design > colorblocked kingdom.


I think it’s so amazing to see, after decades of graphic design history, how artists and designers are coming up with more and more ways to use basic geometric shapes and primary colors to create exceptional and yet still very contemporary pieces of work. It just goes to show how even the simplest of elements can make incredible artwork when they’re used well.

Patrick Hruby is an illustrative graphic designer in Los Angeles who graduated at the top of his class at the Art Center College of Design in 2010 and now works as a freelancer for clients such as Blik, Urban Outfitters, and Ammo Books. His work is very geometric and often uses only primary and sometimes secondary colors and their shades. He was also chosen as one of HOW Magazine’s “16 Inspiring Young Creatives” in their January/February 2012 issue.

See more work below…

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this week’s creative resources.

Creative Resources is a weekly feature that showcases links to inspiring articles & other resources found on the internet for emerging to established artists (or art lovers!).

Here’s this week’s round-up:

  1. How World Culture Influences Fashion – PatternPulp reviews a book that traces the roots of today’s ready-to-wear lines back to cultural styles from around the globe.
  2. 5 Tips for Capturing Emotions in Photos  – Elsie, Emma, and Kelli of A Beautiful Mess share some helpful advice for taking photographs that genuinely capture the personality of your subject.
  3. Hyper-realist Paintings by Jason de Graaf – Paintings that look so realistic that you may just freak.
  4. Micro trends: Graphic design aesthetics – A visual run-down of seven major visual directions currently manifesting within graphic design by FranklinTill via Computer Arts.
  5. DIY Fridge Organization - A fun and colorful way to spice up your refrigerator while also getting all nice and organized using clothespins thanks to ElephantShoe.
  6. Priorities and Plans: the keys to unlocking your full potential – Amber Rae shares some tips on how to tap into your highest creative potential with a planning process that brought her to feeling like the very best version of herself.

design > dream up a new life.

Welcome back! A few changes have been made over the past week to our layout and you’ll soon be seeing a small shift in the quality of our content, too. Who best to usher in this new chapter than by featuring someone who decided to start over with their own chapter, too?

Kate Thomas is the founder and designer behind Little Things Studio, a design shop that is all about celebrating the joy and beauty found in the seemingly insignificant things in life. Kate went through 27 years of life without realizing that she was someone who could create beautiful things. She went to college to get a Public Relations degree and spent a few years writing sales promotions for a mid-sized bank. In 2007, she was really beginning to realize that this was not what she wanted to do nor was it what she was meant to do…

See more work and read the rest of the story below…

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art/design > graphic passions.


Victor Melendez is a talented illustrator who was born in Mexico City. He studied electrical engineering for two years before realizing that his true passion lies in creating art and so he went on to move to Seattle and receive a BFA in Graphic Design. Good thing he did, because his awesome graphic illustrations have landed him some pretty cool commissions for Starbucks. I was able to find his work because he is a frequent collaborator on the awesome illustration blog, Ten Paces and Draw. See more of Victor’s work below…

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design > we can live forever.


Matthew Kavan Brooks is an award-winning graphic designer (and officially my new favorite) in the United Kingdom whose amazing work combines typography, collage, graphic design, illustration, and fine art. In my opinion, the beauty of the following images pretty much speak for themselves, so go see more work below…

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