Design SandBox

New Zealand design ephemera

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 07:13:00 GMT

The third year graphic design students are all busy working hard on their final projects for this years exhibition! The end is almost upon us! Eek!

For my project, I have been researching into the history of New Zealand design, with a focus on logos and how they have progressed and developed over time. I accidentally found this blog while researching and wish I had accidentally found it sooner, but it is great! This awesome blogger collects and recreates a lot of NZ packaging designs from aaages ago! Click longwhitekid to visit the blog!

Check out the old Tip Top logo and packaging for the little ice cream tub from the 1970's:

This is the recreation of the label:

And the logo that is now used today:

Amazing how design changes over time, huh?

Inkling by Wacom

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 03:13:00 GMT

The advancement of technology and how fast it changes amazes me sometimes. Check out this awesome as new gadget by Wacom! Click here

Illustrating would become so much easier with this!

The Kitchen Table of the Future

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 22:21:00 GMT

I came across this video showcasing the New York Times R&D Lab's future kitchen table. I was amazed but also worried...

Basically, it is one massive iphone that sits inplace of your kitchen table. It allows you to read the lastest news headlines, while your partner does the same, WHILE eating breakfast (yes, it is designed to be a fully functional table). It connects to other devices not via plugs but through sensors that connect when you place it on the "table". It is fascinating so do watch the video! My only concern is the point of the breakfast/dinner table, although I find a lot of families these days don't use, is to give the family a chance to talk to each other while eating. With this device I can imagine the whole family scoffing down their food while they play games, read articles, social network etc just as they do now. Apart from this, you can not admit this is amazing!

Objects of Another Age

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:53:00 GMT

How is the final project coming along? Can you believe it, we're already halfway through the assignment (eek!)! And, while final year projects are on mind, I'll share one that I recently came across...

I was quite intrigued by Eva Rielland's final year project as a design student. The project "is to rethink high tech tools to make them easily understood by all, and particularly by the elderly". Each of the objects perform a set task: write emails, video chat, print images, etc.

It's true that technology can be a tad complex for the elderly to grasp, and I'd be interested to see what sort of results Eva's concepts got.

It's always inspiring to see what other creatives are doing, so please share with us what your project is all about :-)

Want to know what fonts are being used on your favourite website?

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:51:00 GMT

Your problems are solved! This site (which I will post below) is able to tell you what web font you are seeing on a website! It will also tell you the font size, weight and style! Instructions to how to use it is stated on the webpage itself.

I was told of this site from 2 design students in my class. Cheers Sarah and Sharna :D

Heres the link: http://fount.artequalswork.com/

Harry Potter!

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:19:00 GMT

The Harry Potter era has come to a sad sad end with the release of The Deathly Hallows: Part Two last week.

For all those Harry Potter fans out there check out the "Harry Potter Parody Comic" series created by Lucy Knisley.

Sara Blake

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:23:00 GMT

Illustration deeply inspires me. If you love illustration, check out this chick's site! Just found out she'll also be speaking at this years We Can Create design event! –Q

Want to play?

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 04:46:00 GMT

Here's a great game for you designers and typographers. It's called the Deep Font Challenge, and you're supposed to follow instructions and shoot (or not) at typefaces on a "target".

Now you won't feel bad about spending long hours playing computer games! :P

—G

Christian Louboutin Fall 2011

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:47:00 GMT

Christian Louboutin teamed up with photographer Peter Lippman, to create the Fall 2011 lookbook inspired by classical paintings!

—Gandhali

Yulia Brodskaya

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 07:11:00 GMT

I came across Yulia Brodskaya's fantastic, detailed quilled art while reading a book on paper crafts.

And I have to say... I am completely blown over by her patience and talent! Quilling is one of those things that I've read a bit about, but never tried my hand at it...

Alright, I'm off to cut strips out of coloured paper!

-G

Don't Click it!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:47:00 GMT

Need some inspiration, or just bored? Check out this website Dontclick.it (do click it).

Hello, Frontend!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:58:00 GMT

Check out my blog post about my first day of work experience on the Frontend design blog.

"Your misfortune, we love it."

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:45:00 GMT

With the semester drawing to a close, it has been a very busy time at AUT. The walls have been covered with students work but no one has covered them quite as much as Amy Yang.

Her project "Damage Happy" has literally taken over the design building. Posters designed to "make you laugh" have popped up everywhere and their bright colour scheme and quirky suggestions have proved to be a hit with everyone.

"Basically, I was researching "schadenfreude" which means "damage happy" in German, it is the term used to describe when someone takes enjoyment in another persons misfortune, such as when people laugh at others for falling over etc. It is frowned upon in some places, and it has also been called an "evil" feeling that you should not have, but some people find that schadenfreude is a good way of coping with things such as when a man asked a comedian to tell him a joke about cancer because his mother just died from it."

Amy is somewhat promoting Schadenfreude as therapy, highlighting everyday stressful things with a funny solution.

For some stress therapy and a good laugh check out her blog for the full range of posters.

AUT's Year 3 Pictorial Studies class presents..

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:52:00 GMT

An exhibition of Illustration by Cyan

The semester holidays is finally upon us! If you're free, be sure to pop over to the Te Karanga Gallery to see this fantastic exhibition. This group of illustrators have worked hard in the last semester to show off their talent and bring you a variety of illustrations that will definitely inspire you. It is FREE. Opening night is on the 28th of June at 6pm with drinks and nibbles! The rest of the details are on the poster, so come along and enjoy!

Suspending water without a cup!?!?

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:53:00 GMT

My inspiration for the night. This video is amazingly cool!