Adriean
Chicago's First Family Holds Court
Chicago collective The Post Family recently wrapped up a showing last month over at Letterform. Served as an unofficial retrospective of the groups work, the exhibit had displayed everything from screen print and letterpress work to post-it note and found object installation as well as photography.
Images after the jump. Enjoy!
Link: The Post Family
Custom Goodness
Brought to you by Milwaukee DJ/Artist The Uncanny Orlow is easily one of the hottest customs seen in sometime.
More images after the jump!
Link: The Uncanny Orlow
Limited release as in stupidly limited!
UNKLBRAND has ventured into the longboard realm with their upcoming mini-series via Boardeli. Each deck will be produced at a low, low run of 4! Pre-sale hits March 1st.
Link: UNKL
Link: Boardeli
Gearing Up For 2008
JUST in time for X-Mas.....
Valery Goulet from valerydesignwrks has just released her brand spankin new wall calender for 2008.
Link: valerydesignwrks
Promoting Good Values
Take the time today and get to know Chad, Rod, Alex, Scott, David and Sam. Otherwise known as Chicago's favorite brothers from different mothers, The Post Family.
Apart from having strong individual portfolios, the group has quietly put together a solid blog with posts consisting of quirky designs as well as some brilliant examples of contemporary art.
Everything is for the growth of our family members and community by supplying them with the resources and inspiration to accomplish their individual goals.
Words from Alex Post on Values:
Essentially, I value value. Currency, measurable amounts of wealth and gold. Value is tangible. Value allows me to purchase cars and gain respect from peers and even distinguished individuals above me on the food chain. I will never underestimate the power of value and it’s ability to buy small countries and even portable underarm hygenic products.
I wonder if they'd be willing to adopt a Post cousin from Canada?
Link: The Post Family
Norway Kicks Ass!
Take a moment and check out Norway's Ida Maria and her brilliant single 'Oh My God'.
Trust me on this one. It'll change your life.
Link: Ida Maria Myspace
Title says it all. If you have the chops and time to post nothing but specialness (is that even a word?), then drop a line and let's see what you got!
Interested parties can send their replies to adriean@shawbiz.ca
designBOT.landliving.com
Canada's Alternative
So like most designers I have my usual monthly design reads such as Azure, Canadian Interiors, Metropolis and yes even Dwell from time to time. All fine reads that normally come from magical places such as Toronto, New York or some other town big enough to have mutliple NFL teams. So as a Western boy from Alberta, I have to admit being red faced at JUST being introduced to a design mag originating from a town only a short drive down the highway.
elemente Magazine is a Calgary based publication that provides Canadians with a Western perspective on design, architecture and lifestyle. From tales of sharing cocktails with Will Alsop (personal fave) to profiling up and coming designers, it really is a great fix for design junkies.
Influenced by some of the world's most renowned architecture and design-driven publications, Elemente provides a unique regional platform that focuses on current architectural highlights, key players, products, designs and emerging trends. Singular in personality and voice, Elemente's mandate is to deliver contextually relevant content exclusive to the region that is functional and purposeful, entertaining yet challenging, enlightening and informative, humourous yet inspirational.
Full cover shot of the September issue after the jump....
Link: elemente
Ghosts in The Communist Machine
One of my favorite movie dialogues came from 2005's Everything is Illuminated.
The story revolves around a young Jewish American (played by Elijah Wood) who ventures off to the Ukraine in search of family history. While out there he enlists the services of a tour guide (played by Gogol Bordello frontman Eugene Hutz). During the tour they come across an abandoned apartment complex in the middle of nowhere. Woods turns to Hutz and asks "What happened", Hutz replies after a pause "Independence". Brilliant scene.
Ironically enough a day after watching the flick for the 100th time (addicted to the soundtrack), a friend lead me to this particular site entitled Abandoned.
Compiled by a Russian photographer named Uryevich, Abandoned is an eerie collection of Russian complexes such as hospitals and apartments that had been left to rot soon after the fall of the Communist regime way back when.
Like a scene out of 28 Days, you just have to ask yourself "Where is everyone"?
Link: Abandoned
Punching the Renaissance in the Face!
Great posting over at eternallycool of current group exhibit Cracking Art that's taking place at the Cloister of Bramante in Italy until the 29th of July.
The Pink Crocs and red poodle nestled in an old world courtyard is absolute money.
Via: eternallycool
Link: Cracking Art
Entering the realm of the longboard culture is Canadian upstarts Boardeli Longboards.
Hailing from the most unlikeliest of longboard destinations (Edmonton, Alberta)this undettered group has compiled a roster of 15 designers worldwide to create their introductory Series 1 line. The kicker is that these will be limited run pieces at 100 along with a variant design at a low, low run of only 10!
Designers for the start-up line hail from a variety of locations such as Canada, England, Australia, U.S. and Iran. With talents like Dan May, Motomichi Nakamura, Blake Marquis and Jeff Kulak, The group should have no problem generating some decent buzz for this launch.
A small taste of Series 1 after the jump. Enjoy!
Link: Boardeli Main Site
Link: Boardeli Blog
valerydesignwrks hits the wall
Canadian graphic design studio Valerydesignwrks was recently added to the Spot Collection of decorative mural adhesives by ADzif.
The character driven studio has also announced that twice a month, they will be posting a brand new wallpaper featuring new designs and characters "to help give your desktop a fresh and exciting look".
Link: valerydesignwrks
Link: ADzif
Series 4
Edmonton skate outfit Busterboards has just released their Series 4 line of decks.
More images after the jump.
Link: Busterboards
Asking Designers to Do Their Part
IDEA has just released the official Call for Submissions for the upcoming *THAW 2007 design exhibit.
Responding to growing unease over our culture’s rates of consumption and the notion of peak oil and its implications, THAW 2007 challenges designers of all fields to consider a world without oil and the consequences it would have for our design solutions and how these adaptations would in turn directly impact our lifestyles and immediate communities.
The exhibit will serve as a catalyst for dialogue and proactive change, empowering the designer and inherently the general public, revealing a consciousness of production, consumption and the awareness that sustainable solutions are currently available.
Designers of all fields are asked to submit designs and concepts for their respective homes and immediate communities, taking into consideration the implications of the “end of oil” on our culture, industries, and lifestyles.
*THAW is the Summer version of IDEA's bi-annual series of exhibits that also includes the Winter version *FROST.
Link: IDEA
Sticking it to the man....well actually the wall.
For those of you not buying into this wallpaper revival (you'll all regret this down the road!!) will surely appreciate the alternative brought to you by Pop Cling.
Their peel and stick adhesive art is a great way to revamp a space without committing to a future bitch fest of scraping off old wallpaper.
Pop Cling reproduces art. All kinds of art. For the moment, that mostly means adhesive-backed art that you can peel off and stick to any smooth surface. Some people stick our prints on concrete floors, or on sliding glass doors leading to balconies, or right on the walls behind couches. You don’t need a frame, you just need a blank space. Voila, you have fresh pop art on your wall from new, favorite, and cutting edge artists.
Seen above is Albany, California artist Attaboy's contribution. Detail after the jump.
Link: Pop Cling
Link: Attaboy
steeped in popular and material culture
Take a moment and check out The Little Friends of Printmaking (aka husband and wife duo JW and Melissa Buchanan). The Wisconsin couple has a great portfolio of gig posters for acts such as Guided By Voices, Blonde Redhead and many many more.
via : Juxtapoz
Link: The Little Friends of Printmaking
Link: Juxtapoz
One-Man Army of Design
A self proclaimed one-man army of design, illustrator Jan Willem (aka Stinger) has put together a full pallette of work ranging from t-shirts, posters, logos, button badges and books. His Netherlands based studio Zeptonn has contributed work to design sites Threadless, Blik, TeeTonic and SplitTheAtom, among others.
Jan recently launched a line of skateboards and adhesive art through popcling. The decks (3 in total) are being produced and sold in a limited edition of 100 each and are complete with a nifty certificate of authenticity and artist bio. As for the adhesive art, the high quality vinyl sets are being produced in a limited run of 250.
Link: Zeptonn
Link: popcling
Skate Design Is Not A Crime !
IDEA recently wrapped up their latest design exhibit FROST 2006:Deck The Halls just this past weekend at Edmonton's Latitude53 gallery.
The event this year focused on the skate and longboard design culture with contributions coming from Canada, The U.S., UK, Australia and even Iran. The show consisted of 70+ individually designed decks as well as a number of conceptual presentations from up and coming Industrial Design students.
The show came to a successful end with a silent auction and closing reception fueled by free beer and DJ Shortee.
More images after the jump.
Link: IDEA
Link: Latitude53
Gem from Seattle
Take a moment and check out the eye catching work from Seattle based artist PARSKID. From illustrations to paintings to plush toys, the overall effort is pretty solid.
PARSKID had recently launched a plush figure for MYPLASTICHEART that's appropriately titled myblackheart. Though these have already sold out, MPH also carries a number of handpainted work that's still available.
Link: PARSKID
Link: PARSKID's myspace
Link: MPH
Update
Designer Charlie Davidson was kind enough to send us a pick of his Black-Light's recent appearance at Tokyo Design Tide that took place the other week (31st October - 5th November).
For those of you considering one of these sinister chaps, Charlie is currently selling them in England for £400.
Link: Charlie Davidson
Link: Tokyo Design Tide
Good on the first take
Swedish design group FRONT are continuing their fine form with their latest project Sketch Furniture.
Is it possible to let a first sketch become an object, to design directly onto space?
The four FRONT members have developed a method to materialise free hand sketches. They make it possible by using a unique method where two advanced techniques are combined.
Pen strokes made in the air are recorded with Motion Capture and become 3D digital files; these are then materialised through Rapid Prototyping into real pieces of furniture.
The ladies of FRONT will be doing a live demonstration of this process over at Tokyo Design Week (October 31st to November 5th).
More images and video after the jump.
Link: FRONT
Bringing darkness to 06
I know it's only mid-October, but i'd say it's time to start talking about what made our heads turn the most during 2006.
Hands down for me is designer Charlie Davidson's ominous lighting creation, Black-light. Fabricated from layers of black foil, this gem is like watching an explosion put on pause. You almost want to just stand there and make up your own sound effects while staring at this sculptural beauty.
Though we still have a couple of months left in the year to be impressed, i'm pretty confident this will still be tops for me.
Link: Charlie Davidson
Keeping the outdoors simple
I'm a sucker for all things clean, simple and full of pop. So it was a no-brainer when I came accross a collection of outdoor garden furniture by designer Jennifer Newman.
Shortlisted for the 2006 Grand Designs Magazine Award, Newman's products are constructed of welded aluminum that is available in a wide array of powdercoat finishes. She also notes that the aluminum allows for the pieces to be refinished in the future once you grow tired of your initial color selection.
So there really is no excuse not to go with the pink now!
Link: Jennifer Newman
HGTV brings the sweat !
Design Interns is the latest reality based design program hitting airwaves this season on HGTV. The show features 12 'brilliant' young talents competing against one another to win a job at renowned Toronto design outfit Cecconi Simone inc.
Design tasks thus far have included condo planning, retail fixture prototyping, company identity and a multi-use shopping bag. All of which has resulted in 4 of the contestants being eliminated so far.
All in all I have to say I get abit queesy watching the show due to the fact that i've worked in similar environments and to be honest, hated it. The emotionless stares and cold interaction from Elaine Cecconi and Anna Simone are all too familiar to most up and comers in the design world. Just watching these two pros dismantle young egos in their standard issue black attire is enough to make me wake in the middle of the night crying. Brother, these gals mean business and are not afraid to draw Intern blood to get the job done !
As for the Interns themselves, it's pretty well what you'd expect. Most consider themselves accomplished designers looking for that "chance to shine and prove you all wrong" route which is actually quite funny when you know that Cecconi and Simone are in the boardroom waiting to feast upon these wide eyed souls. Pure Shakespeare !
Bottom line it really is a great show that gives the viewer a taste of what it's like to work for a high tempo design outfit. The hours are long, deadlines are unrealistic and you swear your boss is a practicing Sith Lord. Though I myself couldn't hack the pace, I have to give my props to those in the grind who are hopefully still in it for the love of design.
Link: Design Interns / HGTV
Link: Cecconi Simone inc.
Simple and Honest
I must have been in a cave for awhile as I just got introduced to the work of Toronto's Gus* Design Group.
Thier portfolio consists of simple, straight forward designs that shows no signs of becoming dated.
We are inspired by simple forms and honest materials.
We use them as the springboard for everything we create. From the simple 2x4 and construction I-Beam, to the useful miter box. We delight in the simplicity of everyday objects.
More images after the jump. Enjoy.
Link: Gus Design Group
Street Fashion at your fingertips
Specializing in contemporary street fashion is online apparel outlet Bazaar Adriatic which carries noted designers such as Harjuku Lovers, tokidoki, cardboard robot and Doe just to name a few.
What is BazaarAdriatic?
Bazaar Adriatic is the place for "no-hype" fashion. The teams of buyers that have chosen each piece on here are actually seasoned professionals in the fashion or music industry. This site has been created to offer the best of up and coming fashion and music styles that take shape from the streets, clubs, dive bars, and inspiring garage artists that have an ever lasting effect on society.
Here we believe that fashion, music, and art are part of an unending parallel that takes shape in each of us everyday. As this site takes shape in our lives, we hope that it will do the same for you.
Apart from the large selection of apparel and accessories, be sure to check out BA's great collection of 12" vinyl albums available in their Music section. Very smooth.
Link: Bazaar Adriatic
Karimi Couch
Though he may have the odd hater, you have to respect the amount of pieces that K-Rad (that's right, you heard it here first) pumps out these days.
Of note for me has to be his latest sofa design for Italian manufacturer Contempo. The appropriately coined Karimi Couch stays true to the style that has been Karims bread and butter with the usage of his mainstay patterns consisting of his familiar "cross and peanut" motif.
Now I know some of you are moaning and groaning about this well travelled route, but really people what would you rather see him do ? A village pattern ?
Link: Karim Rashid
Link: Contempo
Limited Tees
Some great Tee shirt designs to be found over at online UK outfit Concrete Hermit.
Check it.
Link: Concrete Hermit
Summer line released
Artist/designer Rob Buttery recently added a fresh new batch of designs to his already eye catching series of wall clocks.
Sporting abit of a Canadian feel to a few of the new pieces, Rob displayed his Summer line at last months THAW exhibit in Edmonton.
Link: Collectiv
skatedeck design exhibit
The Works International Visual Arts Society and IDEA are bringing back the annual FROST design exhibit which is slated for early December 2006 (4th to 9th)
This time out the focus shifts from furniture design to skate and longboard design.
The objective of this year's exhibit is to focus on the skateboard/ longboard design culture. From its early history to visions of the future,*FROST will explore the many aspects of the board from graphics to accessories and its relationship with the end user.
Designers are asked to create a graphic of their choice for a blank skate deck and/or longboard deck. All submissions will be juried by IDEA and 30 skate decks and 30 longboard decks will be chosen for production.
Olive Skateboardsª will be printing the winning graphics onto their respective decks that will be displayed and sold by silent auction at *FROST2006.
Apart from the graphics component, the exhibit also has a Conceptual category where designers are asked to create outside the normal realm of skate design with items such as custom deck designs, apparel and skate environments.
Submissions are currently being accepted until September 21st with the chosen entries being named early October.
Link: IDEA
Link: The Works
Link: Olive
