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April 30, 2008

Struck

Filed under: Studios & Agencies, Web Design, Web Development, Art & Design, Graphic Design — FAIRspot @ 11:55 pm

Struck

“We do work that breaks through — creativity is the hammer.” - Struck, Salt Lake City, Utah

This looks like a fun studio that works on a wide variety of projects—from macho commercial—to the photographer next door. Become a fan and follow them on the Struck blogs.

April 29, 2008

Branislav Kropilak

Filed under: Photography — FAIRspot @ 10:28 pm

Branislav Kropilak - landings

Branislav Kropilak - trains

Branislav Kropilak - garages

Born in Slovakia, photographer Branislav Kropilak graduated at the renowned Private Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava and later on completed studies at the Institute of Digital Photography in Prague. He spent several years working for the leading creative agencies such as BBDO, McCann-Erickson or Saatchi & Saatchi.

The main theme of his work is investigating the way in which modern technology has shaped the human environment and our lives.

Check out his portfolio - a collection of photographs of airplane landings, vacant garages, and trains. We find his work original and artistic; you might too…

Collider

Filed under: Studios & Agencies, Motion, Graphic Design — FAIRspot @ 9:39 pm

collider

Collider is a design and film collective based in Sydney Australia. ‘Nuff said.

YCN

Filed under: Studios & Agencies, Communities, Books, Art & Design — FAIRspot @ 9:07 pm

YCN

YCN serves as a platform from which interested parties can discover new work, share content, self-promote, find and list events, buy creative products and discover new opportunities. No, it’s not our sister site, although it could be. These guys have been around since 2001… but we just found them! Is the design world that big?

Also check out Agency YCN! It’s one big ball of creativity over there!

April 28, 2008

Hellofreaks

Filed under: Studios & Agencies, Illustration, Motion, Graphic Design — FAIRspot @ 10:29 pm

Hellofreaks - Super Dave

Hellofreaks - Hulk Hanger

Hellofreaks - Mad Murdock

Hellofreaks - Artiste

Hellofreaks - Rainha 2

Hellofreaks is a Graphic Design Studio based in Paris, France. It is led by Graphic Designer & Illustrator Jerome Castro who is also the guy behind Byjerome.com. Check out the consistent color treatment and incredible illustration technique. Great!

April 27, 2008

Onesize

Filed under: Studios & Agencies, Motion — FAIRspot @ 10:28 pm

Onesize

Onesize is a Dutch based motion studio that just “gets it”. You know what we’re talking about. Some people get it, some don’t. Just like Onesize does NOT fit all. Huh? Just check out this work and figure it out.

April 26, 2008

Generator.x / Marius Watz

Filed under: Motion, Web Design, Technology, Art & Design — FAIRspot @ 11:11 am

Marius Watz and Generator.x

Generator.x focuses on a new generation of artists and designers who embrace code as a way of producing new forms of creative expression. Generator.x was actually started as a conference and touring exhibition by founder Marius Watz, but with all that content, it would be stupid not to build a blog around it, right?

April 25, 2008

Type Workshop

Filed under: Font Shops, Graphic Design — FAIRspot @ 11:42 pm

Type Workshop

Typeworkshop.com originated from workshops given by Underware during the last few years. (Most of the stuff on the site derives from these workshops). Support this killer resource! They are doing a great thing to sustain the art of typography. If you can’t participate, at least visit the site and comment on past projects.

April 24, 2008

Jim Parkinson Interview

Filed under: Font Shops — FAIRspot @ 3:58 pm

MyFonts Jim Parkinson - Rolling Stone

Jim Parkinson has probably designed more magazine and newspaper nameplates than any other designer on earth. Some of his designs have become true icons, like the logos he made for Rolling Stone, the quintessential American rock magazine. As part of their Creative Characters - The Faces Behind the Fonts series, MyFonts have published an interview with Jim Parkinson in their April 2008 issue. Check it out.

Jim Parkinson - Balboa Font

News Archive

Interview

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

Have you ever met someone that inspired you so much that you found yourself thinking what it would be like to live a day in their shoes? Or maybe you've day dreamed about what you might say to that person if you ever met them "in real life". Well, we have, and we did!

We asked famed international designer and illustrator Radim Malinic, a.k.a. Brand Nu, the questions everyone wants to know but were afraid to ask. And hey, even if they aren't exactly what you would ask, it's a great look into the life of a major trend setter that has helped propel us to where we are today. Enjoy it!

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

FAIRspot: What's the more difficult role, Designer or Art Director?

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu: Hmm ... Art Director talks more, Designer creates more. If you do both, you talk while designing :)

FS: What makes someone a "great" designer?

RM: A pair of hands, eyes and legs ... oh and the rest of the body, obviously .. hehe. I don't really know what the secret recipe is to be a 'great' designer. If you are open to new things, willing to observe and keep up with the time and pace around you, maybe they are the key ingredients. Maybe not, who knows. I would only say, stay true to yourself ...

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

FS: Why have you chosen to be represented by an agent as opposed to representing yourself?

RM: I've been freelancing for the best part of 5 years now and thought I've come to the point where I reached all the possible options on my own. When I released my showcase book, the interest from agents was quite a thing:) It was definitely a good door-opener. Being represented by agents on both sides of the pond bears great benefits of taking the skills to higher level and opportunity to work for bigger clients.

FS: Is there a method to your madness when it comes to choosing color?

RM: Nah, I don't have a set plan at any time, I just go with the client's brief. Although I get very open commissions where I just do what I want. There's a little technique I've developed with PSD brushes where by overlaying strokes colour becomes more vibrant.

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

FS: How long does an "average" print piece take you from start to finish?

RM: I hardly work on anything for more than a day or night. Depending on a brief or image it could take 2-4 hours.

FS: How do you know when a piece is finally "done"?

RM: When I run out of time or space:). There's a feeling when the image contains the right amount of detail, colour vibrancy and looks strong. Also, when you start smiling in the middle of the night when your piece starts making sense and you're happy. But sometimes, I find myself working on a piece that I feel isn't working. The next day though, it makes perfect sense. It's quite important to leave things to digest.

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

FS: The Sloanes Interior Murals are insane. What was it like producing such a large scale piece and how were the final images transferred to the wall?

RM: These murals were my first 4GB files ever. Although created at 100dpi this was quite a mammoth of a job. Sloanes wanted to bring the outside inside with a play on the English Country garden mixed with music elements. For example, each piece didn't take longer that one day to illustrate. It was enjoyable from beginning to start, client wasn't chopping and changing at all, which made it really easy to finish. Then it was sent to a specialist printer who do wallpapers and that kind of tricks. I believe it was then down to interior designers to paste it all up and apply each strip of wallpaper.

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

FS: What items do you carry in your pockets every day?

RM: My P990i, which is a crap of a phone and my cash cards. I never had a wallet in my life, so occasionally some loose change. I could be spotted with my man-bag where I drag about a couple of copies of my book and other needed promo, just in case.

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

FS: If someone paid you $10 Million dollars to quit designing today, and you couldn't do anything design related for the rest of your life, would you accept the offer? If so, what would you do instead of design?

RM: I guess there a little hole in your proposal, hehe. I would possibly accept the offer, use the money to open a design studio and art direct all the work. There's some great designers and illustrators that I would hire and live a happy life.

FS: We heard you were in a killer band before! Do you still play? What music groups do you listen to the most?

RM: Yup, although my band days are over I still occasionally play my guitar, usually to pick up a song. It was fun back in day when we played very heavy rock with me on the mic in the front a few hundred people. We then mellowed out and played more grunge Alice in Chains type of stuff, but then I started djing and found it more rewarding. When you're in a band it's always politics of what direction to take. Djing was much easier as I played what I wanted. Easy as that, hehe. These days I still love discovering new music of any kind really. Right now I'm searching of a perfect deep house mixtape and some minimal beats. My collections counts more that 600 - 700 CDs and there's at least the same amount I would love to buy. The only problems is that I've run out of space in the house. On a normal day I listen to Fink, Ben Westbeech, anything from Sonar Kollektiv, Blind Melon, Incubus, Erykah Badu, occassional Jamiroquai, Reef, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Terry Callier ... anything with a nice beat and feel.

FS: The next time one of your fans catches you at the bars in Southampton, what drink should they order you?

RM: Pint of black stuff.... hehe... Guinness please.

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

FS: What's the most important lesson you've learned since becoming a designer that you'd like to pass on to everyone?

RM: There's quite a few actually, with being more patient as one of the most important ones.

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

FS: What should we expect from Brand Nu for the remainder of 2008?

RM: At the moment I don't have much of a plan. I've just relaunched my website at www.brandnu.co.uk where finally I my work is presented in its full glory. My last site was good, but I didn't feel I worked it out too well back then. Yesterday I've opened Nu Visual Language exhibition which was a major project in works, I'm still working with O2 Germany on all their illustrations this year, working with Heineken too right now and a few other projects that keep me awake at night. There's a range of illustrations for perfume packaging which I've just finished, it was quite a nice change to apply my ideas into a new dimensions and I really enjoyed it.

Radim Malinic | Brand Nu

 

 

Other Stuff

 

Competitions

Nike 1-1 Art of Football

Submit your art for the chance to exhibit at the 1/1 Art of Football Show in Basel, alongside some of the world’s most respected talents. Just one rule: Be True.
Deadline: May 18, 2008

Wolda '08

Wolda is the high-profile graphic design awards scheme that rewards the best logos and trademarks designed throughout the world.
Deadline: May 20, 2008

Adobe Suite Life Sweepstakes

Buy any Adobe Creative Suite 3 Premium edition and you could win a copy of the Master Collection.
Deadline: May 26, 2008

TeeTonic - T In The Park

Design the Official T in the Park Tee! This tee will be sold on the official stalls and worn by millions… well thousands at least.
Deadline: May 30, 2008

Ideas That Matter

Sappi awards $1 million annually to support causes that matter to the design community.
Deadline: May 30, 2008

Loop'd Network Logo Contest

Bring the Loop'd brand to life and win $500 cash by redesigning their logo/identity!
Deadline: June 1, 2008

ADC Young Guns 6

On a quest to identify the top 50 brightest young professionals across myriad creative disciplines.
Deadline: June 2, 2008

CommArts Design Annual

Any design project printed, published or aired for the first time between June 3, 2007 and June 1, 2008 is eligible.
Deadline: June 2, 2008

CommArts Advertising Annual

Any advertising project printed, published or aired for the first time between June 3, 2007 and June 1, 2008 is eligible.
Deadline: June 2, 2008

JPG Street Fashion Photo Contest

JPG 17 will feature the theme Street Fashion, candid street photography showcasing the styles of real people around the world.
Deadline: June 2, 2008

ANTI Issue 7

Submit your work in any visual medium relating to the theme "Days and Weeks" for the chance to get published in Issue 7.
Deadline: June 15, 2008

Artists Wanted: Exposure

Nation wide search for photographic excellence. Winners will have their work presented in a massive scale photo show on buildings in NYC and more!
Deadline: June 17, 2008

PRINT’s Student Cover Competition

Students are asked to create a cover to fit the theme, “DESIGN CULTURE YOUTH,” the focus of PRINT's New Visual Artists issue.
Deadline: June 30, 2008

HOW Magazine's 10th Annual Interactive Design Awards

Any interactive, interface or motion designs for the web, for kiosks, for broadcast or for use on Macintosh or Windows platforms.
Deadline: July 15, 2008

NI-Limits Mascot Design Competition

Re-design the mascot for NI-Limits and win $300USD, blog recognition and a possible job position.
Deadline: September 30, 2008

CommArts Interactive Annual

Any interactive project created for digital distribution on the World Wide Web, CD-ROM, interactive kiosk or handheld device is eligible.
Deadline: January 16, 2009

 

Events

HOW Design Conference

Boston, Massachusetts, USA
May 18-21, 2008

Mediabistro Circus

New York City, New York, USA
May 20-21, 2008

@media 2008 San Francisco

San Francisco, California, USA
May 22-23, 2008

Google I/O

San Francisco, California, USA
May 28-29, 2008

@media 2008 London

London, UK
May 29-30, 2008

Seed Conference 3

Chicago, Illinois, USA
June 6, 2008

webDU

Sidney, Australia
June 12-13, 2008

TypeCon 2008: Punkt

Buffalo, New York, USA
July 15-20, 2008

Type Camp

Galiano Island, Canada
August 3-8, 2008

Type Camp - Information Design

Galiano Island, Canada
August 10-15, 2008

An Event Apart

San Francisco, California, USA
August 18-19, 2008

 

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