Nacho Alegre created these fantastic designs by photographing glasses of coloured water. I love how the patterns take on unique details and texture because of the different facets at the bottom of each glass. Such a clever idea!

(via this is colossal)

I love how Gold Panda (one of the best band names ever by the way) have used colour in their new music video. Filmed while the band was on tour in countries such as India, Germany and Israel, the video features the people and places met along the way. Director Ronni Shendar hoped to “simply focus on people and the notion of something shared, regardless of place, situation or climate zone.” I love how colourful lanterns become the symbol for what is shared – linking each person through the sparkling objects. In a sea of mindless, product placement laden music videos, it is inspiring to see a video that feels humble and hopeful. Everyday life is infused with vibrant pops of colour that unite us all and the result is a beautiful mini film.

(thanks to music guru Mélanie for the inspiration!)

This illustration by the super talented Spanish illustrator Pablo Amargo made me laugh. Pablo’s work is always clever, smart and wonderfully designed. I don’t think I will look at cows the same way again!

(image via shirotokuro)

Coloured smoke bombs exploding in nature seems to have become somewhat of a photography trend lately. While there are plenty of images and techniques out there, I don’t think many compete with the stunning work of artist Filippo Minelli. Filippo’s ongoing Silence/Shapes series features brilliantly coloured smoke against peaceful almost generic nature backdrops. The final result is spellbinding scenes with striking juxtaposition of colour that I could stare at for hours. Hoping there are prints of these gorgeous photographs available soon or I might have to continue researching smoke bomb building!

(thanks for the link Catriana!)

I just love the street art of Spanish artist Nuria Mora. Her unique geometric designs and nature-inspired illustrations have revitalized abandoned, deteriorating or soulless surfaces in cities all over the world including Cairo, Madrid, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. I love how she works with the shapes or character of the exterior so her designs seamlessly integrate (take a look at how she “grows” the blue leaves out of that beautiful but ignored blue tile.) As you can see from my many posts on the topic, I am so inspired by those who bring art to buildings and areas that have been sadly neglected. It truly brings colour and personality to a neighbourhood and I can only imagine how inspired residents must feel when a bright Nuria Mora piece pops up.

(images via unurth, albert de pedro & guillermo de la madrid)

Vancouver origami master Joseph Wu is one of my favourite artists and his new piece, A Tear for Japan, is yet another beautiful paper creation. This piece is a work in progress and you can watch it evolve here. Just as it is, I love the simplicity and strength evoked. Showing a tear shed for Japan but also a symbol of hope as the tear is small in comparison to the powerful and bright red rising sun.

(via upon a fold)

It is hard to believe that only a week has gone by since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan took place. With every horrifying image that emerges, it is hard to think of much else. The only positive that has come to light is not only the courage and resolve of Japan but the support issued by people all over the world. Over at poppytalk, I read about University of British Columbia students who are selling paper origami cranes to raise money for Japan aid. Cranes are a symbol of good luck and legend has it that if one folds a thousand cranes, they will be granted a wish. With a similar passionate wish for Japan’s recovery in mind, I made this week’s colour me happy theme the intricate and beautiful art of origami. Learn more about the UBC crane project and other ways to aid Japan here.

(images via bethan phillips, gregoire alexandre, christine, sipho mabona, dasa severova, andrea russo, bohemian summer, roman diaz, fumiaki kawahata, burda style, lisa occhipinti, t, style me pretty)

I guess I am a little obsessed with modern embroidery lately. The work of Japanese-born and now Winnipeg-based artist Takashi Iwasaki crosses all areas of art including painting and illustration but it is his hand embroidery on canvas creations that I just love. The playful abstract shapes, bold bright colours and magnificent attention to detail are incredible. Have you ever seen anything embroidered like this before? Such beautiful, unique and handcrafted work.

These photos are a year or so old but I find myself returning to stare at them almost weekly so I thought I would make my obsession official by posting them here! Most perfume ads are pretty boring – either still shots of the perfume bottle or some variation of a beautiful model or celebrity living a fabulous, good-smelling life. For the launch of the Marc Jacobs Lola perfume, photographer Joshua Scott wanted to break that mould and simply capture the essence of the perfume. As Joshua has said, “we designed a series of images to represent intangible qualities the perfumes possesses… to photograph the product without actually photographing the product but rather the ideas and emotions that combine to create the product.” Using glitter, feathers, bouncy balls and confetti in the colours of the perfume bottle, Joshua certainly captures the playful, joyful and exuberant spirit of Lola. I love this refreshing and artful take on a perfume ad and hope it is the start to more innovation in the genre. How magnificent is the colour palette!? The first photo featured of dazzling, vividly-hued glitter exploding into the air is definitely one of my favourite photos ever.

(images via joshua scott)

The stunning images above may look like fabric or paper but they are actually wood. Crazy right? German textile designer Elisa Strozyk created a flexible wood surface that could be hand or laser cut into pieces and then attached to a textile base. Elisa’s methods were born from research into creating wood with textile attributes and ways to make wood as flexible and easy to manipulate as possible. I like the way Elisa describes her design: “the outcome is a material that is half wood-half textile, between hard and soft, challenging what can be expected from a material or category. It looks and smells familiar but feels strange, as it is able to move and form in unexpected ways. The potential of the carpet is its flexibility. It can be rolled up and transported easily.” I love the shadows and dimension created as different shades of the beautiful wood colour dance across the piece. I don’t know if these breathtaking designs will ever be available in a store but if so, you will see me at the front of the line with a giddy look on my face!

(via strictly paper)

Love these black and white paper art letters by French designer Jerome Corgier. It always feels like each letter of the alphabet has its own personality so it is nice to see that captured in the very different designs and typefaces used. My only wish is to see these beautiful works of art photographed on white. It feels like the coloured gradient backgrounds are distracting from the contrast and strength of pure black and white. That being said, I love the intricacy and depth of Jerome’s letters and you can view the whole alphabet here.

(via quipsologies)

I love when creative solutions can be found to turn urban eyesores into attractive and intriguing pieces of design. The Kansa City Public Library did just that when they constructed a 25 foot tall “bookshelf” to cover up the ugly attached parking garage. Using titles suggested by Kansas City readers, the project showcased 22 book spines to create what the city calls “The Community Bookshelf”. It is not only a wonderfully creative solution to an architectural eyesore but it really creates a striking attraction for locals and tourists alike.

(via dudecraft)

I was looking at flooring options recently and it appears that virtually everything available is some variation of neutral wood. Don’t get me wrong, there are few things as beautiful as wood grain but who said a floor can’t steal the show? Using traditional oiled oak herringbone parquet flooring, Raw Edges Design Studio dyed individual bricks according to a specific colour palette. Add in some extensive layout planning and the final result is an innovative, colourful mosaic design. Raw Edges has said their goal is to create flooring that is reminiscent of a rug or textile and the effect is certainly achieved. I think the only way to describe the final result is absolutely stunning. Also shown is the bold floor Raw Edges was recently commissioned to create for the Stella McCartney Milan store. I think it complements the clothing and strong white space handsomely. I just love the full-colour pattern floors but would also like to see woodgrain flooring with some vibrant colour patterns scattered about. Overall, hoping to see more vibrant floors around!

After conducting a poll to discover the most-loved childhood toy, Chevrolet used the winning Play-Doh to create a street advertisement in London for their new family-friendly seven-seater Orlando car. Definitely an eye-catching, 1.5 ton advertisement that hopes to capture the attention of parents and children alike. It took eight model makers over two weeks to create the remarkable sculpture by hand. Now if only real cars came in such a beautiful shade of blue….

(images via chevrolet uk)

I was halfway into preparing this week’s colour me happy theme of water when I heard about the horrific earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Needless to say, upon viewing the devastating images, I quickly abandoned my theme.

When I was a designer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, I worked on a merchandised product that required separate editions for many different countries. Part of the product was an information booklet. To save money, the booklet was reproduced in black and white for every country except for one. I was told that Japan placed so much value on colour, their version would be the only exception. With that comment, I realized Japan might be my kindred spirit. Across architecture, textiles, stationery, food, fashion and every other avenue of design and art, there is so much innovation and astounding creativity in Japan. Watching the tragedy unfold, I feel what I am sure so many others do – totally helpless. I was thinking of that booklet project and, while I realize this post might not colour anyone in Japan happy, I hope it serves as a tribute and show of support to a nation that saturates so much of its life in vibrant, joyful colour.

(via sea of shoes, amir jina, sakura, chisato, chris meter, petit tows, karaoke, karaoke, aaron shumaker, sea of shoes, an tran, airisshuu, loren madsen, gernot, banana granola, ayahuasca, fever breaks)

A piece of art I always imagined would be featured here is Bruce Nauman’s One Hundred Live and Die. When I saw it featured on the fox is black, I was reminded of the beauty and vibrancy of Nauman’s masterpiece and knew I had to post it. One Hundred Live and Die features multicoloured neon phrases outlining 100 ways one could live or die. Installed on four metal monoliths in a pitch black room, the different colour phrases are lit up individually and then in patterns of connected emotions. The result is a commentary on life and the many ways it can be made incredible, difficult, mundane, beautiful, unfair, funny, strange and so forth. Some phrases make perfect sense, some feel a bit more obscure (what exactly does ‘yellow and live’ mean?) As each phrase lights up, the dark room is bathed in glowing, brilliant and ever-changing colour. Eventually the entire piece is lit and the viewer is overwhelmed by not only the spellbinding colour but by the emotion of 100 ways life can be lived and experienced. What is stunning is that this piece was created in 1984. It certainly could have been made today which only underlines Nauman’s talent in creating timeless contemporary art. To me, the story and feeling behind this work of art and the colours used are awe-inspiring. I would love to see the vibrant colours and light patterns of One Hundred Live and Die in person and experience true neon poetry.

(via the the fox is black & pbs)