White Space: the Other Design Ingredient

While reading a designer forum, I came across a conversation in which a self-admitted non-designer asked a question regarding why white space in design is important. She needed someone to point her into the direction of a web page, publication, or whatever that could easily explain this. One designer pointed her to this site, which I think is a pretty good example–in a humorous way. No disrespect to Microsoft, but there are more reasons to Apple's success in addition to just a great product. Here's the link. Enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/65449742#!

Winning Dad: How Does Colby Trick His Homophobic Dad to Meet His Boyfriend Rusty?

Clearly, Darien Design entered a time warp yesterday when a Holiday 2012 post happened. Strange. Anyhow, here it is–the first day of June 2013–and DD is here to plug a new film being shot this summer by friends at winningdad.com. Well, that is if it can get enough money raised in the next few weeks via Kickstarter.com. Darien Design recently contributed time to create a "rewards" graphic for the Kickstarter page for Winning Dad. Please take a look (click the graphic to link to winningdad.com) and consider contributing to a movie that has great potential to being something special–just in time for Pride Month. All involved are wonderful, talent people–including the lovely Ellen McLain, perhaps best know for providing the voice of GLaDOS, the computer antagonist of the Portal video game series.

You can help, by helping get this story onto film. Whether one dollar or more, ever bit helps. And tell your friends. This promises to be a great love story. And who doesn't love a great love story? Let's help win dad!

Thx.
DD

'tis the Season for Happy Little Humbugs

Oh my how time flies! Seems just last week I was praying for rain and now, well, Christmas is upon us! Check out this tee at Zazzle.com. For an edgier version, check out my PinkEye! store. Shelves are bare--for now--but soon to grow. Happy Shopping this holiday! DD.

Bah Humbug Lights Tee Shirt by DarienDesign

Joelapalooza Coming Soon!

Every few years, a dear friend from the Big Apple travels west to the Pacific Northwest to visit with friends and family for an extended weekend. Traditionally on a farm in NW Oregon, the "not-so-annual" gathering consists for a lot of food, conversation, live music and all the loving comforts and joys of a reunion.

I've been honored again this year to design the official tee, screenprinted locally in Seattle. I decided this year to put the design on a few products on Zazzle.com for anyone who wanted something more, different, or didn't get an order in for the screened tee. All profits for Zazzle sales will go toward costs of Joelapalooza.

Have a great summer to everyone!

D.



make custom gifts at Zazzle

Destination Vacation! (all I ever wanted!)

The summer is in full stride and I realize I've been too busy to BLOG? WHAT? Okay, maybe there is no excuse but it has been a busy couple months moving into a new studio space for DARIEN DESIGN which is: Very. Exciting. This all coincided with the unfortunate luck of a small back injury. Life has a way of humbling you when you think you're on top of the world.

I thought I'd post a few designs I did awhile back in celebration of summer. These few were among many others designed for a client of a client. If you travel around this summer, you may just possibly–possibly, catch your eye on one.

Happy Summer!

Everytime I Wake Up it's a New Month!

O...M...G. That's about all I have to say in regards to another big time lapse since my last entry. Funny how you can be busy as can be but you turn your head for a moment and a month goes flying by!

Darien Design is currently in a move to a new working office and I'm excited about new opportunities ahead and new irons in the fire. Whoohoo! Stay tuned.

Have a great week!

xoD.

Darien Design FINALLY Joins Twitter!

Yes, I will admit it. Sometimes it takes time to adopt new technology. Traditionally, I'm usually the type to wait to adopt new ways of doing things or adopt a new gadget, software, etc., until that time has come in which I feel it's appropriate for me to do so. Some creatives might see that as a flaw, but I don't. I prefer other people sleeping overnight at the Mac store and trying something new out first. And good for those enthusiast for doing their part. (But make a note: sometimes I may be willing to stand in the rain for the newest, greatest thing).

Twitter has been on standby for some time now and it was just this week in which Darien Design and Jupiter Soup™ have entered into the Twitter world. I'm pretty excited to start utilizing this social media and tap into that networking portal.

So log on to you Twitter account and "follow" me. And if you don't have an account, perhaps today is the  day to set it up! Thanks for following!

D.

Happy Vday mug from Darien Design!

Love Hearts Mug by DarienDesign
See more Valentine Mugs

Treat yourself or your valentine to a valentine mug from Darien Design. It's hot!

Daphney Makes Her Zazzle.com Debut!

Flowers are Like Friends by JupiterSoup
Make a travel coffee mug with Zazzle

Jupiter Soup: Logos and Exploration

I have recently started a project that has been on my mind and in my sketchbooks for a long time. It's my hope and passion that Jupiter Soup's diverse and interesting travels will capture some, if not many. The best adventure he has taken thus far however is into the blogosphere, and out of my own head. There is something magical when you can share a personal, creative side of yourselves and hope it is enjoyed by others.

Jupiter Soup's whimsical logo evolved from my love of letterform design. I have always loved creating letters and shapes. Before I ever attended art school, I had a passion for type and letters and loved creating them over and over on phone books, napkins in cafes, and on the steamed walls of a shower door. For myself and other designers, the beauty of a letter can be like that of a well painted portrait.

And who is, or what is, Jupiter Soup? Is it a person? A dog? An extraterrestrial? Or is Jupiter Soup merely a perspective of life, seen from another dimension of our brains, challenging us to see things for what they are, not just as we would want them to be. Jupiter Soup is an explorer, a blogger, an artist. He doodles and draws his thoughts and what he sees. Even he's not sure of his final destination. He's here to live, learn, love and understand the diversity of life in the universe.

'Tis the Season for festive cards!

One of the more personal gifts I like to give each year during the holidays is a home made card. This year's card reflects a slightly refined version of a sketchbook doodle style I thoroughly enjoy creating. I love letting my thoughts get lost as the pen makes it's way around the page in lines and shapes. What makes theses even more special is each card is individually scored, folded, cut and delivered with love.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Fall! Happy Art!

I have to say, there are many personal and exciting things evolving with Darien Design.  More energy, more excitement, great design, and fun art!

As I rediscover much unused "canned" art and create new exiting art and design,  I've decided to put some of it online so people can by products with art from Darien Design. You can currently find some of this art online at Cafe Press (cafepress.com/pinkeyegraphics).  I hope you enjoy the art as much as I enjoy creating it. Stay tuned as the future holds new exciting projects!
–D.

BUY THIS DESIGN!

Fall is in the Air

I just recently finished up a large group of apparel tee designs for a company that does product development for Hudson News, a retail airport store. Since I just came across a few designs from last year I did for them, I thought I'd post one of those designs plus a couple other pieces I did for other clients related to the season.
~D

The design on the bags above eventually made the transition to tee shirts.

 With football season back, here is an allover print created by Darien Design for A. Tiziano a few seasons ago, being worn here by former Seattle Seahawk Lofa Tatupu.

And lets now forget Halloween around the corner! Here's an allover print created by Darien Design for Gymboree.

Pacific NW | Seattle bloggers make their own fashion statements | Seattle Times Newspaper

An interesting article on Fashion blogs.

Pacific NW | Seattle bloggers make their own fashion statements | Seattle Times Newspaper

Let's Ramp it Up!

The Darien Design blog will be ramping things up to share current and past projects, things that inspire, educating a wanting ear, and everything else in between! Check back soon as we ramp things up!

Super Heros Meet Super Design!

I love this graphic that I found on a friend's Facebook page.  I love the movement, the positioning and balance of the superhero icons  and, well, I just love it so what can I say? I don't know where it comes from but if anyone knows please pass that info along! 

DARIEN DESIGN and AMERICAN IDOL Rewind

Now that this season of American Idol has reached it’s top 12, I am reminded of just a couple seasons ago, when top 12 finisher Chikezie was spotted rockin’ a shirt by A. Tiziano featuring art graphics by Darien Design. Although it was too bad that the singer from California got voted off on the night he was wearing the AT design, it proved good since he got extra air time… which means of course, Darien Design got a little extra air time on national television as well!

The woven shirt sports a Southwestern embroidery on the front upper left as well as a printed side wrap graphic and full back print.

A computer-less Designer?!! INSANE!

Ok, so this is for all the true Graphic Designers out there. It's both funny and, well, a bit sad. There is this unfortunate idea that if you have all the technology available (computer, designer software, scanner etc.) , then you are a "graphic designer." Maybe I'll get me some surgeon tools... then I will be a surgeon! Who needs a hip replacement! (ka-ching!)