love a hand-written thank you note.  I probably know I don’t write them enough.  I also know how much I love to receive them.  There is something very special about someone taking the time to pen a personal message and send it by snail-mail.  E-mail is nice, but snail-mail is so much better.

Opening the letterbox to the sight of a hand-written envelope sandwiched between all the bills and direct marketing is a small joy, especially because it means that somebody has been thinking (nice thoughts!) about you…

I guess you don’t need a card to say thank you – a hand written letter will do the trick nicely. But, there are so many gorgeous choices in stationery that just seem to scream out to me.  I am building a wee collection, but there’s always room for more…

Here are some that I particularly like:

Found here

Found here

Found here

Found here

Found here

Found here

And, not strictly a thank you card, but a range that I particularly like:

Found here

Dana Tanamachi Chalks One Up….

Tags

Ace Hotel, advertising, Art, Brooklyn, Chalk, Dana Tanamachi, Design, Graphic Design, Graphic designer, Letterer, New York, O: The Oprah Magazine, Oprah, Photography, Ralph Lauren, Shopping, style, West Elm

Dana Tanamachi is a New York-based graphic designer who works as a custom chalk letterer.  How cool to be SO good you can work as a full-time chalk letterer, of all things.  How cool to be SO good (and SO successful) you don’t do personal or wedding related commissions!  I think she’s awesome!

I want to stay in room 1021 at the Ace Hotel

For Ralph Lauren on Bleecker St, NYC

AND – Oprah thinks she’s awesome, too.  Dana Tanamachi was commissioned to design the February 2012 cover of O Magazine.

Dana Tanamachi with Oprah

There is a girl who embodies ‘living your best life’.

(All images sourced from Dana Tanamachi’s website here)