New York: Mounds of Color

Louise Belcourt likes to think of her new work as “paintings of sculptures of landscapes”. Using a well-honed sense of color, light and space, Belcourt arranges mound-like forms into arrangements that evoke landscapes and cityscapes.

The mounds are piled, stacked and overlapped, simultaneously forming into bodies of water, mountains and buildings as well as creating a fascinating visual tension throughout.

Color and light function like notes in a musical composition, striking a balance to form a cohesive and captivating whole. Click here for more info.

Jeff Bailey Gallery: 625 W27th St. (11th & 12th Aves) New York , NY 10001

February 23, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Print: Organic Starbursts

What does a baking experiment have to do with Phillip Lim‘s latest Spring collection? Organic starbursts and lots of em. As designers, we’re inspired by the most obscure elements- gum spots on the sidewalk, condensation on a shower door, an imperfect hem. Here’s a nice parallel of two worlds intersecting for a beautiful before and after.

Baking photo courtesy of Jamie Kramer

October 3, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Evening Projections

After returning from the Alt Design Summit, it was fairly evident that incorporating ‘surprising’ touches into your party planning is a very big deal. I’m no stranger to this concept, as I’m often hired to design content for branded activities, however the DIY spirit was in full effect, reminding me to keep a few things off the adobe punch list.

Using digital technology, projections and a starry night theme, all of the imagery above overlaps in one way or another. Casting gem-like projections on back-lit silhouettes, this party, from the pages of Elle Decor proves that subtlety can be elegant and luxurious. Keeping with the color scheme of blue and white, Sofitel, the luxury hotel chain evokes a Peter Pan-like mood with floating pillows. Applying this concept to an enormous symphony hall ceiling, Departures Magazine shares a the stunning results of a concert fueled video projection.

February 1, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Marketing: Lightscape Patterns

Last October, we found global lightscapes were beginning to make their mark. Artist communities from around the globe were experimenting with energetic lines in the form of video, art installations and still photography. Nearly a year later, the marketing and branding worlds have picked up on this trend, assimilating their clients with this fresh medium. Both Lacoste and Amstel Live have incorporated this lively style into layouts with disaffected 20 somethings. Interestingly, and rather surprisingly, the bottom photos from the Mirrorball produced, Amstel Live party are more interesting than the carefully curated Lacoste campaign. It doesn’t take much to engage at a party, and adding DIY design, alcohol and a creative new profile pic are three easy ways to get consumers excited.

August 23, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Casting Shadows

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Light will always be a source of inspiration. From free hand shadow puppets to mood-induced candle lighting, shadows have a way of revealing an alternate reality. Recently, we’ve been noticing an equal importance between objects and the shadows they cast. Maiko Takeda, an ’09 graduate from Central St Martins, recently applied this concept in her final academic project entitled, Cinematography Collection. Takeda’s jewelry casts an elaborate shadow upon the body, weaving organic movement with man made metals. Using a similar theory, Peter Burning’s ceiling lights project elaborate flower-like patterns on the surrounding wall space. Moving into the world of whimsy, Marc Philbert’s fashion photography is no stranger to light and patterns as he incorporates beautiful women with color and contrast.

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Light boxes can be easily crafted, as demonstrated on Design*Sponge this past December. Using canvas, paint and a creative concept, conversational or decorative art can make it’s way into your home. Taking this idea up a few notches, Jo Meesters, a Pattern Pulp favorite, has thrown a sophisticated spin on a would-be cabinet by converting it into an over sized light box.

Additional Contributions by: Emily Gup

August 19, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Diamonds are Forever Changing

Apparently, diamonds don’t have to sparkle in order to shine. Diamond contours are surfacing everywhere. We first noticed interesting uses of the infamous pyramid on the streets of Paris back in November and have continued to spot creative variations across the Atlantic. From Mike Perry’s vector repeat to this Parisian jewelery display to this remarkable 3D installation by Kirsten Hassenfeld, all of these interpretations glorify the geometric intricacies of the world’s most famous carbon.

While shopping in the trendy Palermo Hollywood district of Buenos Aires (yes, it’s named after Hollywood, California), we sensed this trend emerging on the tails of ArteBA. The graffiti-culture shop, Sixfeet, is covered in diamonds, most notably on the back wall, which is strategically complimented by several colorful diamond hoodies for sale on the floor. Back in Boston, the creative geniuses at AdamnCompany designed this abstract illustration, replacing stars with sparkling diamonds. Focusing solely on angle and color, Susann Johansen’s color prisms celebrate light and repetition.

This watercolor repeat by Eika Dopludo is a beautiful departure from it’s angular counterparts, while this metallic Moschino display in New York’s meatpacking district currently presents a mirrored platform for their summer shoe collection. Moving into the realm of online retail, we quickly discovered this trend’s reach on etsy.com. The artist, lanydevening, creates small heart-shaped wooden wall hangings covered in a similar diamond motif. The heart paired with vibrant diamonds is a fresh take on an otherwise clichéd romantic combination.

BA coverage by: Rebecca Silver

June 18, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik