Pattern Pulp

Book Review: The Shape of Design




We were impressed with designer, writer and teacher Frank Chimero and his kickstarter campaign last year to fund the book, The Shape of Design. Chimero wanted to create not another text-book, but rather a book that focuses on the Why instead of the How and to investigate the creative processes behind design. After many hours of labor, the book’s been released and the design world is abuzz. In his own words, Chimero describes his book:

What is the primary quality of great design? It moves. It moves us emotionally, travels from person to person, and takes us toward something better. Designers connect and build bridges that lead us to new places and expand what is possible. We tell productive untruths, then toil to make them reality. The practice shifts like a shadow and moves the target. When it does so, the products of design achieve a resonance. They get passed on like a story and turn into a gift.

 

Textile Inspiration & Ceramic Faces




I find when I’m searching for inspiration for patterns or textiles I often start by looking at objects rather than the actual patterns on things. I love to find a collection of objects with a similar purpose or hand that I can group together to discover a new shape or texture. Here’s one of my recent inspirational collections:

Faces & Plates:

For my birthday this year I got some Pebeo pens. They are these amazing markers where you can draw and paint on ceramics and pottery. So…I’ve been collecting plates and cups from thrift stores and am now putting together some inspiration dish boards. Truly, I could have collected a thousand of these. There are also lots that have a part of a face so that you can decorate the rest with your food….but that’s not really a direction I want to take. Check back next week to see some of my first efforts!

Imagery from: Pearl Bell | Everything Art | Geek Native | Ruby PR | Europe for Visitors

Coverage by Kimberly Hall

 

Stitching Your Posters and Pillows




Custhom‘s always up to something interesting. This time around they’re carrying Goldsmith’s collection, a line of embroidered cushions with hand blocks printed on heavy linen.

Then there are these posters. Remarkably simple, yet genius. Taking us back to color basics, they’ve simulated translucent graphics with overlaid stich texture.

Entitled, CMYK, sans K, the embroidered illustrations are sadly sold out. Hopefully they’ll return with another run.

 

Old World New York & Woody Allen




Taking a minor break from regularly scheduled programing to round out today’s musical postings with this amateur video I shot with my iPhone (sorry for all the shaking) Monday night at the Carlyle Hotel. Though my husband and I have been together for eight years, we’re officially at our one year wedding anniversary (!) so we decided to treat ourselves to a few of our favorite things packaged into an evening: Woody Allen on clarinet at Cafe Carlyle.

This clip’s from the end of the evening when things were winding down and the trombone and trumpet players had left the stage, as you can see, Woody’s completely in character, playing to an adoring audience.

And here’s a bit of the mastery that was the drummer- who was a good 5cm away from us. Enjoy!

 

Making Music Videos with Lesley Morphy




Here are a few behind the scenes shots of Lesley‘s recent music projects. As you can see she’s gotten extremely creative with lighting and malleable materials such as paint, tape, spray paint and stencils.

Creating kinetic energy through use of line and a tight budget for Khia’s Been a Bad Girl video set, Morphy advises, “I remind myself there’s always a way to make something out of nothing.  It’s at this point I see what household goods can realize my vision. I look for two things: 1) tangible malleable materials, and 2) inexpensive materials that can create form and color. A trip to home depot proves very inspirational!”

When asked about her approach and the cardinal rules, Morphy says, “First I go through all my dog-eared magazines and folders (I’m constantly dropping imagines that inspire any kind of emotion into an “inspiration” folder), and I watch a few favorite videos – but as a general rule, I try not to look to the same medium when I’m looking for inspiration.”

“I look for inspiration aimlessly, and just soak it in.  Initially I don’t focus on what I’m looking for and why. By osmosis you always take in more than you think.” The above work is for Chris Brown & Juelz.

“I never negate how important the director’s vision is, but I’m not scared to make it better.  And I always remember the lighting-man is my friend- my very, very good friend. You need to team up with the lighting designer and make sure he or she is on board with all your ideas.”

“At the end of the day, you can have the most beautiful set, but if it isn’t lit properly, you’re not going to pull it off. ”

Coverage by Lesley Morphy

 

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
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