Archive for the ‘Design + Creativity’ Category
Scandinavian Design: Marimekko Spring 2010
I’ve been meaning to have a weekly feature on Scandinavian design for quite some time now, but I’m still lacking a fresh and fun name for it. Any thoughts?
While we wait for creative genius to strike however, here are three of my favorite fabrics from the Spring 2010 Marimekko collection. Although the Finnish company certainly stands by their classic prints, like Unikko, I always love the new stuff that they come up with.
Greening Your Kitchen: Cocoon
Bringing fresh herbs into your kitchen not only means you’ll have a delectable choice of seasonings, but it also allows you to bring some greenery inside. In fact, I’ve got overflowing pots of thyme, basil and rosemary surrounding my cooking space. But they could probably use a sleek organization system like this one.
Swedish designer Måns Salomonsen has created this ingenious design, called Cocoon, that puts a focus on healthy eating, placing your fruits and herbs all in the same place. Check out more pictures of the design here.
Of course until this beautiful design becomes available, you can still make your own herb garden, and all it entails is a nice looking pot, a few herb plants and some planting soil. Here are some easy to follow directions on re-nest.
Scandinavia Meets Japan: New IKEA Designs
I wouldn’t necessarily put Japanese and Scandinavian design together, but for its spring collection IKEA is launching Charlotta, a collection of fabrics designed by Åsa Ekströ. The result is a manga-inspired textile series. And although I’m not usually a huge fan of all things manga, I am loving the origami moose tea cozy.
[Via: Room and Serve]
Mountainfilm: Submit to a Fantastic Festival of Film, Art and Culture
Photo by Jennifer Koskinen
I heart Mountainfilm Festival, an amazing festival of film, art and culture, and I’m so excited about attending the real deal this year (don’t worry, I’ve been to the one on tour)! So here’s a little something from the Under Solen blog to inspire all you creative types:
Art + Adventure + Culture + Environment. Does it get any better than that?
In its 32nd year, Mountainfilm Festival is so much more than a film festival. It’s a four-day six-senses experience of all those things we love: art, adventure, culture and environment. With the motto “Celebrating the Indomitable Spirit” it’s hard not to get excited.
The festival takes place over Memorial Day Weekend (this year May 28-31), and although it might seem a little early to be making travel plans, if you’re a filmmaker, you’ll want to pay attention. Submissions for the 2010 festival are still being accepted, and if you submit before January 12, 2010 the submission fee is only $60. Submit by February 12, 2010 and your fee bumps up to $70. (Short films — 20 minutes or less — have a submission fee of $25 and will be accepted until February 12, 2010).
Why submit? Because Mountainfilm “is America’s premier festival celebrating achievement in mountain, adventure, culture and environment.”
What do they accept? Mountainfilm accepts and screens films – doc and narrative, feature and short – on a broad range of subjects. They’re particularly into quirky causes and indomitable spirit. Learn more about submitting here. To get a feel for the festival you can also check out a list of last year’s films, and others, here.
Printmaking: Winter Trees and Rosehips
I made a commitment to set aside more time to being creative (read: spend time away from the computer) in 2010 and so far, so good. Result? First prints of the New Year!
I was inspired by wintry flora, which turned into a tree series as well as a rosehip print.
Both of the prints were carved onto simple erasers and then printed onto white and brown paper. Need some printing inspiration? Check out the fantastic book Printing by Hand by Lena Corwin.
Public Art and Architecture: Creative Subways Around the World
One of my favorite parts about traveling is finding fabulous works of public art and design. I can spend hours walking around cities on the lookout for creative installations, which is why I am a sucker for interesting subway architecture. Stockholm’s subway system happens to be a personal favorite, but there are many other underground systems around the world that make taking public transportation more than just getting from point A to point B.
I pulled together a list of cool subways over at Been Seen, along with a number of photos. The list is long, going from New York all the way to Dubai. Here’s a visual taste:
Check out the full article here.
Snowflake Study
I’ve got snow on the mind, so had to feature this Graphic Study of the Snowflake by Andrei D. Robu.
[Via: swissmiss]
Copenhagen Bike Share
Digging the new bike share designs that won a contest sponsored by the city of Copenhagen. Good looking and functional; definitely a combination that should get more people riding.
We’ve posted more pictures over at Under Solen — go take a look!
Recycled Bus Stop
There are some interesting designs when it comes to bus stops around the world, and the Bottlestop Bus Shelter Project is no different. The work of artist Aaron Scales, it’s built from recycled soda bottles (all sources locally), and is lit up at night with LEDs.
More here.
Creative Inspiration: Daily Journaling
As a writer, I wish I was more disciplined about keeping a daily journal, mostly because it gets the creative juices flowing. But alas, the internet takes up more time than it should, and the time I spend putting actual pen to paper is limited.
But to get those creative juices flowing again, sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration. This time that inspiration comes from my very own mother, who for one year, diligently journaled on a daily basis. Drawing and painting a daily picture of something from the natural world and writing a few words that accompanied it. The result is stunning. And I feel encouraged [if not a bit forced; my mother can’t show me up] to get out my notebook tomorrow…
Full gallery of photos after the jump.
blog.annabrones.com 