Patterns & Branding in 2014

Successful branding almost always weaves in a notable texture to accompany the logo. It sets a subconscious and relatable vibe. Here are a few fun collaborations, product lines and branding exercises of note. Enjoy!

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1. Neon Trees’ pattern-tastic music video, Sleeping with a Friend.

2. When Missoni met Converse and they made beautiful kicks together.

3. Piol’s made to measure banner tanagrams.

4. The Phillips Gallery through the lens of camo & instagram.

5. Safari Sundays’ shape shifting brand video.

6. Shoes and body paint with Janine Rewell x Minna Parikka.

7. Buried in Blackberry email. Using repetition as messaging.

8. Bugaboo taps Warhol for their strollers.

9. Polkka Jam expands to calendars, bedding, table wear and paper goods.

10. Truck Club’s ingenious patterned suitcase boxes.

December 24, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Interesting Textile Finds from 2014

Here are a few favorites from the bunch- sharing printed and woven textiles ranging from baby to indie to art to home wear. Enjoy!

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1. Beauty in geometry and mid-century monochromes.

2. Gina Rockenwagner’s sharp and playful quilts.

3. Discovering Alabama Chanin’s placemats at Heath Ceramics.

4. Remarkable art & sculpture made from curled paper.

5. Jacob Magraw’s embroidered pieces are stations for thought and interpretation.

6. Super cool Matisse x Tata Naka mash-up.

7. Illustrative and feminine florals of the surreal and literal variety.

8. Optics made with acrylic on woven textiles by Samantha Bittman.

9. Adorable bunny sheets for the babies in your life from Blabla.

10. Woven collages from Janelle Pietrzak and Robert Dougherty.

December 23, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Wrapping Up 2014

Today’s my last day in the office til January 6th. Taking two weeks off to travel, rest and recharge. In the meantime, I’ve put together a few wrap-up posts to finish off the year. The best and the brightest, so to speak – in the categories of branding, pattern, textiles, architecture, inspiration and whimsical wit. Enjoy and here’s hoping for a brighter year ahead! Happy Holidays.

– Shayna

December 23, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Friday Quick Links!

1. Santa decked out in luxury fashion via Trendland
2. Beth Hoeckel’s striking collage art via Design Crush
3. Love this light box with changeable letters via sfgirlbybay
4. Lovely lace made out of seeds via Colossal
5. A modern DIY interpretation of a classic via design*sponge
6. Elizabethan cats via Present & Correct
7. Oodles of holiday decorating ideas via Poppytalk
8. Interview with Jason Cesani & Nadia Husiak via The Design Files
9. Digging Liesl Pfeffer’s new work via The Jealous Curator
10. Woven stocking DIY via A Beautiful Mess
11. Giuliano Mauri’s Tree Cathedral via Honestly WTF
12. A conversation between hip hop and pre-16th century art via B4-XVI

Contributed by Emily Gup

December 19, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Monster Mash

Graphic design is having it’s hay day. So much so, that simple facial illustrations have become coveted items the fashion, art and editorial worlds. We were charmed by Giulia Scalese’s accessory collages last month, and have been seeing a steady stream of monsters ever since. At this point, our swipe folder’s so robust that it was time to share. Rejecting fine lines and pastel subtleties, this bold and playful trend combines youth, sophistication and wit, characteristics the fashion industry and millennial culture happily embrace. Today’s compilation comes from artists and designers spanning the globe…proving expressive and noseless monsters are something to collect, enjoy and maybe even gift.

December 18, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Retail: Cut & Collaged

This season, I have to admit that I’m a bit behind. I haven’t seen the usual reel of holiday windows- something I truly love and look forward to, mostly because I’ve been head down in work, focused on end-of-the-year deadlines. It’s hard to explain the joy of absorbing something fresh, creative and hand made. I particularly love seeing windows done on a budget, as they get crafty and experimental. For example, this morning, bleary eyed and focused on my phone, I looked up to avoid tripping on the curb and honed in on the doors belonging to Pas de Calais, a French shop in Soho.

I think they’re magnificent in a collaged/marbled/cut-out kind of way. They’re the opposite of minimalism, which is a welcome relief, and feel like the 3D version of Elephant Magazine or a spread in ID or Dazed and Confused. Huge fan. What do you think?

December 17, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik