New fonts!

Veer came out with a new font collection with Dessau Pro by Gábor Kóthay, and while I'm not usually immediately drawn to Bauhaus-styled imagery, something about this family of sans serif fonts appealed to me. I think it is one of those irrational prejudices that I carried with me from a younger age without ever questioning it, but you would think with my love for "rounded edges and bright colors" I would be more open to this sort of design! Nevertheless, here is their little blurb about the font itself:

Dessau Pro is an extensive Bauhaus-influenced sans serif family with 11 weights and extensive alternate glyphs. Without question there are Hungarian influences, and many authentic letterforms (using samples from various Bauhaus designers.) In part in can be considered a commemoration of Hungarian designers/teachers (Breuer, Moholy-Nagy, Molnár, etc., and to new Bauhaus (Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier and Kassák).

The letters were originally designed for various installations in 1987 (Academy of Fine Arts, Budapest.)


The options and customization for this font are really fun and interesting. I'm predicting even more of a resurgence of this retro look in design. By 2009, I feel fairly confident that all the good design has already happened, but from what I can see on the market today people are using their own innovations to improve the past and push it even further.

This week with Core77

It's always a bittersweet moment when I get the monthly Core77 emails. On one hand, it's always refreshing and inspiring to get a first hand look at brand new design and what people are really creating all over the world. Now that I'm out of school and in a non-art saturated environment for the first time in my life, I have to make sure I keep on top of what's going on. On the other hand, it's super depressing to NOT be in that sort of atmosphere on a daily basis. I try to use it as a motivator to keep myself in tune with the creative juices.

Regardless, this email contained some of my favorite topics inside and outside the realm of interior design- toys and books! The New York Toy Fair (aptly titled "Inspiring Growth") just ended and Core77 was there to capture all the highlights of 2009. They got some great photos that can be seen here, and the show site can be viewed here. I mean, how awesome would it be to just hang around the newest (and some of the classics!) and hottest toy designs and play all day??? Here's a couple of my favorites:


Great dolls by Lunar Loft. Reminds me of uglydolls, but more like cute robots.

Crystallized Swarovski Lamborgini by Maisto. The ultimate bling for any child under 7.


Lego- never a disappointment. How can I live so close to Legoland but have never been???


A new name to me, Kosen's wrinkle-pup made me smile.


I love wooden fruit. It's an oldie but goodie. Just something about the simple, familiar shapes in miniature is comforting. Not necessarily the most innovative, but still a classic (this one by Estia Holzspielwaren)


The only thing better than a real s'more is a fake one, I guess... by Reel Roaster


This little world, perfect for a munchkin or small child, seems easy, breezy, bright, safe, and fun. Great stuff by Melissa and Doug.


I haven't heard of EnviroBlox before, and I don't even know how cool their product is, but this T-Rex is about as cool as it gets.


Skuut's answer for speed and style, for all single digit ages.


Before we get too lost in what's new and good, Core77 also brought around a book of mistakes! Design Disasters: Great Designers, Fabulous Failure, and Lessons Learned by Steven Heller revolves around a single question- what makes good design and bad design? I would definitely like to get my hands on a copy. Here's the review via Coree77 by Robert Blinn. It's an easy to read concise review, so if it's any indication of the book's quality I'd say it's a winner.

Jeremy Fish

Jeremy Fish's largest print to date is for sale now! It spans a 22" x 34" area, and looks awesome in the frame (but that adds a significant cost!) He's been a big name in the contemporary illustration/paint/street art/etc. scene in the past few years, and this San Francisco based artist has the world by its balls. His collaboration with Aesop Rock is a sight to see. I really like his condensed but articulate pallete and his re-occurring anthropomorphism. A weird detail that I always like in his work is also his edges! Clean, crisp, and perfectly balancing the entire work. Wonderful.

Marcos Chin

Sometimes when I read articles by or interviews with professional artists it's hard for me to grasp the concept that their lives can be true. This interview with illustrator Marcos Chin was one of the most refreshing reads from a professional in a long while. I especially liked the part where he talks about brunch! Anyway, it's a very clear article that outlines his metamorphosis from student to professional and all the steps he takes to maintain his life. PS. I am VERY jealous of his studio. It's nice having a studio in our apartment, but I bet it's REALLY nice to have a totally seperate space dedicated to creation. Regardless, the article is a winner. Read it.

Alexander Girard

Folk art isn't one of my favorite genres, but add a contemporary twist to any sort of toy and of course my attention is grabbed. My sister actually sent me this link to Alexander Girard's work, and I was intrigued. His estate now handles the ongoing branding of his work, which includes dolls, fonts, puzzles, woodwork, and more. Here's a few from his doll collection:




It's like broccoli, cats, color and dolls all in one! FUN!


Apparently he also has a large collection of nativity scenes, with focus on color and simplicity in composition. I should send some to my mom to mix with her Fontanini nativity. A good mix, right?

I'm not even going to write anything else

Kraut`s Leaves Hoodie

Cotton French Terry
eBoy's Krauts PEECOL grew the embroidered pattern all over this 380gm 100% cotton French terry hoodie.

Features custom ribbon drawstrings, cord ends and an interior ipod pocket with a buttonhole for your headphones!

Individually numbered out of 270

Developed by German pixel-art group eBoy for Kidrobot, PEECOL is a revolutionary new platform figure. Watch the world around you flip into a collectible microcosm with this interchangeable figure that toys around with conventional stereotypes and social nuances. You'll never look at toys the same way again!

Find out the entire story of PEECOL here.


Size Chart

Save 80% off Suggested Retail price of $175.00
$35.00

PLUS

kidrobot mega sale

GASPGASPGASP

Kidrobot is having THE SALE TO END ALL SALES. If I had less willpower, I would blow my entire paycheck that just got direct deposited today on this stuff. Here's a sampling of some of my favorites of the insanity they are offering at (finally!) reasonable prices! I mean, there's definitely a market for t-shirts priced at $75, but at $15-$20 we're speaking my language!


Bones Labbit Tee


Pippin Labbit Tee


Backbone Hoodie


KID-RO-BOT vintage Tee

a good morning

I have to start being at work at 7 for the next month, possibly forever. Today was Day 1 of this new development, and not one that I embraced. Still, I'm attempting to put a happy face on it and relish in more daylight hours. When I woke up it was still dark as midnight out, but by the time I staggered out of bed and started the coffee I could see hints of gray peeking in through the blinds. Once you're up it's not so bad, so I packed up my stuff and warmed up the car for a few minutes. In those few moments I could see the sky changing and the world starting to come to life. This was one of those mornings that really makes you appreciate your existence in such a beautiful world. My 20 minute drive is a pleasant one. On my right I can catch glimpses of the bay, Silver Strand, and ocean beyond in between communities and hills. On the left are the mountains, which exist differently than the mountains of my childhood. They rise up without warning, gently touching the sky, and today I could see the new-birth pink rays begin to seep over them and pour onto the valley below. It was as if the sky opened and poured a vat of light gold syrup over the world and smiled. Palm trees were starkly silhouetted against the lavender sky, and I could see the obvious metamorphosis of the morning birth and the ocean gray coming together in a dance off shaking of the sleepiness of the night and welcoming the dawn. I still don't relish in the idea of my nights being so early, but it's these moments of silent clarity that remind me of the world past work, money, and humanly constructed worries.

Japanese Young Artists' Book Fair

Last year I was lucky enough to be at Printed Matter in NYC for the 2nd annual Japanese Young Artists' Book Fair, and let me just tell you there are some SHARP book artists coming out of there right now. I picked up a few gems, and I'm sure this year is going to be just as spectacular. I actually caught it at 2 locations, the second being Spoonbill and Sugartown in Brooklyn, and this year it'll be in a variety of locations across the city as well (Kinokuniya Bookstore and St. Marks Book Shop along with the two aforementioned). Over 100 artists are participating, and it's going on from February 15 – March 8, 2009.

If you plan on being in the NYC area during the show, be sure to stop by one of the four locations. Book art is underappreciated and overwhelmingly beautiful to anyone who hasn't really experienced anything like it. I took a class about Book Arts at VCU last year, and it really opened my eyes to the entire world of tangible art that can be held and appreciated physically. There's definitely something to be said about the ability to hold something created in your hands. It's a great feeling.

Orlando

I'm flying to Orlando tonight for the North American Food Equipment and Manufacturing Show. Yippee! If anything, it's at least a few firsts for me-

My first red-eye flight
My first trade show
My first time to Florida
My first time flying absolutely alone (I've always had at least a friend with me)
Apparently it will also be my first toga party... which I will be attending with my boss and our East Coast Sales Manager. I am told that there is no better way to bond with your employer than over a few drinks, but this whole thing sounds like shenanigans to me. We'll see!

Anyway, I'll be flying back to San Diego to arrive around noon on Sunday. Then it's right back to the grind Monday morning. Stay positive! And drink copious amounts of coffee...