heysusy

LETTERS I LIKE { hand drawn type from the biggies plus one }

HI All.

I have been collecting images of items/campaigns with lettering I like for a while now. I thought I would share some of them here!

Personally, I really love the way the handwritten letters activate these bottles of nail polish, and the way that Bobbi Brown has used hand drawn lettering to get the point across in her Pretty Powerful campaign - wish I had better images of this lovely work from Bobbi Brown, but I didn't get photos of it when it launched this spring in NYC.

Coach has some interesting type treatments in it's new Poppy line - although I'm pretty much against so much logo a go-go, stylewise it looks good.

And last but not least, the Billy Bookcase (the 140 ton MDF killer bookshelf system) by Ikea turned 30 this past year... custom edition graphics above.

Bernhard Willhelm Polish Here
Bobbi Brown's excellent Pretty Powerful Campaign here
Coach Poppy Here
Billy Bookcase turns 30 Here

OH, and before I forget...
My own versions (depuis 2007!) I'd say they were effective!

Packaging Pow { pinpals }

I am just in love with the eye-catchingly primitive packaging designs of the PinPals. They remind me a little of several of my favorite Comix and Cartoon artists... R Crumb, Harvey Pekar, Roz Chast (who made my favorite New Yorker cartoon EVER)...and my absolute fave, Lynda Barry... Personally, I think that gritty style is about to make a major foray into the pop scene and advertising (just my opinion - it's currently being adopted for use on the new Target 6 train wrap here in NYC)

I always love it when I see independent designers who go that extra mile with their product packaging. It's an element that I think can really excite an item, and make a bold statement about it's maker. The pinpals definitely take advantage of that opportunity!

More of their great (and affordable) work here.
Also loving their puppets.

DAILY CRAVE { making it better }

Good morning everyone...

When I came across this paper clip I had to pause. Some of you who read my blog, or know me personally, might know that I consider the paperclip to be one of the most beautiful pieces of design on earth. Simple, easy to use and re-use, small, elegant.

Given the over-complicated and daunting state of the world right now, this iteration of the paper clip seemed particularly relevant. Not only as a piece of product desgn...but as a little work of contemporary art. A reminder of what it's possible to do if we remember to stop and think.

More about this design here

DAILY CRAVE { a custom bike seat }

Oh. My. Gosh. Will you look at these????

It's rare for me to do a via, but I saw these new bespoke (pardon pun) bike saddle designs by Kara Ginther on one of my longtime favorite blogs yesterday, Freshly Blended.

My Dad has a bike that he brought from the UK. when he came here in the 1960's. It is one of his prized posessions, and a while ago, he restored it to it's original lustre. He would probably say no, but I think one of these seats, esp. in plaid or tweed, would be just the thing.
The tweed design is new, and created by Kara especially for The Tweed Run. Which I think will be holding a New York event here in the fall!

I have a black Pista... and I would also like one. In tweed pls.

Take a ride here

PRODUCT PEEKS!

Hi Everyone!

Just popping in to share some fun news with you... a new product peek, and a look at our spring promo postcard!

Designing this postcard was so much fun, and I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I started with the idea to take a "nice" photo of product... but this is where I ended up. I really like that this has a slightly more provocative feel than the usual stationery-paper fare. I like that it's a little bit call-to-action, a little bit of humor, and a little bit about current events... to me, it just seems contemporary!

Another peek at a few of our banks was launched on our Facebook page yesterday, to a really nice response. I'm thrilled...and excited!

More soon... have a great weekend!

DAILY CRAVE { petits mots }

Hello! (or should I say, Bonjour!)

I came across this new line of pillow designs from Hazel and Hunter on Etsy... and I just love the playful spirit and rather punk rock asthetic of these pillows. Simple words are powerful words. Especially when they are... en Français. A long time ago, I did a "Je T'aime" card as part of my first collection...and it's always been one of my favorite designs.

Personally, I think the Oui and Non pillow set could be verrry useful. But, I would MOST love to have A COUCH JUST OVERFLOWING WITH OUI's...that would be such a great piece of decor.  So if you see that happen somewhere, I thought of it first.

Anyway, they are available here... along with a few more wonderful bright designs.

DAILY CRAVE { classic beach chairs }

Oh, I was so excited to come across this wonderful new collection of beach chairs while perusing Etsy over the weekend...I thought these were the perfect way to start this week. Such a crisp and pretty product, I can't wait to see more from Vancouver-based Gallant and Jones. This is their first collection...and I would love them to do a range of fun outdoor decor, chairs for kids, or patio goodies.

Also cool to note: a tree will be planted for each chair purchased...

Visit their shop here

Cottage Industry { jennifer tran }

So... I met this young designer the other day, and I wanted to share her work with you. Jennifer, if you're reading this, be prepared for people to want to buy your little cottages.  : )

A little while ago, some blogger friends of mine were laughing about all the "tiny this or that cupped in my hands" style shots out there...Basically we went around the dinner table and each one of us picked a style shot that we'd seen (a little too) many of, lately. Just for fun. One said she couldn't take any more  "I have a balloon!"  My personal peeve was the ever-popular, "Look, here are my feet!"

BUT...There are times when the "cupped in my hands" is just too delicious to resist. Especially here, where the shot actually gives a sense of tactility and sound. And, I espeically love the faded denim in the background...I love the idea of wear and memory, and how things in our pasts often change in scale and substance.

Anyway. Enjoy Jennifer's portfolio...it's here and it is a good one! My personal fave is Franklin.

xx Susy

TREATS { classiky }

Good Day, Everybody!

I am already running late for the morning's activities. A bike would make my life so much easier right now... Of course, it would be bigger than this one up here... and it would not be a Penny Farthing.

Anyway, Classiky ought to keep you entertained. It kept me entertained. Entertained enough to be late starting my day. Entertained enough to consider learning to read Japanese. Entertained enough to start opening more umbrellas in the house.

Enjoy! xx S

CITY SLIPPER { newbark }

Goooooood Morning. The usual apologies for being away without notice...I've just been really, really busy.

I've just been really, really busy (whoops! did I just already tell you that?) Basically, there are lots of xmas orders to fill, and that is what I've been doing. As they say, Elfing ain't easy.

Perhaps my insane pace lately is what makes this simple idea in shoes so attractive to me. This is a new line of footwear designed to offer some relief to those of us forever tromping hither and thither.

And, since this is a simple, smart new business idea, it also caught my eye. There's something nice about a small, tight, line, of useful and fun product (how delicious are the little bags you can put your shoesies in?)

The only thing I think is ridiculous about them is the price point. It should be...around $90. Not in the 300's. To me, that price tag just says they're trying to market them as luxury...and that kind of stings...Like when you see pre-ripped jeans that cost more than plain old jeans. Still, anything that will put Uggs into Permanent Retirement is OK by this little worker bee.

Anyway, that is it from here. Check them out (they also come in metallics and patents, quite cute)