- - - - - - - - - - - - - L’OFFICE OPTIMISTE - - - - - - - - - - - - -

the tiger's face

2012-01-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

Love this series of paintings from Nicholas Stevenson. "In these paintings I am attempting to recreate one of my favourite sensations. The unnamed feeling you get from spotting a distant object on a beach, looking more bewildering and terrifying as you stroll towards it. Old boat? Driftwood? Giant Squid? Body? Or maybe the sensation of looking in to an empty cage at the zoo; the sign with the latin name is present, so something must be in there somewhere, but where?"

2012-01-09T11:49:00.000-05:00

Inside United Nations

design with the other 90%

2012-01-09T11:43:00.001-05:00

Design with the Other 90% exhibition presented by Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum closes today at the United Nations. The exhibit features sixty projects, proposals, and solutions that address the complex issues arising from the unprecedented rise of informal settlements in emerging and developing economies. It will continue online where visitors can interact with ideas and contribute their own through the Other 90% Network. Above: Floating Community Lifeboats in Bangladesh / Incremental Housing in Chile / Spaza-de-Move-on in South Africa

(for)war(d) together

2012-01-03T10:21:00.000-05:00

I've had this postcard since a bookmaking class in college. The professor littered each table with old postcards and papers to collage into handmade books. I saved this one from the scissors: "Forward Together," Conservative party conference 1980. We saw The Iron Lady over the holiday weekend — Meryl Streep was brilliant.

2011-12-31T13:16:00.002-05:00

Eva Zeisel, ceramic artist and designer died on Friday in New City, N.Y. She was 105. The New York Times notes: "Ms. Zeisel (pronounced ZY-sel), along with designers like Mary and Russel Wright and Charles and Ray Eames, brought the clean, casual shapes of modernist design into middle-class American homes with furnishings that encouraged a postwar desire for fresh, less formal styles of living." Photos from a 2007 New York Magazine article about Eva.

2011-12-19T16:10:00.002-05:00

2011-12-07T13:13:00.001-05:00

Yuki's Amazing Christmas Shop at KIOSK

2011-12-05T16:33:00.001-05:00

New site for L'Office Optimiste with studio work and store!

2011-12-02T17:39:00.000-05:00

Milton Glaser's AIGA/NY talk last night was one of the best lectures I've seen in quite a few years. I only wish he had told some of his jokes!

2011-11-09T19:02:00.000-05:00

"Just believe in the act of making."

2011-10-26T15:15:00.000-04:00

This is a stunning example of tactile typography. Dominique Falla, the designer of the poster, details her process here.

2011-10-20T14:34:00.000-04:00

It was a huge inspiration to see Karel Martens at the beginning of September. AIGA/NY has the video archive on Vimeo.

2011-08-19T13:18:00.001-04:00

Back from a trip to Aroostook County, Maine where we visited family, picked wild blueberries and hazelnuts, took early morning drives, canoed on the lake and went to some killer bonfires.

2011-07-08T15:11:00.000-04:00

I scored these sweet old silkscreen bumper stickers for The Great State of Maine over the holiday weekend. Lucky for ME. these never made it onto someone's bumper.

2011-06-14T00:04:00.043-04:00

I'm excited to own one of Juliet Gorman's ceramic bead necklaces. I first saw her work at a holiday sale this past year and regretted not buying one of the few necklaces she had for sale. All photos are from Juliet's flickr page.

2011-06-02T09:38:00.002-04:00

It's the final week of Kevin's solo show, Home in the Weeds. I continue to be amazed and inspired by his imagination, his ambition, and his excitement.

2011-05-27T15:38:00.001-04:00

Looking through some San Francisco shots: An etching by Clare Rojas for the Southern Exposure Art Auction / Hand painted signage in The Mission / California poppies / Haircuts by Rita in Pescadero

2011-05-09T18:37:00.001-04:00

I'm happy to be back in New York after working in San Francisco for a few weeks. It was a mostly working trip, but I did venture out to visit a few shops I've only checked out electronically. The General Store, in Outer Sunset, has a great mix of goods some of which is by local artisans and craftspeople. One of the best parts was the greenhouse in their backyard built by Jesse Schlesinger.

2011-04-14T13:46:00.002-04:00

I've been thrilled with the response to the "Please Inflate" save-the-dates! I'm usually focused with getting everything assembled and mailed out, but remembered to snap some photos before mailing these pieces out.

2011-03-17T10:20:00.002-04:00

My friend Shoko, launched BEKKO CANDY to raise money for people suffering in the aftermath of 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami. All of the proceeds will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

● + / support japan

2011-03-14T11:25:00.000-04:00

Max Erdenberger, a designer at Wieden + Kennedy in Portland, Oregon, created this brilliantly simple screenprinted poster to help send Japan relief. You can choose how much you want to donate in exchange for the poster, starting at $25. via Good

♥ ♥ ♥

2011-02-11T12:07:00.000-05:00

Valentine images from NYPL Digital Gallery

hope gangloff

2011-02-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

Hope Gangloff's work is stunning and high on my list of "I wish I owned a piece by..." She has a show, opening tonight, at Susan Inglett Gallery and a solo museum exhibition at The Aldrich Museum. I can't wait to see them both.

flowers inside

2011-01-27T10:57:00.000-05:00

More snow in New York today! Schools are closed, airports are delayed, sidewalks are slowly shoveled, and the flowers are safely inside.

real simple weddings

2011-01-24T20:55:00.000-05:00

"Literally take their breath away with a balloon that blows up to reveal event details." I'm absolutely elated to be included in the 2011 issue of Real Simple Weddings!

2011-01-19T20:01:00.000-05:00

Bad Day is a quarterly arts and culture magazine based out of Toronto. It was founded in 2007, but I only discovered it a year ago at McNally Jackson. Its minimal design and use of a single spot color are so incredibly refreshing; interviews are interesting; and some issues come with a limited edition supplement.

pure beauty

2011-01-10T22:21:00.000-05:00

John Baldessari: Pure Beauty closed at The Met yesterday. Here's a great little video produced by Tate Media for anyone who missed the show.

martha stewart weddings winter 2011

2011-01-03T20:35:00.001-05:00

"Please Inflate" save-the-dates were featured in Martha Stewart Weddings Winter 2011 issue (on news stands now!). I'm thrilled to be included among the other amazing save-the-dates. Thank you to everyone at MSW for including the balloons!

best of fpo 2010

2010-12-31T16:27:00.000-05:00

Thank you Bryony and Armin for posting our save-the-date as one of FPO's Best of 2010! It is kind of crazy that our little invites are listed alongside the other amazing projects of 2010. And, anyone interested in reproducing their own version, can contact me here.

2010-12-23T19:05:00.000-05:00

2010-12-22T13:25:00.000-05:00

These handmade ornaments used to be my grandmother's. They're made with felt, embroidery thread, sequins and have so much personality. The owl is my favorite!

2010-11-17T13:44:00.001-05:00

I took home a beautiful handmade book from Jane & Jeremy a few weekends ago at the New York Art Book Fair. It includes reprints of polaroids taken across Europe and is impeccably made!

2010-11-03T17:56:00.000-04:00

Paris versus New York, a visual tally of two cities by Vahram Muratyan. Brilliant.

2010-10-13T21:54:00.000-04:00

I spend a lot of time designing on the computer (a lot!), so it's always rewarding to make something with my hands. I took some bright sheets of origami paper I had in the studio, folded each diagonally and started cutting. I really like how a few of them came out!

fall flowers

2010-10-11T23:20:00.000-04:00

Mums from Stew Leonard's in Danbury, Connecticut. Also home of apple cider donuts!

how ink is made

2010-10-04T21:11:00.001-04:00

I think my love of "how-to videos" stems from watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood as a kid. Does anyone remember his visit to the crayon factory? This video, produced by Vepo Studios, documents the art and science behind mixing inks at The Printing Ink Company.

2010-09-22T10:45:00.001-04:00

New project on L'Office Optimiste! Sharon & Jeffrey Stroll's wedding materials included an electronic save-the-date, website, invitation system, programs, reception cards, table numbers, and thank you cards.

2010-09-17T15:37:00.000-04:00

It's Nice That is the printed publication from the design blog of the same name. Founded in April 2007, the online platform covers a wide range of work from across the creative industry, predominantly graphic design, illustration, film and photography. Issue #2 will be on show as part of the Designs of the Year exhibition at the Design Museum in London until October.

●/■ director site

2010-09-15T17:31:00.000-04:00

Quite a few months ago, I helped launch a site for New York based filmmaker, Adam Neustadter. His work is aesthetically striking and follows an interesting narrative with either a solemn strength or comic wit. I just noticed a new short piece for SURF NYC that makes me wish it was summer all over again.

2010-09-10T10:27:00.000-04:00

There are a ton of openings + Fashion's Night Out events tonight. I'm heading to the non-fashion people's version at Partners & Spade. Kevin's die cast vans are part of the new exhibit and an event with VENA CAVA. Opening reception September 10 from 6 to 8:30pm.

$100 million to human rights watch

2010-09-08T12:45:00.002-04:00

Yesterday George Soros, philanthropist and financier, announced a challenge grant of $100 million over 10 years to Human Rights Watch. "Human Rights Watch is one of the most effective organizations I support," said Soros. "Human rights underpin our greatest aspirations: they're at the heart of open societies." Invest in Human Rights.

Above: Human Rights Watch annual report I designed a few years ago was featured in Graphis 100 Best Annual Reports 2010

buzzard's bay > brooklyn

2010-09-06T20:23:00.014-04:00

Back in New York after an incredible week in Cape Cod. I returned with a few small souvenirs, a lifetime of memories, and a husband.

Penny pressed in Provincetown / Vintage postcard from Wellfleet flea market / Cape Cod Beach Blonde Ale / Jenny's mug

2010-08-05T12:22:00.004-04:00

From a recent trip to Habu Textiles, a studio / showroom with an amazing selection of Japanese textiles and yarns.

2010-07-20T07:22:00.007-04:00

One of my favorite art pieces is now on view at Mixed Greens Gallery, 531 West 26 Street New York, NY 10001. July 15–August 20, 2010.

2010-06-14T10:45:00.004-04:00

I'm spending a bit of time in front of my sewing machine this week. With a giant box of 1" paper squares that I cut last week, I'm making 50ft. paper garland. 50ft.!

2010-06-04T15:07:00.002-04:00

ny ♥ you

2010-06-02T17:38:00.002-04:00

UP THERE from The Ritual Project on Vimeo. There are certain things I hope never disappear from our culture. This is one of them.

2010-06-01T10:45:00.005-04:00

Marina Abramović concluded one of her longest performance pieces to date at 5pm yesterday. Since her retrospective opened at MoMA in March 2010, Marina has sat on a wooden chair for seven hours a day, six days a week gazing intently at nearly 1,500 visitors. Some participants sat across from her for 1 minute another sat for 420 minutes. MoMA has cataloged participant portraits in a Flickr set.

2010-04-07T08:08:00.004-04:00

Our save the dates were featured on FPO: For Print Only

2010-03-24T12:38:00.005-04:00

If I lived in San Francisco this would be a ritual. The first Sunday of every month, the Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Fair takes place at the former Alameda Point Naval Air Station in Alameda, California with over 800 vendors. They 'require' that all sold items are at least twenty years old which means...no tube socks!! Unless they're from the 1980s? If you're in the area at the beginning of the month, go see!

2010-03-23T10:09:00.006-04:00

paper goods + masking tape from UGUISU SHOTEN: online shop for japanese goodies.

2010-02-22T14:19:00.003-05:00

Happy mail day today.

2010-02-08T11:52:00.010-05:00

Invitation and reply card for Sharon & Jeffrey's wedding. More images to follow!

2010-01-11T09:08:00.002-05:00

Herb & Dorothy is a gem of a film about Herbert and Dorothy Vogel who have been meticulously collecting and buying art for over thirty years. In the early 1960s, when little attention was paid to Minimalist and Conceptual Art, Herb and Dorothy began purchasing the works of then unknown artists on a postal clerk salary. Herb & Dorothy provides a unique chronicle of the world of contemporary art from two unlikely collectors, whose shared passion and discipline defines stereotypes and redefines what it means to be a patron of the arts.

2009-12-30T18:55:00.010-05:00

I recently came across the work of Scott Barry / Bott Scarry / Sacred Mtn.

2009-12-29T07:32:00.003-05:00

Images from a recent printing at The Arm. Floral Firearm is a 3-color, 8" x 10" print in an edition of 50.

2009-12-28T07:31:00.003-05:00

work on paper by Louis Reith

2009-12-28T07:29:00.002-05:00

It has been a busy couple of weeks and with the holiday behind us, I'm looking forward to welcoming twenty ten!

2009-12-14T07:07:00.002-05:00

New shop + new items — holiday cards! All cards are 7" x 5" horizontal blank cards letterpress printed on Crane's Lettra fluorescent white paper. Printed in three colors — gold, red and charcoal gray — and paired with an A7 gravel gray envelope.

2009-12-10T22:27:00.008-05:00

Lace images that came from either NYPL or ffffound.

2009-12-09T22:47:00.010-05:00

We're subscribers to K's hometown newspaper, The St. John Valley Times. My favorite section is POLICE BLOTTER which includes daily entries from the Madawaska Police Department. A couple of months ago I decided to print one of the best entries I have ever seen.

tree stand

2009-12-08T22:40:00.002-05:00

1900's cast iron Christmas tree stand. Thanks ebay.

2009-12-07T22:32:00.007-05:00

I recently completed a holiday e-card for a client. Here are a few stills — see the animated version here.

2009-12-04T07:07:00.005-05:00

paper cuttings from the studio

2009-12-03T07:08:00.003-05:00

Miami art fairs are fully underway today; both Art Basel + Aqua Art Fair are up from December 3-6. I'm not able to go this year, but if you're in town for the fairs check out White Walls at Aqua Art Fair (Booth 50). Kevin sent four new vehicle paintings (above is my favorite!) More of Kevin's work here: www.kevincyr.net

2009-12-01T07:18:00.002-05:00

2009-11-30T18:50:00.005-05:00

Even thrift stores have black friday sales. K + I are collecting some dishware for a summer event and I took home 8 of these rose glasses at 50% off an already crazy cheap price.

2009-11-20T07:09:00.004-05:00

2009-11-19T12:12:00.003-05:00

Artist and wife of Christo died today in a New York hospital at the age of 74. The Associated Press notes: "The two artists met in Paris in 1958 and have been collaborating for 51 years on temporary public arts projects. The family statement said Christo was deeply saddened by his wife's death but was 'committed to honor the promise they made to each other many years ago: that the art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude would continue.'"

2009-11-19T10:34:00.006-05:00

Check out this invitation for the inaugural show at Prism, a new Los Angeles project space. Three super thick kraft boards tuck into a fold-out poster sleeve with clear & black foil stamping and four-color images from both Philip Frost and Barry McGee. Very cool. mindthegap, curated by P.M. Tenore, is up through February 20th. Images from the opening via Notcot.

2009-11-11T13:25:00.005-05:00

I've been working on patterns lately for a series of prints and note cards. All will be letterpress printed shortly!

2009-11-11T13:24:00.004-05:00

Hand-painted hip flask from Kit Paulson.

2009-11-10T12:52:00.004-05:00

I visited Toronto for the first time recently where I discovered the work of Jamiyla Lowe at Magic Pony. After seeing her 'Cat Show' window display, I was excited to take home one of the silkscreen prints it was based on.

2009-11-09T12:07:00.007-05:00

Tin (or aluminum) is the traditional gift for a tenth year anniversary. Although, we weren't celebrating a wedding anniversary, I gave my longtime boyfriend (now fiance) a tintype portrait to celebrate our tenth year together. And, the following pair I bought for myself.

Erin and Nicole from Bird and Banner shared their anniversary ideas a couple of weeks ago on Design*Sponge. I'm a big fan of their work and especially like these ideas:

two years: cotton

four years: fruit / floral
five years: wood

2009-11-09T10:00:00.006-05:00

These prints, dating from the mid-1920s, are just a few textile designs from the New York Public Library Digital Gallery. Between the color combination and graphic shapes, I can't stop staring.

2009-11-06T13:06:00.008-05:00

i can't say that optimism is top of mind when i'm taking NYC subway lately, but finding this on the back of my card did make me smile. as did these HALF FULL / HALF EMPTY posters by Because Studio.

2009-11-05T18:21:00.012-05:00

I connected with the founder of Explore Kibera Tours through Designism Connects, Causes & Creatives for Social Change. EKT is a social tourism project designed to raise awareness about the Kibera slum community in Nairobi, Kenya. They offer safe walking tours and reinvestment all profits back into the community by hiring local staff, supporting local development projects, and bringing a stream of demand to local craft makers. Their new identity was inspired by the unique charm of a fascinating place with raw eye-opening yet encouraging experiences.

2009-11-05T17:59:00.007-05:00

I bought my first bunch of vintage hankies at Marché aux Puces de Clignancourt in Paris. After searching through piles of lace and dainty floral patterns, I found some embroidered figures & geometric gems.

2009-11-05T14:48:00.004-05:00

I've decided to start this small blog to post projects that I'm working on, catalog things I'm collecting, and share daily inspirations. Hope you enjoy!