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.