Rebecca Atwood for Method Soap

Most people in the design and homegoods space are familiar with Rebecca Atwood’s stunning watercolors. Her nature-inspired patterns evoke calming worlds through soft dyes and beautiful handmade shapes. Recently, though instagram, I came across her most recent commercial collaboration – a limited edition packaging partnership with Method Soap.

Method is a simple, design-forward, no-fuss brand. It’s made it’s mark riding the transparency wave over the past few years and has become a trusted name in the bathroom and cleaning supply industry. It’s fun to see them branch out a bit and experiment with a high-end pattern collaboration. This one in particular feels extremely appropriate, as many of Atwood’s watercolors have a fluidity that feels right for a liquids-based company. If you’re looking to add subtle organic patterns to you home, this is an easy win/win solution.

January 25, 2016 | By: Shayna Kulik

Patterns in Packaging from Birchbox

I recently came across the packaging and graphic design work of Mary Rabun. Her aesthetic is bold, bright and feminine – and a playful departure from the minimalist illustration styles we’ve been seeing for a bit. In exploring her portfolio, I was struck by her full-time design work for Birchbox – it’s all very vivid, maximalist and distinct.

While these boxes were released in March, they have a timeless appeal and reveal how a brand can successfully apply print and pattern. Using bold brush strokes and a harmonious color palette, Rabun excels in keeping Birch Box at the forefront of unique and cool packaging.

3Birch Box Patterns

In addition to the boxes, the accompanying insert cards play to the same creative mood and get interactive with a Q&A contest. If you have time, dive into Rabun’s past work, it’s beautiful, engaging and a great fusion of commercial pattern design.

August 20, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Behind Collections

Graphic Design in branding and communication has always been important. Something well designed can create customer loyalty, monetary benefits, and an edge on competition. Insert pattern and texture into this conversation and you’ve elevated it, giving the audience more visuals to identify with.

Behind Collections is an encyclopedia of the best graphic design and promotional materials in the fashion industry today. It hits a certain aesthetic that’s quite popular at the moment, and reveals the varied methods of achieving a luxurious brand through color, embossing, typography and photography.

It includes promotional design from ACNE, HONOR, AKIN, Vogue, Hermes and more…and an index of the creative studios behind the work.

Here are a few spreads that that caught my eye. If you’re looking to add another book to the library, I highly recommend investing in this one. Click here to purchase.

May 28, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Lagom Design x Lotta Nieminen

I love Lotta Neinimen’s work. I’ve been watching her creative evolution for a while now, from her days at Ro&Co to her departure into the land of freelance. Her work is so distinctive – regardless of the brand, it’s easy to spot her eye, her hand, and her creative direction. One of Neinimen’s latest projects is a collaboration with the UK card and paper company, Lagom Design. These wrapping paper patterns are delightful and the colorways add a sophisticated tone. Click here to peruse and purchase.

October 13, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Janine Rewell x Minna Parikka

Today’s feature is what collaborative dreams are made of. If you haven’t yet watched the video, please go do that now:

Two incredible artists, Janine Rewell and Minna Parikka recently joined forces to create a campaign including body paint, shoes, graphic patterns and naked models. The result are show-stopping.

May 2, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Frankie's Homage to Pattern

Happy Monday! With temperatures swinging from 34 to 55 today, it’s another confusing day for the east coasters. Many of us still have Fall fashion on the mind, but with imminent Spring on the horizon, we’re all on the cusp. Frankie’s latest issue hits a nice balance between the seasons- complimenting this sentiment.

Focusing on pattern through design, art, photography and fashion, the latest edition pays homage to texture. Showcasing work from Dinara Mirtalipova (the cover art), Elizabeth Olwen, Kendra Dandy and plates from Crown Lynn, Mikasa, Johnson of Australia and Casual Cream, the layouts are eclectic and the DIY activities, useful. It’s fun to see how various mediums showcase and celebrate the art of pattern. Pick up a copy, I personally think this issue’s a collector’s item.

March 10, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik