SWEETS & SPARKLES

The weather has been so nice that the DeesignGeek studio decided to have a garden party. I couldn't resist adding a bit of sparkle to it and made these sweet holders / table decorations to scatter about the place.

 

When the last sandwich was eaten and the puch was drunk we couldn't bring ourselves to throw them away so we turned them into a glitterati mobile for the studio.

HALF GRAFFITI HOTEL

The name of this hotel in Marseille, France is a clue to what you can expect from the unique decor. 

Six graffiti artists are given a room each as a 3D canvas to  to express their creativity. To keep it fresh the rooms are changed every year. The hotel's aim is to give the opportunity to visitors to see art in a different way, entering an artist's universe. They don't impose any theme so the artists have 'carte blanche'.

The hotel closes for a month and takes a week to complete and from the look of pictures it is worth it.

10 THINGS I LOVE

As you've probably guessed by now I love all things to do with design but here are some other things that I honestly could not live without!


#1 Barcelona.
I love traveling to different cities but Barcelona is the first place that I have been to where I have instantly thought "I could live here!".

 

#2 Cheescake.
I love desserts but Cheescake is my absolute fave. It does'nt have to be fancy, have fruit or decorations on it. Just a simple Baked New York Vanilla Cheesecake is my idea of heaven.

 

#3 Films.
I am a total film geek. No matter if it is of the cartoon, foreign, biographical or fanstay genre I will watch it. One film that I actually flagged up as my fave in a job interview when I was asked tell me something that is not on your CV is "This is England" by the director Shane Meadows. This is  epic as a stand alone film but he then spoiled us and went on to create the drama Series "This is England '84" and "This is England '86". 

#4 High Heels.
I am only 5", I would love to be taller but for now I wear high heels everywhere.
I don' know what I do without them.

  

#5 Reading.
As much as I am a DeesignGeek I am probably a BookGeek in equal measures! There's nothing better than reading a book that transports you to a different world and you can block out the outside world.

 

  

#6 Graffiti.

I suppose this is still design related but art and design is such a big part of my life that I couldn't leave it out. I think I love Graffiti as it is usually found on dark, bland and grey surfaces in industrial estates or on subway trains and injects a splash of colour and generally brightens up the place.

  

#7 Keeping Fit.

I honestly believe that a healthy body makes a healthy mind.
Don't get me wrong I'm not a gym fanatic getting a session in before work, no no no but I do try to go at least 3 times a week (which usually ends up being twice).
Its just makes me feel better and happier and it even helps with ideas when I have a creative block. Hey and if I lose a few pounds all the better!

 

  

#8 Socialising.

Theres nothing better than having a catch up with your friends with a refreshing Mojito.
There is a great little Mojito bar in Barcelona (my #1 love) and yes this reminds me of holidays so I am really combing 3 loves in 1 here. Is that allowed? Ok I won't tell if you won't.

 

  

#9 Laughing.

Who doesn't like a good belly laugh. It makes everything instantly alright. I am lucky enough to have some good friends that have the same sense of humour as me and they are worth their weight in gold. Sometimes we take life and ourselves too seriously, but a good giggle can definatey make you feel like you can take on the world.
P.S I aspire to be as happy as the little girl in the photo, who looks like she is having the best time ever!

 

#10 Family.

And last but definately not least, The Wilson's. Yup my family
(no not in the picture I am talking figuratively!) We are all different in our own way and I am very independant but I know that if I ever need them that they would be there for me and that's a pretty good feeling.

BEAUTIFUL INK

Is it fabric? Is it smoke?
Believe it or not it is actually photographs of ink in water taken by the artist Alberto Seveso.
The duo pigments make these shots truly beautiful.

MARCH INTO SPRING!

Spring is finally here and as I was trawling through the Spring LookBooks of various clothing labels one cover instantly caught my eye and has captured the very essence of Spring, that label is Unif Clothing and here is the cover shot. I think its beautiful.

I LEFT MY HE(ART) IN TOKYO

I am in love with all things japanese, something about this seemingly other-worldly place just appeals to me. Especially the art scene which is definitely unique and as if to encompass this statement along comes a truly inspirational artist Yayoi Kusama

Born March 22, 1929 her paintings, collages, soft sculptures, performance art and environmental installations all have one thing in common; an obsessive repetition, pattern, and accumulation.

She has long struggled with mental illness you wonder if this actually contributes to the beauty of her creations.

ART THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT!

A graphic designer who I absolutely love is Joel Penkman.
He loves food and painting so combining the two seemed like a good idea. 
His artwork looks good enough to eat and because they are everyday products that could be found in any cupboard they are instantly familiar and the rich colours make you smile!
His compositions are simple still-life studies with clean backgrounds to make easier to make a connection. 
He was born in 1979 in New Zealand and completed a degree in Graphic design at Canterbury University's School of Fine Art (in Christchurch), he then moved to the UK where he has been working for the past eight years as a graphic designer.  

FASHION DOLLS

Inspiration can come from anything but it seems that Fashion and graphic design have an especially close relationship. To make sure your designs are "on trend" all you have to do is look to the colours that are appearing on the catwalk and will no doubt filter their way into daily life. I also look to what other illustrators and designers are working on and how they evolve their styles.
One illustrator who's work I absolutely love is Diglee who has illustrated a range of Fashion girls in a range of outfits. They look so amazing she has inspired me to try  some fashion illustrations of my own. Ill let you know how I get on.

DOMONIC LE-HAIR IS JUST MY TYPE!

I am a sucker for a nice font. As long as it's clean, modern, unusual I'm there!
So when I stumbled onto Domonic Le-Hair portfolio on Behance I nearly died! This was amazing type of rock star proportions! I mean you had text set on fire, made out of liquorice and magnetic, the images were pretty epic and has totally changed the way I approach type treatment. A truly inspiring designer, 
I would advise you to check him out.

SUGAR SWEET DESIGNS

You can probably tell from my Blog title that I am a geek for all things design. Valentines Day is also one of my favourite holidays and I love cookies so when I spotted a post in one of my favourite blogs, Bakerella that combined all threes I just HAD to tell you about it!
Check them out, they are pretty epic!