I read a rather sobering article by writer John Pavlus, who gently outlines his thoughts over the creative response in memorialising the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Needless to say, the article didn’t sit well with some. In spite of the backlash, Pavlus’ bold move provided a much-needed wake-up call to re-examine the motivations of designers in the face of disaster.
Continue reading "2011 Sendai Disaster: On John Pavlus’ Article" →
On the afternoon of March 11, the world was stunned by the forces of nature. Let us help out our sisters and brothers who were affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami.
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Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel, The Secret Garden is one of my favourite classic novels. Like the garden to the Craven family, the basic plot elements of The Secret Garden are so deeply embedded in its history that a reader can identify the book just by looking at what the design communicates.
Story design incorporates both the physical aspects of a book’s design as well as the interpretative matter within a story’s plot. To jumpstart the series, the first story design post focuses on one of my favourite novels of all time: Yann Martel’s Life of Pi.
It is always to fun to find commonalities in another person, or happen upon things that align with one’s personal tastes. Finding surface designer Josephine Kimberling and her bright fabric designs is probably the closest I’ve reached to experiencing the tell-tale Stendhal Syndrome. Colourful, bohemian, eclectic, chic, and joyful, Kimberling’s work offers a generous visual treat.