Fab Wrap

I'm not really the sort of person who puts much thought into packaging presents, so this genius idea for wrapping paper by Fabio Milito & Francesca Guidotti,is an answer to all of my gift wrapping woes. Multipurpose and interactive; Universal Wrapping Paper, is essentially a word-search puzzle in the form of wrapping paper. Phrases used on common gifting paraphernalia are integrated into the puzzle, and all one has to do is pick out the phrase corresponding to the occasion. 

The duo have further developed the idea to include Universal Greeting Cards. You can buy both products under the brand name 'Wordless', here.

It is so uncomplicated & brilliant, you have to wonder why no-one thought of it sooner!

Mechanical OCD

There seems to be a micro-trend in design for super organized layouts. Precise shapes with clear definition of lines, reboots the mind in the same way minimalist fashion counters a more kitschy aesthetic. I don't have a preference for one or the other; but I think what makes this 'resurgence of clean' meaningful is the usage of subjects that are usually not associated with simplicity.

An example of such visuals in recent times, is the widely hyped - making of the Ikea cookbook video 'Homemade is the Best'. It certainly changed my perceived notion of baking being messy. If you haven't seen it already, you must...its really a treat for the eyes!

IKEA – Homemade is Best. from Forsman & Bodenfors on Vimeo.

Backtracking to the intended artist of this post:  

Todd Mclellan's 'Disassembly' project is a series of images depicting the deconstruction of period mechanical objects, shot in two different ways. The first is where the object appears to shatter apart in mid-air, revealing it's component parts. The second is what actually drew my attention to Mclellan's work; the said component parts laid out on a plain background, in an almost OCD-like manner. The two sets of images together create a stimulating graphic impact, where the viewer attempts to put the parts together; like pieces of a puzzle.

For the Love of Africa

I spent a fair portion of my childhood in East Africa, and with that came proximity to expansive wildlife reserves. South African born Greek artist: Dimitra Tzanos's 'For the Love of Africa' graphic illustration series, evoke memories of safari trips sighting endless Wildebeasts, while hoping to catch a glimpse of a Lion.


Nostalgia aside; her use of negative space, colors, patterns and shapes are magnificent in their own right.

Sleep Elevations

A photo series, which already made its rounds in design blogs many moons ago; 'Sleep Elevations' by Maia Flore has a moody dreaminess, capable of putting anyone into a hypnotic trance.

Broken Record

Its funny how records & cassettes bring about instant nostalgia. Giuseppe Siracusa and Angelo Bramanti's 'Syracuse in VHS'  mixed media piece is an unlikely composite of objects, taking me back to pre-digital times. With a preference for working with waste materials; the duo have an arresting grungy aesthetic, especially in their works using old records.

'Syracuse in VHS'

'Fixed Khrist Super Star'

'Through the Barricades'

'Through the Barricades'

Borderless

I know its been a while since I last posted, so apologies to those devoted readers out there - if any. I've just started a job and I'm not finding the time to be as reflective as I'd like with the blog. I've been meaning to share a ton of wonderful things and I've decided I will simply reduce the word count until I get used to the looong hours.

So without further adieu...here's an editorial after my own heart: I'm loving the multitude of contrasts in these images created by photographer Gui Paganini and stylist Renata Correa for the June issue of Brazilian Mag: Criativa.  There's hyper-color against monochrome, modern city styling combined with traditional elements. And crisp minimalist fabrics against more rustic motifs. Not to mention, superb juxtapositions of geometry :)!

There couldn't have been a better title then Borderless for this editorial. What a fitting rendition of this century's globe-trotting nomads!

via Trendland

Pencil Shavings

Here's a novel subject for design inspiration. Jewelry designer Victoria Mason has created these fun pendants based on the humble and delicate pencil shaving. I love jewelry  inspired by the most unexpected things; so these delicate beauties available in 5 colors at Oye Mordern have shot-up to the top of my wish-list! It's amazing how she has retained the fragile nature of a pencil shaving, regardless of solid sterling silver and enamel composition.

 

It's a really great gift for anyone artistically inclined! ;)clined ;).

Embodied Formations

At first glance these images of flowers and butterflies may seem like nothing out of the ordinary, but look closer and you're guaranteed to be mesmerized! Each piece in artist Cecelia Webber's Flower and Butterfly series are a meticulous compilation of countless, photographed and edited, formations of nude human bodies. Cecelia's process includes photographing each pose, rendering and editing the photograph. She also tends to include herself in the composition, by setting the camera on timer. An image can take over two months to complete in relation to the number of precise poses required in each one. 

Talk about optical illusion!

Via mymordernmet

Couture Dummies

I'm in love with these haute couture dress-forms by Emannuel Bossuet in collaboration with vintage mannequin maker: Stockman. Emmanuel Bossuet is a decorative artist and the founder of EEM a design firm geared towards unique projects. From what I have seen from EEM's facebook page, a lot of his work is geometric in nature. A spell-binding monochrome print on a bust-form is a match made in heaven for me; putting my regular black dummy to shame. I wouldn't dare bring a pin within a metre of these beauties, though! Created in limited addition, they have already been acquired by collectors world-wide and the three originals are on display at the Bon Marche department store in Paris. The one on my wishlist is the the stripe detail dress-from with the most amount of black. I think its genius how the placement of the pattern accentuates the contours of the form.

 

 

 

I'm also loving these plates he created for Ascete. The first one reminds me of a spirograph toy I had as a child; which let you make dizzing designs by spinning circles with a pencil. Come to think of it, the toy is probably the reason I am so enamored by geometric patterns today.  

Emannuel Bossuet's work is definitely one I will be following! 

via trouvaillesdujour

Knit Knacks

I know I have been slacking with my blog posts lately, which I will blame on my new found pass-time: knitting!! :) For a 'maker' like me its seriously addictive, not to mention relaxing. I've only just learnt and I am still figuring out the nuances, but I intend on posting some work once I embark on some legitimate knitting projects.

In the mean-time, I will leave you with a collection of ace cocoon knitwear entitled Unconventional Body Pieces by Vietnamese-Hungarian textile/fashion designer Phoung Thuy Nguyen. Nguyen received considerable amount of press for these handmade knit pieces made solely of rope. All I can ask is HOW??!

On a similar note: How fantastic are these Converse x Missoni SS12 Auckland Racer knit motif kicks?!