| V.IE | For Vivid

❓ The *Irony of INSPIRATION ⭐🌎

Inspirations drive us. They move us forward, continually shaping and influencing our perspectives on life, and how we interpret the world around us. Perhaps an interesting thought… Sometimes, when you look further, these inspirations uncover a fascinating irony. For example ~ Vincent Van Gogh’s🎇 “Starry Night”

We know of him, we’re inspired by him, we have even incorporated similar style in our own designs. But ask yourself, how often do we see the irony in the inspirations provided for us?

A true, but widely understated sentiment, Van Gogh was a deeply troubled young man. He couldn’t keep a job, he was severely unstable mentally, he had significant trouble maintaining relationships, he drank heavily, smoked heavily and moved constantly due to conflicts with either the landlords, or the neighbors who detested him. Most likely, it is safe to say that throughout his 37-yr. lifespan, Van Gogh probably made more landings than the British Airways. The poor man was utterly lonely, full of despair and sadly decided to end his sorrows by committing suicide. It’s a grim story indeed.

*BUT* during his life, Van Gogh produced 2100+ pieces of art, most of them during his latter years - an ASTOUNDING number for such a short time... and from someone as distraught as he.

In “Starry Night”, the prime irony here is when you realize the true context behind it. We view this painting from our perspective - a beautiful distant depiction of the evening sky above a small chapel in Saint-Remy. *However* In reality, the reason Van Gogh chose this setting is because it was one of the ONLY things he could capture through the barred windows of an insane asylum in which he resided.

🤔 To think... one of the world’s greatest influencers in the history of modern art looked out his window, from a little room, of an insane asylum, and this is was what he saw. What a crazy concept on the idea of perspective.

And so it goes... The irony continues, and thus, our inspirations derive. But one thing is for sure, although the roots of some inspirations may be unpleasant ones, we have the opportunity to transform them into beautiful, meaningful, uplifting and positive celebrations of life.✨💖

Getting 👠CREATIVE ⭐️

The idea of photographing a single pair of shoes may seem fairly straight forward. BUT, when those shoes belong to Bergdorf Goodman?? - it’s time to get a little creative.

These photographs, taken by @MarceloKrasilcic, come from a @Bergdorfs #AdCampaign which ran a few years back. It features a few of those little luxuries which we women cannot live without.

And, as it turns out, it’s also a good reminder that one should never attempt to come between a woman and her handbag, or her shoes. 🤕👠

✍ ART in Motion ~ 🎨 Digital Collages

If the sole reason for this page involved posting imagery from Ernesto Artillo, that would be perfectly fine. This type of work isn’t produced simply because it was the criteria for a commissioned project, or the requirements in the job description. -- It is a gift. ✨

🤔And it’s no wonder that Ernesto’s talent has caught the eye of several big name #brands across the globe. Of course, there’s the educational component which is needed to learn the actual mechanics of these various methods, but without a natural #creative ability, it just won’t be the same.

Expressed through his mixed media collages, @ErnestoArtillo incorporates influences of culture, art, and design from both the past and the present, creating these uniquely fashioned pieces of art.

Hmmmm....🤔 I wonder what @daviddownton would call ‘this’ particular shade of #red??

📌 > The #SuprGLAM Collection Files/ 📌📌 >> Category: "#Unavoidable #Distractions" As we’ve said before, “You can never go wrong with RED.” And what’s more fitting that this arresting little number? From the glamorous portfolio of #Fashion & #Beauty photographer, David Benoliel, this is arguably, one of the most distractingly-red, femme fatale portraits on #Instagram. It’s something we like to call “the allurement & inescapable bewitchment” of #art.

*and I still say it would make for an excellent stop sign...😳🛑💥

#PHOTO by @davidbenolielphotography #GLAM by @jennad0526 #HMUA by @bo_champagne #MODEL @vickyfurnari @elitemodelsmiami @limitededitionmanagement #Motion & #Photography with @phaseonephoto @captureintegration @themotionmakers

Somewhere, along the #Gulf of Mexico, in a small town, off the coast of FL, is a 30mi. long stretch of sand ~ with a view like this. This is #home. This is where I grew up. It’s nothing fancy, no skyscrapers, no multi-national corporations, no chaos, it’s just a small town; a hidden #oasis that’s tucked away on one of the most beautiful #beaches in the world.

The sand is a #brilliant, shimmering white blanket of crystallized #quartz, which literally sparkles when the sun hits & shines so brightly, it’s almost blinding. Naturally polished down to a fine, smooth finish, this sandy blanket is soft to the touch & actually squeaks under your feet as you walk across it.

It’s amazing to think that 300 million years ago, this stretch of #sand & this entire #body of water didn’t #exist. The sun set on a vacant land mass of dry desert connected to a long mountain range which extended into what is now, the #Appalachian #Mountains. It was completely altered during one of the most significant extinction periods in the earth’s #history. It became the #evolutionary #origin of the world’s 1st known mammals, & is home to one of the continent’s oldest #discoveries.

And yet, with all the history, the drastic changes, and the shifting of life itself - when I’m there, and I sit down, on an afternoon, in a small town, on a small patch of sand, in my hidden oasis...I see a sunset. And all I know is - I’m home.

"Good Suggestions" ~ Good Design Company 💡

Do not be fooled by the simplicity of these campaigns, nor the quiet nature of the man behind its designs. This is but a brief disclosure of the mind of Manabu Mizuno, a #chief in the world of master #craftsmen, an #artisan in the elements of #design. He is one of Japan’s foremost designers and leading thinkers on the concepts of #Marketing, #Branding, #Aesthetics and their relationship with one another.

So make no mistake - If any work, of any kind, derives from the creative laboratory of Good Design Co, it is guaranteed to have a consciously well-thought out method of intent in its production.

Mr. Mizuno has a conviction to his forms. Instead of designing around the product, he chooses to represent their characteristics strictly as they are... #Standard and As-Is. The critical element in his branding is #Style, with an emphasis of the message relying heavily on #Paper and #Words - Using #typography to apply #Structure and #Form, allowing the rest of the object speak for itself. It’s not confusing, it’s not elaborate, it’s just simply #Refined and expressed with #Precision.

Now, in tribute to a milestone anniversary year, Mr. Mizuno is hosting a celebratory #presentation, an #exhibition of designs comprised throughout the company’s 20yr lifespan. Not only is this a mark of gratitude, this is retrospective manifest. It is commemorative look at a body of work which has made a determinate stamp on Japanese #culture and influenced #change throughout its course.

As an educator, Mr. Mizuno shares a voice to the art, teaching & inspiring listeners about the #relevancy of design. And in the end, it all really boils down to this one, simple statement*

“Of all the languages one can learn, Design is especially important. It’s everywhere. It is universal.”

*...we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

——————————— Happy Anniversary ———————————

@manabumizuno_gdc @gooddesigncompany_official

“Waiting Magritte” - by @theusualdesigners. An art piece inspired by the man who probably knew “random” better than anyone else, Rene Magritte. 🎩🍎☁️

An interesting note about #Magritte is that his professional career actually started in the #advertising industry! Prior to getting his first full-time contract as a painter, Magritte was originally a #designer of #advertisements and #posters for several years. When the art gallery & thus, his FT contract closed in 1930, he returned to his ad roots, and even started his own agency. At one point, he began utilizing his talent to forge copies of paintings from artists such as #Picasso & #Braques (to make a little extra $$ on the side). Eventually, he even learned how to make & sell forged bank notes as well!

Quite the tricky character he was!! Haha!🧐

📊🎯 TRENDING vs. TRADITIONAL 📚✏

In the vocabulary of industry buzzwords, “negative space” is a favorite in terms of #Illustration & #GraphicDesign. To an illustrator, the use of negative space adds another dimension. It’s an #abstract way of showing something that’s “there”, but “not really there”, and evoking our minds to fill in the blanks.

Within every industry abides the natural ebb & flow of #trending styles, #popular #mechanics & creative techniques, some lasting years at a time, while others only lingering until the fad loses its interest. The use of modern techniques & sophisticated #software has increased the design landscape considerably, blowing the door wide open to endless imaginative possibilities & the perfect environment for #artists - It’s like putting a kid in a candy store.

And although these modern capabilities pave the way for new ideas & extend the dimensions artistic talents, it’s nice knowing that some of the more #traditional aspects are still intact.

In an earlier article, we highlighted the illustrations of @tangyauhoong in conjunction with the topic of #Illusions & #InsiderMarketing. Today, we’re using another example of his work entitled “The Writer”, showing the use of negative space, a preferred method of choice & an aspect he infuses in both his personal & professional projects. He, along with other designers have successfully intermingled traditional & contemporary elements to portray a message, or to simply coax our curiosity. Not only does this make for clever imagery, but it also shows us that traditional (albeit a bit more modernized) is still, very much on trend.

Mixing creative illustrations with the art of #Typography has also been especially popular - another extension of a traditional form which has equally come into its own in the modern age. So fortunately, for those who still indulge & appreciate the more classical forms of art, you can rest assured knowing they will not be going away anytime soon.

Here's a good article on this year’s most popular #DesignTrends & the creative artists who are leading the pack: https://graphicmama.com/blog/graphic-design-trends-2018/

When You Look This Good 💖

Carmen Dell’Orefice, in & of herself, is a natural wonder - a beautiful work of art.

She’s been a muse to Salvador Dali, the face of Rolex & today, is still one of the most popular (and certainly legendary) supermodels around. Her entrance to the business began when she was a mere teen. Her career has crossed paths with numerous culture & fashion icons, world-reknowned rtists, and industry legends. There’s no doubt - this woman has seen it ALL.

It’s hard to imagine ‘age’ when you look this good…🌟

WELL, now that we have our directions...

* Destination: #PradaMarfa * Location: Marfa, TX. * Population: 2,000. * Justifiable Reason for Trekking into Vacant Desert: It’s the fashion girl’s “Statue of Liberty”.

⚡The Secret is in the Details. ⚙ #WorkVibes 🏍#JamesBond #Design

Channeling some #007😎 this week, starting with this disassembled design by Ben Sandler - a creative interpretation on the future of 3D printing.

Inventiveness & Creativity: Two critical elements of #strategy & the vital components of #marketing. It’s much more FUN to think of marketing like a James Bond novel. In real life, Ian Fleming, the author & originator of #Agent007, was actually a true, high-level intelligence officer himself. Recruited by the #RoyalNavy in 1939, Fleming worked in the Naval Intelligence Division during #WWII, under the codename “17F”.

He oversaw the #operations for several undercover missions & integral in the formation of intelligence units: No. 30 Commando, (30 Assault Unit) & Target Force (T-Force). Besides #Bond, most of Fleming’s characters & their respective missions were based on real-life scenarios, people he knew, or fellow liaisons.

Also in the military was Ian’s father, Valentine Fleming, who became a Major in the Queen’s Own during WWI, and was killed in action by German Forces in 1917. Interestingly, it was Valentine’s good friend Winston Churchill, who after hearing the news of his death, took it upon himself to write a formal obituary, which was published in The Times.

But most of all, it was Fleming’s intel operations, the fine minute details, which make his novels so compelling...not to mention, a great reference on the idea of marketing & how to utilize #Inventiveness & #Creativity in our own strategies.

Double “Exposure” - One image, two industry legends. ⭐ #SteveMcQueen ⭐ #RichardAvedon

Likely Scenario A: You just bought a brand new chair. Likely Scenario B: You just had one perfectly reupholstered. INEVITABLE Scenario C: ‘Fido’ finds the chair & decides this is going to be his new perch...

Actually, this portrait is the professional handiwork of #PaulCroes & #IngeNelis, @paulcroesphotography the duo at Behind Eyes studio, who bring fine #photography to the animal world & whose patience must exceed all bounds. Working through long hours & countless doggie treats, they’ll do whatever it takes in order to get the perfect shots.

Amazingly, animals have a profound effect on our psyche. Pets are basically like family members these days, and the presence of animals & our relationship to them can be seen all throughout #history. Today, #marketers use them as #subliminal ploys in #advertising, and #TVshows often work animals or pets into the script as a way to boost ratings. The reason is simply because it’s how humans are #wired. Our attraction to animals is part of our #DNA. By nature, the visual aspect triggers an automatic/emotional response in our brain making the impression more meaningful, its message more appealing & overall, is more likely to be stored in our long-term memory drawer instead of the recycle bin.

Right?!? 🤓🎓 Haha!! Good ‘ole Times New Roman...In a way, it’s a little sad that we treat this poor font like an aromatic senior citizen with bladder control issues.

Especially, given its celebrity status in the world of publishing. Although TNR is not considered “modern” today, it was a Pretty.BIG.DEAL. back in its heyday. It was “THE” font of the 20th century!

Commissioned by the British Times, this new innovation entered the public scene in 1932. It turned the tide on “pleasurable reading” and up until that point, no newspaper had ever created their own custom font. The development was a painstakingly exhaustive process which started a year earlier. They canned at least, if not more than 5,000 matrices before landing on a final product!

💡 An Interesting FUN FACT about TNR: 💡 • The equipment used to create the actual typeface for The Times, came from two different printing manufacturers: Linotype & Monotype. Each company created individual metal punches used by the newspaper, thus giving each corporation their own “version” of the new font. • As a result, Linotype licensed their version “Times Roman” to Xerox, Adobe & APPLE, whereas Monotype (the primary lead) licensed their version “Times New Roman” to MICROSOFT! This is why you might notice the name difference depending on whether you use a Mac or a PC.💻🍎

The Times New Roman was a smashing hit. It become the primary typeface in our textbooks (as we all remember), our software, and in 2004, became the official font used by the US Dept. of State for all diplomatic documents.

😲 Quite impressive for the font we like to put in the geriatric corner of the nursing home... 🎓📚

We’ll take two please. Oh, what the hell...go ahead and throw in the suit too.

#TheHandsomeMan #TwoPlease #OvernightDelivery