Lobster for Dinner

I came across this lovely paper craft work today, by a duo called Zim & Zou on the Behance network. I must confess, I'm not entirely sure what it is. I can see it contains a menu but it could as equally be a webpage as a placemat in a restaurant. It's a versatile concept which can be taken through various mediums for appropriate purposes. I give this piece five big fat stars.

Sherlock Holmes Title Sequence

It's been a while since my last post and it's certainly not because there is nothing to blog about. There has been tons of inspiration which has gone unreported by me. Mainly because I have been so busy and not been in one place long enough to put together a post.

The thing that has made a biggest impression on me recently is the title sequence for the new Sherlock Holmes film. The film itself I am not inclined to see. Well, I wasn't before I saw these titles. Created by the Prologue studio, the sequence boasts a brilliant score as well as wonderful graphics, much suited to the Victorian era in which this story is set. It has a great pace and sense of action, helped along by the use of sketch style illustrative conversions of live images and film. The details of the sketches become more complex as time goes on but what I think really makes this an engaging piece is the change in camera angles. The sharp and jaunty changes in view keep it dynamic and exciting. I might just go and see the film after all!

Watch the title sequence here

More about Prologue

Go Wild

Argentinian design firm Bravo have created this lovely stationery for National Geographic's 'Wild' TV channel. I love the way the imagery creeps and overlays itself over areas which are reserved for copy. A lovely piece for an already great brand.

Click here to see more from Bravo.

For more information about Nat Geo Wild, click here

Meaty

A meaty solution to business cards. It is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out from the crowd and find new ways to say hello. These business cards above, are made from some sort of dried cured meat (jerky or similar). Relevance is the key to making a impactful card and they have certainly got it right for this survival training company. The edible cards are not only functional for informing people of the employees contact details, but can be used also as much needed nourishment on trips and expeditions. Very clever!




And again, meat is the theme. This innovative butchers "La Charcuterie" have created salami stickers. Stickers, which look like slices of salami! I believe that the translation from French means that they also specialise in pork. Correct me if I am wrong here. But a fantastic idea to make their rather minimalist business stationery relevant and appealing.

National Geographic Photography

"David Hanson crosses a fallen log beneath soaring trees and a lingering fog in Washington's Olympic National Park." (Photo and caption by Michael Hanson)

"Andrew and his friend, a young sperm whale named Scar, were swimming together off the west coast of Dominica. The two of them became "friends" after Andrew saved Scar's life." (Photo and caption by Peter Allinson)

"When the wave conditions are right a wave appears, infrequently, as a result of the splash back off the cliff connecting with an incoming wave. This causes the incoming wave to pop up, creating fan-like shapes. On this particular day, over the two hours I spent on the rocks, this wave only appeared once. This is that shot." (Photo and caption by Aaron Feinberg)

"On my second day visiting the astounding Iguazu falls on the Brazilian side I was forced to change to my telephoto lens as my wide angle had been damaged by the water vapour. In had rained solid for 10 days prior to my arrival and so the falls were at their most spectacular. Standing on the elevated viewing platform I was able to shoot this school group who stood transfixed, emphasizing the incredible size of the falls." (Photo and caption by Ian Kelsall)

"A male gelada baboon on the Guassa Plateau of the Ethiopian Highlands enjoys a good grooming." (Photo and caption by Robin Moore)

"Nazroo, a mahout (elephant driver), poses for a portrait while taking his elephant, Rajan, out for a swim in front of Radha Nagar Beach in Havelock, Andaman Islands. Rajan is one of the few elephants in Havelock that can swim, so when he is not dragging timber in the forest he is used as a tourist attraction. The relationship between the mahout and his elephant usually lasts for their entire lives, creating an extremely strong tie between the animal and the human being." (Photo and caption by Cesare Naldi)

"Taken at Kwena Croc Farm in South Africa" (Photo and caption by Wayne Holloway)

Above are some of my favourite images from National Geographic's Annual International Photography Contest. In my opinion, some of the best photography in the world turns up in the pages of National Geographic. The most stunning scenery and breathtaking images. And every time I see them, it makes me realise how much beauty in the world there is to see and how little time there is to see it! Thanks to modern technology, you can experience a snippet of it from the comfort of your own home.

Visit the National Geographic website for the full archive of photographs and further information.

Banksy Vs KKK

Bristol based graffiti artist Banksy is taking a road trip around America, it seems and leaving his mark as he goes. The Wooster Collective, have to low down of his most recent statement.

"After leaving New Orleans, it appears that Banksy is now heading through the Deep South.

The piece below was spotted on an old abandoned Chevron Station near Birmingham Alabama. (We're told it's somewhere between where the 59 Freeway meets the 65 going South near a large Home Depot on the 59)

(Note: As of now, the one photo below is all that exists, so if you're in the area and see the piece, let us know and send us some snaps)"

Bird Blocks

Simple but effective, these birds are made from the simplest forms and subtle curves. Block colour enhances their impact whilst a gentle shades of the same colours are applied for softness.


Each print is "Giclée (digitally) printed on a high quality professional Epson printer, with pigment-based, Epson UltraChrome K3 inks, that will last up to 100 years. Printed on Epson Ultra Smooth (hot press) 250 g/m2 archival fine art paper."


There are tons more birds to be found on the lumadessa website which include the Red Crested Cardinal, Toco Toucan, Black-Capped Chickadee, Vermilion Flycatcher, Green Honeycreeper and Whistling Fruit Dove to name but a few.

Each print is one of fifty limited editions, signed and numbered by Maine based artist Josh Brill. They retail for $20 and 5% of profits are donated to Animal and Environmental charities.

Low Winter Sun

It's got to the time of year where the leaves are turning, people are carving pumpkins and it's all about orange! I found this lovely project by the Because Studio for consultant Jonathan Atkinson. "The stationery is foilblocked in gloss black with the addition of a clear foil on the reverse of the business cards, all on Mandarin colorplan stationery to give the identity a bright, impactful finish to sit in line with the nature of the work Jonathan does."

Unfortunately the site does not outline what exactly Jonathan does. But I managed to track down his site, here

Letterpress

I forget where I found this but I love the colours of this letter pressed image. The simple shapes and block inked sections of it are very appealing. Maybe some future inspiration for a project I haven't started yet...perhaps.

BMW Welt

Whilst in Munich recently I visited BMW Welt or BMW World in English. It is a multi-functional customer experience and exhibition facility of the BMW Group. It is right next to the BMW Headquarters and the space is designed to present the current products of BMW. It is also a distribution center for brand new BMW cars many of which are customised.

The astonishing building was designed by Austrian architectural cooperative Coop Himmelblau. The architect Prix describes the space: "the building does not have the boredom of a hall, it is not only a temple, but also a market place and a communication center and meeting place for knowledge transfer".

The space is truly awe inspiring and encourages visitors to explore the many displays and interactive points that are on show through the layout and curves of the building. A must see for visitors to Munich.