Book Review: The Exquisite Book

It’s sometimes assumed that once you’re an adult, you should stop playing games. However, when 100 contemporary artists join together in a modern version of the Surrealist game, The Exquisite Corpse, that notion is shot down with a single glance. Conceived by the ever-talented members of the design company, ALSO, aka, Julia Rothman, Jenny Volvovski and Matt Lamothe, the book consists of ten chapters of whimsy from ten amazing artists.

The Exquisite Book was conceived as an experiment in collaboration and book-making. Each piece of art was created specifically for the project. Two years and 100 artists later, each of the ten chapters unfold like an accordion for a truly vivid, inspiring viewing experience and serves, on the whole, as a wonderful, unique collection of work from so many of today’s most talented artists and designers. To purchase, click here.

September 22, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Wandering Off Into Space

Chuck Anderson is a role model and self-made man. The renowned artist and designer got his professional start with his decision to forgo college. Over a decade later, Anderson’s built a flourishing career through dedicated self-promotion and stellar art work. Anderson’s website, No Pattern, has evolved into a library of photoshop wonderment with clients ranging from Google and Nike to ESPN and Absolut. Anderson’s first book, No Pattern, showcases his signature style of vivid lights with surreal glow. His second (and most recent) book, Wandering Off Into Space, shares a similar vibe with an up-t0-date evolution of his signature style. Check it out for an inspiring dose of color and light!

September 7, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Illustration: Busy & Intricate

Just as blueprints serve as the foundation for building projects, so do crisp and certain black and white drawings. Add in patchwork patterns and the composition can literally vibrate. This is the case with two very different styles of art. Olga Nenahzivina’s latest work from her show, From the Edge of Vladivostok, at the Mimi Ferzt Gallery, merges Russian and Japanese narratives for beautifully etched compositions. Exploring busy and intricate from a cartoon perspective, this space monster from the editorial pages of TimeOut NY by Michael Townsend gives the viewer a playful illustrative approach.

August 30, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Pattern Blocked Storytelling

In the branding world, people are forever in search of mood-enhancing visuals. When it comes to print and textiles, the objective is similar, though more tactile. Today’s feature takes pattern-blocking and shows its versatility in storytelling.

Mark Allan Miller is a master at creating nostalgia through pattern and illustration. Realizing this style in home product design, this pillow from the Parisian homegoods store, Bensimon takes a similarly bold and illustrative approach. Veering away from this minimalist style, Jamal Vrno makes mixing and matching fun, proving the right patchwork can emit any message.

August 10, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buys: Louis Reith

A few months ago, Amsterdam-based artist, Louis Reith spun a web of admirers with his typographically inspired works on paper. His masterful merging of geometric shapes, abstract typography, vintage maps and old book pages is a reminder to all designers to take a step back from the computer every once in a while. In today’s world where so much art is digitally composed and intricately dense, the hand-rendered simplicity and obvious restraint makes Reith’s work immensely beautiful and refreshing. Little Paper Planes is presently offering four exclusive limited edition prints from the artist at a delightfully affordable price of $35 per print, with the whole set offered at $120. A lovely opportunity to get your hands on the work of a talented up and comer- take advantage!

June 21, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Julia Rothman

Julia Rothman is a design dynamo whose illustrations, patterns and prints have been seen just about everywhere. Having a distinct hand, adaptable style and amazing work ethic has afforded her the opportunity to work with everyone from the New York Times to Victoria’s Secret to the MTA. The down to earth and friendly tweets from this Brooklyn wunderkind proffer interesting tidbits of information, from personal inspiration, to new books and events, to previews of her latest work. If you’re looking for a creative pick me, consider hopping on board the Rothman twitterfeed.

April 8, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik