Peace and Love to All!

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday so far!  I've been trying to work on other stuff for the moment... internship stuff, jQuery, CSS, just a bunch of programming messes.  But I found something that definitely inspired me.

This comes from Juicy Courture's new line of perfumes called Peace, Love, and Juicy Couture Fragrance (which I can't understand why they just didn't leave it Peace, Love, and Juicy -- the name seems a bit long).  I love the earthy, colorful theme of the ad with the girl is looking innocently at the reader as she's holding the perfume.  Also, the outfit isn't something I wouldn't exactly wear everyday out to class or hanging out with friends; but this is definitely gorgeous!  I'll take the flower crown though.  ;)

I like how everything ties together to make a beautiful advertisement.  Especially the choice of type for the Peace, Love, and the & sign.  The only comment I would make is the type are hard to read since it's yellow, which seems to blend into everything else in the ad.

If it were up to me though, I would buy the perfume.  Then again, I'm not a perfume person.

Have a safe and happy New Year!  I will post very soon, I promise.

Small Time Photographer, Big Time Website

Splash Page

Hello and I must say, my apologies for not being here for awhile.  I've been writing another blog for one of my graphic design classes (which you can check out here).  But this I found on Facebook while being bored one day.  This is Kendra Pence's Photography (one of our local photographers).  I think the splash page sends the right message: feeling like you're welcome, soothing, calm... especially with how the photographs are presented.

Inside Page

When you get to the home page, it shows a very nice slideshow (music provided - which I don't like very much on websites).  Their picture selection is absolutely wonderful and has a very simple link system on the side.

Inside Page 2

The galleries pages are very simple as well, showing the pictures as a sideshow (being able to click on the thumbnail pictures on the bottom if you're curious about what the photograph looks like full size).  I must say though, all baby pictures look absolutely adorable!  But the one pictured above takes the cake!  =]

Inside Page 3

When it comes to showing the content, I think that being able to use inside scroll bars are a very good solution, especially since this is a Flash website (where you aren't allowed to use the browser's scrollbar to scroll the content).  This would've been nice, especially since in 1024 x 768, it shows the option to drag with the scrollbar.  Putting that aside, I love this website for the simple little animations, the color theme, the overall layout, and (of course) the high-quality of the pictures without much touchup from Photoshop.  I think I may go to them for some photography work!

Oh Goodness!

I'm so sorry everyone but I have been busy with my classes that I haven't been able to keep up with this blog. You can check out my other blog here.  Check out the collage about this blog above.

OH NO! It can't be true.

Yes, unfortunately school is back and that means hardly any time to post anything on here.  But I do have another blog that I have for my GDS 220 class if you would like to check it out.  I will eventually combine all of the entries and then continue to get inspired.  If you like what you see so far, click the Follow Me link as well as my new blog for class here.

Where Did My Screen Go?

Photo Credit

Now this was an article that I had seen at least a week ago but never had the chance to write about because of time constraints with everything else.  But I absolutely love this effect!  This one caught my eye because not only does it seem like there's a clone in the room, but the way he uses the screen as the main vocal point of the picture is great!  I don't know how they get the computer screen look so real, perfect and have a clone in the picture, but I want to aspire to do that type of work someday!  It looks like he's having so much fun.  You can check out many more pictures in this article from Smashing Magazine.

Let's Go On A Picnic

http://designarchives.aiga.org/#/entries/%2Bcollections%3A%22AIGA%20365%3A%2030%20%282009%29%22/_/detail/relevance/asc/11/7/20900/hudson-gavin-martin-corporate-art-collection/5

I was needing to look for something because it seems that everything's been boring or hectic lately.  Either way, this caught my eye for several reasons.  First, at the time I was really hungry and needed something to eat.  So I can use the words to image myself eating one of my favorite "quick items":  a Bacon Lettuce and Tomato (BLT) sandwich.  I love how people use words like this to have the viewer create the image of the sandwich instead of having a picture of the sandwich right on the shirt.  It's very intriguing and grabs the attention because you don't know what it is until you read the words.  Also, it helps that the background reminds me of a picnic blanket that you take outside to make it feel more like you're eating a sandwich.  Now, who wants to go on a picnic?!  ;)

Wow! They Did it Again

This is a different type of inspirations being that I've never posted videos before.  But it's Geico's newest commercials that I absolutely love!  People generally find chess very boring to watch, especially the chess tournaments on TV.  If there were fish swimming or getting eaten up, I might watch that over chess.  What makes this so inspiring is they took a famous soccer announcer and turned the most boring sport to watch into a spectacle!  I love how he holds the GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! for so long.  Who holds it that long and can make it hilarious?!  Also, the people are on cue... it's just perfect.  I love Geico's commercials and I hope that they keep it up.  ^_^

Eye Spy With My Little Eye

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/70-creative-advertisements-that-makes-you-look-twice/

I had to do one more... this and the website link below was what I found while looking for when magazines first started.  I may never know that, but I know that this is definitely an ad that makes me think twice definitely.  I love how it uses the billboard's pole as a way of creating the submarine's telescope and doesn't need to stay much to get the point across.  Too bad it wasn't the Yellow Submarine from The Beatles though.  =P

Double the Trouble!

Sorry I haven't done this in about two weeks... but everything has been hectic!  So, to make up for last week, here are two inspirations.  =]

There are lots of things that have turned small... from the Mountain Dew cans that we see at stores, to now salt?!  I love how everything has been turning small!  It's so inspirational because of how small, cute, and convenient this can fit in your pocket.  ;)  When they say you need a pinch of salt, this is probably what they meant.

This came from the Better Homes & Gardens June 2010 issue.  Now, what made this advertisement pop out for me was the use of the magazine titles.  Though it may not be much more than putting a few magazine titles together in a paragraph, it's a nice sort of "collage" (and I love collages).  Magazines have been here since, well, forever practically!  I see this as being a long industry where the Internet will rule.  Too bad they couldn't turn this idea into an online advertisement.  Maybe in my spare time I will make one fore them.  ;)

Cut the Lawn Already!

Okay, we can't exactly cut it, but maybe we could trim it.  ;)  But this came from Communication Arts magazine, and this is an annual report for a lawn company I do believe.  In any rate, I believe that's perfect for this company because not only does it represent grass through it's wonderful book cover filled with fake grass, it also has grass sprouts and different plants on each of the pages.  Plus, who wouldn't love the idea of playing on it with their Barbie dolls pretending to have a picnic on it, and then turning the report into a lawn-eating monster?!

Money Woes?!

 

Bad Credit Hotel

As you can tell, I'm on the Internet a lot (well.. it may seem like too much).  But that's a part of my job!  ~_^  I was actually looking for inspirations this week when I came upon this website.  It's a non-profit organization from the government that tells people how to keep up on their credit and to make sure that they aren't getting scammed.  I love how it's a sort of interactive "game", capturing different inventory (or items) as you go.  It tells the different information about credit card companies through the inventory or different parts of conversations.  What makes it even better is it's sort of like an old black-and-white horror movie from the old "scratches" (or whatever you call it) to the vintage wallpaper, rugs, you name it!  I don't think that this feel will ever die!  Way to capture the essence of the old movies!

The ABC's All Over the World

http://rhettdashwood.com.au/#16575

While I was trying to get inspiration for an alphabet that has to do with oral care, I discovered many different forms of alphabet recreations.  Some I had never seen, others still amazing to look at.  Check them out here:
http://www.tutorial9.net/resources/not-your-usual-characters-30-amazing-alphabet-recreations/

Why I loved this one so much is because not only did it take seven months to complete this project, but it's amazing how even the simplest buildings and road structures can recreate some of the everyday letters in space.  Who would've known?!  I wonder how they found such perfect forms of some letters, such as T and L and what those are?  Either way, it makes me want to travel the world and explore what's beyond my neck of the woods.

And You Thought Paper Was Just For Writing On

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/05/29/the-beauty-of-paper-art/

Now I love Smashing Magazine's website and found this while subscribing to their RSS feed.  You can check out more featured artwork that is mostly made of just paper!  It's not only because this was made through pieces of paper, pieces of wood, acrylic, etc. it's just beautiful to look at!  It's from Gregory Euclide and his other pieces that he has exhibited in Lost At E Minor.

http://www.lostateminor.com/2009/03/06/gregory-euclides-mixed-media-artwork/

He based this and another piece of work on showing how beautiful nature and humanity really is, which it does.  Through it's different shapes and bends, it makes you wonder what's peeking in some of the corners and different curves.  It also makes it wonderful because of it's "pop-out" effect.  This piece makes me wish that I could be there right now.

Pulling Teeth!!

Okay, so I've decided that since I've been working with my internship this summer and finding so many different inspirations while I work on many of my projects, I've decided to do what I've been doing for the past two semesters; find an inspirational picture, artwork, etc. and post it on here.  After all, everything triggers something, whether it's good or bad.

And here's a place to start...

Link:  http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Ragle-Dental-Laboratory-Inc_/223503

I was working on creating a new postcard when I came upon a set for Ragle Dental Laboratory Inc.  I love how it's taking the phrase "Times have changed..." and applied it through the black and white old photos along with the old techniques of how to pull teeth out.  What also makes it stand out is the great color choice of the strong orange for the background.  I think it's a very clever postcard and it definitely triggered bad feelings of pulling teeth out with pliers.  Ehhh!

InterGalactic Experience - Inspiration 14

This came from Issue #42 2008 issue of CMYK.  When I saw this, I related to the CD project we were finishing up in class for this semester.  This is a whole collection of Daft Punk's music (though it may be confusing since the K at the end looks like a T -- or is this intentional?!)  What I love it is not only the design of the case itself, but if you look at the CD artwork, it has red and many other "pop artish" colors in the CDs along with being so different but having a central theme.  The design was based on the cosmological creation of the universe:  explosion, complexity, stars and the galactic system.

Many Designs, One Theme - Inspiration 13

This came from the February 2009 issue of HOW magazine.  What I absolutely loved about this is that
1.) that the company used a design from Andy Warhol because the Marilyn Monroe piece shown there happens to be one of my favorites.
and
2.) that all of these pieces collaborate together, though they have different designs, to show off the many different designing aspects because the purpose of these catalogs was to auction off many different pieces of artwork.
I wonder when doing these catalogs if they had put the different designing aspects into the different catalogs so that if someone were attracted to one cover, they would pick it up, or simply put everything in all three of the catalogs?  Either way, I think these were a big hit during the auction!

Snowboarding Down the Slopes - Inspiration 12

I found this in the August 2005 issue of HOW  What was so amazing is that it took a great concept involving Sean White and his snowboarding and geared it towards teenagers in a very interesting way.  The combination of hand drawings, the wonderful photography, and the "cutout" feel (that is the buildings in the mountains on the homepage) that was used just pieced everything together.  I think my favorite part would have to be how they had on the corner of the website a little "note to self" where they featured special products of the day.  I hope that Target will once again do something like this and that Target will keep up with all of their graphic designing work.  They never cease to not have good design!

From The People - Inspiration 11

This came from Communication Arts November 1999 Design Annual 40.  When I first saw this, I wasn't sure what to think because of the buttons taped to the yellow letter on the left and the usage of many of their letters that were written by people who love (or hate -- for different reasons) Nike.  What makes this really unique is that this is actually used for an annual report and it uses many of their customers letters and let them have a voice, because how else would a company be able to keep striving the way Nike has for many years without their consumers.  I wish that many more companies would do something like this -- but then again, this makes Nike stand out from other companies.

Corporate America - Inspiration 10

This is a picture that I got from the January/February 2008 issue of AdBusters.  I found this picture very interesting because I believe that this is what America represents (in a sense) with the many corporations that make up America (when you look at some of the cutouts on the buildings) along with some of the factors that most Americans look at (ex. Barbie, fashion magazines, alcohol, religious pictures) as a way we're supposed to be and look like in the eyes of American media along with our values.  What appealed to me is I've always loved magazine cut out collages and I liked how the artist put that element together so well to come up with a city skyline to represent what America is all about.

We All Have Layers.. How Many Do You Have? - Inspiration 9

This poster came from the December 2008 issue of Print Magazine.  It was used to advertise a two day event for Barkley.  I think that this is so creative is not only is it sort of an "interactive" poster (meaning the different flaps of the brain), it also brings to life the idea that everyone is full of layers, just like in Shrek in saying he had layers, just like an onion.  But it also portrays different types of artwork using the flaps, including what looks like magazine clippings and some lined paper.  I just wonder what's really under all the "layers" in this person in the poster?

Water = Life - Inspiration 8

These posters were created by a graphic design student and came from the April 2009 issue of How magazine.  When looking at this, it made me think about project 3 and how delicate everything is and how life begins with just one simple element; water.  I believe they brought that idea to life by somehow having water droplets that looked like a tree and jellyfish (which needs water to survive).  Just the idea of having the water droplets form into the shapes that the student did blows me away, but it also ties in with the tagline.  I think that we should pay more attention to this issue and be concerned about the one life resource we have.

Ahh! The Sun is Shining So Bright!! - Inspiration 7

This came from an issue of Communication Arts.  The posters were used for a seminar about successful aging, probably having to do with protecting yourself from the sun because of the hats creating shade over the heads.  What I think is so clever though is how they used the main background color for the heads of the body while using one or two other colors to create the hat and facial features in a unique way.  Especially the top poster because the way the light is striking on her head as well as bringing shine and brightness to the earrings.  =]  I don't know what the company is all about, but it makes me want to look up more.

Oh My! There's So Much Junk! - Inspiration 6

I found this in the June 2007 issue of HOW magazine and the first thing I thought it was was a bunch of catalogs that were put together.  But as I got closer into the message, they took junk (or direct) mail that you would normally get and put them around the letters to emphasize the point of recycling.  I like when people actually use the products in a campaign because it makes people remember much easier what the message is, which is to stop direct mail (like the junk mail shown and catalogs).  According to some of the comments about the piece, it is said the majority of mail that we get anymore is direct mail instead of letters or important packages.  Taking drastic actions (starting with this) will be the way for people to listen and I hope we do.

Pop Art Comes To Life - Inspiration 5

I found this in Communication Arts December 2004 45th Annual Advertisement Annual on pg. 69.  Now we've seen these commercials everywhere and I just absolutely fell in love with it the first time I saw it not only because it was different, but used colors very creatively to make the people and their product pop out much better (like in pop art).  Not to mention it's not just the commercials that make us want to dance, looking at these makes me want to get up and groove to get myself an iPod.  I especially like the one where they have the pink and black because it's my favorite color combination, but it makes the bracelets and the headband very interesting.  Too bad life can't all be in technicolor.

Optical Illusion - Inspiration 4

This advertisement/postcard came from Communication Arts July/August 2009, Illustration Annual for design firm, Somewhat Awesome Design.  I love optical illusions, especially the ones that trick your eye.  At first, when you look at it, you see the people in the red with the handwriting in it.  But when you look closer, you see that there are other bodies there (profiles shots of two guys -- one on each side and two girls and a guy in the middle).  It reminded me of the old lady or vase optical illusion.  Plus, everyone remembers and likes optical illusions because it makes you think, and when you think, it makes you remember them better.

Also, sorry about the small picture but somehow the file got messed up when I brought it back on the PC and it could only be read in Adobe Bridge.

Large Paper Clips and Mannequin Legs - Inspiration 3

 

This is a billboard advertisement that I found in CMYK's Fall 2007 magazine for GMail which is absolutely fantastic!  Why it's fantastic is because it take the phrase "Larger attachments." and brings the idea to life, using a huge black paper clip to emphasize the point that GMail can hold larger attachments than any other competition (probably including the billboard).  Also, the fact that it hardly uses just words is clever -- I wonder if this ad campaign had just a blank black paper clip with a blank white billboard then later revealed what the ad was for?

This is another item from the same CMYK magazine, but it's a font poster created for the font Helvetica.  What was so cool is not only how creative they were using the mannequin legs for their idea, calling the font pretty much the "slut of typeface" (where the mannequin legs come in) since, after all, the way the legs are posed could be slutty.  Plus, the message is that Helvetica is just the right font because it can be used for anything, and it's always the right size.  If you look to the side of the poster, they also show the font styles (from regular to bold) and integrating the mannequin legs heavier and heavier on the waist and thighs.

American Beauty?! - Week 2

This is a photograph that I found from the March/April 2009 issue of AdBusters that struck me as very interesting.  I didn't understand what the reference was at first because it was an overweight woman in an American flag bikini and automatically got hooked.  As you look into it more, it shows the woman is on top of all sorts of candies and sweets that I'm sure you and everyone else enjoys.  What was interesting is the photographer, Henrich Kimerling entitled the photograph "American Beauty" because when we think of beauty, we think of probably a athletic or a thinner person that's built very nicely and always looks pretty.  This just takes the stereotype of beauty and not only flips it, but Henrich calls it like it is.  Why I say this is because in today's society, we're mostly obese and eat all of these sweets and care about what we buy (because of the designer Chanel high-heels and sunglasses), along with showing how other countries view our country and culture in general.  I just hope that we can change some of these things before it's too late.  But beauty isn't just about the outside, but what's inside is much more beautiful.

Let the Inspiration Fly! Week 1

This is an advertisement that I found in the Communication Arts Design Annual 43, November 2002 issue.  The first thing I thought when I saw this in the magazine was, "why is there a silhouette of a chicken in the middle of the page?"  After I took a few seconds to look at it, I realized there were three eggs in the chicken.  The top egg contained what the company was for, Portfolio Center; the second egg containing information in regards to what the company is about; and the third is what I believe to bring the idea together.  The idea came from a review saying they were "Grade 'A'", just like eggs are supposed to be.  ~_^

What is so inspirational is how they could take a review such as "Grade 'A'" and take it to the next level using a simple silhouette of a chicken and a few eggs to emphasize the main points in the advertisement.  I want my eggs scrambled with onions please!  =]