Bang!

More firecracker wrappers over here: Bang!
That's Right,

HMK

It's A Gas!

Graphic and publication designer Dick Sheaff is sharing his amazing collection of ephemera along with some keen insight and history to help put things in context.




All of the above images are examples of the Gaslight Style:

"One pronounced aspect of Victorian design was a great interest in creating the illusion of depth, particularly so with lithographers. Type, vignettes, products and design elements are made to seem multi-layered through the use of shadows, superimposition, dimensional banners and ribbons, turned-up faux page corners and choice of colors.

Some have labeled this the Gaslight Style approach to design, for example Maurice Rickards: "Said to have derived from the play of lamps on three-dimensional street lettering, i.e. storefront signage, etc. The style appears to have originated in Germany, spreading, through the influence of German printing skills, throughout the world."

Chief features of the style are heavily three-dimensional lettering with a vigorous rendering of tonal gradation and shadow effects. A characteristic treatment involved the use of a vignetted 'cloud-work' background against which lettering appeared in lighter tone, with heavy shadowing to hold outlines where these overlapped on to plain paper. A wealth of heavy scroll- and strap-work, also rendered in three dimensions, filled in the interstices of the design.

The style, for which at the time no specific name emerged, is thought to have been inspired by the chiaroscuro effects of gas lighting, and has subsequently received the designation Gaslight Style."

And while you're there, don't miss Mr. Sheaff's little side collection of People Holding Fish!

That's Right,

HMK

Big Gracias to Eric Baker over at Design Observer.

Black Magic Vino

Very nice work from the smart folks down-under at M|A|S|H in Australia.

This limited edition wine represents the best of the Small Gully range and a wine personally developed by the mysterious Mr. Black AKA Stephen Black. The concept was to produce a simple hand written, almost home made package, as if the wine maker had scratched the details of the wine into the bottle himself.


A beautiful imported glass bottle was chosen that Mash then had laser etched. The words actually cut into the surface of the glass giving a great tactile and very raw feel. Something that screen printing could not achieve. The result was a cross between contemporary luxury and personalized roughness.

Makes me thirsty...

That's Right,

HMK

Gracias to Joachim Baan at Anothercompany.

Perpetual Eye Candy

I'm totally digging the wicked cool and customizable Photo Flip Clock! This sweet new iPhone app is from Larva Labs, the same smart creative folks that brought us the Flip Clock for the iPhone/Touch.

The only bummer is they beat me to the iPhone with basically the same idea as my HMK Perpetually Dayzed Calendar.

But Hot-Dang! I truly gotta say - they did one heck of a fine job, it's a very intuitive app and also, well, thanks! This really puts a fire under my butt to get jumping on some of my other iPhone ideas before some other genius beats me to it!

I hope they make a boatload for Christmas!

Meanwhile, back in the Tiki Room... I shot this this morning at exactly 10:53 on Friday, November 6th using a few of the cards I developed for my HMK Perpetually Dayzed Calendar available at Esty. Think of it as the tangible version of the app... And hey, it really makes great gift for all the hip retro loving kids on your list!

Get The Calendar: HMK Perpetually Dayzed Calendar

Get The App: Photo Flip Clock

That's Right,

HMK