what's new?

Got this in an email blast from Urban Outfitters.

love love love

Ohh, Tim Walker and Tim Burton...need I say more?

funny packaging

Found on Dieline

wild things

I saw Where The Wild Things Are this past weekend. I don't know how much children can really understand the more metaphorical aspects of the movie but either way, it is visually stunning. One of the things that I love the most about the movie is the kitschy handmade feel created by all the wooden elements and scribbly lettering. It's unusual for a director to really care about the extraneous materials outside of the film but Spike Jonze worked closely with Geoff McFetridge
to set up a style-guide for marketing materials and it definitely payed off.

"...this is a handmade film, make everything feel handmade.' Things that are handmade are made with love, they're made with care, they're made by groups of individuals."

typetastic

Typophile Film Festival 5 Opening Titles from Brent Barson on Vimeo.

This gave me a very strong desire to make type out of Jell-O.

you were so talented

Speaking of doing things that are hands-on, I've been having the urge to start painting again. I ran into a girl from my high school art class two weeks ago and she was shocked and disappointed that I didn't become an illustrator or painter, she said, "you're were so talented!" It's always nice to get some praise every now and then. I don't know why I've always believed compliments and felt confident about my painting/drawing abilities but not my design skills. I guess I've always thought that being able to draw something you either can or can't do. It's definitely a bit harder to teach than the rules of typography. My plan was always to take up painting seriously when I was retired or something along those lines... I'm kind of glad in a way that I didn't make it my career. It's always been such a relaxing and fulfilling experience for me that I think adding all of the stress of deadlines and criticism would have ruined it for me. Here's a golden oldie, a self-portrait from my junior year of high school. Wow, five years ago!

the glory of photoshop

I stumbled upon this fun blog today, Photoshop Disasters. It's pretty funny that out there are some people with such a dismal understanding of perspective and human anatomy. But, I'm ashamed to admit there were also some posts on there where I still couldn't figure out what was wrong with them.

In other news, I need to start working on things outside of the office. I had a plan to have about three new campaigns finished by the end of the summer. What a joke that was. My position right now doesn't allow for the most creative design and as miserable as sitting down in front of a computer is when I finally get home after sitting at a computer all day... it needs to get done. All the more reason to focus on getting some more hand-done type in the mix. I like the unique calligraphy style of Neither Snow.















And just because, these super different wine bottles: