Designer Baby Gifts

A graphic designer friend of mine just had a baby girl. I have been brainstorming what to get her that is both design saavy and unique. Below are some of my first thoughts. Any more ideas to share with me?(1)Kernie Plush Pal. (2)Alphabet Zoo Onesie. (3)Robin Rosenthal Numbers Poster. (4)Matching Shades Puzzle. (5)Alphazeds, by Shirley & Milton Glaser (6)Roobez Shoes (kinda like the LOVE sculpture) (7)Bowling Set, Nurit Amdur, 2008 (8)Photo Mobile, Will van den Bos, 2003 (9)Yiddish Bibs (10)Little Tykes Easel.

Schiller's Liquor Bar Design Notes

I recently went to brunch with friends at Schiller's and was loving all the graphics, the menu and the interior design. Every detail was thought about - from the wine bottle to the tile floors! Ellen reminded me Mucca Design is behind the great look. For more images and design take a look at Schiller's Liquor Bar website.{Images from Mucca Design}

Tropicana Reverts back to Classic Logo

I don't know about you, but my fellow designers and I have had much debate lately over the new Tropicana packaging/logo designed by Peter Arnell. This week I heard they are reverting back to the old classic packaging. Wow, I haven't lived through any re-verts instead of re-designs and I am happy to see the old logo reinstated. Why mess with what works? (We do however like the rounded cap!)

"The new design confused our core consumers and that's why we went back," said Massimo d'Amore, CEO of PepsiCo Americas Beverages, but "people do not buy design. They buy products. We have not changed the product." See whole article from the NYPost.

From trendcentral
"And by the way: Think your opinion matters? Well, Tropicana sure does. Overwhelmingly negative consumer feedback in regards to their new juice packaging drove the orange juice giant to return to the former design. Talk about power to the people!"

ps. trendcentral's daily newsletter is GREAT!

Window Wednesdays: London Flashback

Looking forward to sharing one of my favorite window scenes with you. It's from my UK travels to Fortnum & Mason, December 2006.

NYC Illustration Events

Two fabulous illustration events going on next Tuesday March 3rd. One being the amazing panel at FIT. I went last year and was inspired by the diverse array of illustrators. Their personalities, styles, and personal stories were all masterpieces in itself. Looking forward to this year's event. A bit bummed that the Waltz with Bashir event is the same night. After seeing the film I am still baffled and curious how the illustrative style was done. It took four years!

SPD Talks and Lectures
DWI: Do It With Illustration
Under the Influence with Today's Most Arresting Illustrators

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre, F.I.T.
27th Street & Seventh Avenue, NYC
7:00 - 8:30 PM, doors open at 6:30

"Come and meet six of the brightest illustrators working today. Hear how they create the images that inform, seduce and enlighten us on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. From cover portraits of President Obama to adjusting to life in the suburbs to packaging for sexual lubricant creams (!) to the pitfalls of job-hunting--get an inside view on how these artists tackle a broad range of topics and their perspectives (illustratively speaking), on politics, work, life and love."
Society of Illustrators
David Polonsky discusses Waltz with Bashir.

Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:30 at The Society of Illustrators (128 East 63rd) meet David Polonsky, the illustrator and art director of Ari Forman’s Waltz with Bashir. Polonsky will discuss the techniques that were used to make this unique animated documentary. The talk will be accompanied by clips from the film. A Q and A session will follow and a book signing for the release of a graphic novel based upon the film.

Window Wednesdays: B is for Barbie & Bloomingdales

I knew Barbie was turing 50 by this NYTimes post. {and great illustration about Barbie & Hello Kitty during fashion week by Alli Arnold} Yes, Barbie got her own fashion show.


Bloomingdales, 59th Street, NYC
The Bloomingdale's Louis Vuitton windows and Circle burst look very much like last week's Bergdorf Goodman & Louis Vuitton windows. However the windows dedicated to Barbie's 50th birthday are quite creative.


Barbie at Bloomingdales
The Barbie vintage prints are GREAT. The mannequins were specially designed by Rootstein. They look so Barbie-esk.

Window Wednesdays: Confessions of a Shopaholic

The windows of New York City play a large role in the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. The beginning of the movie starts with a window I blogged about last May! The aviator mannequins that persuade Becky to buy the green scarf from Bendel's as well as the fairytale mannequin that Becky grabs a bag from (note different handbag on mannequin leg).