Ninja December 8th, 2009
Weighing in at an impressive 5.1 pounds, the Emigre No. 70 the Look Back Issue
Bonus
+ 32-Page booklet of Letters to the Editor
+ CD-Rom with music and videos published by Emigre
+ 15 x 20 inch commemorative poster
Preview
Purchasing link
+ Emigre No. 70 the Look Back Issue: Selections from Emigre Magazine 1-69. Celebrating 25 Years of Graphic Design
Ninja November 24th, 2009
Photo credit: Liam Goodman
Penguin redesigned their classic book series! I love the patterns and bold color combination — designer Coralie Bickford-Smith certainly did a lovely job. They’re almost too pretty to read. Almost.
These hardcover books are a steal at under $14 a pop. I already plan on picking up a copy of Wuthering Heights
Purchasing links
+ Great Expectations
+ Pride and Prejudice
+ Tess of the D’Urbervilles
+ Sense and Sensibility
+ Jane Eyre
+ Wuthering Heights
+ The Picture of Dorian Gray
+ Cranford
Related link
+ Interview with Penguin designer, Coralie Bickford-Smith
Ninja October 12th, 2009
A mashup of 20 designers from all walks at the 2009 national AIGA conference, MAKE|THINK, in Memphis, TN.
Music by Rachel Beavers
Related postsPenguin July 17th, 2009
Yesterday was the 10 year anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shot and I read a fantastic analysis of the film.
After reading that, I felt like such a filmmaking noob. Granted, I’m comparing myself to one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.
Here’s a 4 part audio interview with the master himself.
Interviews via: InContention
- Penguin
Related postsNinja June 15th, 2009
I swoon over Swoon! Upper Playground’s Walrus TV gives us a wonderful glimpse into Swoon’s creative process.
Related postsNinja May 28th, 2009
Recent Ringling College of Art and Design graduate, Max Marin, shared his thoughts and work with us.
Ninja vs Penguin: Hi Max! Please tell us how you developed an interest in art and when did you started painting?
Max Marin: I was born and raised in Miami, Florida and come from a well brought Colombian family. Since I was very small, my parents have encouraged me to draw. My father was also an artist, and he always said that I had the talent and interest to be more.
I was never much of an outdoor kid when I was younger nor did I have any video games of any sort, so I was inside most of the time. That’s where it started. I would draw along with my younger brother at the kitchen table for what seemed to be hours. Those were good memories. From there on, my parents gave me options to push this “hobby” of mine even more. So at twelve, I took my first oil painting classes at Miami-Dade Community college.
NvP: Do you have a specific process for creating your work?
MM: Well, I might spend days trying to figure out a good idea for the piece and ask some close friends for advice. Once it’s picked out, I start sketching it out on either panel or canvas, most of the time it’s never bigger then 18×24. Once it’s all in there, I second guess myself and revise anything that can be better. And for color, I try to figure it all in my head or sometimes I got to put it in paper, but the third option is always just winging it.
NvP: Your senior thesis (two of six pieces pictured above) showcases vibrant oil paintings featuring dramatic narratives where characters seem torn between the realms of paradise and torment. Could you tell us about the themes and inspiration behind this series?
MM: Ahhh… my “Senior Thesis” that was a special time; it took so much determination and focus to go all the way through. But in the end it was fantastic; the theme was something I have been doing since high school. I’m not a very religious person, but it’s something that has always intrigued me. Dwelling on controversial subjects is who I am. In high school, I loved doing paintings of that sort and it was always encouraged. But then getting into college they strip that from you, and your work becomes a commercial use. My inspiration was to go back as a fine artist and not the commercial illustrator I have become and just explore my interpretation of what happened before man arrived in the picture.
NvP: Who are your favorite working artists/illustrators?
MM: I love Rembrandt, but he is no longer working so I would say without a doubt Ashley Wood and Phil Hale. I love their looseness, style, color, compositions, and I hope to be able to paint like them one day and even meet them.
NvP: Is there anyone you would really like to collaborate and work with?
MM: Definitely some of my old friends from college would be pretty cool like John Suarez or even Charles Chassion. But if not them, Ashley Wood would be my number one choice. I even emailed him if I could be his apprentice, but I guess he was too busy… lol.
NvP: Apart from illustration, what are your other interests?
MM: I always said, if I could be a famous illustrator or famous soccer player… soccer would win. It’s a passion that never dies; I love watching it and love playing it!
NvP: And lastly, do you have any advice you’d like to share with our readers?
MM: Art is very competitive and it’s something that you should never quit on, take advantage while you are still young and just having fun. Enjoy the simple things and don’t make money an issue until you grow up. Art is fun. If you are willing to commit, sacrifice, and enjoy being alone in your studio for hours at a time, you can go very far in this industry.
Thanks for sharing Max!
Related links
+ Visit Max Marin’s blog
+ Contact/hire Max Marin
Ninja April 6th, 2009
Need some Monday inspiration? There is a really great interview with Tessar Lo over at Erratic Phenomena. It’s chock full of photos, too.
Here’s a taste:
What are you waiting for? Go now.
Related postsNinja March 3rd, 2009
Christine Norrie talks all about romance and NYC in her Graphic NYC interview. You can read it and take it in, here.
I feel like romance and love, which I’m all about, is also one of the beautiful and crushing things we do to each other. It can be so hurtful and painful, also wonderful and uplifting, except there are no rules, no formula, and so many, many variables. I know everybody goes about it differently, and there’s great love out there, but there’s also such great sorrow.
– Christine Norrie
All photos from Graphic NYC
Related postsPenguin February 1st, 2009
Peter and Susan share about how being a part of community helped save their marriage and draw them closer to God.
This is a testimonial I shot for Metro’s Underground Groups (small group program).
Cast: Peter & Susan Kim
Directed by Wey Wang
Director of Photography: Wey Wang
Edited by Wey Wang
Written by Wey Wang
Interview by Stephen Sharkey
Music:
Rin’ne from the Elfen Lied OST
Breezy from the Final Fantasy 8 OST CD 1
Shot on Canon HV20
Edited on Adobe Premiere CS3
Finished on Adobe After Effects CS3
-Penguin
Related postsNinja January 9th, 2009
Jessica Helfand will be interviewed on Design Matters with Debbie Millman today at 3:00 EST. Here, they will discuss design, life, and Jessica’s latest book, Scrapbooks: An American History
Design Matters airs live on the Voice America Business Network, and you can tune in here.
Related links
+ Winterhouse Studio
+ The Daily Scrapbook website
Limited edition lithograph prints. Signed + numbered.
