Hunters & Gatherers

Riusuke Fakahori is the “Riul-Fakan deal”….doing Gold Fish Style.

noreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Williams) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:21:00 +0000

The artist Riusuke Fakahori painstakingly paints in layers—one layer of acrylic followed by one layer of resin, then acrylic again, and so on—creating a very lifelike 3-dimensional effect.
The final results are quite impressive, even by “crazy-Japanese-attention-to-detail” standards.

"Goldfish Salvation" Riusuke Fukahori from ICN gallery on Vimeo.

Voices from the Abyss

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 01:47:00 +0000

These old souls in college-aged bodies (scrawny legs and all) put a warm smile on my face. Richard Thompson’s 1952 Vincent Black Lightning:

noreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Williams) — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:49:00 +0000

If your heart is in it, you'll find a way to win it.

On Failure & Imagination

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 03:24:00 +0000

A powerful argument from Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

Brilliantly Adorable; Adorably Brilliant.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:33:00 +0000

By Dei Gaztelumendi

What can you do with 4,242 Rubik’s Cubes?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:37:00 +0000

A 19" x 8'6" x 2.25,"1000-pound mosaic of MLK, of course.

Read all about Pete Fecteau here.

7 billion (defined for visual thinkers)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:40:00 +0000

We’re moving!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:43:00 +0000

To those of you who are continuing to comment on posts, bless your hearts. We’re momentarily turning our attention to the redesign of our new site and apologize for the pause. Rest assured, more to come!

Flash Workout

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:16:00 +0000

I can’t think of a better way to convince kids to exercise. . .but then, I’m not Beyoncé or Michelle Obama. This is a campaign called Get The Kids Moving aimed at fighting obesity. The flash workout took place in middle schools across America this afternoon.

And, it comes with instruction:

Arthur Szyk

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 03:23:00 +0000

. . .a.k.a master of minature, crazy-detailed illuminated art. If you’re in SF within the next 10 days catch Arthur Szyk’s show at the Legion of Honor. Thank goodness for patience, passion and magnifying glasses!

Illustrator Extraordinaire

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:09:00 +0000

. . .David Roberts, one of my long-time favorite children’s book illustrators. His characters capture that charming balance of quirky imperfection, English humor and feisty charm—plus, a good helping of fashion. Yes, please!

1923 aka Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Williams) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 21:50:00 +0000

I want to apologize to the two people who have been enjoying our blog. We haven't posted anything since the end of October so I want to make up for it by posting one of the coolest animations, I've ever seen. The director is Max Hattler and it looks like he got a small team of talented collaborators to create this beautiful piece. More info can be found here. If the video stutters, turn off the “HD” feature.

Short description:

1923 aka Heaven is one of two animation loops directed by Max Hattler, inspired by the work of French outsider artist Augustin Lesage (1876-1954). 1923 is based on Lesage's painting A symbolic Composition of the Spiritual World from 1923. Here is the painting that he references (and if anyone requests to see more of Leseage's work, I will post more here. Its pretty amazing stuff.):

For the Facial Hair-Challenged

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 01:17:00 +0000

I don’t really know what to say about this—except that it’s hiiiiiiiilarious. And, funny ranks high on my criteria for successful design. If you should need a crocheted beard, do call on Ms. Tara Duff of North Logan, Utah.

Cool Book Alert!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:41:00 +0000

I don't think I've ever seen this many good illustrations in one book: Illusive.

The Big Caption

noreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Williams) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:42:00 +0000

So this post is way overdue, but better late than never! I was having a drink with my friend Ian and he mentioned that he created a blog where he matches photos he finds with his own copy & typographic treatments. I think they're great and you should check out his site (http://thebigcaption.com/) if you like what you see.

The Design that Would Have Saved My Computer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:12:00 +0000

So, I spilled a glass of water on my beloved MacBook Pro laptop (long sigh). If only I had known about this brilliant and beautiful invention (that doesn’t look or feel like a sports bottle or sippy cup), maybe I’d still have use of my keyboard’s s, q, h, n, etc.

Contigo’s 100% spill- and leakproof travel mug. The ”autoseal” feature means that the only time liquid can escape is when I am sipping. Keeps drinks hot for 4 hours or cold for 12. Yay!

Connected!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:43:00 +0000

There’s hope for Prom yet.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:11:00 +0000

. . .and believe it or not, teens can be pretty cool too, as proven by these duct tape creations motivated by a nationwide contest drummed up by some smarty-pants PR gurus for Duck brand duct tape.

A Word on Words

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:33:00 +0000

I don’t think it’s a stretch to admire a bit of creative writing in this here blog. These two stories (offered below as podcasts for all you multi-taskers) inspired me in the way that all good art should. I felt utterly naked by their relentless insight into the human psyche, all the while impressed that each could so bluntly, lovingly and accurately capture the deepest parts of grief.

Hey, I know that I’m not the only one here with dark places. So, maybe these stories will resonate with you too. Maybe in your own set of fears, anger, loss, etc. etc. you’ll feel less alone—and maybe ultimately: hopeful, too.

click here: SPAR
Written by Kij Johnson, presented by EscapePod (fantasy fiction podcast magazine). Don’t listen to this one at work—it’s rated X.

then here: LITTLE GODS
Written by Tim Pratt, presented by PodCastle (fantasy fiction podcast magazine).

Ooo la la!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:11:00 +0000

I have been perusing the world of fashion illustration lately, researching for a graphic design project we’re currently working on in the studio. And I have to say, as in all fields there sure are a number of duds. What a breath of fresh air Barcelona-based Ms. Sandra Suys was for me. Yes, I am biased towards high contrast art—the marriage of muted monochromatic tones plus brilliant color; expressionistic strokes mixed with crazy photo-realistic details; etc—but I think anyone would attest: these illustration sure are sweet, no?

Calling all typophiles!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:44:00 +0000

Russian-born typographer and quilling expert Yulia Brodskaya:

Letterpress Lust

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:32:00 +0000

A sweet wedding invitation set from Emory Allen:

BIT TRIP BEAT

noreply@blogger.com (Robert J. Williams) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:14:00 +0000

. . .stumbled across this video on my web wandering this morning. I appreciate the integration of sound this game. What's more fascinating to me is that it looks like the player is either extremely relaxed and focused—in a meditative state—or totally stressed out and tripping balls. . .anyone played this game before? Which is it?

A monster a day. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:58:00 +0000

Just wanted to share this super idea from the fantastic graphic designer/illustrator/creative person-in-general, Stefan Bucher of 344 design: The Daily Monster—enjoy!

Kung Fu Bunny

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:18:00 +0000

. . .need I say more? Check out this great Chinese animation—
a charming balance of humor and inventiveness. Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!