1. 1. Amazed by the way Rashad Alakbarov “paints” with shadows and light via This is Colossal 
2. 2. Digging these 3D posters by Amy Rodchester for the Newcastle Festival of Dance via designworklife
3. 3. Pep Ventosa’s wonderful style of deconstructing & reconstructing photographic images via Honestly WTF
4. 4. Entrancing new work from Kate Mccgwire via My Love For You
5. 5. This delightful typographic bookshelf keeps track of what you’ve read via design-milk
6. 6. Captivated by this floral still life campaign from fashion editor Lilly Marthe-Ebener via Trendland
7. 7. Gorgeous street art by HENSE via Poppytalk
8. 8. In love with this color splashed wall via Plenty of Colour 
9. 9. A big fan of these photographic fashion pieces from MARIOS via Design For Mankind
10. 10. Great poster by Josip Kelava for the Melbourne Dance [...]

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 [...]

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…

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.

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Here’s a bit of Japanese bag candy for your Wednesday morning. Unfortunately the photos aren’t beautifully styled, though they’re true to life in terms of display and merchandising from my last trip to Tokyo in December.

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