When planning the holiday party for The Society of Typographic Arts, I overzealously blurted out “TYPOGRAPHY CUPCAKES!” when asked if there was anything I could contribute. I was sure as heck that someone out there in this design world had embarked on such a project before, so it would be just a matter of googling to find that certain someone and their accompanying tutorial.
Boy, did I overestimate the design world’s appetite for edible type.
I was super thrilled to design these posters for the Northalsted Business Alliance for their holiday gift card program. Northalsted is Chicago’s LGBT epicenter (also known to locals as “Boy’s Town”) so I knew I had free reign to do something creative and memorable!
Gotta love clients that value good design and aren’t afraid to take chances! (I hope this means more chances for some fun projects down the line, too!)
There are very few things in life that I will pay full price for, like groceries, wine, or a nice dinner out. However, there are some luxuries in life where I absolutely refuse to drop top dollar, like on clothing. Why spend a bundle to look good when you get the same effect with some patience and a discerning eye cast over the Marshall’s clearance aisle or the local thrift store (on half price day, of course?) This kind of vigilance has yielded such gems as a $3 Fendi Shirt and $1 Polo Dress (with its $120 price tag still attached).
That’s not to say that I wouldn’t be willing to spend real money on a piece of clothing that is made by an independent designer, with quality materials, and will last a long time… and thankfully I’ve been in a lucrative enough position to do so several times in the past.
The other major area in life that I pinch serious pennies is on furniture. Looking around my living room, I’ve tallied the amount that I have spent on furniture, and the grand total comes to exactly $65.
Transit Poster Advertisement for LIDA
In honor of Blog Action Day, today’s blog post is dedicated to the subject of water, specifically, the dwindling supply of safe drinking water the world over. In 2009 I had the honor of creating a branding package for LIDA, the Laboratorio Internazionalle Dell’Acqua in Milan, Italy, a museum completely dedicated to the science of water. In my research for this project I came across some extremely startling statistics, and I believe its high time that we all listen up and take action.
A couple of weekends ago, we found ourselves taking yet another road trip to Wisconsin for a housewarming party. There we met a very woodsy gent who pointed us in the direction of an apple orchard that was on the way back to Chicago. After a couple of unintentional detours, we founds ourselves in New Berlin, WI at Weston’s Antique Apples’ apple harvest festival! The general store in New Berlin was left completely intact, and I was ever-so-enthralled with the many pristine examples of antique advertising, packaging, and typography!
Thanks to all the Renegade Craft Fair participants who responded to this post. I’m as psyched as you are to have your work featured on our blog! Here’s a few shots sent in from crafters and designers:
Josh and Renée from Robu Roku sent me these photos of their neat-o creations!
This past weekend I was hosted by my good friend Rebecca R. in Wauwatosa, WI, which is a charming little suburb outside of Milwaukee. Her neighborhood is populated with arts-and-crafts style bungalows and mid-century modern ranch houses. Her apartment is in the converted attic of a bungalow, and she has done an impeccable job of decorating on a budget. Her style is pretty kitsch, and she has a lot of collections, however, she keeps them organized, with space around and between items, and also keeps an eye on proportion.
Seen in Ravenswood Manor near the Francisco Brown Line Stop on 9/19/10.
…the dinner party.
Yesterday was a gay time had by all at the Renegade Craft Fair! The weather cooperated beautifully and I had quite a time strolling around all of the booths. What a huge collection of talent, so much so that it was kind of a little too much for me to handle all at once. I also think that the vendors who were placed at either end of Division street had an unfair advantage; other spectators, like myself, must have spent more time perusing those booths, as once you get towards the middle it becomes just a blur of awesomeness.
Below are some of my favorite shots of my favorite items and booths at the fair. (Scroll to the bottom to find links to other vendors whose work I loved but whose photos turned out less-than-stellar.)
An update to yesterday’s post about Marjie Best’s pillows… she’s offering a 10% discount for Love Driven Prints readers with the discount code “LOVEDRIVEN” at checkout. You rock, Marjie! And I forgot to mention – all the pillows are printed on organic cotton. So pretty-up your space with something special, wontcha?
Would you just LOOK at these lovely pillows by Chicago designer Marjie Best! Such a whimsical and delightful aesthetic that could easily go on your couch from Design Within Reach or tucked into a child’s crib. Read More
Lustig Office, Beverly Hills, 1945 photo by Julius Shulman
I am a graphic designer from Chicago who creates thoughtful and compelling designs for companies with vision.
Favorite Holiday Party Scenes