This is by Roland Tiangco, a Brooklyn designer. I just thought this was very clever, different and original.

These are by Andy Gilmore. He's a New York illustrator, designer and musician. He’s inspired by technology and geometry. Some of these look like spirographs, they're very cool, almost hypnotic. There’s motion to these and look complex. With the others I love the way he plays with the colors. His work looks futuristic and out there. I like it.

Illustrators inspire me, I think because because I really suck at it. These are by UK illustrator Emily Golden Twomey. I first saw her work a while back when she was still a student and even then I thought her work was great. I find her work so playful and airy. She’s inspired by the likes of Aubrey Beardsley, Edward Gorey and Kay Nielson, who I also like.

I found this Swedish designer, Niklas Lundberg, whose work I think is really interesting. He combines print, illustration, photography and creates some amazing work. The bottom images he created by bringing in stocked images then he hand draws the rest and then traces this. It is very out there. And what is most amazing is that he’s self taught, no schooling! The illustrate image intricate and yet clean and cool. The images with the hair is weird and odd, and the digital image is just as interesting.

In doing research for our class project on graphic design pioneers, I came upon book covers, illustrations from the 50’s and 60’s. I really like these, I’d forgotten how cool this period was, the simplicity and clarity. This is probably one of my favorite periods, not only with graphic design but with art, architecture, product design, etc.

Surreal Ads & Photography

These ads, from Germany, are for Volkswagen’s Blue Motion.  It uses Dali-esque and Magritte-esque art to get across on the car’s low gas consumption.   Not only are they very witty, it has great attention to detail.  For the Dali ad, I especially like the withered “shell” beneath the tree and the ants carrying gas. 

These images are from Toronto photographer, Liz Wolfe.  These too are funny and thought provoking  The colors are bright and dynamic and grabs your attention.  When you give them a second look realize its not what it seems. 

These ads are from Amnesty International and appeared around European countries a while back.  The tagline is “It’s not happening here but it is happening now.”  I thought these ads are very powerful and certainly get the message across.  By making them appear as if its happening right there at home, at a bus stop, right where they live, it brings home the message.  I do not know if these ads would work here?