Color, Memory + Culture

Everyone from the 80’s can remember this design and it’s symbolism. It represented a momentary pause in programming – one that accompanied a noise I don’t think I’ll ever forget. As with all things nostalgic these days, both the art and media worlds have harnessed this iconography to convey new messaging.

Francis Alÿs’s painting is part of a 40 work show in London titled, The Gap: Selected Abstract Art from Belgium. Curated by Luc Tuymans, the pieces focus on geometric abstraction and constructivism from the 20th century. The works touch upon cross-generational ties as well as distinct color fields.

In other more commercial realms, this Apple TV ad is a clever and simple throw back to a recognizable image associated with TV culture. Brilliantly, they’ve reclaimed the irony of the meaning. I wonder what millennials think when they see it.

December 7, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Brandon Locher's Creative Process

Nearly a year ago, we shared the incredible illustration work of Brandon Locher. It’s easy to recognize a Locher piece, as his distinct style is intricate, colorless and evolutionary of his Mazes to the Motherlode series. Locher draws for ten hours straight, going into a meditative disciplined state. In his own words:

Our journey must be to awaken here and now. To be fully alive, we must be fully present. Hopefully embedded within these illustrations lies a personal topographic blueprint for the vision and self creation of even smaller moons, larger galaxies, and realized worlds. I became very meditative while making these pieces. My self-focused mantra was making this creative process completely effortless.

Here is one of his newest works – a 20″ x 20″ illustration which was made exclusively for The Ghostly Store. It’s a tremendous tangle of mono-patch chords, an appropriate collaboration for an electronic music based label. Click here to buy and learn more.

July 6, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Patterns in Educational App Design

Tinybop‘s tagline reads, Toys for Tomorrow. Ever since this Brooklyn-based app company launched as an interactive learning platform, I’ve been really impressed with their mission, their gaming categories, and of course, their elegant graphics.

If you’ve visited their site before, you’re probably familiar with the Human Body app – which teaches kids how their bodies operate through playful touch and grab challenges. Today though, I wanted to showcase their new Homes app, which lets you play with weather, interact with your neighbors, and navigate 20+ heavily patterned spaces. Illustrated meticulously by artist, Tuesday Bassen, Tinybop continues to strive high with this latest endeavor, following the success of past creative collaborations – a refreshing step for the gaming world.

Has anyone tried it out yet? Would love to hear your thoughts.

February 5, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

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

Laurie Rosenwald x Bloomingdales

http://vimeo.com/58140674

I’ve always been a fan of Laurie Rosenwald’s work. Her lines are bold and her animations are clever (and extremely New York centric). Here’s a pattern-themed short for Bloomingdales to kick off the week and get you thinking about Fall. Enjoy!

August 25, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Marketing: Taylor Swift for Keds

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How many of you clicked on Taylor Swift’s new video, Shake It Off, and were welcomed to Vevo with a 15 second promo for Swift’s new collaboration with Keds? I watched the ad and thought it was a very nice, safe, Americana collaboration. Keds are easy, approachable, and affordable for her core demographic of teenage girls.

While listening, she talked about patterns and leather laces…the line really stuck for me. It apparently stuck for my husband as well, as it was a topic of conversation this morning when we were both getting ready for work. So, while polka dots, stripes and florals might not be revolutionary when it comes to artistic collaborations, the video accompanying the marketing spot has hit millions since it’s release, and I’m guessing her words have resonated with many, like me- thus, making this interesting enough to write about. What do you think?

August 20, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik