New York City 2009 Holiday Window Displays

Some people hate shopping during the holidays, the crowds, the headache of parking, the lines - but i love it. I love the hustle bustle, and i LOVE the decorations. It's amazing what these department stores can do with their design budget, my local Nordstrom for instance is full of paper made woodland creatures and the Anthropology is a poofy recycled textural dream.

Like last year, I wanted to share some imagery from the best of the best in holiday decorating greatness from New York City department stores.

Macy's 2009 recreates A Miracle on 34th StreetLord and Taylor's 2009 Crystal Encrusted Winter Wonderland

Bergdorf Goodman's 2009 Compendium of Curiosities (very Alice in Wonderland)
like to gaze at window design? check out another normal for lots of eye candy

Brandon Schaefer Movie Poster Redesign

I'm not sure how i stumbled upon the flickr collection of designer Brandon Schaefer, but I'm glad i did! I'm loving these redesigns of some of my favorite films (i admit it, the Annie Hall poster could be on post-it notes and i would probably still gravitate towards it) - all of them conceptually strong and in a clean geometric style reminiscent of russian constructivist or german modernist design.

New Illustrations from Mario Sughi

If you don't remember Mario from my previous posts you will as soon as you see his new work in the same unmistakable voice. It's all very sexy yet they seem somehow vacant, something that is really interesting considering the vibrant energetic color and lines. i love them.
i had to ask Mario how we (me) could get our hands on his work (being the season of giving and all) he pointed me to his page on Zazzle where you can grab some super affordable art, or for the more handmade versions you can find information on limited edition giclee prints from various galleries via his website. stateside check out The Shiny Squirrel and Little Paper Planes or see below.


ok - here are some more links in case you want to shop:
Sexy Art Gallery
London Art
New Irish Art
Printastic

Amazing Book Redesign from Mikey Burton

I don't know how exactly i stumbled upon this fantastic thesis project from designer/illustrator Mikey Burton but it blew me away. Since i'm making the finishing touches to my own semester's design work as we speak, i thought it only appropriate to share someone else's much more impressive accomplishments. enjoy!

What's your favorite? I think mine is Gatsby, could be that i love the book, could be how he manages to make such a complex design still feel delicate and romantic - i love it. Oh, and like to see the process behind the creation of these beauts? Check out Mikey's flickr page which has a number of preliminary tests and sketches, i love seeing how the ideas evolved.

Opening Titles for Up in the Air

Jason Reitman and Shadowplay are on a roll, with great title sequences that is, for what seems to be another fantastic film. On the day that Up In the Air was nominated for a number of Golden Globes including best director and best picture, i thought I'd share the new intro from the creative brains behind the opening of Juno and Thank You for Smoking.



My favorite part of the aesthetic is that so many can relate to it. I know those crop circles, i see them every time i make the cross country flight - huh - didn't know anyone else was paying attention. It's a great feeling to know they were and it's so beautiful, i'd love to incorporate it into a fabric pattern or something.

Reitman talks abotpiration and making of the sequence here, and Gareth Smith of Shadowplay is interviewed about it here.

Folger's Brings Home the Holiday's Year After Year

Inspired by my dear friend Sue who will be spending this Christmas away from home I wanted to post this classic Folger's Christmas commercial that ran, pretty much my entire life.

Peter Comes Home for Christmas


And then there is this new revitalized version which began running this year. I guess if it's not broke...

Jeff Scher Animates The Little Drummer Boy for Bob Dylan

Every now and then i see some work that blows me away and when researching the artist more i can't help but ask - have i been living under a rock?

I saw this new video for Bob Dylan's rendition of Christmas classic The Little Drummer Boy on Motionographer and was totally wowed by the dreamy surrealist take on animation, a painters perspective on animation, with all of the beautiful imperfections and personal translations built right in. I have this watercolor of Paris in the rain bought off the street while studying abroad with the people represented by impressionist streaks of oranges, purples and reds that immediately comes to mind.



i had to see more from animator Jeff Scher and felt like an excited child as i watched all of the work i could find by the artist.

No Time


Tulips


L'eau Life


Milk of Amnesia


there is plenty more about Jeff out there go check out his website for more info about his paintings and animation.

Arnold Brings the Mystery of Old No 7 to Life for Jack Daniels

This whimsical, but slightly dark and reminiscent of a ghost story or an ancient tale being told throughout time (appropriately) is one of my favorite ads on the air at the moment. The story of the Old No.7 on the Jack Daniels facade.

Jack Daniel's "Label Story": "Old No. 7" from Brand New School on Vimeo.

the animation comes from Brand New School, another favorite design firm of mine, if you haven't watched their reel - go do that now!

Smallbean Benefit Concert - NYC

I've talked before about new Nonprofit Organization Smallbean who takes slightly out of date electronics to Africa to teach the locals and document for the world. For all you New Yorkers putting your out of date iPods to good use will be super easy this weekend, and you get live entertainment to boot!

Animation from Clem Stamation, Wax Stag

Wax Stag - And How from Clem Stamation on Vimeo.

i love the rich colors, geometric shapes and the deliberate movements - really well done. I've been needing a new piece of animation to drool over lately!

Ellen Von Unwerth Personifies for Absolut

With the help of Kate Beckinsale and Zooey Deschanel, photographer Ellen Von Unwerth brings classic cocktails to life for Absolut Vodka. I love the parallel between the Bloody Mary and the classic ghost story i was brave enough to test out in the bathroom mirror at a slumber party or two as a child.

Michelin Man Saves the Day

The classic tire brand and icon gets a bit of an attitude makeover in new animated commercial "Saddest Road". Michelin Man saves roadkill from what may have been the inevitable. I file this under creepy but somehow - still cute.