Very interesting fashion in a fabulous but probably mostly unappreciated setting - the Moscow Metro:

Moscow Metro on the Behance Network

Abandoned WW2 fortifications. on the Behance Network

At the link below, check out some eerie, and monumental abandoned WWII fortifications and buildings, recently photographed by Jonathan Andrew. The raw "form follows function" look of a lot of these thick buildings lets you know that they came under heavy fire, but they are still around. Also interesting to see the graffiti on some of them. The graffiti seems to symbolize rebellion against the establishment, if only from yesteryear. Lord knows if they had done it back in the 40's, they probably would have been shot!

Abandoned WW2 fortifications. on the Behance Network

New design Tidbits

So, I just saw some great, whimsical designs at one of my favorite furniture and home design resources, Design Story. At Design Story, they have very unique merchandise from a bunch of different, mostly European, design studios. Almost all of the things they showcase are practically works of art. Below are are a few of my latest favorites.


The above images are of "ESQUE" studio's Honeybear vases. I obviously liked the orange one, but there are several different luscious colors to choose from - you can't lose with any of them. I want all of them, actually.

Then there is this GREAT looking foosball table (RS Foosball Table #2), by design studio "RS BARCELONA". It is so cool, made of stainless steel, and comes in ether the naked stainless steel finish, red, black, or white. This needs to be in every "mancave" --- that's an order!

Finally, there is this great looking stool, by the same design studio, RS BARCELONA. It is made completely from 100% recycled paper pulp, and is supposedly amazingly strong. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, that is why Tokyo designer, Shigeki Fujishiro, ended up calling it "Eiffel".

Design Story is currently having a sale on all the above items. To check out all of their merchandise, you have to sign up to be a member of Design Story's website, but it is free and well worth it if you like great home design.

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=werdcom

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=werdcom

Great Free Numeral Font Set

Quick Note: After much searching and clicking, I ran across a really fun and solid numeral font set, designed by Andy Mangold. Not only is it just beautifully crafted and designed, but it's also FREE to download from this link. Be sure to credit Andy for his contribution to your creation when you use this cool set.

30 Creative Text Effects

I just saw that Callum Chapman blogged about 30 "innovative & creative text effect" tutorials. Some very cool effects here, which I definitely plan on using in the near future. It's always great to have access to some really creative how-to's, especially when it comes down to something that all designers have to do at one point or another, type-design.

Check them all out at this link:
http://spyrestudios.com/30-innovative-creative-text-effect-tutorials/

New Posh Lounge opening in L.A.

I know this isn't very "design-oriented", but I feel it is so I'm posting about it. Seems there is this new, ultra-cool lounge bar opening up this week in L.A. and it looks like the type of pseudo-chic place I'd like to run into a Hollywood A-lister at --- if I wanted to. Mostly, I'd probably just like to see them there, pat myself on the back for again knowing the cool places to hang out at (since said A-lister being there as well is proof positive that I know this), and not even acknowledge their presence.

Seriously, I really love cool lounge bars, no matter what the decor is. It can be a Tiki place, an old-world, leather booth-filled, cigar-smoking place, or one of the trendy, modern Hollywood mega-lounges that opens up seemingly every other six months, filled with $1000+ a night tables with "bottle-service". I love 'em all --- if they are well designed and have a great atmosphere.

This place called "Trousdale" looks like it could be that sort of place. From Thrillist L.A.:


"Opening up tomorrow, Trousdale's a super-posh ultra lounge, from a newcomer nicknamed "the Kid" as well as several club and nightlife vets: the dude from Guy's, one of the girls behind Hyde, and notorious club-man Brent Bolthouse, who's doing his own thing for the first time since parting with SBE's Sam Nazarian, whose name alone strikes fear into the hearts of... proofreaders everywhere. The inside's appropriately plush: the main room's got silver-toned leather banquettes, black-marble columns, a mid-room DJ stand, and dark, exposed piping, while the smaller back area boasts a massive pool table, tufted walls, and a fine-art print of an automatic rifle, notably painted by Andy War-Haul. As far as libations go, they've got a fresh-ingredient'd cocktail list and beers, as well as dolled-up comfort food and small plates from a top caterer who's done work w/ Louis Vuitton; options include sesame wasabi ahi tartar w/ ginger on a taro-root chip, mini grilled Gruyere cheese sandwiches w/ Worcestershire sauce, and a garlic/rosemary crusted New Zealand lamb chop, which Shari Lewis uses to teach kids about bad breath.

The bar's only open three days a week: Friday, Saturday, and also Tuesday...
There's absolutely no website, but you can ring them at 310.274.7500."

For more go to: http://www.thrillist.com/los-angeles/trousdale.

Whole Body Gallery logo redesign

So, I have been working on the corp ID redesign of an L.A. Pilates Studio, named Whole Body Gallery. My friends Nigel and Daria own the place, and I've been doing design work for them for many years. At first, we went through a bunch of logo designs based on Daria's initial ideas and sketches. Here is one example, as Daria wanted to use a flower symbol:


After going through the different versions of this logo, both Daria and I weren't exactly satisfied with this. I decided to play around with a few vector images I had and merge a few together to form an entirely new logo design, but one in which I felt reflected both the spiritual individual and gallery aspects of the studio (it doubles as an art gallery, hence the name Whole Body Gallery).

I first came up with these next two, using a cool blue and a contrasting, and complimentary colored, orange:



Then, after consulting Daria, we changed the final colors to the original organic green and hot orange red for the final logo design below:

I think it represents the gallery very well, with both a sophisticated and serene look, with all the elements present, with the tree representing the individual and pilates aspects and the frames representing the art gallery.

Now, we are off to create the rest of the corp design, including business cards, stationary, and website (which should be up by the end of March, I hope). I will keep updating the progress.