Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

06/05/2012

Calverts

Calverts

Last week a few of the team from the Top Left Design were invited along to Calverts “Paper Jam Print Recognition Seminar”, at their workshop in East London. The 2 hour session was dedicated to giving designers, and Calverts customers, an insight into what happens, once print files are sent to them. They were also kind enough to show us lots of examples of print work, which proved very inspiring to us designers!

Calverts is run as a co-operative, and has been established for over 30 years. They specialise in design and print work, using digital and lithography print processes.

It’s been a few years since I have stepped into a printing studio, I think the last time was whilst at University. I have to say, it was nice to be back in one! I aways loved the atmosphere, smells and buzz around the printing presses, and Calverts is no different.

I was particularly impressed with their hugh litho printing machine placed in the heart of the print room! Arthur, who took the session, walked us all though the steps for printing and we also got to watch the machine churn out prints whilst there.

Now, I’m kicking myself, as I didn’t take any photo’s of the press itself so here are some images of Calverts business cards which are litho printed. I love them!

Calverts

Calverts

Calverts

Check out their website for more examples of the fantastic print work they produce!

29/04/2012

Beautiful “Bear” packaging design

Bear packaging design

Yesterday I spotted some rather nice packaging by design agency B&B. B&B are the creatives behind all things “Bear“. As well as helping them with packaging concepts, they also worked on the logo design, stationery and their website (which I find quite fun!).

I spotted these colourful nibbles while out doing the weekly “big shop” with the BF, and took a few sneaky pictures for this blog post.

Bear packaging design

Bear packaging design

Bear packaging design

Bear are dedicated to “making being healthy easy”. They produce a variety of snakes from fruit packs, granola, and fruit yo yo’s, which are rolled up fruit strips!

Bear is the brain child of personal trainer Hayley. She came up with the idea after hearing lots of people complaining about their diets and exercise patterns. If you check out the site, there is an interesting bit about how she came up with the name for Bear.

I really love the whole branding! I think the use of illustration works well and has a fresh feel to it. The packaging is also recycled, so you get a lovely feel/texture when you hold them in your hand. The brand also plays on humour too, from the leaf which covers the bears bits to the funny creatures that dance around the site. Overall it makes me want to pick their products up and try a bit of their grrrrrrrrrrrrrrub!

08/04/2012

The big family Fabergé Egg Hunt!

Fabergé Egg Hunt

As it’s Easter, I thought it would be a perfect time to blog about last weekends Fabergé Egg Hunt!

Just before I “eggsplain” about our day, I would like to tell you a bit about The Big Egg Hunt and how it all came about. Last year, some of you may have seen the highly decorated elephants dotted around London town (I even blogged about a few). Well, this year the Elephant Family and Action for Children charities decided to do a record-breaking egg hunt around London to raise money. You can read more about the egg hunt here.

Fabergé Egg Hunt

Our  egg hunt started with an “eggciting” family briefing with Gemma outside Harrods, Knightsbridge. It was there that we were assigned our team names and “eggsplained” the agenda for the day. The Webster’s were called team “Eggcelence”, headed up by captain Lisa. And the Punshon’s, named team “Eggcitable” were lead by Ceri.

The plan was to find as many hidden eggs around Knightsbridge, Sloan Square, Piccadilly, Carnaby Street and Covert Garden. The race was on, and it’s fair to say that it brought out our competitive sides in both families!

As well as it being a fun filled, family day out we also got to see lots of lovely designed eggs as part of our hunt! Here are some I snapped along the way.

Fabergé Egg Hunt

Fabergé Egg Hunt

Fabergé Egg Hunt

Fabergé Egg Hunt

Fabergé Egg Hunt

Fabergé Egg Hunt

As you can see from my photo’s, there was an “eggstensive” variety of designs on display. We didn’t get to see them all, but you can see the full list of egg, artists and designers on their website.

We thoroughly enjoyed the day, and I’m already looking forward to seeing what the Elephant Family and Action for Children charities decide to do next year!

05/02/2012

YouTube – One House Per Second website

YouTube - One House Per Second website

Did you know that ever second one hour of video is uploaded to YouTube! Now, that’s a lot of video’s!

To promote this fact, YouTube created this very cool website showing some thought provoking statistics about how uploaded videos convert
into real-time.

The site was produced by Punk & Butler, a data arts and digital production company and the illustrations were created by artist, Alex Eben Meyer.

I had to blog about it as I love the quirky illustrations/animations on the site. Here are a few of my favourites!

YouTube - One House Per Second website

YouTube - One House Per Second website

YouTube - One House Per Second website

YouTube - One House Per Second website

YouTube - One House Per Second website

You can also watch YouTubes “One Hour Per Second” animation too. It’s worth a watch!

29/01/2012

I’ve joined Pinterest!

My "Cool Typography" Pinterest board

Last week I received my invite to Pinterest and i’ve been pinning ever since. I have 4 boards at the moment – “Cool Typography“, “Surface Patter Design“, “Website Design Inspiration” and “VW Vans“. Click on the links and have a peek!

It’s great for finding inspiration as you can pin things in groups and peruse them all at once. I’m pinning on a daily basis and finding loads of cool things to post!

Here are a few images from my boards.

My "Website design inspiration" Pinterest board

My "Surface Pattern Design" Pinterest board

My "Cool Typography" Pinterest board

You can see my full Pinterest profile here. Enjoy!

24/12/2011

My 12 Days of Christmas blogging bonanza featured on Top Left Design’s blog

My 12 Days of Christmas blogging bonanza features on Top Left Designs blog

My 12 Days of Christmas posts were blogged about on Top Left Design’s site over December. You can read the full post here.

Thanks Top Left Design!

My 12 Days of Christmas blogging bonanza features on Top Left Designs blog

19/12/2011

On the 19th day of Christmas my true love gave to me….

Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar 2012 Calendar

A “Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar” 2012 Calendar

I’m loving the 7th edition of their calendar this year.

Noa Bembibre started it in January 2006, and is the brains behind the phrases, design and typesetting.

The calendar is printed on uncoated stock, in 4 colour printing. It also includes a cool black ribbon binding, which gives it a very retro feel.

Take a look at the calendars archive page for great phrases and typography. You can also place orders on the website.

Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar 2012 Calendar

Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar 2012 Calendar

Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar 2012 Calendar

Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar 2012 Calendar

(All images taken from the “Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar” website)

18/12/2011

On the 18th day of Christmas my true love gave to me….

Jenny Arnott Textiles

A selection of festive badges from Jenny Arnott Textiles

I first saw Jenny’s work back in March this year. I loved her embroidery badges and cards and decided to blog about her work. You can read the full post here. After the post, I’ve keep up to date with her latest creations on her Facebook page and “Not on the Highstreet.com“.

It was this week that I spotted her delightful festive badges created using appliqué and patterned fabric. I think Jenny’s Christmas pudding and stocking badge designs are my favourites!

Jenny Arnott Textiles

Jenny Arnott Textiles

Jenny Arnott Textiles

Jenny Arnott Textiles

Jenny Arnott Textiles

Jenny Arnott Textiles

You can see more of Jenny’s work on:

http://www.jennyarnott.co.uk
http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/jennya…
http://www.folksy.com/shops/jennyarnott
http://www.jennyarnott.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/jenny_arnott

(All images from Jenny Arnott Textiles Not on the Highstreet.com shop)

17/12/2011

On the 17th day of Christmas my true love gave to me….

WitShop website

A set of Christmas Bird Recipe Cards by WitShop

WitShop design and produce beautiful homewares, cards and gifts. The company is based in Leeds and places a huge emphasis on high quality manufacturing, design and materials. Each gift is hand-finished and they use a range of techniques to create their products.

I particularly love the hand-illustrated “Christmas Birds” and “Veg Soup” recipe cards.

Their website is full of fun gift ideas so go and have a gander soon!

WitShop website

WitShop website

WitShop website

16/12/2011

On the 16th day of Christmas my true love gave to me….

Melanie Mikecz illustrated prints

A “Holiday Nutcracker” print by Melanie Mikecz

Melanie Mikecz is a freelance illustrator based in San Francisco. She specialises in mixed media illustration using techniques such as sketching, painting, drawing, scanning, and “Photoshopping”.

Here illustrations have lots of colour and textures and include great characterisations! Here are some of my favourite festive illustrations that Melanie has produced.

Melanie Mikecz illustrated prints

Melanie Mikecz illustrated prints

Melanie Mikecz illustrated prints

All Melanie’s prints are available to buy on her Etsy shop. As well as illustrations she also produces abstract art too.

(All images taken from Melanie Mikecz’s Etsy page)

Website Design | Tina Webster