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

Street Posters

I've been meaning to photograph these St. Germain street posters for quite some time. It's so refreshing to see liquor promoted in an artistic, nostalgic manner, as opposed to the typical "models and bottles" cliche. The typography is quite elegant, love the mint green/gold color combo, and the vintage wallpaper texture fits perfectly with the french boudoir aesthetic. And of course the black and white cheesecake photography is striking. Designed by Oregon-based Sandstrom Design. Read a great assessment from an advertising perspective here.

Street Posters

Alan the Gallant

I was just recently introduced to the amazing design studio Alan the Gallant (formerly itte studio) from Barcelona, Spain. I completely adore their elegant, capricious approach to graphic and illustrative projects, as well as their intricate, detailed patterns, which have been applied to an array of items including clothing, wallpaper, and even the exterior of a home! Read more about them on Pattern and Pulp here and here.

Alan the Gallant

Coney Island

I took a trip out to Coney Island on one of these recent summer-like afternoons. I'm pleased to report that it's not as devastated as expected. From a distance it still looks like the Coney Island I've grown to love, and up close it's as kitschy and colorful as always. Though I'm not certain how long this will hold true; read more about the development plan here. Oh, and contrary to rumors, Siren Music Festival will continue on the island this summer!

Coney Island

Vegas

I've never had the desire to take a trip to Vegas; gambling and partying with plastic girls and frat boys is not my idea of a vacation. However, today Design*Sponge posted a city guide to Vegas and apparently there is more to do there than I've been lead to believe. I'm particularly drawn to the Neon Museum, which has the mission to "to collect, preserve, study and exhibit neon signs and associated artifacts to inspire educational and cultural enrichment for diverse members of our international community." Rad. And there is an area of the museum called The Boneyard, which is a 3-acre outdoor site that houses their collection of non-restored historic signs. Photos above of The Boneyard taken for Design*Sponge by Becky Kazana.

Vegas

Dublin Graphics

I just got back from Dublin, where Guinness flows from the faucets. Above are some design photos I took along the way.

Dublin Graphics

Kai Kühne Website

I adore this website for the fashion label Kai Kühne. The minimal black and white color palette creates a clean, fresh aesthetic while the mixed sans/serif typefaces, set at an angle, add some punky character. Plus the page transition makes me feel like I'm scanning an oversized poster rather than mundanely clicking from page to page. I contacted them for the design credit and turns out it was designed by one of my favorite fashion-focused agencies Buero New York.

Kai Kühne Website

Lucia Soap Packaging

This soap packaging is fantastic. A. The patterns and colors are quite elegant. B. The flourished ligature between the C and I in the logo is adorable. Via Dieline.

Lucia Soap Packaging

Girly Graphics

A lot of my disposable income goes towards design books, and my favorite of late is Girly Graphics. This book, published by PIE Books, is "an interpretation of lovely, sweet and glamorous graphic design". The chapters are divided by aesthetics such as "Glamorous & Gorgeous", "Sweet & Fresh" and "Romantic & Fairy-Tale". About 300 projects are presented, including ads, catalogs, packaging, promotions, logos, etc. All work is by Japanese designers, who let's be honest, are masters of cute and whimsey. My favorite designs are for the store Laforet by Nagi Noda. See sample pages from the book here.

Girly Graphics

Mandate of Heaven

I recently came across a few Mandate of Heaven pieces at a boutique in LES and am so pleased that I took down their name to google when I returned home. Not only do I love their totally girly, 40's-glamish clothing (apparently made mostly with recycled and/or vintage material), but I'm also completely obsessed with their punky/art deco graphic aesthetic. Everything is very diy looking: single-image web pages, photos taken in lived-in apartments, animated gif-ish videos (the most recent set to this fantastic 90's gem) And everything has a touch of golden era of Hollywood flair: splashes of mint green, decorative typefaces, and plenty of feathers and cocktail hats. I just missed their Spring 09 show during Williamsburg Fashion Weekend, but luckily ThreadBanger has a video here.

Mandate of Heaven

Hello World! Part Deuce.

I've cleared out most of the old posts and am starting anew...

Hello World! Part Deuce.