Tuesday, 6 October 2009

It's brewing.


I normally don't write about how I feel but I'm stuck in a kind of apathetic, strange, indifferent zone, where things that usually interest me, from topical industry subjects to what's for dinner, just doesn't feel so important right now.

It may be the calm before some crazy windstorm, or a reflection of the dust cloud that's passing, but everything feels shaken up. Life's coated with a veneer of shaved ice to further blur the view (without the buzz of cold, hard vodka).

I was recently reminded how we're all at our own drafting boards, sketching, shading and contouring the lives we want to live. The realization just crept up on me through various interviews, meeting and mini-trips. It seems like such a huge responsibility. What is really important? What are those things you have to compromise? What are the intersection points? Can you really do exactly what you want?

I was speaking to my sister-in-law the other day, who is in her second year of university, and I said, "it's pretty easy to get what you want if you're ready to fight, work and sweat for it, the tough part is figuring out what it is you want." And, if we're lucky enough to be evolutionary beings, those things/desires will change at different points in life.

Maybe I'm just in a transformational space. My friend Heather once told me that stress is a sign of change, and when we're not used to a new environment, it's an adaptive and natural response. It can be a good sign.

So I feel like I'm in a strange world of contrasts, layers, imbalance and incongruous arrangements. Dog-paddling in a fake wooden 1970s above-ground pool while staring at the night sky unable to identify star clusters and formations.

Monday, 5 October 2009

A Prayer for the Tube


Part of the London Poster Project exhibited at the V&A. Taking on the idea that the poster is one of the oldest and still one of the most powerful communication mediums, this project challenged 20 designers to produce an effective poster, exploring the theme of design and the city, in only two colours.

Saturday, 3 October 2009

A new addition.

My Pops has been visiting us from the States and during his stay in London has made some real beautiful pieces of art. Since his studio space has shrunk, his art has adapted in form. His latest gift below.

Friday, 2 October 2009

In Stitches...

I've never been much for sewing, but I have to admit that I'm almost tempted to take-up a little cross-stitching myself after seeing so many rocking modern examples of what you can create and express with thread. I especially like to see how digital platforms are expressed through a needle in the physical world. Sewing used to conjure up nostalgic images of fireplaces and wool socks, but these artists have given sewing/cross-stitching a refreshed and modern cultural twist.

Ruby Khan'
s creations:





via: World Famous Design Junkies

Some interesting weaves from the Cross-Stitch Ninja:







Sprite Stitch is a great blog that specializes in video game cross-stitching - a few favs below.





Thursday, 1 October 2009

Getting dirty.

While I was on my way into Morrison's in Nag's Head, I couldn't help but notice an advert for Axe's body spray that was placed on the side of a bin that read: Keep Britain Dirty.

Talk about great placement and eye-catching copy - the ad gets your attention because it challenges what you would expect to see (especially on a garbage bin). Nice.