A selection of randomly sourced designs from the past month that I have been particularly inspired by (I aim to post more examples of existing works like these- but on a much more regular basis...) and aspire to in my own design practice. The images that I really admire and have taken interest in, and will continue to do so. Where possible, I have placed links to the original designers- if anyone can help me out with original sources and links to the designers, it's always appreciated.
TYPE//
Ever since working on the type as image brief (for Image- design developments and progress of which can be found on my Design Practice and Design Context blogs), I have found myself more and more fascinated with type- particularly illustrative, hand rendered and creative typographic design.
Perhaps also because I'm very aware that typography is nothing close to a strength of mine, it's something that I really want to work on, and get enormous satisfaction from when it's even remotely close to being good.
The perfect typeface. I jest, but I would LOVE to make this. Sometimes with the intense workload that Uni provides, I'm the first to admit that I sometimes forget why I chose to do design in the first place- to have fun. I need to remember keep remembering this if I want to get anywhere with my design practice. I'm sure making a worm typeface would do the trick.
The gold foil-block type in the soles of these Vans is super sexy and luxurious. I love the all-American Baseball club- esque style of the type which really communicates the company's origins in a fun, creative and with perfect vintage style. And I love shoes, of course.
Beautifully curved and decorated, this type appears to be a derivative of 'Lobster' and/or 'Creampuff' typefaces- a hint of 1970's soul music in the curvature of the tails, ascenders and descenders. Typographic quote posters, though very often reproduced and designed, I believe aren't as easy as they would appear to get "just right" and are often missing the mark on a factor- whether it be the colour palette, layout, griding structure, etc.
I think that this is one of the rare examples where the type is nested just right- it's fluid, structured, and more than a little bit sexy.
Love the combination of the harsh lines and modernism of the 'Fraktur' typeface (inspired by the propaganda posters of Nazi German in the 1930's/40's) with the elegant, calligraphic strokes that decorate the characters- the weight of the strokes really well considered and styled which make them so effortlessly sit with the bold, heavy typeface.
Stupendously beautiful (tech language, there). Words just cannot describe how much I wish I made this first- wonderful subject matter to work with (sheet music is incredibly decorative and detailed if really considered- playing clarinet it's something I've always admired and proud to have taken the effort, to an extent to have learnt how to read)- incredibly controlled and consistent weight of line and overall structure- the circular format, really inventive- nothing quite like what I've seen before. A brilliant demonstration of just how sexy type as image can be.
Love the halftone, paper craft style used in this design- really freehand, spontaneous and inventive. Great duotone colour palette also- love the vintage style that this creates- would love to try out creating work like this- quite software and process heavy, but really individual and unique-looking.
ILLUSTRATION//
Illustration, undoubtedly, is a speciality in my design practice. Not necessarily because it is what I am especially gifted, or talented with, but largely because it is the area that I have had more experience with- being limited with software knowledge and lack of awareness in other areas, from a young age illustration is something that I have readily pursued, and therefore, feel more at ease with.
Love the varying weights of line, and character in this tattoo-like illustrative design. Character design is something that I'm also really interested in, and this has given me great inspiration for some potential future designs and work to play around with- a splash of colour and it would be brilliant.
Illustrative vector design by Ricky Linn.
http://rickylinn.com/
A really big fan of designs by Ricky Linn, he uses simple, bold block colour in an illustrative vector-style to capture great wit and imagination in his designs. Although seemingly simple, his designs embody real skill and imagination that has clearly been worked at to an incredibly high, and distinctive level.
Gorgeously intricate and delicate doily-style paper craft design- something that I would really love to achieve and produce myself one day (when I haven't an enormous deadline, and nervous, shaky hands as a result, of course...). The black works really well to enhance the cameo/silhouette- like qualities of the design.
Really simple, but a great example of how effective geometric shapes, tints and considered type can be when applied with illustrative vector-generated designs. This is so my cup of tea.
Love this creative infographics chart- about coffee, which utilises coffee in it's design! The sort of fun, playful, and interactive design that I really love and engage with well. Totally creative and inspired!
PHOTOGRAPHY//
Again, another particular interest, and, perhaps, strength of mine, is photography, with a real interest in portraiture. One of the things I really love about photography, and design in general, is the portral of human emotion and psychology- something that I have found constant interest in with further, personal study into neurology and Existentialism- little personal interests that make me tick. Not only can portraiture open up secrets, longings, desires and moods, but it can entice, surprise and engage in equal measure.
When my Mum first saw this image, she thought it was me, sent me the image with a simple 'You?' email. One of many reasons why she is amazing (definitely didn't tell her that the wonderful 'Coeur De Pirate' aka Beatrice Martin was once a nude model on a porn site. But she is rather pretty and talented, so I'll let that slide.
More importantly, I LOVE the b&w side-portrait headshot combined with the decorative gold headline print over the top- quite simple, but really well styled and considered- really crisp and very suited to my geometric tastes (often with just a hint of decoration).
Duotone, how do I love thee? Oh, let me count the ways. This is something I really hope to pursue in the future. Times a hundred. And tell me off if I don't.
PUBLISHING & EDITORIAL//
Again, not particularly a strength of mine, but something I would really love to find out more about- possibly even (if I were lucky enough) through a work experience or intern placement. I have always been fascinated and enamoured with books and printed media, so to find out the skill in crafting such considered, beautiful designs is a real ambition, and something that I would really like to improve upon.
Really interesting composition and abstract layout of the images in this publication- something a little unique and thought-provoking, I really want to try out some more edgy, contemporary designs for myself as opposed to sticking to a slightly rigid, often boring style and layout that I often find myself depending upon.
The cheeky flash of spot colour here really caught my eye in combination with the very structured, infographics style of the content in the printed publication- adding a little bit of character and excitement where it may not have been expected. Simply, yet elegantly styled.
Beautiful packaging for the Jane Austen book collection. Seemingly really simple, though unusual and unique- works well with the consistency of the colour of the rose stems on the series of three books in the collection. Subtle, yet it brings the whole design together well.
BRANDING & IDENTITY//
Probably my greatest weakness, largely due to indecision and frustration over designs (the thought of spreading a design over a range of media when I'm not 100% happy with it fills me with dread), branding and identity is something that I really need to address- and hope that continuing to look at existing designs, and research the methods of production further will inspire me to be more adventurous and confident within my own work.
A great example of simple, effective branding- gorgeous print finishes and interesting compositions, layouts and paper dimensions with a clear, distinctive brand style which works across a wide variety of medias and disciplines. Another great example of how design is often most effective when it is at it's simplest.
I'm know for exhausting colour in every which way possible, but I do have a secret love for really effectively styled black and white design work- particularly in branding and identity, which I find, when used correctly (and well!) can look really sleek, sophisticated and effectively minimal. The branding design for 'Steveston Wine Co.' (images shown above) demonstrate this perfectly with a stylish blend of photographic imagery, vector based illustration, and considered, styalised type. I really love the editing photographic touches to the letterhead and the business cards- they add so much depth and apparent history to the brand. Gorgeous stuff.
