graphic design, art, typography and architecture

Most will be aware of some unwritten rules about the number of fonts/typefaces one should use when designing. I seem to recall (and I may well have dreamt it), that one should not use more than three fonts on a single page. Now, perhaps that is too restrictive, but here's what happens when you attempt to use half the fonts in the known universe on a single page: It's easy to see how the page loses any fluidity; rather than modular sections that click together, we're faced with what the Cartoonist Daryl Cagle describes as a ransom note (Cagle's own web ... [more]

Entries to the 1st Open Poster Design Competition for the Festival of Dialogue of Four Cultures can be made until May 11th. So, if you wish to enter and have the chance to win a first prize of 1,000 Euros, hurry up! The guidelines are pretty strict, so if you're going to submit a design, ensure that it meets all the criteria; just visit the site for more details. The format is: vertical layout of B1 format (707×1000 mm). The design must allow its duplication in offset technique (CMYK); but be sure to check the site for the full list of submission ... [more]

Mick Rock is undoubtedly best know for his iconic photographs of 70's legends Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, et al. Now he points his camera at Kabuki's Nakamura Kanzaburo XVIII and his troop, "Heisei Nakamura-za", for an exhibition at Tokyo Midtown Hall B, April 20-May 6 (1,00 yen admission; 10am - 8pm). I found it especially interesting as the only images I'd seen of Kabuki, were those of the actors on stage during performance. Rock, however, takes us behind the scenes and in doing so makes this wonderful art form that much more accessible. If you're in Tokyo, I highly recommend ... [more]

Shin from Kobe, Tomoko from Hiroshima, met at the Kyoto City University of Art. In 1995 they establishes AZUMI Design Studio, London and since then have created some beautifully simple, utilitarian furniture. To better understand their philosophy, it's interesting to recall Tomoko's response to a question about her favourite product; one of the products she chose was the humble chopsticks, explaining that despite their simplicity, they are incredibly versatile - that can also be said of much of her design. Shin Azumi and Tomoko Azumi have now opened their individual design studios, which you can learn more about online, here ... [more]

Sub-studio, my favourite place for screen prints has just launched a new set of prints. We are pleased to present a new series of prints...The Lure Catalog is inspired by the perennial ritual of learning how to fish - waking up at dawn, greeting the crisp, cool air with a sleepy grin and finding your way over to that secret fishing hole. The Lure Catalog features 9 spinning lures including spoons, spinnerbaits, minnows, and insects. Each lure is available as an individual 5"x7" print for $10, as well as in a combined print (15"x21"). All are silk-screened by hand on 300gsm archival ... [more]

Now what do seat belts and sails have in common? Well, you'd be hard-pressed to come up with an answer to that one. However, for the designer Matsuoka Tadashi, it's pretty obvious. Using authentic sails and used car seatbelts, he creates great looking bags/totes, holdalls and rucksacks to name but a few. In a recent interview, he explained that in using these materials he's able to create naturally durable, water-resistant and fashionable products whilst at the same time recycling materials that are usually overlooked. The seatbelts often serve as handles and by extension are used to give added strength; they also ... [more]

One of my favourite areas of design is typography - type for type's sake and the use of type within graphic design and illustration. Often times type can make or break a design; sometimes type is the design - I'm thinking David Carson here. I'm hoping to start a blog/web site devoted to typography, so I'm scouring the Internet and magazines for good resources. I'll also be recommending some good books on the topic. If you're newly interested in typography, a very good place to start is the Wikipedia entry for typography. There's also an excellent article from Mark Boulton, entitled ... [more]

I recently bought this beautiful cup, saucer and milk jug set from Patty's Mama. The owner, Yasuko Matsuoka, is an artist and collector, with some wonderful vintage Susie Cooper pieces. You can learn more about her work, studio and shop from this link (Japanese only); if you're Japanese isn't too hot, and you'd like to learn more, then click here and leave me a message, which I will pass on to Yasuko-san. Susie Cooper Crown Works I love the uncomplicated design of these pieces, especially, the detailing around the rims. Mrs Matsuoka is also taking her talent to Shanghai in May/June. She'll ... [more]

Saw this wonderful exhibit at a recent exhibition in Western Japan. It's entitled Time Machine. The piece sat alone in a large room with ambient lighting/music. I sat in (piloted?) it and travelled forward in time about 6 months, and lo and behold, I was driving a vintage Porsche 911 - I hope that the artist exhibits this piece again - I have plans for it;) The artist and furniture maker Kojiro Nakai (Triumph Handmade) is currently working on a new web site - when it's up-and-running, I'll post the link. [more]

Jack at Horrorwood - working with Graph Design - has a new line of T-shirts featuring a number of his well-known illustrations. My favourite is the Blue Robots, with the strap-line, The Future Will Eat you Alive. To find out more, visit the Horrorwood blog (English and 日本語！). (The model is Jack's wife, formerly of Vogue and Elle). [more]