Animal Magic.
Animals are one of the nicest things to draw and I especially like icons and simplistic mascots. I have put together a little collection of brands that all have a furry (usually) friend :
Interflug : the national carrier for East Germany between 1963-91 was accompanied by this cute bear character, resplendent in a crown and pilot suit. I think he wanted to get upgraded. Montreal 1976 : for the ‘76 Olympics a beaver mascot was created. His name was Amik and although he was super simple he had a real charm, and a lovely rainbow sash that the lady beavers were lovin’.
Munich 1972 : these games will aways be remembered for the sadder events that took place but we can’t forget one of the most famous, and revered, Olympic masccots. Loved by designers worldwide, Waldi the dog has stood the test of time and he adorned some of the most beautiful Olympic promo material ever produced
Brunas Bear : Dick Bruna is most famous for Miffy the rabbit. The Dutch illustrator was prolific in the 50s-60s and illustrated over 3000 covers for his fathers publishing company. The black bear was his mascot that sat on every book spine. Silja Seal : the Finnish shipping company ‘silja’ have a cool seal as their mascot. He can be seen winking and smiling on office windows and boats. At the weekend he likes a tuna melt and some ball tricks.
Mammouth : a supermarket chain from France used this mascot in the late 60’s Like the real life beast the shop became extinct, but we have heard it might be making a comeback. It’s just like Jurassic Park. Laddie Boy Dogfoods : designed in the U.S in 1969 this pooch looks like he would do a good line in the highland fling.
Fauna-cation.
They might not be for everyone but I was so happy to come across the latest project from Isabella Rosselini. Her new, art house shorts are bite size-at only a minute long-and they look at the world of animal reproduction. “Green Porno”. (they are office safe !) is in its second series, having studied insects and sea life.
I enjoy these for so many reasons ; they teach you something, they look great, they’re funny, warm and, best of all, they’re really crafty !
Rosselini worked with Andy Byers on giant paper sets, with paper costumes too. It’s cool to see craft on a super scale and on such a fun project. The prawn is the best, like a giant piñata and the limpet hat that Isabella is wearing could be straight off an underwater catwalk.
Clap your hands for Clappison!
John Clappison was an illustrator and ceramicist who worked in the 50s & 60s for Hornsea, a classic English pottery based in Yorkshire. When I was 10 I went there on a school trip. Apart from the gift shop it didn’t really float my boat…
Now though I am appreciating how beautiful his work was! He reignited the industry at a time when it was flagging, bringing some quirk into a sector of design that had become predictable and stagnant. His distinctive and iconic style turned Hornsea into a major player, and now it is synonymous with the mid century era.
From my bookmarks :
This is a seriously geeky bookmark but I am going to post it anyway because I find it so useful ! Whenever you want wood check out Veneer Selector for a good picture of any kind of grain you can think of. Hug a tree on the way home.
