Friends of Graphic Design at PSU

Mental Reset

Now that finals are over for the majority of us, we can all step back and let our brains breathe a little. So pour yourself some eggnog (or chai-soynog, if you're so inclined), inhale deeply and relax. You've earned it.

For a mental reset of sorts, check out these Post Pop Graphics from Japan (or "Alternate Universe Land"). There's enough crazy and crazy awesome here to peel even the most jaded mind grapes.

Link: idea magazine — Post Pop Graphics

It's like a mental breath of fresh air!

Hans out.

Open Call for Submissions! Test Everything's new zine: It is a pleasure to meet you

Rand Renfrow runs Test Everything, a creative enterprise that releases regular artists prints and collaborative zines. An OPEN call for submissions comes to me via his flickr stream. Read the details! Send in your drawings! Take part in this great collaborative opportunity!

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“It Is A Pleasure To Meet You”
colors: Turquoise and Black.
size: 5.5in x 7in
due: Try to have these in by January 22, 2010.

Here are some things to keep in mind:
- The artwork needs to be drawn.
- You must include the words of the theme.
- Scan your work in at 300dpi or higher. Make sure the file you send me is at least 300dpi.
- This will be screen printed, so if you know about the process, you can send me the artwork split into two solid black layers – what you want turquoise and what you want black. At the very least, try to send me a file where the turquoise is on one layer and the black on another.
If you still can’t or don’t want to do that, no big deal, I will just split it up when i get it.

This is an OPEN CALL for submissions. I want everyone to doodle something and send it in, but understand that not everyone that sends something in will make it into the final print version.
ONLY 16 artists make it in. That is, until I start selling enough of these to get a bigger budget.
If your artwork does get selected, you get a free artist proof of the book. (It looks exactly the same, it is just one of the ones printed first).
And you can then make a donation, if you feel so compelled.

So there you go!
Please start submitting right away.
Send files to randrenfrow@gmail.com OR testeverythingpress@gmail.com
Send your questions and concern there as well. AND PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS! Test Everything relies on awesome people like you spreading the word!

thanks,
~rand renfrow

PS: Visit the store for new zines! Sign up for the newsletter at the homepage. There has already been one giveaway via the newsletter (winner announced soon) – who knows, you could be next.
Also, Test Everything has a twitter now, if it is easier for you to keep track of us there.

Inspiration Friday: Abstract City Blog + Christophe Niemann

The New York Times has some pretty stellar stuff.

Christph Niemann illustrates the Abstract City Blog, a collection of interesting, innovative insights into everyday life made through his expansive offering of illustration styles.

My favorite, and the most recent, is this leaf-cutting illustration series entitled "Biodiversity."

Go browse! There's a pretty hilarious account of sleep made using information-design-esque charts and graphs.

 

Julian Gese on Design for Mankind!

Our very own Julian Gese got linked on Design for Mankind today!

Here!

Woohoo! Congrats to Julian. We're proud of you.

Inspiration Monday: Mia Nolting

Mia Nolting is a Portland-based artist and illustrator. You may have seen her work in the Willamette Week. She is a graduate of PNCA and I can't get enough of her hand-drawn typography, painting, murals and illustration!

She is newly represented by Hello Artists, a creative agency based in Brooklyn and Portland. Her typographic and illustration work is gorgeous. One project that just stops me in my tracks is her survey project. Mia has been working on it for two years now, and is poised and ready to release the results of surveys undertaken during the last few years.

Head to her website to peep more illustration work. One project that seems particularly pertinent to us is her Project About Art School. For one dollar, Mia will draw your name in chalk in her signature serif italic hand-drawn typeface. All proceeds go directly towards paying back her student loans. Good idea!

And take this survey! Take part in a mass collaboration. Print it out and mail it back to Mia.

 

 

New screenprint available on Etsy.


Collaborative wall mural with Justin Gorman.

Inspiration Monday: Maxwell Loren Holyoke Hirsch

(All images copyright Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch)

I find myself browsing a lot of illustration lately, wishing I were more of a force with the pencil. Oh well. I can be content as a critical obsever.

Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch is a San Francisco-based artist doing his thing and doing it well. With one foot in the world of commercial illustration and the other in the world of fine art, Maxwell creates beautiful images and has a commanding use of color. His clients include the New York Times, Virgin Records, and the Washington Post. His practice reaches farther than client work, however, as he serves up paintings, installations and personal projects on a regular basis.

Check out his newly updated site (thank you for the heads up, Fecal Face) as it's a great example of well-organized way to present an extensive body of creative work.

Megarealms 1, Fecal Face Dot Gallery, San Francisco

 

Inspiriation Friday: Emma Kelly

I am GEEKING OUT on Emma Kelly's illustrations. It's not just how she draws things (expertly) but what kinds of things she draws that gets me. I have this same Polaroid camera! It's like she's taking pictures of amazing things but with her pencil.