A Classic Case

I was recently given a bit of a design challenge (more on that later, well potentially) and in doing so I have come down with a classic case of designers block. Don't you just hate that? It always seems to get you at the worst moments, like when you are on a strict deadline. I decided to shut down Illustrator for a bit to cruise the design world and found this inspiring image along the way. I can't get enough of it. Don't you just love it? So clever. Beyond clever actually. Let's go with brilliant. Much better fit.

How do you get over designers block? I would love some suggestions other than what I found here.

{image cred: Wink via grain edit}

Scared of Cobra Snakes

I am in love with this movie poster. It might be my favorite piece of graphic design ever. Although that might be because I am obsessed with this movie.

Too clever. And this Dude is my age to boot. It sort of makes you go wow, that is my competition, I am so screwed. (Plus he has a super awesome name!)

{image cred: Olly Moss}

Greatest Ad Ever

During my travels this weekend I came across the greatest advertisement ever. Well that is if you get it. And to get it you have to be from, or be familiar with the Maryland area.

As explained in my previous post I traveled to Baltimore this weekend to attend a wedding expo with one of my best friends. At the door they gave her a few bridal magazines and this piece of amazing advertising was the first page of Baltimore Bride. Too awesome.

The Natty Boh guy and the Utz girl. Classic. Hilarious. If you are unfamiliar with these two Maryland icons, check it out here and here.

You can find out more about the case study at MGH.

So in love with this.

{image cred: MGH}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Empire State of Mind

I adore the style of the 1930's. Art Deco is just so distinct it is hard to ignore. 

I spotted these wedding invites over on Etsy a while ago, but just got around to posting them. 

Mind you, this style isn't for everyones wedding. But if you are looking for a very vintage vibe this would be the way to go. 

Ornate. Geometric. Lovely. 

{image cred: Royal Steamline}

Punctuate away, 

Jessie-Lee

Chalk It Up

I am jealous of anyone that can execute hand drawn type in a non five year old kind of way. OK, I suck at it, so I am just in awe when people take letter forms to a whole new level. This Chica is kind of insane, but I can't stop looking at her work!

All in chalk my friends, all in chalk. I know that just makes it even more amazing doesn't it? Dana Tanamachi is one heck of a talent. And you should see her other work. Not only does she have this skill, but she is one heck of a graphic designer. Sort of makes you wonder how you missed that talent train doesn't it? 

Still in total awe. Love. 

{image cred: Dana Tanamachi}

Tea Time

So as you may or may not have noticed the blogosphere has been blowing up calendars and Christmas cards. Not to add fuel to the fire, but they are a little hard to ignore and I am going to have to show you my favorites.

Now, I am not going to show you a million plain old paper calendars. I have high standards when it comes to this stuff. Which, is why I am showing you my favorite Etsy tea towel calendars. Mainly because the sheer concept is cooler than their paper cousins. And it reminds me of my Mom-Mom. I swear she used to have a ton of these, one in particular from like 20 years before I was born that was adorned with cardinals. But any-who, here are some options for the big 20-11. Jeez, that makes me feel old. Into the new decade we go.

avrilloreti

brookewoolley

CampyStudios

CampyStudios

1canoe2

claudiagpearson

iota1617

cicadastudio

I have to admit, the first and last are my favorites. I might have to purchase one to hang up in the apartment. No offense Mom, but these are way cooler than the Labrador desk calendars you usually provide me with at Christmas. Give these a go? Ok, great!

Love it or hate it? I could get the hate thing, I would miss the brand new picture every month. Not going to lie, that is exciting. 

Any calendars you guys care to share?

{image cred: links under their respective images}

Punctuate away, 

Jessie-Lee

Not Into It

OK, pretty much every morning I walk into my friendly neighborhood Starbucks and while I wait, ever so patiently, for the newest barista to ring me up I take notice to the album art up near the register.

This particular album has been driving me nuts for about two weeks now.

Today I just couldn't take it anymore. I coyly placed this album behind the rest and then my typography nerves rested a little easier.

Now, hear me out. I adore Miss. Swift. This is in no way an attack on her upbeat crazy catchy tunes, or her crystal clear persona. This is a "there is your sign" moment for these designers.

I love the back, the textures are executed beautifully and I envy their mad skills here. The front, I have issues with. Miss. Swift has been rocking that curly cue logo for quite some time now. It is pretty much iconic as far as country music goes these days. The logo stands. So why in the WORLD would you pair that logo with yet another, hand drawn font. Kill me. I can't take it. My eyes are literally having a wtf moment. They have no idea where to go. So today, I allowed my eyes to rest, and politely put the album behind a more appealing one. 

Miss. Swift, great album, love the songs. Next time, make sure your design team has conflicting aesthetics. Your album artwork will be better for it.

I feel much better now.

{image cred: The ST8MNT Blog}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Skills

I am going for the short, sweet and simple route today.

I am digging these illustrator skills. It is a back to basics moment. And it looks good.

Check out the Etsy shop here. 

This is what it all means:

"During the Great Depression, U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt employed artists across the country through the Works Progress Administration. The WPA and its subordinate projects such as the Federal Theatre Project and Federal Arts Project embarked on a campaign of education, entertainment and art that brought the arts to people ways unprecedented in America, before and since." -Roosevelvet

Plain and simple. I like the prints. I am into the inspiration. I want to research it some more. Find anything? Drop me a line. 

Now to finish out this beyond exhausting day. 

{image cred: Roosevelvet}

Punctuate away, 

Jessie-Lee

The Total Mother Load

I am having such a hard time right now. I found the most incredible Etsy shop ever! Yes, I realize this is a bold statement but it is so true! In fact, I am having a super hard time deciding what it is I want to post. There are just too many goodies.

But more to the point. You NEED to go visit this Etsy shop. Yes by that I mean stop what you are doing this instant and go to this shop. Your life will never be the same again. It is pure graphic design mayhem, and I know you want some of that.

Without further ado, I give you my favorite items from the plethora of goodies at Yee Haw, a letterpress shop from Knoxville, Tennessee.

See what I mean? There is just so much, and yes these are all from one shop. And, I didn't even show you their apparel listings or their line of journals. 

It is literally too much to handle. I will be returning to this shop on a regular basis, no questions asked.

I seriously want some of their card sets. How great would they be to have on hand?

{image cred: Yee Haw via Etsy}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Food for Thought

I have been sitting on these a while, and I didn't realize it until today. I originally became obsessed with this recipie set about a year ago (see told you it was a while) and the fact that we are in the holiday gift season (cringe!) this might be a good idea to share.

Whisker Graphics is pretty brilliant, I am not going to lie. Let's take a step back and remember Grandma for a second. If your Grandma is anything like my Mom-Mom was, she has a slew of recipies and one tiny recipe box that is overflowing with oodles of delishious goodness. Now, I know I have always really liked the idea of having a box of recipies on hand to dig through when you want to cook. My only problem with this theory is I like things unified. More specifically I like things graphically unified. This lovely printable set makes all my recipie box dreams come true.

It is just utterly perfect! And the greatest part is, you can buy this .pdf set for $10. How perfect is that for Christmas. Buy it, buy some super fancy paper, a new ink cartridge, some bakers twine, and you have all the lovely ladies in your life covered! And if you are feeling extra crafty, I hope this inspires you to come up with your own recipie card set to distribute this Christmas.

{image cred: Whisker Graphics via Etsy}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

P.S. I am going to strive super, extra hard to keep up with the blog this week. I have a new, extra special loathing for my job, so that inspires me to commit to you readers instead! Thank you to those dedicated readers that still check up on me when I don't post. Here is to doing better!