Fluidesign Blog

I was pleasantly reminded of the WPA National Park poster series while perusing Shorpy (thanks to patrick’s tip) this morning. I love the bright, pre-computer graphics and the adventurous, frontier-sy feeling of exploration and, dare I say, majesty they convey.

I can only imagine (enviously) what it must have felt like to tour the country in the late 30’s, stopping at national parks where you legitimately might have been the only car on the road. It’s a lovely thought… and quite a departure from the madness of summertime in Yosemite Valley now.

For those hungry for a little history lesson, the WPA (Works Progress Administration) was part of FDR’s New Deal, instated to put millions of unemployed Americans back to work. A key part of the WPA was the Federal Art Project, whose purpose was to make art accessible and relevant to everyone, not just the elite. As a result these, along with 35,000 other designs, were printed into 2 million posters during the course of the project.

This Travel and Tourism series became well know for it’s bright, bold colors and it’s dramatic portrayal of our famous national parks. As an avid hiker, camper, and visitor to our (mostly western) national parks, I find these particularly beautiful and inspiring.

If only our current government would have the cajones to revive the idea that art can be a positive and motivating influence on the masses. Maybe our next president will… after all he’s already shown an appreciation for art.

Obama-Biden 2008!

Yes Maggie, the past had some good points. Especially with now’s point of view !

Also seen on Flickr, a Graphis collection from 1965.

If this has just open your appetite, check all Insect54’s photostream.

Beautiful Losers film trailer from beautifullosersfilm on Vimeo.

This is just the trailer and I didn’t see the movie yet… but I’m quite sure it must be obviously interesting.

Especially after I’ve seen their exhibition 2 years ago in the north of France and after I’ve seen Geoff McFetridge exhibition at the Red Cat a few months ago.

Even if I’m a developer, I like art. Particularly Pop Art, Surrealism, and impossible structure from M. C. Escher.

These paintings are great. But for us, living behind a computer screen, we’d like to see animation and arts in many different ways.

This morning I discovered 3 videos that I’d like to share with you.

First, a 3D exploration of Guernica, Picasso’s painting:

Then, a short film animating a character from Guernica in other artists’ paintings:

Finally, maybe not the most artistic but the funniest:

I like to see these types of videos where old art takes life on screen.

Well, we missed our chance on the 14th to celebrate everyone’s favorite irrational number, and we never threw that party for our favorite font; so its a good thing we have all year to celebrate the magic of the peace symbol.

A brand is what a friend tells a friend about a brand.

-Federated Media Summit, September 2007, San Francisco

Wow. This video on Paul Rand is so good.

Check out LogoPond for some inspiration.

Sick archive of Pelican books

Thinking for a Living was created for those who believe that while design is a profession, it’s above all a passion. And as passionate graphic designers, we are obliged to ourselves, our industry and our clients to provide creative solutions that have persuasive branding messages, but also emotional power and aesthetic value.

This site has a ton of links to recommended and relevant reading for everyone in the office…