February 2012
12 posts
3 tags
GRAPHICS | Food Truck Typography
via revegofthenerd.wordpress.com What better way to kick of the week than with some fun food truck graphics? Great colors, fun type, entertaining messages, and useful (I hope) QR codes all add up to a great reason to skip the restaurant and hit the streets. *camille Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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PACKAGING | Granny's Secret
via thedieline.com The design of these labels for Granny’s Secret (based in Serbia) are understated and delicately done. But, it is the integration of the die-cut label with the custom jar shape that I find particularly lovely. These design solutions are evidence that one can make a strong visual impact - that stands out from competitors - using something other than a vibrant color...
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BLACK + WHITE | Boca Negra Beer
via lovelypackage.com I like the typography and the clean layout of information on the label. Nothing fancy, but pleasing to the eye. *camille Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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RESTAURANTS + PRINT | Teplitzkys Menus
via underconsideration.com A quick post… These colorful, retro menus from Teplitzkys (in New Jersey’s Chelsea Hotel) are fun and unique - definitely something out of the norm. I think they’re great! *camille Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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GRAPHICS + FILM | Sherlock Holmes Title Sequence
via graphic-exchange.com These are beautifully textural images from the title sequence of the latest Sherlock Holmes film. I’ve yet to see the film, but the first one was certainly a visual treat, so I expect nothing less of the sequel. Click the link to Graphic-Exchange above for many more images and an interview with the designer, Prologue. Gorgeous work by gifted designers! ...
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PHOTOGRAPHY | Eric Ryan Anderson
via ivegotfriends.com I stumbled upon the work of Eric Ryan Anderson yesterday (via the wonders of the internets!) and really love the life he is able to capture in his work. The portraits, in particular, remind me of Paul Strand — seemingly un-posed, simply a capture of a moment in time between the tasks of the day. Check out Eric’s photo blog to see more of his beautiful work. ...
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PACKAGING | Trevor’s Honey
via lovelypackage.com I like the distressed type and off-white paper stock for this label. Its simplicity conveys the impression that the honey came right off the comb and into this jar. *camille Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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PRINT + ART | Greeting Cards Go From Envelope to...
via underconsideration.com I don’t know about you, but when I was too poor to by “real” art, I made a habit of buying nice greeting cards that were frame-worthy to hang on my apartment walls. Now, who needs the x-acto knife and mat board? Card to Art Greeting Cards has made the transformation as simple as can be…and using letterpress to boot. Check out the link for...
6 tags
BRANDING | Lucy's Fried Chicken
via pentagram.com In the age of low-cal low-carb fare, it looks like fried chicken is alive and well in Austin, Texas! Pentagram recently posted a spread about the brand they’ve developed for Lucy’s Fried Chicken and it’s a fun mix of vintage style and contemporary design. I love the simple script logo and the accompanying monogram (in the shape of an egg, of course). The...
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BLACK + WHITE | Gazelli Cosmetics
Gazelli Cosmetics January 22, 2012 | 3 Comments Designed by Gazelli Cosmetics| Country: Azerbaijan “Using her scientific knowledge in the fields of genetics and prevention, Dr. Hamzayeva decided to develop beauty products from the magnificent natural resources found in her home country of Azerbaijan. From the earth itself, she created a brand she...
PRINT + FOIL | Julie Pop Bakery
via lovelystationery.com Nice use of multiple foil colors on the cards for this Vienna bakery specializing in, yes, cake pops. See the other color variations at the link. *camille Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
ARCHIVES | Saul Bass Pitch Video for Bell System...
via youtube.com I missed this video making the rounds online in the last couple of months, so I thought I would share it here, as well. This is a presentation by Saul Bass to Bell System executives pitching a new identity for the company. It’s a bit long (27 minutes), but very interesting. In this age of Photoshop and computer mock-ups, it’s fascinating to see how a firm would...
January 2012
10 posts
COMMUNICATION | Answer 4 Questions to Share Your...
via entrepreneur.com Communicating the story of your brand and business need not be complicated. In fact, quite the opposite is true. A simple, straight-forward, easy-to-grasp story will capture your target audience and give them the information they need to understand what you do and why. The elevator pitch is simply for elevators… *camille Posted via email from MIYO |...
1 tag
PRINT | Coasters With A Twist
via underconsideration.com I’ve confessed this before, but…I really do love a fun coaster… This holiday-themed set is enjoyable primarily because they come pre-stained with a wet glass ring (actually, a varnish). It’s a fun touch that makes an everyday item more unique. *camille Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
3 tags
PRINT + GRAPHICS | Sundance Film Festival
via pentagram.com The 2012 Sundance Film Festival features graphics designed by Pentagram. As with most events of this type, the design standards were used for everything from print materials to environmental graphics to merchandise. I appreciate the way in which the ‘motif’ (for lack of a better word) was effectively used in the film catalog - incorporating the fragmented...
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CREATIVITY + INNOVATION | Redesigning "Teachers"
via underconsideration.com I recently (and finally) watched the film Waiting for Superman - a film about the educational system in the United States and the woefully inadequate way it serves too many of our children. The film was eye-opening to say the least. With the impact of the movie still fresh in my mind, I was pleased to come across this post in my RSS feed. Once again, the power of...
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ART + CREATIVITY | Seo Young-Deok's Chain...
via core77.com No, this really has nothing to do with branding. But, the creativity, skill and process needed to create these formidable - yet somehow delicate - sculptures is certainly something to marvel at. Bicycle chains and other garden variety chain links molded into the human form…Simply amazing… Click the link to see several more images. *camille Posted via email ...
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CREATIVITY | Beautiful Plywood Sculptural Graphics
via core77.com I have never seen anything quite like these colorful dimensional graphics, created by Moscow’s Sicksystems. The pieces of each composition is carved with a scroll saw, then hand-painted. The result is reminiscent of a cross between totem pole art and something that could be found in a Transformers movie. The image of the sneaker piece above was one that I found...
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LOGO + IDENTITY | Austria's Meier Seefeld Boutique
via lovelystationery.com Behold the beautiful black and white identity for Meier Seefeld, a women’s clothing boutique in Austria. The combination of the compact script wordmark and classic images from the ski slopes communicate the accessible, yet upscale, feel of the brand. Looking at something as elegant as this - who needs color? See plenty more images at the link… *camille ...
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VIDEO | The Joy of Books
via youtube.com This is simply a great video I had to share. It’s about, well…the joy of books. Enjoy! *camille Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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PRINT | Segal Centre Season Posters
via underconsideration.com Canada’s Segal Center commissioned these colorful posters to start their 6th season of theater. The designers, Mookai, were given “carte blanche,” as they put it, to interpret the subject of each play as they saw fit. The result is a colorful array of interesting prints that are works of art in their own right. *camille Posted via email ...
CREATIVITY | How to be Creative
*via Fast Company Co.Design Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
December 2011
6 posts
3 tags
DESIGN | A Look at the History of Airline Livery
via nytimes.com I came across this New York Times post comparing the evolution of airplane design and found it to be an interesting overview. Many of these I had never seen, so I thought it would be worth sharing. Also, I must note that I miss the polished metal look of yesteryear. There’s just something about the classic look of the metal planes that made air travel seem more special...
MUSICAL INTERLUDE | Sinatra Sings 'Let It Snow'
‘tis the season! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! *cf Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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PRINT | Henry + Co
via lovelystationery.com The execution of black business cards can be a challenge - how to create interest without the use of multiple colors? In this case, stark white foil printing with a strong embossed emblem. *cf Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
3 tags
PRINT | Howler Business Cards
via beastpieces.com Designed to reference penalty cards from the world’s favorite game (soccer/football), these cards were printed with tonal inks that provide subtle - and beautiful - contrast to the papers selected. It’s often challenging to create a card that stands out from the usual fare, but these do a nice job of doing just that. Click the link for more detailed...
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ILLUSTRATION | Amtrak Signals It Now Has Wi-Fi
via atissuejournal.com A quick post: Amtrak trains are now Wi-Fi enabled and the company released some great ads highlighting this new feature. The illustrations are crisp and modern; and the universal Wi-Fi symbol was nicely integrated into each scene. Nice job. *cf Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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PACKAGING ETC. | Ivory Soap Gets An Updated Look
via underconsideration.com I always find it interesting to see how well-established brands, particularly for everyday types of products, go about the process of refreshing the look and feel of their offerings. Hence, the Ivory Soap update caught my eye. I like the clean look of the new logo; and the vibrant colors used for the packaging of this classic, white soap will most certainly help it...
November 2011
3 posts
2 tags
TRENDS | Consumers are "DEALER-CHIC"
via trendwatching.com An excerpt from the November 2011, trend report reads: Now, we’re not saying that all of consumption will be dominated by discounted goods and services. However, for status-conscious consumers (read: all of them ;-), making the most of discounts and deals is no longer considered cumbersome or even embarrassing, but simply smart. In fact, DEALER-CHIC is yet...
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PRINT | Egg & Dart
via lovelystationery.com I happened upon these dimensional (in appearance, anyway) cards while catching up on some older blog posts and thought it was worth a quick post. I like the visual interest created by the design. It manages to catch one’s attention without trying too hard. *camille Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
ART + TYPE | Chalk Type by Dana Tanamachi
via atissuejournal.com Custom chalk signage is all the rage, is it not? Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, your local ice cream shop…it’s everywhere! In an era of computerized “perfection”, these illustrations are delightfully “imperfect”. *camille Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
October 2011
6 posts
2 tags
SIGNAGE | In Cardboard
via atissuejournal.com Who would have imagined that die-cut cardboard could be such a wonderful material to use for interior signage? Not I. Thankfully, designers Isidro Ferrer, Pablo Alabau, and studio Zaragoza Versus were innovative enough to develop this signage system for the Spanish Pavillion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo. It’s a brilliant idea, if you ask me. Particularly, for...
3 tags
LETTERPRESS | I Love Creative Thinking
via underconsideration.com Exquisite printing. Lovely message. *cf Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
1 tag
QUOTE | Book Cover Artist Mendelsund On Design
I came across the following quote on Jacket Mechanical and thought I would share: …a good design, whatever its intended use, is an aggregation of many small decisions - each one as important as the next. The resulting design is no more or less than the sum of these decisions. Each choice, no matter how seemingly insignificant, matters. I’ve come to realize that many people...
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VINTAGE + PRINT | Middletown Lumber Newsletter
via underconsideration.com In the age of electronic newsletters and impersonal “Dear, Friend” emails, I love the idea of bringing back the hand-worn, vintage feel of the classic, informative, interesting newsletter. In addition to the beautiful paper selected for this piece, the interesting mix of typography makes this a mailer that - I would presume - most people would love to...
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GRAPHICS | Saul Bass & The History of Film Titles
A Brief History of Title Design from Ian Albinson on Vimeo. Interestingly, upon reflecting on the impact of film titles, I realize that, though titles are an important aspect of the opening moments of a film, I must confess that (unlike other products of “design”) I only take note of them when they are particularly striking or unique. Otherwise, they tend to fade into...
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ADVERTISING + BRANDING | 'Art & Copy' Film
via youtube.com As a fan of the television show Mad Men (what designer isn’t, really?), it should not surprise me that my Netflix genie suggested I would enjoy the documentary film Art & Copy.Indeed, the genie was right. What an interesting film this was — particularly in light of the recent death of Steve Jobs. I think those of us in creative fields have been doing more...
September 2011
5 posts
3 tags
TYPOGRAPHY + COLOR | Beatifully Vintage Marvis...
via vintagemeohmy.com The beauty of this packaging required a quick post. It’s ‘modern vintage’ at its finest: great colors, strong typography, and the design is…just enough. I may have to track this stuff down to add to my bathroom shelves. There are more great images at the link - have a look! *cf Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
1 tag
CHOICE | Malcolm Gladwell On Spaghetti Sauce
This is a classic TED talk from Malcolm Gladwell (circa 2004). He discusses the nature of providing consumers choices in the marketplace - often giving them what they don’t realize what they want and providing more choices, not fewer. Watch the video for a few thoughts on chunky versus smooth spaghetti sauce, “milky, weak coffee,” and the importance of embracing - and...
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PURPOSE | According to Roy Spence
*Photo via utexas.edu Last week, I attended a luncheon where the keynote was given by Roy Spence, founder of the advertising firm GSD&M Idea City. All of us who live and work in creative fields - be it advertising, marketing, or design - have experienced those moments in which we find ourselves in need of inspiration to continue along the path we have chosen. Mr. Spence’s talk...
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GOOD DESIGN | What Is It? Dieter Rams made a...
World-renowned German industrial designer Dieter Rams defined the latter half of the 20th century with a parade of landmark products. Head of design for Braun A.G. until his retirement in 1998, Rams’ many designs — coffee makers, AV equipment, consumer appliances, calculators, radios, record players, office products – found a permanent home at many of museums, including MoMA. His Universal...
4 tags
BRANDING | Cheer gets a new look (with a fun...
via underconsideration.com Landor’s re-design of Cheer detergent - the packaging and logo - was launched about a month ago - old news in today’s speed-of-light media atmosphere. However, I was prompted to make this post because of the fun way that the new design was visually presented. Most of the items in the image above, for instance, have little, if anything, to do with...
August 2011
8 posts
4 tags
RESTAURANT PRINT | West Egg Cafe Menu
via underconsideration.com If the bold, fun menu at Atlanta’s West Egg Cafe is any indication…this is my kind of place! I love the simple layout and great typography. It makes for an easily-legible composition. I also like the idea of being able to chat up my friends while occasionally glancing down at the menu, still able to figure out what’s what. *cf Posted via...
2 tags
PACKAGING | Frozen Ghost Vodka
via lovelypackage.com Who can resist a frozen figure pleading for release from the inside of a vodka bottle? Better yet, the “ghost” only shows up from the front, and is invisible when the bottle is viewed at an angle. See more spooky images at the link… *cf Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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PACKAGING + BLACK AND WHITE | Adir Dairy
Adir Dairy August 23, 2011 | No Comments Designed by Blend-it Design | Country: Israel “Adir Milk is the largest premium goat milk-producing dairy in Israel. The dairy, which is located in the Upper Galilee, has served as an experiment for us to create a dairy milk experience that reflects a feeling of tradition combined with an ultimate taste experience. The search for...
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CREATIVE | Esquire Magazine Cover August 2011
via forums.watchuseek.com In case you don’t frequent the magazine section of your local bookstore, I thought I would quickly share this Esquire cover that caught my eye last weekend. Maybe I’m an easy girl to please, but I thought it was one of the most fun, clever, and amusing “designs” I’ve seen in some time. I’ve always found the art direction in...
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SIGNAGE | Inside The New York Times Building
via pentagram.com One sure sign of a thoughtfully design interior space is the creativity devoted to the signage package. The fun and playfully apropos imagery incorporated into the interior signage of The New York Times Building, in N.Y.C. is the final touch on a wonderful space. Many more images at the link. *cf Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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CREATIVE + FREE! (Assuming you can do laser...
via underconsideration.com Inexpensive materials, nice graphics and good execution…you can’t beat that! *cf Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »
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BRANDING | Bud Refresh: The King of Beers Puts on...
via brandchannel.com According to Brandchannel: “After 18 months of development, Budweiser is getting a new logo, can and packaging design…” The results of this process include updates to the Budweiser “bow.” It has been given some new dimension, which certainly helps make the packaging more interesting, I think. But, my favorite part of this brand re-fresh...
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ILLUSTRATION | Colorful Animals by Ty Wilkins
via vintagemeohmy.com To put it simply: these are fantastic illustrations. Fun, colorful, and contemporary. I’m tempted to write a children’s book about each one. “Spencer was more than just your typical well-heeled rooster…” See more images at the link! *cf Posted via email from MIYO | STUDIOS | Comment »