Granted there are a ton of websites out there giving creatives the opportunity to share their inspiration with many, I stumbled over these guys on the weekend and quite enjoyed the random beauty submitted by it’s members.

The site is very easy and simple to use – and they have this neat ability to capture any image you decide to “Love”. All you have to do is add their handy dandy widget to your browser (I use Firefox 3 so I’m not sure if it’s compatible with other browsers). I’m going to try and dig deeper into what they’re using to do this because honestly I think it’s so intuitive that everybody should share in it’s brilliance.

However aside from their cool technology for such a simple site – it’s still fun!

Website: weheartit.com

, originally uploaded by i.anton.

The perspective of this photo is beautiful to me. To me it injects fun, carefree, sweet candy, the smell of the ocean and the smell of vanilla sun tan lotion as it catches the wind.

Do yourself a favor; get some Nina Simone (personally I was listening to Feeling Good), and stare at this photo. If you get the chance, then do ME the favor and let me know what exactly came to your mind.

From April 20-30, 2009, the graduates of Langara’s arts programs are displaying their final projects to the public.  This includes students of Display+Design, Film, Photo-Imaging, Fine Arts, Theatre, Art History, Publishing and Journalism 

The events are all free of charge and are located in various venues around Vancouver.

For more information check out the website: artsfest.ca

I could go into a 2008 retrospective but I think there have been more dark moments that shining moments – so all I have to say is this:

WE all have the power and ability to steer our own course in this life. It might be small compared to schematics of the universe. But the beauty of this world is not what we accomplish as individuals but what we’re able to change together. Sounds pretty tacky I know – but take a step back for once and see the world for what it is – just one big bubble. A bubble we’re all inside of, a bubble that is fragile, but also a bubble that is majestic and everlasting, giving us life. A bubble that surely can live without us if it were sentient enough to just wipe us all out tomorrow, but a bubble WE can’t live without.

May 2009 bring you all joy, peace and power. Power to live life. Power to live it well!

FCV however, has been around since 2005 and in those short 4 years, it has grown at an alarmingly successful rate. I work as Lead Designer for them- and I might be accused of having a slight bias in terms of singing its praises – but if you sum up the talent, drive and passion we all share with technology, couple that with the fact we’re all under the age of 40, I’d say we have enough endurance to outlast even the big guns.

Don’t believe me, then check us out!

I stumbled on a couple of these brilliant and effective postcards and tried to find who’s responsible for creating them. I found more images following the same theme and quite possibly the creator – Wilhelm Staehle. They’re quite cheeky – which I love, so enjoy them.

If you’re really crafty you could always just print one out and use it as a great birthday card.

I have been a little slow on the post lately – but for good reason. New direction! 2009 will see some changes, some major some minor, but all we be in the good interest of sharing, collaborating and showcasing art and design globally.

With the holiday season in full swing I do wish everyone a safe holiday where ever you may be!

The deciding factor in watching any movie we know nothing about will always be the poster hanging behind the glass showcase outside the theater. It’s an art that goes beyond just creating something to market the movie, you have to consider that you’re creating a narrative all to its own.

Movie poster art has always been something that fascinated me. I even had my own ragged poster collection as a teenager, that I took from the theater I worked at. Over the years though, especially in the independent film world – that art has been brought to new light. For reasons that are many, the ones that stand paramount are the fact that they don’t have the big studio backing them up, and they’re relying on the “emotional pull” that poster will evoke on the audience and how that’s going to carry with them as they go in to see the film.

In the 70’s through to the 80’s and early 90’s, artists  Drew Struzan and John Alvin created created some of the most iconic posters of our time. These guys forged the path for where movie poster art is today. Without them – who knows where it would have ended up?

Online design shop Mary and Matt has just stared selling a unique and delicious product.  Their Chocolate Pie Chart is made of 70% milk, 20% dark and 10% white chocolate.  It costs $20 US. 

I realize I have been falling behind in posts – however I that does not mean I haven’t been searching for something exciting to show you all. Well I think goes beyond anything I thought to expect. Patricia Piccinini is a artist and sculture born out of West Africa, she immigrated to Australia to emerge in the late 90’s as one of Australia’s most prominent artists.

I could blab on more about her but I’m sure you’ll find more backstory here. I’d just take a look at her work and I guarantee you’ll be mezmerized for a while…

..or at least untill you’ve run through her entire collection.

On Main street, between 23rd and 24th Ave, across the street from Crave restaurant, sits a small stationery store full of surprizes.  The Regional Assembly of Text sells all sorts of artwork, clothing and stationery which use emphasize text in the design.

Particularly interesting was a collection of tiny books in the “lowercase reading room“.  Also of interest is their letter writing club where people get together to practice the art of writing letters.  This store is definitely worth a look.

The Regional Assembly of Text 
3934 Main Street 
Vancouver BC

MTV created a global warming media campaign called Switch, which looked into getting people actively involved in the environmental issues at hand. Now – I’ve always trusted MTV ad campaigns to always be unique in its approach and voice. Stumbling on this just reaffirmed that notion.

Enjoy!

Stumbled on this Ad of the Day and thought i’d just post the print ad that was release – since there really isn’t much else information other than it was created by CLM BBDO, Paris, France.

Even though this has no affiliation with Pantone, I have to say that Ignacio Pilotto has a done a great job putting some fun into an iconic toy.

Not much out there about the Argentinian designer – other than this puzzle making its rounds.

Justin is an artist out of Spokane, Washington – with a very twisted mind. I remember being a kid and mutilating most of the He-Man figurines I had (including my cousins Barbie doll), but Justin seems to edge a line that makes this almost horrific.

Good thing it’s Halloween!!

What would you say to rechargeable and wireless stereo speaker docking station for digital audio players? Well designer Victor Vetterlein got stuck into the idea and came out with Yo.

“…The design intention is that a renewable energy source such as solar power, wind power, or hydroelectricity charges the battery packs when the stereo is not in use.

The speakers also contain lithium-ion batteries in their base, and recharge when placed in the stereo base portals. The batteries also provide high-density ballast enabling the speakers to stand upright when removed from the charging ports. The speaker enclosure is designed to amplify sound. The speakers are mounted in the rear of the speaker housing.

Similar to a megaphone, the front portion of the speaker enclosure is extruded to increase and direct sound. Two removable rods are mounted between the stereo speakers to stabilize the stereo assembly and provide a lifting handle when the unit is transported.”

Jeremy Prasatik, of Dallas TX has got a really great approach to design and seems to navigate with enough sense to not get too carried away with fads or “what’s hot” in the design scene. His site jp33 has a pretty eclectic and large body of work, which is definitely worth taking note.

Although, he does seem to pull some flavour from designer Scott Hansen. Come to think of it, the whole grunge-seventies-eighties-art deco style seems to becoming more and more prevalent. But who cares! It looks good, and is appealing to most descerning tastes. So take a look at Jeremy’s work – you might even find a couple of awesome christmas presents by way of some awesome t-shirt prints.

Ever wondered what on the inside of some of “characters” you’ve encountered in life. Perhaps you’ve always wondered what the life cycle and skeletal system of a Gummi Bear is. Well Jason Freeny of MoistProduction.com has a somewhat odd intepretation of things – which serves him well enough to gain some notoriety.

“..armed with a youthful, overactive imagination Jason create smart, intricate illustrations that tickle the deviant intellect through a mix of hard graphics, pop iconagraphy and wit.”

Enough said – just check out the damn site!!

Weblink: Jason Freeny

A combination of stellar special effects – Munich based design firm Velvet Mediendesign and Black Mountain Studios VFX teamed up to create this spot for Mattoni Spring Water. Nothing like Brazilian supermodel, Gisele Bündchen in a water dress to promote natural spring water. Oddly enough she used the same “water-dress” concept to promote her own line of sandals which were featured in several magazines.

Pure eye candy and pure seduction.

Date & Time: October 21, 2008 7pm
Location: Langara College Library 3rd floor

As an artist producing works for gallery installations and public spaces, Antonia Hirsch will address issues and concerns faced by artists as they develop projects for temporary and permanent contexts.

Barbara Cole will discuss the potential of large outdoor advertising screens as viable platforms for artists projects in Vancouver.

Brodie Neill is a young dynamic designer capturing the attention of the international design scene. Only recently having graduated the 28-year-old Australian has quickly built up an impressive collection of international exhibitions and prestigious clientele.

Already, Brodie’s progressive approach has resulted in the much-celebrated design E-turn (Kundalini) and the @ Chair; a design recently included in Time Magazine’s most influential designs for 2008.

He definitely has some crazy contemporary style – but it’s his seamless and fluid design that makes it stand out. Pretty slick – if you pardon the pun.

If you’re a T-Shirt nut – which I honestly would like to call myself, but I stand at risk of being called a “poser” since my collection is diminishing – then you would love the tasty gem: www.youreyeslie.com. They’re a small collective of artists pumping out shirts with style, edge and a little of WTF?

And it’s a good thing they have killer designs – because their site is pretty dismal. You can do what just did, and that was download their catalog, skip the riff raff and get to the good stuff.

Check em out: The YourEyesLie Store

Wordle is a fun little web site that lets you create art out of words.  It was created by an IBM software engineer named Jonathan Feinberg.  You can view other users’ tag clouds in the gallery or easily create your own based on a block of text, an RSS feed, or delicious bookmarks.  Then you tweak the appearance of the cloud by changing font, layout and colours.  The image above is constructed from mediakik’s delicious bookmarks.

I had the chance lately to go through depth cores 35th exhibition entitled “NOIR”, and I was thoroughly impressed by the eclectic works produced by the many artists that submitted their interpretation of the theme.

depthCORE was started by Justin M. Maller & Kevin J. Stacey as mean to showcase “modern craftsmanship” – a term I personally liked. Joined by Brian D. Smith – the three oversee the workings of depthCore with submitting personal works, recruiting artists from around the world by personal invite only (which would explain the high calibre of artists).

If you make to their site every three to four months you’ll get a fresh glimpse at what they refer to as “Chapters” – a collectively themed showcase based on  a given theme.

Don’t believe me – check it out!

Link: depthCORE

For those of you who who are looking to find some inspiration in colour design check out the website ColorLovers.com.  The site lets designers share 5-colour palettes with other designers.  Sometimes users will also post the photograph that inspired the palette, or share a story of how they came across the color combination.

The site has all of the typical web 2.0 elements, like discussion groups and the ability to rank and collect favourites.  Because the site content is driven by designers, what you get is a reflection of what trends are popular at the moment.

The best part is that you are able to search through thousands of colours, palettes and patterns.  Once you’ve found a colour combination you love, try the feature that lets you create patterns using those colours.

There’s a blog on the site sure to be of interest to true designer geeks.  They talk about the latest trends and drawing inspiration from the real world.  Check out this intesting post where caterpillar colour schemes are used for design.

The couple turned out to be two NDP volunteers from North Vancouver.  Their image was supplied to The Element Agency by Getty Images, one of the largest suppliers of stock images.   The ad agency was forced to remove the clip when Jean and John Macintyre recognized themselves in the ad, but say they never agreed to have their image used.

Although it’s embarassing for the Liberal party, they are correct in saying, “When you deal with a company such as Getty Images, you are assured that all the appropriate rights were acquired.”   We’ll have to see what becomes of this story.

You can read more from the reporter who broke the story here.

Earlier this year, Langara College announced that they would be offering a course in tattoo design in the Display+Design program.

The course, DDSN 1100, is titled Design Explorations: from Typography to Tattoos and it looks to have been a real success this term.  The class is full with a wait list and is being offered again in the January.  The class is open to all students and carries 3 credits transferable to SFU.

Instructor Sherry Hancock describes the course this way, “I felt there was a keen interest in a variety of design areas that impact on our everyday lives.  And so we are investigating how design is altered by culture, technology and environmental issues.”  She is exploring varying topics such as Typography design, cultural tattoo designs, and Advertising Icons.

You can find more about this course from the Display+Design Department at Langara College.

Just as a caveat to all this – you should also have some presence by way of a portfolio online, demonstrating your “want” to contribute and also have some good writing chops.

That’s all folks.

Ultra cool Vancouver furniture design company Upholstery Arts has placed a full page ad in the Georgia Straight this week supporting the Green Party of Canada.  The clever ad titled “Elizabeth May Needs Green Seats” features a 25% off sale plus Green Party leader Elizabeth May sitting on a green sofa.  Upholstery Arts is a company that creates environmentally sustainable furniture and has thrown it’s support behind the Greens .  You can see the full ad here.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design graduate Sandy Lam has recently won a prestigious Red Dot award for her space saving balcony furniture.  The design, called “Spaceless” was inspired by a desire to get the most out of her small balcony and the fact that in Vancouver’s real estate market, apartments are going for more than $800 per square foot.  The table and bench collapse into the balcony floor when you aren’t using them.

Si Scott is a graphic designer who hails from the UK, and he has a very unique and stunning illustratative technique with typography. His work is well published, so you will have seen his work I’m sure. And don’t be mislead to think that all his work is done with Adobe software or digital musings like Corel.

Si hand illustrates most of his artwork and then scans it in at 1000+ dpi, so that when shrunk it maintains the crisp look he produces so well.

Don’t believe me?

Weblink: Si Scott Design

Okay so after a little absence I have to say that I have some pretty cool stuff on the way. Okay so – King & Country – ring any bells with you hardcore design freaks? Well these California Crazies have some sick Motion Graphic/3D skills and their latest pet speaks volumes of there talent.

Take the time to view the rest of the work – it’s worth it – Don’t believe me – check it out!

I have love typography and the good use of minimal design – and Addiction Advertising has done a great job of using those principals with their site. Cheeky and clever it gives the user a little insight into their personality as a working agency in Budapest.

Don’t believe me. Check them out!

Took me a while to find this gem, but now I’ve at least plugged it here for other short film enthusiasts. Haven’t been able to find much info on the artist known only as Blu - but I’d have to say he runs along the same obscure infamy as Blansky. Only the scale at which Blu seems to create is a true indication of his patience and vehement artistic direction. His blog has a pretty extensive collection of personal urban projects he’s undertaken. His website offers some further insight into some of his work, but still none into the artist behind it all.

I find his work rather eery but with a hint of social irony his managed to make it somewhat humorous – but aside from that his work is very, very distinct.

Don’t believe me. Check it out!

Since I’ve been a Mac user I’ve grown to appreciate the all encompassing allure that Apple has created. Not only do they have powerful machines that offer endless versatility and cutting edge technology, the seem to look damn cool doing it all. So – what if you could take that beautiful 24 inch iMac and your gorgeous new iPhone and plug it into a desk that had the lines and glossy finish that Apple has so instinctively branded?

Well this is where iDesk comes into play. Handmade quality furniture from Southern Germany and the brainchild of furniture designer Paul Bichler and the Fitting Team Munich, these guys have created something that’s going to be a must have soon for every Apple nut out there.

Weblink: iDesk

I’ve always been fascinated in the really creative ways people make their business cards these days, and for me the really intelligent way to do it – is to give some literal crossover between what you do and your cards.

The image above is a card created for a Debt Recovery Agent – If you don’t pay your debts, the x-ray is proof that they will break a finger.

Effective? Take a look at CreativeBits blog.

Aaahh – what a lovely and refreshing social experiment with how people navigate the web today! Don’t Click It, was conceived and built by Communication Design student Alex Frank as part of his final work. He basically create a test environment for users to navigate the site essentially without clicking anything. The first phase of the experiment is the completed interface, which is now live and presented in a way to test the user. With some minor statistical data recorded, you can actually view some of what they’ve collected in terms of how many people still tend to click, and who’s viewing what content on the site.

The second phase I imagine will be a more in depth record of that data. It’s a pretty cool concept – I dare you to check it out!

You know, there is so much information coming at us today that to distill it into one coherent visual form is a visual language all to its own. Visual Complexity seems to be a haven for those interested in the visualization of complex networks. For the mathematically and statistically inclined minds it’s a great social tool to share, collaborate and learn different techniques in showing complex data streams. For the aesthetically and artistically inclined minds – such as myself – it’s just another example of functional design in a visual sense.

Edward R Tufte, author of The Visual Display of Quantitive Information was at the forefront in the theory and practice in the design of data graphics. This book shows 250 illustrations of some pretty interesting statistical graphs, so if you’re looking for an opportunity to wow a client or even your boss with some original graphical stats then I’d recommend you take a look.

If you haven’t seen or heard of CK I suggest you check them out. Webby Award Winner of the “Best Visual Design – Aesthetic”, they do have a good sense of what it’s like to create a site that’s “…beautiful, emotional and appeal to the senses.”

Sound familiar?

Well MarkiCart, is über cool, and über environmentally friendly. The first amazing feature of this evolutionary cart is that it has a computer chip, that reads all items you place in it – eliminating the need to unpack your groceries. Instead the whole cart gets scanned. That’s it!

The body is made from energy absorbing plastic that lasts longer, is more rigid, doesn’t scratch the car and far lighter and less noisy = BONUS!

You don’t believe me – check out the site: Markitcart

He has a great sense of composition, and an almost surreal interpretation of color. Take a look at Signalnoise for yourself – you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Just go through their site – you will not be disappointed.

Simple, simple, simple – that’s what I started with, but as the months went on and I started to think about getting people to actually visit and READ what was going on, I went into this “netherworld” of Web 2.0 knock-offs, everything complete with the obligatory drop shadow and paint splatter. When I saw myself getting bored with each iteration only after a couple of days I realized the shelf-life of the new “Fad” was pretty short.

So I went back – this is where the full circle comes into play – because I figured that if there was going to be substantial information regarding design, the web, photography, motion graphics; the posts where going to be the necessary injection of color and graphics. Also, since this was a carriage for my portfolio work, those to would be enough to create some focal point.

So, I say look around, feel free to slag,compliment,criticize,gossip,praise and plagiarize whatever you see or read. Just be sure to let me know – and I encourage you to bookmark, comment and subscribe to this lovely beast that I guarantee will get bigger and bigger and bigger!