Das Kreative House is the combined creative talents of illustrator Florian Schommer and the animations of Thorben Ehlers and Leon Friedrich. Travel through an alphabet’s worth of buildings, each containing the animated inner-workings of creatives’ lives.
I first learned of Chatbooks back in January, and they kept passing through my head as I tried to come up with a solution for creating a printed version of last year’s #365quotes Instagram project. (If you’ve been following along, you likely noticed that I failed fantastically at this year’s attempt – #365lyrics – about six weeks in.)
A few months later they happened to release just what I was looking for, a 365 page book made just for putting this sort of project on paper. I downloaded the free Chatbooks app, searched my Instagram feed by the hashtag #365quotes and selected all the tagged photos. After swapping out the cover to the one I preferred and clicking Order I was done.
A few days later the printed result showed up on my doorstep. To say it was gratifying to flip through the pages would be a huge understatement, the paper was the perfect weight and texture. And I love that I can order additional copies for anyone who requests their own book.
Chatbooks has some other great book options as well. The Instagram series prints a new book automatically in 60-page (a photo a page) volumes. You can edit which photos get included and even change captions. The Chatbooks series is a daily scrapbook come to life. The best part is that multiple people can add photos, almost like a group text. You can then delete photos you don’t want and edit captions once again in this 60-page option. Last is the custom book, where you can upload between 30 and 365 photos celebrating an event or focusing on a theme. Invite others to add their perspective as well, photos will automatically arrange themselves chronologically.
I’m really looking forward to cataloging more life events with Chatbooks and embracing the printed photograph once again.
I received product in exchange for this post. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Crush!
There’s something simple yet striking about black and white art. Whatever form the subject matter takes – illustration, photograph, sculpture – the end result tends to be graphic and attention grabbing. Now that’s a theme I can back 100%.
Alison Foshee works with materials such as staples, pushpins, and office labels in an exploration of everyday objects. In her hands they become wild floral arrangements, fireworks mid-explosion, and plant life. The stapled flora are my absolute favorite.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about quality over quantity in all areas of life, which got me thinking about the contents of my closet. Don’t be fooled, I’m not hopping on the capsule wardrobe train anytime soon. But I am planning on thinking more about where and under what conditions my clothing is made and purchasing accordingly.
Helene Comeositos‘ – aka Monochrome‘s – black and white illustrations are posted daily on her Instagram account, and damn are they fantastic. Her specialty is creepy girls, with a dollop of cats thrown in for good measure.
Somewhere along the road of finding my home’s style I began to incorporate more art and fewer personal photos. With the exception of a black and white photo strip of my mom and I when I was less than a year old there’s, well, nothing of the sort. But my iPhone – like your smartphone, I’m sure – has made me take more notice of the world around me. I’m constantly snapping photos. I rarely print them though, so when Artifact Uprising reached out about teaming up I realized now was the perfect time.
My favorite piece is the [Signature] Print + Wood Cleat for its casual feel and versatility. Tired of the print? Have a new one printed and swap it out. I went with a photo of my mom and stepdad’s backyard in Oklahoma that I took the day they moved out of their longtime home last summer. Just looking at it I can remember the rain falling and the movers carting box after box out the front door.
There are several layout options to choose from, so you get the best visual appeal for your photo. The wood cleat is handcrafted with beetle pine that’s reclaimed from Colorado, and pairs perfectly with an ultra thick [signature] print. The easy-to-use magnet closure system makes swapping prints out so easy.
I also created a Wood Calendar with twelve of my favorite Instagram shots. The beetle pine clipboard has a big magnet on the back, so it’s perfect for hanging right on my refrigerator. Artifact Uprising updates the calendars they print on a rolling basis, so there’s no need to wait until next January to enjoy it. I’ll be making it a yearly thing and ordering a refill pack next April.
If you haven’t already, here’s your chance to experience Artifact Uprising. One of you will win $150 to create your own printed memories! You could do a little something nice for yourself or think a few weeks ahead to Mother’s Day and even graduation. Enter below, you have until April 21st. Good luck!
Atlanta-born, San Francisco-residing Meghann Riepenhoff is a photographic artist, and her series Littoral Drift has me feeling all of the things. It’s inspired by our relationship with the landscapes that surround us. Each work is made from camera-less cyanotypes made in collaboration with the landscape and the ocean as they interact with the photographic materials.
01/ Szymon Swietochowski used holi powder to create staff portraits for his agency.
02/ Lego creations know no bounds, Agabag uses them for purse exteriors.
03/ An app controlled stove knob provides the right amount of heat for the right amount of time? That’s Meld.
04/ Ice Cream That Understands PMS is a student project, but I’d totally buy it.
05/ Want to keep your glasses from sliding off your nose? Nosewax is where it’s at.
06/ Travis Rice has a way with shredded paper.
07/ Sophie and Sarah are two beautiful models, who happen to be sheepdogs.
08/ Ben Brucker used 8.024 Post-Its to create superheroes on his office walls.
09/ The lunar cycle made out of Nilla Wafers looks incredibly delicious.
10/ How to break in a t-shirt and make it feel vintage.
This week on Design Crush: Eight prints that make owning great art insanely affordable.
Have you entered our Moulton giveaway??
I love Laura Carlin‘s animal collage on tiles.
If you’re thinking spring take a look at these structural plant walls.
Creepy cool illustrations from Swan Bones. Annie McLaughlin captures pattern and light so well. Nest is saving me money in my 115 year old home one degree at a time.
Crazy sexy manipulated imagery from Eli Craven.