Monthly Archives: March 2012

Fifty and Fifty – The State Mottos

It’s always interesting, I think, to see how various destinations view themselves and how they project that identity to the outside world. The idea of having a State Motto for example, seems a bit quaint these days, too ‘one-size-fits-all’ for our times. But this sense of nostalgia fits perfectly with the vintage inspired style of designer Dan Cassaro, the curator of 50 and 50: The State Mottos. For this rather epic project, Dan has carefully selected a band of illustrators from around the country, each of whom have taken on the task of representing their home state by illustrating its State Motto.

Here’s a small selection of my personal favourites, but you can see the rest on the website and even buy a print if you’re feeling patriotic.

From top: New York by Dan Cassaro, Vermont by Always with Honor, Montana by Travis Cain, Louisiana by A Micah Smith, New Hampshire by Jarrod Baretto, Washington by Annemieke Beemster Leverenz.

27th March, 2012 — 1 Comment — Posted in: Travel Illustration + Design

Link Love

1. This limited edition photo book, ‘Postcards from America’, is the result of six Magnum photographers taking a road-trip together. Only it’s not really a book, more a multifaceted package of amazing-ness.

2. Field Candy have turned the humble tent into a canvas for designers from around the world. This one is by Australian designer, Jonathan Zawada.

3. Illustrator James Gulliver Hancock has several fantastic map commissions in his folio, but this one of Venice is a stand-out simply due to the crazy detail!

4. For their first edition, online publication Edits Quarterly share nostalgic snaps of home and away.

5. Jiro is the reigning king of Sushi, with his kingdom a tiny restaurant in a Tokyo train station. Jiro Dreams of Sushi documents his passion. ᔥ Wallpaper magazine

6. My latest travel-bag fixation is this bright green number from Clare Vivier.

7. Quite possibly an unnecessary luxury, but these Calabrese flight slippers are so grown-up, plus I love the drawstring bag.

8. Speaking of unnecessary (but aren’t the best things?) I’ll leave you with these Hello Kitty branded jets from EVA Air in Taiwan. ᔥ Apartment Therapy

*By the way, I’m trying out attribution symbols for the first time in this post. ᔥ means ‘via’ and links back to the Curator’s Code website where there is more information.

20th March, 2012 — Comments are closed. — Posted in: Link Love

Secret City

I bought Port magazine for the first time the other day, and was really impressed by the travel illustrations by Dan Williams. They feature in the regular Secret City feature, where interesting people from around the world recommend a favourite local spot. There is just something old-fashioned and almost anti-trend about them that appeals.