Make your own Hearts

... and send something sweet!

Make yours here.

Collection of the week {71}

Missouri illustrator and graphic designer Frank Chimero = Brilliant!

I saw this print amongst the many beautiful and quirky prints on Red Velvet Art then again on Frank Chimero's, who's work I stumbled upon today. I love finding connections in the art that I stumble upon to art I already love.

   See more Frank from his Shop and work

Collection of the week {62}

Packaging with a punch!

Pearl Fisher is a simply awesome design and branding company.

If ever given the opportunity to design packaging, I'd totally want to design like this.
Their designs are so simple but full of life and color.

I love you more than ____________

I love you more than blank is such an awesome love filled website. Simple in design and amazing in concept. A place were you can proclaim your own love, as well as see the love of others. I left the site with warm fuzzies and I bet you will too. Here are my favorites.

i love you more than the miles we are apart
i love you more than photoshop magic
i love you more than warm blankets on a winter night
i love you more than pooh loves his honey
i love you more than my macbook
i love you more than i love loving you
i love you more than you love loving me
i love you more than watching FRIENDS reruns
i love you more than i love to blog
i love you more than cupcakes
i love you more than i love books
i love you more than One tree hill
i love you more than ms. piggy loves kermit
i love you more than sunshine
i love you more than video games
i love you more than jim loves pam
i love you more than target

I'm about to submit my own blank, and I think I'm going to go with

"I love you more than tea" ... 'tis very me.

Fill in your own blank!!

{I'd love to know your blank}

Buy some blank

Rini & Faith's new look

I had time to design a little something the other day and decided to give my shop and shop's blog a little face lift. I miss designing and getting creative like this so I dabbled in a little more .. here is just a little bit of my design mess.

new look

I designed a random wallpaper for my laptop a few weeks ago and I've been itching to use it for my blog ... so I finally put it up! YAY! Man I haven't designed many things lately, it feels go to come back to it.

Building up my shop

I've been crafting, drawing and Etsy-ing all day. I'm almost ready to go live... almost. And for now there won't be many products listed in my shop but I'll for sure welcome custom orders.

{ NOTE: I can and will take any custom orders now, prior to opening my Etsy... just let me know here or via email: idiongzon@gmail.com }

Bring bad design to justice

I love this site. I had a good laugh reading each of the tabs they've created and I'm so printing out a copy of these on sticky paper and cutting them up for myself.

Bad design does happen to good people ... that's why there is the Design Police.

You know that “bleeding” doesn’t hurt.

After a few hours of homework, three chapters from Graphic Design Solutions to be exact, I decided to take a little break. Still wanting to keep up my design high of the day, I went online and did some inspiration hunting and found this..

I some how stumbled upon this blog and ended up having a good laugh. It's another one of those "You know you're a _ _ _ _ _ when..." lists, but for graphic designers.

Ok, so I'm no professional graphic designer just yet, I've got a lot of school to go through, but I've been making my way through the design world one thumbnail at time and slowly but surely I'm learning the ins and outs of the industry, so this list made all the sense in the world to me.

{Here are my ten favorites}


You know you're a graphic designer when...

You tell stories of exacto-knife inflicted wounds with grizzled sort of pride

You look upon a well-designed project with either:sympathy OR extreme jealousy

You are pro-facebook because 95% of the myspace accounts burn your retinas

You know that rivers are more than just water.

You know that “bleeding” doesn’t hurt.

You’ve been spending three days non-stop on a project and it still looks like {crap}.
You find yourself overcome by Deathlust.

“You know you’re a Graphic Designer when… you look at the clock and see it’s about midnight and think ‘I’ll go to bed now’… and you actually go to bed about 2-3am”.

You have a thing for chairs. You don’t know why.

Seeing someone use Lens Flare or Comic Sans adversely affects your blood-pressure

Apple+Z is the first thing that goes through your mind if you drop and break something.



Happy designing.. lol

Collection of the week {17}

All of my favorite collections so far have been mainly two
dimensional like photography, or design and illustrations.

But this week I wanted to share a beautiful collection of
animated design that I can only dream of creating.

Here is Blur Studio's 2007 design reel.



(I had to watch this reel twice it was so good)

I embedded the youtube link but it's pretty pixelated
so to see the actual reel in all it's glory: watch it here

It's work like this that inspires me to keep being creative,
and makes my hunger for design become a passion.
I'm dying to take my digital video, and animation classes
because of work like this.

Blur is such a wonderful and super successful design studio,
I'll be looking out for more of their work this year.

CMYK love

I saw this funky fresh tee in the guy section of Urban Outfitters' Early Spring catalog.

It caught my eye for two reasons, the brilliant colors, and because of school. Funny that it'd made me think of school rite? But because I've been getting reacquainted with general design lingo and even the basic elements of graphic design my eyes have been catching really random things. Take for example this CMYK dots tee. I've forgotten a lot about the printing process, like DPI, CMYK, pantone colors and stuff like that, but hopefully I'll pick it up just as quickly as I've forgotten it ... I seriously need to take a Pre-press class.

Lovely little forest

I've been meaning to blog about this little odd forest that I've grown to adore but it's only now that I've gotten the chance to. Little odd forest is an online boutique that was started by Singaporean designer, Lynda Lye. She has the quirkiest little products all of which you'll easily become infatuated with.

check out the little odd forest

Collection of the week {16}

I heart Kurt Halsey Frederiksen.

While on a small visit to Urban Outfitters this weekend I saw some of Kurt Halsey's lovely prints in stock and seeing them brought a smile to my face. I remember stumbling over Kurt Halsey's work on ArtStarPhilly.com and how I instantly fell in love. Seeing as his work revolves around his "hopeless romantic and super sensitive mindset" (he says so himself) it's hard not to fall in love with his oh-so whimsy lovey-dovey work.

At first glance I presumed that art so delicate and cutesy was illustrated by a girl, but I presumed wrong and after reading Kurt Halsey's bio I understood more of his personality, and that personality shows in all of his work.

Anyways ... at Urban I saw mostly canvas prints of his but seeing as I don't have walls to truly call my own let alone really decorate, I thought maybe a lovely little piggy bank would be something lovely to have.

If I had this "for all we hope for" piggy bank, It'd be filled to the brim with all the things I hope for instead of actual spare change.

with all my art

Ladies and gentlemen,
my one hundredth blog.

Since it's my 1ooth blog here on blogger, I decided to take a look at how this all began. On June 13 this summer I opened up my bible and devotional, ready to jump into God's word.

June 13, 2007
With all my art
READ: Exodus 35:30-35
[The Lord] has filled him with the Spirit of God . . . to design artistic works. Exodus 35:31-32

Why plant flowers? You can't eat them," said my father-in-law after witnessing my spring ritual of filling pots with fragrant and colorful treasures from the garden store. Jay's dad is an engineer—a practical sort of person. He can make anything work, but making it beautiful is not a priority. He values function over form, usefulness over aesthetics.

God created us with different gifts. Engineers who work for the glory of God design machines that make life easier. The Lord also created artists, who make life more pleasant by creating beautiful things for the glory of God and the enjoyment of others.

When we think of art in worship, we usually think of music. But other art forms have long had a role in glorifying God. The calling of Bezalel demonstrates God's regard for fine art (Ex. 35:30-35). God commissioned him to beautify the first official place of worship: the tabernacle. God's purpose for the arts, says Gene Edward Veith, is "to glorify God and to manifest beauty.

"When artistic talent is enlivened by the Spirit of God, it becomes an act of worship that then can become a witness to point people to Christ. God has greatly enriched our lives with beauty. And we in turn express our gratitude by displaying His glory in our art. —Julie Ackerman

Father, may our work—whatever it may be—draw the kind of attention

that causes others to praise and worship You. Amen.
Do all things for the glory of God.

After reading such wonderful words I started to go at my work with a very different heart. The Lord was telling me exactly what I needed to hear, inspiring me and encouraging me in all my artistic endeavours. "with all my art" became my silent mantra.

Some time soon after I started to look for a new place to share not only my art, but my inspirations as well, so I created this blog. At that time I still had my beloved xanga still up and running, but my xanga was a much more personal place rather than an artistic place.

From time to time I still return to this devotion when I need artistic inspiration, or when I need encouragement in continuing my journey into the design industry. Also when I find myself doubting my artist abilities I come back to these very words to remind me that I've been given this gift and love for art from my Heavenly Father and that through Him I can do anything.

I've kept these words to myself for far too long so in blogging this beautiful devotion I hope and pray that it moves you and inspires you as well. Like I wrote to my friend Ruby,
"May the Lord lead us, and inspire us to created beautiful things ... emulating all the beauty He bestows."

.Happy blogging and Happy crafting.
-with all my art

Collection of the week {09}

I find that I have a strong inclination towards firms or studios who specialize in either graphic design or photography... never both at the same time. I'd rather have a really great graphic design firm, or a brilliant photography studio. I'd keep them separate.

Graphic design and photography are two different art forms and most of the time they go hand in hand, but it's really alot of work to have one design firm developing both at the same time. For most graphic design work you have to have good photographic work to start out with or else you'll be doing a lot more work for yourself, hence that availability of stock photography.

Personally, I'm completely torn between the two myself. I can see myself working in a strictly graphic design development studio one day, and if not I can picture myself developing photographs for an amazing photography studio. I know myself and I think if ever I had the means to open up my very own design firm (most likely not...but who knows) I'd open one that would try to cater to both my design and photographic needs. If anything I'd open a design studio and then partner up with a great photo studio, or something like that...maybe even the other way around. Ok now I'm just babbling about my aspirations.. back to the introduction of this week's collection..

Well this week I decided to share a little about this studio called Spink. Its a pretty small firm that develops both graphic design work and photography. In all honesty I like their design work much more than their photographic work, because I think their designs are more aesthetically pleasing ... but their still trying to make it work and I love them for that.
.
Spink is headed by a young graphic designer, Kayla Schwisow. Her designs are lovely, but not as girly or whimsical as I usually go for, but lovely none the less. I really looked into her work when I found out she design the packaging for 24's season five disc set. Great work ... and great series might I add. I love 24, it's a shame that I ditched last season for Heroes. But that's what the DVD sets are for right? Lol.

thats all.

Charming Finds

Yesterday I spent a lovely day with Lily in the Historic district of Charleston. We went shopping in the market and ventured out on King St. and found the cutest things. My favorite find of the day was this Boutique called Worthwhile located on King St. The instant we stepped into the shop it felt like a totally different atmosphere, it's as if we stepped into a hidden little boutique in Soho or something. It was truly a unique shopping experience and like their website explains, it a shopping experience "of sensory and aesthetic delight". The place had tons of character, and their mechandise ranged from unique pieces of clothing for either babies or adults, bed and or bath products, jewelry... to design books, and paper goods. Some of the items I feel in love with were Sukie paper goods, Polli jewelry, The small object goods and a few pieces from Orla Kiely's collection (I stumbled over Orla Kiely from OhJoy!'s blog awhile back). Besides Worthwhile there were two other unique shops that I really liked, LulaKate was a hidden Bridal Boutique on King and Go fish what a lovely little shop off the side of the Market.

Oh what Joy!

As of last week OhJoy!'s stationary line is now online and I'm quite in love with all of Nantaka Joy paper products. Because of my natural inclination towards notebooks, I especially love their notebooks.

Show and Tell {02}

I set out on a mission to find more Filipino designers, illustrators and artist like I said I would and found these five. Each has their very own style, industry and creativity. I managed to cover just about everything from traditional art, to graf, to animation with these five amazing artist.

Armand Serrano is an Animation artist and has done work on movies like Surfs up, Mulan, Lilo and Stitch and Brother Bear. Dennis Brown is half Filipino artist based in San Francisco. Drew Eur0peo designed the last MTV Filippinas Music Award visuals. Mayann Licudine is a Philippines based artist who does absolute magic with acrylic and colored pencils. Chester Ocampo is a wonderful illustrator and comic artist.


On a very different note every time I pick up the latest Urban Outfitters catalog I not only fall in love with their products but I usually go "goo-goo" for the actual layout and design of the catalog itself. I've always wanted to know who's work it was because if they produce print so beautifully designed as this, I can only wonder how brilliant their other work is. National Forest is to blame for such brilliance.

Show and tell {01}

Its been awhile since I've shared or blogged strictly about graphic design. I've been loving alot of new portfolios and artist lately so it's about time I share them. I've been blogging about a few photographers and I've shown a few of my own free time doodles on photoshop... so I'm calling in a show and tell time.

Show and tell: I'll show you what I'm loving from the graphic design industry right now, and then I'll tell you why I'm loving it. Since I'm currently at a standstill in my design education I like to engulf myself in what's actually out there and keep myself up to date. Hope you like these few designers as much as I do.


Karan Singh is a 20 year old from Sydney AU who's designs are retro with a skater boy twist. His use of color inspires me and lead me on a search for even more colorful work.

Check out NoPattern.com to see the brilliant and colorful work of Chuck Anderson. His work contains an originality like none other. His most recognizable work right now is probably Fall Out Boy's latest album cover , Identify on High.

I met the darling designs of Jill Bliss a long long time ago without even knowing it. Last semester when I had a big 3 hour break between my typography and 2d-3d classes I would retreat over to Borders and get lost in my own little world of pages and letters. One of those days I got lost in the journal section of the store (I collect them by the way, and yes I write in them, that would explain the blogging tendencies) and saw these darling journals designed by Jill Bliss. I was instantly drawn to not only the lovely covers, but also the beautifully designed pages that were inside the journals. Empty pages never looked so beautiful. But sad to say I didn't get a Jill Bliss designed journal that day because by the time I stumbled over them I had already purchased a different journal. "You can't have it all" .... i like to say. Then just the other day I stumbled upon her portfolio online, what a delight.

On the contrary to their name, I love theyhatemydesigns.net. Their designs are fun to look at and this group of logos they've created reassures me that logos can still hold alot of personality, detail and originality but still be fairly simple and versatile.

Lastly Studio Radia. Sorry I'm unable to post a picture of some of their work right now ... I'll get one up as soon as I can. But in the mean time, let me tell you about Studio Radia. Simplicity is key with this studio but is very powerful and effective. I came upon their work when a professor of mine suggested great design museums to go to and mention the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in New York (By the way I heart art museums. I could go to one everyday and probably never get bored.) Since I've been itching to go to the Cooper Hewitt Museum I've done my research and looked into some of their merchandise and liked their designs which lead me to Studio Radia who's also done branding development for Napster and Virgin Air.

Next show and tell: I'll share a few answers to my "(I LOVE THIS!) Who designed it?" question. Like who designs the Urban Outfitter's catalogue, and who designs some of the latest and hip christian magazines, or who are some more Filipino graphic designers out there. Also, because my favorite graphic designs usually go hand in hand with photography I'll also share some photographers I can't keep my eyes off of. Till then please feel free to show me what you love (pertaining to graphic design or art of any form). My sister is really good at that and usually introduces me to stuff she knows I'll like even if we have pretty different styles and taste but sharing art and designs is great fun.

Play

I was bored and wanted to play.

I haven't had or used photoshop for awhile, but now I'm back in business.

I made this piece not knowing exactly where I was trying to go with it, as it usually happens. But I can give you a rough draft on what I was thinking when I was making it.

I chose this photo, one of me in my friend's big old glasses while we were out shopping in Georgetown, because I love big sunglasses and I remembered how much fun I had that day so I wanted play up both (the sunglasses and the fun). Hope you like it.