Break Buddies Category
A Typographer in The Making | Take Fourteen
|June 18, 2013

 While Liron took some time off from her regular A Typographer in The Making postings, she was away on a vacation in her homeland aka Israel.
After reading it all I’m not sure if it was much of a vacation or a marathon, but either way it looks like she enjoyed some of my very own favorite parts of Israel which are: the sun, the beach, summer fruits and the FOOD!
It almost feels like I miss Israel but it’s only been five months so far… Oh well.
Back to reality, Liron has a Typeface to finish and the clock is ticking. I’m super anxious but will have to wait for the big reveal.
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}
It’s all about timing. That’s what everyone says. It couldn’t have been further away from my life in the past two weeks. Three important weddings were the official reason for flying to Israel for a visit. The days filling up quickly with visiting five new babies, birthday and bachelorette parties, endless eating, family and friends. And heat. Being shocked with the need to turn on the AC after the past 10 month in cold UK. The beach. Summer dresses after storing my coat in the closet- to be left alone in the dark during the visit. No use for it now. Looking at my work participating in a great book cover exhibition while eating a Popsicle and grapes. Just missing out on another exhibition that I took part in. Staying at my parents house like a guest, something I’ve never done before. Who have imagined that at some point I could not even imagine me eating anymore???. Completely food overdosed. Enormous quantities of Vaniglia ice cream. So many feelings. A strong one is guilt. While being with friends and family- guilty for not Typefacing. When Typefacing- it’s the other way around. Israeli cottage cheese with tomatoes once again proves as the best food in the world when coming from across the sea.
Back to the UK in a super bumpy flight. My half is still in Israel for two more weddings and I am back for full power Typefacing before the approaching submission date. Moments that sitting on the sofa staring at the walls seems like a better alternative to Typefaceing. Other times when eyes are closing late at night, fixing just one more glyph before going to bed is similar to taking just one more piece of chocolate- uncontrolled action. It’s an on & off switch that should now be more on ON and stay like that for the next week.
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

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A Typographer in The Making | Take Thirteen
|May 24, 2013

 It seems like Liron is having a moment…
It’s crunch time and there is still a lot of “Typefacing” left to do before the final showdown.
I can’t blame her… I’m sure that it’s very overwhelming.
On a brighter note, even when it’s super stressful, Liron knows how to have some fun and take some foodie and design breaks along the way. I love the way she mixes and balances it all. She is one inspiring lady and… well, by now you all know how much I love and admire her.
Liron, take it from here!
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}
As if someone heard me praising the sunny weather, we were moved from our sunny studio to a new one. Cold and with less windows. Perhaps that would help being more work-efficient, no more staring outside and wanting to be there. Pressure starting to grow with the design of the typeface. Punctuation, Diacritics, Numerals, currency symbols. Parts of a typeface which are not first priority, but are necessary. We are in the stage in which optical alignment and weight distribution are critical, and the printers are cheating. We have to cheat back.
Bank holiday. Not really knowing why it’s called Bank, but happy with the extra day of weekend. Going to magical Oxford, having a relaxed picnic. Taking a punt, champagne and berries and floating down the Isis stream. Leaving the house once in three weekend days to go and buy a dress for a wedding. Rest of the time spent hearing good music and some more and some more while “Typefacing”. Going to a British football game in Reading. Asides from the rain, we were lucky to sit on the winners side. Which is obviously, the team I supported.
Eating the Korean dish with the sweetest name: Bibimbap. Visiting the Design Museum, and loving how it gets personal and connected to my life. Jólan van der Wiel‘s Gravity Stool that I saw at the Unger‘s home placed in the kitchen near a dog sculpture with a barrette, was now standing on a museum white pedestal. The British motorway signage system that we learned so much about, was becoming live and again disconnected from it’s natural surrounding. What an odd thing, a museum. Overflow of emotions caused by detached things in a space. What an odd thing, typeface. So much thoughts and emotions that if successful – no one will never notice.
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

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San Francisco, an Illustrated Journey | Take Two
|May 10, 2013
journey.
the colorful houses. the parks. the trees. the quiet.
no war. the good food. the people. the freedom.
the beauty. the quiet. the politeness. the coldness.
the sea. the love.
but,
will you ever be my home?
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a monthly San Francisco, an Illustrated Journey by illustrator, Shiri Ashkenazi.


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Guest Break | San Francisco, an Illustrated Journey | Take One
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Not so long ago I met a new friend. It all started with Ziv playing the role of the sweet matchmaker.
To make a long story short, I’m super happy to have found Shiri Ashkenazi and that I’m able to experience my San Francisco journey with her.
Not only is Shiri the sweetest person alive, she is also one wicked illustrator, who was kind enough to take me up on my offer and once a month, she will illustrate her way through the city. While both of us left Israel behind, we have different POV and Shiri’s is much prettier!
“San Francisco, an Illustrated Journey”, is coming your way in a matter of minutes. Stay tuned!


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A Typographer in The Making | Take Twelve
|May 8, 2013

 Apparently the sun is out even in England… Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to hear that BUT after realizing that summer time is also the coldest time here in San Francisco I’m not sure what to do with this devastating information. Oh well, I guess I just have to stick to Liron’s post and dream of sunnier places with blue skies and ocean views. Let’s all pray for lots of sunshine and a rainless summer (fingers crossed!). Oh and… Liron is nearing her end of the school year and that only means that I have to find a way to keep her in the UK or else it’s gonna be game over for her Typographer in The Making the Reading version. or isn’t it?
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}
A weekend in a British countryside – Ditchling. All the course invited by Monotype for a seminar full of calligraphy and letter carving. Lucky enough, we got sunny warm weather to complete the relaxed atmosphere. Staying in Brighton and feeling abroad. Not knowing how emotional and exciting it will be to see the ocean after so long. Waking up early in the morning to catch an hour of sitting on the beach with coffee before leaving. Being shocked that the beach is not sandy, but pebbly. Apparently, my ideas of a beach are not universal.
After three times, managing to enter Hayward’s Light Show. Completely agreeing to all the superlatives and admiring every piece. And the Gallery’s walls. Walking in the rain just to visit another Ottolenghi branch. Never being tired of chasing that place, and beginning to admit that a massive addiction has found its way to my life. Eating lunch in a food market, eating dinner in another. Loving the fact that something is happening in every corner, and in many cases its related to food.
Enjoying a super sunny week. Never tired of talking about sun and the great mood it brings with it. Working on my black weight of the typeface, and hearing comments from all over that “finely, this is bold”. Trying to be brave and make it fatter and fatter, until I think its enough. But then still getting comments like “go bolder!”. I am bold already!!! And so is the typeface… Working outside in the sun with my mac, taking a coffee break outside, a lunch break outside, a little walking break outside. (would this be the moment to thank DesignBreak?) Too hard to sit inside when there is such great weather outside. Although the temperature is Israel’s winter, in the UK it’s considered summer.
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

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A Typographer in The Making | Take Eleven
|April 23, 2013

 I wish I could switch places with Liron for just a day! I’ve been meaning to say it for a long time… God only knows that I’m thinking it since forever. She has the most exciting life and most important (shallow me) she can eat like crazy and still look drop dead gorgeous (I wish I was that lucky)!
I know, I know, I should be focusing on her being an amazing typographer in the making.
I am!
I SWEAR!
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}
Starting off with a complaint about the fruits from the farmers market: fruits in the UK taste like nothing (except for the kiwi which was probably imported at the right time. I miss fruits with flavor. And vegetables too. Stopping my complaints to make room for positive words.
The sun decided to grace us with it’s presences for couple of days. People are happier, smiling on the street. We are happier too. Going to London for a shopping day. Finding my new favorite store, which in everything is painfully designed especially for me. I need these earrings, I need these rings, I need that gold nail polish and I need this skirt. Oh, and I need these shoes. A week after, returning to the same store, buying most of what I needed and immediately updating my “to buy” list. Must get out and never come back… good luck on that. Having a discussion with my other half and agreeing to disagree about the relative difference between needing and wanting. For now… Trying on cloths in the middle of a store and being on a race to try on, decide and pay before the store closes. Loosing sense of time. Loosing sensation in my hands from heavy shopping bags.
Working on the Hebrew ‘Mem’. Wondering why some letters are so hard to design and just don’t seem to work out. And suddenly they do. Few days after, with no change… they stopped working again. Typeface design is full of mysteries. Trying for the second time to get to the Light Show, and once again- sold out. Understanding that in Britain, you must be more organised. I booked tickets online for two weeks from now. Having bad luck at SOAS library- it’s closed, and my reason for going to London was gone. Being brave and going to two gallery exhibitions ALONE. Finding out it’s not so bad. Or hard. Discovering my new favorite artist at the Gagosian Gallery, smiling to the walls at the Kemistry. Drinking great coffee, in a super sweet place, and finishing up in Dalston’s street feast. Not before filling my bag with Ottolenghi and Whole Foods goods to take home to my lovely other half.
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

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A Typographer in The Making | Take Ten
|April 10, 2013

 Sometimes you have to slow down.
I guess I can relate to Liron’s domesticated post just because from time to time (who am I kidding, it’s more like most of the time) I like to take things easy.
Well, since now it’s time for another post by Liron, A Typographer in The Making and not My San Francisco Break, I’d better let the girl share with us what a laid back time in Reading looks and feels like.
BTW, I don’t know what about you but I can’t wait for Liron to be done with her typeface. I’m SO CURIOUS!
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}

Back from Europe to Europe. It already feels like home here. A messy one. Things are just piling up and we can’t blame everything on the lack of shelves. Not because of Passover cleaning, just because the house needs tiding up – we started putting things back to their place, and it takes a while. Even though it’s term break, I’m studying a lot. Jumping between cap A, small cap E, italic f and Hebrew. With three scripts, It always feels like one of them is neglected. Who would of imagined that this whole type design business would be so emotional. Coming to the studio on Easter. It’s almost empty and quiet. Drinking lots of coffee, preparing cold salads because the agriculture building- where the microwave is- is closed. Going to the gym, while watching one of the best Gray’s Anatomy episodes (no spoilers for late watchers like me… it was the end of season 6). Being out of breath and not knowing if it’s because of the plot or the workout. No London for two weeks. How can you miss a city so much? The other half is in exam period, the London friends are in Switzerland and I’m home. Going to the farmers market in Reading. Two stalls of fruit and vegetables, one stall of super odd things like not matching shoes and attic blankets. Eating homemade pies in a super sweet British place after receiving a friendly tip. Finding out from another friend that there is a place for cakes and coffee in town. Buying cake for later. Buying tons of fruits, buying flowers that will replace the dry ones that we have. Breaking the flowers on the train back. Yes- breaking the flowers, It’s possible. Going back the next day to try the coffee in the cake place. Understanding that we need another basket for laundry. Finding an Easter chocolate egg that was hidden for me in the backyard of our studio (thank you Lisush!). Feeling like there is so much work to be done, but being here and not travelling is good for now. Relaxing.
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

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A Typographer in The Making | Take Nine
|March 28, 2013

 I know this post was due yesterday but… as long as it’s up I’m happy. Sorry about that.
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At the moment Liron is enjoying her spring break and I can’t blame her for wanting to lay low and have some quite time with her sweet Mr. and her brand new and evolving typeface.
In this post you’ll hear about her recent field trip with her class mates to Antwerp, Amsterdam, Haag and Berlin and of course you’ll find out about some coffee shops and hip exhibitions in these European cities. I mean, that’s what Liron does best (and I love her for that).
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}

Taking a break from the beautiful British accent, grey skies and endless politeness for a week by going to Antwerp, Amsterdam, Haag and Berlin. Being asked what we are going to see in this University’s trip and smiling while answering: Letters. Taking the Eurostar and feeling the speed in my ears. Feeling so much better that with every cup of coffee, in every coffee shop, a piece of complementary chocolate is added. Seeing one of the most important pieces of print and trying to find a good angel to take a picture without reflections. Seeing other important pieces of print outside a museum display box and getting a really close look like I would never get again. The snow flakes in Belgium are surprisingly larger than in the UK. The weather is not normal to my understanding of March. Almost getting run over by cars, and then by bicyclists in Amsterdam. Wanting to get a job in the Stedlijk Museum just to be at their amazing offices again. Wanting to live in the museum shop. Forcing myself to only buy postcards and not books so I am not overweight with my trolley. Being hosted and treated like family at the Unger‘s and seeing how design icons can live in real houses. Finishing one cup of coffee and immediately thinking about the next. Freezing in Berlin. Eating amazingly comforting pastries, for really cheap. Walking around in Mitte, and trying to figure out what it is that I love about the coffee places there (other than that they are coffee places). Wood tables, exposed walls, eclectic chairs, grey wool of any kind. And smell of happiness. Visiting a real flea market, with what feels like real flea market prices. Celebrating Passover by being with friends, reading only parts of the Haggadah, drinking lots of wine, eating Kneydlekh soup, Doritos and the German local Krembo. Not having enough time for shopping. I must go to Berlin again. Soon. Coming back to the grey British sky and realising that I missed the accent. Now its time for work again.
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

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Guest Break | Swedish Break by Mrs. Trendenser
|March 19, 2013

 Since I bumped into this interview by Frida Ramstedt my life was not the same. You probably think that I’m joking but I can assure you that it’s nothing but the honest truth! Frida is the one responsible for my fascination with Scandinavian design and daydreaming of becoming jennifer’s (aka A Merry Mishap) BFF for a day or two (oh well, a girl can dream…) But now seriously, if you want to know a lot more about Scandinavian design, Frida is your address and that’s why I asked her to share with us some of her favorite home town gems and I was super excited when she agreed.
You want to read this post, I promise you!
Hi there, DesignBreak readers. I’m Frida, the one behind Trendenser.se, one of the most read blogs in Sweden, which mainly covers interior design from Scandinavia. Back in 2012 I launched Scandinavia’s first iPad-only interior design magazine. I’d love to share with you my best design break tips from my hometown Gothenburg, the country’s second largest city – situated in the south west of Sweden. So, here we go:
The Magasinsgatan street. It’s the most talked about part of Gothenburg. This is the place to go if you want to grab a cup of coffee and do some peoplewatching – of strolling fashionistas and cool cats – or go shopping for interior design, food or fashion. I can recommend Artilleriet for interior, Acne and Grandpa for fashion. Don’t miss Da Matteo for lunch or Hello Monkey for dinner. You can stay in this area all day long!
Speaking of Artilleriet, it’s Gothenburg’s most talked-about store, filled with objects that will make you namedrop for hours. Gervasoni, Paola Navone, Martin Margiela, Tom Dixon, HAY… The list could go on forever.
Norrgavel is a Swedish interior design store filled with Scandinavian design classics as well as eco-chic furniture designed by Norrgavel’s founder Nirvan Richter. Make sure to try out Länstolen, Richter’s trademark wooden armchair, introduced in 1995!
Da Matteo is one of Gothenburg’s most local (and popular?) coffee chains. Visit their bakery or enjoy your lunch outside in the sun at Da Matteo’s coffee shop.
Hello Monkey is the place to have dinner. I love it! Try the tuna with wasabi mayo and make sure to check out their interior design. Very Scandinavian!
Grandpa. The sibling of a famous Stockholm store named after the old vintage look they are representing. Here you can find both fashion and interior design.
If you are interested in design you have to visit Röhhska Design Museum. The museum features fashion, design and decorative arts. FYI, the nearest bus and tram stop is Valand, just off the Avenyn (now you have to go there, you have no excuse ;).
Finally, I have to share with you some of my favorite restaurants on Arkivgatan street. This is the street where I live and I sure love the restaurants in my neighborhood. At Familjen you can eat traditional Swedish food. At Bon you’ll be served French bistro cuisine, and at Meet you’ll have the best steak you’ve ever eaten. I promise you will not be disappointed. Try their tuna, or Kobe!
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Well, that’s it from me. Hope you liked my Swiss invasion!

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A Typographer in The Making | Take Eight
|March 13, 2013

 First thing first, it sure took Liron a long time to mention the great Ottolenghi in her posts… I was wondering what went wrong ;) Anyways, this time is all about a weather report (FYI, back in Israel there’s a lot of sunshine even in March…), Amharic development, a little bit of window shopping and of course some foodie talk. You’ll find it all in this times A Typographer in The Making by the cutest typographer, Liron Lavi Turkenich.
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On a side note: here is a Hebrew friendly interview with Liron about her journey so far, taken by one of my favorite Israeli journalists.
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}

Cheaper in the UK and therefore worth eating as often as possible: mushrooms, sweet potatoes, cereal. Truly falling into the biggest weather scam of the year: Eating my lunch outside and enjoying the sun without my coat on (!!!) and believing that it makes sense that the spring has arrived. After all- it’s March already. But then, evil as British weather can possibly be – snow and wind froze my bones. Did I write March? March already, unbelievable that we’ve been here for six months already. Hearing too many different opinions about my ‘j’ and having to just decide for myself. Finely visiting, drinking and eating the best award winner brownie at Lily Vanilli. Entering stores on Columbia Road – all sharing the amazing ability to make you feel that you NEED to own every single item. The Amharic (Ethiopic) letters in my typeface are starting to look coherent, much more work needs to be done. Changing my regular seat at the studio might help productivity, although I believe that choosing seats by their relative location to heaters and daylight is the proper way. Watching a male only modern dance performance and thinking about the incredible strength they have to lift each other and make it seam easy. Putting an end to my homemade-marshmallow crave: Pear & Elderflower. Managing to choose among the unlimited possibilities that Ottolenghi offers (almond croissant, carrot-apple-oatmeal muffin), and while eating it thinking about what to get next time. Hearing a fascinating talk about Tibetan, Mongolian and Javanese and suddenly thinking that Hebrew, as a script, doesn’t seem that wild or too exciting anymore. But maybe it depends on whom you ask?
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

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Guest Break | A Swiss Break by Madame Herve
|March 6, 2013

  • Shoe Designer, Anita Moser.
  • Atelier Pfister Collection
  • Hopehope | Swiss Lifestyle Blog
  • Sibylle Stöckli | Jörg Boner
 I’m sure you all agree that it’s always exciting to learn about design that comes from countries other than yours. For me it’s extra special to get to know designers and bloggers that I never heard off. That’s how my Guest Break series came to life… Anyways, I’ve asked my Swiss friend and mega interior designer, Tilda Hervé (aka Madame Herve) to share with us some of her favorite Swiss bloggers and designers… It’s always fun when you have a local friend who can show you the ropes and Tilda is one of my dearest insta-friends who knows a thing or two about beautiful things! Tilda, now it’s your turn to teach us the Swiss way…
Hello San Francisco, Zurich is calling…
Sweet Einat asked me for a mini Zurich design break with some Swiss insight and so… here we are. In Switzerland you won’t find too many (design) bloggers but if I have to pick my favorite three they have to be: Coeur de Sel, Hopehope and Sachenmachen.
Of course the first one has to be a food blog! Coeur de Sel, started as a collective project between some friends, who like to cook and eat. It’s the place where Zera and her friends share recipes, tips and inspiration with one another and with their readers. Zera works in the fashion biz, is a passionate photographer (the food pictures are amazing!) and a gardener.
Next is the Swiss Lifestyle Blog Hopehope. “Hopehope” is a blog that started five years ago by Marisa Burn-Pichler, a Swiss interaction designer. Marisa focuses on fashion, design and interior design. You‘ll find stunning fashion projects, styling concepts and current hints about lifestyle.
And last but defiantly not least is Sachenmachen. “Sachenmachen” is a magazine-like platform for creative work based in Switzerland. It showcases projects varying from design, art, graphics and architecture to fashion, but it’s main focus is on product design.
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And now… let me introduce you to some Swiss Designers and (drum roll!) a Swiss shoe designer.
I’m not sure how I first came across Anita Moser‘s designs, but I know it was love at first sight!
Anita is one of only a few shoe designers in Switzerland and has had her own label since 2003. Her shoe collections are distributed nationally and internationally and FYI, on her website you‘ll find amazing work in progress pictures!
Next is INCHfurniture. A furniture design studio which was launched in 2004 by Thomas Wüthrich and Yves Raschle. The two combine design with sustainable timber management. “It’s important for us that our design work is contemporary, but that it’s not trendy” is a quot by this duo that I keep close to my heart.
And finally, In August 2010 the Swiss furniture company Pfister launched the Atelier Pfister Collection, curated by international well known Swiss Designer Alfredo Häberli. Thirteen successful and upcoming design studios created more than 120 pieces of furniture and accessories ranging from decanters to rugs and wardrobes. I think this shows an interesting overview of the contemporary furniture design scene in Switzerland. I especially love the works of Sibylle Stöckli and Jörg Boner.
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Well, that’s it from me. Hope you liked my Swiss invasion!

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A Typographer in The Making | Take Seven
|February 26, 2013

 By now you probably know the drill, every other Tuesday Liron Lavi Turkenich shares with us her day to day life as a typography student at Redding. You would expect lots of fonts and alignments talk but instead you can find lots of foodie talk with a dash of design-y and artsy shows. Don’t worry, there is still plenty of room for Liron the typographer (she is so cute when talking about her future font!).
Go ahead and read her post… It’s super “Israeli” in a way but don’t miss the part where the marshmallow pop up shop is mentioned (!!!)
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}

White rain, black ice. BBC weather website is addicting. Cannot trust my intuition anymore before going out of the house. Accidentally buying a skirt, accidentally getting a nice perfume tester and Nespresso capsules in Selfridges. I am willing to move there anytime. Discovering Monmouth coffee in Borough and not wanting to stand the long line. Not using the word “line” anymore, but it’s British equivalent ‘queue’. Happy to be cravings-chaser when it succeeds, and in Covent garden’s Monmouth cafe enjoying the pleasures of cosy communal table, fresh Brioche, great conversation and most important- another rare case of good coffee. Having a very bad series of “Everything is sold out or closed”. Hayward Gallery Light Show, Farmers market in Bermondsey, Tate’s Lichtenstein Retrospective, marshmallow pop up shop on Kingly court. To be continued… Finally starting my typeface’s Italics, and loving their friendliness. Designing a bold weight in my opinion, but a semi-bold in everybody else’s opinion. Wondering what that says about me. Coming to London for the opening of an exhibition, but not being able to feel my frozen toes and standing in a very crowded room makes the experiance seem a lot less cool. Giving a talk about Hebrew in the department. Being happy with the large turnout and tempting people to love Hebrew by giving homemade Tahini cookies. Buying family size Tahini jars too often. Getting to the point of missing real Hummus, and going with school friends to a surprisingly good Hummus place, not without teaching the “Nigguv” movement. Starting to see letter forms as humans or animals but understanding that its part of the deal. Or maybe it’s just me?
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

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A Typographer in The Making | Take Six
|February 13, 2013

 I hope you enjoy Liron Lavi Turkenich’s posts as much as I do.
I’ve always wanted to get a sneak peek into a student’s life these days (it’s been way too long since my days as a student) and Liron is giving us the grand tour! Anyways, this post is all about some numbers and yet again some food talk, just the way I like it…
Oh, and it seems like Liron has yet to design 389 Amharic characters (!!!)
I can’t wait to see them all but I sure hope it won’t interfere with her foodie tour around London ;)
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}

Time for some numbers. We’ve been here for 21 weeks, payed 5 months rent. Number of weekend of not visiting London: 3, number of times watching Les Misérables: 3 (including one overpriced ticket+popcorn in the cinema). Number of Latin characters designed: 26. Number of Hebrew characters designed: 14. Number of Amharic characters designed: 31. Remaining Amharic characters to design: 389. number of 100% final letters designed: 0. But actually, why bother with numbers? Don’t we have the privilege as designers to get dizzy by numbers and stop calculating? Taking a really close look at Dürer‘s engravings and thinking that art history classes seem so long ago. Smiling because of the oddities I spotted in old catalogs Getting the privilege of accessing the Monotype archives on a heavy-snow day. Starting to find my way through the unbelievable amount of type related material, sketches and specimens just in time to find out that the building has to be shut down because of the snow. Once again visiting a supermarket and feeling like in a museum. This time it’s Whole Foods. Escaping before buying the entire store but still getting the best carrot cake ever. Needing a mint colored sweater that I spotted months ago, and having everyone search the storage room for it. Mint sweater- check! Discovering the Cyrillic script. Discovering the wonderful lakes and forest just 10 minutes from our flat. Discovering the large community of bird-watchers in Reading. Being enchanted with the sun and forgetting that it was rainy yesterday, and therefore having to wear a ridicules rain coat so my nice coat won’t get soaked with mud from our bicycle ride. Onion soup, risotto, home made hummus, tons of Antipasti, pea soup. Comforting, warming and giving you an excuse not to move after eating them. Can’t decide if the winter should end or last a little more. I guess no one is really asking me…
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

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A Typographer in The Making | Take Five
|January 31, 2013

 I’m still way into this jet lag and that’s why I’m two days behind with Liron’s fresh guest post (I know it’s not an excuse…) Anyways, every other week I keep on waiting impatiently for her brilliant posts… As much as I want to know about her new typeface and how it’s coming along I want to know about her life as a new Brit and she never fails to surprise! For example: “Wanting to go to the gym just to see the Gray’s Anatomy episode that I watch only during workout. It’s hard to work out and weep simultaneously.” Can you love her any more?! And the fact that she is all about sweets and desserts makes me want her to be my new bestie!
{Photos by Liron Lavi Turkenich}

Still winter, still cold. Snow is magical as long as it’s snowing. When it turns into slush it’s less magical and more cycle-challenging. Typeface designing deserves a verb of its own if you work on it most of the day. “Typefacing”. Wondering what the Hebrew translation to this would be. Wondering what the Hebrew translation would be to all the type design technical terms. Missing so many weddings. Can’t people just come and marry in Reading? Visiting Oxford (not the street!). Going to the must-eat food routine. Pie Minister and Ben’s cookies in the covered market are so comforting when the wind is going wild outside. Thrilled with Christ Church and not because of Harry Potter. Typefacing, and then typefacing some more until I look up and see that it’s dark already. It’s only 4 pm… Almost not making it on time for the concert in the Royal Albert Hall, and then almost not making it on time for the last train back to Reading. Okay, not Reading. Earley. Which is the suburb of the suburb. But it’s beautiful and quite. Learning about the “One Laptop per Child” ox-1 project and laughing at the fact that a laptop can look so human. A 100$ intuitive laptop with green ears. Wanting to go to the gym just to see the Gray’s Anatomy episode that I watch only during workout. It’s hard to work out and weep simultaneously. Understanding how frustrating a printer can be when you work on a typeface. And how a screen can cheat. Finding some more treasures in the department. Tired of online grocery shopping and wanting to choose my own garlic. Discovering the wonders of a heated underblanket. Wanting to live in the charming Biscuiteers in Notting Hill and receiving the most amazing birthday popcorn and sea salt chocolate from Melt. Thought at first that a year is enough to design a typeface. Now it seems like too little time, too much work.
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{Don’t miss Liron’s Reading Calling and A Typographer in The Making}

in Break Buddies, Graphic Design, Israeli Designer | Tags: , | No Comments.
Guest Break | Happy Break in Paris
|January 28, 2013

 I’m on a quest to find out more about my fellow bloggers, local Design Break spots. First was Helena Schütz with her Vintage Break in Oslo. And from Norway we continue to Munich and from there straight to Paris. Igor Josif, the sweetest most kindest blogger alive (and the one in charge for the happiest blog out there aka Happy Interior Blog lives in Munich but visits Paris like every other weekend and so for him, Paris feels like home. That’s why he wanted to share with us his Parisian Design Break and I just couldn’t say no to that.
PS. lately Igor wrote a bunch of posts regarding his fav spots in Paris, you NEED to read them!
{Photos by Igor Josif}

Hello Design Break readers!
My name is Igor and I am the blogger behind the Happy Interior Blog. Einat asked me to share my favorite design break spots with you and since I basically live in between two cities, Munich and Paris, I’ve decided to share with you five spots in the French capital that never fail to inspire me.
For me, a design break is not necessarily something that only happens in a design-y space, a shop, museum or gallery. I feel inspired by various spaces, cafés, city quarters, and more. But in order to give you an idea, let me take you to five spots in Paris that work as a design break for me.
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1. I love to rummage. And Paris offers great spots to dive into a pile of vintage goodies and furniture to add that certain ‚je ne sais quoi’ to your home. Since most of the great flea markets are rather in the city’s edges, I love passing by Canal 6 in the city center. Retro furniture, oriental decoration, vintage textiles – lots to discover and get inspired by!
2. The patisserie Colorova is one of my new discoveries and I was absolutely smitten by the fabulous interior design and the amazing patisseries. Definitely a design break spot!
3. An inspiring walk through the famous quarter Montmartre always triggers ideas and inspirations for me. The cobbled streets, little street side cafés, the colours, the artists – an excellent open air design break spot.
4. Even a coffee break can turn into a design break. In Paris, I love to stop over at the hipster Ten Belles Café in the vibrant Canal Saint Martin area. Hang out with the cool folks in Paris!
5. Handmade ceramics are one of my soft spots. In Paris, I always visit the little Le Petit Atelier de Paris’ and shop for individual pieces of ceramics. The changing range makes every visit a new design adventure.
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I hope you enjoyed my little design break walk through Paris. For more tips and ideas make sure to visit my blog. Happy day, friends!

in Break Buddies | Tags: | 4 Comments.
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