Archive for category Events
GOOD DESIGN™ Awards 2009
Posted by Kaitlin in Architecture, Art and Design, Events, News on April 6th, 2010
The GOOD DESIGN Awards presented annually by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies honors the world’s top corporations for setting the highest standard of the best products, branding, and graphic design.
In 2009, a total of 500 awards were given out to the leading industry designers and manufacturers representing 35 nations, marking this year’s awards as the largest ever by country. Some of this past year’s top contributing corporations include: 3M Company, Apple Computer, Inc., Armstrong World Companies, AT&T., The Bosch Group, Continental Airlines, Electrolux Major Appliances, Mercedes-Benz, and the long list continues.
Pictured right is a winner from the robotics/bionics category that I had to share. It’s called Air Penguin designed
by Festo AG Co. KG. These artificial penguins have been taught “autonomous flight in the sea of air”. The knowledge gained from this project will benefit automation production processes in the future.
To view a list of all 2009 winners take a look at the Good Design 2009 website.
For more information about the history of the most prestigious world design award and to submit products and designs for the 2010 GOOD DESIGN Awards visit the Good Design 2010 page.
Surface Graphics Design Partner Speaks with Sharpie®
Posted by Kaitlin in Art and Design, Designers We Love, Events, News, Wall Decals on March 30th, 2010
Matthew signing Swatch watches in NYC
Graphic design artist, Matthew Langille, recently designed three unique and trendy wall decal designs for Surface Graphics. The work that he created for us is just one of many projects that this New Jersey native has been involved with lately.
Matthew has done work for Marc by Marc Jacobs, Little Marc Jacobs, Swatch, Adidas, Havaianas, and SIGG; as well as a variety of fashion designers and magazines. And, is soon launching a women’s and men’s jean line that he has designed for Reco Jeans. You can scope out all of these designs on Matthew’s website.
In an interview with his favorite design tool company, Sharpie®, Langille speaks about his childhood, outbreak into the industry, and the varied projects he has pursued. Take a peak at the interview to discover more about the man behind the designs.
Spotlight on Philadelphia Artists
Posted by Kaitlin in Art and Design, Designers We Love, Events on March 16th, 2010
Being a Philadelphia based company and having an eye for unique design, we at Surface Graphics find art we love all over the city of brotherly love. Recently I stumbled upon an artist whose art I have become quite fond of and wanted to share with art guru’s alike.
The artist is Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes. She is a fine art photographer and writer who has traveled around the world and currently resides in the Philadelphia area. Her short stories have appeared in various literary anthologies; and her photographs have been exhibited in a variety of venues including Philadelphia City Hall and the Tiberino Memorial Museum. She is known for capturing everyday things in ordinary ways, which is what has turned me on most about her work.
Another great aspect of this artist is the stories that are told behind the pictures. The story not only brings life to the picture, but also gives a fresh perspective to how we view her pieces of work. My favorite is the photograph of the Philadelphia skyline from the location of boat house row. In this photograph she explains how this is where she first met her husband.
Visit Michelle’s website to view her gallery. If you are interested in viewing some of her work, she has many upcoming exhibits. Be sure to check them out!
Ready to meet the masses at the NYIGF!
We spent all day yesterday building our booth and decorating the press center at the NY International Gift Fair. We’ll be there bright and early tomorrow for the start of the show. Find Surface Graphics in the STUDIO section on the 3rd floor of the main building. We’re in booth #4146.
Visit us on Sunday to meet Ian Altares, a designer that we are working with who’s designs will be featured in the new STUDIO line (this new line isn’t live yet on the website, it wil be launched on Tuesday). Stop by on Tuesday to meet another artist that we’ve collaborated with who’s artwork can be found on Swatch watches, Marc by Marc Jacobs clothing and accessories, Adidas…. and now for the first time WALL DECALS! Join us for the press event and signing from 1-4pm. Check back soon for detail on this new line and artists.
The end of the day, when the lights were low and just a few people were left in the huge Javits Center, we could be found us in the press center decorating the walls there. Thank you to the PR group for inviting us to display our wares.
Check out the Polka Dot Garden scene below, designed and applied by Rhoan.
Here’s Julien, applying the Mid Century Star Wall Decal
Hope we will see you at the show!
Surface Graphics on Display at the NYIGF
The New York International Gift Fair is an event that we, at Surface Graphics, are very enthusiastic about. Last summer we met some great retailers that have turned into some of our favorite customers. We will be attending the NYIGF for a second time beginning Sunday, January 31. Show attendees will be the first to see the new line of wall decals, STUDIO, featuring designs from hand-picked artists that are both acclaimed and up and coming. Details will be publicly available after the show, but attendees get first peek at our exciting collaborations!
In addition, we are introducing a number of new wall decal designs in our current categories that are sure to inspire! We’ve also been invited to decorate the Gift Fair’s press center. We can’t wait to show off the new designs to media. Hope you can stop in and see the set up.
The Surface Graphics booth will again be located in STUDIO™, the juried division of the gift fair, which will showcase a variety of trend-driven, innovative and inspired lifestyle merchandise across all categories. If you are going to be there please plan to meet us at booth #4146.
DesignPhiladelphia 2009
We had a great event last night in partnership with Design Within Reach’s Philadelphia Studio (www.dwr.com) for DesignPhiladelphia 2009. Philly area designers created original wall decals showcasing both established and emerging design talent within the region. Five designs were chosen for display in the DWR Studio, one winning design was selected by vote and will be sold online with all proceeds benefiting Philadelphia Charter High School for Architecture + Design.
The decal will be available for sale soon!
The five finalists designs:
Cat and Mice Series by Anita Yan Wong
Mobile by Ute Kraidy
Mouse by Ute Kraidy
No Light by Ian Altares
Birds and Rainbow by Sara Petrous
Top designs were selected based on originality, ability to develop as decals and alignment with the enduring principles of modernism. The designs were installed during Design Philadelphia and studio visitors voted on their favorites. The winning design was announced last night: Cat and Mice Series by Anita Yan Wong
The event was very well attended including teachers and students from CHAD and a few universities in the area with graphic and industrial design programs. We were also excited to meet some of the designers themselves.
Many thanks to Kristen and Gerard at DWR and Heather and Courtney at CHAD for being involved and making this event a great success!
Notes From ICFF 2009
Posted by Brian in Designers We Love, Events, Interior Design on May 22nd, 2009
On Monday we were lucky enough to sneak away and head to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. ICFF was great this year showcasing the latest in contemporary design from around the world. The international presence at ICFF makes it one of the best contemporary design shows. It was great meeting new and upcoming designers, many whom have shifted their focus to sustainable and green design!
Molded woods continue to be a driving force in interior design trends. These latest takes on the original Eames molded plywood chairs have a great contemporary feel.
Dwell Design Innovate It! 2009
Calling all designers out there for Dwell Magazine Innovate It! 2009. Phase II of the Design Contest has officially begun. The magazine editors chose three excellent suggestions for everyday objects that need an innovative update. The three products are the traditional Pants Hanger, a Coffee Mug that doesn’t leave rings and an Ironing Board that doesn’t look like your mothers! Read the rest of this entry »
Philly Gets Objectified with Special Guest Gary Hustwit!
We will be attending the Philadelphia screening of Objectified, a new documentary by Gary Hustwit. This is a one day only preview screening and post-film Q&A in Philly on Monday, May 11 (there are two show times, 6:30pm and 9pm). The screening is presented in conjunction with the Westphal College at Drexel University, AIGA Philadelphia, and IDSA Philadelphia.
Additional information on the Philly screening is available here. The latest calendar listing is below, you can find all the info on locations, ticket sales etc here.
Keep an eye out for a post soon after the screening covering the screening and Q&A. The film trailer is embedded at the botton of the post if you haven’t already seen it.
If you’ve already seen the film, tell us what you think about it in the comments below.
April 30
Minneapolis MN, USA
Walker Art Center
Two screenings, Q&A’s with Gary Hustwit and Andrew Blauvelt.
7pm SOLD OUT. 9pm still available.
May 3 & 4
Toronto ON, Canada
Hot Docs International Documentary Festival
Canadian Premiere! Two screenings at the Bloor Cinema, Q&A’s with Gary Hustwit.
Tickets on sale now.
Read the rest of this entry »
The Surface Store & Design Within Reach
A couple months back The Surface Store held a wonderful event hosted by Design Within Reach in Philadelphia. Numerous design addicts & aficionados gathered for a 30 minute presentation on the background and development of The Surface Store Wall Decals. The presentation focused on the company’s European roots, the design background and the approach that shapes product development at The Surface Store think tank. Read the rest of this entry »
