Friday Quick Links

1. Fascinated by Clemens Behr’s geometric installations via World Famous Design Junkies
2. Amazing illustrations by Andrea Wan via Kris Atomic
3. Smitten by Helen Sear’s layered portraits via The Jealous Curator
4. Great graphics on Plainmade’s scarves via OhJoy
5. Interior stripes for all types via Design is Mine
6. Fantastic imagery from “A Matter of Taste” by Fulvio Bonavia via Trend Land
7. Digging the dark vibes in Catherine Ryan’s new paintings via My Love For You
8. Love this summer bedding – feels delightfully beachy via Poppytalk
9. Handbags made form salvaged Native American rugs via Delight by Design
10. Now, this is math that piques my interest. Mostly because it’s pretty. Via Lost Bird Found
11. Peggy Wolf’s pretty portraits via I Am a Greedy Girl
12. Fantastic engraved bamboo iPhone cases by Groove via Design Milk

May 14, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Kris Atomic

Kris Atomic’s illustrations charm the world, as does her popular blog, quirky characters and bright colors. Atomic’s affinity for sharing creative and tactical inspiration resonates throughout her work as well as her twitter feed. Each post is peppered with quirky commentary, friendly ruminations and pertinent articles highlighting topics of interest in and around the creative world. It’s no wonder this freelance illustrator, photographer, blogger, cat lover, and avid reader has lots to say and her site, as well as her tweets are a must for all creatives.

May 14, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Office Inspired Typography

About two years ago, I was out dining at Gusto Organics with a few friends when I came across this multi-colored tip jar. It was an incredibly clever use of paperclips and I snapped a pic without giving it a second thought. Fast forward to the International Gift Fair from this past January. With the fabulous home goods editor, Amy Preiser by my side, we traversed aisle after aisle of decorative tchotchkes, taking note of what to expect for the coming year. When we hit the British gift booth, NPW, we stopped in our tracks at these number clips. Amy thought they were the cutest things she’d ever seen and I couldn’t believe the tip jar from years back was seeing a corporate revival. Fast forward five more months and we now have Barney’s spring catalog. The cover graphics showcase metallic type, reminiscent of unfolded paperclips. Be it hipster chic or kid-approved, it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing a lot more of this trusty office accessory over the coming year.

May 13, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Meaningful Contradictions

Contradictions are commonplace for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you work in politics, law or are on year 10 of a loving relationship, every topic is debatable. Interestingly, the fashion and design worlds have started reinterpreting these ambiguities with their own form of graphic messaging. The results are crisp, blocky, handwritten and an exploration of popular symbolism, true vs. false and clever witticisms. Here’s a collection of some of our favorite images portraying luck, fear and hope for the future.

1. vs Rogan Tee, $67
2. Dieter Rams Tee, Someday Shop
3. Night Break Rogan Tee, $67
4. Sir Drake, Achieve the Impossible Tee, Blue & Cream, $50
5. Mochino Cheap & Chic, FW 2010
6. Mochino Cheap & Chic, FW 2010
7. Colette Tee
8. TV on the Radio Album Art by Morning Breath
9. Perks and Mini Bad Hazard Shoulder Bag, Someday Shop
10. Dieter Rams Tee, Someday Shop

May 12, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Then & Now: Bathing Beauties

Over Mother’s Day weekend I found myself doing several familiar things. I dined at my favorite childhood Chinese restaurant in Cranston, watched an incredibly funny SNL and rifled through old family photos in search of a few to take back to New York. The image to the left was one of the winners and a snapshot of my 93 year old grandmother when she was 23, summering at Old Orchard Beach. Anyone familiar with the WWII generation knows that this beach was where it was at during the 30’s and 40’s, the place to see and be seen. It looks like not much has changed by way of style, as this Diane Von Furstenberg bikini as well as many others have taken a page out of a 70 year old playbook. Other than an hourglass figure, alternate hairstyles and a refreshing breath of racial diversity, the fashion’s nearly identical. Everything old is new again, a mantra that will never fail society, for better or for worse.

May 11, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buys: Pixelated Get Aways

Summer-time is upon us, and with it comes the inevitable summer adventures: picnics in the park, trips to the beach, road trips, etc. And if you’re like us, you prefer to tote around your necessary items in something durable and different. Pixelated landscapes have been hot in the design world for some time now, but we’re pleased as punch that the ever trusty LeSportsac has appropriated the theme to their namesake travel gear. At $78 for the mini-weekender and $68 for the tote, it’s a great deal for something stylish that you don’t have to be afraid to toss around.