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  • Be Honest 2013

    May 3rd, 2013 / Comments (2)

    We had the opportunity to sneak our way into the Be Honest 2013 event last night. This was the second show we've attended that showcases the work from Portland State's graphic design department. We love these type of showcase events because it allows us to see a gigantic body of work and to get an overall visual direction of the collective group.

    As with Fresh, which we attended in May, we were struck by the quality of much of the work coming out of the program. The showcase featured the work of sophomores, juniors and seniors, and you could really see the even progression of skill across the three classes. We believe this is a testament to a solid, skilled and talented group of individuals that are guiding these soon to be minted designers into a professional mind and skill set.

    The work and styles that are emerging from these young students is extremely diverse, but their talent and commitment to their craft is apparent. We had a variety of conversations as we moved through the room - several of them reflecting that the pieces shown were “works in progress”, and that they were still in deep thought and exploration of their ultimate solution. We love that.

    Of course, if we had to pick one area that we felt was under represented, it would have to be the amount interactive work on display. There were smatterings of websites sprinkled throughout the show, but we'd have loved to see more of the work being developed in that area.

    Overall, the event was huge. Once the VIP preview ended, Instrument's studio space swelled to what must have been 400 people. This is the kind of support that makes us proud to be covering this diverse, supportive community of creators.

    We left the event with a huge bag of business cards and shwag that we are now combing through and looking for individuals we can run features on over the next few weeks. There is a lot of talent in this group that needs to be illuminated.

    We're not sure what PSU has in store for us in the future, but we're anxiously waiting for a new batch of work to thrill and inspire us.

  • Call of Duty Ghosts Trailer

    May 3rd, 2013 / Comments (0)

    If you're into the Call of Duty franchise then this could be a good one.

  • Just Like Being There

    May 3rd, 2013 / Comments (2)

    A documentary about gig posters? Yes! We just rolled across this trailer for the film, Just Like Being There, which documents some of the giants (Jay Ryan, Daniel Danger and a host of others) working in this area of art and design. The documentary explores the medium, the players in it and the wonderfully, beautiful artwork that results. This is going to be a must see. The film was directed by Scout Shannon and produced by Johanna Goldstein. It was accepted to SXSW this year, and hopefully, it will be making its rounds very soon.

  • Bauhaus Dragon Tea

    May 3rd, 2013 / Comments (0)

    We recently posted some of Daniel Hawkins' work, but we needed to piggyback with a bit more. How cool is this self-initiated packaging project? This rounded tea box marries Bauhaus architectural principles with traditional Chinese art. We're loving the attention to detail like the small die cut windows showing the characters underneath. The story on the top has that classic Swiss tilt that helps tie it back to the modernist movement. Overall, this is a great little project.

  • Nike NFL Dunk

    May 3rd, 2013 / Comments (0)

    Technology never ceases to amaze us. The things we can do with just a simple photo and a few pieces of applied technology are just fantastic. Here's some more work coming out of the Danklife camp. Their retouching and compositing is just so top notch.

    They were asked by Nike to take a stock photo (taken by Ryan Unruh) and create the environment around the shoe as well as recolor the shoe utilizing each team's home colors. The original shot is third down in the list, and you can see that the result looks fantastic. The shot is so well constructed. Yay! More credits after the jump.

    Client: Nike
    Photographer: Ryan Unruh
    Agency: denton-cardew design

  • Shaped on All Six Sides

    May 2nd, 2013 / Comments (0)

    Shaped on all Six Sides from New Canada on Vimeo.

    It doesn't get more trade or craft oriented than this documentary by Kat Gardiner. Shaped on All Six Sides is a short documentary about the craft and philosophy of wooden boat carpentry. It's very inspirational and makes US want to build a boat and go get lost on the ocean somewhere. Check out a longer credit list after the jump.

  • Designer, Illustrator Tad Carpenter Speaking Tonight at Be Honest Event

    May 2nd, 2013 / Comments (0)

    The PSU Graphic Design student showcase, Be Honest, is happening tonight @instrument. There'll be some amazing young talent on hand ready to show off some of the work they've been developing during the course of their studies. The student showcase will begin at 6:30pm, which gives you a great opportunity to check out some fantastic design work coming out of the PSU program.

    At 8:00pm the event turns its focus to what is sure to be a highly inspirational talk featuring Kansas City-based designer and illustrator, Tad Carpenter. Tad has some truly great work in his portfolio and has worked with a diverse set of clients including Communication Arts, Print, How, Graphis, Grain Edit, Drawn!, Grain Edit, Illustration Mundo and a host of others. This event is free an open to the public, and it's one that you don't want to miss.

    It's not too late. Check out the Be Honest website and come on down to Instrument this evening. It's gonna be great. Hell, we'll see you there!

  • New Castle Brown Ale's Latest Bombshell

    May 2nd, 2013 / Comments (0)

    In support of its newest brew “Bombshell”, Newcastle is rolling out a new TV spot called “Bombshell,” created by New York's, Droga5. It features an assortment of pigment-challenged sunbathers while out the similarities between the smooth, refreshing, new blonde ale and an Englishman in the midst of summer. Essentially, they’re both very pale. “Bombshell” is the latest asset in the brand’s No Bollocks 2013 marketing campaign dedicated to honesty and transparency in the beer category. Newcastle will also be hosting a series of consumer sampling events across the country in support of the new line.

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