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all over the usa.

I’ve been seeing lots of cool, inspiring state-inspired design + illustration works. Here are some of my favorites:

This one is a USA map illustration covered with hand-drawn type about how neighborhoods around the U.S. got their names. How cool is that? Created by Micah Lidberg for Good magazine (found via Kitsune Noir).

This one is by Amy Ruppel, inspired by her home state, Oregon. Hope she’s making this a series with the other states, too! :)

Every designer in the blogosphere know her. This one is by the oh-so-brilliant Jessica Hische.

Last but not least, this one is illustrated by one of my favorite artist, Katie Daisy. Utterly talented and sweet!

2 Comments April 20, 2010

Friends of Type

Can’t believe that this is my first time discovering this magnificent typography blog. Friends of Type is a collection of type-related sketches and works in progress of three designers: Erik, Aaron, and Jason. From one blog post to another, they continue to amaze me!

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1 Comment February 1, 2010

365 ampersand

Thanks to Kristina at My Heart Behaves, I stumbled upon the Ampersand Ampersand project. Celebrating the beauty of the ampersand, one ampersand is posted each day in this blog, along with a link to the foundry’s website. I can’t keep my eyes off of this blog!

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2 Comments January 26, 2010

Robert Ryan Paper Cutting

I’ve been admiring the art of paper cutting lately. I’m beginning the week with this inspiring and awesome paper cutting artist from London, Robert Ryan. His typographic style is very unique. I love how he works with paper cutting art and also moves to lots of different directions (like screen printing) with it. His portfolio website is currently under construction but he has a blog and an etsy shop.

2 Comments January 11, 2010

Business Penmanship

Ale Paul, one of the most brilliant type designer ever, just came up with a new lovely script font exclusively for Veer. It’s just so, so lovely, delicate and charming. Click here to watch slide show of the applications in form of love letters, titled “Wish You Were Here”. So sweet!

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Illustrated Type by Katie Lombardo

I’m so in love with these hand-drawn illustrated typography by Katie Daisy Lombardo. She works mostly with watercolor and acrylic. I love her style and the colors are just delightful. Things like these really inspires me to learn more things to become a better designer. That’s why I’m taking Watercolor and Printmaking next semester :) So excited!

Back to Katie’s work, aren’t you just so blown away? I’d love to have any of her print on my studio wall one day :)

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3 Comments December 2, 2009

Art of Paper Quilling

I can recall that I learn to do some paper quilling back then in elementary school. However, I’ve never known that the art of paper quilling can be a DIVINE beauty. Yulia Brodskaya made it happen. These images below worth a thousand words. Here’s the black and white design from her portfolio.

How lovely are those! And the typographic treatment too! And here’s some more in color. So, so inspiring!

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4 Comments November 18, 2009

Friday’s Favorite Five

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I’m so, so excited. There are too many things happening today, I can’t barely contain it! One of my excitement is that I’ve just finished and sent our 2010 calendar design files to the printer. I know I’m SUPER late… *dooh* but I guess it’s better late than never. And then, it’s Friday, hurrah! Here are five of my favorites this week:

. Three Potato Four. This is such a charming little shop that has tons of cute vintage stuffs. I love that refurbished typing machine above and this set of keys.

. 41 Creative Alphabets. Typography nerds beware. Here are tons of creativeness for your eye’s delight.

. Beyond the Big Day at D*S. It’s a new column over at Design*Sponge that talks about wedding inspired decoration and entertaining ideas. This first post by Once Wed’s Emily is just too beautiful. Those colors are just pure joy!

. Japanese Matryoshka Sticker Calendar. I saw this the other day at Paper Source and thought that it’s such an adorable idea :)

. Styleture. New blog love! Just found Styleture via Twitter and been stalking the blog ever since. If you’re an architecture or interior design fan, you’ll love this blog :)

Have a joyful weekend, you!

Lubalin Now.

As a typography nerd, I really wish I can come to this exhibition! Lubalin Now is an exhibition on view in Cooper Union’s new gallery, which includes recent posters, publications, and motion graphics by internationally recognized graphic designers that spotlight an emerging trend toward expressive lettering and typography. Herb Lubalin is truly a legendary designer and typographer that I adore ever since I got to know him from design classes. Marian Bantjes (my other type hero) and Jessica Hische’s works are also exhibited.