Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Gift Guide: Goodbye

Hi all, Leonie here, the gift-guide editor for this lovely blog. Unfortunately, as of next week I’ll be heading onto pastures new. I’ve loved working with Rachael and her wonderful team of bloggers and I’ve gotten so much out of the amazing inspiration that Hannah, Justine, Emily and MaJo share. Rachael very kindly allowed me the opportunity to tell y’all a bit about my work. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it brief and next week we’ll have one last hurrah with a Mega Gift Guide of Awesomeness (that is its official name).

Unlike Rachael and the girls, I’m not a talented designer; I’m a writer. I’ve long been enthusiastic about art, design and crafts and although I work across a vast range of industries, I am leaning towards specialising in these areas. I create punchy, witty and persuasive copy for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Having really great content is absolutely vital in this digital age. Using language and a voice that suits your brand will help you stand out from the crowd and it will turn prospects into returning customers. It’s one of those important things that people overlook because writing product descriptions and producing marketing materials can be a chore. Fortunately, I love it. At the moment my DIY website is under construction, although there is a functioning ‘About’ page and contact details if you ever fancy getting in touch.

But enough about me, how fabulous is this pillow from Magpie Miller? A great housewarming gift, wouldn’t you say?


I hope you’ve enjoyed the gift-guides, thanks ever so much for reading! Leonie xx

Artist Review: Nathaniel Mather

I am thrilled to be able to share some inspirational art with you every Tuesday morning as Rachael's new 'Art and Creative Writer'. This week, we're featuring the contemporary folk art of Nathaniel Mather.

Nathanial is a Californian, now living in Nashville, who studied at the California Institute of the Arts and Art Center College of Design. His paintings and illustrations have a primitive quality blended with a rich spiritual symbolism, expressing his need to process life's struggles. Horses and donkeys symbolise "the strength and beauty of God" whilst "birds and flowers represent human characteristics and emotions."

He uses water-based mediums on canvas or board and incorporates text, stamps and found objects into his work. I love the naive, almost graffiti style which contains so much devotion to his spiritual beliefs. More beautiful inspiration next week! Until next Tuesday, Justine x














Thursday, April 25, 2013

Interiors roundup: Ikat trend

I am so excited to be sharing gorgeous interiors with you. As Rachael Taylor’s weekly Interiors roundup editor, I will be posting every Thursday afternoon with my update of all things Interiors. This week, we are looking at the very striking Ikat trend!

It is almost impossible to determine the origin of Ikat weaving, with woven textiles lasting no longer than a few centuries. But, this historic technique has been re-invented in the print world, and has more recently become a new interior trend. Feast your eyes on the funky designs below, where you will find some amazing Ikat inspired designs. Enjoy the rest of your week, and I’ll be back next week with more inspiration for you. In the meantime, I’d love to hear what you think of the Ikat trend in interiors! Emily x

Shopbop.com

Habituallychic.blogspot.co.uk

Casamance.com

Designersguild.com

Designersguild.com

Clarke & Clarke

Clarke & Clarke

Clarke & Clarke


Beauty Breakdown: nature turned pattern

Good morning creative people!
Welcome to a Beauty morning with me, MaJo :) Every Thursday I'll delight you with gorgeously packed beauty products (and every now and then, I'll even throw you a beauty secret).

Today is a national holiday in Italy, so I thought it would be nice to share with you the packaging of another Italian brand. Ortigia Sicilia is a small soap and scent luxury company based in Florence. It was originally founded in Sicily in 2006 by Sue Townsend (co-founder of Crabtree & Evelyn). Its varied product range use natural ingredients native to Sicily and is inspired by the "aesthetics, colours and scents of Italy's most historic and tropical region". 

Their highly decorative and exotic packaging was designed by Sue Townsend herself. It is filled with common Sicilian imagery and colours. Most of the boxes and paper packaging is decorated with patterns that evoke the main ingredient of the product, while most of their glass bottles and candle jars show images of leopards and palm trees. I really liked the use of pattern within their packaging range: very ethnic and with clear north African inspiration (Sicily is closer to North Africa than to Italy, so their influence through History shows in Sicilian architecture and arts & crafts), so those are the images I selected to inspire you today. Please enjoy:
Almond Body Cream by Ortigia Sicilia

Pomegranate Oval Gift Box by Ortigia Sicilia

Neroli Bath Salts by Ortigia Sicilia

Sandalo Glycerine Soaps by Ortigia Sicilia

Sandalo Perfumed Crystals by Ortigia Sicilia

Bergamot Body Cream by Ortigia Sicilia

Fico d'India Drawer Sachets by Ortigia Sicilia
  
Florio Bath Salts Envelopes by Ortigia Sicilia

Geranium Drawer Sachets by Ortigia Sicilia

Geranium Drawer Sachets by Ortigia Sicilia

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read. See you next week with more inspiring designs. Have a great day, MaJo

PS. I would like to thank Dawn Clarkson from Nice&Fancy for introducing Ortigia Sicilia to me. She spotted some of their products last week while walking around Turin and let me know of their inspiring packaging. 

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Module 3 Exciting Announcement - Part 2!

Artscase are passionate about style & their team 'focuses on not compromising functionality over good looks!' Their brand is about introducing personal devices that match your lifestyle & personality!

We are so thrilled to announce that Artscase will be joining us as one of our fabulous & industry leading contributors to the 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design (the e-course)'! In Module 3 our students will be able to take part in a live brief created by Artscase exclusively for the e-course!

Artscase have been massively generous supporters of our students & have even licensed some our Alumni! Below you can examples of our talented graduates work with Artscase.

Don't miss out! Sign up for Module 3 'Monestising Your Designs' which includes the know-how on freelancing, licensing, selling outright, manufacturing & more!

Or you can join us for our next launch of the full ABPSD e-course where you can register for Module 1 - 'Designing Your Way'Module 2 - 'Creating Your Professional Identity' or finally for Module 3 - 'Monetising Your Designs'!

















Module 3 Exciting Announcement - Part 1!

Mitas & Co are a company founded by Rachel Mitas who has more than decade's experience within the home furnishings industry. The business was set up to promote new talents & designs & they offer bespoke services.

This fantastic company, for the second time during the run of 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design (the e-course)', has created a live brief for our students to get stuck into! We are thrilled that Mitas & Co are one of our many contributors that will be offering a chance for our students to get their designs in front of some of the design industry's leading practitioners!

Don't miss out! Sign up for Module 3 'Monestising Your Designs' which includes the know-how on freelancing, licensing, selling outright, manufacturing & more!

Or you can join us for our next launch of the full ABPSD e-course where you can register for Module 1 - 'Designing Your Way', Module 2 - 'Creating Your Professional Identity' or finally for Module 3 - 'Monetising Your Designs'!















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