The Real Cookbook
30th March 2012
Designed by Germany agency Korefe, this Real Cookbook made me smile. Happy Friday!
(Thanks S! and Flo)
CommentMatt Setchell Creative
30th March 2012
My oh-so-talented friend Mr Matt Setchell has just launched his new site and I love it.
Super slick and sexy, Matt Setchell Creative is a boutique creative agency based in London, working with the likes of asos.com and Harrods.
He also happens to be Creative Director and founder of über-cool online magazine, Twenty6. Need I say more?
PS. The Matt Setchell ‘M’ logo is a BringMeJoy design! Woop!
Scrabble Typography
30th March 2012
Scrabble gets sexy with the new Scrabble Typography Limited Edition set.
The solid walnut letters, metal tile racks and gorgeous walnut and birch packaging has been designed beautifully, and with a limited run of 1200 (and only 180 left to pre-order!) I imagine a signed and numbered edition will be on the top of every typographer’s wishlist.
(via MattSetchellCreative)
Juan Muguruza
29th March 2012
My awesome friends over at Design Lagoon have just launched Juan Muguruza‘s new site that coincides with his Pieles exhibition, opening today in the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid.
Who knew that bark could be so sexy?
Inspiration vs Imitation
29th March 2012
Today I’m going to write about inspiration.
A couple of months ago I read an article by the awesome Jessica Hische called Inspiration vs Imitation about why we should question inspiration that can end in plagiarism in the creative world.
As a designer I’m inspired by all kinds of things – living in Cape Town, sexy photography, gorgeous typography, my friends, the sunshine, the list could go on. I believe that inspiration can be found anywhere, you just have to know how to look. I also believe that to make something totally original is almost impossible and that almost everything can be linked back to something else.
After reading Jessica’s article and her point number 2 “Not everything you make should be on the internet” I wondered whether I should post my picture, but I thought it was a good example of how as a designer, you can take ideas and inspiration from a number of people and places and use them together to create something new.
This is how it went…
When my brother and his wife told me they were using an owl theme for their baby’s nursery I was so excited because I love owls! I began looking for inspiration and thinking of ideas so I could give him a print as a gift when he was born.
I discovered a Mengsal print in a store on London’s Portobello Road (coincidently, Mengsal was started by a London based South African designer) and I thought the style would be perfect for a baby’s room. Simple, cute and colourful. I found the boat cushion on their website and I thought the idea could work nicely, plus I LOVE traditional Seigaiha waves (which I hand drew on my Wacom). Logically, because of the boat, my train of thought followed onto the story of The Owl and the Pussycat.
Long before this little project came about I’d saved some images from The DieLine of a branding project by an Australian graphic designer called Meagan Brown. I thought the owls she’d created were awesome and her work was amazing. Before I go on I will say that if there’s one thing about my print that’s a direct copy, it would be the owl. I traced it in Illustrator and tweaked it only slightly. The pussycat is more or less the owl with ears, tweaked a little more again and also inspired by the Maneki Neko or Lucky Cat.
Initially I designed a sailboat very similar to the Mengsal one, but decided in the end that an origami boat would work better. Simple, sweet and in keeping with what was becoming a more Asian design by the minute – and also fitting as the baby was going to be half Chinese!
So the question today is How original is my design? I believe that while not entirely original, it is my own work and it did take creativity on my part to bring all these elements together. I’ve written a couple of things about copyright before, including this post about how inspired design can get you in trouble, and this post about designers being directly ripped-off, but each case really needs to be looked at individually.
Comparing Jessica Hische’s work with Marian Bantjes is a good example of how we can see a designer’s influence (although it may be only a very small part) and Jessica is always quick to admit she doesn’t “…own swirly decorations, no one does.”
At the end of the day however, this was a gift for my nephew Maddox and I have no intention of trying to sell it (a proposed 8th point in Inspiration vs Imitation by one of Jessica’s readers was, “There’s a difference between making an imitation and selling it.”)
To be honest I would feel uncomfortable selling The Owl and the Pussycat because I don’t think it’s original enough, particularly the owl. Although perhaps with a new owl…
Zkin
28th March 2012
My awesome little sister just got me this Zkin camera strap for my birthday. I love it.
Toffie 2012
28th March 2012
The 2012 Toffie Pop Culture Festival kicks off this Friday at the Cape Town City Hall.
The 3 day conference and festival focuses on design, music, art and all things associated with popular culture.
Just some of the people lined up to talk include:
• Penny Martin (UK): Editor-in-Chief of The Gentlewoman Magazine
• Roel Wouters (The Netherlands): Director/Designer
• Omar Sosa (Spain): Art Director, Publisher and Designer of Apartmento Magazine
• Malibongwe Tyilo (SA): Founder of skattiewhatareyouwearing.blogspot.com
• Athi-Patra Ruga (SA): Performance and Contemporary Artist
• Chris Bisset (SA): Film Director
• Sibot (SA): Sound Designer
There’ll also be a Creative Showdown with 6 International teams competing in workshops, talks and short talks, including the likes of Alex Trochut, Will Hudson from It’s Nice That and Nacho Gil.
And… to top the whole lot off The Cape Town Electronic Music Festival will be putting on a host of parties over the weekend to celebrate. Need I say more?
See you there!
Docracy
28th March 2012
My super helpful husband pointed me towards Docracy this morning. It’s a cool little site that will come in handy for anyone needing an easy solution when despairing over job contracts.
Have a look at the Freelance Bundle that includes documents for Copyright, Web Design, NDAs and Print Design amongst others that can be edited and used with clients.
ImageSnap
27th March 2012
These Printed Ceramic Tiles by ImageSnap are cool. Upload your Instagram or digital photos, chose your size and finish (Gloss or Matte) and away you go.
Best of all, the tiles are standard sizes so using them at home when you finally get around to re-tiling your bathroom shouldn’t be an problem!
(via DesignMilk)
Jung Hwajin
27th March 2012
How simple and sweet is this Polaroid planter by Korean designer Jung Hwajin?
(via dornob)
Geometric Porn
27th March 2012
Oo oo oo. Geometric Porn by Luciano Foglia. Genius.
This sexy little app was rejected by Apple Inc. Why?
“Feb 1, 2012 05:47 PM Apple: Reasons for Rejection: 16.1: Apps that present excessively objectionable or crude content will be rejected. We found that many audiences would find your app concept objectionable, which is not in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines.”
Shame! I love it!
(Thanks S!)
The Naked And Famous
26th March 2012
Couldn’t resist. Young Blood just came on the radio and it reminded me of dancing down the aisle in the sunshine.
*Sigh/Smile*
Home.
26th March 2012
Happy to be home (but missing everyone in London).
Vinyl by Mikado, photo from Antonia Heil.
Twenty6 Magazine – Issue E
26th March 2012
My favourite online magazine launches it’s 5th issue today!
Twenty6 Issue E is live and sexy guys. Expressionism, Eruption, Eau Coloeur and the excellent House Industries Eames font.
Frances & Francis
26th March 2012
Monday morning blooms.
I love these delicate paper flowers made with real twigs by English company Frances & Francis.
(via DesignSponge)
Anna Tovar
23rd March 2012
Anna Tovar’s beautiful journals made me very happy this afternoon, as did her baby’s awesome nursery.
Charmaine Olivia
23rd March 2012
I’ve just discovered Charmaine Olivia and I think her work is awesome. I really like this Bunny Eyes illustration.
(via Fab)
Adam Whitehead
22nd March 2012
Love this shot by British photographer Adam Whitehead for AMICA. It reminds me of Summer and road-tripping.
Marc Newson x Pentax
22nd March 2012
I have to admit I’m a Canon girl, but the camera I actually learnt to take photos on was my dad’s old Pentax.
I thought this Marc Newson designed Pentax K-01 was pretty nifty (it has the smallest fixed focal lens in the world) and it’s super cute in yellow.
Jelly Letters
21st March 2012
Rainbow jelly typography by Spanish design company m-inspira. Cool.
(via EatDrinkChic)
The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt
21st March 2012
Hidden around London are 200 giant eggs for The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt.
Although I haven’t found it yet, my favourite is Metropolis by British husband and wife designer-duo Rob and Nick Carter with a current bid of £2200. There’s a mad mix of artists, graphic designers, architects, fashion designers, jewellers and sculptors who have made eggs including Mr Brainwash, Tommy Hilfiger, Mulberry, Zaha Hadid and Hannah Martin.
With all of the money raised going to The Elephant Family and Action for Children - the hunt is on!
