Pick Me Up!

Last week we popped along to the 'Pick Me Up' exhibition at Somerset House. It was packed with talented graphic artists and illustrators from around the world, showcasing their work. There was alot going on, from puppet/shadow shows, live drawing sessions, live stop film animation, open studios from Anthony Burrill, Print Club and Nous Vous. Our faves were Anthony Burrill and Nous Vous. Check out some pics we took..

BLOG CHAT 05_TAMSIN ALLEN

We are really happy to introduce you to a good friend of ours, Tamsin Allen. Tamsin is an Art Director based in London. She has specialised for fifteen years within the fashion and beauty industries as an art director and designer. Amongst others, she has worked with Rimmel London, John Lewis, Free Lance Paris, Thomas Pink, The Body Shop and Jigsaw gaining a wealth of experience managing projects, from concepts through to final deliveries; her experience varies across all platforms - print, tv and digital. Check out Tamsin's work at tamsinallencreative.com

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
I had always loved art and wanted to be a graphic designer since the age of 15 (without even fully knowing what it was!). Nothing else was really an option and I went on to study graphic design. I met my (now) husband at the end of my second year at Uni - he's a fashion photographer and totally opened my eyes to the world of fashion and photography and we started working together (the rest, as they say, is history). I love art direction and how it can span many aspects of design, photography, illustration etc and you're the one who ties it all together. I believe there is art direction in all aspects of the arts.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T AN ART DIRECTOR WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Probably something more humane like psychology or life-coaching. Or running a B&B in Italy.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
Stress normally causes my 'writers block', but soya chai lattes are my latest obsession - they chill me out (even more than normal). 

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
Some Rimmel TV ads at JWT featuring Zooey Deschanel and, in my spare time, I run my husband's blog for his photography courses business. www.focushubcourses.com. There's never a dull moment!

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Both, strangely enough. I can work all night and still get up early to go to work the next day. This, however, seems to be a rapidly decreasing talent as I get older.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Soya chai latte and maybe a cupcake or muffin.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Black. It's intense, powerful and goes with everything!

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Diptyque Figuier candle. And my address for all donations is...

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
Daughter, husband, cat.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
I love blogs! I look at blogs for different reasons - interiors blogs because we are also renovating our house in South London and fashion ones for research for my husband's blog. My friend, Pui, introduced me to Bloglovin' - 99 blogs later I just can't pick a favourite. I would feel unfaithful. :)

BLOG CHAT 04_JULIE LABULLE + DEVA

Meet Julie Labulle and Alessandro Barbieri. They are new contributors to Our Shop and have each created their own range of seriously gorgeous notebooks! Julies are labelled the 'Hairy Series' and show her unique, detailed, illustrative style. Alessandro's 'Neon Geometry Series' have a two tone cover structure that matches the geometric grid of the inner pages. They are all hand-made and printed on a Riso press. All are unique to Our Shop and Limited Edition.

JULIE LABULLE (GIULIA DOLCI)

Julie is an Italian illustrator and graphic designer currently based in London. After graduating in Industrial Design at IUAV University of Venice in 2008, she started working as a freelancer for some personal and commissioned projects, including a collaboration with Replay jeans. In 2010 she decided to come to London with her boyfriend to begin a new adventure. Her work enclose a world of patterns, textures, lines and Japanese reminescences. She loves cats, birds, black ink tattoos, alchemy, black & white photography, books, folk music and hair. Check out: julielabulle.com, julielabulle.tumblr.com

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
Since I was a child I have always been fascinated by art, old patterns and handmade little things. At that time I was an only daughter and I used to play on my own, creating paper castles, dolls, dresses and strange cardboard monsters; it was my magical world. Growing up, it came naturally for me to choose the high school of art and, then, the Industrial Design course at IUAV University of Venice. I then ran away from Italy to discover new cultures, ideas and places.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T AN ILLUSTRATOR/DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I think I would anyway be linked to art, maybe as a collector of little precious antiques found all around the world and I would create my own pieces, giving life again to these things as handmade objects.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
If you are an artist, an illustrator or a graphic designer for most of the time you work inside a room/studio so the designers block is a common issue that happens every time that room becomes a cage for your thoughts. When I feel I am getting into that state of mind I just leave my desk for a while and I try to entertain myself with pleasant things such as having a hot shower, making cakes, reading a book or simply going out to breathe fresh air. Coming back to my desk I might not have the solution to a problem but, for sure, I can easily find one.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I am working on some handmade notebooks and postcards that I will be selling on 'Our Shop' super nice on-line shop and I am starting a new range of illustrations and graphic design little publications.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
I am definitely an night owl: I love to sleep in the morning and I work better in the evening, but living with my boyfriend, I am learning how to be an early bird. Despite that, the owl is one of my favorite animals so it will always be my favorite one!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Due to the influence of London, my breaks are becoming more British: tea with milk and buttery biscuits (or delicious carrot cakes) is my favourite afternoon break. During the morning I prefer fresh fruits.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
I really like subtle antique colors but my favorite one is black, followed by skin pink and red.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
I have a big nose so I really like to sniff at things. But my favorite ones are these three: the smell of new and old books, clean laundry and the parfume of the skin of people I love.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My laptop with all my life inside, my drawings, my cat (I don't have one now but I will have it for sure in the future).

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
What often happens that having a blog is just an excuse to share and reblog little anonimous things without knowing exactly where are they from and what are their stories, but, fortunately, there are also many interesting blogs about art, photography, illustration and typography. My favorite one ever is butdoesitfloat.com. I can't stop myself from taking a quick look everyday.
I am also happy about my own one because is a sort of diary in which I put any thing I find, I see, I know everyday here in London: I can tell a little story for each post. julielabulle.tumblr.com


DEVA (ALESSANDRO BARBIERI )

Alessandro "Deva" Barbieri is an italian visual artist. A controversial graffiti artist and "progettista grafico" who gather both experiences together with the aim of creating something forward-looking. Currently living in London with his girlfriend and artist Julie LaBulle, he's working on personal projects who encompass paper/digital publications, illustrations and works of art.
Check out Deva's work on alessandrobarbieri.net and grafitemagazine.com


1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
Once upon a time I was the perfect example of what-parents-want-their-son-to-be, trying in my free time to be what myself felt I was. I suddenly found that my free time was much more important to me than whatever people think I should have been. That's why now I'm a creative problem solver. That's also why I confuse myself too often working time, with free time!!

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I guess I would have been a musician.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
Playing with my juggling balls around the room. If the problem persist the solution is eating chocolate biscuits.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
On something that needs a lot of chocolate biscuits!

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Early bird. Definitely.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
I swear I usually eat fruits, not biscuits.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Prussian blue.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Uuuh... bread!

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My girlfriend, my sketchbooks and my HardDisks!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
julielabulle.tumblr.com, butdoesitfloat.com and grafitemagazine.com

Fragolina Bijoux

Fragolina Bijoux was one of our stallholders at our Christmas Pop-Up Market. Check out Fragolina's new website! Here she showcases her new Rockabilly Tea Collection accessories, very cute!

Enough to make you smile!

Look at these cute sticker sets! They're to stick onto your dull light switches. Perfect for kids or adults! They come in Animal, Boy and Girl themed sets.


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Note Perfect!

We've just placed some gorgeous hand-made notebooks on Our Shop. They come in two series; Geometry and Hairy Series! Designed, illustrated and made by graphic designer Alessandro Barbieri and graphic designer/illustrator Julie LaBulle. These limited edition notebooks are exclusive to Our Shop. Check them out here. We'll also be doing a Blog Chat with Alessandro and Julie next week, so watch this space!

Thank you!

Happy Friday! We're really excited to be featured on The Financial Times, shopping website- HowToSpendIt.com yesterday. This site features some lovely finds online, and we were very grateful and happy to be asked. Thanks Victoria! To read the full feature, check it out here.

BLOG CHAT 03_CREEA

Adam and Mik are model makers and create props for theatre, retail  window schemes, prototypes, bespoke exhibition stands and furniture,  models for advertising and sfx for film. You can see their work in the windows of Hermes on New Bond Street, London and also on the stage of  the Welsh National Opera where they made all the armor for Aida.  They enjoy taking an idea from the clients imagination and creating it in 3D form, be it a magicians mask or a giant spray can. They set up their workshop in 
Battersea called Creea 4 years ago and are currently working on a product range of their own. For more info, do check out their website: www.creea.co.uk

ADAM

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
I was always interested in drawing and sketching, then during my art foundation course I realised that I always made a model of some desription for my final piece on any assignment. I then looked around at different degree courses and found model making that encompassed all the different aspects I enjoyed and the rest as they say is history.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A MODEL MAKER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A formula one driving, wildlife filming camera man, who on spare weekends turns out for his beloved Liverpool football club(midfield maestro)

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
In my line of work I usually go back to basics, start over and create in as far a removed way as possible from the last attempt, this strategy usually works on about the fifth go which is usually an amalgamation of all the previous attempts.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
We're currently developing a few products ideas, making up maquettes and solving the unforeseen problems in taking ideas from the sketch pad into a 3D working form.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Definitely not an early bird, more a growling hungry bear who went to bed too late and got up and found someone had nicked his porridge.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Peanut butter on toast.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
This week is red.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Raisin toast.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My wife, Bed(memory foam, so comfy) and Insurance policy.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
creearetaildisplay.blogspot.com of course but I do follow WeHeart.co.uk


MIK

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
A heady combination of Loving Airfix models as a kid, enjoy having my own workshop space and not listening at school, enough!

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A MODEL MAKER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A wood turner? a sculpture? a boat builder? a ceramist?...its important to me to work with my head and hands and the outcome being a crafted object.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
If in workshop by myself; loud music , if in company through discussion.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
A combination of retail and shop display projects alongside our own self designed projects. Its important that we have time and energy to design and create our own products as well as working to other designers briefs.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Unfortunately due to having two active kids; early bird!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Vimto and toasted cinnamon bagel.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
The colour of diluted vimto.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Guiness.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
ipod, ipad and iphone.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
Not exactly blogs but Needlesandsins.com, DesignBoom and last but not least creea.co.uk.

Kwaii Tokyo

Here are some snap shots from a trip to Tokyo from January. There was lots to see and do, and I'm always inspired when I go there. Things are continuously changing, but at the same time the beautiful architecture and traditions stay the same. A real contrast of old and new.

Nani Birds

Created by Josh McKible, Nanibirds are a flock of downloadable templates from which you can create your own paper bird. Just download the template, print it out and create your bird. Or you can buy the glueless versions from his shop. 'Nani' is the Japanese word for "what?" which Josh says he felt like he said all the time when he moved to Japan. He has used this as a theme for his 100 birds created by himself and other designers.

Blog Art

Hey! We found this fun blog, packed with quirky and eclectic valentine gift finds. Curated by Amrit Richmond. Happy Valentines!
Via SwissMiss

BLOG CHAT 02_BEN SHUAR

Born in Bangkok, Ben Shuar (aka 'Benja') grew up in Australia and has been based in London for the last decade. With a background in graphic design, his screen-prints have a style that is bold and contemporary. He uses minimal colours; black and bright neons which punch their way through and demand your attention. Ben finds inspiration in nature, history and the bright lights of the big city where he feels most alive. You can buy one of Ben's limited edition Rose or Bubble Girl screen prints here.

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
Drawing had always been one of my favourite things growing up, so I figured I'd go with my strengths and did some research into careers with an artistic leaning. After I started a design fundamentals course I was hooked on the versatility and competitiveness within graphic design, rather than doing just pure illustration. That and I'd be rubbish at anything else.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I think I would also love to have been an industrial designer. When I was 8 or 9, I used to do dorky stuff like sit for hours re-designing my camping torch or our family car. I love the idea of designing objects that can be used in different ways. If I took design out of the equation, I think I would like to try being a baker because I'm a whore for cake.

3.  HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK'?
I tend to listen to music with a bit of pace and push loads of other people's (good) work under my nose, design, photography, illustration, anything visual. It seems to make me feel oddly competitive and my brain starts jogging and having ideas which hopefully lead to others again until I'm happy.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I'm currently on some brand refresh work, overhauling my website and more screenprinting.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
I love getting up early, the prospect of a new things to happen and do fills me with excitement. I make people sick.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Cake is always my first choice, but I will also settle for some 'Nairns' stem ginger oatcakes and/or a banana and/or some nuts & raisins and/or rice crackers. I like elevenses.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Neon orange.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Food either cooking or baking.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My girlfriend, my computer and my record player.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
I don't know if these are technically blogs but I'm addicted to designspongeonline.com  and  visuelle.co.uk