Trend: Deteriorated Renewal

Whenever I’m traversing a new city, it’s always interesting to see what’s been left behind on the street and what’s coveted indoors. While in London a few months ago, I wandered into the Pure Evil Gallery in Shoreditch. The space is well curated and reeks of urban art. The surrendering robot is the work of Presto and reveals layers of loose splatters aside thick color strokes. Mimicking this use of delicate color splashes, the packaging on this Pacifica triple milled soap from New Zealand evokes similar environmentalist sentiments. Reminding us that the discarded items in our lives can inspire new creation, this burnt foam mattress in Darlinghurst was so captivating, it distracted me from my bedbug phobia long enough to snap a quick shot.

January 24, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow-up: 2D Gone 3D

Tanagrams have blanketed commercial architecture around the globe. From mirrored paneling to glass bulges, fluid and reflective edges continue to make their mark. Recently, we highlighted a few examples ranging from fashion to product design. Today’s focus hits architecture in Melbourne, Paris, Tokyo and Singapore.

This glistening triangular sculpture is a pile of dynamic energy against it’s natural surroundings at the McClelland Sculpture Park in Melbourne, Australia. Revealing luxury at it’s height, design legend, Jean Paul Gaultier shares his balcony with Elle Decor. Giving us an exercise in tasteful innovation, Herzog and de Meuron have brought us Tokyo’s Prada store with floor to ceiling windows amidst a calming park. Nearly mimicking a disjointed Frank Gehry design, the Ion Orchard mall in the heart of Singapore’s shopping district is a beautiful fusion of it’s geographical counterparts.

January 20, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Technology Patterns for Women

From time to time we highlight brands that incorporate digital trends into their product design. From print collages to Missoni pillows, it’s important to note the designers who are embracing the pixel. The latest round of products are attempting to lure in a female customer:

The Parrot Minikit Primavera is a limited edition bluetooth portable hands free phone from the UK that’s incorporated a floral motif into it’s surface design.Similarly, the latest laptop from HP Envy has done the same thing with their laser etched aluminum cover.

Magnifying this pattern for their retail display, the Alessi store in Midtown Manhattan has fully embraced this movement, proving kitchenware can at once be organic and future-forward.

December 2, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: A Patchwork of Textures

Mismatched patchwork is continually getting a facelift and the cubist approach in these designs reveal the latest pairing of pattern on pattern. Always the curator of cool, the latest literary addition to Colette’s bookshop, Wanderung, by Edouard Baribeaud, reveals 24 pages of painted and drawn imaginary spaces. Experimenting with this technique in the home goods sector, Missoni Home has designed a typographic pillow to reveal softer contrasts. Enlarging these black and white patterns for a throw, Bensimon of Paris has included this menagerie in their latest collection of wares.

November 23, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Snapshots from London & Paris

Here are some snapshots of what I can share from my scouting trip to London & Paris. Met a few characters, took sneaky photos and returned home inspired + recharged. Hope you enjoy!

November 8, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Beastly Art

You’ve been hiding under a rock if you haven’t noticed the animal influence that’s infiltrated all things visual lately. From graffiti tagging to fashion campaigns to high-end art, animal influenced portraiture is everywhere. Simon Schama recently wrote a piece for The Financial Times, proclaiming that beastly themes have always been a part of the modern art world in British society, making note of the highly religious themes that often come hand in hand with each piece.

The above illustration is from Flair magazine and portrays the best of both worlds: curious creatures with beautifully collaged textures. To the right, the graffiti leopard can be found on the streets of East London. The sexualized Hello Kitty illustration is part of Surface to Air‘s Parisian retail display, while this tailoring sign sits comfortably in a Hamstead window in London. Rounding out the retail theme, this canine portrait painting is currently part of the window display for Printemps Mens in Paris.

November 3, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik