The Sharpie is one of those objects I would have if I were to be stranded on a deserted island. Not saying I would necessarily bring it along knowingly (although after writing this I probably would), but it would have just found it’s way with me.  Like loose change and paperclips, I find them everywhere at the bottom of my purse, book bag, diaper bag and even my husband’s pockets. They accumulate in the drawers of our home, office, the cracks in the couch and I am sure to find them on the floor of my car. But unlike loose change or paperclips, Sharpies seem to have more value, at least for us anyways. We use them to write, to draw and to fix the scratches in our Ikea furniture. Sharpies are not only an extension of our hands but our brains. Sharpies make brainstorm sessions productive and bring tears during critiques, but making us better designers in the process. It’s the one tool that hasn’t change much and doesn’t take an IT person to fix. And like a pencil, its more than a tool but it’s own medium.

Prom in style! Amy and her date draw their prom get-up with Sharpies.

Sure there are other markers, but they are not like Sharpies. Sharpies are affordable and available almost everywhere: office supply stores, art supply stores, book stores, grocery stores, gas stations, I wouldn’t be surprised if Urban Outfitters sold them. They can be used on every surface such as paper, canvas, photographs, glass, wood, fabric, metal, clay, cement, plastic, fiber glass, etc…just to name a few. They work well with other materials and they can easily be taken anywhere (I’m pretty sure they are still allowed on planes.) They come in different weights and colors, you can recycle them and even personalize them. And if you visit their site you can explore all the beautiful things a Sharpie can do. I know, I sound like a spokesperson for Sharpie. But I am not and I didn’t get paid for this post. Like my Moleskine, Sharpies are another entity in my day to day life as well as many others. This is just simply my homage to the Sharpie…you complete me! K

Cheeming Boey uses styrfoam coffee cups and Sharpies
to make his intricate designs. FYI he goes through a Sharpie every 1-2 days.

ow… I give you… Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische. Hische designs are whimsical and feminine. It is evident how she explores different ways to create each character sometimes creating characters unique from her own distinct style. Hische also shares her Daily Drop Caps for non-commercial use. Please go to Daily Drop Cap directly for details and follow her ongoing Daily Drop Caps.

Daniel Yund Concept for Olympics Poster Series, 2008

In spirit of the Winter Games, it would only be fitting to have a post on Olympic poster designs. Designing an Olympic poster is a classic student assignment for Graphic Designers. Searching the web, I came across these two up and coming designers, Daniel Yund and Alan Clark. Both designers use concrete shapes, repetition and the movement of the sport which contrast from the Olympic Games posters that we have seen in recent years. Typically Olympic posters are more complex, focusing on the athlete, form, motion and emotion. Although these designs are concepts and not official Olympic posters, their work is clever, unique and very Swiss . K

Alan Clarke Olympic posters proposal for London 2012

“My thinking behind these posters was to convey the movement and energy of the games, in a simple yet abstract way. The designs focused on the movement and speed of the athletes equipment. They were used to help travelers associate relevant tube stops, with the Olympic events that are being held there.”
- Alan Clarke

Alan Clarke Olympic posters proposal for London 2012

Otl Aicher 1972 Munich Olympic Posters are a great example of the International Style and most likely inspired the designs of Clarke and Yund. What are some of your favorite Olympic Poster Designs?

Official Olympic Games Poster Munich 1972

What do you think of the 2010 Vancouver posters?

Official Olympic Games Poster Vancouver 2010 Snowboard Halfpipe

Official Olympic Games Poster Vancouver 2010 Figure Skating

MTV's New Logo

Well it’s about time, MTV hasn’t been “music television” in a long time, I dont think I have seen a music video on MTV in over ten years. So when MTV unveiled their new logo on Monday the first thing that is really noticeable (not to mention highly appropriate) was loosing the tagline. Of course I cant say much else has changed, other then a nice tight crop on the logo itself. It’s the first time I have seen a logo redesign and thought to myself, “That’s it?” It’s sort of funny the MTV logo is known to change it’s appearance on a daily basis from colors to funky patterns to disguising itself into another object like an amp or television set. It has to be the most well-known and manipulated logo. So is this new design really a redesign or just another manipulation?

Variations of the new MTV logo. Image from thewrap.com

According to Andrew Hampp’s article in AdAge.com, MTV general manager Stephen Friedman explained:

“We needed the logo to be flexible enough to have the artists within it but also the stars of our shows. It’s an updating that speaks to this audience in a much simpler, bolder way.”

Hampp also writes, “Mr. Friedman said MTV has also had a problem with brand recognition among viewers who would love certain shows but had no idea they aired on MTV. “The way the logo frames it makes it a simple reference point,” he said.”

Old MTV Logo

The new logo was done in-house but the original logo was done by Frank Olinsky. According to Olinsky’s story the logo was meant to always change:

” [When] asked to come up with the “corporate colors” for the logo. The decision was made that there weren’t any, and that the logo should always change. Knowing that many animators, designers, ad agencies, etc. were going to be working with the logo made them think how, just like rock music always changes, the logo should also. This was a concept that had never been used on a logo before. The “M” and the “TV” could be made of any colors and/or materials.”

Even Cookies! So is the new logo a redesign or a logo that was born to always change? Any thoughts on a new tagline for MTV? K

MTV Promo Cookies from Rolling Pin Productions

Designed by Ty Mattson of Mattson Creative

What does an island, a polar bear, a VW bus, a paintbrush and a screen print all have in common?

The LOST fanatic. The final season of LOST premiers tonight! As a huge fan of the show, it would only be appropriate to feature some work by fellow LOST enthusiasts, who have found the show to be their creative muse. Has LOST inspired you? Check it out. K

Olly Moss "Locke's Secret"

Methane Studios "The Dharma Van"

Julian Callos "No Man Is An Island" ink, acrylic and gouache on watercolor paper

Check out more LOST inspired art at:

damoncarltonandapolarbear.com

The LOST Underground Art Show

Screenshot from Pentagram's What type are you?

Came across this last week and had to share. Pentagram a London based design firm with offices in San Francisco, New York, Austin and Berlin has created this What type are you? application. The application asks four questions in regards to character and assigns a typeface based on the viewers answers. After participating, my assessment was Archer Hairline which I totally agree, a modern straightforward typeface with a hint of elegance designed by Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones. Check it out and share what type you are.K

What type are you: http://pentagram.com/what-type-are-you/
PASSWORD is character

Archer Hairline

We Shared A Bear Suit by Sophie Blackall, Illustration, Posted October 24, 2009

A few years ago, my housemate told me about Missed Connections on Craigslist. So I checked them out, I was captivated. I printed out a few of my favorite postings and sketched a few thumbnails for each that was my response to the missed connection. I stuck them in my sketchbook and continued on with my life. Around the end of August, I came across them again while packing up to move. I googled “craigslist” and “artist” to see if any fellow creatives have found inspiration from the notorious Craigslist. At the time, all I found was a group show at a gallery in D.C. called Craigslist at Civilian Art Projects. Just last week however, I came across this blog by children’s illustrator Sophie Blackall that illustrates New York’s Missed Connections. These whimsical illustrations are posted on her blog Missed Connections as well as available for purchase at etsy.com. If you love reading the Missed Connection ads on Craigslist you’ll love these illustrations.

"I Saw You...Comics Inspired by Real-Life Missed Connections," Edited by Julia Wertz,Three Rivers Press; February 3, 2009

But it’s not just Sophie Blackall or myself who have found inspiration from Craigslist’s Missed Connections. Many writers, illustrators, photographers and musicians have used these personal ads as their inspiration for their work. SF comic book artist Julia Wertz put together an anthology of Craigslist inspired comics called “I Saw You … Comics Inspired by Real-Life Missed Connections.” Musician Gabriel Kahane used Craigslist post to inspire his Craigslistlieder score. Philadelphia’s Curio Theatre Company created a play based on Philly’s Missed Connections, Missed Connections, A Craigslist Fantasia.

It’s not just the Missed Connections that are inspiring, I found myself saving other random posts that I thought were interesting. For example, someone was looking for snails and slugs for an art project; the post alone sparked an interesting visual representation. If you find yourself in a creative funk, look no further…Craig has all the answers, drama and bizarrerie. His list is endless stimulation for the left-brainer.

How about you? Have you been inspired creatively by Craigslist? Please share. K

Entry Way, Because We Can

Local OAKLAND, CA based design firm, BECAUSE WE CAN, beats international competitors BURT HILL and HOK in onstage design competition.

Jeffrey McGrew, Founder of BECAUSE WE CAN, LLC, a small design-build studio in Oakland CA, won the annual “DESIGN SLAM” competition held at Autodesk University, Las Vegas in December.

Jeffrey has been invited to be a speaker at the conference for the past four years, but this year his company was selected to compete in the DESIGN SLAM, an event run by CUT&PASTE at the conference. Two other firms were also selected, Burt Hill and HOK, both multinational firms numbering into the hundreds of employees. One representative from each company was chosen to participate. The contestants were given a design problem, and had to create their solution live on stage in twenty minutes using AutoDesk’s Architectural software: REVIT. Think of it like an ‘Iron Chef’ for Architects!

Their entires and final presentations were then judged by a panel of industry design experts, including individuals from companies like KlingStubbins, N. Grimshaw architects, and the Ford Motor Company.

…and at the end of the twenty minutes, Jeffrey McGrew was declared the winner representing BECAUSE WE CAN, LLC.

BECAUSE WE CAN is a design – build studio with a focus on sustainably created commercial interiors and furniture. Under the brand 10MilesWide, they also produce breathtaking building designs for commercial and residential use.

You can see photos, descriptions and video about the design slam here: http://www.becausewecan.org/BWC_Design_Slam_2009_Winning_Entry

The worst in advertising 2009

Can’t believe no one has done this sooner, but finally an award for the worst of the worst, shitty advertising. The Tracy awards, named not after the crappie town I spent my youth in (which would seem highly appropriate) but after it’s founder Tracy Crowell of Crowell Advertising in Salt Lake City, UT. The First Annual Tracy Awards included awards such as Best reckless waste of expensive talent, which went to Oreo’s ” Double Stuff Racing League,” Best use of cross-promotion to single-handedly destroy comedy forever, which went to Microsoft’s “Family Guy/Windows 7,” Best use of a dead horse to beat another dead horse while jumping the shark which went to Coors Light’s “Post-Game Coach Interviews” and my favorite Best cavalier perversion of the English language in a PSA which went to Utah Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities “Don’t ‘dis’ ability” Billboard. Although I am sure the state had a budget, there is no excuse for such perversion and horrific design. However, the Tracy Awards left one very important award out, the award for Best use of an old fart trying to sell homogenized condiments to sandwiching eating hipsters who will not tone it down [Miracle Whip, We will not tone it down]. To see the full awards list check it out at The Tracys Awards.com. K

Why hasn’t anyone done this sooner…redesign the barcode! It’s a classic example of assuming something has to remain untouched because changing it would create chaos. Leave it to a Japanese design firm, Design Barcode, Inc, to push the boundaries and explore creative freedom by changing the barcode and starting a revolution. Although they have been doing this for years, I have yet to see or notice one on packaging here in the States, but apparently, they are all over Japan.