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)

Placed firmly atop my travel wish list is Iceland (I know, this list is getting rather long!) Iceland is a nation full of fascinating geography, history, culture and colours. I love the incredible nature palettes created by peaceful, snowcapped landscapes, lust green farmland and mesmerizing blue glaciers. The architecture, particularly in the capital Reykjavik, is equally show-stopping as details like brilliantly painted corrugated sheet metal create a vibrant city that glows with colour and joy. No wonder Iceland often ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world! I really hope to visit this breathtaking nation one day. (p.s. the top image of a magical white house in the middle of stunning island Elliðaey belongs to one of Iceland’s most famous exports, singer Björk. How surreal must it be to live there!?)

(images via zamaan, a.rey, matthew molloy, trek earth, pie ketron, martin ystenes, berta, martin ystenes, martin ystenes, neil gallop, stefthor, a.rey, neil gallop, trey ratcliff, stefthor, neil gallop, a.rey, anna andres)

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)

This Universal Wrapping Paper isn’t just attractive, it contains a fantastic idea. Using the concept of a word puzzle, it allows the user to customize the paper for any required holiday. Such a brilliant idea by Fabio Milito and Francesca Guidotti. I can only imagine the colour co-ordinated pens that could be used on this handsome black and white paper.

(via the dieline)

I have always admired the craftsmanship and detail required to do embroidery. It is a beautiful form of art that adds so much texture, value and intrigue to fabric and other projects. I have become semi-obsessed with the work of Sydney-based studio maricor maricar. On top of fantastic design, illustration and motion work, they create the most gorgeous embroidery I may have ever seen. It is easy to dismiss embroidery as a traditional art form but one look at the modern, colourful and typographically exquisite work of maricor maricar and your mind will be changed forever! Their embroidery, with its bold colours and incredible layers and patterns is just breathtaking. The detail and vibrancy is unreal. Fingers crossed one day I work on a project with maricor maricar and see how they create such jaw-dropping work!

La Félibrée is a French festival that celebrates the language, culture and traditions of the Occitan. Since 1903, this festival has taken place on the first Sunday of July in a different town in the Dordogne region of France. I imagine there are many fantastic elements to this celebration but I have always been mesmerized by the sheer amount of incredible decorations. The town holding La Félibrée is bathed in spectacular colourful displays of handmade paper flowers as they are strung across every conceivable surface. It is such a beautiful display of craftsmanship and the bright colours punctuate the celebratory occasion. I would love to see a behind-the-scenes account of how the kilometres of paper flowers are created each year!

(images via will richards, camilla engman, tourisme vezere, will richards, famille valentin, terrasson, gothickma, martine, famille valentin)

Sometimes, especially on a Monday, you just need to gaze at a beautiful scene full of brilliant colour. I think Navagio Beach (or Shipwreck Bay) on the Zakynthos island of Greece does the trick today. The rugged, curvaceous topography is certainly intriguing but it is the gorgeous blue colour that stops me in my tracks. I almost thought the photos were colour treated until I researched many others that all contained a similar vibrancy. Today I wish I was eating an olive oil focused Greek lunch and staring out at that unreal blue.

(images via rita, shay lawless, robert wallace, emelie klamvik)

A theme of chalk street art seemed to pop up in my posts this week which, while totally unplanned, does reflect a style of art I really love. Chalk is probably the cheapest and most accessible art material which is likely why it’s the medium of choice for many kids and artists. I love the powdery and richly pigmented colour chalk creates and how its non-permanent nature allows for chalk to spring up on every surface imaginable (legal or not). There are artists who use the medium in fairly serious styles of art but I find myself enjoying the more casual and random pieces of chalk art that often pop up on streets and embrace its youthful and joyful spirit. This week’s colour me happy celebrates the quirky side of chalk and of course, the vibrance of its colours. There is nothing better than the palette created by a box or pile of brilliant pieces of chalk. This summer, buy some sidewalk chalk – you will find it impossible to not be coloured happy!

(images via goro watari, essimar, steven de sousa, jill allyn stafford, padraic, daddyw, jamin hoyle, john cachero, robert stribley, mark watson, michel, alice)

I am always intrigued by Pantone’s Colour of the Year selections. They are almost always great indicators of colour trends ahead. Pantone’s ‘Blue Iris’ in 2008 was an insanely popular colour. I remember sitting in a meeting with seven other people wearing that exact hue! It wasn’t until I saw this image of the last 10 years worth of colour choices together that I realized how many have been similar. The shades selected for 2003, 2005 and 2010 are very alike but understandably so considering the popularity of turquoise-based colours. Pantone’s Colour of 2011, Honeysuckle, is a major departure from what has been selected in the past. It is a bold choice given some people’s automatic feelings about pink-based colours. However it is undeniably captivating and uplifting and I really love its tropical warmth. Hopefully Pantone keeps up the unique, inspiring and outside the box colour selections! (p.s. love this chart made by Pantone. It is interesting to read a little bit about the thoughts behind each choice.)

Another incredible find from The Big Picture. These images of Nyiragongo Crater, in the heart of the Great Lakes region of Africa, are absolutely stunning. Photographer Olivier Grunewald and his team took a very dangerous trip to within one metre of the Crater’s rim to capture the biggest lava lake in the world (it holds 282 million cubic feet of lava.) Although many products and emergency signs in our world are painting vibrant orange, no man-made hue every seems to capture the brilliant and breathtaking orange of fire, lava and heat. To me, there is something impossible to replicate about true orange in nature. I am kind of glad as it allows some hues to remain special. I especially love the gorgeous gradient of orange to purple as the flame meets the unique volcano gases and disappears into the night air. Amazing. Please visit the rest of the incredible images here.

Burano is a centuries old island in the Venice Lagoon famous for its intricate lacework and fascinatingly colourful homes. In my research I found many different reasons for the use of vibrant paint colours including enabling fishermen to identify their homes in the fog, to act as a street address legend as Burano does not use house numbers, to indicate a specific family and finally, that the different shades corresponded to owner’s fishing boats. Whatever the reason, Burano looks like another brilliant colour mecca place to add to my ‘must-visit’ travel list!

(images via stefano, david cunningham, fsa99999, stefano, roberto marinoni, barbanna, barbara piancastelli, alberto, pete beck, david romagnoli)

I love watching the Oscars and especially the Oscar fashion. Among the hundreds of gowns, there always seem to be colour trends that emerge. Last night was no exception as bright red, shades of purple and sparkling metallics took centre stage. While a black dress will always be an elegant Hollywood classic, it was nice to see so much vibrant colour showcased. My favourites colours and gowns on the red carpet were Natalie Portman in fuschia Rodarte, Sandra Bullock in scarlet Vera Wang, Cate Blanchett in lilac Givenchy, Mila Kunis in lavender Elie Saab, Helen Mirren in metallic taupe Vivienne Westwood, Halle Berry in sparkly champagne Marchesa and Hilary Swank in silver ombré Gucci. I loved the mix of lilac and yellow leather pearls and crystals on Cate Blanchett’s high fashion gown. In addition to an unexpectedly gorgeous colour palette, it really stands out as a work of art. What were your favourites?

(images via elle, styleite & just jared)

Yesterday marked the official month anniversary of plenty of colour! As a result, I thought confetti should be the theme for this week’s colour me happy feature. I love confetti and how its vibrance and motion makes for fabulous photography. Tossing pieces of bright paper in the air and letting them fall where they may? That has to colour you happy. (p.s. the top photo is of Times Square New Year’s Eve confetti testers checking their product. How do you get a job like that?!)

(images via msnbc, the sweet occasion, sophie wilson, nyc, willow osborn, lolita, joshua scott, ashley dzingle, the selby, youngna park)

I really like this project by Estudio Ibán Ramón titled “We Love Geometry”. The set consists of nine cards with unique geometrical renditions of the numbers one through nine. The cards fold out into posters and we discover that the numbers are part of a larger design. I like how this project works on two levels and features such bold black and white geometry and typography. Love how each number is given its own personality!

(via shiro to kuro)

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)