Artist and designer Matt W. Moore has a portfolio overflowing with amazing projects ranging from fashion to typography to fine art. He is definitely one of my colour heros and I am a long-time fan of his inspired use of vivid colour and soulful geometry. I really could feature hundreds of images in this post! One area of Matt’s work I really love are his murals so I have focused on those above. Created all over the world, Matt’s murals add so much joy and design to whatever street is lucky enough to house them. The top image is of his newest piece in Cincinnati and it is yet another example of his incredible colour sense and creative talent.

(photographs via matt w. moore)

The Rubik’s Cube is an iconic 1970′s 3D puzzle with the ultimate goal, via twisting and turning, of organizing the squares into six solid colour sides. But how would you solve that puzzle if you couldn’t see the colours? The Braille Rubik’s Cube designed by Konstantin Datz seeks to answer that question with striking results. The braille word is used for each colour so the hues are felt and the puzzle can be solved. A thoughtful and really beautiful piece of design.

(photographs via konstantin datz)

My classical music knowledge is probably not as strong as I would like it to be but there are many pieces that I really love. One in particular is Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune”. I have loved that magical song for as long as I can remember. Upon visiting Black Eiffel last week, I was reminded of the fantastic Music Animation Machine. The site turns classical works into graphic bars of colour that represent the length, complexity and emotion of each note. It is extraordinary how this allows one to “see” a song via colour and animation. It really sheds light on how these works of art are constructed and created.

(see more interpreted songs on the Music Animation Machine YouTube channel.)

I really like this identity for Imagine 8, a video production and sound design company. Designed by Ken Lo, the branding was inspired by television test patterns. Filling two circles with the vibrant colours, an abstract “8″ is formed to reference the company name. I like the bold geometry and use of such a famous pattern and colour scheme. Without any introduction, you instantly know this is a video/television company!

(via bpando)

When I saw these photographs of So Takahashi’s Origami Chair, I swear I was speechless for a good ten minutes. The folds of powder-coated sheet metal, the pin-thin back legs, the exquisite angles – this piece must rank among the most beautiful chairs ever created.

In honour of Cinco de Mayo, I thought I would feature my favourite Mexican textile – zarapes! Zarapes, pronounced “serapes” in English, are brightly coloured Mexican blankets with fringed ends that are typically worn by Mexican men on one shoulder. Traditional zarapes are made in the North-East Mexican state of Coahuila and often feature a black or dark base with stripes of intense colour. It’s amazing just how many colour combinations and patterns are possible in this inspiring woven art. The brilliant colour of zarapes has always dazzled me and I’m hoping you are surrounded by some for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations!

(photographs via mauricio alcaraz carbia, lucy nieto, gabri le cabri, hake oliva, ken goldberg, michi catanese, davii rangda, cjn photos & curious flux)

There are many reasons I love iconic designer and filmmaker Saul Bass. He was ridiculously talented in so many areas of design and I hope to feature more of his legendary projects in the future. At the moment, I am semi-obsessed with Saul’s 1962 children’s book called “Henri’s Walk to Paris” about a young boy’s adventures in the City of Light. I have attempted to buy this gorgeous book for years but it is a difficult and expensive hunt. A recent bidding frenzy on Ebay ended at almost $500. While remaining hopeful that it is published again one day, I continue to just stare at the images of the book pages. What a showcase of fantastic 1960′s design/illustration, whimsical typography and spectacular use of vivid colour. That simple drawing of hats as the zoo crowd? I love it. Back to Ebay I go…

(photographs via grain edit; view more pages of the book on the grain edit blog)

The more I stare at this typography by Canadian designer Jan Avendano, the more I fall madly in love with it. The use of colour, layers of pattern and transparent details are mesmerizing. Jan’s website notes that these pieces are a “type experimentation” but I have my fingers firmly crossed that they become a series of posters if not an entire typeface! I will be first in line to buy a print of this gorgeous work…

If you have ever wanted to dress like a colour swatch, these ombre tights from kron by kronkron are perfect for you! I am dazzled by how perfectly the colours blend from hue to hue. (available at kronkron and the olive shoppe)

(via modish)

I love Sydney Albertini’s Abstract Collection. The organic, almost watercolour shapes are gorgeous works of ceramic art. From plates to bowls to cake stands and with dozens of hue options, there are endless colour combinations possible to insure your dining pieces are truly custom! I can only imagine the beautiful results when the colours of your dinner mix with these vibrant ceramic hues. (Also, after visiting Sydney’s website, I fell in love with her colour swatches! Only a few of the many hues are shown above.)

(photo at top by liam goodman; other images via sydney albertini)

If your child’s school looked anything like Wahroonga Preparatory School in Australia, I don’t think you would have as much trouble convincing them to wake up for class! Designed by GGF Architects, the use of colourful fibre-cement panels creates an engaging environment for learning, compliments the stained glass windows of the adjacent historical church and serves as an architectural feature in the city. I can’t help but think that this wildly creative and Lego-like building will nuture and inspire some very talented creative thinkers of the future…

(spotted on design milk; photographs via ggf architects)

I didn’t realize how much I wanted a chair made of neon until I saw these photos! Via a commission from Wallpaper* Magazine, London based Kiwi & Pom designed an illuminated furniture concept using 200 linear metres of Electroluminescent wire. The chair captures the very best of modern, futuristic design but also feels like it has a traditional woven soul. The piece has a pulse setting that allows the light to flash on and off creating what Kiwi & Pom call “an instant disco installation”. Fingers crossed a version of this incredible chair is available for purchase one day…

(images via kiwi & pom)

I love this identity for Sculptivate, an environmental design agency in London. Playdoh was pushed through a stencil to create an identity that can be used across a wide range of print and digital platforms. Love how it feels like you can reach into the letterhead and feel the edges of the stencil. Perfect branding for a company focused on tactile kinds of design and so wonderfully creative and colourful.

(photography by michael hedge)

Anagrama is a design studio in Mexico that I am constantly in awe of and is definitely among my favourites anywhere in the world. It really feels like they have pattern, colour, branding and interior design super powers! I love this identity system created for Micheline, a stationery boutique in Mexico. Keeping in mind the company’s catalogues were brightly coloured and their work is often similarly hued, Anagrama created a brand focused on striking black and white pattern and texture. A perfect mix of creating a unique voice for Micheline yet still allowing their work and colourful creations for clients to take centre stage. And how gorgeous is their workspace? What an amazing mix of black, white, colour, pattern and texture.

I’ve always loved chevron and herringbone. Both designs have been used throughout history and are variations of a “v” linked pattern. Lately, chevron and herringbone have emerged as design trends which has resulted in some fabulously inspired modern twists on the traditional patterns. How gorgeous are those floors at the top of this post? If that was my bathroom and living room, I would never leave the house! The image directly above shows the slight variations between the two patterns (chevron on the left and herringbone on the right.) I’ve always liked the fact that herringbone gets its name from the structure of herring fish skeleton. You never know where inspiration will come from… Hoping you see lots of joyful patterns this weekend and they colour you happy!

(images via deco chic, anna gillar, tinsmiths, jen dundas jewellery, design log, claridges, latifah saafir, kat, twisted fork, jenhewett, courtneycourtneycourtney, synaptic impulse, quilt sandwich, robert wallace, mimi and meg, how now design & marcus design)

I love the idea that a bee and a ladybug would passionately argue over who has a better graphic pattern. Another fantastic illustration in Lim Heng Swee’s Doodle Everyday project. (I previously posted about his whimsical clouds doodle.)

(image via doodle everyday)