Studio Notes #60
Hello E-Commerce-Email-Wading Friends. Here's issue #60 of Studio Notes™—quick bits delivered to you each Friday. I realize you're getting emails from every single company you've ever corresponded with today. I apologize, but here's another one 😄
Everything here is on sale as well! Details after this week's quick bits...
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Illustrator, Zara Picken, has an incredible searchable archive of mid-century modern illustration from c.1950-1975. It's a goldmine of graphic, type, color, and texture inspiration.
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Speaking of inspiring illustration, these Japanese fireworks catalogs from the 1880s (!) are fascinating. I confess I had no idea the history of fireworks goes all the way back to the 1600s. The way the artists chose to depict the way each exploded firework appears is beautifully artistic. (Hat tip to Robb Knight)
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I was obsessed with Tyco racetracks in the 1980s. Most of the time they worked horribly. The cars flying off the track every time you tried to push it a little around a corner. And having to use a pencil eraser to rub off the metal residue on the underside of the cars to make them work properly. And then there's the aromatics of the throttle gun remote—which I will never forget. It would visibly spark when the trigger was pulled, with a wisp of smoke emanating from the vented, yellow plastic that smelled of "toasted magnet". If that were a thing. (Ed. note: Toasted Magnet is a great band name).
Anyway. I loved seeing this little article about the art of old Tyco racetrack catalogs. Can we bring back painterly illustration that does its best to represent a physical toy; that itself requires a massive amount of imagination to immerse yourself in? Gorgeous stuff. And really, that infinity racetrack-infused Tyco logo from the 7os/80s is one of the all-time greats on its own.
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The Sheraton Boston Hotel has a Goodnight Moon Suite, which is modeled after the seminal children's book. It appears they nailed much of the vibe from the book's illustrations, which is impressive. And maybe slightly nightmare-inducing? I have nothing but fond memories of the book and its insane color palette, but sleeping in that insane color-palette would either be wonderful or terrifying. The hotel will even serve you their take on "goodnight mush", which I'm hoping is just oatmeal or apple sauce or something.
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Unsurprisingly, stuff is on sale!
Use code BF25 and take 25% off all of our fonts and goods (tees, decals, hats, books, etc. for designers and creative aficionados).
Also! We're using this "season of the sales" time to do a little Secret Club™ membership drive. It's a great time to join the club at a nice discount: Use this link to take 25% off your first year's subscription.
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I hope you're taking it easy this weekend. I'm very thankful for you reading this, supporting my endeavors, and generally being awesome. See you back here next week!
Cheers,
