Monday 28 February 2011

Photobucket

(you need a mirror to read the tittle; it's Leo's style!)

The best designer I've ever met (not in person, unfortunately) is Leonardo da Vinci. He solved all kinds of problems related to aerodinamics and human body, painture and math, poetry and music.

He loved nature and was a vegetarian (that I wish I had the courage to be), he also loved animals so much that buyed caged animals at the market just to set them free. Plus, he was left-handed (like me!) and was able to write backwards. He always seeked perfection.

We've a lot in common (the genius part too. No, I'm kidding) and that's why he's a big inspiration to me: he made our world a better place - something I also want to do.

Now check this awesome videos about him:







If you want to learn with Leo check this great post by Design Pepper.

Hope you've enjoyed! 

Friday 25 February 2011

that's so me!

Photobucket
via We Heart It

You can't find a clumsier person than me, I'm so silly! I want to apologize to everyone that was/is visiting my blog and left their comments without any response from me. I only saw them today because of a conversation with Tereza (thank you girl).

Usually I receive the comments on my e-mail but I guess I didn't set-up the definitions for that... But now everything's all right: I replied to everyone and I'm so happy that I have readers after all! Thank you. :)

Let's celebrate!

Photobucket
via We Heart It

news

Hi everyone!

I just want to let you know that I won't be writing in a daily basis anymore. I want my blog to be a little more profound and analyse the best designs our world has to offer, that includes a lot of time and research . I think one post per week can do the job.

For the next subject I'll talk about one of the genius of the 16th century. Probably your tired of hearing about him, but maybe I can give it a little twist. And remember that without him we wouldn't have less than a half than we have today. I'm talking about Leo, the designer, the inventor, the architect, the mathematician, the scientist, the engineer, the anatomist, the musician, the painter, the sculptor, the botanic and the poet.

This drawing was the pioneer of the helicopter.


Wednesday 23 February 2011

sweet

After seeing the result of The devil is in the details, I was eager to create some more typography. So I started to do a series of flavours. The first one is Sweet, because I am one. ;) Next will be: sour, salty and bittersweet (my favourite).


Do you like it?

P.S. Click on the image to see it in the right background (it makes all the difference).

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Visualizing

Double post today, because yesterday I didn't have the time. Now I'll present you the most beautiful short animations I've seen since I follow this cool Brazilian site: Smelly Cat. Not every single on of them, of course, I'll save some for other posts (they're so many!).


Lîla from Luiz Gustavo on Vimeo.


Second Wind from Ian Worrel on Vimeo.


Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.




Hope you've enjoyed them.

The world as a kid

Sometimes life isn't as good as we would like it to be, but there is always something we can do to brighten up our days.

Pierre Diaz is one of that persons that makes everything sweeter. Let's check out is dreaming world with fascinating illustrations.










What things did you imagine as a kid?

Friday 18 February 2011

Thursday 17 February 2011

dry icons

Lovely Tree by Dry Icons

Dry Icons is a site that shares free and paid vector graphics. Both have high quality in drawing and creative skills.  They have icons, wallpapers, website templates and so on.

They're my inspiration and push me to become better and achieve designs like that. Take a look:

Wanna Tweet by Dry Icons

Stylissimo Template by Dry Icons

Medical Icon Set by Dry Icons

Message Box by Dry Icons

Wednesday 16 February 2011

we're gonna make it better

This is a beautiful animation about typography. It shows us the possibilities of text: we only need to be open-minded and creative.

Make it better was directed by Climent Canal and the animation is from Sebastián Baptista. He's Uruguayan, but living in London, and has a great talent.


Make it better from Sebastianbap on Vimeo.

(via design you trust)

Tuesday 15 February 2011

hot data

Fancy Drinks by Fabio Rex (Brasil), via Visual News

For those who don't know what an infographic is, I'll explain:

An infographic is a visual representation of information, data and/or knowledge arranged in a chart form. Usually the information contained in an infographic is complex, but the reader reads it in a quickly and clearly way. The infographic may result from a combination of photography, drawing and text.

In an infographic there's no subjectivity, because we are transforming "cold data" (quantifiable data), as Alberto Cairo name it, into "visual data". See some cool examples:

Periodic Table of Typefaces, via Six Revisions
Cloning, via Daily Infographic

The Most Polluted Places in the World, via Daily Infographic
As you can see, infography can be used in a lot of places: newspapers, statistics, manuals, product design, etc.

What's your favourite data?

Monday 14 February 2011

Love yourself


Today is Valentine's day. Not mine or yours. It's just another way to make money or remember us that there's a lot of people that can't show their love.

I don't wait for this day to come to show my love to people I treasure, I try to do it everyday. Sometimes I'm not succeeded, sometimes I am.

Photobucket
via We Heart It, source: renna

Treasure yourself. <3

Photobucket
via We Heart It, source: justbesplendid

Friday 11 February 2011

webcedário

"Heyyyyyy!.... My friends, can't you go find problems to other place?"
Letra #589 (Portugal), via Webcedário

Webcedário is a Portuguese cartoon blog that plays with letters and fonts, giving them a sense of humor. I'll put here the ones I love the most and translate them so you can laugh too.

"I am italic and you? We're from Pisa, in Italy."
Letra #577 (Portugal), via Webcedário

"Sorry... Which way is the queue?"
Letra #565 (Portugal), via Webcedário

Letra #561 (Portugal), via Webcedário

Hope you like it, please share your comments!


Thursday 10 February 2011

"Ideas worth spreading"

The title of this post is the slogan of TED. I think you know him. If you don't, you should. Here ideas from every point in the world are shared for free and you can learn about anything you want: education, food, science, design, among others.

I have already some favourites that I want to show you. They're, in a way or another, related to design but not only for people interested in this area. These videos gives us inputs that can rule our everyday lives and teach us how to develop ourselves and be more happy. In my opinion, creativity should exist everywhere.







Wednesday 9 February 2011

random

I've started my Master at Communications Technologies this Monday. This semester (how lucky am I?) the subject is around graphic design. But I can't wait for May to come and apply to the MA Design at Faculdade de Belas Artes (translated is something like College of Fine Arts). So if you have any articles or books you think I should read for the interview tell me about it.

I'm with no inspiration today (I feel tired), so I'll leave you with some nice images I've found:

Photobucket
Bamboo Clouds by HortNouveau, via Etsy

Photobucket
via Elephant's Feathers

Photobucket
Ukulele Hand Carved by dabeeman, via Etsy

Photobucket
via Elephant's Feathers
Photobucket
via Elephant's Feathers

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Let's be nanos!

Nanos, via seesaw

Do you believe in destiny? Sometimes I do. Wonder why?

In the weekend I was thinking what to post today. I wanted to share something I treasure and some good photography of children seemed a good idea. I love children as much as they love me. Maybe because I'm like them.

Yesterday, I was reading my favourite blogs when I saw this lovely post by seesaw. It was exactly what I wanted to show you!

Nanos is a spanish shop for kids. Their website is simple, the clothes are stylish, the kids lovely, the brand name clever and creative and the photography is so clean! I'll know where to shop when I have a baby.


Nanos, via seesaw
What is your favourite kids shop?

Monday 7 February 2011

design - what's that?

For me design is the best creative way to solve a problem by technical means. It could be a draw, an action, an object, etc. Usually has an aesthetically appearance: the best design is simple, easy, beautiful and, preferably, sustainable.

Today I'll show you some paper projects that should come to life:

Sand Glass LED Traffic Lights



Traffic lights via Yanko Design

These were designed by Thanva Tivawong and he has three other designs related to traffic that really facilitates our lives.

Easylock Handle
With the Easylock handle, consumers use the same hand to fold and close a folding door. Featuring a clean design, its on-off button shape suggests technological elements, bringing added value to the brand's folding doors. (FastCo Design)
Designed by NóDesign (São Paulo, Brazil), via FastCo Design
This project received the 2010's IDEA silver award.

Still One
Inspired by the concept of "less is more," the Still One faucet features brief lines and simplicity, integrating practicality and elegance. The valve is made of stainless steel, extending the faucet's lifespan, while the faucet is made of lead-free brass or stainless steel, both of which meet standards to ensure the safety of drinking water. (FastCo Design)
Designed by Justime Design Team of Shengtai Brassware Co., Ltd. (Taiwan), via FastCo Design
This project received also the 2010's IDEA silver award.

Share with me your favourite design projects in the comments. It will be much appreciated. :)

Friday 4 February 2011

Fall into temptation

Siete Pecados by Sidecar (Spain), via Lovely Package

Yesterday I was checking my Google Reader when suddenly I see this amazing post by Lovely Package. As you can see, is a Spanish project from the advertising agency Sidecar: a series of wines inspired by the seven deadly sins that leads us into temptation.

I like the theme, it suits perfectly the product and the design is very appealing. This is a real project and will be for sale at March. I would love to see this bottles at stores in Portugal to buy every single one of them.

Wrath

Greed

Lust

Envy

Pride

Gluttony

Laziness

My favourite sin is Laziness, but I love the design of all the bottles. What's yours?

Thursday 3 February 2011

Me

I was playing with vectors and this came out. I love that cup. :)

Photobucket

Waxing love

Photobucket
wax seal by ~never-think, via dA

I wish letters would be closed with wax seals again. They're beautiful and special. But even letters are being forgotten. Very few cares about handwriting or calligraphy. But in my world they will exist forever.

Photobucket
The last love letter by Raquel Laranjo, via dA

Wax seals exists forever (since Mesopotamia!) and were used as a label and as a symbol of authenticity, as we use brands nowadays. But they're associated, most of the time, with the Medieval Age (which I adore). Why's that? Waxseals.com explains:

In Medieval Times, betrothals were prearranged-therefore true words of love were secretly written and the envelope's contents secured by a wax seal, so that the recipient could be assured that their passion would be unknown to others.

Love and danger are the perfect couple. They were chanted, books were written, movies were made, paintings have been created. It's difficult to take that from our minds.

Now some tutorials about wax seal and calligraphy to show your romantic side. Valentine is coming!

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Vitinho


Maybe you don't know him, but this guy gave me the good-night's every single night when I was a child. He was born with the intention to put kids at bet earlier, like 9 o'clock. Believe it or not, we all obeyed him.

He has 25 years now, so Google - Portugal decided to celebrate it:

Photobucket

He was an icon for the 80's generation and is still in our minds and hearts, we miss him.  See what I'm talking about:






Isn't he cute? And the story is funny and full of magic. I would love to go to bed like that.

But I have my own story about Vitinho. When I was little I thought every television in the world was different. I never caught the same program in my television and in my grandfather's or friends tv.

Until one day, my parents put a black and white television in my bedroom. My tv and the living room's one were both turned on in the same channel. Vitinho was saying the goodnight's. I was perplexed. I looked to one and the other. One time, two times, three times. I couldn't believe it! So I said out loud to my family: I'm watching the same thing in the two televisions! I was very admired and thought that it was some kind of magic and then I realized that there was no difference between televisions.

I love to tell this story because I find it funny and reminds me how I looked to the world back then. I don't want to loose that innocence.

Photobucket
Me with my favourite doll

Link Within

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...