Vintage Flower Seed Packaging from 1800's

I derive enormous inspiration from vintage anything, especially for the 1800's where the ornamentation and typography was so feminine and pretty. Designers weren't afraid of excessive decoration and it was simply a case of form following function as most design appears to be. I take the philosophy that we can add the function of visual pleasure to design, and add that little twinkle of joy and whimsy, for no other reason that it looks pretty.

Call me shallow, but I think that the world could do with some lightness and frippery to lighten the dramatic current affairs.

What better to bring the world joy that packets of flower seeds?

England, 1892. Via Jamaica Byles. via thedieline.com

If You Let Yourself Love a Wild Thing - Exhibition

via http://www.behance.net/muti

via http://www.behance.net/muti

via http://www.behance.net/muti

Intricately detailed, ancient looking illustrations of ficticious flora - "If You Let Yourself Love a Wild Thing" is A Group exhibition at Salon91, showcased on behance.com

Gary Fernández, Illustrator - Detail in simplicity

Image from jedroot.com ©Gary Fernández

Image from jedroot.com ©Gary Fernández

Image from jedroot.com ©Gary Fernández

Image from jedroot.com ©Gary Fernández

Image from jedroot.com ©Gary Fernández

Image from jedroot.com ©Gary Fernández

Gary Fernández, who divides his time between the USA and Spain, has been " perfecting detail in simplicity" throughout his illustration career.  "My work is about telling the same in a new way, in a kind of very personal way".

There is a surreal quality about his work and it has a distinctly spanish flavour, reminiscent of the prints and lithographs produced by Salvador Dali. The fluid organic shapes also bring to mind the work of architect, and spaniard, Anton Gaudi.

At the beginning of 2008 he published his first book project called “Introduction to Fantastic Girls, Future Landscapes & The Most Beautiful Birds Ever Seen”.

Gary spends his time trying to come up with new worlds full of detail beauty and imagination and has worked with Microsoft, Nokia, MTV, Nylon Japan, St. Martin’s Press, Coca-Cola, Honda, Volkswagen, Arcadia Group and Wordpress to name a few, and he has been featured in many books and magazines around the world.

Gary Fernández is represented by Jed Root, Inc and you can see the rest of his work online at jedroot.com

Enchanting Illustrative Inspiration

Images by British Illustrator Iain Macarthur

Somewhere over the rainbow

I have found the illustrators DREAM! 500 coloured pencils with the cutest and most fun names. Fancy creating coloured pencils and marketing them like beauty products? That's certainly going to get the creative juices flowing!

500pencils.socialdesigner.com

Swedish illustrator Cassandra Rhodin

Fashion illustration by Swedish illustrator
Cassandra Rhodin, [clothing label Mini Rodini]

Threw this in at the last minute for friday arfternoon inspiration.

Delightfully different illustration

From Up with Paper 

 

From Oren Haskings

 

Matt Forsythe - an illustrator and comic book artist living in Montreal.

 Blogger Drawn.ca. Author of Ojingogo, which is published by Drawn & Quarterly.

 

The founder and publisher of Pourquoi Pas? A Journal of Fashion Illustration (www.pqpmagazine.com). David Downton’s illustrations are featured prominently by stores including Browns, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Marks & Spencer, Saks Fifth Avenue, Selfridges, Tiffany & Co. and Topshop, in magazines such as Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Harpers & Queen, L’Officiel, Tatler and Vogue, and in publicity material for British Academy film awards.

Fashion Illustrator Aasha Ramdee.

From: Steven Moseley's Portfolio

Veronica Palmieri

Veronica Palmieri creates fashion and lifestyle illustrations with an easy charm, combining a light touch and optimistic feel.

Artist: Gavin Dobson

 

Freelance cartoonist, Chichi Parish

   

Pablolobo.com - Illustration Design Portfolio

I love the burlesque aesthetic, carnivals and circuses have a mysterious, faux glamour that lends itself to web design. I've compiled a selection of some great modern illustrators and artists that I feel have a unique and compelling illustrative style. If you are an llustrator and I have missed you, please add a comment and a link so myself and readers can see your work too.

Daily fix of chic style

I was flicking through the pages of the latest Madison and stumbled across the Victorian tourism campaign ad, which is a gorgeous watercolour illustration of all the best fashion stops throughout Melbourne (show above).

Because I used to design bits and bobs for Sex Kitten in Queensland (their new website is not my work) I am always curious when I see the word "kitten" and while curiousity killed the cat, kittens are another matter. So I saw Smitten Kitten on the map, did a google and low and behold, another treasure that took my fancy.

Smitten Kitten stock a range of flirty labels, along the lines of Chantal Thomass, as well as their own brand, Smitten Kitten.

Visit Smitten Kitten at smittenkitten.com.au

Boudoir and Burlesque Inspired Beauty Packaging

Burlesque is huuuge right now, and this includes beauty products. From precise matte 50's style make up to burlesque inspired packaging, girls are going silly over all things boudoir.

The Balm, sold at Sephora, has always has the aesthetic, but it is so hot right now...  especially Sexy Mama Blush, complete with vintage illustrated pin up girl and quilted bedhead. How I love padded upholstery.

Mac have release a stunning collection with such lush packaging...

 Poppy King has outdone herself with the Lipstick Queen range:

Welcome!

Welcome to my first post on Blossom's blog, the purpose of which is to share inspiration with you regarding all things to do with beauty, fashion, design and so on. I get asked a lot where I get ideas and design inspiration, so I thought I'd better put it down in a blog.

I run a business called Blossom Graphic Design that caters to small businesses run mainly by women, in feminine industries. I am obsessive about packaging and all beauty products, cosmetics, colour, furniture, fashion, jewellery and lingerie. Join me as I explore my passion in this new blog, offering business tips for small businesses, web promotion tips, an insight into the world of Blossom, where lovely objects are reinterpreted as websites and logo designs.

Today's inspiration begins with posting what's on my studio wall...

Found this gorgeous site: http://www.goyard.com/goyard.html which has the most lovely illustration and animation - simple, chic and very french. Reminds me of the work I did for La Vie Cherie

More inspiration for colour palettes:

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.” Gore Vidal