I worked 22 hours this weekend...

I work at Publix, which I actually really love even though they practically own me on weekends.  So, I see a lot of products and different packaging designs go through my line.  I scan them, barely look at them, but every now and then something will catch my eye and I'll have to stop what I'm doing to admire it.

Interestingly enough, I think that the Publix brand itself has done a great job with their packaging.  The aluminum foil is one of the best.  They do such a great job of making their names and overall design very simple.  Usually just black and white with one color, and the product itself is always displayed but never in a dull way.  It's ridiculously creative to have the aluminum foil shaped like different animals.  Everyone has done that at one time or another, so to display that is just too adorable.

Here's a Publix brand version of Cheez-its which is just so cleverly designed!

Anyway, come visit Publix.  Check everything out. :]

Mr. Talbot, you'd be proud!

William Henry Fox Talbot created what is known as the photogram.  Although his process was far too complicated for me to even begin to comprehend, I made a few today using light sensitive paper.  The simple way of doing it was to place objects on the paper and expose it to light.  When the blue paper turned almost white, I took it back inside and placed in a tub of water for a few minutes.  After the paper dried, the background turned a dark blue, and where the objects were became white silhouetted images.

For the first, I used a few twigs and some leafs that I found outside.

For the second, I used a swirl pattern sticker of sorts and leaves.

And for the third, I used mesh ribbon, a bird sticker, and a button.

Though they didn't turn out perfect, I'm pretty impressed by the concept of a photogram.

Today, we took a scenic route to an adorable place!

Leiper's Fork.  So charming.  Where exactly did I go today, you ask?

A lovely old book store, Yeoman's Rare Books.

I found the tour to be very interesting.  I've always been fascinated by old houses, so just being in there was a treat.  It's funny, though; I absolutely hate history.

Anyway, so I picked up a brochure.

Now, tell me that is not the most creative brochure you've ever seen?! Did anyone else pick one up?  I had to have it, as soon as it caught my eye.  The little houses are just precious.  It's such an appropriate design for Leiper's Fork.  The brochure has just about as much charm as the place itself.

Laura Foote from Character Maps for Your Community did all of the drawings for the map and front of brochure.  Kudos to you, Laura.  Brochures are generally very boring to look at (in my opinion, at least), but this one it's really quite spectacular.

My friend Matthew came to visit me from Cookeville this weekend.  He is the web and media director for Tennessee Tech.  Needless to say, we have a lot in common.  He actually is one of the biggest reasons why I left Tech to come to O'More.  He told me he wished he could have done it, and that it would be perfect for me.

So, when he arrived, he brought me Gig Posters: Rock Show Art of the 21st Century by Clay Hayes of GigPosters.Com

AND I have to say... it's pretty stinkin' awesome.

I've looked through it several times in the last couple days, and there are two posters that really stand out to me.

First is a Pretty Girls Make Graves poster for a show on May 22, 2007.  What's really awesome about this book, is it gives you information about the artists who created these magnificent posters.  Robert Lee and Mark McDevitt of Methane Studios in Atlanta are the designers for this particular one.

I apologize for the rather obscene images, but I just couldn't pass up posting this.  It's just so cool.  I think it portrays the band's name really well, first of all.  Also, it's such a colorful design, which is perfect because they're music is as well: very upbeat, fun to listen and dance to.

The second poster is for Modest Mouse in Anaheim, California.  The designers involved are Paul Fucik, Geoff Peveto, Derrit DeRoun, and Ben Berry from The Decoder Ring in Austin Texas.  They have done numerous posters for Modest Mouse.  They wrote, "Those guys ...  have grown to be not just clients, but good friends over the years."  Though they all work differently, they love hand-rendered typography, which is very apparent in this design.

"The Good Times Are Killing Me" is the last track on Modest Mouse's Good News For People Who Love Bad News album.  "Float On" and "The Ocean Breathes Salty" are also on this CD, which are pretty much the only two songs that have ever gotten any radio play.  I love the band, so I'm pretty biased in my opinion on this, but I think it's one of their best albums.  So, anyway, that's why I found this so intriguing.  Aside from liking the band, the design itself is really interesting.  I love the skull within the lips; it's a clever play on the text.

I love the simplicity of both the Pretty Girl Make Graves and the Modest Mouse posters.  The stark white background and the burst of color(s) in the middle just really suck me in.