Follow-up: Global Lightscapes

Back in October, lightscape patterns were popping up left and right. These unruly markings were appearing in everything from media and textiles to graffiti and print. Today, Alexander McQueen’s sample sale on Gilt Groupe features fashion photography with light, shadow, and graffitied negative space. Refreshingly the technique has been slightly adapted and is quite playful. Adding chaos to the horizontal layout forces the model and her leather bustier to pop and as a result, the viewer settles on the warm tones, pondering if they should click to see more. For an ecommerce site looking to lure consumers, we give this image a high score, as it’s got all the ingredients for the all important impulse click.

April 7, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow-up: Tribalizing Tanagrams

On the heels of last week’s tanagram post, it’s only appropriate to highlight Elana Giavaldi’s new vector art. Giavaldi is a master at geometric patterns and truly sweeps the house when it comes to new artistic content for her blog, One Day One Pattern. Not only is it refreshing to see tertiary colors being used in such a primal way, but the palette mimics the season’s transition, welcoming spring with open arms. Check out Giavaldi’s tumblr site for the full reel of her brilliant repeats.

March 30, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Tribalizing Tanagrams

When was the last time you thought to yourself, bold and simple’s the way to go? Perhaps yesterday? Dusen Dusen, a new label by Brooklyn designer, Ellen Van Dusen was featured in a Daily Candy mail out this week, adding fuel to a quickly growing fire that graphic designers are embracing triangles, squares and circles again.

Whether the patterns are primal and bold, as exhibited by Dusen Dusen and Suki Cheema, or being used to manipulate text, as evident by Urban Outfitter‘s most recent logo design, one thing’s for sure, mismatched shapes aren’t going away anytime soon. Suki Cheema’s recently launched home collection was one of the best displays at this year’s gift show, and a breath of fresh air from endless aisles of Tory Burch-like geometrics. Using just a grid and creative geometry, designers are proving that primal can be interesting, so long as the shapes convey color and movement.

March 25, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Texturizing the Pyramid

We’re all aware that pyramid studs have been around for a while. They’ve been paired with linen, leather, lace and nearly anything that can be punctured by tiny prongs. When it comes to trends, it’s always interesting to see each season’s new experiments and this year it appears as though designers are embracing the concept of 2D embellishments.

Designs ranging from crisp and shiny to textured and washed-out are being translated onto a wide range of materials. This Fenton necklace reminds us of the eclectic mix that can be applied when making spot graphics. If you’re going for an all-over effect, this Corto Moltedo Thunderbolt tie dye clutch is the perfect example of worn-in glam. If you’d like to keep things crisp and simple, this black denim all-over stud pattern from Paris is a reminder that polished edge is here to stay, be it bumpy or flat.

March 23, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Aquatic Manipulations

Typographic manipulations will always be current. Whether they’re spliced to create depth, formulate shapes or devise witty statements, language is a consistent filler when it comes to graphic design. Add a touch of surrealism and you have fantastic fluid nonsensical works of art. Anna Jordan’s in depth study of Jorge Luis Borges’s literary poems and writings serve as the baseline inspiration for this visual trend. Borges’ vast array of work became known for it’s “irreality” and existentialist undertones during the late 1880’s and Jordan reinterprets this using typographic jigsaw puzzles that are crisp, fluid and smudged. Using a similarly aquatic technique, Triboro Design, the combined genius of husband and wife, David Heasty and Stefanie Weigler, also incorporate surrealist themes. Combining crisp edges with nature-inspired textures is a true reminder that everything’s cyclical.

March 16, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Gum Droppings

What could be more ordinary than chewing gum? Possibly the most accessible material on the planet, gum never fails to be graphically inspirational, whether you’re dodging spots on the sidewalk or observing them in a highly curated gallery. Interestingly, these two-toned glass sculptures from Vogue Living breathe life into this sculptural concept, merging high and low culture with a complex medium. Interestingly, this New York, New York Gum on Canvas piece by Adam McEwen, along with Dan Colen’s 2006 technicolor Untitled compilation, remind us of the infamous Rorschach Ink Blot test. Regardless of the imagery one sees in these random arrangements, one thing’s for sure, these blots are highly adaptable with timeless appeal.

March 5, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik