"...There are, however, some designers and even clients who insist that the public deserve and will respond to much higher standards in graphics. They are convinced, as Charlie Chaplin was convinced, that the best way to entertain the public is to first entertain oneself."

Type jewelry from Base Design

Posted: March 27th, 2009 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: design, identity, type | Tags: , , | No Comments »

Base Design developed this insanely beautiful type-based identity for Karen Karch, a NY jewelry store. I’d love to see how their store looks like, how the alternating type is further applied to POS, stationery, livery and so on.

this-is-base-karen

karen-karch

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(thanks go to Alin)


Must have samurai umbrella!

Posted: March 23rd, 2009 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: fun, japan/asia | Tags: , | 3 Comments »

There is no doubt, if they have international shipping, I’m getting one! No one will stand in my way >:) If you’re interested too, get your own here, from ThinkGeek (Jedi fans, get your lightsaber umbrella here).

samurai_sword_handle_umbrella_combo

samurai-umbrella

(thanks Andrei for finding it!)


Digital painting—just as alive

Posted: March 21st, 2009 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: illustration | Tags: | No Comments »

Seung Ho Henrik Holmberg — just one swedish guy goes under all these names :) — has some beautiful concept art and matte paintings (photography too, if you browse through his website). He manages to play with light easily, creating moods in most of his work, inspiring the viewer with different feelings or sensations regarding his depicted worlds. I especially love falling into his “countryside” painting — you can get a larger version for your desktop here.

countryside_02_03

forest_001

night_trip

(via cgsociety)


Keep spinning—Yehrin Tong

Posted: March 18th, 2009 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: illustration, japan/asia, type | Tags: , , | 2 Comments »

Eye-spinning illustrations and typography from Yehrin Tong.
(via reformrevolution)

fashion001

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fashion002

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fashion003

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Tiny encounters—Dmitry Maksimov

Posted: March 18th, 2009 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: illustration, photography | Tags: , | No Comments »

Dmitry Maksimov creates wonderful stories by melding delicate illustration characters into tilt-shift-like photography. My favourite is this one, which reminds me of Exupery’s Little Prince and of Spirited Away’s Faceless. You can see more of his work on his website — much more, if you have the patience.

Faceless Little Prince

(via designyoutrust)


Periodic Table of Typefaces

Posted: March 13th, 2009 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: tips&tricks, type | Tags: , | 2 Comments »

I’m glad there are insane type maniacs among us, creating such useful things as the Periodic Table of Typefaces. Up on the wall with it!

Right-click, Save As — this is the large version

Right-click, Save As — this is the large version

(thanks Adrian for the tip)


Smart work from Buro Ink

Posted: March 6th, 2009 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: personal | Tags: , | No Comments »

Markus Schäfer from Buro Ink shows some smart logo solutions. Less is more, just like always.

Take a look:

bs_ident

moonblinx_logo

sem_logo
sem_mov1

ktype2

(via TypeNeu)


The right kind of ammunition

Posted: March 6th, 2009 | Author: Iancu | Filed under: design, identity, the great ones | Tags: , , | 1 Comment »

Catching some office gossips like San Francisco designers being the best among international design offices like Pentagram and MetaDesign, I was curious to see who exactly was or were partner-in-charge at Pentagram San Francisco. In comes Robert Brunner (the other Pentagram partners are Kit Hinrichs, designer and Lorenzo Apicella, architect).

Reading about Mr. Brunner on wikipedia, I was startled to find out that he leads a team at Ammunition LLC, just after reading that he had joined Pentagram in 1996. Browsing the Ammunition website, I found out he is no longer with Pentagram, since he left with his team to form his own company in july 2007 (press release). In 2008 he was joined by two other top professionals, Creative Director Brett Wickens and Band Strategist Matt Rolandson, both former leaders from MetaDesign San Francisco.

The interesting thing is that Mr. Brunner was previously the Director of Industrial Design at Apple, between 1987-1996, and was the one that hired and later proposed Jonathan Ive as director after his departure (you can watch the youtube interview).

Ammunition specializes in product design, identity design and interaction design, and you can easily see from their portfolio their work is of highest quality. And of course, they have a smart, classy logo.

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sandisk_3

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