Valentine's Day Card Contest

My Valentine's Day card is up for voting over at Black*Eiffel. Voting is until February 18th, I'm # 12 :-)

"Inspiration: The song All You Need Is Love by the Beatles, which is on the 'Love Actually' soundtrack has been in my head lately.
*Notation of the authored lyrics is on the backside."

'New Look' at 'Old Navy'

Old Navy is starting to look a lot more like it's more affordable sister, Banana Republic, vs. looking like an affordable Gap. The website is cleaner & shows put together fashion style stories. A soothing woman announcer voice describes each 'style' in detail - like a mini fashion show. I still have not been inside to gain an overall feel for the changes, but I am enjoying reading some tidbits online.
Todd Oldham's New Assignment: Old Navy
The New Look at Old Navy
Old Navy Tries to get a New Image
Images from NY Daily News
{image from oldnavy.com}

Illustration Evening

So there are days I think ahh I live in such a crazy overwhelming city! Then there are nights (like last Thursday night) where I think I am the luckiest girl in the world to have an abundance of design resources & inspiration at my fingertips.

On Thursday night I was able to attend PERSONAL VISION: Marshall Arisman Moderates Illustration. Given by the Society of Publication Designers. It was also a flashback to my days in art school. The energy in the room was refreshing. Illustrators and artists hanging on every work the panelists said, and hands flying during the Q&A session.

These great Illustrators participated in the panel:
Nathan Fox
Sam Weber
Yuko Shimizu
Eddie Guy

Some thoughts the talented panel left me musing about were:
"An Art Director once said to me, "If I think the way you think is interesting then I want to hire you!" "
-Yuko

Wow, it really is what's in your head. It got me thinking...
How would I see the angle of the story. How would I portray the scene or how would I solve the problem? What stories are in my thoughts? THEY REALLY ARE PAYING YOU FOR YOUR STORY, YOUR INSPIRATION, YOUR BRAIN.

Another topic the panel discussed was the question: Is Illustration dying? They agreed that there is always a need for imagery, and to tell stories. Change your thinking on certain topics as illustrators can do something photographers cannot. Think broadly as the market is changes as technology changes. Imagery on toys, snowboards, t-shirts, animations, and packaging (new consumer ideas = new packaging ideas).

While researching some of the Illustrators I came across this great article, Illustrators are always a big draw, that talks about the topic of editorial Illustration. Enjoy!

{image from PERSONAL VISION poster}

Illustration: Sujean Rim for Target

Flipping through magazines at B&N for design inspiration is something I love to do. Recently I saw a Target catalog inside a magazine and Sujean Rim illustrated it! Luckily the images & electronic catalog are online. Go to Club Wedd and click on the catalog. For my own reference and eye candy see below!{pictures grabbed from www.target.com}

Window Wednesdays: Let's Hear it for the Boy!, Color My World, & Creepy Crawly Things

Lots to report on this week!
The new men's contemporary section, No. 59 Metro, was featured in this weeks windows. I find it a rarity to find men being featured in the Bloomingdales' windows. I'm glad I caught this one.
Bloomingdales, NYC{graphic image from bloomingdales' website}
Both Bloomingdales & Fendi boutiques are showing the Baguette this as their feature right now! Tap into your inner creative with the 10th anniversary Fendi Baguette. I love the doodles and approve of the Pantone and Fendi collaboration!
"Fendi is also celebrating the occasion with the “10+,” an all-white canvas bag that comes complete with 10 Pantone markers for personalizing, and quilted leather versions in each of those 10 shades. The 10+ Fendi baguette (named in celebration of the label's next ten years, rather than the ten past) turns buyers into designers—the all-white "blank canvas" comes with a set of pantone markers, so each bag becomes an original piece of Fendi history."
Bloomingdales, NYCFendi Store, NYC

Spiders & webs at Bergdorf Goodmans Men's Store and Creepy Crawly things at Saks. Ummmm they gave me the chills, but I do like the spider webs. Anything with string & thread is approved by me!
Bergdorf Goodman (Men's), NYCSaks, NYC

Art at Bergdorf Goodman's main store. It was like going to an art show! Saks graphic lines made me think of, the NYC subway map!
Bergdorf Goodman, NYCSaks, NYC

Loving the kiddies playing dress-up in Mom's closet! Bendel's is always simple-yet beautiful. They have only three windows to go 'ALL OUT' on.
Henri Bendel, NYC

V-O-T-E: Super Tuesday

Exercise your free will and vote today!
Bloomingdales, NYC
{window photography taken by sari victoria for adesignaffair}{photo taken by sari victoria for adesignaffair}
Jonathan Adler booth at the Gift Show. Say hello to Mr. Elephant & Mr. Donkey.

It's All About the Packaging

I usually get really excited about Winter holiday gift sets. There is something wonderful about mini-versions of regular beauty finds. This year everyone seems to also have Valentine's Day gift sets for sale, lucky me! Here are some of my favorites (by packaging standards only!) {Kiss me with Kiehl's, Yves Saint Laurent Love Collection, Philosophy Candy Hearts}