Tiffany & Co: Best Homepage Image in a While

Tiffany's current homepage image is the best I've seen in a while. It has exactly everything to do with their subject matter. It totally addresses their audience: women who dream of this moment happening this very way, and men who have no idea how to propose (but this is a good option). It's season-appropriate, and fits in with their overall color scheme. Good work Tiffany's.

I love the Logo of this Cupcake Blog

First of all, I love cupcakes. Also, everyone knows I love pink, although this is more of a mauve. Anyway, I love this handwriting font. It's really clever how the C in cupcakes is created as a bite inside the cupcake image. I wonder how people think of this stuff. I like to think I'm creative like this, and people tell me that I am. But I don't feel like I am sometimes. I suppose this program is good for that; it forces you to be, think and act creatively all the time. I just finished some huge projects, and I'm still up at 1:30 am. Class tomorrow is at 9:30. I just don't feel like going to sleep. Unless, I can dream of cupcakes and logos like the one above.

Instead of Doing Homework I Chose to do This:

This is the Coolest Save the Date Card Ever!

In my head at the part where it said applause, I was already applauding. Hilarious.

An Old Wallpaper

Hi everyone,

A long time ago I stumbled across Vladstudio.com. It's full of amazing desktop wallpapers. You didn't used to have to register to get the good stuff (well really it's all good). I had this wallpaper downloaded a few years ago. It's called "Butterfly." And boy is it CUTE!

Children's Picture Books

We never really talk about picture books in class, but they are one of the most popular products integrating writing and design besides magazines. Kids learn to read by first looking at pictures and shapes and then associating them with words. I started creating a picture book last semester which I have up on my old website's portfolio page. I'd really like to finish it someday.

I also think it's very interesting when writer's create e-books, as you saw in my last post. I came across this e-book for kids and although you can purchase it, I think it's really cool to read online with the horizontal scrolling. It's called "An Awesome Book" by Dallas Clayton. This is a book everyone in our class can appreciate. If not for the writing, for the layout and design.

Click to read:

Chris Craymer:A Genius of Capturing Love

Chris Craymer has captured exactly what my ideal romance is. In his e-book, "Romance." His pictures are high res, crisp, clear and colorful. They are whimsical and romantic. They are exactly what my dreams of love are made of. Some of the images are a little risque just to warn you before you dive into my idea of what true love is.

This is one of my favorite and less sexy pictures which I assume is more appropriate for an educational based blog:
I absolutely love the composition of this picture. The way the girl is looking at the guy makes it seem like he's the only person in the world she would want to be with. It seems they are so in the moment together that there's nowhere else they'd rather be. It's true romantic bliss. The guy, to me is saying, "I love this girl so much that I'll wear daisies around my eyes." At the same time I think this could be the girl's image of their love in her head. That it's beautiful and cute and she would put flowers in their eyes to show their happiness.

I just love this.

Packaging Story Show & Tell: Crayons

How's this for a packaging story? Nothing like some good old fashioned drama.

In B&S, Plaintiff Binney & Smith (B&S) alleged

that Rose Art sought to capitalize on the fame

and recognition of the green and yellow design

used on “Crayola” crayons and markers (the

“Crayola trade dress”) by introducing a line of

children’s markers in packaging incorporating a

similar green and yellow design. In finding that

Rose Art’s use of a similar green and yellow

packaging diluted B&S’ Crayola trade dress, the

court first noted that the Crayola trade dress was

exactly the type of “famous” mark that the FTDA

was designed to protect. The court relied upon

surveys showing that the Crayola trade dress had

acquired national and international recognition

with consumers of children’s products, as well

as other evidence, such as the inclusion of the

Crayola packaging in the Smithsonian

Institution’s permanent collection and its recent use

on a U.S. commemorative stamp.

From www.arnoldporter.com/resources/documents/Consumer_spring_2002.pdf

I Made a Twitter

Hi everybody, I made a Twitter a little while ago and I think you should check it out. Yes it's pink, but I think it's safe to say we all just need to except my problem. I tried to make a profile picture for myself, of myself, but they all got squished. I couldn't really figure out the proportions. So, I chose a pink peace sign because I love peace signs and I love pink. Tulips are my favorite flower so I chose them as the background. I told my friend from home the other day about how everyone in my class picks on me because I love cute pink things and everything is so girly. She said, "well you're a girl!" :P


Just click the image for the link.

When Breaking the Rules Works.

So in class we talk a lot about guidelines we should follow in our design and writing. I know these are just tips to follow, and that sometimes not following them can work, if you make it happen. I mentioned a blog I follow in class where the blogger writes on her images. I absolutely love her work and thought I should share a few of her pictures with you. She sometimes writes around the shapes of the images, sometimes across them, and sometimes on vectors. Her images are clean, polished and lovely. Here are some of them:

I just think these examples are so perfect for how to do the unexpected, yet stay within your own design style. I want to master this!

Choosing a font color for my instant messaging system.

I think this is a really cool option for the color palette of my fonts on my instant messaging system. I use adium, as I have mentioned before. I highly recommend it over AIM for macs. It's interesting that the color white is labeled as "snow." Has anyone concept of a crayon box for a color palette before?! It's a screenshot. I think it's so clever.

Narrative Show & Tell: Stephen King's On Writing

Sadly, this book cover doesn't fit in with my blog's theme. But, the content is just too good to miss. Stephen King writes about writing, what could be better? I'm not really a die-hard Stephen King fan, but I know the man can write.

It's sort of like an autobiography about how he got into writing, and what he does to keep the flow going. My favorite part is when he discusses the word "said." He says in narrative, it's always better to just use the simple word "said" after any dialogue instead of a crazy verb. He gave an example of the difference between the two, and my is it magical. I have taken a lot from this book and it is definitely one you should at least browse if you are interested in writing.

VS Pink Holiday Home Page

I think this is so pretty. It's a screenshot of the current Victoria's Secret Pink website. Check it out!!

A coffee comic

For those interested in comics, you may have heard of this website. But, I just discovered it. This link is to a comic about interesting things about coffee. I just loved it! Who knew coffee beans came from red berries that grow on trees that can be up to 30 ft tall?!?

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/coffee

I have been finding lots of interesting links lately.

This one is hard to explain. But, you type something and it shows up in pretty little dots that only appear for a few seconds, then disappear. It's fun to write your name :D

http://www.themaninblue.com/experiment/BokehType/

How to Use an Apostrophe Flow Chart

Everybody, take a look at this flow chart. It's great! An interesting way to learn about apostrophes.

http://apostrophe.me/

My Computer

Being creative doesn't stop with your laptop's appearance. Here's a screenshot of my desktop. I loved this wallpaper and decided to make my adium theme around it. Also, I have my dock on the left side, which most people don't do. But I find that it's working out really well there.

LOL..designers Halloween Costume

http://kindacarsick.com/post/230881676

"Font Conference" : Fonts Personified

Haha, this is pretty funny if you haven't seen it yet.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3k5oY9AHHM&feature=PlayList&p=25636C72D21EAA94&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=19

Another little something I admire.

Isn't this pretty?

New Doc Idea

Hey guys, I'm thinking about documenting what's inside people's purses. Let me know what you think. Here's an image I found as inspiration courtesy of flickr...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mskittlesz/3281633097/

My font!

It's called "JKY" and it's copyrighted, so don't even think about it. ;)

i can't stop falling in love with Billabong

I love this image. Maybe I could be a designer for Billabong..it seems right up my alley.

Everybody has to do this!

Okay this is so cool! This is a website that allows you to create your own font from your handwriting. I haven't tried it yet, but I can't wait. You just have to write out each letter, in lowercase and capitals, scan it, and upload it, and the website will turn it into a font..I think. Someone let me know what happens if you get to try it before me!

http://www.fontcapture.com/

Favorite Words Show & Tell

semblance:

the outward appearance or apparent form of something, esp. when the reality is different

I have always enjoyed this word. I think it sound really pretty, which is interesting because it means outward appearance. I have often though of this as a great title for a magazine (steal my idea, feel my wrath).

fanciful:

(of a person or their thoughts and ideas) overimaginative and unrealistic

I find this word to be a funnier form of the word "fancy." It's meaning makes me laugh even more. Can a person's thoughts and ideas really ever be overimaginative? I think not. Unrealistic? Maybe.

malicious:

characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm

This word reminds me of food, I suppose it's the "icious" part. It makes me think a food should be meaty. I think it's a great word to use in place of "dangerous on purpose" Although that phrase isn't too bad if I may say so myself.

abyss:

a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm

I first really discovered this word when I saw Garden State. I really got to understand the depth of it when Natalie Portman and Zach Braff screamed into the abyss. I will always think of this moment when I hear this word. Also I love when Portman says, "Interesting job, guardian of an infinite abyss."

brevity:

concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.

Apparently people have been using this word incorrectly since the beginning of time. Never again will I say, "You just don't understand the brevity of this situation." I think it's supposed to be gravity. Well, now I just don't know. But, the real definition is perfect. I love any words dealing with words or speech. I love words.

cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

In an interesting state of mine one evening, my friends and I couldn't stop claiming how cantankerous our fabulous night was. When we were feeling more like ourselves, we realized how hilarious this had been.

calamity

an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster.

A pretty serious word. But, I always associate it with "Jane." For that, I will always appreciate it.

lavish:

sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious

A friend's last name. Also this word wins the award for "best words to describe itself."

raconteur

a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way.

How fun is this word? I am such a raconteur.

gumption

shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness

I first appreciated the word so much when I saw The Holiday. After that, there was no turning back. I even wanted to tattoo it to myself in some form, I think it's a great way to live; full of gumption (I base a lot of my life on movies).

absurd

(of an idea or suggestion) wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate

You just can't write that kind of thing.

rambunctious

uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous.

This word has such negative connotation. But, I like to think of me as a little kid, running around like a crazy person. Not much has changed, and I like it.

All definitions from:

New Oxford American Dictionary
Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus
Apple Dictionary
Wikipedia

Cake Boss Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZWp6-_KDuw

Everyone needs to watch this commercial for Season 2 of Cake Boss. It's really cool because they write comments and reviews about the show on all kinds of cakes. It looks awesome, especially when they cut the knife through one of the cakes.

The Runs : Real World v Road Rules Challenge

This is some really bad design work as pointed out by "The Soup." This logo is supposed to say "The Ruins" but clearly the building in dividing the word makes it say "The Runs." Way to go MTV.

NYC Findings

MOOD fabric store in NYC..sooo cool. I went down this aisle and found these fabrics out. I wonder what the person who pulled them down wants to make...


Cool coffee ad...I think...on a building in NYC

Collection Show & Tell: You're really pushing my buttons

Crystal Cardi Button ^^
Night on the High Seas Button ^^
Tutti Fruitti/Bubble Gum Button^^

Here are three buttons from my button collection. They are my favorites. The first one comes from my favorite sweater which I shrunk, RIP teal cropped cardigan. I love how it shines and adds a fancy flare to the air (and maybe one day to its new sweater home).

The second button came as an extra to a navy blue cotton blazer I have, which I only where every so often. So, if you see it on me CONGRATS! I love nautical themes for clothes, rooms, websites, just about anything, as long as it's done right.

The last button fell off of a pink zebra striped cardigan I purchased from Wal-Mart. Believe it or not, that cardi was my favorite for as long as it could be. It ripped in the wash after the 3rd time I wore it...another RIP (haha..ripped RIP..haha). However, this item's demise was not surprising, considering where I purchased it. This button reminds me of bubblegum flavored ice cream I used to get as a kid by this ice cream shop near my old house...ahh childhood.

Crystal Light Ad

Here's the new Crystal Light campaign which I think is so intelligent. I can't believe they haven't though of it until now. This designer is a genius, not only because of the concept but because of the execution. I wonder how they did it, and if I could ever learn how. Click for full image.

Geico Pothole

Hey guys,

I have posted the Geico pothole advertisement under "my favorites." It is absolutely hilarious, you have to watch it. Let me know what you think!

JKY

Comma Coma

If only there were a comma...

Photoshop In Real Life--click for full image

Could you imagine if this is what Photoshop looked like? I think this is probably the coolest thing EVER.

The Islands of the Bahamas

I have always enjoyed this logo, since I first saw it on a plane to the Florida Keys. When printed, this logo is much MUCH brighter and the colors are extremely vibrant. The color choice is great, and represents fun, life, and vacation. The abstract shape represents a string of islands. This is so simple, yet very well-thought out. I really like logos, and layouts with varying color schemes. But, this one really makes me happy.

Definition Show & Tell: Modern Vintage

Today for show and tell, I had ripped out a page from Glamour magazine. It was part of one of those advertisements that actually looks like part of an article. It is describe a fashion trend for Fall 2008 defined as "Modern Vintage." I think the definition of this phrase is trendy, high-end and not overly-adjectival (who knew that was a word?).

What are these things called?

Everyone has seen them. They're those games, those quizzes...those things you say yes or no to! I have no idea what they are called, but I find their concept fascinating. Someone please let me know!
I find this one quite appealing. I think that shades of tan and shades of teal work really well together, and not only for nautical themes. The look of this...whatever it's called.....makes you feel like people have looked at a million times, like it holds all of life's answers. I think it's great. The concept of these things is very simple, all you have to do is say yes or no to certain questions. But, this one in particular looks wise, and soothing. It opens your eyes simply to an often times heavy question.


*click for source

Rip Curl Girl's Tour

I really like the layout of this poster. I think it looks really cool how the main type is slanted, but not in a way where it is difficult to read. I love the overall shape, and color choice. The fact that the flowers were made into part of the wave gives a feminine yet edgy feel to the sport of surfing girls.

Don't Judge a Blog by its Title

Sure, Helvetica is looked down upon, just like Times New Roman, Georgia, and any other basic font. But the truth is, you gotta start at the basics. Let's be honest, nobody, and I mean nobody rides a two-wheeler before riding a trike. So I'd like to thank you, Helvetica for introducing me to the fact that you are what is called a font, and that you can be distinguised from your friends, even if its by a minute difference in cap height. I thank Times New Roman, Georgia, and Courier too. Without you guys, I'd be another creativeless cubicle occupant. No, I don't have a job. But I refuse to settle.

In fact, the whole reason I got into this design and writing thing was because I discovered that I don't have to do what everyone else is doing. But, I had to know what everyone else was doing in order to hit that gold mine.

Lastly, I'd like to thank God, and the academy for making my dreams come true