Book Review: Wondering Around Wandering

Mike Perry is a Pattern Pulp favorite and a verifiable artistic dynamo, consistently producing an awe-inspiring amount of work, wide in scope and medium. In addition to his design and illustration work, he publishes zines, runs a magazine and has curated three successful books. Wondering Around Wandering – Works So Far is his latest creation and is his first monograph.

Having carefully designed each and every page, placing old works beside new ones and occasionally updating old work to make it new again, this is a true artist’s book. With explosive fluorescent colors, various paper stocks, and five four-page zines bound into the book, this volume is an object that must be experienced. Artists, designers, hip trendsetters, children, the young-at-heart, and anyone interested in DIY culture will treasure this amazing project. In addition to his work, the book also features: A Conversation with Ed Fella and Introductions by James Victore and Jim Datz.

April 27, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Nate Williams

Nate Williams is a designer who specializes in silkscreen illustration, hand lettering and art licensing. He values creativity, curiosity, inspiration, play and discovery. Working with wide variety of clients, his hand drawn lettering and illustration has touched a diverse spectrum of audiences throughout the globe. While presenting work as both himself and Alexander Blue, Nate also runs Illustration Mundo and Letter Playground, two popular illustration community portals. The award winning illustrator also works with the charity organization, Art With Heart and has contributed to the Truth Anti-Tobacco campaign.

Partial Client List: Coca Cola, Urban Outfitters, Converse Shoes, Cartoon Network, Dell Computers, The North Face, Harper Collins, Penguin Group, United Airlines, Microsoft, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Wired Magazine, Nick Jr., BETC PARIS, Draft FCB Toronto, Landor Associates, Leo Burnett, TBWA Chiat Day

April 24, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Helen Dardik

Helen Dardik grew up around the world, creating art all along the way. The talented illustrator and designer now calls Canada her home where she lives with her three little girls. Her exuberant and vibrant work is praised throughout the industry for it’s combination of retro whimsy and modern panache and pattern. Her designs have shown up in a multitude of mediums from patterns, editorial illustrations, book covers & illustration, cards, products and even temporary tattoos. Her client list is already impressive and is constantly expanding. Stay up to date with her projects on her blog Orange You Lucky.

April 21, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Jennifer Daniel

Jennifer Daniel isn’t sure whether she should be considered an illustrator or a designer; but, regardless of the label, the Brooklyn based creator has a bevy of wit and sass that only matches her creativity. Her work has appeared regularly in many publications including The New York Times, Print, Seed, and Heeb Magazine. She was highlighted in Print Magazine’s “20 Under 30 New Visual Artists” issue in 2009 and was named an Art Director’s Club Young Guns 8 winner. As a talented designer as she is, she mostly considers herself to be funny person who loves to express her subversive wit in her work, which is probably what makes her work stand out so fabulously.

April 18, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Design is a Job

Co-founder of Mule Design and raconteur, Mike Monteiro wants to help you do your job better. From writing contracts to selling yourself, to collaborating on client projects, this brief book is packed with nuggets of knowledge.

Mike frequently blogs about the craft and business of design and, in early 2011, gave a Creative Mornings talk entitled, “F— You, Pay Me” that uplifted the downtrodden. He can also be heard weekly as the co-host of Let’s Make Mistakes with Katie Gillum. Mike’s knowledge and sense of humor makes just about everything better. This is a must read for designers both established and starting out.

April 12, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Fashion Futures

Nowadays, the fashion engine is moving forward at a faster pace than ever before, with advancing technologies and new materials reinventing clothing as we know it. You may not realize, but the technology that goes into the design process – from textiles to construction – has been steadily evolving at impressive rates so that the “future” we envisioned has arrived – and it’s only getting more inventive.

Fashion Futures explores the surprising sources that inspire futuristic garment design such as: biological science, climate change, space suits, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and nanotechnology. Offering up a fascinating survey of these new directions, Fashion Futures charts the transformational products, design processes, maverick materials and groundbreaking practitioners that are revolutionizing the industry.

Design expert and author Bradley Quinn also explores radical retail operations, forecasting and its relationship with other disciplines. Featuring inspirational interviews, design illustrations and prototypes, this read’s educational and thought-provoking for any fashion enthusiast.

Cover image via Colette

March 29, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik