This morning’s snow storm inspired me to get my camera and start snapping. The natural patterns that emerge after a blizzard are spontaneous, still and extremely short-lived. Be it iron gating, paw prints, tire tracks or sidewalk salt, every neighborhood has elements that define it’s personality. The West Village happens to have cobblestone, intricate fencing and crisscrossing bike paths. Enjoy!

West Village Snow Series:

1. Window bars on Jane St.

2. Street salt on Hudson St.

3. Glistening snowy tire tracks on Greenwich St.

4. Geometric car garage on Jane St.

5. Window bars on Bank St.

6. Snowy window sill from inside my apartment.

7. Ford mustang on 12th St.

8. Motorcycle tire pattern

9. Stairway on Bank St. (turned sideways)

10. Sidewalk fencing on Hudson St.

11. Paw prints on 11th St.

12. The most regal dog of the day, patiently seated in front of Hudson Bagels.

Today I’m thrilled to feature a graphic jack of all trades. Carrie Ruby, a native Houstonian and current Manhattanite, has been a part of the creative team at Future Brand for the past four years. For anyone who’s familiar with the world of branding, they’ll understand that a brand must represent quality, consistency and a good degree of uniqueness. All of these qualities are evident in Ruby’s pattern work. Be it sharp vector repeats or organic negative space, each and every layout is distinctively fresh. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into Ruby’s daily routine!

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PP:  What websites and news sources do you generally start your day with-do you have a daily routine for news/blog/information consumption?

CR: Keeping up with current information is an essential part of my daily routine.  I usually get to my [...]

I’m very pleased to announce the start of a new series we’re launching:  The Pattern Pulp Global Tour.

In today’s digital travel age, we’re all familiar with the endless to-do tips found on sites like the New York Times, Trip Advisor and Gridskipper.  While more traditional recommendations are always welcome, the notion of self-discovery should not be forgotten. With each neighborhood exploration, we hope to take our readers off the beaten path to uncover the overlooked elements of city living, be it decals on an office building or graffiti in a bathroom stall.  Some of what we feature may be gone by the time you arrive, others, such as buildings and landmarks will certainly find their place along the chain, but either way, our goal is to provide the groundwork for a visual stream of [...]

Pattern Pulp recently gave a microtrending presentation for the design team at Revman International.  Revman is a bedding manufacturer who licenses brands ranging from Marimekko and Steve Madden to Michael Kors and Tommy Bahama.  While we’re no stranger to the Home Department, it was a true pleasure to get out from behind the desk and share some of our latest findings.  It’s affirming to know that we can help designers and firms connect the dots from inspiration to commercial application.

Interested in a practical approach to dot-connecting? Contact us to have Pattern Pulp work with your team.

A few weeks ago, our dear friend Judy Prays requested pointed guidance on flooring solutions.  Having just left Brooklyn for LA, she had an endless to-do list, and getting her apartment in order was one check in need of web aggregation.  Scroll through our list of colorful solutions, as options range from custom to DIY.

Birds + Fish:

The Fish Rug by Eva Zeisal at The Rug Company, Bird Scallop Printed Rug at Urban Outfitters and the Flock Rug at CB2.

Florals:

The Como Collection at Funky Rugs, Calvin Klein Floral Loom at Funky Rugs, and the Blosson Tree Rug at Urban Outfitters.

Earthy:

Forest Floor Rug at Angela Adams, Gold Leaves Rug at Spacify and Branches Rug at Spacify.

Puzzles:

Puzzle Perser by Katrin Sonnleitner, [...]

The creative work flowing from Beci Orpin’s Melbourne studio is incredible.  Just click on Orpin’s site and you’ll understand that her world of graphic design is more magical than most.  A menagerie of colorful mushrooms and fantasy-inspired silhouettes march across the screen with unabashed purpose, preparing the user for a unique mix of commercially friendly, widely applicable artwork.  While many are familiar with Orpin through her women’s clothing line, Princess Tina, she has recently closed the doors on this decade long endeavor in an effort to focus on other creative pursuits.  Check out our Q+A for a glimpse at Orpin’s creative process in addition to where you can find her creations in the coming season.

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PP:  What websites do you generally start your day with-do you have a daily routine for news/blog/information consumption?

BO: I don’t usually have [...]

It’s always a pleasure to jump beyond the coastal design scene to inspect what’s going on in the midwest.  While casually scrolling through design*sponge’s highlights a few months back, I nearly flipped when I stumbled upon Amy Soczka’s paper cut out displays for Urban Outfitters.  Paper has become a popular retail material as of late, as it’s affordability and versatility is incomparable. Soczka’s creations tap this trend while setting new creative standards. Her intricate handwork and artistic eye crosses multiple mediums and platforms, ranging from printed greeting cards and homegoods to commercial collaborative ventures.  Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into Amy’s daily routine.

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PP:  What websites do you generally start your day with- do you have a daily routine for news/blog/information consumption?

AS: A few of my favorites right now are:

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Though Pattern Pulp typically veers away from gimmicky marketing, the creative efforts made by New York’s Housing Works, shouldn’t go unnoticed.  Housing Works raises millions in yearly aid through their high-end thrift stores, selling discounted local merchandise in an effort to combat AIDS and community homelessness.  The next time your couch or sweater needs a home, consider calling this wonderful organization, as weekend sales events like Patternpalooza help keep the organizational wheels oiled.  Stop by the west village location this weekend for more info…and a cheetah sweater.

We’re all guilty of the duty-free pit stop. It’s nearly impossible to resist spritzing yourself before boarding an international flight, particularly when you’ve got twenty minutes to kill.  Today Pattern Pulp is exploring perfumes that are slightly under the radar.  Scents that take a bit of exploring to find, yet are true favorites among their fan base.  Each of these brands has taken a similar stab at adorning their packaging with intricate florals, a common theme throughout the beauty industry. Sula, a side project of Susanne Lang, a Canadian parfumerie, is an affordable scent that intertwines theme-specific patterns with asymmetrical negative space. In an attempt to trace organic steps to this endpoint, real life inspiration can be found on this Jane Street apartment building as branches span the cement in upward growth.

Miller Harris’s signature floral etchings are equal [...]

Marketing teams love to engage their clients’ customers.  For loyal fans, nothing can quite compare to customizable products that are both useful and super cool.  Last week, a friend and former colleague, J. Nordberg, passed along the link to Champion’s Hoodie Contest, the athletic company’s latest attempt at rebranding their 80’s style sweats. “I think the contest appeals to its core audience who are urban individuals exerting control over their lives and their style, not to mention, its fun!  You can totally make mistakes and not have to pay for them and if you come up with a beautifully designed hoodie, it feels like your own creation.  It also internalizes the brand,” says Nordberg.  Though this concept certainly isn’t a new one, the submissions thus far are staggeringly different and quite striking.  Spend your lunch hour getting creative, facebook servers could use the [...]