We’ve all gone graffiti-happy at least once in our lives. Jeans from high school, casts from unexpected falls, even the intentional chalkboard wall you painted to jazz up your kitchen. Personal customization holds a lot of weight in consumer culture and one by one, brands are continuing to get this. One of the coolest collaborations this season comes from Converse and Utrecht Art Supplies. All-white converse high-tops are being sold alongside markers, paints and colorful laces. When you’re doing your back to school shopping, what could be better than a personalized pair of kicks? Show off your illustrative prowess and get a pair today.

Patterns and magnets- what could be a better combo? Everyone’s seen the alphabet fridge letters and the magnetic poetry kits by now, so it was quite exciting to see a departure from the norm at Mud Puppy’s booth this week. With a bit of styling help from my ShelterPop buddy, Amy Preiser, we were able to craft a new playful logo for Pattern Pulp. One of the best parts of the gift show is getting to touch and play with new product, and luckily for us, the ladies at Mud Puppy were more than generous when we hijacked their display. Be on the lookout for these decorative kits this Fall!

It’s always interesting when you stumble across a material out of context. It’s particularly striking when it happens three times in a week. Recently, yarn afgan patterns seem to be staging impromptu cameos all around town. This Commes Des Garcons summer knit from Barneys is adorable and proves it’s commercial worth. Playing off the concept of the flower bomb, this image of Magda Sayeg‘s yarn graffiti in Austin, TX found its way to my inbox from friend and fellow blogger, Nick Ducoff. A day later, I stumbled upon this bike on the lower east side. While it may be coincidence, it’s interesting to see seasonal material mash-ups, particularly when they cause a creative stir.

It’s always interesting to see how brands interpret seemingly simple trends. Boxed grids, for example, keep surfacing throughout fashion and retail displays this summer. From store windows to dress prints to retail structures, grids are an intrinsic part of this season’s design. This Gregory Parkinson dress marries a 2D print with 3D patchwork, mirroring the front and backside of ceramic tiling. Proving this style can easily become a wearable print, Dries Van Norton adds texture and shading. Using color blocking and grout, this boutique in the Daikanyama district, just outside of Tokyo proves that the intersecting lines are just as interesting as the tiles, something Louis Vuitton’s made evident with their hand-drawn window display on Fifth Avenue this month.

Clever graphics are simply the best. So are artist-generated businesses. Glyph Que and Pattern and Shape are two brands that have carefully (and successfully) navigated the art meets retail space. The above collection is the result of a collaborative project from The Strange Attractor, a blog dedicated to sharing strange and exceptional art from around the globe. The objective of this particular line is to marry geometric shapes with unconventional patterns. The winning tees are now being sold on Pattern and Shape at $23 a pop. What’s your favorite?

Here’s a snapshot of Glyph Cue’s Summer 2010 collection. Each shirt is handmade in Portland, Maine by Matt W. Moore and sells for $33.

Translating a photograph into salable fashion can be a daunting task for any designer, however when done correctly, it’s extremely awe-inspiring. This dress (label unknown) from Barneys, presents a sleek and modern canvas for this textured stone pattern. Adding golden tones, blurred lines and simple draping, this realist image is immediately softened and feminized for a summer silhouette. We all find inspiration outdoors and while oftentimes its the hand-drawn interpretation that make the final commercial cut, it’s exciting to see an abstract photo-realist take, familiarizing luxury with the great outdoors.

What are some of your favorite nature-inspired graphics?

Graphic designers get really excited when the art world a.) beautifies and b.) acknowledges their daily design tools. Today we present you with Julien David and his most recent collaboration with Pringle of Scotland, Colette and DC Comics. Using bold illustrations, vivid colors and rich fabrics, David single handedly creates a playful dialogue for the luxury market to wrap it’s head around. The symbolism behind the keyboard and Superman logo remind us of the importance and influence both images hold on a global scale. By enlarging and repeating, we see how easy it can be to force an audience to heed a message. Whether you’re wearing a twinset or a scarf, all of David’s pieces are conversation starters, not to mention, exciting interpretations of pop culture.

Tribal narratives, wood cutouts and sumi-ink drawings have been around since the beginning of time. While geometric interpretations have been surfacing in art and fashion for over a year now, it’s refreshing to see a more fluid technique taking hold across several mediums.  A major influencer in this space is the Sumi Ink Club. Based in Los Angeles, this creative community is producing work at a rapid pace. From this Keith Haring-like blazer to this Lucky Dragon’s Open Power Record, it’s pretty clear that this topsy turvy style is gaining traction in several branding markets. Contrasting the soft shapes of the sumi brush, Dennis McNett reminds us that black and white texture can be sharp, surly and folk-like. Barneys Department store recently commissioned him to design their summer windows, bringing this underground skater-style art [...]

I’m always on the lookout for a chic flat perfect for pounding the city pavement. Extraseed’s line of flats comes in a classic shape and a variety of subtle, wearable patterns that will add to, not distract from your outfit. As an added bonus, the shoes have a rich sustainable side: the soles are crafted from used car tires and the fabrics are the scrap remnants from garment factories – not that you could tell. At $38 a pop, you can feel good about doing something healthy for the environment, your closest, and of course, your wallet.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when viewing the latest rare prints collection from Ray Ban? My gut response channels a modern day Garbage Pail Kid set, only PG and without the creative titling. That being said, Ray Ban’s Never Hide campaign is an amazing example of how patterns can be incorporated into a high visibility ad campaign. Matt W. Moore, a Pattern Pulp favorite was tapped to design the limited edition shades and joins a talented roster of artists for the bold and colorful round up.

When you’re a designer, nothing’s off limits. Anything can inspire the next great idea. Today’s post features a mood board for bedding design. When you consider all of the accessories that accompany a standard duvet, it’s mind boggling. Everything from the assorted pillows to the ruffle skirt to the throw must coordinate in a cohesive manner. Here are six examples of how fashion’s color and detail direction can translate into simpler commercial textures:

1. 1. Matthew Cunnington et John Sanderson shoe
2. 2. Dries Van Noten shirt, SS10
3. 3. Anthropologie skirt, FW09
4. 4. Bottega Veneta grosgrain-trimmed dress
5. 5. Carlos Miele skirt
6. 6. Valentino leather jacket

The title of today’s feature couldn’t be more appropriate given the current state of the Gulf Coast. This week’s New Yorker cover by Bob Staake tips its hat to the oil slick that’s been glistening like a mirage for the past two months. Interestingly, and somewhat oddly, the nod to M.C. Escher’s graphic puzzle was eerily foreshadowed and beautifully executed by Alexander McQueen at this time last year. The print is timeless, adaptable and a seamless reflection of the times.