Calendars to me have always been items that I tell myself to use, but rarely do. However, I think that would change if I had this beautifully designed 200 year calendar by Sonner, Vallée u. Partner–a Munich, Germany based design studio.
This calendar was letterpress printed on a thick, 220lb cotton stock and is approximately 16.5 x 11.6 inches in size (click images to see larger).
Images via Beast Pieces.
I’m always a sucker for letterpress. You could almost use any design and I’ll love it if it’s on the right paper and embossed like this. Perky Bros., aka Jefferson Perky, is producing some beautiful work out of his studio in Nashville, TN. You can check out the rest of his portfolio here.
I forgot when I heard this, but this girl with a letterpress was explaining how in the old days it was actually frowned upon to de-boss the paper. The more skilled the letterpress operator, the lighter the impression the type would make when it printed to the paper. She went on to explain how in recent times artists have begun to purposefully de-boss the paper when printing as an effect. It’s always interesting to see how people take equipment that’s been painstakingly designed to produce a certain effect and turn it on it’s head to do something new and creative. It sort of reminds me of a lot of recording techniques where you’re taking something designed to produce the most pristine possible sound and abusing the process to create effects and distortions.
Via Graphic ExchanGE
These advertisements are part of a Geigy campaign from 1965. They are all letterpress illustrations by Fred Troller. Each version pairs a striking figure with a related slogan and encourages you to “Ring Geigy for service.” I probably would have called these guys up even if I had no idea what “service” they could provide.
I like Winkreative’s identity for Porter Airlines for similar reasons. I wouldn’t stack one against the other by any means, but the use flat colors, stark figures, and limited perspective at least puts them in the same inspiration folder for me. (And the panda is awesome)
