Computer enhanced or CGI work dominates a lot of the visual effects we see in film these days. I love when designers and artists illustrate how much magic can be created using everyday materials and big dash of imagination. The Universe Is As Big As Your Mind by Eran Hakim creates an ethereal world of colour and shape using water, oil, alcohol, ink, energy drink and watercolours. A truly dreamy world of hues that looks computer generated but is completely created with household ingredients. Hoping we can make more films with this imaginative spirit in mind!

(ingredients used: 2 litres of water, 1/2 litre of oil, 1/4 litre of alcohol, 1/5 litre of ink, 50 ml of mana portion energy drink, 6 ounces of watercolours)

(found via not cot)

I know “don’t judge a book by its cover” is appropriate in most situations but sometimes a book design is so beautiful, I could buy it without one care about its content. Luckily, Amazing Face by Zoe Foster looks chalk full of interesting beauty information on top of its good looks. I am in love with the look of this book by Penguin designer Allison Colpoys. Rather than rely on obvious beauty photographs, the book features gorgeous illustrations, vivid colours and a real feeling of makeup as art. I have only been able to find these four spreads of the book but I am giddy about seeing the rest. A brilliantly beautiful cover and unique take on the topic. Did I mention how much I love the detail of green and pink ribbons to use as bookmarks? I am certain I will look more attractive after buying Amazing Face simply because I will be holding it!

(images via the design files where there is a great interview with designer Allison Colpoys)

A brilliant fashion editorial photographed by Viviane Sassen for Dazed & Confused magazine. The vibrant work of colour-loving designers like Missoni, Diane von Furstenberg and Vivienne Westwood looks spectacular against the rich tapestry of Netherlands tulip fields. Don’t even get me started on the mix of textures! A beautiful fusion of colourful fashion and nature. (p.s. I previously did a post on tulip fields if you fancy a look)

(photography by viviane sassen, styling by katie shillingford, modelling by lisanne de jong)
(via models.com)

Sweet Paul is a ridiculously inspiring food blog and online magazine. You can definitely tell the creator comes from a food and prop styling background as both the magazine and blog are full of gorgeously arranged, photographed and styled culinary creations. On top of all that, the recipes look drool-worthy delicious! Upon reading the new Summer 2011 issue, I spotted these deconstructed summer salads and my jaw dropped for five minutes or more. A stunning mix of geometry, design and summer colour. Food as art. How great would large prints of these photos look on a restaurant or kitchen wall? I highly recommend taking a look at the new issue of Sweet Paul Magazine. You will be inspired by the curated home accessories, insightful articles, delicious recipes and yes, insanely beautiful photographs!

(food & styling by paul lowe, photography by hector sanchez)

Buenos Aires has been at the very top of my wanderlust list for a decade or so. Often called “Paris of South America”, the port city is a mosaic of Latin American flavour with a distinct European influence. The birthplace of tango, Buenos Aires seems to echo the dance’s passion across all aspects of its culture. From fashion to football to art and architecture, there is so much character and colour in this eclectic city. I found it almost impossible to stop looking for images! One particularly colourful area is La Boca, a working-class neighbourhood and tourist hub that that features tango clubs and vividly-hued tin houses. I can’t wait to visit Buenos Aires one day and see this seductive city in person. Any place where tango just randomly breaks out on city streets just needs to be seen, right? Even the subways have elaborate and colourful tile patterns! I’m hoping to feature Argentina as a whole one of these days as there are gorgeous landscapes and unique areas all over this beautiful, one-of-a-kind country.

(photographs via bob krist, hanna ali, for 91 days, paulete matos, robbie ewing, monica l, paulo capiotti, robert o’duill, argentina countrywide, carlosmf, clelia pellicano, kk_wpg, thomas locke hobbs, juan ignacio rela, thomas locke hobbs, carlos a. redondo, stephen weaver, daniel-on-tour, azotesdivinos, junior reis, nina’s clicks, hardieboys, for 91 days, paulo capiotti, thought for thought, globe trodden, peter mcbride & ryan murphy)

You may have already seen this RGB Wallpaper by Italian studio Carnovsky. It received a lot of attention last year and I was reminded why when I was rifling through some inspiration folders last night and rediscovered the incredible project. I was inspired to post it here just in case it hasn’t been seen by everyone and because I want to make sure the genius colour-focused project is saved for prosperity on plenty of colour! The wallpaper contains overlapping primary coloured illustrations of subjects such as animals and sea creatures. When a red, green or blue light (RGB colour) is shone upon the room’s paper, one of the three overlapping patterns is visible and the other two are hidden. Such gorgeous illustrations and a real feat of colour theory. Months later, I am still in love with the innovation and beauty of this project.

(photographs via creative review)

I came across the work of illustrator Jean-sébastien Deheeger on Threadless and quickly became a fan of his humourous and colourful work. That bee and bear print has made me laughing all day. I think it is the tiny wings? And don’t even get me started on the sheep waiting by the washing machine… I see potential for a hugely successful book series here! I know I’d buy the whole set.

(images via threadless where many of the illustrations are available on t-shirts)

I think I just figured out where I could spend an entire day and never get bored. Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson recently finished his five year installation titled ‘Your rainbow panorama‘ – a brilliant, rainbow-hued viewing gallery on top of the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum in Denmark. A beautiful love poem to colour and vibrant addition to the cityscape that transforms as the light of each day changes. I particularly love the vibrant glow at night. If I am ever missing in Denmark, look here first! I’ll probably be the one looking dreamily out the magenta section or perhaps jumping up and down in the turquoise area…

In his artist statement, Olafur expands on how the viewing gallery works and the meaning behind the project: “Enveloped in the rainbow environment, you produce afterimages in hues complementary to the colours in the glass panes around you. If you look at the city through red glass, your eyes develop a green afterimage. If you maintain a quick pace, the colours remain vibrant. But if you pause in one colour zone, the hue around you grows pale while the colours in your peripheral vision, where the walkway curves, intensify. Colour intensities depend on your speed… The colour spectrum speaks to the museum collections below… Colour intensifies reality at all times.”

(photographs via Studio Olafur Eliasson)

As a colour-obsessed person, I am enamoured with all things Pantone. As the world leader in colour, I imagine visiting the Pantone headquarters would be my version of going to Graceland? Pantone added 175 new colours to Fashion + Home system today bringing the total number of available shades for fabric and interior goods to 2,100. It’s also the first time new hues have been added since 2003. On a project not so long ago, I was so eager for more blue Pantone fabric options, I was ready to try mixing dyes myself! Overall, it is a huge boost for anyone trying to translate their vision to product. I love this ‘behind-the-scenes’ video by Pantone that shows the process behind creating this complex system and features colour experts like designer Jonathan Adler and Kate Spade creative director Deborah Lloyd. I love the great quotes shared about colour and its importance in design, products and creating a happy life overall.

This recently completed mural by artist Pastime might top my ‘favourite street art of all time’ list. The San Francisco piece packs a powerful punch of colour and features an almost subliminal artist name among the geometric patchwork of squares. But let’s get back to the colour – how gorgeous is that mix of hues? Guaranteed to brighten up even the greyest of days!

(photograph via everydaydude)