Monday, March 14, 2011

Inspirational Quote of The Week

"It is no disgrace to start all over. It is usually an opportunity"- George Matthew Adams

Friday, March 11, 2011

Top 10 PANTONE Colors for Women’s Fashion -Spring 2011

"The Top 10 Pantone Colours have been announced by The Pantone Color Institute, which have cited exotic destinations like Africa, India, Peru and Turkey as the inspiration for spring 2011. The buzz words in colour for Spring 2011 are ‘optimistic’ and ‘exotic’. The colours are all very wearable positive uplifting colours which I’m sure any fashion conscious person would be happy to introduce to their everyday outfits.

The Pantone Colour Institute came to the conclusion of these colours by surveying the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond. The Pantone Color Institute has also noted that the reason the designers are using these colours is to “satisfy consumers’ need to escape everyday challenges with intriguing color combinations that transport them to foreign lands”.Understandably, the key position goes to none other than the rose/magenta mix called Honeysuckle, which was named the Colour to go to for 2011.

There are 10 key colors on Pantone’s new list, including a vivid sky-blue called Regatta (18-4039) and a warm orange named Coral Rose (16-1349). A bright mustard-hue known as Beeswax (14-0941) and sea foam tone Peapod (14-6324) round out the top 5."

For more fashion forecasts, click here.

http://www.pantone.com

Source: Pantone, Inc.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Are you ready to promote your art & design?

How many times have you been at a function and someone has said, “ So... you are an artist”

How do you respond to that?

Or what about this one?

You're at a party and someone expresses that they love art, and that they collect.

What would you do? What would you say?

Would you say that each of these two events are an opportunity for you to show, or to promote your art?

So what could you do differently next time?

Here's a few ideas...

Cool business cards featuring your art work:

A business card is a must if you're serious about your art & design business. Always carry them with you too. Where ever you go. Your card is an ideal showcase for your art. And it's a great way to always ensure your work will always in front people too. For cost effectiveness you can just print enough cards for a few months, and you can do another print run for new art or your next exhibition. Remember to keep your branding consistent and just change your art work as you wish.

Image from Beyond Paradise Studio

Post cards size or DL size cards featuring your art work:

DL sized cards are another great way to promote your art, your latest collection, or your most recent artworks. Have them in your bag and take them with you where ever you go. you'll never know when you'll have an opportunity to hand it out to people who want to know more about what you do. Or perhaps even pop them on notice boards that you pass, or leave them in with other post cards those post card stands dotted around. Your DL card should have your "artist statement", a short "bio", and a contact point so your fans to connect with you.

Postcard Image from UrbanCincy

DL size card. Image from Art Re-source

Mini portfolio:

A small photo album. Just throw it in your bag or pocket. You can whip it out when someone asks about your work. All you have to do is print out a few of your images and crop them for the book. Even a photo envelope would work, if you wanted something cheaper. You could also print out a portfolio booklet from http://www.blurb.com. They're inexpensive to produce and the quality of the booklet is brilliant.

Image from Rhodia Drive

Images from Blurb- Mini photo book

High Technology solution:

Invest in an iPad (or other similar, suitable mobile device). Create a folder with your best digital images, load it up, and when someone asks... show them. these sort of are designed to display content... and there’s no reason that content couldn’t be your art!

Image from Snibbe.com

Image from New York Art

So the next time you're at a function or at a party, or even just out... You'll be prepared...

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Finders Keepers Designer Market Dates for 2011

Next Market:

Melbourne Markets

The Melbourne Markets are back for 2011! The Autumn/Winter 2011 Markets will be held at Shed4 in Docklands on March 26th & 27th.

Sydney held at CarriageWorks:
Autumn/Winter - Friday 20th & Saturday 21st May
Spring/Summer - Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd December

Brisbane held at The Old Museum:
Autumn/Winter - Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd July
Spring/Summer - Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th November

For application details please head here.

http://www.thefinderskeepers.com

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Close Up Interview with Photographer & Translator -Monica Li

Monica Li

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

I am a full-time student studying Bachelor of Arts at Monash University, majoring in Chinese Translation and English as an International Language. I am also the Secretary and PR/Marketing Manager at Monash Photography Club.

Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?

Life. As Ruth Bernhard once said, “If you are not interested in life, then photography has no meaning.”

Where do you get your inspiration from when you're taking photographs?

The moment. I believe a good photo is produced when the photographer is inspired and touched by a certain moment, and has the passion to capture it.

What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?

Perfectionist, funny, smart, kind, thoughtful

Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?

Hmmm… Does a voluntary position at the Monash Photography Club count? Well, after joining the committee I participated a lot in club activities and since met a lot of talented photographers who inspire and amaze me.

As an creative artist, what is your biggest frustration?

When I cannot please MYSELF. As mentioned above, I am a helpless perfectionist, and for me, sometimes it’s not others that I find hard to please, but rather myself. I am surrounded by extremely supportive family and friends, who always encourage me no matter what I do. But sometimes I find myself being not so supportive to myself and obsessing over a few details, and I get frustrated really quickly lol

Tell us about how you prioritise your work.

At the moment I have to prioritise university work over my photography projects, which isn’t as bad as it sounds (I hope), because this way photography is left as a treat for me, but not some kind of project with a deadline (don’t you hate that word?). And based on experience, photo outings in a hurry or under pressure NEVER ends well.

Tell us about the project you are working right now with ArtSHINE?

Right now I am working on a coffee table book with ArtSHINE and Quantum Compass. Vinh has picked out some wonderful inspirational quotes, and I’m providing the inspirational photos ;) And I believe we all have something very exciting to look forward to!

ArtSHINE's Inspirational Quote Book

Tell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?

All of my friends are an artist in some way. Needless to say I have lots of friends who are photographers (professionals and amateurs), and my best friend from high school Julia designs fashion! She makes most of her clothes herself, how cool is that?

Monica & Friend Julia

What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions

“ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?

Hmmm… I still want to pick up my French =P And of course travel the world! Who doesn’t want to do that =)

What is your proudest moment so far?

1. When Vinh asked me to collaborate with him on the ArtSHINE coffee table book =)

2. When I won 1^st Prize at the Home-Economics Victoria Food Design Challenge

3. When I met Shaun Tan at a very small film festival and got his autograph along with a little doodle!!!

ArtSHINE's Inspirational Quote Book

Who do you most want to meet and why?

Ahh, I’m too greedy, I want to say Joshua Radin and Nigel Slater. Both because they are so unbelievably sensual and passionate about what they do. Radin touches me through his music and Slater through his words. I can’t even begin to describe how and what I feel about these two gorgeous men, if I do attempt, we’ll be here all day lol

What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?

I’m currently going through my second time of “Toast” by Nigel Slater, I would recommend this book to everyone who loves food and life. Shaun Tan’s “The Bird King and Other Sketches” is breath-taking. And Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory”.