Posts from — March 2008

I’ve found Ben Templesmith’s visual work to be one of the most eye catching comic styles around today. His slightly raw but viscous style style really has a character of its own as well as being able to convey some sort of energy and humour.

I first came across his work in the comic series 30 Days of Nights, and since then, have been a fan of his self-written Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse.

Ben Templesmith is an artist and writer most widely known for his work in the American comic book industry where he has received multiple nominations for the industry’s top prize, the Eisner Award.

As a comic artist his most notable works have been 30 Days of Night and Fell. His other projects include the critically acclaimed serial Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse, Hatter M, and Singularity 7.

He has also worked on the Star Wars, Army of Darkness, Silent Hill and Buffy: The Vampire Slayer properties and produces art and design for music bands, dvds, toys, and film concept work.

Check out more of Ben’s work on Templesmith.com, where you can peruse his blog and subscribe to his Twitter thoughts.

Technorati Tags: 30 Days of Nights, art, Ben Templesmith, comics, illustration, Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse

I’ve subscribed to the the photography showcase site Inpholio.com for awhile now - I think since it first launched. Every now and again, I receive their news email which contains the latest submissions to their website.

The photography presented, always seems to catch my eye, so I thought I’d mention it here as a worthwhile place to visit if you’re interested in professional photography or like to see how “commercial” photography is supposed to look!

Inpholio.com is an international platform for professional photography that is free to visit and free from advertisements. inpholio offers everyone professionally involved in photography, a network to present their work to clients at less expense and to greater effect.

Clearly arranged navigation, large-sized pictures and special memory functions, such as ”My Favourites“ ensure that information can be gathered swiftly and compiled easily with inpholio.

www.inpholio.com

Technorati Tags: inpholio, photography

Futuristic vehicle doodles taken from the mysterious book / blog, The Codex Transportica. Nice drafts of imaginative ideas!

See more on the Codex Transportica

Via NotCot

Technorati Tags: design, futuristic vehicles, The Codex Transportica

If you collect designer toys and are mclovin’ the DIY kind, then check out this selection to download and make.

Artist Chris Beaumont has promised to bring us a new cube styled paper toy every week, available at CubeCraft.com and there are a few more on 4Kids.tv

Download at Cubecraft.com

Download at 4Kids.tv

Via UrbanRetroLifestyle.com

Technorati Tags: crafts, designer toys, models, paper toys, Chris Beaumont

Detailed, glorious 3D worlds are increasing becoming easier for people to create from their imaginations. However, its been awhile since I’ve seen as rich and imaginative a world as created for Saizen Media’s website.

Saizen Media’s current site depicts a slightly moody, but magical world as a backdrop to their otherwise standard design company content. Think dark shadowy silhouettes, and moonlit hills, combined with warm lighting illuminating a rabbit in a garden. Actually, forget thinking, just see the screenshots below.

There are lots of details in the site and the sound has low-tech victorian mecha detailed controls, with this lightly unnerving version of the little girl puffing on a cigar.

Anyway, see more on Saizenmedia.com

Technorati Tags: 3D, interactive worlds, Saizen Media, websites

If you don’t know Pantone, you’re not a designer. And if you are, you can now populated the rest of your life with Pantone products.

Check out some Pantone inspired products here

Via NotCot

Technorati Tags: colour products, design, Pantone, products

Here’s advertising campaign that caught my eye. Cleverly implied visuals for these German knife products.

From EternallyCool.net

“Canova never thought of carving a radish, but then again, he probably never had knives like those made by WMF.

“Those sharp blades of steel not only enabled the replication in radish of his Three Graces, but also the embodiment of the classical aesthetic in such unlikely materials as pineapple and carrot.”

Via NotCot

Technorati Tags: advertising, knives

I don’t often check out that many websites promoting office software, but the latest from Microsoft is prompting me to rethink my surfing priorities!

Its a simple enough site, with a “Simplify your work” concept. Different sections - one for each piece of software, collectively promote and explain the new Microsoft Office 2008.

But like all good design, the site carries through the idea to all the elements. A sense of life is given through the characters that are simply depicted, but which are very well done. Animation is slick and very descriptive, giving a slightly comical, light heart feeling to the site.

Worth checking out, even if you’re not planning on getting the software..

Simplifyyourwork2008.com

Technorati Tags: Flash, Microsoft Office, Simplify Your Work, websites

As a designer, I sometimes see nothing more indulgent in a project than being able to create your own visual world, least of all, for a global brand such as Coca Cola!

The Happiness Factory must have been one hell of a dream for the designers! A lovely, surreal flash world, which seems to be expanded from their motion graphics advert a few years ago, depicting the creation of a bottle of Cola from a vending machine.

The world is populated with lively characters with attitude, including a dancing workman, during the sites loading screens.

I will have this site (and a download of the advert) permanently bookmarked for those moments of despair, when I need a little hope and happiness!

Visit the Coca Cola Happiness Factory

Technorati Tags: advertising, Coca-Cola, Flash, Happiness Factory, websites

Photographer Lori Nix creates intricate miniature dioramas of scenes that depict disaster and decay and photographs them.

I find myself drawn to images and ideas that show the familiar but in a slightly different way. It’s intriguing to see a glimpse of how life could be if disaster were to hit places that we grew up in - like the local library below.

In fact, the best thing about Will Smith’s recent film “I am Legend” is the depiction of the future world, over run by nature.

More work on Lorinix.net

Via NotCot