Happycentro is a studio begun in Verona, Italy in 1998. Their work always has something to say, relying heavily on experimentation and research. Their ability to strike beauty in odd materials and forms make Happycentro an entity to draw inspiration from time and again.

Sabadì is a brand that focuses on a typical sicilian method of making chocolate. The materials used come from Slow Food presidia with respect for small indigenous communities, the environment, and biodiversity.

The results are filled with personality and character. Included are six characters, six packages, and a crowner. What’s most attractive is the attention to detail relating to the relationship between the bars and their package. One often addresses the aesthetic of the package, making it achieve a goal of its own, and then addresses the goods within as a project in itself, making sure they too look quite nice. But the visual meshing of product and product packaging is where this piece is golden. The characters breathe, and their packaging comes alive. A fantastic job indeed.

Zim & Zou is a French graphic design studio based in Nancy (France). Composed of Lucie Thomas and Thibault Zimmermann who studied graphic design, they’re now working together to offer their services. The studio proposes a contemporary approach of design thanks to a mix of different fields such as paper sculpture, installation, graphic design, illustration, web design, etc. This typography series is a prime example of the mixture of mediums often found in Zim and Zou’s work. These letterforms are beautifully crafted using woven lines composed in geometric patterns.

Mekkanika is a typeface inspired by old mechanics technical drawings, the steampunk visual world, and modern machinery, mixed and merged all together to form letters completely made by these elements, creating a mechanical look like typeface. Intricate and complex, these pieces are worth exploring for more than just a few moments. Outside of the characters themselves, the surrounding layouts, particularly in the posters, are unique and inspiring with beautiful color choices and elements such as shadows and noise. Combined with the typography, these final pieces are worth admiring in more than one way.

This personal typography project by Charles Williams is certainly a fantastic piece to admire. What looks to initially be foam core board or a similar material, is transformed into strategically dissected segments. These segments, as they are raised and layered from the original board, create connecting forms that show off depth and initiate shadows while cohesively making for letterforms and sentence. The segments are diagonal in direction, and generally seem to be evenly cut in width. When complete, the composition shows off the statement “This Is Made Up.” Whether it’s immediately readable probably depends on the viewer. But regardless, the attention to detail and the application of color make this work something to stop and stare at.

Rosy Gorolova has created a masterful work of art with the Lemniscate series and typeface. I wouldn’t necessarily say that the way in which these letterforms are created is totally unique, but I will say that the meticulous detail in these lines is pretty incredible. The slight wavering of the lines in specific pieces, particularly the numbers, is really fascinating. It helps contrast the beautiful synchronization of the rest of the lines making up the majority. Lemniscate certainly evokes movement, liquidity, and evolution – three of the most fundamental notions in typography itself.

This series of work by Chris LaBrooy contains beautifully composed typography. Letterforms become architecture, while the architecture shapes the letterforms. With apparent inspiration rooted in found objects and imaginative material, and a keen sense of color, balance, and composition, we’re provided concepts for spaces that speak to us through our language while retaining their necessary function, that being shelter and various types of open and closed space.

It’s been just about a year since I started talking about redesigning Four Fifths Design. After two design concepts finished and then scratched, I stepped back to reassess the state of this blog. I wondered whether the stress of designing for myself was worth the effort. I definitely continue to draw readers. I definitely continue to find inspiring work to provide insight on. I see no reason not to continue with the idea of redesigning. But I, as a professional, realized I needed to make a face for myself first. I don’t have a portfolio online as of right now – at least one that’s up to date. Nor do I have a hub for people to access in order to contact me or follow me.

The New Blog…Err Site!

With that said I decided to kill two birds with one stone. I began, and have since finished designing a personal website. It’s going to include information on myself, my portfolio, and of course, this blog. I’m integrating Four Fifths Design into the site. It only made sense. But this time around, I haven’t procrastinated. In fact, the design of the site has been done for some time now and is in a development queue. It’s set launch date is January 1, 2012 (approximate).

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

So what’s going to change? Well, the concept remains the same: to provide inspiring work to my readers in order to get their imagination going, as well as introduce them to new names and faces in the design community. There will, however, be additions. Expect to see a lot more written articles. I’ve personally began writing a lot more of my own, marrying my thoughts with my work and keeping track of the processes in written form. I’ve also started writing for Inspired Magazine. Now that I’ve become heavily involved in web design (more so than a year ago), I’d like to share with my readers a more intimate look into my working life in order to hopefully help those following in my path.

Until Then…

For now, I’ll leave you first with a sneak peak at some shots from the new site design, particularly the blog portion of the site. I’ll also add some shots of my current works in progress…Want to see more? Head on over to Dribbble to see what I’ve been involved in recently. Or you can simply click on any of the images.

PIXELGALAXY is a book designed by Sergio Ingravalle that rediscovers the wonder of a childhood gadget that was more than just a toy. Its dedication: the Nintendo Gameboy. The content includes secrets of success, an overview of some of the Gameboy’s top games, and a particularly interesting look into the graphics. For my personal self, this is certainly a book of nostalgia. For others, this might be a much desired trip back to childhood. But for designers, including myself, this is pure inspiration.

The new French restaurant called PM24 has received an identity from CIP Creative that surpasses many in its industry in my opinion. The branding system here is not just for show – it’s engaging. Its design was meant to create a contemporary yet sophisticated bistro style that married all the print and signage throughout in one cohesive body. Take a look at this uncommon approach to restaurant style.

Skyrill has recently released the complete set of “Type Fluid,” an experimental project focusing on the elasticity and flexibility of typography by representing letterforms as if they were being created with liquid substances. See the full set of characters here.