Quaker – A typeface

This is probably my biggest design accomplishment to date, and it's only halfway done.

This quarter I took the course Typeface Design where I began work on my first typeface entitled Quaker. So far Quaker includes uppercase glyphs, numbers, and primary punctuation. I'll continue working on them next quarter and complete the full set.

It was inspired by a vintage canvas sugar bag that I saw in an antique store. The starting point was the A and during the design process it is one of the few forms that did not experience significant revisions.

I have a lot of process documentation for this project because I intend to show this in my 45 hour MFA review. Below is a video that shows the designing process for the original six key glyphs and the E. I have over 10,000 frames from the duration of the project so I have to find a way to display them without it becoming an hour long motion picture. I think it is safe to say that I would be the ONLY person interested in that.

73 letterpress

 I love this daily letterpress series by designer Ian Coyle. Here's a collection of my favorites.

See the full collection here.

finals week

I'm in the home stretch of projects for this quarter. I just completed this one today and wanted to share. Out of context it doesn't make a whole lot of sense but isn't it pretty?

Also check out the corresponding twitter @be_a_tree.

clever cards

I know these are all over but the messages are just so cute and clever. I appreciate a good "just because" card.

All images from Sapling Press. Visit their etsy shop for more letterpress goods.

ted talk: the birth of a word

I've been really obsessed with TED Talks lately. This was partially brought on by my need to find multiple research topics lately, and further fueled by meeting TED's creator Richard Saul Wurman. In my browsing I came across this great talk by Deb Roy who charted his son's language development. About 80% of this video went over my head but the overall idea just floored me, particularly his 40 second clip that traced the evolution of his son's vocalization of the word water.


Enjoy!

hatch design easter egg contest

San Fransisco's Hatch Design has an egg decorating contest currently underway that takes me back to when I was young.

Here are a few of my favorites. See more here.

globe hunting

I have a bit of an obsession with globes. My collection has been steadily growing and I'm always on the lookout. This version from Upon a Fold is a fun twist on the classic.

Mmmmm...cake

San Franciscan artist Paul Fernay recently collaborated with is wife Jordan Fernay on the series Let Them Eat Cake. I'm loving the texture and variety. I would love to own one of these but I think it would just constantly make me crave cake!



See (and buy) the whole series here.

embroidery with a purpose

I've been using embroidery as a medium more and more lately and really love the results. I am always looking for ways to blur the line between my crafty side and my everyday graphic design work and when I happened upon the work of Evelin Kasikov it blew my mind. It is such a modern take on a traditional idea.

Took at her site for more great embroidery-design projects.

new chevron stamp project

I spent my morning off starting a new tablecloth. My newest stamp is genius, if I do say so myself. It's pretty easy to line up and is going much faster then some of my previous attempts. I'm more then half done already.

already planning for 2011

My search for the perfect planner always commences around this time. New calendars and planners are being introduced for the new year and I am on the hunt. I start this early because it really does take me months to find the perfect one that fits my strict criteria. Yes, I have rules for my planner.

a. It must have full page monthly calendars. None of this weekly calendar stuff.

b. It must be small enough to be portable, therefore, it needs to be able to fit into my purse. The 5.75”x8.75” size is ideal. I shy away from the notebook sized planners.

c. I need adequate square space for writing. I really do write EVERYTHING in my calendar so it needs to be able to accommodate it.

d. I also don't like them to be burdened with all the extra bells & whistles such as daily planning pages, address pages, future planning calendars that extend to 2020, or the entire periodic table of elements. I usually find a way to eliminate those because I pack it full of my own things. It quickly becomes home to all my little slips of paper, lists, and pay stubs. I am slightly flexible on this element, however, I understand I'm asking a lot.

e. And finally, it must be pretty. I have to carry this thing around for 12-months! That's a longer commitment then I make to the purse that it will be in.

So, you can understand my amazement today when I was browsing online and came across this. It might just be the one! Now I don't want to jump to any conclusions but it meets about 90% of my criteria. It does have a lot of extraneous pages, but even I can concede that a few might be helpful. Who knows, maybe I can actually use the "notes" pages provided versus writing my ideas or sketches on random post-its and scraps and tucking them in between the pages. I think I may be in love...but I also have strong feelings for this one as well. Oh dear, who would have guessed that I'd find 2 strong candidates before it is even October!

[images via fred flare]

needs vs. wants

I can completely relate to the idea of this project. I always want things I don't need. In addition to her great designs, the Recovering Lazyholic is also a super talented photographer.

Below is my favorite (green thumb) and the bf's (waffles).

speaking of freelance whales

Oh, was this too long ago to just offhandedly bring it back up? Forgive me, but they're are always on my mind. Reason number 1,467 to love Freelance Whales...their album art.

new julia rothman

A preview of her new illustration work. She can do no wrong in my book.











See more beautiful patterns here.

what's been keeping me busy

My current absence can be directly attributed to my participation in the upcoming INDIEana Handicraft Exchange that is in just a few weeks! My goal was to be well prepared for this year's event and while I wouldn't say I'm behind, I might feel differently in another week or so. My small apartments is overwhelmed by the current projects that I'll be giving sneak peaks of over the remaining few weeks. Make sure you come visit me (I'll be outside!!! Cross your fingers for beautiful weather) and the other crafty folks!

band posters

I find endless inspiration from band posters. It's a good source of experimentation for designers and I like seeing the end results. I always gather one's that catch my eye.
Clare and the Reasons / Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs / Alcest / Stars / The Selmanaires / Mardi Gras Kid Thomas Band
All found on Gig Posters

cool new calendar

Sometimes calendars tend to blur together by this time of year but this one definitely stands out. This would be a perfect Christmas present for the bf if I wasn't already done with his shopping.

From The Wild Unknown, Songwriters Calendar, drawings include bob dylan, john & yoko, emmylou harris, kurt cobain & more...

bird and banner

I have long admired the work of Bird and Banner. They are most known for their wedding work and other invitation design. I think one of the reason's I most like them is because their work is similar to my own. It is comforting to see another succeed with a similar design aesthetic and approach. Their work focuses on a hand done quality, especially incorporating sewn elements and screen printing methods. Bird and Banner is a source of continual inspiration to me and their website is loaded with darling examples.

my sister is getting married!

The oldest Scott girl is officially engaged and my head is already swirling with ideas for her wedding which is 12 months away. I've been saving all my good ones for her! Below is some of my preliminary ideas for her...

 

1. 100 Layer Cake  2. Once Wed  3. Tec Petaja  4. Once Wed  5. Bird and Banner  6. Tec Petaja  7. Sohomode Etsy Shop  8. Warm Country Meadow Etsy Shop  9. Once Wed  10. CiCi Bridal Etsy Shop

is it too early for a new calendar?

Last year I bought a calendar by Miriam Bereson and just received an email this week announcing the release date of her 2010 edition. I just love her calendars but learned that I am not a wall calendar type of person. Instead, I need a calendar that I can keep in my purse that is on me at all times. Last year I experimented by having both, but found my wall calendar remaining blank for a good portion of the year and then I could never quite manage to keep it up to date.

image via miriambereson.com

If I just got a wall calendar for "looks" and hung it solely to keep track of the date, I might go this route. This fabric panel calendar from SeptemberHouse on etsy just screams for embellishment.

I'm more of a planner girl. Love the hand drawn quality of this one from TheAyBeeCees.

Another good planner from Sarah Pinto's etsy shop if you're a weekly organizer. She has a variety of cover options to choose from.