Saturday, March 23, 2013
Foxy music
Hem // Tourniquet // Official Video from Jordan Bruner on Vimeo.
Brilliant animation style - it is rare that I come across truly extraordinary piece of work using a fox theme. I could not resist sharing it with you.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Paper fashion
Spanish fashion designer Mariano Fortuny established his couture house in Venice. His remarkable work in textiles inspired by Greek ancient clothing developed during the first half of XXth century closely intertwining with the fin de siècle style. Fortuny's heritage was built upon by a Belgian artist, Isabelle de Borchgrave. She has styled his designs entirely by hand using paper. The results of her work were exhibited worldwide and widely acclaimed.
I recently visited her exhibition in Brussels and although initially I was riveted by this concept and extremely inspiring artwork as presented on various advertising material, I was rather sceptical when I saw it in reality. Paperwork art definitely keeps its message when you look at it from the distance, while when you approach it and examine it closely, at least in this instance, it somehow loses its charm. Here I collected several pictures from the exhibition which I hope retained the magical image which for me will prevail from this experience.
I recently visited her exhibition in Brussels and although initially I was riveted by this concept and extremely inspiring artwork as presented on various advertising material, I was rather sceptical when I saw it in reality. Paperwork art definitely keeps its message when you look at it from the distance, while when you approach it and examine it closely, at least in this instance, it somehow loses its charm. Here I collected several pictures from the exhibition which I hope retained the magical image which for me will prevail from this experience.
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| by Renard Champion |
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| by Renard Champion |
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| by Renard Champion |
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| by Renard Champion |
Saturday, August 11, 2012
The smartest idea of the summer !
A creative think tank of design ideas based in Geneva, run by a Belgian, has launched a new project which interlinks fashion with practicality which is required on a urban journey.
The product is called Crumpled City which is a soft map manufactured by Palomar. The idea is based on empirical observation of tourists struggling with city maps, being unable to fold them back along the original creases. Haven't it maybe happened to you ? An added value of this project is that people using Crumpled City maps may discover how fun it is to use a map and not rely on digital navigation tools :-) This is indeed very smart ! Crumpled City maps were singled out by the Canadian En Route magazine together with other geographic items not to miss!
Besides the practical side of this product, the map is beautifully designed, you must admit. The author is currently working on the extension of the project and is planning to launch a set of scarves with different city maps patterns - how cool is that !?
The product is called Crumpled City which is a soft map manufactured by Palomar. The idea is based on empirical observation of tourists struggling with city maps, being unable to fold them back along the original creases. Haven't it maybe happened to you ? An added value of this project is that people using Crumpled City maps may discover how fun it is to use a map and not rely on digital navigation tools :-) This is indeed very smart ! Crumpled City maps were singled out by the Canadian En Route magazine together with other geographic items not to miss!
Besides the practical side of this product, the map is beautifully designed, you must admit. The author is currently working on the extension of the project and is planning to launch a set of scarves with different city maps patterns - how cool is that !?
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Being away for a while..
Being away from blogging for almost a year..I must have had some very serious reasons. Yet I admit that I have not abandoned searching for new ideas and inspirations.
Being busy it's not a state of mind with which you can justify your absence from an activity, such as writing your blog for instance.
After all, this year I was so busy, and this intensive period has not completely ended yet, that I have not had opportunity to recover properly. Nor have I been on holidays. Thus watching any holiday reminiscence or memories is reminding me of it. I see pictures of friends travelling places, I receive guests who travel to see the city where I currently live, and they stay at our place, so somehow I can live this wonderful feeling of having a break from regular life. I miss it so much.
Recently, I found these amazing illustrators. Whenever I look at these pictures I am happier.
These pictures belong to a young Belgian illustrator living in Gent. You can watch more of her works at her website Trui Chielens. She illustrates books and makes business, birth and greeting cards on order. Her ideas can also serve to create a business identity such as a company logo.
This one below is not so positive, depending on how you look at it though, but still very funny.
The second set of pictures is more dark or 'sombre' sometimes, however I enjoy it very much, especially because it touches upon the topic of foxes! It comes from Lorna Scobie who is London based illustrator graduated this year from the Kingston University, awarded with various prizes for her talent. I am mostly fond of these pictures.
And this is her Fox ! And some more cheerful characters..
Being busy it's not a state of mind with which you can justify your absence from an activity, such as writing your blog for instance.
After all, this year I was so busy, and this intensive period has not completely ended yet, that I have not had opportunity to recover properly. Nor have I been on holidays. Thus watching any holiday reminiscence or memories is reminding me of it. I see pictures of friends travelling places, I receive guests who travel to see the city where I currently live, and they stay at our place, so somehow I can live this wonderful feeling of having a break from regular life. I miss it so much.
Recently, I found these amazing illustrators. Whenever I look at these pictures I am happier.
These pictures belong to a young Belgian illustrator living in Gent. You can watch more of her works at her website Trui Chielens. She illustrates books and makes business, birth and greeting cards on order. Her ideas can also serve to create a business identity such as a company logo.
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This one below is not so positive, depending on how you look at it though, but still very funny.
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The second set of pictures is more dark or 'sombre' sometimes, however I enjoy it very much, especially because it touches upon the topic of foxes! It comes from Lorna Scobie who is London based illustrator graduated this year from the Kingston University, awarded with various prizes for her talent. I am mostly fond of these pictures.
And this is her Fox ! And some more cheerful characters..
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Sunday, September 4, 2011
Bespoke à la autrichienne
Vienna came second in the Economist Intelligence Unit's latest survey on the most livable cities in the world. On top of that, I have always admired male fashion for its aesthetics and attention to detail (see my last post about Pitti Uomo) and I have associated this quality obsession with Savile Row boutiques in London. Then, I discovered Scheer shoes - an Austian born concept of measuring-up and trying-on quality of product personalised according to each and every need of demanding feet.
The process of preparing a pair for a customer takes up to 60 hours of work and demands around 3 meetings with the manufacturer in order to make the shoes feel perfect. The company was founded in 1816 and has been now managed by the same family for 7 generations. The firm went under rapid development during the second half of 19th centrury thanks to the management of Rudolf Scheer. In 1878, Rudolf was given a title of "imperial and royal shoemaker to the court" and his business gained such customers as the Kaiser Franz Joseph, the German Kaiser Wilhelm, as well as the Greek and Serbian kings. After the Great War, the family had to pass on the running of the business to the younger generation which implemented changes in terms of health aspects and experimented with new designs.
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| scheer.at |
The process of preparing a pair for a customer takes up to 60 hours of work and demands around 3 meetings with the manufacturer in order to make the shoes feel perfect. The company was founded in 1816 and has been now managed by the same family for 7 generations. The firm went under rapid development during the second half of 19th centrury thanks to the management of Rudolf Scheer. In 1878, Rudolf was given a title of "imperial and royal shoemaker to the court" and his business gained such customers as the Kaiser Franz Joseph, the German Kaiser Wilhelm, as well as the Greek and Serbian kings. After the Great War, the family had to pass on the running of the business to the younger generation which implemented changes in terms of health aspects and experimented with new designs.
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| scheer.at |
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| scheer.at |
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| scheer.at |
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tomahawk
We are in the middle of the Polish summer. I say in the middle, as Polish summer is usually mixed with weeks of rain, temperatures lower than 15 degrees and sometimes also sun. Every sun is different, 2 years ago and a year ago we had heavy rain that caused severe floods mainly in the South of Poland and in the big cities located by the river Vistula (Wisła). Now, when I am writing this post, it's raining... It has been now 2-3 days of a cold weather, it's also very windy. In contrast, last week it was a very sunny and hot weather, so here in Poland we are unhappily used to unpredictable weather conditions in the summer (though in the winter we all know in advance that it is going to be verrry cold for at least 5 months).
Resuming my introduction, I would like to share with you an interesting, all season campfire that can help you to evoke some warming memories from the winter time (when you were warming yourself up by the fireplace). It can be rather useful when it pours with rain outside, it is cold indoor and you do not feel like doing anything apart from lying in bed, waiting for this time to pass away (especially in June).
Towahawk Studios presents a cosy table: The Campfire Table designed by Tomek Archer in 2002. It's made of solid timber. The feeling that you get using this object can be compared to the feeling of timeless ritual of gathering, Archer descibes. The Campfire Table is very simple, made of simmetrical pieces of timber of equal lengths, they are packed flat and shipped to a customer in a way so it's easy to assemble without additional fixings.
Tomek Archer is not only a furniture designer, an architect, but also a drummer for a Sydney based band Van She. His Campfire Table was launched last year in Milan. The collection of furniture is produced with sustainable and high quality materials assembled in Australia in order to preserve the local craftsmanship. Have a look at some more of their projects.
Resuming my introduction, I would like to share with you an interesting, all season campfire that can help you to evoke some warming memories from the winter time (when you were warming yourself up by the fireplace). It can be rather useful when it pours with rain outside, it is cold indoor and you do not feel like doing anything apart from lying in bed, waiting for this time to pass away (especially in June).
Towahawk Studios presents a cosy table: The Campfire Table designed by Tomek Archer in 2002. It's made of solid timber. The feeling that you get using this object can be compared to the feeling of timeless ritual of gathering, Archer descibes. The Campfire Table is very simple, made of simmetrical pieces of timber of equal lengths, they are packed flat and shipped to a customer in a way so it's easy to assemble without additional fixings.
Tomek Archer is not only a furniture designer, an architect, but also a drummer for a Sydney based band Van She. His Campfire Table was launched last year in Milan. The collection of furniture is produced with sustainable and high quality materials assembled in Australia in order to preserve the local craftsmanship. Have a look at some more of their projects.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Do-it-yourself Easter postcards
Looking around Warsaw for some atypical Easter postcards proved to be very disappointing. I decided that I am not going to give up and will take some time and send my friends happy cards with inspiring thoughts for this upcoming celebration.. Below you can see the outcome of my (home) work! I am very proud of them. What do you think? ;)
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| background arrangements |
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| cards are ready;) |
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| no 1 |
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| no 2 |
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| no 3 |
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| no 4 |
Saturday, April 9, 2011
From an Alpine Swiss resort...to Japan
I was once said that all fashion trends that the West absorbs and promotes every season have already been tested in Japan. This time is the other way around: it is an European grown idea, made in China, successfully sold in Japan.
It is another brilliant Swiss idea (along with Freitag bags, in my opinion). Bruno Bike is a business idea born to perform Bruno's "pride and philosophy of Switzerland to provide a comfortable riding". It provokes users, preferably office workers, to rethink their daily travel to work. It is a smart alternative to a company car, a 'mini-velo' which shares the style, ergonomics and shape of a normal road bike, with one difference: Bruno Bike is folding (!), small and very light. They sell like hot cakes in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. They have become fashionable as the frames are fabricated from chromoly, a high carbon steel, which puts their prices up. According to an article in Monocle: "Bruno Bike accounts for 16 per cent of the 50,000 mini velos sold annually" in the Asian countries listed above.
It is another brilliant Swiss idea (along with Freitag bags, in my opinion). Bruno Bike is a business idea born to perform Bruno's "pride and philosophy of Switzerland to provide a comfortable riding". It provokes users, preferably office workers, to rethink their daily travel to work. It is a smart alternative to a company car, a 'mini-velo' which shares the style, ergonomics and shape of a normal road bike, with one difference: Bruno Bike is folding (!), small and very light. They sell like hot cakes in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. They have become fashionable as the frames are fabricated from chromoly, a high carbon steel, which puts their prices up. According to an article in Monocle: "Bruno Bike accounts for 16 per cent of the 50,000 mini velos sold annually" in the Asian countries listed above.
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| brunobike.jp |
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| brunobike.jp |
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| brunobike.jp |
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| brunobike.jp |
The bicycle distributor Bruno d'Arsié is running and promoting the company from the Alpine village of Klosters, close to Davos. He is a retired cycling champion that did represent the Swiss team from the mid 70s. He came second at his last official championship in 1990.
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| www.cyclingarchives.com |
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| www.cyclingarchives.com |
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Lamps - part I
The Artemide Group is one of the global leaders specialising in residential illumination. They started lamp manufacturing in 1960 in Italy. Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza founded Artemide in Milan and launched their first product, Alfa lamp.
One of the most famous Artemide lamps is Tizio, usually mentioned in the design books and albums, manufactured in 1972 by Richard Sapper with a halogen light source, became a world known symbol of the label.
Their first awards were obtained for Vico Magistretti project Eclisse (1967) - see below his similar idea Dalu. These small, colourful, table lamps in a style related to 2001 Space Odyssey by Stanley Kublick (1968), contributed to the history of international design.
Below you can watch an interesting animation on a famous Tolomeo lamp (1989) of Michele de Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina. This beautiful, minimalistic desk lamp is usually an inspiration for modern office lighting. Tolomeo is one of the bestselling Artemide product worldwide made of cantilevered polished structure in polished aluminium.
Artemide Tolomeo animation - Adrede Art Studio from AdredeArtStudio on Vimeo.
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| Alfa, www.artemide.it |
One of the most famous Artemide lamps is Tizio, usually mentioned in the design books and albums, manufactured in 1972 by Richard Sapper with a halogen light source, became a world known symbol of the label.
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| Tizio, www.artemide.it |
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| Eclisse, www.artemide.it |
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| www.schoener-wohnen.de |
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| Dalu, www.artemide.it |
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| Tolomeo, www.artemide.it |
Artemide Tolomeo animation - Adrede Art Studio from AdredeArtStudio on Vimeo.
Monday, March 7, 2011
At the Medici Fortress
At the Medici Fortress in the heart of Italian Tuscany, fashion and design met this January to discover new trends for the autumn 2011 collection. Pitti Immagine Uomo is a quality clothing and textile fair organised twice a year in Florence. This initiative attracts fashion designers, fashion admirers or amateurs and professionals working with creative contemporary arts. Through lifestyle promotion Italian fashion remains unbeatable and represents a leading reference of inspiration.
As man's fashion seemed to be neglected in the past when fashion industry was strongly dominated by women. It looks like now it revives and even becomes a source for designers working on the female style. As I personally prefer man style to woman sometimes, the next season must haves are based on a 'dandy' essentials and a 'sartorial' look. What is beyond any doubt is that the jacket is the star of the season. There are specific cold- and weatherproof jackets: from the parka to the navy-inspired pea coat. Sophisticated fabrics, doubled wool fabrics, inserts and lapels, jackets with jacquard linings fitting like a glove. And, the cardigan is not alone: there are heavy cashmere pullovers, hand-made looking knits; along with Norwegian style mohair knits and hand-knit alpaca sweaters.
After being extremely counterproductive, I must admit several changes appeared in my life. We moved to a big and crowded city, the Polish capital which one of my friends (surprising, but born in Warsaw) recently compared to an unruly jungle.. No wonder, I think that the reason of our bad mood and negative approach to life is winter which happily, slowly but surely, leaves Poland. The weather improves indeed and it will hopefully mark a change for all of us!
As man's fashion seemed to be neglected in the past when fashion industry was strongly dominated by women. It looks like now it revives and even becomes a source for designers working on the female style. As I personally prefer man style to woman sometimes, the next season must haves are based on a 'dandy' essentials and a 'sartorial' look. What is beyond any doubt is that the jacket is the star of the season. There are specific cold- and weatherproof jackets: from the parka to the navy-inspired pea coat. Sophisticated fabrics, doubled wool fabrics, inserts and lapels, jackets with jacquard linings fitting like a glove. And, the cardigan is not alone: there are heavy cashmere pullovers, hand-made looking knits; along with Norwegian style mohair knits and hand-knit alpaca sweaters.
After being extremely counterproductive, I must admit several changes appeared in my life. We moved to a big and crowded city, the Polish capital which one of my friends (surprising, but born in Warsaw) recently compared to an unruly jungle.. No wonder, I think that the reason of our bad mood and negative approach to life is winter which happily, slowly but surely, leaves Poland. The weather improves indeed and it will hopefully mark a change for all of us!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
TOMorrow's shoes
Not a charity, but a full profit company based on an idea of "one for one". An idea for a Christmas gift.
Traditional alpargata shoes from Argentina served as an inspiration for Blake Mycoskie from California in 2006 to start manufacturing simple shoes to bring a solution to the world fighting with poverty. Every pair of TOMS purchased equals a new pair of TOMS provided to a child in need. Breaking the povery cycle in over 20 countries, TOMS has given over 1,000,000 pairs of new shoes to children from developing countries. TOMS works in collaboration with international organisations and charities around the world. You can buy a pair from 50 $ (around 150 PLN). The company provides several styles of the shoes: from colorful youth designs, vegan-friendly and classic versions to the weeding styles (for brides and grooms).
The alpargatas appeared in Argentina in around 1830 among native rural workers. They are comfort shoes with a soft canvas upper, a soft cotton lining, a cushioned leather insole, and a rubber sole for traction. Orignally, they were only in black or white, but with time a group of friends decided to change their character and introduce funny patterns and different designs.Unfortunately, TOMS are not yet available in retail in Poland, but you may find them online and contribute to the action! Although, you must have heard about another popular alpargatas easy to get in Warsaw and Łódź. Paez are produced and manufactured in Argentina ensuring anti sweatshop practices and limited impact on the environment.
Traditional alpargata shoes from Argentina served as an inspiration for Blake Mycoskie from California in 2006 to start manufacturing simple shoes to bring a solution to the world fighting with poverty. Every pair of TOMS purchased equals a new pair of TOMS provided to a child in need. Breaking the povery cycle in over 20 countries, TOMS has given over 1,000,000 pairs of new shoes to children from developing countries. TOMS works in collaboration with international organisations and charities around the world. You can buy a pair from 50 $ (around 150 PLN). The company provides several styles of the shoes: from colorful youth designs, vegan-friendly and classic versions to the weeding styles (for brides and grooms).
The alpargatas appeared in Argentina in around 1830 among native rural workers. They are comfort shoes with a soft canvas upper, a soft cotton lining, a cushioned leather insole, and a rubber sole for traction. Orignally, they were only in black or white, but with time a group of friends decided to change their character and introduce funny patterns and different designs.Unfortunately, TOMS are not yet available in retail in Poland, but you may find them online and contribute to the action! Although, you must have heard about another popular alpargatas easy to get in Warsaw and Łódź. Paez are produced and manufactured in Argentina ensuring anti sweatshop practices and limited impact on the environment.
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| www.shoppaezshoes.ch |
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
external values
Initially, I thought it would be easy to integrate a new important activity in my life, but with time it turned out that it gets complicated. In 3 weeks I read two books - 500 pages each - and then started to realise that I find difficult to remember important theories and notions digested at once. I was telling to myslef, I have to start taking notes after each chapter, but it was not easy again, to sit by a desk and do it..
I finally began this week. It is very complicated and it disturbs my plan as it slows it down. Notes taking is very painful when you have a full time job and you get tired after a day at work. It also lets grow some new problems when you sometimes want to talk to someone or even meet a friend. Then you really feel confronted with a theory of alternative cost or benefit..
After writing my last post I obviously recieved many greetings and virtual handshakes. I recieved reviews in the local press and I found multiple comments on my blog! I am very pleased and thankful!;)
In fact, there was a friend that inspiried me more and suggested a similar business idea to the Frietag factory in Zurich. The idea is German, for a change, and I am very enthousiastic about it as it is a true discovery for me. Only my dear friend Pedro from Portugal who works for a German company could have come up with such a brilliant thought for a story.
The collective of designers manufactures bags made of sail. 360 Grad Taschen is sold as one proposition among other designer products offered by Klein & More. The idea of a brand is based on a need for presenting objects that transfer high standards with an innovative appeal. Klein & More is a platform selling products of daily use prepared by designers from different backgrounds who take advantage of an experimental character of the company. It gives them a chance to present unconventional projects and bring it closer to a customer. The story of 360 Grad Taschen began in 1993 in designer Edzard Kramer's garage. The bags represent once again individual urge to save the environment from kilometers of unused material ready to be recycled. Various shapes and forms for a personalised use of an original user.
I finally began this week. It is very complicated and it disturbs my plan as it slows it down. Notes taking is very painful when you have a full time job and you get tired after a day at work. It also lets grow some new problems when you sometimes want to talk to someone or even meet a friend. Then you really feel confronted with a theory of alternative cost or benefit..
After writing my last post I obviously recieved many greetings and virtual handshakes. I recieved reviews in the local press and I found multiple comments on my blog! I am very pleased and thankful!;)
In fact, there was a friend that inspiried me more and suggested a similar business idea to the Frietag factory in Zurich. The idea is German, for a change, and I am very enthousiastic about it as it is a true discovery for me. Only my dear friend Pedro from Portugal who works for a German company could have come up with such a brilliant thought for a story.
The collective of designers manufactures bags made of sail. 360 Grad Taschen is sold as one proposition among other designer products offered by Klein & More. The idea of a brand is based on a need for presenting objects that transfer high standards with an innovative appeal. Klein & More is a platform selling products of daily use prepared by designers from different backgrounds who take advantage of an experimental character of the company. It gives them a chance to present unconventional projects and bring it closer to a customer. The story of 360 Grad Taschen began in 1993 in designer Edzard Kramer's garage. The bags represent once again individual urge to save the environment from kilometers of unused material ready to be recycled. Various shapes and forms for a personalised use of an original user.
Some designs are brilliant to organise your bathroom or impress someone that likes tidiness.
Photos from www.segeltuchtaschen.com
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