graphic design example

i found this award-winning poster series in communication arts' 50th anniversary issue (from november/december 2009). the messages are stark, simple, and hard-hitting. they need no further explanation—the imagery says it all.

for me, this series is one of the best examples for explaining the aim of good graphic design. it grabs the viewer's attention, it's intelligent, and it forces the viewer to react (and thus, act).

props to the team who developed it:
art directors: jeremy boland/nick kamei
designer: eric stevens, tower of babel
creative director: terry schneider
writers: jeremy boland/john heinsma/bem jimmerson
agency: borders perrin norrander, portland, oregon
client: willamette week

what type am i?

according to this quiz, i'm bifur. hmmmmm.

from a(rial) to z(apfino)...

...the entire blog is richie-rich with alphabet goodness, but  I love typography's "on choosing type" article is priceless. it's designer john boardley's take on selecting the best type for your design. and guess what: not all traditional "rules" apply.

greeting card research

for our next big project, we're creating greeting cards that use typography alone. i'm up for the challenge! here are a few that i think look pretty cool. i do love me some letterpress.

with spring comes inspiration

...and a weekend in beautiful iowa city  helps, too. at this wicked cool shop, the soap opera, i found a line of gorgeously designed packaging created by the self-taught illustrator (and soap maven) margot elena. she has a few exciting product lines (including the whimsical love + toast), but her tokyo milk stuff REALLY caught my eye, specifically the design. it's so delicious it makes my teeth hurt.

frazzled

this display typeface is called Brazil Pixo Reto. the serifs are wild—crooked in some places, bent in others. some serifs seem completely unnecessary, as you can see in the "v." it reminds me of frayed nerves, which is what mine are.

this display typeface is called Whatever. i can read the word "crazy," but the next one is illegible. it looks like someone was using a quill pen, the ink ran out, and the writer got mad and started scratching the words on paper in frustration.

rut

i'm uninspired. i'm burned out. not on class, but by life in general. my two jobs are wearing me down, my neuropathy's the worst it's ever been, and i can't keep up with...well...anything. i wonder if i can find any typefaces that describe the way i feel. be right back.