For all you modern day pirates who are constantly searching for your pirate goods, search no more. 826 Valencia has opened up a new shop dedicated to supplying the deck swabbing population with everything from peg leg oil to designer glass eyes. The print work is phenomenal, showing off quirky pirate slogans or what you will be reimbursed with if you have a few limbs lying around. The project was done by a team of San Francisco based  designers, Office, who are succeeding at creating original and funny buccaneer supplies. The brand is simple and smart. Using ony three colors in their scheme, they create witty illustrations that are appealing to both the eyes and the mind.

October 28th, 2008 by watch84. Category:Design     No Comments

Using bright colors and distorted instruments in a design for Os Mutantes’ promotional website, Brazilian designer Vicente Silva e Silva goes above and beyond to spread the word on the new tunes. The site was created as a promotional tool for the musicians album Novo Ciclo fitting perfectly within the style of the experienced band.  Pulling in design aspects from the 60’s and 70’s along with the use of modern line art mix the decades effortlessly allowing the viewer to feel comfortable and connected with the musicians. The site loader expands the illustration as it progresses, revealing instruments and technology from throughout our past, eventually leading into the completion of the site graphic. Silva’s portfolio is quite impressive. His composition techniques are unique and appealing using a quirky characters and cut-out shapes to portray his vision.

October 23rd, 2008 by watch84. Category:Design     No Comments

We live in a time of new technology, high speed internet and endless IP’s. Instant messengers, social networks and video games are all contributing to the youth of our world becoming sheltered by this global village we’ve created. Our access to information has grown exponentially over the years, allowing students to research with out cracking a book, teachers to teach without classrooms and dating without first shaking a hand. Designer Shaz Madani is speaking up about the digital addiction through a simple but beautiful campaign aimed to cut back on our daily computer usage. Our culture is consumed buy what a computer (or phone) has to offer. Spending hours upon hours in front of a monitor takes away from our thirst for an active life. Less time is spent playing outside as a child when instead of physically going to a court to play tennis, you can virtually participate with people all over the world from the comfort of your living room. There are pros and cons to all new forms of technology and Shaz, being aware of it’s effects,  is slapping us in the face before we become idling drones rendered useless without the all mighty power of the internet.

October 22nd, 2008 by watch84. Category:Design     No Comments

I was lucky enough to be present at the last press conference at Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the building it was the original arena for the Buffalo Sabres hockey team. Hosting sports events in Buffalo, New York since 1970 until in 1996 HSBC arena was constructed to house a new era of Buffalo hockey. Constructed for $2,700,000, The Aud was completed and opened during the fall of 1940 bringing in over 1 million in attendance the first year. Taking on every large gathering from circus’ to political events, the auditorium’s interior has the battle wounds to show for it. Dimly lit hallways and exposed duct-work enhance the haunting reminiscence of walking through the corridors to the nose bleeds. After many rumors of re-purposing the building, the city has decided to take a wrecking ball to it. The future is in close view and with the new arena, logo, and team, Buffalo will move forward to reinforce it’s significance in sports. Our snap shots and souvenirs will hang proudly in our homes and taverns in remembrance and respect for The Aud.

October 21st, 2008 by watch84. Category:Random     (2) Comments

Deeply rooted in the world of rock and roll, Brad Elterman entered into the lavish lifestyle of a celebrity photographer at the age of 16, publishing his first photo of Dylan on stage in 1974.  Traveling around the world as a teenager, searching for memorable glimpses into the lives of musicians is anything but a boring gig. He’s traveled with musical sensations like David Bowie, Michael Jackson, KISS, Queen and the Ramones to name a few. Brad has been shown off in magazines such as Rolling Stone and People, but often shoots publicity photos for major record labels.   Elterman says it was the “education in his life” and simply had to be after leaving school to pursue his dream. In 1985 he wrote and published, “SHOOT THE STARS: How To Become A Celebrity Photographer”, which further exposed his raw talent.  You can check out some of his work at bradelterman.com and purchase his unframed prints for about 2 G’s.

October 20th, 2008 by watch84. Category:Photos     No Comments

Poster design has always been an interest for me. My love for music inspires me constantly, and it’s ability to soothe, comfort, and translate intrigues me. The Small Stakes Design Studio began making prints back in ‘03 and progressed into making merchandise and album art for the musically talented. I was referred to the site by a friend of the creator (Jason Munn) after discussing the “lost” art of designing album art. With piracy booming and peer to peer sharing increasing, the experience of opening and holding new album has been forgotten. People are missing another, very interesting, aspect of the musicians creativity. Small Stakes is getting back to the roots by designing indie rock posters with a captivating sense of style. Their posters are original masterpieces that would compliment any apartment wall, encompassing the band’s “feel” through the eyes of masterly designer. Check out the wide selection of posters for sale here.

October 17th, 2008 by watch84. Category:Design     No Comments

Letting his artwork speak for itself, Maxwell Lord has chosen to keep his online portfolio simple, clean, and functional. At Maxwell’s domain, 86era.org, you can find amazing illustrations, gorgeous typography and a plethora of urban inspired art. His identity projects are impressive and show off his talent in the field of branding and logo design. Taught to him at a young age by his father, his drawing skills were implemented into his daily life by doodling on whatever canvas the young artist could find. Lord’s love for graphics inspires him to get into album cover design along with reasearching and connecting with artists around the world.

October 16th, 2008 by watch84. Category:Art     (1) Comment