I seem to have neglected this blog slightly. Back on track!!

I was having coffee with a friend today and got inspired...well got excited about my dreams of owning an online business first, then a store, than a studio with a few designers. haha. Obviously my store would have the name of IAMVANTAN.

Anyhows, I was going to write a list of mini projects that I will attempt some time in the near future..I wonder if I will actually do it.

1. Take photographs of peoples shoes from norm to weird to funk.

2. Print off my random day drawings from www.eachdayisrandom.tumblr.com and compile them in a nice muji book.

3. Maybe do a few more new patterns with interesting themes (Have yet to think about this)

Swiss Style Design

Surprise Surprise, I was truly inspired by Monday's lecture on typography. I think typography will slowly be growing on me this term. It's interesting to view typography as a fixed object, once wood, now steal or lead and now its all over the web. Something once so physical now so virtual. Wonder if it is a good thing or not? I guess it is versatile in a way and allows a lot of freedom. There are specific styles of typography that I personally find so aesthetically pleasing that I can easily look at it all day, and that would be the Swiss style. I agree that its more than just a design, but one that is systematic and clear and something that has seeped into the world and contributed to our lives. For those of you who know the typeface: Helvetica, it changed the world, and now probably over used a lot. If you look around, you will most probably spot it.

Here are a few Swiss style typography designs. Look at it and you will know what I mean.Oh and a website that really encapsulates it.

I I thought this was a pretty interesting innovation. Can anything be better than a tooth-cleaning twig used mainly in the Middle East, Pakistan and India. Traditionally, the top is bitten off with every use to reveal soft bristles similar to that of a toothbrush. Check out this student's work : Lean Sadder

DIY FYI

This are our handmade paper pom -pom balls. It took a while but we got there eventually.

My challenge : THE BRIDAL BOUQUET.
My mum and I had even took the challenge of decorating another's wedding. We thought that after doing the decorating for my sister's wedding, we could do anything! Haha. BRING it on we said, but it was not as simple as just saying it. We WORKED HARD.

I thought I might show you some of my other DIY projects that I have done over the Summer of 2010. That seems ages ago, doesn't it? That was how I practically spent my summer. I wish I could do more. I just need materials and time! Anyone want to challenge me to do something? Email me: iamvantan@gmail.com.

Sick of the old cushion covers at home. Why not sew some new ones!

My bedroom walls look a little plain. Why not make some buntings!

This particular project resulted in a lot of pain, due to the fact that there are now a galaxy of holes on the wooden dinning table. Sorry mum, I blame the staple gun and of course myself.

BOMBOLAND

This artist known as Bombo (Maurizio Santucci) was in an advertising agency for a bit and decided to do freelance illustration.I think he made the right decision as seeing that his work is so unique and that I hardly come across illustrators that uses paper in 3d forms. He has inspired me so much and now my mind is running with ideas on what I could do with a knife and paper. Check out his other work at : http://www.bomboland.com/

Also check out the making of the gallery video. Love the french language. Nice.

GUESS WHAT?! IT'S SUSTAINABILITY!

All these articles about Sustainability has made me gone crazy. So much so I am actually going to blog about it. There are some interesting elements about it no doubt, as to how to have greener graphic design. REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE has never been more popular. One of our exams question would be on sustainability and I really hope that the notes that I have been reading through would actually appear in my head. Don't even get me started about Design Leadership and Marketing Mix.

RE-USING old materials...printing on existing ones.

Re-cycling old valentine day cards

RE-USING and RE-CYCLING old magazines.

Stamps are pretty interesting to look at actually..in just that tiny amount of space, you can do so much with it. I wonder how stamps came about and how people started developing designs for it. Who even decides what goes on the stamps. I think the idea of sending out mails to one another amongst my generation and below is depleting and soon to be lost. I think it such a great novelty especially when sent with a graphic designed stamp! lol Looking at the choices and designs of stamps out there now, stamp collectors would be jumping up and down. Here are some..enjoy..