Follow-up: Moving Metal

It’s hard to believe it’s been nine months since posting Ritwik Dey‘s Harmonogram series of Lissajous figures. Each delicate marking was representative of the hypotrochoid illustrations we had been seeing so much of last May. Fast forward and today’s imagery draws similar parallels, though the materials are tangible and the movement unruly. Be it high-end hardware from Peguerin or a male model in Dazed and Confused, the the still chaos of continuous wiring leads our eyes throughout the page, proving yet again, the materials can be simple, so long as the energy is electric.

February 23, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Interview: Matt W. Moore

It’s no secret that Matt W. Moore’s vectorfunk graphics are single-handedly influencing an entire generation of artists. His fusion of graffiti, graphic design and watercolor are upbeat, intricate and extremely brand friendly. His work has appeared in countless magazines and print campaigns, from Nike and Burton to Wired and Mountain Dew. Moore’s Design and Illustration studio, MWM Graphics, is based in Portland, Maine and exhibits in galleries throughout the world, collaborating with clients from all sectors. Moore is also Co-Founder & Designer for Glyph Cue Clothing. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into MWM’s daily routine!

* * *

PP: What websites and news sources do you generally start your day with-do you have a daily routine for news/blog/information consumption?

MWM: I get at least an hour a day of Cyber Surfing in while I enjoy my morning coffee. Some of the websites I frequent:

PSFK
Format Magazine
FFFFOUND
Not Cot
Rojo Magazine
The KDU
Hype Beast

The list goes on. More and more lately, I find myself skimming my carefully curated list of Twits on Twitter. Less time scouring blogs, and more time surfing suggested links.

PP: How did you discover your talent and how has it evolved over your creative career?

MWM: I’m not comfortable with the term “discover” when referring to talent. I’ve worked damn hard, and I have boxes full of sub-par art and design from my past to prove it. I prefer to think of it more as “nurturing” my vision and dreams. Hard work pays off. As for “evolution”, it is a constant evolution. Everything is always in flux. New ideas, new techniques, new knowledge, new dreams. This is why it is so exciting to be an artist and work as a creative. Everyday is a new adventure!

PP: Please explain your design process when approaching a new concept or product line.

MWM: My process is different for every single project, but a few things are constant. It always starts out with a dialog to make sure I understand the client’s objectives and vision. Then we draft a brief and timeline together. Then I do an exploration phase yielding multiple options. We review and open a new dialog. Then I continue working and refine, finesse, and finalize the design.

PP: What is your preferred method of design and how is it incorporated in your final product? (ie. collage, computer, handwork, etc.)

MWM: The majority of my commercial design work and apparel/textile/product graphics are created entirely with vectors in Adobe Illustrator. Some days I spend over 12 hours lost in this Vectorfunk World. It is my playground.

PP: When is the last time you took a professional/creative risk? Please explain.

MWM: Every single creative decision an artist makes should be a “risk”. If they aren’t taking risks, they are not an Artist, they are a Tradesperson. That said, a couple recent risky decisions that come to mind for me are: Launching my clothing company Glyph Cue during the Great Recession. Yikes! And last month I traveled to Paris for a month long residency at Since.Upian Gallery. I arrived with no artwork, no supplies, no sketches, no firm ideas for the new series of canvases. And my Exhibition was only 25 days away. Pressure makes diamonds!

February 22, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

The Wall Street Journal

I’m delighted to announce that Pattern Pulp was recently featured in The Wall Street Journal’s Career section by Alexandra Levit. Check it out here!

February 22, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Friday Quick Links

1. Modern honeycomb wall clocks, via Blue Moss Girls
2. Fabulous pillow from Kreme, via Design-Milk
3. Digging these batik print shoes, via Fly Girls
4. Eye popping mixed-media works from Nikki Farquharson, via The Cool Hunter
5. Patterned winter coats are so uncommon. Love this one, via Refinery 29
6. Wonderful photos of Japan from the 1860’s by Adolfo Fasari, via Quazen
7. Analog clocks that spiral instead of tick, via It’s Nice That
8. Stephanie Levy’s colorfully patterned collages, via Design*Sponge
9. Trippy limited ed. Fornasetti vases by Bitossi Ceramiche, via Designboom
10. Great pillows made from recycled wool sweaters by Plytextiles, via Decor8
11. Loving these super swanky knits, via For me, For you
12. Now that’s an interesting idea: curtains made from old slides, via Yarn Zombie

Coverage by: Emily Gup

February 19, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: The Power of Three

When it comes to social thought, the number 3 holds mystical powers. Be it positive or negative symbolism, it’s nothing new to watch humans get worked up over this symmetrical digit. Over the past year, many people have been forced to reevaluate their priorities. In doing so, basic principles have been challenged, causing many to revisit their decision making process, not two but three or more times. Unsurprisingly, the creative community has reacted with stark and compelling imagery, representative of this repetitive and sometimes obsessive nature.

From this autumn ’09 spread in Theme Magazine, highlighting the Perks and Mini cultural movement of the ’80s and ’90s to this retro German ice cream ad conjuring up Playboy imagery, to this illusionary sunglass shot from Justin Blyth’s photo blog, Them Thangs, all of these archival images have recently resurfaced and inspired a new wash of designs over the past year.

These black and white portrait illustrations capture one of pop culture’s rising fashion stylists, Amy Stearley, proving the taste makers are on board and running with this trend. Using crisp photography to illustrate Sylvia Farago’s tattoo art, The Selby captures his subject, combining 2D and 3D story lines. Bringing this concept full circle, Philip Tseng‘s t-shirt design, The Invisible Gentleman for Threadless.com proves one doesn’t only look back, but looks back and then re-configures the situation or scene. Like today, innovation comes in reconsideration and re-evaluation.

By: Shayna Kulik & Kelsey-Lee LeGassick

February 19, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

J.Crew Bridal Sample Sale

For all of you eager brides (and bridesmaids) to be, listen up! J.Crew is having a massive sample sale starting tomorrow. Bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses will be up to 60% off. Weddings can certainly be pricey and imagine how good you’ll feel if you can focus your funds on other resources. Check it out if you’re local and eager to browse. Details below.

2/19 – 2/21. 135 W. 52nd St., nr. Sixth Ave.; F–S (9–8), Su (10–6)

February 18, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik