Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Evening Tweed. Tangible.


Evening Tweed is a graphic design collective. Their designs are really fresh (see image above) and thought provoking (see image below).


The image above is of Ferrofluid, a magnetic liquid.

After adding Evening Tweed to my bookmarks bar, I came upon Tangible in their blog. The description of this book is particularly well-crafted, so I am sharing it here.
The borders between graphic design, illustration, art, interior design, architecture and craftsmanship are becoming increasingly blurred. More than ever before, graphic design is being used as the underlying medium together with multiple practices to manifest creative visions. Following in the footsteps of Hidden Track (2005) and Tactile (2007), Tangible presents further developments from the work of young designers and artists who are experimenting with this multidisciplinary approach and creating outstanding original “tangible” designs.

These designers from different disciplines are choosing to no longer work exclusively in two dimensions, instead dealing intensively with space, materials and physical products. Each chapter in the book features different trends and styles demonstrating various approaches and solutions to this new area of graphic design. Graphics morph into spatial sculptures, the intangible is made visual through handmade craftsmanship, physical experiences, visual environments and staged spatial installations such as art installations, interiors and architecture as well as urban interventions.

The striking visual work in Tangible indicates the rise of graphic-inspired interior designs as artists, graphic designers, typographers and illustrators transform their ideas into shops, restaurants, hotels and fair stand designs (Source).

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Blogger's Block

The worst strain of blogger's block must be the kind that you don't even know you have. Denial about this common ailment spikes as the seasons change again in Chicago, so you'll need to keep vitamins and cold medicines at-the-ready. I have recently been told by the doctor that I am not contagious, so you can feel free to read on. Keep the hand sanitizer close, though. "Problogger" actually suggests 20 types of posts, but I have my own prescription: look around you. The web and the "outside world" are saturated with information and inspiration. Or maybe you could browse through this blog.

Monday, February 2, 2009

A moment in time for Chicago

Here is an icon of Daniel Burnham which I created on "Obamicon.me"


Photo of a painting I happened upon in the Bucktown area (above).

Chicago is present on the world stage. This city goes by many names, including: the Windy City, the Second City, and the City of Broad Shoulders. From the political circus surrounding 'Blago' to the recently inaugurated President Obama to the planning roots planted by Daniel Burnham, we are present in the eyes and minds of the world.

With President Obama now in Washington, we have new reasons to think about our place as a leader on the world stage. Chicago has a past filled with ambitious thinkers and planners. Cheif among these is Daniel H. Burnham, who was Director of Works for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and he (along with assistant Edward H. Bennett) created the 1909 Plan of Chicago.

I am not alone in seeing an arts renaissance in conjunction with Obama's rise. Here are some links: Artists for Obama, The Obama Art Report (a blog), and Art of Obama.

Capturing the essence of Burnham's visionary spirit is this quote: "Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood." Capturing the strikingly similar essence of the hope for change which Obama embodies may be the slogan "Yes, we can!" (there is also a music video on YouTube, with celebrities galore, of course).