Maths Dreamed Universe

Posted on September 4, 2009 Posted in Design, MerchTagged GFSmith, graphic design, math, poster, print, screenprinting3 Comments

maths_dream_poster

This gorgeous new poster by Peter Crnokrak (The Luxury of Protest) sure doesn’t disappoint. It’s a 720mm X 1020mm dual-sided screen print. One side printed in matte black ink, the other side printed in matte white ink. The poster was printed by K2 Screen London on GFSmith Peregrina Classics Midas dual-sided 120 gsm paper and has this awesome gold sheen when viewed at angle. I have a copy and it’s freakin’ amazing.

Not only is the printing method unique and interesting, but so is the process used to achieve the design. Here’s a description:

“Maths Dreamed Universe” is a quantitative visualisation of the manner within which elemental forms in nature order themselves. The graph was created using generative Python code and maps numbers 0 to 100,001 arranged in a logarithmic spiral. The form of the spiral is determined by the Golden Angle subtension of a circle that distributes numbers from the centre (0) to the outer edge (100,001). The pattern that results is frequently found in nature, as in floral organs, and has been documented since Archimede’s time.

Maths Dreamed Universe is available for purchase at Stereohype.

Here are more detailed photos of the poster.

Stefan Kanchev

Posted on September 2, 2009September 10, 2010 Posted in Design, Design LegendsTagged brand, design legends, graphic design, identity, logo, logotypes, minimalism, trademark9 Comments

Stefan Kanchev (1915-2001) was one of the most prolific graphic designers to come out of Bulgaria. He’s designed numerous book covers, posters, postcards, advertisements, forms and envelopes, post stamps, labels and packages but he’s widely recognized for his excellent logo work. He’s considered one of the best logo designers along with Saul Bass and Paul Rand.

The simplicity of the logos created by Kanchev is what really stands out for me. They all work in a solid, single color and a minimum amount of shapes and lines are used to create the visual. Stunning.

Via Steve Kirkendall

Dieter Rams Less and More

Posted on August 31, 2009September 10, 2010 Posted in Apple, Design, Design Legends, Industrial DesignTagged design legends, graphic design, Industrial Design, minimalism, modernism, simple6 Comments

dieter_rams

“Good design is as little design as possible.”

Damn right. Words to live by.

Dieter Rams is one of the most influential industrial designers of this past century. Jonathan Ive, Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple, is heavily influenced by Rams’ work. You can see huge similarities between Apple and classic Braun products in their simplicity, beauty and function.

From November 18 – March 14, The Design Museum in London is having an exhibition titled “Dieter Rams Less and More“. The exhibition will showcase Rams’ inspiring designs for Braun and Vitsœ. I might have to head to London just to see this.

To satisfy your fix, here’s a short documentary of Rams, a Dieter Rams Flickr group and a Braun Flickr group showcasing the classic Braun designs.

Grid Calculator 1.3

Posted on August 27, 2009January 26, 2010 Posted in Apple, Design, Grid SystemsTagged Apple, application, calculator, graphic design, grid system, Mac, OS X, print, tool, web4 Comments

grid-calculator

A new version (1.3) of the excellent Grid Calculator has been released for the Mac. The main feature of this upgrade is the ability to calculate grids for web design. It’s the only stand-alone app that I know of that supports both print and web. Pretty sweet. I’ve been told that the PC version is coming soon.

Here are some more new features:

• Inches and Points support.
• More paper sizes (DIN, ANSI and Arch).
• Great new time-saving feature “Copy Settings” introduced – NO more back and forth!
• Modified “Quick conversion” section.
• Web designer friendly, use Points in 72 ppi resolution and calculate your grid.

Get Grid Calculator 1.3 for Mac OS X

LemonAid Beverages

Posted on August 26, 2009August 26, 2009 Posted in DesignTagged branding, graphic design, minimalism, packaging, print, silkscreen6 Comments

lemonaid

One of my favorite design studios, BVD, just finished up some stunning new work for the German company LemonAid Beverages. They created a simple and eye catching design for the new drinks ChariTea and Lemonaid. BVD also selected a classic bottle design on which the graphics are silkscreened instead of using labels. I’d drink this stuff even if it tasted bad just because the design is gorgeous. Also, definitely check out the LemonAid site by demodern. The typography and videos are awesome.

Michael Kosmicki

Posted on August 25, 2009August 25, 2009 Posted in Design, Grid Systems, International Typographic StyleTagged Books, clean, graphic design, grid system, International Typographic Style, minimalism, modernism, posters, print, refined, swiss style2 Comments

michael_kosmicki

Michael Kosmicki is a graphic design student at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, and his work simply blows me away. I’m amazed at how refined it is, but what I love the most is Michael’s classic sense of style. A lot of his pieces feel like they’re right out of the golden age of Swiss design. Perfect in every way. If we did any print work here, I’d hire this kid in a second.