Geek Debbie and I managed to squeeze in a whizz of a visit on Saturday to the 2013 Pick Me Up show at Somerset House. As usual you can expect to see striking innovative designs combined with beautifully executed cheeky humour, bold, elegant sketched and stamped.

How was this year any different? In our opion this year was illustration heavy and lacked the more traditional graphic design examples. But then this is probably quite a fair reflection of the times? Craft and illustration have made themselves quite at home in the Graphic Design scene, embedded within the foundations of the grids, typography and that white space we get a bit soppy over. Not that this is a complaint - it was sheer delight and well worth the visit.

The up-rise in new talent in ‘Pick me up selects’ was something to admire. A selection we noted were the playful doodleesque works of Hattie Stewart and the electric characters from Rob Flowers - balanced out the insane detail and skill from Ugo Gattoni and Stuart Patience. Dreamy wallpaper-like art from You Byun contrasting against the graphic illustrative alphabet from Malika Favre and the quirky illustrations from Daniel Frost and Damien Florébert Cuypers
 

Click here for full details on all Pick Me UP Selects 2013 artists

The a majority of the rest of the show was catered with honourable collaborative showcases from new and established artists. We were treated by collections from Handsome Frank, Nelly Duff (hiding Anthony Burill), SOMA, Unlimited and Zombie Collective to name a few. Click here to see a full list of Collectives and galleries

Lora’s innovative approach to her design thinking is striking; her messages are clear and boldly communicated. Now in her final year of study, and building a considerate and exciting portfolio you can expect to see ‘Flow’ a project based on visual music for the deaf - and her beautiful Fibonacci posters, plus an Olympic phone app and letterpress team-working. I suggest you get comfy for a few and discover…

Can you give us an example of a project you are working on or have just completed? Maybe even give us a sneak peek?

Because of my growing interest with moving image, and being in my third year of Uni, I am currently working on a D&AD Competition brief for creating a 15 second Channel 4seven indent. I am trying to get to grips with programmes like AfterEffects and Cinema4D… so far I have manages a 2 second trick of experimenting with the features of the programmes. Here are a few snapshots:

Can you share the last one or two websites/artists/events that inspire you?

I’ve been stunned and shunned by the work of David Shillinglaw he is a very talented artist who paints at different locations around the world. His work revolves around the subject of the ‘human condition’ and never fails to make you stop and think about different interpretations of the human psyche.

(copyright David Shillinglaw)

Another big inspiration is Dan Flynn,he is a multi-disciplinary designer at Spin and does amazing things with moving image.

(copyright Dan Flynn)

The list of people that inspire me is endless and discovering new work and creations is one of the lovely things about being a designer.

Please describe a bit about your creative process…

Turning things around, upside down, inside out, sideways, and into different dimensions. Tearing, twisting, shaking, cutting, burning, relaxing, smiling, laughing, putting some music on and enjoying the creative process…

Example from Lora's 'Seeing London' Project: http://lorabojinova.com/#Seeing-London

What 3 things from your ‘creative box’ could you never live without?

1. People - The conversations with the people in my life - my inspiring friends and the people I meet along the way. Their thoughts, ideas and viewpoints spark different ideas.

2. Books – I like to stick my nose in as many design and non-design books that I can. They can be good, bad, old, new, or completely irrelevant.

3. Macbook (where all my programmes and music live) - an extension of my hands. Where everything happens.

Lora's Letterpress project: http://lorabojinova.com/#Letterpress

What word can you never spell?

Psychologikal

6. What memorable thing did your ‘mum’ used to say to you while you were growing up?What memorable thing did your ‘mum’ used to say to you while you were growing up?

Never say Never!

Watch Lora's video here: http://lorabojinova.com/#F-L-O-W 

Thanks to Lora for taking time out to share with us. Lets put our hands together for Lora and wish her well in completing her final year of study. Check out the rest of Loras work on her website: http://lorabojinova.com/

- I seriously can't wait to see what happens next...!
 

I discovered the Belgian artist Tamar's Kasparian's work at The Sketchbook Project Tour in December 2012, I had to get in touch and check out more of her creations. The detail and creativity in Tamar's drawings are immense - the personality of the subject and the way she communicates her message is delightful! I invite you to get to know Tamar and her work too…

Can you share your earliest creative memory with us?
It’s a visual memory. A rainbow (seventies style and colours) that my father had painted on the wall of my first bedroom. Later, when I was 4 or 5, our parents allowed us to paint and draw on our bedroom’s walls and on the beds. I remember the feeling of pencil on the texture of wood.

I have always been drawing, so my creative memories are my life memories : the smell of the gouache to the nursery school, the first portraits that I made of my father, 2 friends at school who also liked drawing , the small drawings which I made in class to make people talk to me (I was very shy), the first ones comics that I read and copied...

Another funny souvenir is about being an artist. When I was 10 or 11, I decided that I’ll always draw and paint but that I’ll never be an artist because my grandmother had a boyfriend who was a painter. He was smoking and drinking coffee the all day long in front of a canvas, he was egocentric, always late in his work and sometimes so worried that he did not show up at his own exhibitions. I didn’t want to be like that … but finally I’m not so far from him as you can see it in my series “ Just Me, Myself and I” an “I’ll be your mirror”.

Can you tell us something about a current project that you’re working on/or just completed? (even sneak us a peek?)

I have been working a lot in 2012 for a group exhibition which took place in the South of France last summer. I created 2 artist books and an outdoor installation based on the link between roots, memories, books and old stones.
The installation : http://uzumakitk.prosite.com/34470/647426/gallery/lete-des-cabanons-installation
The books :

I would like to create more 3D artworks like these...

My next solo exhibition will be in September 2013 in Brussels at the gallery “Libre Choix”. I ‘m still a bit lost about what I’ll show but it’ll be about labyrinth.
Picture of my past solo exhibition

Another project I’m working on with a friend, is the launch of our own T-shirts brand UZUMAKiTK  Our t-shirts are eco friendly and produced in ethical working environment . We wanted to create t-shirts with nice cuts and cool artworks on it. 

 

Please like us on facebook , it’ll help us to convince shops to distribute the brand!

For me it’s a new challenge because it forces me to think more as an illustrator - or graphic designer. The work must be creative but also wearable and desirable, which is not the way I approach my paintings.

I also enjoy it because it allows me to develop a whole universe around the brand, the logo, the planet UZU, the UZUNIMALS, the UZUMEN, the UZUMAKIKAT...

Please could you describe a bit about your creative process.

Really simple : CHAOS ORDER  CHAOS  ORDER CHAOS

What 3 things from your creative box could you never live without?

just my pencil (4B) and my porte-mine 0.3mm( mechanical pencil in english ?

Could you share the last one or two websites/artists/events that inspire you?

Recently, I have been looking a lot at illustrative works .
I really like the style of Eric Petersen and I love the lines of Ella Nitters  .
I learned a lot looking at Works in progress by Steve Simpson on Behance :

And I’m really impressed by the portraits of Mark Powell with biro pen

Finally – what 1 memorable thing did your mum always say to you when you were growing up?

Did you brush your teeth ?
Oh yes and a sentence in a song she sang for us before sleeping « tu regretteras le temps où tu n’étais qu’un enfant »
(You will regret the time when you were only a child)

Lets thank Tamar again for taking time out to tell us more about herself and her creativity!

If that's not enough to wet your appitite, pop over to Tamars Behnace portfolio: http://www.behance.net/uzumakiTK

*All images Copyright Tamar Kasparian
 

Photoshop guru Emily Kemper specialises in supplying the music and nightclub industry with memorable stunning artworks. From the latest dance album to next weekends rave flyers, her work is recognised around the globe. Emily’s creative vision and concept combined with her never-ending skill and experience sets the bar for style in this scene. We catch up with Emily backstage...

Can you give us an example of a project you are working on or have just completed? Maybe even give us a sneak peek?
I create all the design work for record label 'Riot'. One recent project I have been working on is creating Scott' Attrill's new alum artwork - Neon Disco Soldiers due to be released in the spring time 2013
Also a website for BK check it out here :  http://www.bkworld.net]

 Image caption: Scott Atrill - Neon Soldiers, Copyright Emily Kemper

Can you share the last one or two websites/artists/events that inspire you?
I love this website http://abduzeedo.com there so much on here and is constantly being added to :)
I also subscribed Advanced photoshop magazine, which has amazing tutorials, to keep me learning new techniques.
Describe a bit about your creative process…

Well my process doesn't involve a sketch book at all, I just get straight on to my computer.  Sometimes its an stock image that inspires me, and I can spend hrs trawling stock sites.  Other times I have an image in my head and then go about creating it. 
I always start in photoshop and normally fire up Illustrator to an add some vector shapes into the mix too!.  I always start off filling my new document with black background, and most used and favourite tools in Photoshop are the  blending modes and masks :) I love to play with light and make the artwork glow!

Image caption: Luminosity Paint Party Tour, UK and Vessel, San Francisco Copyright Emily Kemper

What 3 things from your ‘creative box’ could you never live without?
internet, my imac and Photoshop

 Image caption: Artwork for Promised and Pacha Copyright Emily Kemper

 
What word can you never spell?
most words lol spelling is not my strong point - but recently had to text dehumidifier which is super hard to spell!

What memorable thing did your ‘mum’ used to say to you while you were growing up?
Hummm think it has to be "MYOB dear" - which stood for Mind Your Own Business lol when I used to stick my nose into adult convos that had nothing to do with me at all between my mum and dad  :)

 Image caption: Selection of Album and single covers and logo design Copyright Emily Kemper

Massive thanks goes out to Emily for sharing her work and time with us, I am always bowled over with the creativity and beauty in her work. If you'd like more eye candy pop over to Emilys website: www.ekgraphics.co.uk

We are hosting our first online interactive project!

Share, Care, Inspire and Discover
Valentine’s Day project 2013
Donate a heart art for Valentine’s Day and raise awareness for heart diseases

It is easy to take part and is open to EVERYONE! Your heart can be created with anything, digitally or by hand, photos, craft, every-day objects, words – it can even be an image you have found. The important thing is that it is a heart shape.

All images will be collated for our very first online showcase on February 14th 2013.

How to take part:
Simply upload your images online by midnight on February 12th:

facebook.com/geekhearts

Tweet with #geekhearts

Sign up to http://geekhearts.co.uk/ to post on your own wall!

SHARE: This project is open to everyone, any age or ability with the mission to put a smile on faces, raise awareness and share a creative challenge. Be as creative as you like!

CARE: By producing a giant Valentine’s message to the world we can help raise awareness for heart disease. You can find info and support for heart conditions at www.bhf.org
- and specifically pulmonary hypertension (PH) http://www.phassociation.uk.com/

INSPIRE: Everyone is creative in some sort of way – YES YOU ARE!  and your heart art will inspire others – plus you’ll be doing a good deed!

DISCOVER: A heart shape is a familiar symbol and quite simple to create. Encourage creativity by communicating with an image and raise awareness for heart conditions.

In 2011, Rebekah Lock set herself a 365 Creative Mission to produce daily heart art and blog about it. The art had to be based on a heart, created within 24hours and inspired by that day, it’s success has inspired this project.
www.geekheartsaday.wordpress.com

Please share this invitation with your friends and encourage creative well being // powered by www.geekhearts.co.uk

p.s Don’t forget – you are responsible for your submission, Please make sure you credit your heart if it is not created by you (say where you found it!).
 

image caption: Skeletubes: hand painted vintage vacuum tubes. copyright Noah Scalin

Let’s give a warm welcome to our first guest geek for interview - the socially responsible, engaging and inspirational artist that is Noah Scalin. Noah is founder/creative director of Another Limited Rebellion, creator of Skull-A-Day Project and author of several books on creativity, art, and design. His approach is founded on home-hearted, hands-on, social and eco-conscious values, all wrapped up in an ambition to share, care and empower positive changes in the world. It's a privilege that Noah has taken the time out of his adventures for us (morst recently being guest speaker at the Creative Commons 10-Year Anniversary in Qatar) and I invite you to get comfy and discover…

Can you share your earliest creative memory with us?
Wow, that’s a tough one. I grew up the child of two artists, so I pretty much was doing creative work from day one. I do remember bringing friends over to my house when I was young and saying, “let’s go play in the studio” and being baffled that they didn’t know what a studio was. In my world having a room dedicated to making art was the same as having a living room or kitchen.

Can you tell us something about a current project that you’re working on/or just completed? (even sneak us a peek?)
My big thing for 2013 is League of Space Pirates. It’s a multi-platform science-fiction universe that I’ve been working on for years and years, and a large chunk of it – in the form of a rock band from the future – is finally being realized. I have a comic book/vinyl single set for release at the beginning of the year, followed by two music videos, and then a full-length album later in the year. So I’m gearing up to do a whole bunch of promotion and touring around all of those pieces. I can’t wait for people to finally see what I’ve been working on for so long!

Image caption: http://spacepirate.org copyright Noah Scalin

Please could you describe a bit about your creative process.
Step 1: get crazy random idea.*
Step 2 through 100+: do the hard work necessary to realize it.** Repeat ad infinitum.

*I love starting a project with a set of limitations to keep me inspired and motivated.
**I make sure that I’m truly passionate about the things I choose to do – since it makes the hard work worthwhile and is much more engaging for an audience.

I know you like connecting people and community is at the core of your creativity - can you share a bit more about this value with us?
Before working on Skull-A-Day (http://www.skulladay.com) I had just done the traditional artist thing: creating work for exhibitions/galleries/clients. And the problem is that it’s a very one-way experience. At best you go to an opening and actually meet the people looking at your art (and possibly overhear what they really think about it). By creating Skull-A-Day as an online project it immediately had a collaborative community aspect to it. And I learned that if you engage with and trust your audience they’ll lead you to places you never expected to go. I would say the vast majority of the great things that came from that project was due directly to the connection with the community that formed around it. And for me, there really is no greater honor as an artist than to discover that the things you’ve created have inspired others to be creative as well.

Image caption: Dead Media, installation made from 497 VHS video cassettes. Copyright Noah Scalin

What 3 things from your creative box could you never live without?
I assume you mean literal and not figurative things:

1. As much as I try to get away from it and use my hands to make art, I use my computer every single day to get creative work done and would be much less productive without it. Right now it’s a MacPro QuadCore.

2. I love digital cameras: my current one is a Canon t3i.

3. My X-acto knife; I use that thing nearly every day.

Could you share the last one or two websites/artists/events that inspire you lately?

I’m an obsessive blog reader and I tend to find great things nearly daily on Laughing Squid: http://laughingsquid.com/

Finally – what 1 memorable thing did your mum always say to you when you were growing up?

“Leap and the net will appear.” It’s a Zen quote that has been attributed to naturalist John Burroughs.

Image caption: Portrait of Ralph Waldo Emerson made with outlets and switches. Copyright Noah Scalin
 

Massive thanks once again to Noah for being our fire-starter in the new interview feature page. I cant wait to see what The League of Space Pirates brings us in 2013 and more! Please find out more about Noah and his superb work and creative processes at www.noahscalin.com

Image Caption: Debbie Willetts Art Copyright 2012

Graphic Designer by day and Illustrator by…the rest of the time! Debbie Willetts shares her love on the inside with us. Jolly daydreams and side-ways thinking means Debbie has the ability to produce fab in-the-moment sketches and also thoughtful, painted artworks. I admire what I think is her second thought process, where you always get a response that has a provoking, quirky and unexpected warmth – I’ve invited Debbie to share some of these creations…

Can you give us an example of a project you are working on or have just completed? Maybe even give us a sneak peek?

Earlier this autumn I took a short illustration course which reignited my love for it, so for you today I’m dumping the graphic design and sharing drawings instead.   

Image Caption: This angry man was one of the projects from the course. I was pleased with the way his face turned out, the paint could be blood or war paint or just sunburn and white rings left by sunglasses. Copyright 2012

Can you share the last one or two websites/artists/events that inspire you?

The other night I saw a great TV programme on the photographer William Klein. I’d never heard of him before but he became famous through his street reportage photography in the 50s and 60s. The gritty images get you right up close and involved with the people the shoots. Now I feel inspired to create something based view into my local KFC window or the 3 teenage girls I always see around with hair sacked on their heads like a mini beehives.
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/william-klein-daido-moriyama?gclid=COjM4v3V4rMCFe_MtAodHCQAUQ

Marc Chagall
http://victo-ngai.com/
http://trextrying.tumblr.com/

Image Caption: Debbie Willetts - sketch from short course. Copyright 2012

Describe a bit about your creative process…

Here’s a few things I always aim to do:

• Bring a new depth or view point to the subject.
• Not to be afraid to stay a little while longer in that awkward space where you don’t have a good answer to the brief – play not panic and a genius solution will come.
• Keep it looking handcrafted so you know it’s me, Debbie the humanfolk drawing you a picture and telling you a story.
• Keep it accessible and if not that at least pretty! You can tell from my previous point I’m about lo-fly culture. If your Nan doesn’t understand it, she can still appreciate the delicious shade of purple used.
   

Image Caption: Debbie Willetts sketches Copyright 2012

What 3 things from your creative box could you never live without?

IPhone- always at hand to take snaps of things that capture my imagination or use as a scanners poorer brother for drawings
A black Uni-ball Eye UB150 Rollerball Pen Micro- they’re cheap and have the perfect flow/resistance/sensitivity… snnnoorre
Painting rag- to quickly mopped any disaster either on the page or the carpet.

What word can you never spell?

Qunetin

What memorable thing did your mum used to say to you while you were growing up?

Hmm there was a rhyme but I can’t remember how it finished
Skinny malinky long legs fat banana feet,
Went to the cinema and couldn’t find a seat…

… answers on a postcard please!

Image Caption: Debbie Willetts Art Copyright 2012

Super thanks for taking part in the feature Debbie - I always enjoy seeing what you draw off screen! You can check out more of Debbies Illustration work by visiting her tumblr here: http://reds-ramble.tumblr.com/

Geek Natalie and I had a day of indulging in creative finds in the Northern Quarter of Manchester this week. We lost ourselves in the Richard Goodall gallery, drooled and dribbled around the fun that is the Afflex Centre - We did a little street art spotting along the way and ooohed and awwwed around the Manchester Craft and Design Centre 

Illustrating from the heart, Heather Boudour communicates a wisp of dreams and inspirational messages and visual treats. Combining collage, hand-drawn sketches, typography and a wealth of mixed media her artworks warm me up on a cold day and chill me out when things are getting a bit hot under the collar. Get comfy with a cuppa and a biscuit as I invite Heather to share her creativity with us…

Can you tell us something about a current project that you’re working on/or just completed? (even sneak us a peek?)

A recent project I worked on was creating the identity for Cut and Stick, I was part designer and part client for this project as I am half of this small but mighty duo who are here to encourage people to take time out to make and be merry. With a belief that everyone is creative, Cut & Stick provide a friendly, relaxed and inspiring space where people can create things that are fun, full of personality and where imperfections are welcomed quirks. Launching this Autumn with a blog and calendar of events, a visual identity was needed that was unique and flexible as it has to work well digitally and across print, packaging and promotion.

http://cut-and-stick.blogspot.co.uk/

(Image Caption: Cut and Stick identity, Copyright Heather Boudour)

Could you share the last one or two websites/artists/events that inspire you?

I'm no poet but I can't help but be inspired by Rhymes with Orange (a fairly new) spoken word event in London. It's fun, lively and it's got me completely hooked - I love it! I use a lot of words, quotes and phrases in my personal illustration projects already so it really plays into that and so far I've been inspired to design a t-shirt, collage and asked one of the poets if I could use a poem they performed to illustrate - which was really fun.
http://orangesrhyme.com/

(Image Caption: 'Poem by Kim Pryor', Copyright Heather Boudour)
 

Art House Co-op are the peeps behind the sketchbook project and are bloody awesome if you ask me, they organise global collaborative art projects, lots of which are free to take part in. The Sketchbook Project brings together artists from all over the world to submit a sketchbook to a collection that forms part of a library. The collection is taken on a world tour where you can visit the traveling library and look through the masses of sketchbooks. After their travels the collection returns to their permanent home at the Brooklyn Art Library in NYC which is open to visit. I took part in the 2012 project and was reunited with my submission when the tour stopped in London. I also looked through lots of other sketchbooks from artists all over the globe; they were funny, sad, poignant, inspiring, awesome and intricate. As a registered artist you get a space on their website to showcase your submissions, so if you missed the tour you can still browse the collection online...

More about the The Sketchbook Project Website

Heather's sketchbook link

(Image Caption: Sketchbook 2012 Submission, Copyright Heather Boudour)

Please could you describe a bit about your creative process…

The part of my creative process that is invaluable to me is getting all of my thoughts out of my head onto paper after I've been moodling on an idea or brief for a while. The thoughts, words, images, thumbnails, scribbles, research I'm thinking about begin to make sense as soon as I empty it all out of my mind onto the page. It could be scribbles or sketches or a moodboard, whatever form it takes, once it's there on the page I start making connections, see potential solutions and then take the ideas for a walk. Without that part of my process, it's all a bit of a jumble of possibilities - getting it onto paper clarifies things for me and starts to focus my response, leading me to a solution. 

What 3 things from your creative box could you never live without?

A sketchbook with pen, my huge mixed paper collection and a glue stick. Without these I'd go stir crazy!

What word can you never spell?

Occasion. 

Finally – what 1 memorable thing did your mum always say to you when you were growing up?

Honesty is the best policy.

(Image Caption: Identiy created by Heather Boudour for Blackbird Bread)

(Image caption: Identity created by Heather Boudour for Curiosity Cupboard

Big Thanks to Heather for her time and sharing her creativity. If you'd like to see more from Heather pop over to her website: www.heatherboudour.co.uk
 

The accidental yet natural photographer, Chris Fleet, has trotted his hobby around the globe since 2009. Maturing his skills as he documents his travels Chris has managed to capture some of the most stunning images I could only dream to witness. I have hooked up with him to find out what he is up to and invite him to share some of his photography with us…

Can you give us an example of a project you are working on or have just completed? Maybe even give us a sneak peek?

I was recently commissioned to produce 6 pieces for the spa area of an American cruise liner. The client specified a floral theme and - trying to steer away from the obvious clichés that accompanied this marriage of tradition (Flowers and Spa’s) - I submitted ten very different concepts from high speed imaging to a simple flower and smoke design.

Image Caption: Orchid Smoke - Copyright 2012 Chris Fleet

The Client eventually chose this concept (below), a kaleidoscope of Orchid petals, which are inspired by Damien Hirst’s kaleidoscopic works as well as the symmetry that occurs in nature and the very flowers I had been photographing.

Image Caption: Orchid White on Teal and Orchidstra - Copyright 2012 Chris Fleet

Can you share the last one or two websites/artists/events that inspire you?

I love to procrastinate on stumbleupon.com, I feel it keeps me in touch with which way the world is moving, especially when it comes to design and trend, something can leap from obscurity to popularity so fast and before you know it, it’s on a car advert. As far as artists go, Alberto Seveso, an Italian artist who uses inks dropped into water captured with High-speed photography recently inspired me to try out some high-speed experiments of my own. And I think we all have to say, even if begrudgingly, that the Olympics was an artistically inspiring event - with all the hype that surrounded it all - it was tough not to let the creative wires spark a little.

Image Captions: Inspirational images art from Alberto Selvso and olympic 2012 graphic compilation

Describe a bit about your creative process…

I keep a notebook by my bed where I write down ideas that are rattling about my head before I go to sleep, it’s currently brimming with jotted notes and rough sketches and it’s usually here that I will begin to start something. I try to mix in memories of my recent world travels and sometimes look for a way to recreate elements of them in a photography studio. When a piece begins to take shape I look at colour schemes and begin chopping things around on photoshop until I have something I’m really happy with.

Image Caption: An insight into images captured from around the world. Globe Trot Gallery - Copyright 2012 Chris Fleet

What 3 things from your creative box could you never live without?

Aside from the obvious masses of photography equipment I guess it would have to be my bedside table notebook for all the random ideas that I never would have remembered otherwise. A roll of duct tape, I seem to go through miles of the stuff and it is the answer to every studio malfunction. And my girlfriends Macbook pro, as it's way better than my own.

What word can you never spell?

Vignett……..Vigneti………Vignetting

What memorable thing did your mum used to say to you while you were growing up?

“Work to live but never live to work”

     
Image Caption: An insight into images captured from around the world. Globe Trot Gallery - Copyright 2012 Chris Fleet

Thanks For your time Chris, I look forward to seeing more of your work and adventures. If you'd like to view more photograhy by Chris, you can visit his website: www.globetrotgallery.com

Last night geek Heather and I visited the Sketchbook Tour Project on their 2012 world Tour. You might remember that we both took part last year. The crack is that you sign up online, select a theme and your blank sketchbook arrives in the mail).

Upon entering the striking and shiny-new Canada Water Library, you are directed towards an unassuming atrium sort of room called ‘Culture Space’. Greeted warmly by American accents, smiles and a quiet bustling from readers you are quickly equipped with a library card and introduced to the booking system (this will be the bit where every time a sketchbook is checked out, the artist is notified by email-I know it’s happened to me!).

With 2 books at a time we each ooh and awww our way through a world of creative thoughts, questions and humour that to respond relevant themes. An hour is not long enough! I could have easily spent a good 3-4 hours lost in this heavenly world of sketched, collaged, painted, stuck, cut stories and still not managed to view a fraction of the collection.

Sneak peak at wealth of inspirational variety - cut and stick

It is an amazing achievement to have people from ALL OVER the world contribute to a travelling piece of art. A piece of art that is, in fact, something you can touch, embrace, and even in some sketchbooks draw or write into! The variety, scale of individuality and astonishing love that The Sketchbook Project Tour is made with is quite overwhelming.

Stunning rework of Sketchbook function and process by Tamar Kasparian

Would I recommend a visit? HELL YEAH!
Would I recommend being part of the collection?YEAH - DON’T MISS OUT!

What are you waiting for? Sign up to next year’s project now!

Today is the last day of the London tour (19th Oct 2012) but they are a permanent feature in the New York Library. Totally justifies a trip to The Big Apple!

More About Art House (Sketchbook Project Founders)

Art House is an independent Brooklyn-based company that organizes global, collaborative art projects. Our flagship endeavor is the Sketchbook Project: an evolving library that features more than 18,000 artists' books contributed by creative people from 130+ countries. We also operate the Brooklyn Art Library, our storefront exhibition space in the heart of Williamsburg, as a home for all of our projects. Read more from website

You can also see more of Geek Heathers involvement in other interesting Art House creative projects here
 

Sometimes it’s just easier to draw a quick sketch to communicate my message…actually I do this lots. I doodle when I’m on the phone, that impulsive, unscripted gunk that oozes from my inner-creative being. Doodling does fascinate me…it’s not particularly skilful, and everyone can do it really...yep everyone doodles! 

Carrie Lewis

Martina Scott

(dontaed to wasted art gallery by Geek Debbie)

I’ve always been drawn to illustrative, doodling artists and products (no pun intended-but I’m keeping it in here!). I’ve collected a few find over the years and thought it’d be worth collating into a blog post.

L Filipe dos Santos

(doodled by me on my heart geekheartsaday 365 mission)

I’ll also invite you to scan/photograph your doodles (less effort the better=more points for your sharing!) and upload to my wasted art campaign gallery on our geekadoodledo page.
 

A few doodle related links:

http://www.deardoodlediary.com/

google doodles

http://ilovedoodle.com/

I'm not impressed with all of that wordcloud nonsense, but this sort of stuff just blows me away. The patience, precision just oozes elegance to me…what do you think?

I'm certainly dribbling anyway - thanks to the wonder that is Charis Tsevis...

http://www.tsevis.com/

Celebrating that geekhearts now has 20 geeks in the famo, I'm sharing a superdooper 20x design projects created by Jason Munn. I love his work because of his beautufl, simple-but--ohso-clever approach and well-executed designs. This project is a bit old now, but one of my faves and also well-related to the current 30 days of creativity that a few geeks are taking part in...

Article about the Insound 20 project here

More from Jason Munn here

It’s impossible to avoid the Olympics now, I mainly give a passing nod or a grunt when reading an opinionated article slating the Wolff Olins logo creation.

I’m comforted by the fact that like most flippant creatives, I change my mind like the weather – and I can like and dislike designs from one day to the next, fall-in and out of love with artistic styles again and again...but I’m really struggling to be persuaded into really enjoying our 2012 London Olympics logo. Even more so when I look back with envy at well executed and clever Olympic designs from the past.

So what do you think of our London Olympics 2012 logo?
What is your faviourite Olympics logo/identity and have you got any cool olympic related art to share?

I'll share my choices and some of my Olympic eye-candy finds...

First place - Mexico 1978 (designed by Lance Wyman):

Second - Montreal 1976 (designed by designed by Georges Huel and Pierre-Yves Pelletier)

Close Third - Munich 1972 (designed by Otl Aichher):

CR has a fab article discussion of the handful of classic designs in comparison to the 2012 Olypics logo here and I stumbled on a few intresting articles and images too:

CR Olympic Pictograms

 CR Olympic Movement posters

 David Airey

Olympic poster (that I do like!)

Other interesting related imagery:

(btw if you didn't know I'm a ridulous Helovon fan, artist responsible for 2012 paraolympics posters)