"Write On" Writing Set

This is a slightly unusual post for me (especially as I'm getting to grips with writing on an iPad) about a product I recently came across at Oxfam.

If you follow me on twitter you will know I am always collecting old, interesting books to scan and use in projects. While hunting for some of these old books I found this cool product and I thought it was deserving of a blog post.

The product itself is a writing set made out of recycled wrapping paper and includes 10 sheets and envelopes in a neatly bound package. I always tend to think of charity products as quite bland and far from exciting design wise, but this definitely caught my eye. It's not unlike something you might come across in fashionable stationary shops such as Paperchase (if fashionable stationary is even a thing?)

The product is not only beautiful it is also environmentally friendly, charity supporting and functional. Attributes that I think all designers should be aware of in their own work.

With the dominance of emails today, handwritten letters can convey a personal touch not achieved through digital communication and a pack like this definitely encourages me to write a bit more and type a bit less. 

Found Designs #3

Following previous posts along a similar theme (see here & here) I have collated more of my iPhone photos into a "Found Designs" blog post. These posts, as implied, are interesting illustrations, packaging and typography examples I have found while out and about.

My favourite designs here are a postcard from Aberystwyth using old style typefaces with an impressionist style painting to give a suggestion of the vintage sea side era.

A beautiful typeface on a memorial plaque I came across while walking my dog.

Interesting packaging design for some chocolates. The box uses foils to give the box a sense of luxury in contrast with a modern style of the package and typography.

Found Designs #2

Following on from my initial post on the subject of found designs, I have chosen a few of my favourite of my latest iPhone photos taken while out and about. As I said before, I am constantly taking photos of things that inspire me and can be used later, from book covers to packaging and more.

For me, it is important to be aware of design in everyday life; looking at new design styles that can be learnt and applied to new projects later on. This is important to keep my working looking fresh and not risk repetition in my portfolio.

Found Designs

Since I got my iPhone earlier this year I have been taking photos all the time. I never normally carry a camera with me or even profess to be good at photography, but being able to take a photo of a great piece of typography or illustration can be a great reference for future design projects.

I find things that I like everywhere; on parcels, in Tesco, the Frosties box even inspired some design work for this project. This is a few of the examples I found while out.