Urban Blooms

Who says flowers only bloom in the spring and summer? Take a look at these beauties that we are lucky enough to enjoy all year long.

Spotted on a recent walk through my neighborhood (Northern Liberties, Philadelphia), these delightful murals sure brighten otherwise neglected properties and remind us that we really can find art in the most unlikely places.

Want to see more street art? Jillian posted here about great art that she spotted in New York this summer. 

*****

all images by The Pink Chalkboard

Something to smile about

One of the most clever projects at the Philadelphia Design Awards (which we posted about here), is the Optimism Script chair designed by 160over90 for Design Within Reach. 

Black and white, beautiful typography, and happy words and phrases -- all on one good looking chair (chair originally designed by Paulo Mendes da Rocha). Product design doesn't get much better than this! 

160over90

Optimism Script Chair

Darryl Cilli (Art Director), Adam Garcia (Designer)

(By the way, doesn't it look like this chair is smiling at you? Great photography.)

The print ad campaign for the Optimism Script chair is fantastic, too. We like the contrast of the modern chair placed in front of distressed, urban backgrounds. It's the headlines, though, that really captured our attention.

PUT ON A HAPPY SPACE

HAPPINESS IS AROUND THE CORNER

HAPPINESS IS WHERE YOU FIND IT

GO FOR IT!

Our favorite? HAPPY GO LUCKY

160over90

DWR Print Ads

Darryl Cilli (Art Director), Adam Garcia (Designer)

So creative and yet it all seems so simple.  Aren't those the best kind of ads? You can read more about this project from 160over90 here on their blog. 

Philadelphia Design Awards

Recently we went to the reception for AIGA Philadelphia Design Awards 2008-2010. Philadelphia is ripe with design talent and it was exciting to see all of that great design in one place.

Isn't the logo above incredible too? Designed by Michele Cooper of Cooper Graphic Design, she was also responsible for putting together an amazing book that comprised the work of all of the winners.

As we entered the exhibit, this quote written by AIGA Philadelphia's Chapter President 2009-2011, Maribeth Kradel-Weitzel, was in the entryway:

It's no mystery that Philadelphia is brimming with talented designers and artists of all types. In this second installment of the Philadelphia Design Awards or, more affectionately, PDA, we are thrilled to celebrate the staggering skill that seems to exist on every street of this great city. This impressive collection of local talent rivals the work coming from any city across the globe. If that sounds like a challenge, perhaps it is... we are, after all, the city famous for hosting a little thing called The Declaration of Independence. We're not afraid to show you what we're made of!

ADRIAN: Why do you wanna fight?

ROCKY: Because I can't sing or dance.

But, he probably would have made one hell of a designer. It's in our blood.

So inspiring and a fitting beginning for a great show. Here are some of our favorites from that night.

First up are the posters. Each are so different, yet all graphic and bold.

The Heads of State

Wilco Wilmington

Dustin Summers, Jason Kernevich

Holohan Design

Matteo Bologna Poster

Kelly Holohan

160over90
WHYY Posters
Dan Shepelavy (A.D.), Stephen Penning
Brendan Quinn, Writer

We are big fans of typography and appreciate the impact that simple words and letterforms can make. The WHYY posters above are a great example and so is this:

The Heads of State

SVA Interactive Poster

Dustin Summers, Jason Kernevich

Here is amazing identity work with tons of thoughtful details -- one of our most favorite pieces in the show.

Johnston Duffy

Dutch Huff Photography Identity

Martin Duffy

Clever logos

Kradel Design

Symbol designating support of the AIGA Philadelphia Paid Internship Pledge

Maribeth Kradel-Weitzel

Steve DeCusatis

Retrothreads Logo

Steve DeCusatis

The product design seen below had us both smiling. It's called the Optimism Chair for Design Within Reach. We'll be featuring this project and the print ad campaign supporting it in an upcoming post. Stay tuned for that!

160over90

Optimism Chair

Darryl Cilli (A.D.), Adam Garcia

And finally, as packaging lovers, no exhibit is complete without a witty shopping bag. Love the use of the bag handle here.

160over90

Rolls and Bowls Takeout Bag

Stephen Penning (A.D.)

Kelly Dorsey

Great design from an amazing city. For more information about this event and AIGA Philadelphia, you can visit this website and in the coming weeks you'll find wrap up information here and here.

Star spangled and super great

Grindcore House Show Poster
Designer: Daniel Blackman

We spotted this at the AIGA Philadelphia Design Awards two weeks ago and think that the 4th of July is the perfect time to feature it here.

Tune in later this week for a more detailed look at some great work from other talented award winners.