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Spotlight On: Mr Personality shoutOut on 11/10/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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Is it Thursday already? Sweet baby Jesus laying in the manger, time flies like an arrow. And fruit flies like a banana. Old joke, sorry, couldn’t resist – OK, alright, all ready for today’s dose of inspiration? Yes? Grand, let’s begin. Today we’ve got a piping hot serving from the land of Shaka, surf and some of the finest damned curries on the planet as those lucky enough to eat them would agree. Yes folks, we’re talking Durban, we’re talking Stone City style and specifically, we’re talking to a designer named MrPersonality. He describes himself as a graffiti artist at heart, and now works for a pretty large chain whose name rhymes with rice. Put your left foot in, take your left foot out, put your hands in the air and wave them about like you just don't care, ladies and gents: Shaun Oakley!
SL: Did you study to become an artist/illustrator/designer?
SO: I studied art at school and went on to study at Vega Brand School where I got my Degree in Visual Communications (B.A). But I have also been painting graffiti/murals and illustrating for 11 years. SO: This is a hard one. I love vector work, using Adobe Illustrator but I also love spray paint, they're two very different mediums. I'm working on mixing them together. Spray paint is more raw while my vector work is detailed and precise. I've been making stickers for the streets so combination is key.
SO: Its actually more graffiti artists that influence me in my work then actual illustrators. Artists like Kid Zoom, Nychos, Mr Wany, Augor MSK, Erase, Hertcore, Zoer. All these artists have influenced me as well as a few local artists, in creating and moulding my style into what it is today. The mixture of colours and styles turns me on! Hahahaha
SL: Name two of your favourite artworks of all time.
SO: My favourite artwork in the graffiti world is EWOK MSK in israel. His style kills my vibe. With regards to the illustration world, I like to many illustrations to point one out. Aaggghhhh.. Too hard. I tried though! SO: Sedge Warbler, Zeds Dead & Omar Linx, Dj Sintax, Swollen Members A massive thanks to Shaun Oakley for his time and insights! Look out for his work on Behance here and on his Tumblr here.
Enjoy the interview? Check out Springleap's other interviews in the Spotlight On series here. |
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Wall art: Minimalist Posters shoutOut on 10/10/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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You've seen some of them online, for sure. They're those reinterpretations of classic movie posters which strip all the unecessary detail away and leave you with a single image which makes great use of the main concept - and the results are striking. There are many out there, done by some of the leading illustrators on the scene (like Olly Moss, Marko Manev, Bruno Morphet, David Somers and many more) and they've taken on some of the greatest movies and entertainment icons out there: Star Wars, Spider man, Justice League, Dirty Harry, Mr T...the list is endless. OK, enough with the preamble, onto those posters - prepare to be blown away!
There you have it folks - enjoy the minimal! |
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Tutorial Tuesday: Green Leaves shoutOut on 9/10/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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So, as we're all aware, the world is turning on to the green revolution in a big way. Sure, it's a long slow process, the whole business of getting it right to the betterment of the planet, and many businesses are delivering more lip service than action, but the fact that green issues are top of the agenda bodes well for us all. In the process of getting it right environmentally, there's a whole lotta greening going on, and not least in the area of identity design. That's why today's Tutorial Tuesday is all about creating 3D green leaves in Photoshop.
This is the kind of tutorial which helps you create the kind of effects that would be perfect for any eco/enviro/green logo, identity or background. For inspiration on how you can create great balance between the logotype and graphic elements, take a look over at this great list of 35 Green Leafy Logos over at DesignMag. OK - on to the tutorial! For a start, you'll need an image of a green leaf, preferably with a nice texture which will add to its depth and feel. Take yourself along to a stock photography and mine their bank of images for one which suits your needs best. Then check out this great tutorial video, put together by Tutsplus video editor Gavin Steele:
Enjoy - and keep a look out for another one of our great contests, coming soon here on Springleap! |
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Great Design Monday: Mercedes Gullwing shoutOut on 8/10/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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The Mercedes Benz 300 SL coupé, or 'Gullwing'. It started life, way back in 1952, as a racing car. With a distinctive design marked by aerodynamic lines that evoked the power and shape of the Spitfire, one the most advanced aircraft of its time, it was no surprise that only two years after its race launch, it became a production model street car. And the world has a New York Mercedes car importer to thank for that - for without the advice of Max Hoffman, the 300 SL (the first in the grand lineage of SL's), the Gullwing might never have become the iconic automobile that it remains to this day. It was the car that every man wanted to drive, and every woman wanted to be driven in. And of course, then there are those amazing swing doors...
Sure, many versions of this car were later built, but with only 1,400 units ever made of the original coupé, the 300 SL has become one of the most desirable automobiles ever built. Originally created as a racecar to bolster Daimler-Benz's status and bottom line in the post-war era, what was invincible on the racetrack became the most coveted car of its time when it hit the street. Its spectacular design saw it featured in no less than 22 Hollywood movies (including George Clooney's stint as Batman, and as the most highly-prized target in the original Gone In 60 Seconds). But beyond its undeniably awesome performance - largely due to being the very first fuel-injected production model - it is the sheer beauty of the design of the Gullwing that puts it head and shoulders above the best.
Sleek, low, slim and featuring curves that have been compared to those of a shapely woman by more than one commentator, this is the car that tops the list of every collector of classics. And, of course, the styling is not limited to the immaculate body - the interior is a leading example of luxury automobile design, with red leather seats, beige leather and chrome dashboard and the (nowadays) contentious addition of an ivory gearstick.
Greatest car ever built? Most iconic Mercedes? It's a matter of opinion, but one thing's for sure - it is certainly one of the most enduring design icons of all time. Price? Around $1-million. Cost of feeding that 3-litre engine? Quite steep. The look on people's faces when you arrive in that car? Priceless.
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Video Friday: French Roast shoutOut on 5/10/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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What's that, you say? Had enough of the bump 'n grind? Need to blow off some steam, eh? Welcome to Video Friday - a sure sign that the weekend has landed and all that exists now is clubs, pubs...oh wait. That's Human Traffic. Moving on, let's pop into a chic little Parisian cafe for a pick me up, how about it, what's your fancy - maybe a drop of...French Roast?
French Roast is an animated short created by Fabrice O. Joubert. It's Joubert’s first short film, and earned him an ANIMA award and was nominated for Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2009, and it is sheer viewing pleasure.
Picture it: in a fancy Parisian Café c. 1960, an uptight businessman discovers he forgot to bring his wallet and bides his time by ordering more coffee. He constantly turns away a homeless man who asks him for money, but in the end, due to a curious turn of events, it's the homeless guy who unselfishly pays the businessman’s bill thus saving him from embarrassment. Enjoy! |
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Spotlight On: Gerardo Muñoz shoutOut on 4/10/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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It’s not Wednesday, it’s not Friday, no dear reader – it’s Interviewday here on The Leap, so put down the Facebook, pick up the coffee, put on your headies and lock the world out for ten minutes (if you’re a very slow reader). Ready? Right then, let’s begin.
In the Cape Town CBD is a grand and ancient bar at the Kimberly Hotel, which is where, on any given Friday night, quite a few of the creative souls that plague the city are to be found sucking inspiration from glass containers. This isn’t about them, but rather about a visiting artist from Mexico named Gerardo Muñoz, who's staying at the Kimberly and I met at said popular joint over a beer last Friday lunchtime. Gerardo’s from Tlaxcala – officially known as the Free and Sovereign State of Tlaxcala – which is the smallest state in Mexico. And he’s here in Cape Town on account of the good folk over at Am I Collective, who he’s joined for a year to share his skills and creative output (he’s already started busting out a great mural in their offices). Having been spraying, painting and generally pumping out unique brand of illustration and sculpture since the age of 14, Gerardo’s work has seen him enter the advertising industry after leaving university – he’s done time at Saatchi, Leo Burnett and DDB, but the lure of street art is too strong for him – which is why he’s in Cape Town.
Describing his range of output as mixed media, and mostly sticking to his preferred arsenal of acrylic and cans, Gerardo’s illustration is noticeably coloured by the rich contrasting palette associated with the best of Mexican art and could be described as psychedelic folk graffiti, which incorporates the flow and palette of impressionism with his unique textured colouring technique. His range is pretty varied too; he’s worked on illustration for magazines, album artwork, wall murals, skate decks and event posters and also sculpture. His true love? Wall art, which has seen him work with some of the world’s leading muralists, including the legendary Aryz.
Gerardo’s in town for another 11 months – if you see him, say hi, he’s a great guy who looks a little like a hobbit (thus the name of his blog: hobbitculturearts.blogpost.com). And if you see some crazy/beautiful wall art done in a style you’ve never seen before, you’ll know if it’s his.
Mucho gusto, Gerardo!
Like this post? Wanna read more artist, designer and illustrator interviews? Go here.
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Tutorial Tuesday: Illustrated Logos shoutOut on 2/10/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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Lovers of illustration, gather round - and while you're at it, bring those who're in the business of designing corporate logos too. Today's Tutorial Tuesday pulls together the art of illustration and the art of cracking that all-important classic logo look. It's a fact that many designers exist in a strange limbo, where one of their most creative skills - illustration, which, let's be honest, is about as close to unrestricted creative freedom as you can get - is employed in the execution of corporate logo projects, which are very specific and have strict parameters when it comes to the dynamic of Corporate Identity. That's a challenge for some, but it's also the source of some of the most prominent illustration work out there - especially when you consider that illustrated logos are among the world's most well-recognised images. Take these, for example: Creating a really great illustrated logo takes a keen sense of balance - too much or too little and either your logo illustration or your type dominate. Humour is often also a great attribute: many of the most eye-catching and memorable logos out there raise an eyebrow or a chuckle, and that achieves the aims of making it memorable. And in a world awash with logos, icons, logotypes, brand marks and trademarks, the ability to stand out is a great plus.
OK - enough already with the philosophy, let's get down to brass tacks. Here's a great blow-by-blow illustrated logo tutorial from the fantastic IllustrationClass.com!
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Great Design Monday: Starck shoutOut on 1/10/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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When you're able to introduce a designer with a single name, his surname, and there's no mistaking who it may be, then you know that the subject of today's post stands head and shoulders above the best. Which is saying a lot, but then there's only one Starck.
He's earned more accolades than everyone else combined, and the beseeching requests from the world's leading brands have rarely abated since he took flight as the darling of industrial, interior and product design. Since his first big break designing the interior for French ex-President Francois Mitterand's apartment back in the mid-80s, Philipe Starck's name and unmistakable '+' logo have become synonymous with excellence.
Which would be why his work is immediately recognised the world over: a bike for Aprilia (which, though it looked beautiful, even he slated as a worthless piece of junk). A yacht for Giga. Watches for Fossil. Nightclubs. Hotels. And then there are those unique twists on domestic items which display his rare thinking - the free-standing Dr. Skud fly swatter designed for Alessi in 1998. And of course, who could forget, that Juicy Salif lemon juicer.
He doesn't give a fig for the work of other designers, he's had 5 wives, lives in 4 cities and is only interested in goodness, not beauty. Considering the way he has with everything he designs, he's quite possible the greatest living designer of our time, and there's no way to wax lyrical more than simply bringing you these images, which speak for themselves. |
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Video Friday: Steamboat Willie shoutOut on 28/9/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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Happy Friday! And if it's Friday, it must be Video Friday here at The Leap. Today we're going way, way back to the very dawn of animated cartoons, with a clip that marks Mickey Mouse, and his girlfriend Minnie's, first appearance on public screens with which the two mice made their splash into immortality with this, Disney's third-ever animated cartoon: Steamboat Willie. Many people claim this to be the very first that Disney’s studio put out: it’s not. That honour falls to a short clip named Plane Crazy, which also featured Mickey & Minnie, but failed to find a distributor and was thus not aired commercially until the 1960s.
One thing that's immediately obvious in Steamboat Willie is of course that Mickey and Minnie don't look quite the same as they've come to be known by modern audiences. No surprises there - this 7:43s short was first aired at Universal's Colony Theatre in 1928! On release it became hugely popular and paved the way for other animators' introduction to American, and subsequently worldwide, moving picture audiences. The major factor that created the short's amazing success was not necessarily the animation, but rather the fact this was one of the very first animated cartoons to feature sound - something crucial to the sketch, as the entire storyline contains musical skits by Mickey, Minnie and the rest of the characters.
Directed and produced by Walt Disney, who also did the voices, Steamboat Willie is a time capsule which takes the viewer back to the very start of what would become an entire industry which would revolutionise the way cartoons were consumed. Enjoy!
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Spotlight On: vcalahan shoutOut on 27/9/12 by travis.lyle1 in peeps |
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Welcome to our Thursday interview post, Spotlight On – today we’re bringing you insights from one of our most prolific designers, who’s enjoyed lots of attention - and wins - in our contests over the past couple of years. With designs that have a distinct look and feel, he’s a designer many look up to. Ladies and gents, please welcome the fantastic vcalahan!
SL: Did you study to become an artist/illustrator/designer?
VC: Yup, studied Graphic Design in Paris after dropping biology studies… :) Plus a little illustration on the side, but my main subject was graphic design. I forgot about illustrating for a long time, and came back to it through shirt designs a few years ago actually.
SL: What’s your preferred medium? VC: None in particular, the medium is always linked to the idea I want to get through. Used to paint a little, do collage works, draw etc until everything went digital. So sometimes I sketch an idea on paper, do some paint stuff then go the computer, often I start from scratch on the computer, the final destination being mostly digital art in the end.
VC: I love a lot of stuff, not that it's a direct influence on my work, that is hard to say, but they are inspiring artists to me, here's a none exhaustive list… Crumb, Jean Giraud aka Moebius, John Heartfield, Monthy Python, Ralph Steadman, Pratt, Alberto Breccia, Chris Ware, Warhol, Rauschenberg, Peter Beard, Tardi, Beb Deum, Frank Miller, Hergé, Dubuffet, Gustave Doré, John Tenniel, Basquiat, and many others…
SL: Name your favourite artwork of all time. VC: Joker…
VC: mmm… Radiohead, Fugazi, Neil Young, Talking Heads, Stones, Skunk Anansie, Costello, Prince, Beasty B., Funkadelic…
Well there you go folks - thanks to vcalahan for his time, and great contest submissions! If you liked this, take a look at other designer interviews in our Spotlight On series. |
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