Trend: Expressive Body Script

There’s been a lot of talk about graffiti finding it’s way into high fashion. Miuccia Prada ushered in the conversation last summer with her About Face runway presentation. The latest examples have similarities in their raw essence, but take a bold, expressive typographic turn. We have Evisu, Die Antwood, Comme des Garcons and Dior Homme all using the body or page as a canvas for expressive thought.

All of these pieces feel connected in some way to the style and vibe of Shantell Martin’s illustrations. Her stream-of-contiousness drawings have been an influential style for a while now, and a stark contrast to the crisp colorful characters and collage work from Fall.

May 20, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Typographic Textures for Summer

92y_miltonglaser

If you live in New York, I dare you not to attend the 92Y Talks. At the start of 2013, I decided to mix things up and go to as many presentations as possible…as the direct access to knowledge is pretty unreal. Since January, I’ve heard Madeleine Albright, Nick Kristof, Al Gore, Allen Grubman, Charlie Rose, Richard Engel and Paul Grubman speak ever so candidly about current events and their life’s work.

Unsurprisingly, the catalog that houses the upcoming summer calendar is just as expressive as the roster. My gut says Milton Glaser did the art, but please correct me if I’m wrong. The type, color and movement are perfectly suited for the upcoming season. If you’re free this evening, there’s a fantastic talk entitled, Secrets of Start Up Queens, featuring Dylan Lauren, Iman, Coco Rocha and Piera Gelardi with Cindi Leive as the moderator. Click here for more info.

May 22, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Meg Hunt

Illustrator Meg Hunt considers herself a jack-of-all-trades and with good reason. With a list of passions that include printmaking, cartooning, an avid zest for exploring new things and continuously branching out from her comfort zone, it’s no wonder she’s an interesting person who likes to get her hands dirty. Fortunately, she has heaps of talent to back up her passions, and her work has shown up in a variety of print and product mediums with clients such as The Disneyland Resort, Cartoon Network, Plansponsor, Radiolab/WNYC, Monoblock, Storey Publishing, Oxford University Press, Junior Scholastic, HOW Magazine, Jamie Magazine, Utah Valley University, BeerAdvocate, Vegetarian Times, BUST, Brown Alumni Magazine, Fantagraphics Books, Image Comics, Brand New School, Las Vegas Weekly, Portland Mercury, Seattle Metropolitan, the Stranger, Threadless, Time Out New York/TONY Kids, Utne, the Washington Post, and Yale Alumni Magazine.

Her goals are “to fill the world with my creations, and make people happy in the process.” With her beautifully exuberant creations and ever growing portfolio and skill-set, we’d say she’s well on her way to accomplishing just that.

April 10, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Carrie Ruby

A true a graphic jack of all trades, native Houstonian and current Manhattanite Carrie Ruby has been a part of the creative team at Future Brand, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, The Brand Union and MBLM. For anyone who’s familiar with the world of branding, they’ll understand that a brand must represent quality, consistency and a good degree of uniqueness. All of these qualities are evident in Ruby’s pattern work. Be it sharp vector repeats or organic negative space, each and every layout is distinctively fresh. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into Ruby’s daily routine!

November 22, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Type Player 2

If you’re a typography fiend who loves the unexpected, you’ll want a copy of Type Player 2. Shunning the boring and predictable, the featured designers look to unconventional mediums to enliven type creations, playing with dimension, perspective, and motion. Sometimes the designers literally create type designs out of thin air – one project uses photo documentation of light in motion to form a T, while another manipulates the shape of the sky between skyscrapers to capture letters in the negative spaces.

Unusual materials used to create type design include Rubik’s cubes, feathers, electrical cords, and used plastic bags. Indeed, if you’re looking for inspiration, the each project is sure to ignite your imagination.

July 28, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Typography with Pat Bradbury

Every afternoon I really enjoy my daily email from Where the Lovely Things Are by Mallory McInnis. The images are strung together with a singular vision that’s beautifully curated. Yesterday’s feature introduced me to the UK artist, Pat Bradbury. Bradbury is a student and is producing wonderful and imaginative work. Incorporating texture, movement and manipulation his designs rife with humor and expression. Check out his made up shapes and Mondrian rocket.

July 20, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik