A Magical Experience

Earlier this week I had the wonderful opportunity to see the Lion King. I had tickets in the third row; amazing doesn't come close to describing the experience.

 All of the elements that go together to make this show an incredible Sunday afternoon are truly inspiring: puppets, actors, dancers, robotics, costumes, graphics, music, and humor. Even the graphics that they use to promote the show have a graphic and ethnic feel, just perfect for the show. I need to take time to see theater now and again because it was really refreshing to rediscover the magical experience of live theater.

Inspired by Dia de los Muertos

Many people think of Dia de los Muertos as Halloween, but is actually the two days afterwards.This cultural celebration of the observance of the Catholic Holiday all Saints Day (i.e. All Hallows Even). I look forward to Halloween every year, and even more so this year since I am in a house which has space for a party and actual Trick-or-Treaters.But the colors, imagery, and symbolism has me really drawn to the day after Halloween. Honestly with this vibrant cultural history what is there not to love?

Cookies, tattoo, paper source, candles, make-up

Warm and Cyan, Muted Filters, and Nostalgia

Lingering like the smoke of hooka "hip" photography has been utilizing warm muted palettes. Photographers and photo editors are trying to hit us at our most basic human emotion "nostalgia" all the warm fuzzy feelings of the past are projected to current trends.  Partly due to hipster fashion stores such as Urban Outfitters, appealing to the techy 20-year-old take s a backward step in time. Photography, fashion, and electronics are going back cir. 1970s for a perceived counter-cultural  style. But it is these persons who are inspiring current design trends.

Photographers have responded to this audience by provide images that feel more like film photography. Colors of the 70s of golden hues, cyan, and burnt umber are prevalent, as well as the use of grunge textures to give the image a sense of age. Instagram thrives on a series of nostalgia filters and trying to counteract its digital nature with film-like qualities. Should this trend continue to linger or does it need an exhaust fan?

FREE Mustache Rides

Thanks to hipsters we have a plethora of mustache designs and merchandise available. I wanted to share some of my favorite:

• Mustache Cookies: from a local bakery Cheri's Bakery. Their sweets are stunning, as well as, delicious.

• Fake Mustaches: from my favorite store the Paper Source. Don't have a mustache? Now you can just stick one on. These are fun to mess around with our friends will funny staches to match your mood.

• MustacheMug.com this site is dedicated entirely to various mugs that use different mustaches to decorate these simple mugs.

• Sweet 'Stache: a book showing you different staches distinguish the face.

• Candy Molds that resemble the well-liked bushy mustache style.

• The Classic Disguise will give you the perfect disguise for a dark room.

• Master of Disguise: a branding redesign in 2007. 

From Cheri's Bakery

 Have you you seen any ridiculous mustache memorabilia? Please share your favorite. Perhaps I should buy some of this gear for myself to show future generations what we had to give.

Nostalgia

Nostalgia design comes and goes, but right now it is popular and for good reason. Nostalgia is meant to bring up fond memories and connect your audience with their past or a sense of belonging. Antique, vintage, and retro can call to find different parts of our past even if we did not live through them. Perhaps the reintroduction of the barrel lamp reminds you of something your grandparent had and you feel a connected sense of warmth.

This is popular in graphic design has well. Throw back designs are everywhere today I spotted a throw back design for 7up, which was very 80s in style. Perhaps this the packaging teams way of connecting with the 80s fashions that have come back in trend.

Old can be new again. The Nostalgia movement has also brought back the craft movement. Which has encouraged some designs to "cheat" to make things look hand printed with subtle variations of tone and texture. I think this is a fun look, and I hope it sticks around awhile, and it brings back the true artist and craftsman.

If you are interested in designs of the past check out Vintage Me Oh My!