Detailed Beauty

We've all seen about a gazillion wedding invites, but Erin Jang does it like no one else. Her attention to detail is painfully gorgeous, and the southwest theme shown below is like nothing I've ever seen. It is fresh and clean, two attributes I never associate with southwest graphics, and the colors are tasteful and charming. This is an excellent example of taking 2 things that seem overdone and creating something unique and beautiful.




:: Discovered via Kate Arend's Tweets

Painfully Well Design Stationery

13th Street "Stationery of Horror" by Jacques Pense is probably one of the best identities I've ever seen. Makes so much sense it hurts my brain, or it is the bloody graphics? Either way, this piece blows my freaken mind.







:: Discovered via Boing Boing

Integrity Spirits' Strong Identity

I had earlier posted Integrity Spirits' packaging, and just stumbled across Jared Milam's portfolio on Behance which contains the identity. I now understand why the packaging was so beautiful as it stems from this incredibly strong and thoughtful identity. The logo channels the mythos of the founders of Integrity Spirits, Rich and Kieran. They are life-long friends, yin and yang, and are unified by their passionate commitment to the distillation of spirits. All the printed materials reflect the hand-crafted quality of the product, in one color, letterpressed and hand applied labels for personalization. The hand applied labels also echo the security seal placed over the caps of their vodka and gin bottles. Make sure to check out more of Jared Milam's work by visiting his portfolio site.

Playful by Pablo Alfieri

I was quite pleased to see some new work from my fellow Behancer, Pablo Alfieri. His business cards are truly inspiring, making me rethink mine and longing for simplicity that really catches the eye. He used several printing techniques to achieve this look, including bas-relief, stamping, and stamping foils. 

:: Discovered via Behance

in•vita paper studio

These lovely cards were created by in•vita paper studio and are simply the cutest illustrations I've seen in a while. The color usage is refreshing and well balanced, while the typography is elegant and somewhat traditional. Make sure you get yours before they're all gone!

I Love Cooking (single card) – printed on 4.25 x 5 and comes with A2 pool color envelope.
Holiday Happy Trees (set of 8)– printed on 4.25 x 5 and comes paired with a coordinating khaki envelope.
Let's Get Together Sometime (single card) – printed on 4.25 x 5 and comes with A2 khaki envelope.
Thank You (set of 6) – printed on 3.5 x 5 and comes with blue 4Bar envelope.
Hello (set of 6) – printed on 4.25 x 5, blank of the inside, comes with matching grey A2 envelope.

Mixed Tapes, Vol 1 (set of 6) – printed on 3.5 x 5 and comes with curry yellow 4Bar envelope.

Present & Correct

Present & Correct AKA P&C is a lovely online store from London that makes paper goods from "small" materials with powerful results — think tin foil and cereal boxes mixed in a way that reminds you why you wanted to become a designer in the first place and inspires you to look at your own surroundings to create new work from existing everyday objects. Their wide variety of handmade goods, vintage items and work by designers from all over the world can be purchased and viewed online to bring joy to your desks, walls, friends and children.

Mr. Boddington's Studio: Stationery that Leaves a Mark

Mr. Boddington's Studio was established on Wall Street and operates as a beacon of old world values and modernity. Their "couture" correspondence stain the hands of the recipient, leaving a distinct impression of the sender's identity, and everything in the studio operates under this very philosophy. I find their stationery quite inspirational and am fascinated by their patterns. The color usage is high in contrast, but quaint enough to look very classy. The use of typography is minimal and direct, optimizing its memorability.

The studio utilizes paper, textiles and ink from around the world to create distinctive correspondence for its clients, and all projects are designed in New York, while most printed is executed in Berkley and Maine. Make sure to check out their website.