Pattern Pulp

Book Review: Creative, Inc.




When the end of August looms and September heads into sight, you can’t help but get that “back to school feeling,” no matter how old you are. It seems like just the right time to think about starting new projects and learning new things, maybe even setting out on your own.

As more and more people embrace (or dream of embracing) the freelance life, the little details can feel illusive and innumerable. You may know your craft, but how to make a career out of it can feel like heading into an overwhelming and uncharted territory. Fortunately, designer and writer Meg Mateo Ilasco of Modern Economy has been down that path and has collaborated with fellow design maven, Joy Deangdeelert Cho of OhJoy! to help others who hold similar aspirations. With their latest book, Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business, the duo offers creative individuals solid direction, advice, and guidelines on becoming successful creative entrepreneurs. After all, we were told as children that we could do anything we wanted to when we grew up; why not snap up this book and seize the opportunity to do just that.

Gift Show: Gallery 91 + Wasara




Nearly every design-minded gift giver’s crossed paths with a cute vase from Gallery 91 at least once last year. These lovely Japanese vases are functional, minimalist and highly transportable. Their latest collection at this week’s gift fair takes a pattern leap of faith, presenting an array of candy colored textures paired alongside organic metallic shapes. The line is sophisticated and light, proving you don’t have to break the bank to have a classy centerpiece.

Walking past the booth, you immediately know the paper pieces are from WASARA, a Japanese company, as the subtle detail and intricate messaging forces the viewer to stop and contemplate. Everything from the angular lighting to the asymmetrical curves to the minuscule paper cuts reminds you that these paper goods are special. Everything is single-use and fully compostable. The exclusive importer and distributor, Branch has been selling these table items since 2009. I not so secretly hope the MoMA store picks them up so we can all enjoy them this holiday season.

Gift Show: Dynomighty Wallets




It’s hard not to get excited when a practical, reasonably-priced product has a DIY component to it. Here are just a few of the many wallets on display at the Dynomighty booth at this week’s gift fair. The themes range from Star Trek to Sailor Jerry Tattoos to whimsical watercolors. The material’s essentially indestructible and a nice alternative to traditional logo-pressed leather. For $15 a pop, it also makes for an easy, no-frills gift.

Gift Fair: John Robshaw




Simply put, John Robshaw is a massive force in the homegoods industry. His worldly prints and travel-inspired merchandise have driven the ethnic trend for years now. His customers are loyal and his competitors, envious. Walking by the booth, I spotted Robshaw, live in the flesh, cheerfully walking buyers through his latest collection. The newest additions carry an Egyptian theme, revealing block print hieroglyphics and nile-inspired repeats. The thematic parallels are similar to Robshaw’s previous collections, reminding us that Robshaw loves to infuse and overlap his travel adventures.

Gift Fair: Koko Company




Over the next few days I’ll be posting Pattern Pulp’s favorites from this week’s gift show. Unsurprisingly, geometrics, french/indian-inspired prints and apothecary influences are in full swing, proving the commercial buying power these trends have in the homegoods sector. One of the most vibrant executions is on display at Koko Company’s booth. Stitched organic, geometric repeats over printed patterns make up the pillow and bedding spreads, showing differentiating color palettes. Whether the stories take the rust/navy/gold angle or the pink/mint/lime avenue, the quilted effect makes for a unique display. I was serendipitously dressed for the occasion so we snapped a shot!

Friday Quick Links!




  1. 1. The trippy appeal of pixel sorted mountain views by Kim Asendorf via But Does it Float
  2. 2. Minimalist bags with a gradient twist via Shiny Squirrel
  3. 3. In love with these punchy plaid business cards for The Plaid Lab
  4. 4. Fun graphic boots! via Design For Mankind
  5. 5. Scott Ramsay Kyle’s embroidered face coverings via Style Bubble
  6. 6. Data visualization of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons via swiss-miss
  7. 7. Love these vintage posters by David Brun via Grain Edit
  8. 8. Drooling over this wooden Vespa via Gessato
  9. 9. Absolutely gorgeous show posters by Nate Duval via Flyer Goodness
  10. 10. Paul Jackson’s intense paintings of New Zealand’s native Maori via Inkbutter
  11. 11. Lovely dishware from Sometimes She Does via That’s Happy
  12. 12. Kent Rogowski’s beautiful abstractions created from combining puzzles via booooooom
    Coverage by: Emily Gup

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
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