Yooletta

Here is a couple of photographs from our Israeli distributer Yooletta from their recent Trade Show.

Interview: Emiliano Ponzi

What is your greatest achievement?

Being able to communicate to a big audience.

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

I try to communicate the concepts at hand by visual metaphors.

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

Don't listen to people

When are you happiest?

When I go to bed.

What is the worst job you ever had?

The one I refused.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

George Peppard

What is your karaoke song?

The Wall by Pink Floyd

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

There is no filter between good stuff and bad stuff, everything is mixed in the pop soup.

What is the greatest invention of all time?

The wheel, because it allowed people to move faster and to see the world. 

If you didn't do what you do, what would you do?

Be unemployed. 

Images courtesy of www.emilianoponzi.com

Because it's Friday: Rodriguez

Interview: Ty Wilkins.

What is your greatest achievement?

Personally, finding my wife and having two great kids. Professionally, I am excited about the artwork I recently created for an upcoming album by Brooklyn-based Matuto. The album artwork includes custom lettering, an illustrated cover and twelve interior illustrations (one for each song). Matuto's music is a original fusion of hillbilly tunes from the Appalachian mountains and the rhythms of Brazil. Known ingredients combine to form something new, surprising and experimental. In a similar way, when I started on this project I didn't know what the end product would look like, but I did know that I wanted to discover a contemporary mash-up of folk art and modernism. 

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

My illustration work tends to be composed of bold minimal shapes, limited colour palettes, geometric patterns and linear elements. Animals are one of my favourite recurring subject matters. My design work sometimes shares similar characteristics, yet is broader and more client driven. 

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

It would be really interesting to have this kind of opportunity. I would have so many things to say. In terms of professional advice, I would say, "Though animation may be part of your future, graphic design and illustration are really your calling." 

Who/what has had the biggest influence on your work/career?

Mid-century modern graphic designers and illustrators including Charley Harper, Jim Flora, Mary Blair and Alexander Girard. I don't think many people associate modernism with warmth and humour, however illustrators and designers from this era discovered a perfect intersection of geometric shapes and organic lines, playful subject matter and folkloric references, lightheartedness and sophistication. 

What is the worst job you have had?

I once had a job in high school raking my neighbour's lawn. I still vividly recall the misery of raking in the bitter cold as leaves continued to fall off the trees and undo all the work I had just done. On one such day, an older kid in the neighbourhood, named Chris, unexpectedly showed up and volunteered to help me rake. It took half as long that day. 

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Either Jermaine Clement, Jason Schwartzman or Demitri Martin.

What is the greatest song of all time?

This is a tough one! Much of my favourite contemporary music has strong echoes from the past, specifically records of the 1960s. So, if I had to chose one song it would be "Ticket to Ride" by the Beatles. 

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

The overabundance of poorly printed books. I love the craftsmanship, design and illustration of older books. I'm hopeful though, because I think that a good number of printed books in the future will be conceived as beautiful objects. If a book is merely an inexpensive vessel for words and images, then an eBook is superior. However, a beautifully designed, illustrated and printed hard bound book is timeless. I am encouraged by publishers like Nobrow, who are publishing contemporary innovative works with high production standards.  

What is the greatest invention of all time?

The internet, because of it's enormous potential to bring information and education to all parts of the world. My hope is that people around the globe are able to find innovative ways to rise out of poverty through free information they access online. 

On a personal note, the internet has transformed my industry and allowed me to be an independent designer and illustrator with international clients. I don't think things would have worked out for me as well even three or four years ago. 

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

I am always brimming with ideas and dreams, so I definitely would be in a creative field. If I were not a designer and illustrator, I think I would either be a film director, animator, sign painter, product designer or type designer.

All images courtesy of www.tywilkins.com

New!! Belle & Boo Sticker cards.

New from Belle and Boo are these fun, extra large, sticker cards. Each card comes with two characters to dress and a sheet of stickers. Make them up yourself or leave the recipient to do the sticking. They come in four cute designs. 

1987 Classic Belle

1988. Ava.

1989. Ellis.

1990. Fancy Dress Belle.

Buy yours HERE

Because it's Friday: Earl Sweatshirt

Retail Therapy

Store: The Green Room
Owner: Elmarie Van Heerden
Established: September 2009
Location: Our main retail shop is located at Slipway, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We have a design studio as well as smaller lodge shops on Mafia Island, Zanzibar and Game reserves in Tanzania. 

How would you describe your stores style? We are a design company with a conscience. Creating everyday objects inspired by sunshine, sea and nature.

What sets your store apart from other stores? We are the ONLY business doing what we do in Tanzania. We are very lucky like that. We celebrate sunshine and coastal living, whereas the other shops mainly retail african crafts. We look for happy, quirky, inspiring pieces and source globally. 

Where can we find you online?
Website: www.thegreenroomtz.com
Blog: Blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegreenroomtanzania
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/greenroomtz/

Interview: Tim Boelaars.

What is your greatest achievement?

Probably tying my shoe laces together for the first time.

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

Simplistic/singular.

What piece of advice would you give yourself?

Grow up, loser.

 

When are you happiest?

During a sunny day in spring when I drink my first coffee at my balcony.

What is the worst job you have had?

Working in a factory, waking up at 6 o'clock in the morning, counting mechanical parts all day long.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Bradley Cooper.

 

What is your karaoke song?

I don't  have one.... Sorry

What do you dislike most about popular culture?

I'm ok with it, it makes me laugh sometimes.

What is the greatest invention of all time?

Pants are alright.

If you didn't do what you do, what would you do?

Farmer or Taxidermist. 

Images courtesy of www.timboelaars.nl

Because it's Friday.... Prince

Because it's Friday..... Tina Turner