This photo, ‘Girls in the Windows’, is jaw-dropping. Even more amazing, it is from 1960 so its brilliance is clear of any Photoshop enhancements or trickery! Ormond Gigli dreamed up this photo when he realized a brownstone across from his New York apartment was being demolished. He quickly organized 43 models in formal attire to pose in the windows and ended up with an iconic photo that perfectly captures 1960′s architecture, fashion and colour. What an incredible image.

From Ormond’s personal description of the shoot: “We had to work quickly to secure City permissions, arrange for models which included celebrities, the demolition supervisior’s wife (third floor, third from left), my own wife (second floor, far right), and also secure the Rolls Royce to be parked on the sidewalk. Careful planning was a necessity as the photography had to be accomplished during the workers’ lunch time! … the 43 women appeared in their finest attire, went into the buildings, climbed the old stairs, and took their places in the windows. I was set up on my fire escape across the streeet, directing the scene, with bullhorn in hand. Of course I was concerned for the Models’ safety, as some were daring enough to pose out on the crumbling sills.”

This post is a bit late coming. Betty White was the host of Saturday Night Live eight or nine months ago. After that show, I grabbed these photos of the show bumpers and used them as inspiration in building plenty of colour. Albeit a bit late, I still wanted to post these colourful shots of her. Why? Because Betty White looks flipping fabulous bathed in bright hues. I am also a longtime fan of Saturday Night Live’s between skit photography style. It is fun, glossy and colourful. Love the vibrant colour palette used and I am happy they highlight what we all know – Betty White rocks.

I really like these beautiful illustrations created for a Mercedes-Benz ad campaign. Love the very technical, industrial left side designs and the wild, colourful and layered illustrations exploding from the right side. I think I know what side I tend to spend most of my time using… (Click on the images to see big versions of the ads)

(via ads of the world)

Within the objects of desire feature, I am hoping to showcase not only enticing, colourful items worthy of being eye candy but also brands and companies who use colour in an innovative or dazzling way. Colour psychology is a pillar to marketing and tests have shown that 85% of shoppers place colour as a primary reason for buying a specific item and that colour increases brand recognition by 80%. Just think of the red Campbell’s soup can, Starbucks brand green or famous blue TIffany’s box. Colour can help make a brand or product iconic and ultimately, help decide its fate. I often feel that companies undervalue colour in their design – preferring a safe route to a striking one. Whether it is a whole brand colour palette or simply vibrant packaging, I hope to use this special feature to showcase those who celebrate and highlight the wonder of colour.

One of those products that always catches my eye on the store shelves is Belvoir Fruit Farms Cordials, Pressés and Fruit Juice drinks. They really utilize the full colour spectrum and highlight their British roots with whimsical and handmade feeling labels. I love the handwritten typography, slanted labels and brilliant colour palette. The playful packaging of these juices is fantastic and I would love to have a fridge full of the bottles if only for eye candy! (By the way, don’t the bottles seem like a perfect vase for flowers of a contrasting colour?)

I am a huge fan of Vancouver artist Bratsa Bonifacho. His 50-plus year career has covered many topics and styles but it is these abstract paintings that I particularly love. Bratsa uses symbols and typography to depict computer viruses and the scrambling effect they create. His use of colour and the intense palettes created are just stunning. Fingers crossed that one day, I can hang a Bratsa Bonifacho painting on my wall. Or, to be realistic, let’s hope prints of these works of art will be available at some point!

(images via bratsa bonifacho & bau-xi gallery)

I have always been fascinated by sequins, particularly the vintage and one-of-a-kind varieties. The shining, sparkling discs of colour just have so much joy and life to them. Many historians believe that sequins have been around since 2500 BC. Egyptians would cut thin discs of real gold, glaze the top to prevent scratches and adorn swanky people like King Tut. Now no longer reserved for royalty, sequins remain a central design element in fashion, accessories, textiles and craft. On her blog puglypixel, Katrina showcases her amazing vintage pre-war Belgian, Czechoslovakian, and Japanese sequin collection. I envy her trays of inspiring sequins and love the beautiful colour palettes they create.

Call me a nerd but these CB2 digi pop bed linens are pretty fantastic. I have a feeling they would inspire some colourful dreams. (p.s. fellow designers, they look like Illustrator swatch palettes don’t you think?)

I love this wood block typeface created by province studio. Using blocks of all different widths and heights creates a texture and dimension that would not have been achieved if all the blocks were equal sizes. I especially love the bright colour palette of aqua, azure, bright blue, yellow, purple, magenta and brown!

(images via behance)

A2 is a Swedish furniture company that makes bold, colourful and unique designs. Unlike a lot of furniture companies that rely heavily on neutrals, I like that A2 isn’t afraid of using bright colour. I especially love their textured and patterned chest of drawers and cabinet pieces. They would bring a fun pop of colour to any room!

I always knew the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador was a colourful place but when my friend David sent me a link to the province’s tourism commercial, I was stunned! It is a gorgeous video and it inspired me to research more of Newfoundland and Labrador’s incredible colour palette. Focusing on bright primary and secondary colours, the hues interact masterfully with the rocky coastline and vibrant blue ocean. I particularly love the colourful neighbourhoods in St. John’s, Newfoundland nicknamed “Jelly Bean Row”. St. John’s is a historic fishing city and when sea captains returned from their voyages, they were faced with rows and rows of identical Victorian houses. In order to make these houses standout from one another and insure a quick return home, each house was painted a different vibrant colour. This tradition continued on and as a result, Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the most colourful, striking and beautiful parts of Canada.

(I highly recommend watching the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism video. Thanks David for the inspiration!)

(images via brian carey, g.luff, jonathan penney, dr hostel, joanne dale, joanne dale, liyen, 13fridaymjf and elisabeth charmley)

Ever stare at the paint chip wall at the hardware store and think that it looks like a piece of art? Canadian artist Peter Combe took that idea a step further by shredding designer size paint swatches and hole punching paint chips to create large art installations. I love the fringe-like texture of the shredded swatches and the reptile skin look of the layers of hole punches. It is really impressive how Peter finds the perfect colour swatches to create such detailed portraits. I think paint chips should be used as an artistic medium more often!

(images via peter combe)

Italian designer Alberto Seveso took high-speed photographs of colourful ink mixing with water and the results are beautiful, billowing fabric-like shapes. I would love to see this project continue across the whole spectrum of ink colours!

(images via behance)