Jeana Sohn is great!

I was lucky enough to catch Jeana's solo show at Giant Robot SF and even luckier to have purchased the top and bottom image of this post. We had heard that at her previous show in LA, all her paintings were sold...so knowing how GRSF sets up early we went hours before the scheduled opening to be able to buy our favorites...I was soo excited to get these pieces. That night we went to the show, and I actually introduced myself to her (something I don't do) but I was really excited about her work and she looked really nice...and she was. Well she has a website www.jeanasohn.com and blog www.jeanasohn.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_jeanasohn_archive.html...

Drop everything and see Science of Sleep

Us lucky folk at the ALC were fortunate enough to attened an advanced screening of Michel Gondry's new film "The Science of Sleep". We can't say how amazing this movie was. It was near perfect and super inspring. The story was amazing, the effects amazing, the way it was told was amazing. Did we mention it was amazing? I have to say that the first time we saw the trailer, we were a bit skeptical, even to the point that it was maybe, well, trying to hard. But I take all that back. Also, leave your idea's of traditional storytelling in the theater lobby. Check the "Ikea" movie camera boxes and the Smiths record on the wall. It's all about the little details... Now stop reading and go...

Here's the site:

http://wip.warnerbros.com/scienceofsleep/

and the trailer:

quicktime-medium

Why Is Banksy So Rad?

Once again, Banksy's genius has made us jealous. This time by snatching 500 copies of Paris Hilton's new cd, doctoring the artwork and placing his own special remixes inside. Then he put them back in 48 different record shops in the UK. Oh yeah, and he made sure to leave the barcode on so they could be purchased.

It also seems that Danger Mouse has coped to helping out with the mix...

Check this flickr set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharl/sets/72157594266743665/

and a link to one of the remixes:

http://www.bosbos.net/wp-content/audio/BanksyParisHilton-ThatsHot.mp3

Oh, and the BBC chimed in as well:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5310416.stm

Thanks Banksy, now can you do something funny to the jerk who stole my bike.

We Love Jim Houser and you should too..

Jim Houser is one of my favorite painters, he's a self-taught mixed media artist that is based in Philadelphia .. If you ever get a chance you should check out his work in person.

Here is a link to his book that is out right now...you should buy before there is no more.
http://secure.giantrobot.com/products.php?code=BABEL

We Love Children's Book Illustrators #2- Mary Blair

Mary Blair is one of those people who almost everyone knows (at and early age), but no one really knows who she is. Been to Disneyland? Seen Alice in Wonderland? Peter Pan? Ridden the Small World ride? Well then you know who she is. The brains behind early disney films and art director behind the scenes with Walt, oh yeah, and she did some kids books too.

A lot of people pass her films off as just another film from the Disney empire, but take a look at them again and you'll soon appreciate the amazing modern quality and design that went into them and you rarely see now (with the exception of Pixar). And the few kids books she did are not exception.

Sadly, Mary Blair passed away in 1979.

Here's her official site:

http://www.bobstaake.com/artists/maryblair/page1.html

and the mural at disneyland:

http://www.yesterland.com/maryblair.html

and some more images for ASIFA:

baby's house- mary blair







and a couple more:

Wait, what did you just say?

Just wrapped up a freelance gig today and on my way home I was stopped by a young european tourist who tapped me on the shoulder and asked (in a thick eastern european accent) if "I was a native". I responded "yeah" and then she asks "Do you know where the nooty shop is?". "What?", I had to ask several times until her friend explained that she was looking for a naughty shop because she just turned 18 today and wanted to buy something 'cause she could.

Wait, can't you buy that stuff in europe when your like 6?

Designers you probably don't know about but should #1: YUSAKU KAMEKURA

It's about damn time. Today I finally got a copy of "The Graphic Design of Yusaku Kamekura". I've been a Kamekura fan for years but could never find this book for under $150. Now it's mine and you can't have it. But I did photocopy one once, that is up for grabs.

Anyway, Kamekura was one of Japan's most prolific designers. Some called him the Paul Rand of Japan. Everybody knows his icon Tokyo olympic posters, but that's nothing. In my opinion, that was some of his weakest work, akin to Saul Bass near the end of his carrier. Check out the stuff he did for Nikon, including design ques that they still use to this day in their packaging.

So pull out your old copies of Graphis and Idea, grab the tribute issue of Creation and spend a few years tracking done his anthology. It's worth it. More pics to come.

Other books to check:
Trademarks and Symbols of the World (2nd edition is better)
Trademarks Designs of the World (NOT THE DOVER ONE!!!!)
Paul Rand by Yusaku Kamkekura
Creation Magazine

Thanks Taschen

Wow, our very own Seaneee recently made Taschen fame with his campaign for adidas colours. I mean it was done over four years ago, but who's counting? Check this:

Advertising Now: Print.

Thanks Julius.

Great Resource!

http://www.designbum.net/downloads.htm