Ja mata ne

Ja mata ne

It's been nice, but as you've noticed old C&T has been supremely neglected over the last few months. I've switched blogging for designing (what I actually do) as I embark on the adventure that is starting my own (small) label. It requires 100% of my spare time, which is already minimal, but it's exciting and energising and I can't wait to share the finished product with you. Watch this space.

Perhaps I'll start 'er up again some time in the future, but for now I'm taking extended leave from the blogosphere and picking up real pens, pencils, paintbrushes and so on.

I'm still around, ever a serial communicator and lurking presence on the internet, so feel free to drop me a line at catkinandteasel@gmail.com if you feel like a bit of banter or have a good youtube video to share.

Bye for now.


E.

Nathalie Du Pasquier

Nathalie Du Pasquier

 
I've always adored Nathalie Du Pasquier's print designs since I was first introduced to the Memphis movement of the 80's, of which she was a founding designer. The simple, bold and slightly odd geometric combinations, perfect colour schemes and timeless nature of the prints (well, for me anyway) just win in every way. I would even go so far as to say she's my favourite print designer. Here's a selection of my favourite patterns.

All images via the artist's website.


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My Tokyo App for iPad

My Tokyo App for iPad

 

Another hiatus! Even though I don't like being too busy to blog, these little absences are always warranted. In this case, I've just released an iPad app.

You may remember (some of you may have even purchased) this little zine I created back in 2009? Well, it has metamorphosed into something far bigger than I ever imagined. Together with Omnomnom Studios, we've been silently slogging away on a comprehensive iPad version of My Tokyo for the last year; me living in Tokyo taking photos and authoring the content, and Omnomnom in Sydney designing and developing the program itself.

It's great to finally see it online and downloadable, and we've already received some wonderful press from Tokyo Weekender and Tokyo Indie, with the reviews slowly trickling in.

The app is a constantly evolving project for us, and we're hoping to get an iPhone version done pretty soon, along with a bunch more exciting features. But for now, if you have an iPad, you can go and grab it!

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The Golden Era

The Golden Era

 
Vogue Italia, 1965 - 1973.

July 1967

February 1969

August 1974

February 1965

June 1969

August 1969

September 1970 (was a very good issue, obviously)

February 1972

October 1973

My heart skipped a beat when I came across this fantastic archive of retro issues of Vogue dating from the 60's and 70's. My favourite from this era is always going to be the more glamorous Vogue Italia, but you can find a few UK and Paris issues thrown in there for good measure. I'm quite inspired to post about French Vogue too, it was similarly directional and amazing for its time.

I love everything about these spreads; the hair, styling, makeup, locations and simplicity. Not to mention the incredible clothing. I'm quite over magazines stuffed full of hundreds of different layouts, each page appearing like a deranged collage. These back issues are really something to aspire to.

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Ikko Tanaka

Ikko Tanaka

  

Another genius of Japanese poster design. Ikko Tanaka established his own studio in Tokyo in 1963, and is credited with developing Muji's identity, where he worked as art director until 2001. You wouldn't believe how much this guy has been ripped-off over the years by other "poster designers". This is the real deal; clean, effortless design created with a true illustrator's hand.

All images from this photo set.


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Detail is Forever

Detail is Forever

 

My god can Louise Despont draw.


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