Featured!! ELLE decoration.

We were very pleased to see some of our Grafika wrap in this months 'Winter Luxe' Elle Decoration. 

1531. White/Red Grafika Wrapping Paper.

1533. Green/White Grafika Wrapping Paper.

1536. Red/Navy Grafika Wrapping Paper.

Because it's Friday... Talib Kweli

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Interview: Adrian Johnson

Liverpool born, London based Illustrator Adrian Johnson has a very graphic yet quirky style. His subject matter often varies from stylised characters to bold patterns and has landed him some impressive comissions with brand giants such as Mastercard, Vodafone, Paul Smith, Adidas and Stüssy.

He was kind enough to answer our quick questions and share with us some of his work..

What is your greatest achievement? 

Not there yet. Still working on trying to achieve the unachieveable. Come back when I'm dead. 

How would you describe your work/style to someone who hadn't seen it? 

Simple sophistication.

Who/What inspires you most? 

Everything and nothing in particular. 

Who would you most like to work with? 

Paul Rand. But he's no longer with us. Alive? Scarlett Johansson. Seriously (you mean creatively, right)? Dick Bruna - 'Living Legend' 

What is the worst job you have ever had? 

Selling draught excluders and other textile goods in Paddy's Market, Liverpool.

If you had a theme song what would it be? 

Something with Spanish horns and xylophones... and it must involve some sort of 'ensemble'.

Last meal on Death Row. What would you have? 

Szechuan. If I'm going to burn in hell I might as well fuel the flames early doors. 

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time? 

 Less tired, more inspired.

What is the greatest invention of all time? 

The perfect cheese with the perfect wine. Boom!

If you didn't do what you do. What would you do? 

Well, I have a real talent for doing nothing, so something that would utilise that talent. I would say 'sleep more'.

All images courtesy of Adrianjohnson.org.uk 

Seen you looking...... Pantone Baubles.

As some of you know we are fans of all things Pantone. We are even bigger fans of anything Pantone Christmas we're sure you remember our festive Pantone Cards and Bags. But we love these Pantone baubles on Italian design website Seletti, a modern twist on the classic tree decoration. 

Because it's Friday.... Summer Camp

Have a lovely one x

Retail Therapy: Ed.

Name: Ed

Established: 1998               

Location: 41 Northcross Road, East Dulwich, London, SE22 9ET

How would you define your shop style? A bright, eclectic and quirky mix of homeware, gifts and fashion.

What sets your shop apart from the others? Our unique edit of products and friendly team.

Where can we find you online? www.rigbyandmac.com , Facebook and @rigbyandmac on Twitter

Interview: Blanca Gomez.

Blanca Gómez of Cosas Minimas is a Madrid based Illustrator and Graphic designer whose simple and clean designs are fun and modern. She was kind enough to take the time to answer some of our questions. 

What is your greatest achievement to date? 

I think my greatest achievement would be that I'm able to develop my own career. Also, lately I had the opportunity of illustrating some children's books. Maybe it sounds silly, but that's also a great achievement for me, as I considered some years ago the illustrating stories was a big challenge.

How would you describe your work/style to someone who hadn't seen it? 

Simple, graphic... Cheerful, but somehow a bit melancholic sometimes.

Who/ What inspires you most?

It's difficult to answer this question without saying the classic cliché: everything that surrounds me. So I'll just mention some of the things that have attracted my attention lately: The hidden signs of John Carpenter’s ‘They live' film; the Portuguese city of Port; the last Houellebecq novel (The map and the territory); certain scene shot the country from Richard Ayoade's film "Submarine", although I didn't enjoy the film as much; or the tomboy girls pictures from the past at tomboystyle blog. All these thing flashed across my head, and I suppose that some sensations remain, and then something comes out of it all.

Who would you most like to collaborate with? 

To be honest, I have no idea. I love the work of many people, but, either I admire them too much to consider I could collaborate with them, or their ways are so different that I can't imagine a form of collaboration. Usually, both things happen at the same time...

Besides, I've been working alone for a long time, and I find it difficult  to work with other people at this point. There's a nice exception: my studio mate Juanjo López; For some reason, his fonts and my drawings fit well together.

What is the worst job you have ever had?

I've been lucky, I never had a McJob. Having said that, I worked on a graphic design studio where one employee lost her hair due to stress.

If you were on Death Row, what would you eat? 

Meatballs with French Fries cooked by my mother, coffee... and a last cigarette, please!

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? 

More or less where I am now, but wiser, calmer and more organised. 

What do you dislike most about popular culture? 

The role of mass media.

What is the greatest invention of all time? 

The bed (well, not exactly an invention) and books. And the bed-book kit!

If you didn't do what you do. What would you do? 

I guess I would still be working as a graphic designer. If not, I probably would be flipping burgers, considering the current job situation in my country. 

Retail Therapy: Here and Now Gallery

Name: Here and Now
Established: Feb 2008
Location: Falmouth, Cornwall

How would you describe your shop style? Small independant gallery and shop specialising in illustration.We stock limited edition prints, books, handmade zines, cards and gifts 

What sets your shop apart from the others?We support and encourage the upcoming artists from Falmouth University as well as stocking work from more established artists. We have a growing reputation for stocking the more unusual magazines and books and we are most definately the best place in town to buy cards for any occasion.

All this along with a gallery space which is available to hire to likeminded people.
                  

Where can we find you? you can find us at http://www.heregallery.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/hereandnowgallery
http://www.heregallery.blogspot.com
@hereandnowshop on twitter 

Seen you looking... M&S Biscuit tins part 2

It seems like folk just can't get enough of all things russian doll. Marks and Spencer have struck gold again with these lovely babushka tins full of delicious biscuits in their gorgeous Christmas range this year. The Tins were designed by Brighton based Illustrator Lucinda Charlton.

Find more of Lucinda's work here 



Post by Lucy 

Seen you looking.....

Beautiful Art Deco Portuguese rose scented candle packaging.

Because it's Friday.... and he's The King

LOOK AT THAT JUMPSUIT, makes us want to go dancing.

Retail Therapy: Plaisir.

Name: Plaisir

Established: August 2009

Location: Biggar, a market town in the Scottish Borders

How would you define your shop style? Plaisir has a happy, relaxed style. We love bold colour and pattern. We sell things that are both beautiful and useful and we love handmade things made by people who are brilliant at what they do and who really care about what they make.

What sets your shop apart from the others? We work really hard to surprise and delight our customers. From our window displays which change every week, to the product displays in the roll-top bath that sits in the middle of our shop-floor. We also give out free homemade cake to our customers every Saturday!

Where can we find you? As well as our website (www.plaisirshop.co.uk) you can catch up with us on our blog (www.plaisirblog.com), Facebook (www.facebook.com/plaisirshop) and Twitter (@clareyuille).

Interview: Dawn Gardner.

Recent graduate Dawn Gardner's work is a beautiful mix of typography and collage. Her method of using old subject matter to create modern illustrations results in graphics that are striking and fun. She was nice enough to answer some of our questions.   

How would you define your work/style? 

Layered visual musings to fuel further interpretations and imaginations. I love collecting imagery from vintage books and magazines and collaging the dissimilar to create new reinvented narratives.

What has been your biggest work achievement to date? 

Achieving a First for my BA in Graphic Design! Appearing in Digital Arts and Design Week was also a big moment for me too.

Who would you most like to collaborate with? 

There are so many talented artists and designers that I would love to collaborate with. Ciara Phelan and Simon Cook have a lovely quirkiness to their collage based illustration, but then I'd equally love to move with one of the greats like Wim Crouwel. 

Who or what inspires your work? 

I get inspired by everything around me - cliche I know! Any image, pattern, location, colour can trigger the seed of an idea or emotive experience that can lead onto other explorations.

What has been your biggest disappointment? 

My finances of late!

Favourite place in the world? 

Home.

Last meal on Death Row. What would you have? 

Traditional pie and mash with lots of liquor, it's my comfort food and always makes me feel better. 

What is the greatest invention of all time? 

The Telephone. 

What do you dislike most about popular culture? 

The invasion.

What one piece of advice would you give your 15 year old self? 

I would also give this advice to my current 22 year old self too - No matter what happens, don't worry / panic / stress because everything always turns out ok in the end. 

All images courtesy of Dawn Gardner
Website http://dawngardnerdesign.com/

Paper Craft... Halloween Lanterns.

These cute and super easy lanterns are great decorations for any event especially Halloween!!! 

You will need: 

Four pieces of your favourite wrapping papers, cutting mat, scalpel, double sided sticky tape, metal ruler, pen/pencil, scissors.

1. Pick one wrap and, using a ruler, scalpel and cutting mat, cut out 8 strips which are 15cm long and 1.5cm wide. Repeat with a second wrap so that you have 16 nice neat strips.

2. Fold them all in half so that they have a crease in the middle (pattern facing outwards).

3. Using your third wrap choice, using a ruler, scalpel and cutting mat, cut out four strips which are each 25cm long and 1.5cm wide. Then stick them together with double sided sticky tape in pairs with the patterns facing outwards.

4. Taking one of these long strips, place double sided sticky tape along one side of it and begin to carefully stick the ends of all 16 strips alternately onto it (long ways). Make sure they are level and neatly next to each other with no gaps. The 16 strips should then bring you to the end of this strip.

5.Take the remaining long strip, place double sided sticky tape along one side, and then do the same with the opposite ends of the 16 strips, not making them too taut, but not too loose either.

6. Then curl the two ends around so that they meet, and use double sided sticky tape to fix them together. Repeat with the other end, so that you end up with a lantern shape.

7. Then finally, to make a chain, use a ruler, scalpel and cutting mat to cut one final strip which is 30cm long and 3cm wide. Fold it in half long ways and stick together with double sided sticky tape so that it ends up being 1.5cm wide. Then bend it and attach each end to the inside of the upper ring with double sided sticky tape.

8. And there you have it, your very own Halloween Lantern!

post by Rosie and Holly