A series we used to run last year – Tips + Tricks – is making a return in a different form. Design Crush has partnered with eBay to bring you a series of guides between now and the holidays showing off different seasonal themes, projects, and advice. I’m really looking forward to stepping back into these shoes and sharing some interesting, helpful things with you over the next few months! Here are the first ten guides that went live in September, and I’ll be popping in here and there to share more with you. Just click on the image to head over.
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Madrid-born Jesús Perea is both a graphic designer and illustrator, the influences of one always present in the work of the other. I really enjoy the way he views the boundaries of the page and the color choices – or lack thereof – that he makes. Right now Perea’s focus is on creating limited edition prints of his work, a massive collection of these pieces are available for purchase in his shop.
Soap that may as well be art for your bathroom? YES, PLEASE. Hanahzo is a Korean brand with the tagline pause your life, which I need to do just a little more often. With these delicious looking toiletries in the bath or sitting on the counter I imagine that might be a little easier to do. And yes, they do ship internationally!
Crystal Wagner‘s large-scale installations are the stuff creative dreams are made of. The colorful organic shapes seem to grow and burst at the seems right before your eyes as each piece multiplies and develops. If you pay attention you’ll note the natural occurrences – forest-like themes, groves, etc. – that are inspired by Wagner’s extended stays in national parks like Yellowstone and Joshua Tree. (But if you’re too busy staring in awe I can’t blame you.)
You read about a company, you ooh and ahh at the packaging, and then you finally see (smell) it in person and get it. Such was the case with Haus Candles. Each of the their ten scents is named after a type of haus that is the inspiration behind the carefully developed scent. That, partnered with the styling below, has me lock, stock, and barrel.
If you’re a nervous flyer you may want to skip ahead rather than look at this Postcards series by Claire Harvey. Because yes, those are tiny people balancing on the wings of airplanes mid-flight. Harvey creates each one during her own travels by taping acetate to the window and letting those creative juices flow!
I’ve been sitting on (no pun intended) these beautiful bicycle specimens for over a month now – have you ever seen a more visually appealing set of bikes in your life? Martone Cycling Co., helmed by designer Lorenzo Martone, creates these monotone wonders. Martone has harbored an obsession with bicycles since receiving his first one and Marton Cycling Co. is the intersection of his fashion and design worlds. The result is nothing short of a statement. Take a peek at the full line of bikes and accessories.
I’m not a cuddler when it comes to bedtime, but even I want to crawl inside one of Jotaká‘s paper cut family portraits and rest for awhile. I love the Gumby-like qualities their extremities take on and how they’re even sharing a pillow. Check out more of Jotaká’s illustrative talents over at his Etsy shop.
This week on Design Crush:
Raw, honest illustrations from the hand of Kero.
Dying (heh) to try out one of these Shabd Magic Jar Dye Kits!
I absolutely love the collage-like paintings of Paul Wackers.
Thinking of stocking up on Leccare Lollipops to hand out this Halloween.
Check out the bold, unapologetic art of Sara Andreasson.
If you don’t already play the guitar the Sol Guitar Stand will make you want to. Marco Rea‘s mixed media magazine and spray paint portraits are stunning.
Try out the traditional lassi twelve new ways.
Stoked to share this month’s PGH Maker Profile: TROIKA Skateboards!
Sharing the stories behind the most talented creatives in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA.
Dave Kaule and Dan Rugh are known movers and shakers around Pittsburgh, it’s just a fact. From Dave’s Monster Trike Night to Dan’s CWP Beer Barge (and many more in between), some of the raddest events in town are from the minds of these two standup guys. They’re both creative minds with outgoing personalities, so it only made sense when the two good friends teamed up to form something new, and that something turned out to be TROIKA Skateboards.
Three of Troika’s current line of eight deck designs.
Tell us a little bit about how you got your start with TROIKA Skateboards.
Dave: About 10 years ago I had a skateboard company called Triad Skateboards. It was growing really fast, but some unfortunate things happened in my life which caused me to derail a bit. That ultimately brought an end to Triad Skateboards. Three or four years ago Dan Rugh and I were trying to work together. He had asked me if I would want to start Triad back up, but that was a time in my life I wanted to leave in the past. He suggested a completely new company and at first I wasn’t sure about it. I realized it was all I was thinking about though so it only made sense. We knew the vibe and feel we both wanted for the company and just needed a name and artwork. That was something that came to us over a few beers and tacos.
Dan: I honestly dont know – I guess me and Dave had been back and forth with a billion projects we wanted to do together and TROIKA just seemed so dead on perfect for the way we interact with each other. Pretty vague but dead on true.
Dave showing off some well-earned skills. Photo: Casey Kovach
What’s your favorite part of the process? Your least favorite?
Dave: I would have to say working with Dan is my favorite part. We both are hyperactive thinkers and come up with some off the wall stuff. I think in terms of partnership dynamics there might be some talking down from some stupid goofy idea and instead we encourage each other to even go further with said idea. As far as the least favorite part I really don’t have one. I really enjoy all of it.
Dan: I love the art end of it. Designing the decks, working with illustrators on their ideas for decks, planning out the line, merch ideas. My least favorite is trying to pay attention to what needs done production-wise. This whole thing is a really fun side project so we both treat it like that – a lot of things get ignored until they are on fire or screaming or bleeding.
Dave and Dan talking shop while Dave’s pup, Chloe, takes notes.
What other makers inspire you most?
Dave: I have a number of local makers that stoke me out. To name a few: I love illustrations from Mike Budai, everyday balloons, and Joe Mruk. Jeff Justus of Penn Soul makes art both visually and musically, and he has been experimenting with some custom handmade sidewalk surfer skateboards that are incredible. Lastly Wendy Downs of Moop, her bags are beautifuly designed and manufactured by her here in Pittsburgh.
Dan: I get super stoked on strawberry luna. I think Kim Fox is killing it regularly. Sapling Press is always on top of this list, too. Matt Dayak can make anything out of anything. I think Moop is a local treasure.
Hell, theres this lady up in Benezette, PA that carves egg shells all crazy and puts hinges on them with little moving doors and windows – my grandpa knew her and took me there when I was about 9 and I’ve never forgotten it. This could go on forever.
Dave: I think I speak for Dan and myself when I say we just want to see TROIKA keepin’ skateboarding movin’ in a positive direction. Getting the younger generation hyped and involved with skateboarding in Pittsburgh.
What makes having a small business in Pittsburgh so great?
Dave: Pittsburgh has a great community of doers. People doing cool shit for the love of what it is they are doing. I love skateboarding and I am stoked to be a part of the Pittsburgh small business community.
Dan: I don’t want to talk about it because everyone will want to move here and screw it all up.
