Monday, September 30, 2013

Almost there

Three weeks ago I posted a painting I was working on.  I have spent a bit more time on the leaves and flowers. It is not a masterpiece by any means but the process has been fun and getting over the obstacle of a white canvas looking back at me has been easier than I thought. I am very excited to start the next painting.


Friday, September 27, 2013

We are in love...

...with color!  We may have reminded you of this love affair in "Everything Red."  In our quest, we recently discovered Austin, Texas, photographer Emily Blincoe. Given our eye for anything floral, her "Garden Collection" caught our attention. Blincoe's "Sugar Series" is also inspiring.  Ideas for candied prints are just jumping off the page.  But don't forget to eat your veggies!

"Garden Collection"
Emily Blincoe's "Garden Collection"
"Sugar Series"
Emily Blincoe's "Sugar Series"
fruit and vegetable series
Emily Blincoe's fruit and vegetable series

Emily's beautiful and inspiring work can be found on her Flickr page and Tumblr pages as well as her Etsy shop.


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

What is Great Design?


For the past couple weeks, we wrote about what we believe is great design. We believe focusing intimately on the customer first then start designing. As we set out to re-design the studio’s website, we are thinking about our customers and what they want. 

In our pursuit, we stumbled across Seth Godin’s post mockingly titled, “Great design = getting people to do what you want,” that brings ethics into the conversation. Godin discusses the designer’s ethical responsibility to act with intent and even generosity.

“Great design is pushing/focusing the user to do something
that he'll thank you for later.” – Seth Godin

Three great designs I am thankful for.

1. My new found love - the Copic sketch pens.

2. The Wacom tablet makes it easier to draw on the computer
and my wrists are happier not using a mouse.
3. The iPhone (or any smart phone) which allows me to make phone calls, listen to music, and post on Instagram no matter where I am!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

late night painting

Creativity comes at the strangest times. Late Sunday night I finished 7 drawings that turned into all over patterns for my rep. This is my favorite.

Monday, September 23, 2013

everything red

I mentioned two weeks ago a class I am taking with Mati Rose called Daring Adventures in Paint and Life. One of the assignments is to take 10 photos of things that are red (my favorite color). This project came at a perfect time.  We have a Hungarian friend visiting and we have been playing tourists for the past 5 days. It is so fun to pretend you are visiting your home city for the first time.  Having a focus such as 10 photos that are red makes it even more interesting. You begin to notice the unusual.

I challenge you to pick a color and go explore your neighborhood with a camera. 

Below are my findings.

Friday, September 20, 2013

iPhone5: cases have arrived!

It is no surprise that Apple is releasing its new phone. Keka is ahead of the game offering their durable hard-shell covers with my designs. Buy one today!

Designs are printed in full wrap 3D on a glossy finish case. Phone cases are available in Slim-Fit or Tough, with a black silicone interior sleeve for added protection.

Keka also offers covers for Galaxy phones as well as for the iPad and Kindle.

Visit my Keka page.  Which one is your favorite?

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Know Your Customer Intimately


No, this isn’t about designing intimate apparel. 

Last week we wrote that focusing on customer experience is essential.  We design in service of the client. It is inspiring to read how Adidas designs intimately around their customers. The Economist reported that “The Adidas Method” does not entirely include Nike or Puma’s aggressive marketing habits but rather relies on a “quieter approach”—a thoughtful discipline—to understand their customer first and then design products to match.

Working on trend boards. The very first step in the design process.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

surrounded by patterns

On a recent trip to the Seattle library, I became fixated on all the patterns around me. Inspiration surrounds us if we just take a moment to observe our surroundings.


Have a great Tuesday!

Friday, September 13, 2013

morning painting

Hello and Happy Friday!  Last week I shared that I am taking Mati Rose's painting class, Daring Adventures in Paint and Life. We have been playing with building background layers. For me, making that first paint stroke on a white canvas is often the most difficult. Why is that? 

Today I woke early and exercised. I felt so energized and creative afterwards that I came home and immediately started to paint. This is what I have so far. I have a lot more work to do but I really like where it is headed. Maybe waking at 5am is the key?


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Design is a Service: words to live by

We believe great design is not just about notable artwork, rendering the latest trend or using the newest technique. Geoff Ledford says it best: "Design is a service." He writes in "5 Invaluable Tips Designers Can Learn From Waiting Tables" what we all learned in design school but sometimes forget. Focus on the customer experience is imperative. Experience in the field with customers and manufactures is also fundamental. Only then can you design the latest and greatest print or pattern using that hot cool technique that everyone wants.

Surtex offered us a 3-day opportunity to be face to
face with the customer and understand  their needs.


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

morning painting class

Yesterday I started a painting class with Mati Rose. I wanted to take a class that would push me into a completely different painting direction. I want big fat paint brushes. I want to loosen up my style. Most of all I want no expectations. Just me and my paints. Here is the beginning.

I started to paint with my hands (hence the pink fingers). Get my hands dirty and leave all my inhibitions behind.
 Squirting paint with my left hand while I paint with my right.
I worked on 2 paintings at once. I worked on one while the other was drying. My favorite tool so far is an old credit card.
 This canvas is turning out interesting. Not sure what to make of it but I like it.

This one is a bit softer. 
Feels good to leave the paper and sumi brush behind for a day.

Hope you had a wonderful and creative weekend!