This week’s design share shows a few design pieces that I found inspiring, whether I use what I learn for work or not. A lot of art and design is an attempt to have the audience feel or think something. So here’s what I noticed…

ABSTRACTION & DIRECTION

Since illustration is my background, I tend towards a method of ‘drawing’ out compositions, and I’m particular about directional lines, depth and readability. In this design piece, the abstract shapes and blobs of texture, vaguely resembling naturally-occurring beachside forms, overlap and run into each other to create a community of direction, leading one part to another.

The forms look like they’re all having a conversation! This essentially communicates the event to be fun, interactive, and nature-related without being able to read French.

EXPRESSION OF ATMOSPHERE

I really appreciate when designers and illustrators make good use of negative space. In this piece, the concept uses the sky to communicate ‘sound’ drifting out in space, as though sound is just like the floating motes of light and fireflies, pleasant and memorable for a summer evening.

TYPE + PHOTO

… I’m not sure why I found this design hilarious. Maybe because I think Nadal’s expressions are funny. Maybe it’s the design — masking out the type from their bodies creates an oddly comical effect with their floating upper body; however, it is memorable and very lively, almost vibrating with high contrast. Clearly, Nike and the Dubai Open are promising some great action and sports entertainment. I wanted to share this one, because although masking type from human figures is a funny idea to me, I think it’s a good technique to keep in mind for other non-human objects or spaces.

This week’s sign-off is a photo by Xun Chi, taken in Yosemite:

… The cutest, perfectly captured half-second.

Hope you enjoyed!

– Jane