Graphic Design | DesignBreak

Graphic Design Category

|May 14, 2012

Last night I couldn’t sleep, actually I woke up at 3AM and found myself looking for inspiration on the web. Luckily for me, one of my sweet blogger friends Morgane, just commented on one of Hagar Wertheim’s posts. And so, right there and then my journey began. An illustrated blog and one with lots and lots of illustrated shoes is my kind of heaven! 1 Hug a Day (such a sweet and lovable name, isn’t it?) is by far my best revelation, thanks to Morgane ;)
Don’t know what about you, but I’m going to visit each an every day from now on in order to get my daily hug!
Oh, and this is the apropriate time to wish Hagar lots of luck in finding her dream job!

in Fashion, Graphic Design, Israeli Designer | Tags: Accessories, Bloggers, Illustrations, Shoes | No Comments.

My Japanese Break | Hiroko Takahashi | Follow The Bright Light

|April 29, 2012

One of the things that keeps me going are the butterflies that come to visit inside my stomach once in a while. And let me tell you something, nothing can beat this exciting feeling! While visiting the 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan in Tokyo I experienced something which I hadn’t for a long time. I bumped into Hiroko Takahashi’s kingdom, and boy what a magical kingdom it was. Lately Hiroko launched her Watermark series with the help of 3120 Mino Japanese Paper. The outcome is a variety of textured papers that will make you go ummm! I can’t add enough superlatives, just follow the bright light…
{This is a Japanese World Break}
www.takahashihiroko.com

in Graphic Design, World Break | Tags: Japanese World Break, My Japanese Break, Paper, Texture | No Comments.

One On One Break | Sian Thomas | The Pattern Whisperer

|April 18, 2012

I know i’m a bit behind with my One On One interviews, but all I can say is I have a lineup of pretty amazing designers coming really soon.
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Sian Thomas came to Israel a few months ago and while starting to build her textile empire, she is also trying to master the Hebrew language. As I’m all about spreading the word when it comes to young talent I figured Sian is the right fit for DesignBreak. With one light box and lots of ideas Sian is one of those you should keep an eye on!
She has a lots to share so I’ll pass her the lead.
www.sianelin.com

	I’d love to hear about you, your journey, how it all began.
	I always knew I wanted to do something creative, and felt like there wasn’t any other career path for me from a very young age. After finishing school I went on to study for an Art Foundation course in Wales, which is where I am originally from. It was there that I decided to become a graphic designer, because I knew I wanted to work in design and print, and I felt like it was the most varied and vocational of subjects. At that point in time I didn’t know what surface pattern design was. After my foundation year, I studied Typography and Graphic Design, and History of Art at University. This course taught me to be disciplined and appreciate colour and layout, and it led to my 6 year career in Book design for two top global publishers: Oxford University Press and Penguin, both in the UK. I worked mainly as a children’s book designer where colour is so important, and so it’s here that I developed my love for colour and also typography. During this time, upon seeing the array of pattern and colour in One Year On at New Designers in London, I knew from then on I would make it my goal to make patterns for textiles and print for my career. It took me 2 years to make this a reality, and this is how I came to take the big step of quitting my full time job, and pursuing my business in surface pattern design. I’m lucky enough to spend this year in Israel with my partner who works at the University as a professor, developing my designs, and starting my business. I’m still very interested in book design and do freelance work for Oxford University Press and other clients, and in fact some of my designs reference book design, like my typography patterns.	SianThomas
	As you just moved to Israel, I’d love to hear about your first impression and then what do you like most about it so far?
	My first impressions of Israel are that it’s a welcoming place with less structure and order than I am used to! The people are so open, they have fewer boundaries than British people; for instance strangers on a mountain walk want to be your friend. I also come from a small country, and so in that respect I feel like we have something in common. I’m learning Hebrew which is a lot of fun, but very hard work. The letters seem so alien to me, but I’m so happy that I get an opportunity to learn a new language and use my brain in a different way than normal. The nature here is wonderful – the sea, large gorges and forests, and the desert. Nature is very important to me, and Wales has many nice beaches and mountains, and it’s where I can draw a lot of inspiration from.	SianThomas
	Can you describe your work process for me?
	I normally go out and about and look at things. I see pattern everywhere I go so I always take a camera with me – just in case I like the colour of a sign I see, or the pattern some leaves make on the ground – and I need to document it. The challenge is being able to see how things in reality can turn into a pattern that is arresting, and also commercial. I take objects I have photographed and draw them in a black pen. Most of my patterns are hand-drawn because I love the control it gives me, and I love the more quirky finished effect it has. I then scan in all my images, and start working with them on screen; this is my favourite part of the process. I place motifs on the page and see how they can work together. Once I am happy that the pattern might be going somewhere, I start to add colour in Illustrator. I keep a reference file of colour combinations I like, and I also document them on my pinterest page. Once I have found a colour combination I am happy with, I complete the rest of the pattern to make it into a repeat, so that it could be printed on anything. I keep everything I have ever worked on, incase a motif I have drawn works on a new pattern. I’ve created many new patterns out of old objects I’ve drawn. Sometimes when a pattern isn’t working, it’s best to leave it, and inspiration will come to you when you are least expecting it. Other times patterns just flow and can be achieved in a couple of hours.	SianThomas
	Which materials do you work with?
	I work with a black pen with a 0.3mm tip, and white a4 paper. The pen is the most important part to me, and I have 100s of black ink pens which I enjoy drawing with. I will draw onto any white paper, it doesn’t have to be amazing quality. I also use a light-box a lot, to trace objects I have photographed. I then use a scanner, and Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign.	SianThomas
	What is the most unusual piece you have ever designed?
	I work with a charity called First Story, who I design book covers for. They are a wonderful organisation, whose aim is to foster creativity and literacy in young people through the medium of writing. I worked on a book called Handwritten, where I involved the students by using their handwriting on the cover. I gave them an image of a fingerprint, and each student traced on top of the lines to produce a fingerprint made out of their own handwriting. It was a very fun and collaborative project. I also got to meet the wonderful children’s author Julie Hearn, and the famous author of the Golden Compass, Philip Pullman.	SianThomas

	What’s next? What is your dream?
	I have a new online shop, selling my designs on greeting cards. And I have just recently been asked to have my designs published in Trend Bible. Next year I hope to exhibit at Tent. My dream is to expand my business and develop cushions, tea-towels, and wallpaper also. I would also love to receive commissions or licensing requests from large companies like Heals, or Selfridges, and one day I’d love to have my own shop. I would also like to influence young people in some way through the medium of design. I’d love to be able to offer my own advice and skills somehow, and help to guide them and answer all the burning questions I had when I was their age.	SianThomas
	I’m curious to know where does your inspiration come from?
	Everywhere! I love objects that you find in cities like lamposts, or signs, or cabling. There is some crazy jumbled up cabling on streetlamps in Israel, which I find beautiful, and hope to make a pattern from one day. I also love folky abstract patterns as well as lettering found anywhere – on signs, on menus, on buildings, on packaging. Everyday objects inspire me too like umbrellas, or pens, or rubbers, or even an old jar.	SianThomas
	Can you tell me which designers inspire you?
	I love Orla Kiely, Leah Duncan,Marimekko, Julia Rothman, Donna Wilson, Abigail Borg, Clare Nicolson and Mini Moderns.	SianThomas
	Can you tell me which web sites and blogs you visit regularly?
	I love Print and Pattern, Tigerprint, Design Sponge, Book By Its Cover, Living etc, Stylist. It’s an amazing web site that presents all kinds of unique shoes. I myself am taking part in it.	SianThomas
	What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
	To stay true to your own style and things you like. The lovely owner of La Vague Doree told me that during the design process not to worry about what other people think, because everyone has a different opinion – and your style will become confused if you take it all to heart. He also told me to keep a small box of things that inspire me and not to show it to anyone, even my Mum! He told me not to let it get too full, because your style and preferences need to stay clear, and to give it a clear out every now and then as your style develops.	SianThomas
	If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
	I’d spend more time looking at and producing patterns!	SianThomas

in Graphic Design, One On One Break, Textile Design, World Break | Tags: British Break, Illustrations, Patterns, Prints | 2 Comments.

Lital Gold | Somewhere Over The Rainbow

|April 8, 2012

Communication. Connection. Link. Relation. Relationship. Contact. Bond. Loop. Tie. Knot. All these words are the equivalent of the Hebrew word “Kesher”, which is also the tittle of Lital Gold’s first solo exhibition at the Urban Inc HQ in Philadelphia. I have a feeling it’s not a coincidence that in her first exhibition, Lital deals with lots of emotions about leaving home and moving to the other side of the world, to pursue her dream job as a designer at Free People.
Lital is one of those, who eats drinks and sleeps design. Sometimes it feels like she keeps on illustrating in her sleep and I bet it’s also when all her ideas come to life.
www.litalgold.com

in Art, Exhibition Break, Graphic Design, Israeli Designer | Tags: Illustrations, Mixed Media | No Comments.

Oded Ezer | Haggadah. The Typographic One

|April 3, 2012

It truly looks like Oded Ezer found the way to mix business and pleasure the typographic way. There is no other way to describe his latest adventure, “The New American Haggadah”. With Passover coming this Friday there is no way I’m gonna miss the opportunity to share with you this typographic masterpiece. But first thing first, none of this would have happened without Jonathan Safran Foer and Nathan Englander. The two asked Oded to join them in creating a modern take on the ancient Haggadah, and he managed to outdo himself with each spread looking like a piece of art.
I can promise you one thing, the Seder never looked so appealing in years!

in Graphic Design, Israeli Designer | Tags: books, Haggadah, Typography | No Comments.

NY Break | OJ x DI | Illustrated Silver

|March 22, 2012

I know it’s my bad, but I discovered the world of Oliver Jeffers not so long ago, however I did carry the business card of Aaron Ruff aka Digby & Iona all the way from NYC during my last visit.
And now… Oliver’s favorite characters (remember, he is a mega children’s’ book author and illustrator) came to life under the hands of the super talented jeweler, Aaron. It’s a match made in the illustrated heaven! No need to say more, head to their fun OJxDI for some more childish spirit.
The Paper Plane out of “The Great Paper Caper”, The Boy and The Penguin out of “Lost & Found” and other cuties are just around the corner.
www.ojxdi.com

in Fashion, Graphic Design, NY Break | Tags: Accessories, Illustrations, Jewelry | No Comments.

Or Inbar | Where Illustrated Magic Comes to Life

|March 18, 2012

When I stumbled upon Or Inbar’s illustrated “At Dawn of Time”, I immediately was drawn to it’s “Where the Wild Things Are” vibe.
Do you see where I’m coming from?
The story, written by Ronit Hacham, got a fairytaled interpretation by Or and she made me gaze and look at all the tiny little details in there. I don’t know if it’s just me, but it almost feels like Or drew her magic on a fabric canvas and not really on common white paper. I can go on and on about this super brilliant illustrations but I think I better let them do the talking instead of me.
{DesignBreak found Or here}

www.orinbar.com

in Graphic Design, Israeli Designer | Tags: fairytale, Illustrations, Story | No Comments.

Miki Mottes | Green OCD

|March 12, 2012

It’s time to add some shades of green to DesignBreak, don’t you think?
Miki Mottes is one of my favorite illustrators, but you know it already. Lately, I wake up to his OCD little creatures on Pinterest and so can you! It’s so much fun following Miki’s personal project… I can see 100 more creatures in the near future (well, only because he told me so :) BTW, OCD stands for One Creature a Day.
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A side note: I spent way to much time at Miki’s home page… If I were you I would drop by. you won’t be sorry!

www.mikimottes.com

in Graphic Design, Israeli Designer | Tags: Creatures, Green, Illustrations | No Comments.

Ola Liola | Expressing Emotions through Color

|February 27, 2012

I’ve been meaning to write about Ola Liola’s colorful world for a while…
This is one of those moments where I want to kick myself. Why did it take me so long?!
Anyways, when seeing Ola’s illustrations for the first time, the only thing I could think of was how amazing it would be to experience the world of Alice in wonderland from cover to finish with Ola’s dreamy touch… Yep, I think it would be a once in a life time experience. But, until Ola adopts this brilliant idea I’ll keep on dreaming about asking her to participate in my Illustrated Break…

www.olaliola.com

in Graphic Design, Israeli Designer | Tags: Animals, Etsy, Illustrations, Ink, Watercolor | No Comments.

Geffen Refaeli | An iPad Fairytale

|February 13, 2012

Let me start with a personal disclaimer, one of the people that I wish would have excepted my request on instagram is Geffen Refaeli. Yep, I’d love to experience the day to day life of this super illustrator! Lately Geffen illustrated My Story, a magical Illustrated iPad app. “Children can create scenes, move characters around and animate the stories they love…” The crazy thing is that Geffen’s art director was a seven y/o girl aka Ofir, the one who came up with the idea. Ofir’s dad, Yuval Perlov, turned to Geffen and together, the three of them came up with this fun app! I’m not six anymore but I sure am gonna try it myself.
{DesignBreak found Geffen here}

in Graphic Design, Israeli Designer | Tags: Illustrations, iPad app | 6 Comments.

World Break | Amy Lowry | Love Bug

|February 9, 2012

We don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day around here but with all the hearts and loving spirit going on around the web, I feel like I should dive in and experience some Valentine festivities. Well, I must admit that it all happened thanks to an email I got last week from the bubbly Amy Lowry straight from Vancouver. Amy wrote me about her Free Printable Valentine’s Cards and I just thought to myself, why not spread the love out there!
So, hope you will find them cheerful and funny at the same time.
{This is a Canadian World Break}

in Graphic Design, World Break | Tags: Canadian Break, Printable Cards, Valentine's Day | No Comments.

Katya Zorin | Ukrainian Flavor

|February 7, 2012

Traditional textiles and specifically the Ukrainian embroidery runs inside Katya Zorin’s vains. This super illustraded designer moved to Israel from Ukraine when she was 12 years old and since then something about her legacy keeps her mind busy.
Now, as a recent graduate she is doing what she does best, drawing and dreaming all day long and the outcome is at times dreamy and other times quite dark…
You can find lots of Katya-ish moments at her society6 shop and the fun part is that it grows every time I come back!

www.katyazorin.com

in Graphic Design, Israeli Designer, Textile Design | Tags: Illustrations, Patterns, Prints | No Comments.

Student Break | Sivan Kidron | Blue Whale

|February 2, 2012

Is it too crazy waiting patiently for a short animation film to be released? A while back I got a sneak peek of Sivan Kidron’s Blue Whale graduation film almost ten months ago and since then kept coming back and today the completed film was waiting for me!
I can’t explain in words how happy it made me feel. There is something quite old fashioned about the craftsmanship and the handmade feeling of it. It’s a feeling like no other! I can’t wait to see what Sivan’s next move will be… I’m sure gonna be watching her. BTW, Sivan is a 2011 Graduate of the Screen Based Arts Department at Bezalel Academy.
sivankid.carbonmade.com

in Graphic Design, Israeli Designer, Motion Break | Tags: 2011 Graduates, Animation, Bezalel | No Comments.

Hadar Reuven | Welcome to the Dark Side

|January 15, 2012

You probably remember Hadar Reuven from our January, Illustrated Break. Right?
Anyways, lately I discovered her illustrated Andromeda Sleeps. Well, to be honest, Hadar told me about it but either way it’s breathtaking! Trust me, this illustrated novel is one of those books that moves something inside you. It feels like a journey into the dark side and for some reason I can relate. Hadar with the help of Shachar Galek (the author) made the city life look SO damn lonely, scary and intense… If you want to own your own copy, you can!

cargocollective.com/hadarreuven

in Graphic Design, Israeli Designer | Tags: books, Illustrations, Urban | No Comments.

Student Break | Yevgeni Krachak | Home and Away

|January 11, 2012

When it’s cold and rainy outside, all I want to do is crawl under my duvet. For some reason Yevgeni Krachak’s Homeless animation feels like a good fit. His little creature is searching for a proper home and it’s adorable face expressions make me want to adopt him. I know, I know it’s only an animation… I’m having hard time separating fiction and real life ;)
BTW, Yevgeni is a third year student at the Screen-Based Arts Department at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design.
{DesignBreak found Yevgeni at here}
You can get in touch with Yevgeni here:
yevgenikar {at} gmail {dot} com