Artist Kenny Scharf's Airstream Trailer -- Hi Fructose Mag.

There is a lot of great stuff in Hi Fructose that blows my mind away.  But perhaps out of the influence of the 80s on me - seeing as I spent my teens in the 80s - this psychedelic, glow-in-the-black-light interior of artist Kenny Scharf's airstream trailer from Hi Fructose Magazine completely appeals to me.

An explanation about Kurokaeru, and what "No Design Limits" means.

No Design Limits means that there are no boundaries of what can be designed: graphics, furniture, architecture, interiors.  Here's a sample of work that is outside of the graphic design work currently being targeted for building up Kurokaeru's Cafe Press store -- real and unrealized and simply conceptual design studies from over the years, from recent (top) to older (bottom).

There is no reason to stay within the boundaries of design professions, since many of the same principles apply, including form, color, spatial layout, thematic identity, and of course, a personally fostered style.  Whimsical folly is a major theme.

A Merry Christmas!

DeviantArt Muro App via Chrome Store.

Got to playing around with DeviantArt's Muro App (free) from the Chrome Web Store. I get it now, this always connected idea is worth exploring with mobile devices. It feels like just a year away from achieving online apps and existing entirely online.

As for the Muro app, so far, it's been fun (below, first test project, created with a mouse). I need to get a tablet that allows for use with a stylus, though. That's the next year to-buy list, hopefully.

O'ahu picture series (3 sets) of coasters and mouse pads.

Mousepad is $12.99; coaster is $5.50.

Mousepad is $12.99; coaster is $5.50.

Mousepad is $12.99; coaster is $5.50.

New designs, for just a few weeks.

Personal projects (for gifts). Thought I'd post in the Cafe Press store even though they're personal gifts.

Hawaiian tapa-inspired, hand sketched with photoshop color filled in, version 1.

Hawaiian tapa-inspired, hand sketched with photoshop color filled in, version 2.

All-computer generated, Hawaiian tapa-inspired design, light green on light tan.

Giant Robot xB.

I peeked at the current Giant Robot issue, and saw a most lusciously audacious Scion xB, refitted as a functional Nintendo NES game console on wheels.  Googled it, and found it posted on LA Times technology blog, the day after Thanksgiving - no wonder it flew under the radar!

I must say, I have envy...a no-top xB.  Note though, this is not street legal.  Love the grille.

In the middle of a new piece.

Only half-way done, and still not sure whether to keep it b/w colorized or full color.

Added new graphic.

808 Forever in chocolate stripes, oval vinyl stickers in single or 10 pack.  Some people might not understand what 808 refers to.  It is the area code for Hawaii.  :)

Added new graphics.

The graphic is called "cherry blossoms". It's being used on just two products for now:

• Blank (inside) notecards, set of 10;
• A small poster, 16" x 16" (unframed).

Nephew had thyroid surgery. Sent him an mms.

Favorite graphics and general design websites

• Smashing Magazine
• Dezignus
• Core77
• DesignCrave
• Mayang's Free Textures
• Vyonyx's cutout people, trees, textures and background references

It's a slow day in design this week, if you know what I mean.

I don't know why I'm pursuing this angle, but I am.  It's not working out so far, though.  It just doesn't scale well on t-shirts.  Maybe for something else other than t-shirts?  The intent was floral/fruity feminine, but not there yet.

I'm partial to this design.

Am considering using this as a basis for a whole series.  Same background, but in different shades.

[mood = chill]

[music = Phobos]

BACK!

Was meaning to get this whole Kurokaeru design going, but I was sidetracked for a bit, working on other things.

I've been stocking up on building up a stock of designs, and in short order, will recreate the cafe press store.  I might be teaming up with a local company here in Portland, to get shirts printed (and higher margins) but that'll entail a completely different type of design, as opposed to the digital print capabilities of cafe press.

Today, I completed the first in a series of "duckie" shirt designs.  This first one is called, "plucky duckie", as seen below.  Why ducks?  Why not?