Monthly Archives: January 2011

Things that inspire me – 01.31.2011

Posted on January 31, 2011 | Leave a comment


Like I said last week, I’m starting to use the mood-board format more and more to collect inspirational imagery. This week’s theme is somewhere along the lines of “contemporary gothic man-cave.” I am inspired by memories of my late grandfather’s den, which was filled with guns, marksmanship medals and taxidermy. With the collection below, I’m working to convey a contemporary take on the mid-century palace of masculine relaxation. Since I fully believe in giving credit where credit is due, I’ve provided the image sources when possible at the bottom of the post.



Sources -

Image 1:
Sperry ‘Cloud’ Collection
BiJulesNYC Identity by Dust La Rock
Non Native ‘The Bluffer’s Code’ Collection
Tricker’s Brogue Boots

Image 2:
Rings available at OakNYC
Stamps from my great grandfather’s collection
The Glenlivet Scotch – available at your corner liquor store
Vans x A.P.C. Capsule Collection
Modern interiors via Plastolux.com
Old workwear buttons via Mister Mort

Image 3:
Illustrations by Matt Taylor
Typograpy by Herbert Lubalin
Tiffany & Co. Identity by Louise Fili Ltd.
Sculptures by Hiroyuki Hamada
Vintage man caves on The Selvedge Yard

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Inspiration

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It was a fairly complex idea

Posted on January 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Micron Hero

Tagged , , ,

A few lettering experiments

Posted on January 27, 2011 | Leave a comment

I sat down yesterday and sketched out a few quick word snippets. I wanted to play around with phrases that are short, yet evocative of some sort of emotion, or lack thereof. Then, using color and texture I tried to play up the emotional content of the words. It’s just a bit of experimentation but I like how these turned out; quick and immediate.




→ Leave a comment

Posted in Micron Hero

Tagged , , , ,

Mood Board Madness

Posted on January 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

I’ve recently noticed an uptick in the popularity of online mood board creation apps. Sites like Olioboard and Polyvore allow users to create boards within the realm of interior design and fashion respectively. I thought it would be a good time to write about how mood boards can serve the graphic designer, and how I use them in my process.


The first step in any project is usually the research and asset gathering phase. Very seldom does a design just fall out of thin air. We’re constantly exposed to a stream of images both online and in the “real world” and what we see factors greatly to what we produce. Mood boards are a way to establish a look & feel for the project. They can communicate to the client and design team a stylistic direction, before any actual creative legwork has begun. The designer can play around with type, texture, color, photography and built spaces. Elements can be juxtaposed and experimented with in order to achieve a desired effect. The challenge though, is to create something original, greater than the sum of the parts presented in the mood board.

All of the mood boards displayed here are ones I’ve developed in order to communicate a specific theme and look. I don’t use any special software or online app. I simply use Photoshop to collage elements; culled from various sources including books, my own photo library, previous designs and of course the web. Give it a shot if you haven’t yet, mood boards are an invaluable resource in the creative process. I may just factor them into this very blog a bit more in the future.






→ 1 Comment

Posted in Micron Hero

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Hey there, it’s Monday.

Posted on January 24, 2011 | Leave a comment


It’s Monday and I’m back in the studio. It was a great weekend but I’m feeling very ready for a productive week ahead.

I’ve recently developed an affinity for book hunting on Amazon.com. While I still love our local stalwart Powell’s City of Books, I’ve found that even new books can be acquired for super cheap through Amazon. Something tells me I’m going to have to invest in a new bookshelf pretty soon to house this expanding library. Here are some of my recent additions:


Art Direction Explained at Last by Steven Heller and Veronique Vienne


Hand Job: A Catalog of Type by Michael Perry


The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Micron Hero

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Things that inspire me – 01.21.2011

Posted on January 21, 2011 | Leave a comment


Monocle

Reading Monocle feels like taking a whirlwind trip around the world. The magazine curates an informative mix of topics, ranging from economic and political world news, to design culture and travel. Best of all it’s quite THICK, which is remarkable in this age where most magazines feel more and more like flimsy comic books. Monocle is one of the best examples of how the print experience can thrive in the digital age. Although the subscription price is slightly higher than newsstand, I’m strongly considering it so I don’t have to track down a copy each month.
Monocle.com

Frank Chimero

Frank Chimero is that designer we all aspire to be. A fellow resident of Southeast Portland, Chimero’s work exhibits a rare kind of restrained wit and elegance. He has an impeccable portfolio, but beyond that he’s a very talented writer. A few months ago he published a 4-part short story on his blog titled The back of your gullet is decadent and depraved. It’s a sort of Chicken Soup for the Designer’s Soul and should be required reading for anyone trying to make it as a creative professional. Read the story HERE.

Central

Photo by Eliza Sohn

Maryanna and I are cocktail nerds. This can be troublesome because Portland has become a hotspot of sorts for the art of mixology. Last week I read a write-up for a new bar called Central in the Portland Mercury. The review touted the concoctions of head bartender Lydia Reissmueller. Coincidentally, the weekend after reading this we were invited to a dinner party at a friends house, with cocktails provided by Reismueller. In true small-world Portland fashion, I found out that Reismueller is the fiancee of another friend of mine. I digress. Central serves amazing cocktails and delicious crepes. I had a whiskey sour made with a 12-year Elijah Craig bourbon, lemon juice and egg whites. Simple, yet so delicious.
Read the Central write-up in the Portland Mercury

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Inspiration

Tagged , , , , , , ,