Madison is a public-transportation and bike friendly city. My hope is it will get the attention of passers-by that will take a closer look, to find it is actually a calendar of events disguised as a route map. The city is full of bike trails and bus routes, now there's a public transportation system for finding your favorite artist and designer's lecture....
Beginning of a new semester at the University of Wisconsin, and that means a new line-up of artists and designers for the Visiting Artist Colloquium series. I just sent this poster to print for the Fall 2010 semester. Look for it around town and in LARGE format in front of the Chazen Museum of Art.
From the Art Department's website: "Formed in 1966, our Visiting Artist/Critic Program is the first and oldest continuously running program of its kind in the nation. For over 40 years, we have attracted some the nation's most prominent artists, critics, and gallery and museum directors."
Just wrapped up the design for the Clayton Bros colloquium poster. They will be at the University of Wisconsin on September 8th. Open to the public, cruise on by.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has one of the longest running visiting artist programs of it's kind. Top-shelf artists and designers come to talk every week, don't miss it!
Went to go and see my Uncle's gallery showing in Milwaukee this weekend. It's a pretty amazing thing to see his work in person, up close. See more work on Tory Folliard Gallery's website.
The detail when looking at this huge painting up close is mind-blowing, but the real magic happens with you pace away from the work and look at it from a distance. The shadows, reflections and 'details' really start to pop. The image above does it zero justice. Keep in mind that the painting is 64 x 76".
He truly is my favorite artist. So talented and full of knowledge. I spent one day with him at the Art Institute of Chicago and it was like 2 years of art history courses into one session. If you are in Midwest, head on over to Milwaukee and see the show at the Tory Folliard Gallery.
Having some fun taking photos in the Wisconsin woods. Such and awesome place with so much character. Took around 400 photos on our Wisconsin escapade, I will try and post them all on the Flickr page...
Of course, when in Door County, a Fish Boil is mandatory. Thanks to my Aunt Anita and Uncle Bill, they both unanimously put their vote in for the White Gull Inn. Take a look at their site for what a traditional Scandinavian fish boil is all about.
They did it up right with some white Lake Michigan Fish, red taters and all the fixins. I would eat that meal 5 times a week if it was an option. So simple and tasty...
So this might turn into a long rant, or maybe it will stay just a spark of a thought...
I do find it ironic how, these days, so many designers, illustrators and creatives in general (including myself in the mix), find inspiration and solice in the work of eras long gone. That itself isn't ironic, but it is when you consider that the "designs" we mimic were not "designs" at all when they were created. Many times we essentially look back to those who were not designers, illustrators or 'creatives' for what is the standard of design, today.
When looking at old antiques you see people's and company's marks and "brands." These were not logos, they were not meant to convey a message or extend their brand image. It was a necessity to make their mark within their niche. It was a way of saying "these are my creations." But the beauty of their designs shines through in the detail and absolute craft in the way they execute. Letter-spacing, font characters, color palette and scale are so spot on. This coming from people who could care less about Adobe, Apple, AIGA or design school. They have more craft and precision in the work they produced by hand, than 99% of designers today. The computer is the most extraordinary tool, and yet it has ruined the direction of design.
This is not a rant on the demise of design, but a mission statement for myself to find that craft and passion again. Was it their tools? Was it society and the expectations for greatness? Who are these people that created such priceless designs, and what do they think about the direction of logos, branding and marketing today? Do they care? Do they realize that they were at the forefront of it all? I am sure most have not been alive for quit sometime, but they must have seen the change from a craft to a profession. Is it better to be a craftsman or a professional? There is a difference.
I love seeing the old metal nameplates on old tools, appliances, city bridges and manhole covers. Or the brand on the bottom of old wood furniture. Not only is the furniture beautiful, but so is the ligature or icon that they chose to represent themselves. Such an awareness of great design and the blueprint for a successful logo, in a time when guidelines, schools and associations didn't exist to tell them.
In a time when anyone and everyone is, and can be, a designer, it's more important now than ever before that we set ourselves apart.
I want to find that craft in design. I am guilty of the lazy ways we have come to accept. Design is about ideas. It's also about the execution of the craft.
Here's to the the "designers, typographers, brand builders and creators" who came before us. You created out of necessity and inspire and direct all of us "professionals" today.
This is the Master, CEO, President, Boss and the Yoda of all things surf. Infinity Surfboards founder Steve Boehne takin some time to shape for the Sacred Craft fair. He's a legend. He is Infinity Surfboards.
My longest running client is still getting Newbaric fresh designs from across the country. Taking care of all their branding needs from board logo designs, editorial advertising, apparel graphics and all other eye candy. That's how we do it. See how Master B takes care of his shaping business.
So Newbaric has officially settled in Madison, Wisconsin. You know you have officially settled when you have internet again. This last week has been tough, being cut off from the outside world, but I am again a part of civilization. Thank you to all my loyal clients for understanding the craziness of moving across the country. Keep an eye on you inbox as your projects are in full swing again. You have to love the beauty of the internet, keeping the relationships alive thousands of miles away.
I love Cali, but gosh darn does it feel good to be back in the Midwest. Real nice...
Nice little cheese collage I came across on Flickr...
Keeping things goofy and fun. Don't take everyting so serious. Go buy a tarp, grab your skate and get a perfect little wave. These guys like to hear themselves talk a little too much, and that's OK too. A little Miike Snow in the background makes for a nice appropriate soundtrack...
So this is it. The last of the Design Quota alphabet. What now? There will be a stretching period until I start up again. The last 4 months have been great, and I think I will miss the routine of wrangling a design out of a letter form in 10 minutes or less.
The letter Z did all it could for the finale. A let down? Anticlimatic? I think it's an appropriate end to a succesful mission. The Design Quota has changed the way I approach my daily process and keeps things fun. That's what design is, it's fun. If it's not, why do it?
It's like the finale of Seinfeld, how do you say goodbye? Well, you don't. Another season is starting for the design quota real soon. Random fun posts will still be showing up as usual, so stay tuned. Newbaric never rests, and neither should you.
Take your time, kick your feet up and wander through the last 4 months of the design quota. What else is there to do? Your boss is looking too...
If I were to have a typewriter, I would want this to be my Z button. If my last name started with a Z, this would be my logo. If I were a Zebra, I would want this branded on my rear. Good thing I have nothing to do with Z, because it's not that great. But it is nice isn't it? A nice evolution that started with two arrows pointing away from each other... see them? Some thick and thin tweaks I would make, but overall a nice Design Quota Z. For some reason I want to read an 'S' in there with a false negative space. Maybe it's just me...
Thanks for staying tuned with the design quota. Tomorrow will be the last of the alphabet, followed by a lull while I trek across the country. I will still be posting random bits, so stay tuned. Design Quota rules...
The letter Z looking like a Swan, or a backwards S. Not the usual straight lines of a Z, but you'll live.
ONLY 2 more days of the letter Z and then we are out of letters. Any ideas for the next Design Quota topic? Might be taking a bit of a stretch between topics, as I am preparing for a move across the country. Just got married and relocating two time-zones away. Here we come Wisconsin! So long, for now, California. Starting mulitiple new journeys at once, and will still be posting the entire way. Stay tuned for the next design quota topic...
Great companies don't become great by accident. You can see in this video the dedicated staff and resources that Trek provides it's employees and riders to make sure they stay on top. Any they are on top...
Looks like W got all gamer on us. Took some inspiration from Galaga, which happens to be the last video game I ever played, back in the 1980s... Not a big video game fan, but W is...
You can bet that this letter isn't forgetting anything when it walks out the door. This is the letter that checks to make sure the door is locked, walks to it's car, drives away, stops and runs back to check again. Not only does it check, but it unlocks the door, opens it up, and then closes it again and re-locks it. Yeah, this W has issues.
Nothing like a nice letter V to start the day off. V's take on what a vitamin water company logo just might look like. You have a V, a water drop and some nice welcoming water. Good job to V. So pure.
The letter U has cooled off for today's design quota and is chilling by the pool. Hopefully it us wearing some of that UV block from yesterday's post. The letter U has fair skin and is prone to burning. Nothing worse than a burnt U. Don't you agree?
The letter U is coming in hot. It's representing itself in the form of a UV sunblock logo. Ultra-Violet, the dangerous invisible little rays that make you extra crispy. Smart little letter, I say.
Some things I would keep on changing and tweaking if this was going to be a logo. Spacing and alignment, as well as some extra modifications to the standard type. Thanks to Futura for lending us it's bold U. Always a happy helper.
If you haven't already seen this video, take a look. It's the USA reacting to Donovan's goal from around the world. Good stuff and great to see the country getting into it. This is the World Cup...
