In 1962, Charles Schulz wrote a little book and titled it "Happiness Is A Warm Puppy" (top right). He filled the book with colorful cartoons and captions about "happiness". From 1962-67 it had already sold 2 million copies (published by Determined Productions, S.F.). More of the series below: *[Get your own copies here or here.]
Miffy was created in 1955 by Dick Bruna who had been telling his one-year-old son stories about a little rabbit they had seen while on holiday. Miffy became a girl because Bruna decided he wanted to draw a dress and not trousers for his rabbit. *[JP gave me some of his daughter's Miffy book collection for my future kids. They are wonderful books.]
Swiss publisher Nieves has collaborated with Printed Matter in an exhibit featuring a full retrospective of Nieves' zine program since 2004, and will include a selection of their books published since their founding. These guys are great. *[Opening: Sat, April 4, 5-7pm at Printed Matter, NYC.]
This past February, my friends (Mara Papa, Katie Hatch) and I started HARVEY FAIRCLOTH, a fashion line which debuted at NYC's D&A with great response. The Fall 2009 collection is inspired by Alexey Brodovitch, Native American beading, The Seven Year Itch, Claire McCardell, and everything we've always loved to wear. Available in August. *[More here.]
This well-used yard sale sign was hand-painted by my Grandma Clawson. I found it when we were getting my grandparents' house ready to sell. Grandma said she learned to write in cursive in grammar school "back when students would practice by copying their teacher's handwriting."
In the 1960s, a group called the Diggers opened numerous Free Stores in SF's Haight-Ashbury and NYC's East 10th Street in which all items were free for the taking or giving. Today, in NYC's Financial District we have the recently opened Free Store, started by two artists, where goods can be had by bartering. [*Check it out here.]
Found on Ebay is this deck of 1970s vintage playing cards advertising the NAC Charge Plan. NAC was originally a regional credit card in Baltimore purchased by Citibank in 1977 and turned into their "Choice" card. Deck is complete with 2 jokers and instructions for bridge. *[For $9.99, these are cards you can afford to have].
During WWII, with fears that Japan would overrun Hawaii, the US decided to issue the $1, $5, $10 and $20 Emergency Federal Reserve Notes with the word "HAWAII" overprinted on the front and back to make each note distinctive enough so that they would know if large amounts were being used to fund the enemy war effort. *[I love the contrast of type.] I'm off to jury duty -- wish me *LUCK*.
Jason Polan will be drawing pictures of things Saturday, March 14 from 11am to 6pm in the window of Partners & Spade. You can come get a drawing of almost anything you want or request a surprise and the artist will try as hard as he can to draw the thing you will like the most. *[Guaranteed fun! Drawings $20.]
I bought these 5 editions of the Universe Books Sculpture Series in Montreal (which has the BEST used book stores). The original set has 14 volumes including: Picasso, Arp, Lipchitz, Richier, and Moore. Design by Otto Treumann. *[Printed in the Netherlands, 1961.]
Last night was the opening of the new Partners & Spade space/gallery/store at 40 Great Jones Street. They invited gallery owners, designers, artists, and creatives to share their work and collections. These include Mike Mills, Maira Kalman, JP Williams, Jason Polan, Mary&Matt, Mister Mort, and me. *[Go and take a look.] Photos via The Scout.
This 1954 issue of the science journal SCOPE was a wedding gift from JP. Designed and art directed by Will Burtin, he believed that "beauty is not necessarily a matter of form or style, but the result of order achieved." Burtin is most credited for his work for The Upjohn Company from the 1940s to the 1960s. *[He's a true design hero.]
I received this set of The New Illustrated Library of Science and Invention for my birthday. Designed and produced by Erik Nitsche, the design, inside and out, is incredible. Assemble your own set here. *[Thank you Ace Jet 170 and Daniel Neville.]
I was so happy when I found these 3 leaflets tucked within the Classics of Transportation slipcase. Each (originally there were four) introduces a form of transportation covered by each book. *[A great use of a stencil face.]
I bought this great little set of books (w/slipcase) at the P.S. 321 Flea Market here in Brooklyn. Each book, in this 4-volume series of the Classics of Transportation, is about 5" square. *[Published in 1968 by Enjay Chemical Company.]
"Excerpts" paper promo for Champion Paper was designed by Design MW in 1998 (the summer of my internship). I learned a lot at Design MW and often refer back to that time in my design career. Tasked with comping this piece taught me the importance of good craftsmanship. *[Thank you JP & Allison.]
This 12-volume Art of Sewing series from Time Life Books includes: Boutique Attire, The Custom Look, Delicate Wear, Exotic Styling, Separates that Travel, Creative Design, The Classic Technique, The Sporting Scene, The Personal Touch, Traditional Favorites, Basic Tailoring, and Shortcuts to Elegance. *[Complete set for sale on Ebay.]
I bought a pack of these 1" high, gold, Helvetica Font, Peel & Stick Vinyl Uppercase Letters from Staples a few years back. They can be used for almost anything. And they stick to any surface, too. *[Use on paper, glass, metal, plastic].
JP Williams gave this brass stencil set to me many years ago. He ALWAYS has something interesting to show or share and has given me several of his unique finds. Thanks JP. *[See a similar set for sale here.]
by John Baldessari, is a series of photographic images placed alongside adjectives such as “noble”, “kind”, “troubled”, or "jolly" -- which establishes the various possibilities of image and language as two forms of communication. *[2005]. I like it.
The Dress For Dinner Napkin, designed by Héctor Serrano, sure is clever. Tuck one of these napkins into your collar and instantly transform yourself from scruffy so-and-so to a prim and proper gentleman. *[Comes in 2 different stripes, solid, and polka dot; pack of 20.]
Below are pages from a vintage 1969 Peanuts Date Book I won on Ebay. It is filled with scenes from Peanuts including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and Lucy. Colorful & classic. *[Pick-up a 1964 version OR a 1966 one online.]
Damn Everything but the Circus by Corita Kent is an alphabet using various quotes she found inspirational and relevant at the time. Corita was a nun and artist during the '60s and taught at the Immaculate Heart College in L.A. *[Buckminster Fuller described a visit to her classroom as "among the most fundamentally inspiring experiences" of his life.] Nice!
Forget All The Rules You Ever Learned About Graphic Design by Bob Gill is a brilliant book. Independent, unorthodox and outspoken, Bob has designed for Apple Corps records, Rainbow Theater, Pirelli, Nestlé, CBS, Universal Pictures, and the United Nations. *[Pick-up a copy here.]
Some of these 1-color business cards have been sitting in a jar on a shelf for many years. A few of these businesses are no longer in NYC (AD HOC + Ordning & Reda). My favorite card, St. Luke's Thrift Shop, was passed along to me by my friend Erik. *[Thanks!]
Winter is HERE. To lighten the mood and keep warm, pick-up a pair of these JACK SPADE, limited edition, moustache gloves featuring an American-style moustache on one hand and a French-style on the other hand. More colors available. *[Hold finger under your nose and ENJOY.]
Songs I've had on heavy rotation in 2008: [1] New Schools: The Sea and Cake, [2] Official: Q-Tip, [3] Athene: Hercules and Love Affair, [4] I'm Still Waiting: Bob Marley, [5] Wait for the Summer: Yeasayer, [6] Baltimore: Nina Simone, [7] Onde Eu Nasci Passa Um Rio: Caetano Veloso, [8] Shake It Off: Kelly Makeda, [9] Move: CSS, [10] Tropical Island: Melpo Mene, [11] Do For The Others: Crosby, Stills & Nash, [12] Into Brooklyn, Early in the Morning: The Innocence Mission. *ENJOY!
I found several of these in my grandparents' home which was previously the home of the late artist Florence E. Ware [1891-1971]. These were her 1967 holiday cards -- 3" x 5" Kodacolor prints of one of her paintings with super-imposed Futura type. *[Nice peace pipe.]
At the 2005 kate spade holiday party, Dan Hurley wrote this 60-second novel for me. This December 28th marked our sixth wedding anniversary. After the loss of our daughter this summer, I can't think of anyone I would rather have by my side than my husband. He really is the best gift.
These are my favorite U.S.P.S Christmas stamps. Both are perforated and gummed and have excellent colorways. Merry Christmas Eve! *[Hopefully everyone's packages were wrapped and mailed in time.]
From 1946 to 1966, Herbert Matter was a design consultant for Knoll where he designed the Knoll logo, numerous advertisements, posters, and catalogs. *[For Knoll's 60th birthday, NB:Studio came up with this version of the original logo for the 1998 Knoll Christmas card.]
President Calvin Coolidge hand wrote and issued the first official Christmas message from the White House to the American people in 1927. It was published in newspapers across the U.S. *[White House holiday greetings from the Kennedys and the Eisenhowers below.]
Neon signs were developed by Georges Claude. The first public display of a neon sign was in December 1910 at the Paris Expo. In 1912, the first commercial sign was sold by Claude’s associate to a Paris barber. *Pick up a copy of the book "Let There Be Neon" [1980] or these holiday cards.
With days as cold as today, man, I wish I had one of these. This "MISS NEW YORK" scarf (and for the west coast gals, a "MISS CALIFORNIA" one in green) is available in kate spade stores. *This was a project I worked on in my last days as a member of the kate spade creative team.
The paper chain's history began in England during the reign Queen Victoria from 1837-1901. Victorian children made ornaments, such as stars and doves, from paper or foil and festive colored chains from strips of paper as their contribution to the family's Christmas decorating. *[More paper art ideas here.]
This Marimekko striped textile was designed by Maija & Kristina Isola from the Winter 2008/2009 fabric collection. Pattern: Aino (1979). Material: 100% cotton velvet [Stripes do not repeat]. Priced and sold by the yard @ $68/yd.
Salvor is a graphic project which first began about 3 years ago in a basement studio below the sidewalk on Prince Street right off the Bowery. They printed all kinds of things from wall treatments to t-shirts to yukata to doll-like sculptures. *[Sample Sale Dec. 6th | 13 Essex Street, NYC!]
Jason Polan is nice and he loves to draw. His most recent project is Thrilla in Manila: Jane Mount vs. Jason Polan -- a no holds barred draw-a-thon at Jen Bekman Gallery. Drawing Hours: 12/03/08 - 12/06/08, Noon - 6pm. *Swing by.
Andy Beach of REFERENCE LIBRARY will bring his blog into the 3rd dimension with a 10-day-long shop at KIOSK that opens on Friday. *[A few booklets of patriotic, vintage stamps I put together will be available in the shop.]
Today we are headed to Sun Valley, ID. The census of 2000 cites there were 1427 people, 594 households, and 343 families residing in the city. The population density was 144.6 people per square mile. [*A nice change from NYC for a few days, at least.]
I have a B-I-G family. There are 12 siblings (step, half, etc.): Lorinda, Ted Jr., Rebecca, Anne, Amelia, Abigail, Jennifer, Greta, Christopher, Madison, Caitlin, Conner -- which make every holiday very entertaining. *["Families" logotype designed by Herb Lubalin.]
Dancer Sylvia Whitman and painter Susan Weil collaborated on this large format artist's book [bought at Printed Matter, $7] that starts from both ends and ends in the middle. Even the spine is split diagonally black to white. Brilliant.
Finally, a way to really fudge the numbers. The Chocolate Pie Chart is a candy chart made of 70% milk, 20% dark and 10% white chocolate. It's a completely new way to digest the numbers. Unless you eat it in one sitting. *Now for sale in Mary & Matt's General Store.
I bought this Graphis/Diagrams, edited by Walter Herdeg [1974], on Ebay a few years ago. Selected with the graphic designer in mind... this international review will serve as an abundant source of inspiration. Indeed it has.
Beach Red is a piece of prose by Peter Bowman based on his experience in the US Army in the Pacific Islands campaigns. In 1967 it was made into a movie. *[Wear a poppy on your lapel today in honor of our war veterans.]
My friends over at kate spade have been busy designing clever, new, soft goods -- all handcrafted by women in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Buy a pair and "directly support a woman as she rebuilds her life, family, and
community." Wonderful.
Below are a few illustrations I have done for Madewell over the past months. It has been nice to be able to work, every now and then, with just pen and paper. You should try it.
Bill Bates has been illustrating for over a half a century. These are from his book Bates: Cartoons by Bill Bates published in 1964. His work has always made me smile :)
