Backdrops have come under scrutiny the more photo booths enter the mainstream. Smilebooth offers textures ranging from neon and confetti to boxed and modular. As more people are tasked with creative decision-making (brides, party planners, etc.), I thought I’d share some examples of the white variety.

There’s a classic simplicity to working within a monochromatic palette that allows the subject to shine. The print campaign above (unknown, unfortunately), focuses on a neon pop while the sheet installation (above and below) from Shanghai’s World Financial Tower is a beautiful and fun installation to interact with (that’s my friend Naveen amidst the white abyss).

Here’s a snapshot of the photobooth from my wedding party (yes, that’s my arm), shot by Moss & Isaac and styled by You Plus Me and a side view of the [...]]]>

Backdrops have come under scrutiny the more photo booths enter the mainstream. Smilebooth offers textures ranging from neon and confetti to boxed and modular. As more people are tasked with creative decision-making (brides, party planners, etc.), I thought I’d share some examples of the white variety.

There’s a classic simplicity to working within a monochromatic palette that allows the subject to shine. The print campaign above (unknown, unfortunately), focuses on a neon pop while the sheet installation (above and below) from Shanghai’s World Financial Tower is a beautiful and fun installation to interact with (that’s my friend Naveen amidst the white abyss).

Here’s a snapshot of the photobooth from my wedding party (yes, that’s my arm), shot by Moss & Isaac and styled by You Plus Me and a side view of the Shanghai installation.

What do you think- would you sample this for your next event?

When she’s not illustrating shoes, she’s penning magnificant alphabets and scouring Coney Island, Tokyo and Paris for photographic inspiration. Schooled in art history, photography and communication design, it’s no wonder her talent’s vast in scope. Toff’s creative career’s a  fun one to follow as she moves from project to project with consistant and creative ease. Have a look!

Jessica Stuart-Crump runs Faux Nouveaux, a Vancouver based surface design studio that specializes in pattern design and illustration for men’s and women’s fashion, sporting goods, hard goods, technology and interiors. Passionate about discovering new inspirations, Jessica travels the world to visit textile markets, book stores, craft fairs and local merchants from Tokyo to Marrakesh.

Her twitter feed is a testament to her zeal for inspiration and exploration as she eagerly shares her finds with her audience and interacts with friends, followers and fellow design lovers. A woman after our own heart.

Back in March of 2010, we were pretty focused on the tanagram. Today we’re following the evolution of the trend as one of our favorite brands, Dusen Dusen continues to inspire. Producing a limited edition run for Of a Kind, their pillows hint at two styles- the ever-popular QR Code and graphic unpredictability of geometric markings.

If you’re looking to add punch to a neutral living room palette, this isn’t a bad start…

Chromatics and Canopies is a colorful two-person exhibition with artists Treasure Frey and Kyle Jorgensen. Both Frey and Jorgensen paint in similar styles with vibrant colors and flat graphic objects, employing the notions of energy and geometry.

Frey’s most recent body of work interprets the concept of the rainbow contained, a personal ode to catching this natural wonder’s fleeting beauty.

Jorgensen’s latest collection draws inspiration from the constructed world, natural symbols and the enigmatic nature of the cosmos. Painted in a style reminiscent of the printmaking techniques in which he was initially trained, Jorgensen’s bold, flat use of color and pattern deftly reflect the mysteries of the universe. Click here for more info.

Gallery Hijinks: 2309 Bryant Street , San Francisco, CA, 94110

Additional info via My Love for You 

In a last ditch effort to stretch winter’s festivities into the gray months, overcome our nasty colds, and celebrate Beyonce and Jay-Z’s baby (obviously), let’s get some gold happening in our lives. Taking a cue from my lovely friend Lindsay, who is the ultimate master of costume jewelry flair, I’m going to make a concerted effort to have fun with my accessories, and celebrate.

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1. Butter Gold Nail Polish  | 2.  Gold Cube by Martin Azua  | 3.  Embellished Updo’s  | 4.  Golden Cloud  | 5.  Lizzie Fortunato Necklace  | 6.  Zara Studio Shirt  | 7.  Confetti System Gold Wall for Creatures of the Wind

Coverage by Valerie Gnaedig

Whether you’re a design student or simply interested in the processes of contemporary printed textile design, The Fundamentals of Printed Textile Design is a great resource.  Providing an introduction to the creative skills, techniques and processes required by today’s designers, the book guides you in all that creating a professional, creative and commercially aware portfolio entails.

With outlines of the design process and a look at the vital roles played by drawing, color, style and content, the book also looks at how to contextualize and visually communicate effectively through traditional design staples as well as more innovative approaches. Also examined are the multiple positions occupied by designers in the industry, and the technical and ethical considerations of which they must be aware.

Perry works regularly for a number of editorial and commercial clients including Apple, The New York Times, Dwell, Target, Urban Outfitters, eMusic, and Nike. In 2004, he was chosen as [...]]]> Mike Perry is a Brooklyn based designer and artist working in a variety of mediums, including—but not limited to—books, magazines, newspapers, clothing, drawing, painting, and illustration. Compelled by the ways in which the hand-drawn informs and deepens contemporary visual culture, Perry doodles night and day, creating new typefaces and sundry graphics that inevitably evolve into his new work, believing that the generating of piles is the sincerest form of creative process. By ceaselessly mixing colors, pulling prints and building sculptures, he exercises his belief in the transformative power of making things. And the fruits of his labors do not go unnoticed as his work pops up just about everywhere.

Perry works regularly for a number of editorial and commercial clients including Apple, The New York Times, Dwell, Target, Urban Outfitters, eMusic, and Nike. In 2004, he was chosen as one of Step magazine’s 30 under 30, and, in 2007, as a “Groundbreaking Illustrator” by Computer Arts Projects. In 2008, he received Print magazine’s New Visual Artist award and the ADC Young Guns 6. His work has been exhibited around the world in numerous gallery shows. In addition to his commercial, non-profit, and art work, Perry has also published extensively with 4 books and a magazine under his belt with plans for more.

The colors are bright, the patterns often dotted, starred or striped and the detailing over or undersized in effect. Have a look, as Porter‘s branched out in a few fun directions- from charmed to neon trimmed. A few other brands that caught my eye were Mobus, Seil Marschall, Supe, Beruf, Lowe Alpine, Admiral, Outdoor Products and Mei.

Who’s not a fan of patterned tights?

In a similar obsession with Instagram, today’s feature merges both loves. Whenever I happen upon a new city, beyond the regular snapshots, business card pileup and note taking, I always try to buy a pair of tights.

A few favorites are from London (Bebaroque and Patternity), though this leopard argyle number from Beams in Tokyo is a fresh spin on what I’m used to seeing. The legs on the left belong to Kate Williams. She’s sporting Hansel from Basel- a spunky LA business that’s always got an interesting texture for sale.

Send me your patterned legs- we’ll start a pinboard together!

Don Morris’ brightly colored and richly textured artworks are fascinating to behold. Though you may not notice it at first, comic books are both the inspiration and the medium of Morris’ works. These intricately composed comic book deconstructions represent a mixed amalgam of cultural and architectural inspiration.

Morris takes subliminal cues from the cartoons to create works that feature undulating compositions of color and texture, presenting pop art visual narratives of culturally familiar materials turned into an art medium. While this exhibition just closed, it’s worth exploring his other works online. Click here for more info.

Michael H. Lord Gallery: 1090 N. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262