(Sub) Prime Cuts. Hand Painted Typography Saws by Vault 49

New York graphic design studio Vault 49 added their typography, design and painting skills to some typical old wood handled saws that when mounted on a wall are beautiful and unusual original pieces of art. The results are fabulous, take a look:







Unfortunately, they are not available for purchase.

About Vault 49


Vault49 is an artistic collaboration, a playground, and a creative incubator for innovative design projects. We adapt our approach to each and every brief and bring an open mind to all our projects.

Our broad range of talent attracts clients who want to enjoy the benefits of a highly developed creative relationship but don’t want to be tied down to a particular style or look.

The work we deliver is characterized by a focus on craftsmanship, multi-media and an expressive use of color. In a creative world that is increasingly digital and plagiarized, Vault49’s broad portfolio combines technology with all-important craft and natural ability, giving our work an authenticity that is impossible to replicate.

Underpinning all we do is razor-sharp commercial awareness combined with a healthy commitment to personal creative fulfillment. In short, everyone's happy.

The Baddy Is Back. Now in Big and Baby Sizes, The Hip Garden Gnome Is Also A Lamp.

You may recall that I introduced you to an adorable modern colored resin garden gnome a ways back. Normally I am anti-garden gnome, but the Baddy was definitely the cutest outdoor bearded decor I'd ever seen. Designed for the Italian plastics and polyethylene product company PLUST, he's now available in a mini size as well as an indoor/outdoor lamp in two sizes.



Original Baddy
“Baddy” is a colored resin sculpture by design by JoeVelluto (JVLT) and Alberto Fabbian




Suitable for both outdoor and indoor settings, the original baddy comes in 8 different finishes including a luminescent version that acts as a “dwarf guard” thanks to a luminous resin that absorbs light momentarily and then releases it for several hours, making it a small presence in the night.

Finishing:
- coloured: dull green, white C2, fucsia, acid green, pearl black
- lacquered: white, black
- metallized: gold
- special effect: photoluminescent

Mini Baddy
 Now, the Baddy also comes in a mini version as well (three colors only):



Mini Baddy:
- coloured: white C2, fucsia, acid green

The Baddy Light (original):




Portable and versatile small luminous sculpture suitable for indoor environments. The Baddy Light can be used as a courtesy light in domestic environments, or as a cheerful and informal luminous object to customise rooms, hotel rooms or environments where there is traffic. Baddy Light is available in various colours and two sizes to adapt to the various types of uses and contexts.

Finishing:
- basic colours: neutral
- colours: fuchsia, acid green

The Baddy Light (mini):

Small abat-jour with a white LED light kit, suitable also as mood light.

Finishing:
- basic colours: neutral
- colours: acid green



Visit Plust for more information

Ricola's "Unwrap Your Voice" Packaging, Ad Campaign and Full Credits

Unless you read the trade pubs or follow packaging blogs or Pinterest boards, you may not have seen this clever work to advertise/promote Ricola's herbal cough drops.


above: Ricola's Herbal Cough Drops are made with 13 herbs cultivated in Switzerland.

Now, advertising has changed much since I started working in the business. As companies, campaigns and communications grew more international beginning in the early 90s, they also grew more visual - a result of translation difficulties and the universal understanding of imagery. Once upon a time, a print ad campaign that used the same line on each ad would be scolded for lack of creativity here in the US. But, like I said, things have changed and this promotional idea and campaign for Ricola Herbal Cough Drops, "Unwrap Your Voice," is a perfect example of a visual internationally understood idea.

The concept for the Ricola campaign "Unwrap Your Voice" came from German agency Jung Von Matt (Not JVM Studio - or Jeroen van Mechelen - as The Dieline incorrectly reports) and it was executed as a collaborative effort between Jung Von Matt, the Scope Digital Studio and illustrator Julien Canavezes. The whimsical illustrations by Julien Canavezes serve as both the actual cough drop packaging and the whole gist of the communications effort. The candies were distributed free at concerts and apparently the print ads ran in Germany (in what publications, I do not know).

Here are the single page and spread ads that were submitted to the award shows.







And the lesser seen ads:



The work has been much lauded including receiving the One Show's Silver Pencil for Package Design in 2012, A One Show Merit for Magazine Campaign Full Page/Spread, an LIA Gold Winner 2012 and a New York Festivals Finalist and Merit 2012.

The famous music icons whose faces wrap around the drops, were illustrated in Julien Canavezes' inimitable style and although the only immediately recognizable visage is that of Elvis Presley, I assume the others represent famous singers as well (Luciano Pavrotti? Madonna? I'm not sure).

Full Credits:
Category: Package Design / Package Design - Campaign
Agency: Jung von Matt AG / Hamburg
Client: Ricola AG
Title: Unwrap
Art Director: Johannes Riffelmacher
Creative Director: Fabian Frese, Goetz Ulmer, Thimoteus Wagner, Martin Strutz
Designer: Lars Jakschik, Karina Riehle
Illustrator: Julien Canavezes
CG Artists / Photography: Matthias Christen of The Scope Digital Studio
Writer: Hannah Haeffner

The Illustrator
Illustrator Julien Canavezes' work is charming and has been used for several high-profile clients including Nike, Coca-Cola and Xbox. Be sure to check out his portfolio on Behance and his own website, Toyzmachin.

Technicolor Twinkle Toes. Embroidery on Vintage Photos of Dancers.

Now living and working in Berlín, Chilean-born Jose Romussi formally studied landscape design when growing up, but over the past few years has gained a significant following for his screen prints and collages in which he combines vintage black and white photographs with colorful forms of embroidery.



In this series, Dance, the supernatural power of dancers and their poses and movements inspire him with their precision and elegance. Romussi brings these pictures back to life with bright vibrant colors, underlining the dynamic of these frozen movements. With each new line of embroidery he invites the viewer to dream with him and to experience each subject's hidden vitality.












Artist Jose Romussi at work:


See more of Jose's unusual work here

The First Flat-Packed Wooden Bike You Assemble Yourself. The Sandwichbike by Basten Leijh.

It's new. It's cool. It comes in the mail and you put it together. Dubbed the Sandwichbike, this Dutch Design original was inspired by the concept of flat packing, home assembly and Bleigh Industries' never-ending drive to create exceptional products.

How Very Enterprising. Reformulated and Repackaged Star Trek Scents Launch To Coincide With Into Darkness.

Now that the new Star Trek movie, Star Trek: Into Darkness is out, the marketiing tie-ins have begun. One of the funniest to me is the selling of officially licensed Star Trek Fragrances.



I have no idea if people actually wear these scents, merely buy them as collectibles or give them as humorous gifts. But in any case, these pop culture inspired colognes for men and perfumes for women make great gifts for the Trekspert, Trekkie, Trekker or sci-fi fanatic in your universe.

You may be thinking you've heard about these before - and you did when Genki Wear owned the official licensing and launched scents to coincide with the Star Trek movie released in 2009


above: the Genki Wear Star Trek Fragrances launched in 2009

But now that Palm Beach Beaute owns the licensing, these fragrances (One for women and three for men) have been completely reformulated and the bottles and packaging have been redesigned.

Star Trek Pon Farr Perfume:


•Pon Farr Eau de Parfum for women.
•Comes in a gorgeous purple gradient glass bottle in a metallic box of purple and silver.
•Scent features light, clean top notes of Juicy Nectarine, White Violet, Tropical Orchid, with mid and base notes of Mirabelle Plum, Egyptian Jasmine, Vanilla, Sandalwood and Musk.
•An invigorating and romantic scent for intimate times.



The Star Trek Pon Farr Eau de Parfum for women is a refreshing fragrance that is both invigorating and dramatic. Pon Farr is excellent for those bright sunny days and warm summer nights spent together at the beach, around the fire or simply watching your favorite affair d'honneur. Comes in a gorgeous 90 mL purple gradient glass bottle with a defined clear cap and presented in a metallic box of purple and silver.
Pre-Order it here.

Star Trek Sulu Cologne:


•Sulu Eau de Toilette for men.
•Comes in a gorgeous clear glass bottle in a metallic box of black and silver.
•For the man who does everything.



The Star Trek Sulu Eau de Toilette for men is the perfect fragrance for the man who does everything. Whether you're off cataloging exotic plants, collecting antique firearms, or piloting ancient helicopters and advanced starships - this cologne will have you smelling irresistible. Being a man like Sulu, well, it's more than just choosing to live your life with style; but you already knew that, didn't you? Comes in a gorgeous 100 mL clear glass bottle with a chrome cap and presented in a metallic box of black and silver
Pre-Order it here.

Star Trek Red Shirt Cologne:


•Red Shirt Eau de Toilette for men.
•Comes in a gorgeous red glass bottle in a metallic box of black and red.
•For the young modern man who doesn't hesitate.



The Star Trek Red Shirt Eau de Toilette for men is a fragrance made for the young, modern man of the galaxy who doesn't hesitate - who revels in being alive today. The Red Shirt fragrance instills confidence, showing the universe your strength, your valor, your devotion to living each day as though it could be your last. Savor the day. Comes in a gorgeous 100 mL red glass bottle with a chrome cap and presented in a metallic box of black and red.
Pre-Order it here.

Star Trek Tiberius Cologne:


•Tiberius Eau de Toilette for men.
•Comes in a gorgeous gold glass bottle in a metallic box of black and gold.
•Be casual, yet commanding.



The Star Trek Tiberius Eau de Toilette for men embodies bravery and spirit, blending chemistry and emotion for a crisp, clean men's fragrance. Tiberius is a casual yet commanding fragrance spiked with raised notes of freshness and sensuality - just like Captain Kirk. Why would you need any other cologne? Comes in a gorgeous 100 mL gold glass bottle with a chrome cap and presented in a metallic box of gold and red.
Pre-Order it here.