design ~ liberal sprinkles

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October 15, 2011

Novum Magazin Cover by Paperlux

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Novum Magazin Cover by Paperlux

Can you guess what this is?

My sister has a bag made of a plasticky material that looks just like this and folds the same way. But this photo is actually a picture of the cover of the German magazine Novum. How clever and innovative is this design! It's by Paperlux, a German studio.

This video details the making of the very cool and creative Novum cover.

Novum 11/11 – Making Of Cover from Paperlux Studio on Vimeo

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September 5, 2011

Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper by Robert Klanten [book review]

Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper
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Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper | amazon | book depository

Ever wanted to walk through a 600 sq m honeycomb made of man-sized cardboard sheets? Or water sunflowers taller than you? Or eat a paper lobster or wear a paper dress? Read Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper and you'll see how that is all possible.

Paper comes to life in multiple forms in this book. Art installations, portraits of people, characters for music videos, 3D posters, miniature, life-size and larger-than-life cutouts of figures, people, animals and objects big and small, the book is chokeful of fun examples of what can be crafted with paper.

I've been fascinated by paper art for a while now and have written several posts on the subject. There are numerous works I recognize in Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper, including some from Jen Stark and Ferris Staverman, whom I've blogged about. There are also pieces from artists like Lisa Occhipinti and Brian Dettmar that I've pinned at Pinterest, so in some ways, this book was very familiar to me.

posts on paper art: Jen Stark art | paper cut art: Joe Bagley | VIDEOS: paper cut animation films

anastassia elias / isaac salazar | ariana boussard-reifel / ferry staverman / paper donut

But there's a huge lot of other works that I was introduced to by this book. A wide variety of works is presented in terms of structures and format - there are ornaments, books, posters, installations, sculptures. Some are functional, others purely decorative; some are playful, others thought-provoking. What's for sure is nothing is boring or common. The works exude creativity - there's plenty to grab your attention and give you mind-boggling ideas of what can be created from such an innocent-looking flat material.

I wrote a review of Paper Engineering, another book on paper crafting by graphic designers, yesterday. I loved it especially for the design element. I love this book for the sheer multitude of paper crafts and works it showcases. Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper is like a 250-page mini muesum of paper art. My only complaint is there's very minimal information - if any at all - on the works and the artists. It's a bit like Pinterest and Tumblr, lots of inspiring stuff but scanty - or missing - information about their origins. Although I'm not there yet with this book (there's just so much that gets me going "wow"), I know it can get a bit frustrating despite the pleasure and admiration I feel. But I don't think that's going to stop me from trying to get my hands on volume 2. Papercraft 2: Design and Art with Paper was released earlier this year.

Here's a peek at some of the eye candy from Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper:

from Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper

Papercraft: Design and Art with Paper
Author: Robert Klanten
Publisher: Die Gestalten Verlag
ISBN: 978-3899552515

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Papercraft 2: Design and Art with Paper
Author: Robert Klanten (April 30, 2011)
Publisher: Die Gestalten Verlag
ISBN: 978-3899553338

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You may like my other posts on paper art

:: Jen Stark art
:: anastassia elias / isaac salazar
:: ariana boussard-reifel / ferry staverman / paper donut
:: VIDEOS: paper cut animation films
:: paper cut art: Joe Bagley

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by liberal sprinkles

Paper Engineering: 3-D design techniques for a 2-D material, by Natalie Avella [ book review ]

Paper Engineering: 3-D design techniques for a 2-D material (Natalie Avella)
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Paper Engineering | Amazon | Book Depository

I have the tendency to pick up a book from a shelf because of its title and cover. Then, instead of reading the blurb to see what it's about, I flip through and see what (if anything) catches my eye.

A lot of Paper Engineering caught my eye. I thought it was a DIY book because it says "3-D design techniques for a 2-D material". I was so wrong, but I was completely absorbed by the book nonetheless, and I learned a lot from it.

Paper Engineering is filled with plenty of examples of creations crafted from paper - some of them mundane, others fascinating. What makes it stand out from other books on papercrafts is the explanations of the process behind the creations. The book's premise is the possibilities of paper. It shows this by exploring how some graphic designers translated their thoughts and intentions through paper engineering. With their creative use of the material, paper is transformed from just a flat, 2D sheet into a three-dimensional, interactive item that provokes the reader, demands that he/she get involved in and experience the work. The reader "becomes part designer and part performer of the piece", as the book's introduction puts it. "Part performer because the reader's kinetic energy creates the movement that brings the piece to life. Part designer because the reader's imagination and common sense is needed for the design to reach its full potential."

This interactive element isn't so obvious in many works presented here (but I suppose that interpretative aspect is dependant on the individual reader) but the book got me looking at paper as a much more complex material, and at paper products as more than just beautiful creations, however innovatively or commonly they are manipulated into their final forms.

The book examines various traditional graphic design formats like brochures, flyers, books and invitations, and looks at works engineered by folding, cutting, gluing to create pop-ups and different binding methods.

I liked the variety of examples (format, form and shape) and the descriptions accompanying each item - why the designers approached the project they way they did and how they did it. Some of the write-ups are a bit thin but many are detailed and some provide nice backgrounds. For example, in the description of two books bound back to back (referred to in bookbinding as "dos-a-dos" - the French translation of "back to back") and attached by a single cover, the writer explains that this format was popular in the last two centuries for binding related books (like the Old and New Testaments) together.

The book also profiles four paper engineers - British artist Rob Ryan, book designer Ron van der Meer (known for pop-up books), visual artist Kate Farley and book artist Ed Hutchins. And a bonus: a few templates are included at the back of the book so we can attempt to recreate some of the pieces.

related posts: Jen Stark art | paper cut art: Joe Bagley | VIDEOS: paper cut animation films

anastassia elias / isaac salazar | ariana boussard-reifel / ferry staverman / paper donut

If you're looking for a book with lots of examples of cool papercrafting, there are books like
Papercraft: Design and Art With Paper that provide more - and more varied - examples. If you're interested in the design aspect, Paper Engineering is a pretty interesting read. Here are a few pages from the book.

Press day invitation by Multistorey for Simon Carter, from Paper Engineering

works by Kate Farley, from Paper Engineering

Christmas cards by Corina Fletcher for Royal Society of Arts, from Paper Engineering

self-promotional card by Sagmeister Inc. | business cards by Yorgo Tloupas for Intersection, from Paper Engineering

greeting card by Zuan Club for Arjo Wiggins Japan | wedding announcement by Stefan Sagmeister from Paper Engineering

works by Ed Hutchins, from Paper Engineering

Paper engineering: 3-D design techniques for a 2-D material
Author: Natalie Avella
Publisher: RotoVision (Revised edition February 1, 2009)
ISBN: 978-2888930495

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August 28, 2011

Penguin Extra Bold building block chairs

I saw these chairs at the library recently. Aren't they cool? Typography chairs!

chair made from Penguin Extra Bold font wooden blocks

chair made out of Penguin Extra Bold font wooden blocks

I couldn't find out much about them but they are made out of wooden blocks of letters created from Penguin Extra Bold, a single upper case, sans serif font whose shape allows for the creation of a system of type building blocks. The font is designed to be applied in 3 dimensions, allowing the user to build a range of fun objects. Very cool!

Penguin Extra Bold font wooden blocks

chairs made from Penguin Extra Bold font wooden blocks

seat made from Penguin Extra Bold font wooden blocks

[ check out my posts on typography, typefaces and fonts ]
[ check out my posts on design ]

Letterpress by David Jury [book review]

Letterpress: The Allure of the Handmade
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Letterpress: The Allure of the Handmade by David Jury

I have an irrational love for stationery and paper products. If you're like me, you'll have noticed how letterpress seems to be everywhere these days (a bit more about after the photos). I have a nasty habit of buying and hoarding things and if a letterpress machine weren't such a novelty (and big and expensive), I'd probably already have one at home. Not having such luck, I have to settle for looking at all the lovely stuff at Etsy and other online stores.

I was delighted to get my hands on a copy of Letterpress by David Jury at the library. A happy accident. While I'm a great admirer of the printing technique (you only have to look at those beautiful end products), I have limited knowledge about it so the book was an eye-opener for me. It is actually an updated edition of a book first published in 2004, which is timely given letterpress' comeback in recent years, and not just within the handmade community.

Jury's book is a comprehensive take on the history of letterpress, which has been used commercially for over 500 years. He discusses the art and craft of the medium, as well as related issues like digital technology and mass production versus handmade, design versus art versus craft. He says letterpress is "not innately superior" to digitally designed and mass-produced print and has to be flexible and stay relevant and functional, not not be just decorative if it's to survive. A lot like other (sometimes dying) crafts and traditions, really.

The book is written a little like an academic thesis though it's a little heavy at times, it's not unapproachable. The plus is there's tons of information and some gorgeous examples of pages and materials printed by letterpress, wonderful for those interested in typography, print and design. I thought it was a pity that the cover of the paperback wasn't letterpressed - wouldn't that have been lovely?

from Letterpress: The Allure of the Handmade by David Jury

Letterpress: The Allure of the Handmade
Author: David Jury
Publisher: Rotovision (February 2011)
978-2888931638

buy at Amazon
buy at The Book Depository (free shipping worldwide)

In a recent article, the Wall Street Journal said social media fans are embracing stationery, helping give rise to small stationery-makers, many of which produce letterpressed products. Isn't that cool?

In this video, Harold Kyle, founder of letterpress print shop Boxcar Press and co-owner of online shop Bella Figura talks about the rebirth of letterpress.

Harold Kyle, Boxcar Press: the growth of letterpress (YouTube)

More videos of Kyle being interviewed about running an online business and keeping up with design trends at the Felt and Wire site, which also writes about stationery's comeback. Hooray! Just look at these wonderful designs.

eyelet lace, letterpress card set from pistachiopress (etsy)

vintage camper trailer letterpress note card from sweetharvey (etsy)

[ check out my other book reviews ]
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August 9, 2011

typography: PBS Off Books, Noodlor on type

more on typography ... a video and an infographic

[ read my earlier post on type and fonts ]

A short PBS film on typography, on the pervasiveness of type around us and interviews with some font designers.

Off Book | Typography | PBS Arts

A short description of the film

Type is everywhere. Every print publication, website, movie, advertisement and public message involves the creation or selection of a fitting typeface. Online, a rich and artistic typographical culture exists, where typefaces are created and graphic design seeps in to every image.

In episode 2 of Off Book, typeface designers Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones outline the importance of selecting the right font to convey a particular feeling. Graphic designer Paula Scher talks about building identity in messaging, while Eddie Opara uses texture to create reaction. Infographic designers Julia Vakser and Deroy Peraza map complicated data sets into digestible imagery, mixing color, graphics and type.

A guide to typography by Noodlor.

A quick and comprehensive typeguide by Noodlor

[ via Zubeta.com ]

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[ see my other posts on design ]
[ check out my other infographics posts ]
[ check out my other video posts ]

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by liberal sprinkles

August 3, 2011

thinkofthe.com ( the. ) design

I like the idea of this notebook: the pages are not blank, they are pictures of New York City walls. You can add to the grafitti with your notes and drawings. Kind of like a journal or art journal.

Walls Notebook by Think of The | $16.95

The 160-page notebook is by Think of The ( the. ), which has designed some other really cool stuff. I remember the icky reaction I had to this when I first saw it...

anti-theft lunch bags by Think of The | $8 for 25 bags

It'd work, I'm sure. Who'd steal such gross-looking food?

This is pretty cute.

Neck Specs by Think of The | $50

That's a bow tie in the shape of a pair of glasses! Fun.

As is this. How would you like to get this in your mail?

Financial Padding by Think of The | $15 for 200 bills

Oh too bad, I haven't struck the lottery. These would make a real teaser of a gift in themselves, no? The crumpled paper banknotes are designed to be an alternative to foam peanuts for cushioning packages. All reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable of course.

Design Receipt Project by Think of The | ¥2,310 for 5 rolls

I think these strips are pretty darn cool. They are meant to be the back of receipts. If your purchases aren't sweet, the receipts sure are. The design was created for the Design Receipt Project with the objective of helping businesses create lasting impressions with their customers. Nice.

And remember these cast resin frames? I blogged about them in this iLike post. Love.

Framed Objects by Think of The | $65 each

Click on the captions to get to the product pages. More Think of The ( the. ) products here. You can read about designers Sherwood Forlee and Mihoko Ouchi here.

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July 28, 2011

CITRUS⁴ and other animations by Claire Fauché

Claire Fauché animations

Some lovely animations by French graphic designer Claire Fauché to tease your senses. First up, CITRUS⁴.

CITRUS⁴ from Claire Fauché on Vimeo
Music: We all want to see the sky from MightyMaya

[synopsis]
CITRUS⁴ by Claire Fauché illustrates four citrus fruits (orange, bergamot, mandarin orange and lemon) and the fragrances they spread.

It was presented in an exhibition of perfume Zestes de Soleil (Zests of the Sun), directed by Polygraphik workshop at the Musée International de la Parfumerie de Grasse in southern France from June to September 2010.

The display was a polysensory experience; perfume-diffusing machines were installed and citrus sweets were distributed in the screening room, encouraging visitors to use all their senses.

I would love to have been in the screening room! I also love another idea the creator had of scenting flip books. The two animated videos below illustrate this. The first one shows how the flip book works ...

stop motion flip book from Claire Fauché on Vimeo

Colors for the scents from Claire Fauché on Vimeo
in association with Aglaé Nicolas who created the scents
Music: Magic Spells by Crystal Castles

[synopsis]
Based on the seven colors, the animation shows the change of a scent to an other like in a perfume. Printed and bound as a flip book, scents are sprayed on it... and the flip book is presented as a part of the perfum.It illustrates in picture what the perfumer creates.

more Claire Fauché animations here and some of her other works here and here (thanks for the update, Claire). There's an old deleted blog at claire-fauche-portfolio.blogspot.com , I'll leave the link in case Claire puts it back up!

other cool stuff

:: DIY paper snowflakes: great tutorial! and so easy. I've tried it, it's fantastic. I don't have a photo, maybe will post some later...

:: Aesop's skin-care kiosk at Grand Central, NYC, made of 1,800 copies of New York Times

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June 23, 2011

good food

| iMeshi "bento" iPhone cases |
| Laura Manning's Food Data Visualization |

iPhone cases good enough to eat!

These iPhone Japanese food cases are so cute! I really thought they were bento boxes. LOL

the iMeshi are produced by Japan-based cellphone accessory manufacturers Strapya and sell for about 3,990 yen ($50) from the Strapya online store.

More photos of iMeshis at designboom

buffet of infographics...

New York designer Lauren Manning came up with a great way to visualize the data from all her food intake in 2010: infographics of course.

food percents | Food Map 2010 by Lauren Manning
Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0

stacked line graph | Food Map 2010 by Lauren Manning
Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0

fries by month | Food Map 2010 by Lauren Manning
Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0

tree map | Food Map 2010 by Lauren Manning
Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0

concentric circles | Food Map 2010 by Lauren Manning
Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0

line map | Food Map 2010 by Lauren Manning
Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0

All 40 infographics are on her Flickr stream.

[ via Co.Design ]

more munchables for foodies...

:: Hungry Happenings: a super cute and fun food blog. Recent posts on creations including house slipper cookies, sports ball cheese slice, shirt-and-tie pizza, school books Rice Krispies treats. Great creativity!

:: Petit Plats: I've blogged about this before, but good enough to mention again. Great food jewelry, love the desserts and pastries! Follow the Petit Plats blog here.

:: the latest copy of the online Sweet Paul magazine.

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[ check out my other food posts ]
[ check out my other infographics posts ]