Austin Color Vignettes

I recently visited Austin for the first time and was amazed, among other things, by all of the incredible vintage stores on South Congress. I was particularly fond of Uncommon Objects, a store dedicated to "antiques, oddities, and curious goods". Not only did they have an impressive stock, but they organized this unique inventory into color vignettes. Which I suppose is the most practical system considering their disparate array of goods! I love the idea of seemingly arbitrary organization based on color; check out this Design Observer article on the subject of color arrangement specific to book organization.

Austin Color Vignettes

Mood Board // Anaglyphs

As previously revealed in my post on Op Art, I don't always need an insightful reason to like something. In some instances, just being unique and eye-catching works for me. Which is how I feel about the Anaglyph trend I've been witnessing of late. Feel free to read about the science of it all here. My earliest encounter with this technique used in design probably holds true for many graphic designers my age: Stefan Sagmeister's "Made You Look" monograph cover (published in 2001, and which upon reading we find was a technique he previously used for an album cover). But what was once just a cool gimmick seems to have manifested itself into a trendy technique employed in the design of everything from editorial and environmental graphics to fashion and furniture. I adore how Marios Schwab went anaglyph crazy with the prints in his Fall 2009 collection. If you are feeling inspired you can visit the website of talented interactive designer Paul Neave and doodle your own anaglyph-- it looks cool even if you don't have the filtering red and blue glasses!

Mood Board // Anaglyphs

Mood Board // Wood

Wood is a fantastic material to spur a trend because it can be manipulated in countless creative ways. Wood grain integrated into illustrative graphics provides interesting texture, and can become instantly playful and whimsical when injected with an unexpected color. I first noticed this trend a few seasons ago when I saw these Established & Sons dressers for sale at Moss and then in Paul Smith stores shortly thereafter. Wood, although inexpensive, is also a choice material to create rich window displays (examples here and here) and loses any kind of "crunchy" connotation when integrated into luxury items such as with this iphone case and theseBalenciaga glasses.

Mood Board // Wood

Flickr Set // Window Displays

I love walking around the city to view window displays for creative inspiration and to stay on top of emerging trends. I have recently begun photographing those that I find exceptionally unique and stunning and have decided to start a Flickr set that I can reference and share. It my intention to update the set on a regular basis so feel free to check in from time to time!

Flickr Set // Window Displays

Mood Board // Origami

My guess is that this trend in part grew from the popularity of the DIY movement and the desire to experiment with physical material, as opposed to constantly producing in a virtual world. This idea of folding, whether ultimately rendered in space or on screen, has refreshing results when applied to graphic design, and as always, the trend seems to be most prevalent in poster design. It is also a creative, inexpensive way to spice up an environment, as I saw in a number of window displays over the past few months, including Chanel and Kate's Paperie. And when applied to fabric in fashion, in many instances, has an almost intergalactic feel, emulating a sharp exoskeleton of sorts.

Mood Board // Origami

Mood Board // Op Art

I would say I first became enamored with Op Art in design while working on my senior branding project in college (see my final logo incorporated into an absurdly ambitious spinning business card here!). And I should probably have a thoughtful way of expressing my fondness for this emerging trend of illusion in design, but when it comes down to it, I just thinks it's completely rad. There are a lot of impressive examples of op art in graphics, specifically posters and album art, but Alexander McQueen has blown my mind with his Fall 2009 and Resort 2010 fashion collections.

Mood Board // Op Art

Mood Board // Dots

Flat, colorful dots! You know those circular stickers people use at garage sales and flee markets? I feel like they are being arbitrarily stuck everywhere! Without a doubt, the resulting effect is fun and optimistic: a refreshing sentiment in this worrisome economic climate. I am particularly drawn to the "dot-as-head" manifestation; it reminds me of this collage I saw last year at the MoMA.

Mood Board // Dots

Mood Board // 3D Type

This week's trend is 3D Type. As a type aficionado, I am completely amazed and tickled by the creativity behind fabricating dimensional typography, with materials ranging from cardboard and fabric to raw meat and fur. And although I prefer the handmade variety, I also appreciate the use of software to create virtual dimensional type. Even the new highly-controversial SyFy logotype is rendered in 3D!

Mood Board // 3D Type

Mood Board // Surrealism

I am really amused by the emerging surrealist trend, defined by elements of "surprise, unexpected juxtapositions and non sequitur". There are countless trippy surrealist gestures in fashion advertisements this season (check out some impressive Balenciaga ones here), but I'd have to say my favorite surrealist nod is the Dark Disco in the Park poster I've seen posted all over the city.

Mood Board // Surrealism

Barneys Windows

I am currently reading the highly-entertaining book "Confessions of a Window Dresser" by Simon Doonan, the flamboyant, cheeky creative director of Barney's since 1986. Inspired, I headed uptown on a pilgrimage of sorts to see the current window display. I was not disappointed. You can see more images of his notable, and sometimes notorious, displays here and here.

Barneys Windows

Mood Board // Birthday

So at first I just saw balloons everywhere, but recently I've noticed a trend of other birthday elements as well, including cake, letter banners, and other festive decoration. Though right now this trend is most prevalent in photo shoots, I'm sure it will find its way into other media soon enough. I'd like to think I spread some of the birthday love myself by carrying my 10th Anniversary issue of WAD magazine through a number of city parks and subways last week.

Mood Board // Birthday

Mood Board // Triangles

Triangles are everywhere! This trend has manifested itself into branding, fashion, art, product design, etc. etc. Triangles seem to be the prevalent shape to emerge from the overarching geometric trend (which I attribute to conceptual design programs such as Yale; Gluekit does it well).

Mood Board // Triangles

Custom Woven Labels

I have been apprenticing at a millinery studio in the East Village for quite some time now, and recently have been attempting to make my own cocktail pieces for myself and friends. Which is why this birthday gift from my friend Elen is so incredibly rad and thoughtful. She had these personalized labels made that read "Made Especially For You By Christine" that I can sew into my creations. I love the tomato-red/brown color combo and the victorian silhouette enveloped in a wispy border. The design completely compliments the retro aesthetic of my work. See the variety of designs available here.

Custom Woven Labels

Mood Board // Cyber

This week's trend: cyber. Which I love, since I'm a bit of a retro sci fi geek. I think the strongest proof that this trend is headed mainstream is this Russian Miller "Create Your Future" can design contest.

Mood Board // Cyber

Houston and Bowery Mural

Even though I kinda miss the poppy neon Keith Haring mural on the corner of Houston and Bowery, I'm really digging the new Os Gemeos artwork that replaced it a few weeks back. Check out this Cool Hunting video to learn more about these twin street artists from Brazil.

Houston and Bowery Mural

Mood Board // Spectrum

I am giving myself the weekly assignment to create a mood board that reflects a current trend. I'm starting off easy; this trend has been around for quite some time with no indication of fading anytime soon...

Mood Board // Spectrum

Window Displays

I was in the Meatpacking District the other day checking out the new Highline and came across some really fun window displays. From the top: Supersized typography at Diane Von Furstenberg, giant "sale" building blocks at Stella McCartney and a playful garden gnome constructed of flowers at Hugo Boss.

Window Displays