Pattern Pulp

Color: Homemade Hues




There’s a freshness to gouache that Adobe Illustrator just can’t compete with. Whether it’s the unique spontaneity in the color transitions or the subtleties in each expressive stroke, watercolor designs are unmatched – and quite popular these days. Be it Hugo Guinness, Robin Cameron or The Selby, each of these New York artists continue to interpret the medium in fun, playful, inspiring ways. Guinness recently released a new series of works that are currently selling at the John Derian store, expanding his collection beyond black and white prints. Cameron’s mixed media explores materials, color and layout with an energy that compliments her other drawings. The Selby’s recent update to his banner image provides a creative and commercial solution for self branding, proving that watercolor can be chaotic, corporate or custom, so long as the results are free-spirited.

Friday Quick Links




  1. 1. Great interview with Jean Paul Gaultier via Yatzer
  2. 2. Despairing the loss of Lost? Enjoy these gorgeous prints by Ty Mattson via Poppytalk
  3. 3. I’d really love to use this skull and cushion “brain” to store pins & needles via Dezee
  4. 4. Sculptures crafted out of old skateboards via booooooom
  5. 5. Samantha Sweet’s hand-blown crystal patterned milk bottles are really beautiful via Art at Heart
  6. 6. Insightful interview with Dan Stiles via Grain Edit
  7. 7. A quirky take on British plaid on these throw blankets by Donna Wilson via The Shiny Squirrel
  8. 8. Look closely at Alexis MacKenzie’s beautiful collages for an unexpected message via My Love for You
  9. 9. Love these arrow patterns by Sara Jensen of Lost Bird Found
  10. 10.Edible crayons (and the creation of) via Luxirare
  11. 11. Ligne Roset celebrates 150 years with a limited edition series via My Adventure is Your Advantage
  12. 12. Amazing “Soft Goods” by Lauren DiCioccio via Design Boom

Coverage by: Emily Gup

Twitter Influencer: Luke Ferenc Pearson




Luke Ferenc Pearson likes to cut to the chase. No elaborate about me section on his homepage, no lengthy interviews to peruse; He simply states, “I’m currently a third year illustration student at Loughborough University.” That’s all. A look at his work, however, reveals an excellent young talent with growing promise and heaps of love from the blogosphere. A look at his twitter feed reveals a window into the mind of a young wunderkind. Touching on everything from the creative process to political commentary to interesting finds and bon mots prove Pearson’s got himself a pleasantly well rounded inner life.

Trend: Mid Century Patterns + Palettes




I had the pleasure of tuning into Stylesight‘s Fall/Winter 2010 trend webinar earlier this week, presented by industry insiders, Sharon Graubard and Nina Stotler. Unsurprisingly, Graubard and Stotler labeled Marni’s overlapping color fields a print to watch for Fall. Some other mid century style setters to note are Felipe Oliveira Baptista, Erotokristos and Balenciaga.

Tapping other creative print and pattern worlds, Anna Bondoc‘s recent paper cut masterpieces are a reminder that paper continues to be a material of choice for designers and artists alike. Using just a knife and steady handwork, Bondoc combines color, shape and asymmetry to execute her wall friendly pieces. Her inspiration ranges from coffee beans to Scandinavian pitchers and the results are both organized and abstract.


Creative Tour: Le Marais, Paris




Today we’re featuring a walking tour of Le Marais in Paris by yours truly. I was recently asked to give creative recommendations and I realized it was time to share my thoughts on Pattern Pulp. Le Marais is filled with inspiration- from concept stores to stenciled graffiti to restaurant tile work, nearly every square foot is filled with eye candy. Every trend tracker, designer and food aficionado I know weaves through this neighborhood with fury, armed with a camera, a note pad and acute taste buds. Follow along, take the tour and let us know what you think!

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  1. 1. A patterned makeup bag at the homegoods concept store, Autour du Monde.
  2. 2. Stenciled street art along Rue des Rosiers.
  3. 3. Shoes Up poster at the sneaker store across from Muji in Le Marais.
  4. 4. Le Claireur has the most dramatic lighting and walls of color coded retail.
  5. 5. The tiled bathroom floor at the delicious restaurant, Derriere.
  6. 6. Intricate iron knocker on Rue Vieille du Temple.
  7. 7. The Muji store carries different stock here, it’s quite creative.
  8. 8. La Perle is a great bar for music + drinks for the hip(ster) scene.
  9. 9. A patterned chair at Merci, another charming homegoods & bookstore.
  10. 10. Photography installation along Rue Charlot.
  11. 11. A wall of photos by Guillaume Giraud at Noir Kennedy.

The full set of photos can be viewed here.

Free Giveaway! Factory Records Book




Between 1978 and 1992, Factory Records was one of the most influential record labels in Britain. Following the punk phenomenon of the ’70s, the time was ripe for Factory to usher in the innovative sounds and styles of the Post-Punk and New Wave Era. Factory launched the careers of Joy Division, New Order and the Happy Mondays; opened legendary Hacienda club and Dry bar in Manchester; and introduced high-quality, cutting-edge design to the music world. Working side by side with musicians, designers such as Peter Saville, Central Station Design, 8vo and Mark Farrow developed an entirely new visual vocabulary, the idioms of which are still widely recognized and imitated today.

In my pursuit to expand my own home library, I ordered two copies of the book– one to keep and one to give away. Let us know via twitter, or a comment below what album art you’re most inspired by creatively. We will chose a comment or tweet at random!

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
On Instagram.