Brand Union Logo

I haven't found a logo I like in a while, but this one is very clever - the way they've used negative space is pretty great. They're an identity design company, so I guess having a good logo and identity is pretty essential. No idea who did the actual designing though, it's a global company, which makes it tricky. But yes, a very clever logo, the way the colours can be changed and such is nice too - they have a little animation on their homepage. Which is here: http://www.thebrandunion.com/

Another beautiful illustration

I've found another example of Alberto Cerriteño's work that I thought was worth sharing. I'm not exactly sure what this one is called (I found it on a different site) but I love the depth created with the layering. I thought at first it was photoshop with drop shadows but looking at his site I found that he apparently creates these images actually using cut paper and photographing it. Pretty amazing.

Once again, his website is: www.albertocerriteno.com, and there's work for sale here: www.clickforart.com/artist/albertocerriteno

Take Me to the Kittens

'Take Me to the Kittens' and 'Why is the Rum Gone?' are by Mike Balakov. They just made me laugh, very cute/funny photography. He's got some more great stuff here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/balakov

Love What You Do

I think this poster is really clever, I don't know if it's photoshopped or actually a straight photo (going to go with photoshopped-there's slight white edges) but it's nice all the same. It really gets your attention and (cut paper again) the cut paper-look is nice. It's by Nicole Lavelle (with Michael Eaton), who can be found here: http://makingstuffanddoingthings.com/ and is for the Portland State University Graphic Design Student Show.

Allison Cole

I mainly chose this image ('Bird in Tree' by Allison Cole) so I could motivate myself to do something over summer. I was at Semi-Permanent on Friday/Saturday and so I'm already feeling quite motivated to do design work, homework not included unfortunately. But not long now. Allison has a shop: http://www.bangbangyourethread.com/ where she sells notebooks, badges, original artwork and prints. They're all things I could easily be selling, and it gives me an idea on how I should price things too. Oh my poor dusty badge machine...

But about the image. I love cut paper, it can be so complicated or simplified down completely. The rawness and just the hand-made feeling is beautiful, you can't really replicate it on a computer. I might make my next illustration for uni a cut paper one... Allison's portfolio website is here: http://www.allisoncoleillustration.com/about.html

My Cardboard Life

This is a strip from the comic 'My Cardboard Life' by Phillipa Rice. This one is called 'Biscuit Brigade' and I think it is most amusing, though you may need to open it in a new window to see it clearly. The shadows and coloured backgrounds are lovely, and I just think it's a really innovative way to create a comic strip - it's so beautifully low-fi. The comic can be viewed here: http://mycardboardlife.com/ and her portfolio website here: http://www.philippajrice.com/

Poetry Flier

Another illustration by Ben Newman (http://www.bennewman.co.uk/), this one was for a flier advertising a poetry evening called '451' - the temperature in Fahrenheit at which paper catches fire, hence the flaming brain. He's put up his initial sketches and mock-ups on his blog as well: http://benhasapencil.blogspot.com/2009/09/451-flier-from-start-to-finish.html

I like the simple colours and the weathered effect, I think I'll have to try that some time. The background colour goes really well too.

Cute Stop-Animation

I think this ad has to be the most adorable thing I've ever seen. I love stop animation and I think this is a really good example of it. It's by a stuido called Hardcuore (Breno Pineschi and team) for some kind of fruit juice I think. I love the way the keys colour and the spinning biscuits. I shall have to try this at some stage, it looks like a lot of fun. More here: http://www.hardcuore.com/All.aspx

do bem™ - Açaí Juice 100% fruit (Tic Tic Tac Wafer's Keyboard) from Hardcuore on Vimeo.

Clay Illustration

I just thought this was an interesting way to make an illustration. Most people would probably just try to fake it but I expect it would always look better if you actually made something and photographed it. It's pretty cute too. It's by Irma Gruenholz, from Spain. More of this type of illustration can be found on her website: http://www.deplastilina.com/'

Cavemen Cookies

This makes me pretty hungry to be honest, I would definitely buy these cookies. The logo/packaging design for these cookies is by Kristina Sacci (http://www.kristinasacci.com/) of the United States. I love the simplicity, the colour scheme and just the general adorableness. It's kind of earthy, which I guess was deliberate, and I think it would probably really stand out.

Alternate logos and more pictures of this project can be found here: http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2009/09/caveman-cookies.html The cookies have a website as well, also designed by Kristina Sacci; http://www.cavemencookies.com/

Hot City Summer

I love illustrations that use a limited number of colours, it's probably because I'm so terrible at it. I'll have to try limiting myself. This one in particular, 'Hot City Summer' by Ben Newman. is absolutely adorable. I especially love the little guy in the floaties, and the expression on the fireman's face. The simplicity of it all is just fantastic. More great illustrations and such on his website: http://www.bennewman.co.uk/

A Smile-Worthy Collage

Just thought this collage, by Vivienne Strauss, was quite quirky and fun. Interesting use of perspective... Don't have much to say, it just made me smile. There's a few more on her site: http://www.vivienneart.blogspot.com/ - amongst other things. Hope you enjoy it.

Siebe Warmoeskerken

Couldn't resist this photo either, I know it's the same day. This is by Siebe Warmoeskerken (or De Vetpan Studios), a furniture maker from the Netherlands by trade. There's some amazing work on his site, so vibrant and really very beautiful. This one is from a series called 'Heathland', but my favourite is a series called 'Cookie Splash!'. Look at it, really. There's copyright protection so I won't try and put it up here (the 'Heathland' photo is from a different website) but I'd definitely recommend taking a look. Coffee never looked so pretty. Antwerp is an interesting series too.

But I digress. His work is amazing, go look now. http://devetpan.com/

Sydney International Food Festival

I couldn't find an actual website for this one, but it's by an Advertising Agency called WHYBIN/TBWA, from Sydney. It was created for the Sydney International Food Festival (http://www.siff.com.au/, article here) and each flag is made up of foods that are actually local or popular in that particular country, for example, Japan's is sashimi, France's is blue vein, camembert (or brie) and grapes, and Italy is basil, spaghetti and tomatoes. Of course, Australia's features Vegemite. Ugh. But my distaste for Vegemite aside, I think it's really clever and deserved a mention. Makes me hungry though!

New York, New York

This is one of three posters titled 'New York New York;, by Sophie Henson. I love the limited colour scheme and the combination of hand-made text and illustration. It's very busy but I don't think it's overcrowded. The rough feel and just the variety of type is great too. Lovely. She can be found at www.sophiehenson.com, http://sophiehenson.blogspot.com/ and http://www.behance.net/sophiehenson

Berkeley Flea Market

The pretty picture for today is by an American (San Francisco, I think) named Calef Brown. It's a poster for the Berkeley Flea Market and I think it's fantastic. The type is so interesting and all the little details make it adorable, the patterns are good too. The gradation and choice of colours is also really nice, and I just love this aesthetic - it's kind of quirky but cute. His website is pretty easy: http://www.calefbrown.com/

Letters from Paris

Speaking other languages isn't really a talent of mine, but I think the person who created this alphabet could be French. Maybe. Oh wait, yes. They're from Paris. I say 'they' because distinguishing the sex of the name is also tricky. 'Marin Van Uhm' created this work anyway. I love the use of layers and shadows, it gives each letter a real depth. I think the letter 'B' is probably my favourite. Anyway, it's very nice, just titled 'Lettrage' on the website. (http://www.marinvanuhm.fr/index.php?/project/lettrage/)

A few very cute illustrations

Maybe I'm just being greedy, but I really couldn't choose between these two illustrators today. The first illustration is called 'King Richard the lion heart was very happy to finally get a pair of spectacles'. Just the name makes me smile, it's by Matte Stephens. He can be found at http://matteart.blogspot.com/ or at http://www.matteart.net/matte_stephens.html. I love the colours used, as well as the simplicity of the shapes... the little line details are great too, especially the beard.

Second is a photo of some of the works Jean Julian had up at his exhibition in Paris. It's on until the 5th so if anyone wants to buy me a plane ticket then now is the time. His illustrations are so simple but so innovative. I love: the way the images extend/tip out of the frames; take up more than one frame; and are flat yet 3D. Another good example of this is the second piece, 'Family'. I believe they are being sold separately... I never would have thought to create something like that.

I also like the limited colours and bold outlines. View his work here: http://www.jeanjullien.com/

Cam

This is Cam by Andres Yeah (http://www.flickr.com/photos/designerfake/). I think the thing I love most about this illustration are the colours, they're just so vibrant. I like the sketchy feel too, and how abstract it is. Very pretty, it made me smile.

Two for the price of one

OweTwo pieces of work today, because unfortunately the link to Sven Palmowski's website seems to be broken. It's meant to be www.palmowski.eu, I don't know, maybe it will come back again by the time you read this. I think it's just a nice piece of typography, the way it's been worked into the picture, like the bird singing into it, is lovely. The colour choice is nice too.

I also like this little video, Record of Life. The aesthetic is beautiful, i love the use of opaque layer upon layer. And so simplified and almost abstract too. Worth watching. This one is by Owen Gatley (http://owengatley.blogspot.com/) and Luke Jinks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lukejinksillustration).

A Record Of Life from Owen Gatley on Vimeo.

Graphic Design is My Identity

I thought this was quite a nice typeface. It's by Vincent Harry from Paris and is titled 'Graphic Design is My Identity'. Clever too. I love how round and simple each of the letters are, not incredibly legible but a great display typeface. He can be found here: http://www.behance.net/MazeProd

Love Letter Murals

I'm not sure what this first one is called, but it's a mural by Steve Powers from the US, part of a project called 'Love Letter'. His website is http://www.aloveletterforyou.com/. I just think it's fantastic, I have letters on my fridge but on such a large scale it's much cooler. A nice idea. The second is called 'Prepay is On' and it just makes me happy, it's lovely calling up friends for no real reason, everyone should do it :)

Herman Miller Advertisement

I think this is a beautiful little ad. It's for Herman Miller (www.hermanmiller.com) and made by a studio called 'Fairly Painless' at http://fairlypainless.com/. I love the simplicity of it and it's use of text. It's so friendly, the music is nice too - a bit like a mac ad. I always love mac ads. Anyway, it's worth watching.

Kalina Remix

I thought this was a really nice example of photomanipulation. It's simple, but very effective. It's for Kalina Magazine and is by Adam Dedman from the UK. I think it's particularly impressive because he's still studying graphic design too. Find him here: http://www.itscallingme.com/

Ship Wrecks and Such

I think the type on this book is beautiful. It's by Daniel Cassaro from http://youngjerks.com/, and it's a proposal for a book by Nik Ruckert. I love the way it kind of interlocks, like the way the 's' 'h' and 'p' join together, and the 'c' with the 'k'. Really nice. The overall composition is good too, simple and eye-catching.

Vintage Hollywood Manga

I've always been interested in manipulating people's faces... I've been playing around with it since year 7. It's quite entertaining if nothing else. So for my next assignment I think I'll do something along the lines of 'The Ping Girl' by mayswallow in a worth1000 competition. (http://www.worth1000.com/cache/gallery/contestcache.asp?contest_id=22676)

I love the use of contrast and the huge hair. Very pretty. It would be interesting to see the original.

Some More Nice Type

I couldn't find what it's called, but I'm going to assume 'All of this will pass'. Or some such. It's by Al Murphy. an Illustrator from the UK and I think it's lovely. I'd like to be able to do nice text like this. I believe Ned would call it 'considered'. I like the use of colour too, or lack thereof. His website is nice too (http://www.al-murphy.com/), quite a funny homepage image. Check it out.

Some Cute Type

These are nameplates that Stevie Gee designed for his children. They're pretty adorable, I love text that has been turned into some kind of character. The colours are nice too. I think I like the 's' in Rosa the best, so sad. His website is here: http://dustywolf.blogspot.com

Joan Pons Moll

A Spanish Graphic Designer who has create lots of lovely logos. (http://www.joanponsmoll.com/). I like this one especially. It's so unbelievably simple yet clever. It was designed last year.

Alberto Cerriteño

Just stumbled upon another amazing illustrator (sensing a theme here?), Alberto Cerriteño from Mexico. It was ridiculously hard to choose an example of his work because I love it all. His website can be found here;www.albertocerriteno.com, but there's also work for sale at this site:www.clickforart.com/artist/albertocerriteno. You can get his illustrations as cushions, wish I'd discovered this a few weeks ago! (Before my birthday). I love the textures and embellishments.

The first is a print called 'Play Time' and the second is 'The Enamoured Owl'.

Delusional Paper Towel Tube

I just thought this was funny. It's an ink and watercolour illustration called 'Delusional Paper Towel Tube'... I'd buy it if it weren't for the fact that it's already been sold. Or if it weren't oh so expensive. (American dollars too!) Worth a look anyway, original and more than a little quirky. I mean, a beard shaped like France? http://www.marcjohns.com/

I like this one too. They make you think I guess... mostly along the lines of 'what the hell?!', but still - thought provoking. It's just on a post-it note. Apparently it's a favourite medium because it "forces the drawing to be simple, and the concept to be focussed [sic]".

Giraffe Diva

I thought this was absolutely adorable. It's called 'Giraffe Diva' by Mister Oaf, the pseudonym of Mark Cameron, (http://misteroaf.com/) and it's hand-drawn and then coloured on the computer. I love the expressions on the animal's faces, they're a bit quirky.

I couldn't help but include this one too. 'Doodle-mania'

Music Unlimited

This is a typeface created by Sean Rees for Vodafone. The brief was to "design a global brand... around the idea of 'unlimited music'". Not the most legible but I love the use of colours and how pared back it is. It reminds me of stained glass. His website is http://www.seanrees.co.uk/

Galatea's Gala

This is a beautiful pen and ink drawing I found by Bjornik- It's called "Galatea's Gala" and I love all the detail and the subtle shadows in the background. I think it's just gorgeous. The website is http://bjornik.blogspot.com/ - definitely worth a look.

An Introduction

This blog is for pasting together interesting images/inspiration. It's actually part of a class at uni, (hello Joel), but feel free to browse and let me know what you think if you've stumbled upon this page.
To start it off - this is by Cole Gerst; "I Forgot To Invite You", mixed collage on paper. I love how surreal it is, I wish there really were power sockets in the side of mountains. It looks almost childlike, it's probably the use of colours...