Graphic Design Jingle

This song is a little tune to a request we here oh so much. Click here to listen. [thanks Allison]

Helvetica on my Mind

I finally went to see Helvetica this weekend at the IFC. It was fanta-b-ulous! The typographers, the quotes, flashbacks to Type 101....Michael Beirut of Pentagram was as witty as ever. Jen and I have enjoyed peeking into his portfolio lately. Was nice to see Matthew Carter featured in the film commenting how he explains to people 'just what he does for a living'. He spoke at Syracuse back in the day and gave each of us signed prints of a Matthew Carter original. (still need to get that framed)

My helvetica wishlist.
Still need to see this.
I want this.
Actually I'd take it all.

Children's Book Show at the Society

It's that time of year again...The Original Art show at the Society of Illustrators begins today until November 23rd. This exhibition “celebrates the fine art of children’s book illustration.” Over 150 original works selected from the books themselves will be on display. This is the only retrospective of the original art for this field. I love flipping through each book and viewing this year's best illustrations. I usually walk out of there with a wish list for Barnes & Noble.

Stina Wirsén Stamps

I read about Stina Wirsén's new Swedish stamps via Karin. I decided to go right to the source and browse around the Swedish Post Online. Such beautiful stamps come out of Sweden. So many are illustrated! Jesper Årfors designed some yummy chocolate stamps as well for the fall.

Bella Pilar for Papyrus

This weekend I noticed one of my favorite illustrators, Bella Pilar has quite a few card designs for sale at Papyrus including ones for Breast Cancer Month. I was so excited to see her Hanukkah card and decided to do some early holiday shopping.

The Pond at Bryant Park

You really know Winter is coming when the Bryant Park skating rink comes to town! Starting October 26th 2007 – mid January 2008, it's a skating adventure in the heart of Manhattan.

The Alphabet's in Town

This opens tonight! I've had the Herb Lubalin Study Center bookmarked for awhile waiting for the Alphabet: An Exhibition of Hand-Drawn Lettering and Experimental Typography to arrive. It's only up from Oct 11-27 so catch it while you can. click here for more info

Retail Reading for October

Both Vogue and People Magazine wrote about Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, and I'm hoping to get my hands on it soon. I was reminded of both Trading Up and Why We Buy, which I wanted to read while working on a few retail design projects. While I was searching I noticed Barnes & Noble's redesigned website.

Packaging at HBO

I rarely wander through Times Square, but with out of town relatives visiting—this was a sight that could not go unseen. Good thing—or I would have missed this fabulous no-frills comedy packaging display in the HBO studio windows. Kudos to HBO for their creative usage of type.

Bird-gdorf Goodman!

Couldn't help but recollect that Bergdorf Goodman was also showing birds in August...such intricate, detailed diecuts...

Birdhouses at Anthropologie

Anthropologie's Rockefeller store is still chirping away this month with its bird house installations. The houses have been up since August and I am wondering when the big fall change will take place.





My mind couldn't help but recall two artists Cathy Miles and Ann Wood who make birds that could live in these homes.

Chairs at Saks

All I needed to do was window shop to get my art 'fill' last month, because Saks had its own share of art culture amongst its windows. With Saks' new zip code 10022-SHOE in place the store has been promoting its shoe department all over the city. I especially liked how the 'pairs' were strategically placed to compliment the chair or visa versa.

Wearable Illustrations

Ruben and Isabel Toledo are at it again. Harper's Bazaar October issue featured this fashionable insight. Both have teamed up to put out this Anne Klein Love World scarf available only at Nordstrom.Jones New York has a new t-shirt out by one of my favorite illustrator's Sujean Rim (of the Daily Candy illustrations). Check out more information about the shirt Jones New York in the Classroom here.

Paper Designer: Matthew Sporzynski

I can't get enough of Matthew Sporzynski's paper illustrations. Real Simple uses his talents frequently and if he's in an issue—I am usually buying it! Also check out these hats, handbags and shoes in O At Home made by Matthew. If that isn't enough paper for one day, here is a HOW article which includes some other designers pushing the envelope with paper.