Here are a few favorites from last month’s trip abroad. I snapped shots of three major categories, one of which was lighting. From hanging clusters to smooth and modern wood to cardboard molds and animal inspired sculptures, each display was quite interesting. Which one’s your favorite?
1. H&M retail display at Selfridges 2,3,4. Bensimmon lighting 5,6,7,8. Liberty London lighting 9. Ted Baker printed dress at Selfridges
Identities are a funny thing. In one instance you’re one version of yourself and in another you’re an entirely different character. Alternate parts of your personality shine at varying times. Now add a digital layer. A boundary of sorts, something to protect you from the reality of what’s true and what’s false.
Today’s story hones in on the awkward line between these worlds. Photographically, it’s illustrated by Neil Barret’s latest print campaign of youth divided. Reminding us of Nick Cave’s beautiful and often confusing costumes, we have David Sim’s latest spread in LOVE Magazine and bringing an eerie surrealist interpretation to the table, there’s Dow’s Einstein-infused Solutionism campaign.
I recently gave a talk on color in the digital sphere and it’s influence on tangible design. The audience was a mix of color-obsessed industry folks and continuing education creatives. Though this particular mood board didn’t make it’s way into my slideshow, it’s an interesting compilation of pixelated pastels. Taking a nod from computer themes, these Pokemon characters, Missoni pillows, Preen dresses and Repetto flats all tell a broader pink and magenta story.
Tying the theme together nicely, the Intro Now and Recco screen grabs from Mobile Patterns remind us to cross reference our influences for a an accurate depiction of what’s current and what’s to come.
Back in March of 2010 we highlighted an emerging angular trend. Today we’re following up, as it doesn’t appear to be dissipating- it fact it’s continuing to evolve into other markets. We’ve seen the classic diamond shape shift to a crystal-like gem in the fashion, home and marketing industries and interesting, the color and “vectorfunk” style has been adapted to a new campaign. Bombay Sapphire’s latest creative initiative looks like an extension of Chase Bank’s design roll out in 2010. We wonder if it’s a coincidence, a collaboration or a copycat. Either way, the visuals are crisp, and somewhat interchangeable.
We’ve seen woodgrain vectors populating lampshades and cushions for a while now. Interestingly, Celine’s hopped on board, applyng a photo realistic pattern in her Fall collection. Mimicking this elongated directional pattern, this Hlaska wallet is a textural take and marketed towards men. Keeping it unisex, the gray version of this pattern, realized on a rug is the Finnish handiwork of Elina Helenius.
Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about how we’ve reverted back to basics when it comes to digital design in the 2D vs 3D realm. When we could first work with depth, we took the bait, went crazy, shadowed everything and added a bevel and emboss. As styles have evolved and we move towards simplification of data overload, basic geometrics have gained prominence in design navigation and it seems like we’re in an age of geometric simplification.
Which brings me to today’s feature on piecemeal geometrics. Using line to texturize, this skirt from Al & Alicia is busy, yet beautifully restricted by palette & structure.
Using vector and paint to illustrate the same point, Chris Benz‘s latest runway collection magnifies the circle, forcing us to ebb and flow within his patterns.