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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Hand Made Meets Sophisticated

What excited me the most about finding yesterday's feature on Anthropologie is that their design philosophy is so clearly executed in their catalogs, store layout and clothing. The juxtaposition of something sophisticated with something hand made.

This aesthetic is something I've been trying to achieve in my own home as well as graphic design at work.

Recently I worked on a project for a cosmetic surgeon. We were a little slow around here so my creative director urged me to not just do more of the same (but better) with my extra time but to do something I haven't done before.

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That's when I got the xacto knife out.

Inspired by Real Simple, I decided to do a cut paper treatment and have my photographer actually photograph the layout.

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The photographs came out like this. Fun sidenote: I raised the cut paper off the background paper with Legos.

I took the images (in Photoshop CS4) and did some magic to create these client brand boards.

Picture 5

Picture 4

Picture 6

Picture 7

So, I could've created all of this in Photoshop alone but I'm really proud that there is some real hand-cut elements in there.

I hope that gives you a little sneak peak into what I do and the process I go through.

Are you working on any DIY or hand made projects? Tell me about it!
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8 comments:

  1. KendraApril 23, 2009 at 7:56 AM

    LOVE IT! What a great turnout. I also am in love with Anthropologie.

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  2. Mrs. LimestoneApril 23, 2009 at 9:24 AM

    Love the layouts! Those cutouts would look great in a shadow box. Go you!

    I am working on a diy art project but I have nothing to show b/c Im totally stuck. Im looking for some good black & cream digital pattern to use as inspiration but I cant find anything I love.

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  3. And KathleenApril 23, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    Kendra - Thank you! I'm really excited about the results.

    Mrs. Limestone - That's a fantastic idea! Maybe I should create a shadow box for the client out of the actual cut outs.

    Have you tried any stock photo sites like Shutterstock or iStock? You can find some really inexpensive vector patterns (that you can manipulate) there.

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  4. AMM blogApril 23, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    Nice! I like it!!
    I'm actually working on a sewing up a skirt today!

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  5. caroline dukeApril 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    i LOVE it.

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  6. Mrs. LimestoneApril 23, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    Thanks for your post - I'd love for you to be a guest blogger if you don't mind :) can't find your email address but you can reach me at bklimestoner@aol.com

    Ive been to those sites since they are usually great starting points but nothing seems quite right to me. I think I need to just procrastinate on it until I come up with something. Thats the beauty and curse for doing something for myself - no deadline :)

    Out of curiousity - what thickness of paper did you use for your cut outs? They look nice and stiff.

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  7. And KathleenApril 23, 2009 at 12:10 PM

    Mrs. L - Yay! I'd be happy to guest blog. I emailed you some pics from my work address. Keep your eye out.

    Sometimes procrastination works miracles. :)

    I used various weights and thickness. Those undies and mirror are actually fairly flimsy (100# text weight) but the backgrounds and silhouettes are card stock weight (120# cover or so). I bought all the paper at my local hobby store. The mirror is actually Martha Stewart paper.

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  8. JeremyApril 26, 2009 at 9:17 PM

    Show the difference between the handmade and photoshopped panties. That's what *I* found dramatic.

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