Oh my stars! Free art prints!

As I was perusing Instagram this afternoon I saw a post that Caravan shoppe was giving away FREE art prints to promote their new space themed printable products! I have been a secret fan girl of Neil DeGrasse Tyson ever since this "stardust" youtube clip came across my desk a few years ago, so I immediately clicked over to download these and you should too! Free art work people!  These would look awesome in your office or filling out a gallery wall, which is what I plan to do with mine!

I have never, ever, been good at any single science class, but I have always had a fascination with space, the stars, and all things astrology related. I love visiting the planetarium, watching documentaries (that honestly I can barely comprehend) on the universe and cosmic discovery, and I even tune into Neil's podcast every once in awhile.

I highly recommend the show Cosmos, hosted by Neil, the reboot of the original hosted by Carl Sagan in the 80's. You can watch them all on Hulu here.

I hope you enjoy this chilly Friday (in the midwest!) and here are more star-related posts:

• This Ted Radio hour called "Peering into Space" is so fascinating, I listened to it twice!

• Best friend astrology prints on Etsy

• what's your sign? Fun necklaces

• Adler After Dark in Chicago is a perfect date night!

• Have you been to an astrology reading? I am fascinated and dying to go...

• Everything wrong with the movie "Gravity" 

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday people! This is just a sneak peak of a fun little Gatsby-themed project I am working on at the moment! I thought it seemed appropriate to use, as this is the LAST SUMMER WEEKEND IN CHICAGO PEOPLE! Even if the weather is warm throughout September, (hahaha) there is a shift in the air in the city when Sept 1st hits. People get into summer recovery mode, (cue the resurface at the gym and juice cleanses) and most of us start to brace ourselves for the cold reality (pun intended!) of the coming months.

Ok so enough Debbie Downer over here, it's Friday, a 3-day weekend and one of the last Sundays to sip champaign and dance on the tables. Well at least on a rooftop anyway.

If you are still at work, here are some 1920's themed links to get you through the day....

• The above typface, Metropolis is free!

• The best secret speakeasies in Chicago

• Do you know where the term "speakeasy" came from? (I learned on the Gangster Tour)

•An oral history The Green Mill (one of Capone's favorite hideouts)

• Alternative Great Gatsby book covers 

• Love these snake drop art deco earrings by Rachel Zoe

Cheers to the weekend! 

Judge a Book by its Cover

One of my favorite things about my job as a designer working in publishing, is designing book covers. It's an entirely new field of design that I am navigating that is both scary and exciting. There are book covers that have certainly captivated me before, but once you become a creator, and you look to others for inspiration, the nuances of the storytelling in a single image or detail are really quite amazing. It's a difficult task for any artist to capture an entire narrative, theme or even genre in a single image as a book cover,  but when done well, like in the images above, the result is truely a masterpiece. What's your favorite book cover? 

Here are some other great links regarding book cover design:

• Great interview with Chip Kidd - Also his Ted Talk is one of my all time favorites 

• The cover archive

• Lovely Collection 

• Best Book Covers on Pinterest

• Redesigns of classics - (the Fahrenheit 451 cover is shockingly clever) 

Out of Office

Two posts in a row! I know, who am I?

I am so excited to be going to Michigan this weekend I just had to share my out of office display.

I haven't been out of the godforsaken lovely state of Illinois since last October. Safe to say I need a vacation. I plan on reading magazine after magazine and book after book (design books of course) whilst the cool waters of "Pure Michigan" wash over me, keeping me refreshed along with my bottomless vodka lemonades.

But apparently it might rain for 72 hours straight, so maybe we will hole up in our cabin with some souvenirs from the nearby wineries, distilleries, and breweries, or visit the one place that distributes all three libations - yes all three liquors are made, apparently in some giant, round barn, tasting mecca.

The s'more ingredients are packed.  I'm psyched.

Have a fantastic weekend and I hope to come back with a fun review of all we saw and did!

My Work...Lately

Hello internet...is this thing still on?! Anyway after a long overdue post of an incredibly busy and life-changing summer I thought I would share some of my recent freelance projects.

First are some marketing materials I put together for Dianne Daleiden, who is running for Alderman in the 40th Ward of Chicago IL. If you would like to check out more about her campaign click here.

The second are some bumper stickers I designed for Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. Which one did they pick? Keep a look-out on the roads for the winner! :)

links: card / over-size shirt / necklace / pillow / kicks / print 

Indigo, as one of 2014 forecasted trends has been popping up all over the internet lately. It reminds of me childhood camp days,  tye-dying tank tops and scrunchies in scorching heat while I blissfully stained my entire body with colorful dye. I really like this trend for summer. Especially mixed with white jeans and some brown leather sandals.

If you're feeling crafty, check out DesignLoveFest's tutorial on Indigo dying here

GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

italy, 1934

brazil, 1950

 argentina, 1978

mexico, 1970

spain, 1982

So who is watching the World Cup? I have to admit, even though I played soccer my entire adolosence, I didn't really jump on the bandwagon this year until watching USA v. Portugal game last Sunday. Now I am chanting "USA USA all the way", until perhaps tomorrow. Germany will be tough to beat.

I found a link to the 20 design poster of the World Cup over the years and some really caught my eye. As far as design, they really speak to the trends, style and even historical events of the time. The art deco font and Mussolini-propgranda-style artwork of the 1930's, The WW1 poster-style illustration of the 1950's (keep calm and play football!) The bold colors (and mustache) of the 1970's and of course, the 1980's in black and primary colors, pained by Mr. Miro himself.

There are more interesting details about each poster throughout the years here, though I have to say I am not a fan of the 2014 poster at all. It is seriously a shame that the posters are now plastered with advertisements. Way to ruin the hard-work of careful designs with a McDonalds logo FIFA.

Also,

Can you believe there is a player biting people?!!?

Gap has some cute World Cup gear. 

Now, this World Cup poster is the COOLEST i've ever seen. (Spoiler alert, Harry Potter fans will love this)

Ring Ring...It's your bling calling

So last week I stumbled upon what I thought were really fabulous cocktail rings, and then found out they were minitaure cell phones! OK, not quite, but the new App and ring, "Ringly" has been buzzing (pun intended) around the internet this week and I was curious if anyone would really buy them? 

I love the design of the ring, and the design of the app is beautiful. I am a sucker for pink and white with reversed out type. I also like that it's a tech toy, so to speak, that targets women. Sometimes it seems like boys get all the fun toys. 

The device, which is actually the ring, can be set to vibrate for different alerts, say for incoming calls, texts, or social media activity. It's purpose being to allow the wearer to freely manage their phone activity while it is tucked away in their purse, say at an important dinner or meeting. I have certainly missed my fair share of important calls or texts with my iPhone buried deep into a tote bag, so I certainly see the marketability. 

Ringly says the app can also push alerts from apps such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Poshmark, Snapchat, Tinder, Tumblr, Twitter, Uber, and Vine if the wearer so chooses. Ringly will even alert wearers when they wander too far from their smartphone.

That said, will Ringly take off? Or is it just a fad, jumping on the success of similar wearable devices like the explosion of bracelet-like fitness trackers. I am sure they also have in mind to roll out bracelets, necklaces and other wearable devices based on the success of the rings, which could certainly be worth watching for. What do you think? Would you wear a Ringly? 

Images via Ringly

Minimal Mentalist

On Pinterest I stumbled upon these posters created by graphic designer Patrick Smith. I had seen them before but they really resonated with me this week. Anxiety is something I am no stranger to and I think these are such interesting design solutions. Such a simple execution surrounding a big and overwhelming issue. I also find the colors equally depressing and calming which is perhaps the point?

Either way I thought they deserved a share here on a hot and slow Tuesday afternoon.

Artist's I Met and Liked: Kyle Bean

carbs are the enemy 

incredible paper suit 

heavyweights

Edward Snowden (wow)

This is your brain on print

dangerous sugars

killing time

When I first stated blogging in 2006 I had a regular post called "artists corner" which I wanted to start again. Basically showcasing artists that I stumble upon that I really admire and inspire me. I figured if I met them I would put them in this handy book, thus the inspiration for the new column titile. 

Today's artist is Kyle Bean, a British artist whose work straddles the boundaries between sculpture, product design and illustration. A lot of his work is incredibly conceptually creative and I love his use of so many different materials and styles. The paper sculpture he created for The Gaurdian Weekend magazine cover is so brilliant and beautifully executed. I still can't believe its made out of paper. 

Now that I am venturing into magazine and book cover design, conceptual artwork is something I am striving to get better at. To tell a story in one image is a challenge, and I love Kyle's solutions to this type of work. 

For more of Kyle's work, click here. 

Hip Hip Hooray! The end of a challenge, an era and a commute

So I have been MIA for awhile, but for good reason.

I GOT A NEW JOB!

It was a big "to-do" item on my goal list for 2014, not because I was unhappy at my old job (i miss everyone there a lot!) but the hour plus commute was really wearing me down. So overall, I made the leap to another publishing firm that is in downtown Chicago and I think it will be a great fit! So far the environment / work I am doing seems very creative and collaborative which is exactly what I needed.

So, I had to give the blog a little break so I could find my pace and decide if I wanted to keep it going. I decided that the answer is a resounding yes and my goal is to be more committed to posting daily or every other day. In the short time I have worked on this blog I have gathered new skills and ideas which carried over into my professional work in a positive way, so I figure it's a win win! I get a creative outlet during lunch breaks or down time and it makes me a better designer.

So my final illustration for my "non 30-day challenge" is that above. Cheers, pop, fiz, clink, horray! I am a very happy gal at the moment. My next post I would like to address the 30-day challenge, how I would do it again if I could start over, and what i took away from it.

But for now internet, I am still here, and bursting with fresh ideas and inspiration that I think will really show over the next few months.

xoxox

K

illustration by Kaitlyn Bitner 

Help Wanted!

One of my goals for 2014 (at the encouragement of my lovely friends and family) is to open an Etsy shop! One of my amazing Christmas gifts was a professional printer and I have enjoyed printing custom stationery and cards at home the past few months, experimenting and trying new ideas. Some people even paid me for the work so I figure why not open an Etsy shop and see if anyone bites? Maybe start a Paris piggy bank with some extra mullah? So I decided I should make a logo, inspired by my family nickname and my old blog.

But I need your help! Designing for yourself is so hard and I am feeling incredibly indecisive. So which do you like? Logo 1, 2, 3 or 4? What would you like to see stamped on the back of a card? Opinions and suggestions always welcome!

30 Day Challenge? Post 29

 
Hello blog world! I haven't checked in awhile but I have been working away! My 30 day project obviously is very slowly coming to a rather anti-climatic end but I was really happy with the progress of this Mother's Day card I have been working on. I am really starting to push myself with hand drawing all my flowers and I can proudly say this entire card is 100 percent hand-drawn by moi in Illustrator! Crazy what a little practice can do. I really want to try printing this this weekend on a nice dark blue paper and seeing what I can come up with. Happy Hump Day!

30 Day Design Challenge - Post 28

Well kids happy Friday! And happy Good Friday! I used to love dying eggs as a kid. Let's be honest: if a "craft kit" was involved, I was pretty on board. Dipped eggs, crayon eggs, sticker eggs, glitter eggs, tie-dye eggs, paper-mache, I have done them all! Every year my poor, loving parents obliged to whatever new-fangled- lets be honest, mess making kit - I could get my grubbly little hands on at the drug store. Thank goodness Pinterest didn't exist when I was a kid or I might have bankrupt my parents with all of my fantastic egg decorating schemes. And yes I mean schemes. I rarely did a craft with less than 1000 percent enthusiasm bordering on obsession. Sorry mom and dad!

So this year I decided to make some digital eggs. I am sure there is some way to make these in real life that involve waashi tape, some dip dying, a sharpie and some twine. For now these will have to do. 

Hop hop hop! 

30 Day Design Challenge - Post 27

I am determined to finish this "challenge" and even more to make it cute! A sketch I am working on for a possibly baby shower theme.... Also I really really really wanted a doughnut today. Can you tell? My inspiration was this awesome illustration by Randy Potter. I  loved the idea but wanted some pink frosted doughnuts because those are the best, and I came up with these guys. It reminds me of a book from my childhood, "Are you my mother?" Anyone else remember that title? Hope this made you smile on your Monday! 

30 Day Design Challenge - Day 26

So if you find yourself wondering why I did an illustration of avocado toast, (which you have every right to wonder) let me explain. Has anyone else noticed that avocado toast has suddenly taken over the blog and instagram world? I find it hilarious and I'm guilty of it as well. What started as an innocuous little breakfast recipe has really found its stronghold with lady bloggers! Don't believe me? Click here. Anyway this is not me declaring war on avocado toast (far from it! I will inhale anything with a plump piece of avocado atop it) it's just something that makes me smile. So I made an illustration about it. Almost the weekend!

Designer Meet Kitchen: Vegetable Skinny Egg Frittatas

One of my goals this year for the blog was to incorporate some of my other passions and hobbies and also work on some new ones. I have always had a love for cooking and specifically entertaining, so I can have any excuse to throw a party! What are bar carts for after all?

One of my specific goals was to post 12 new recipes on the blog in the next year. So, I thought I better get cookin! I have been meaning to make these veggie frittatas for some time since eggs are hands down one of my favorite foods and I love having something high protein and low carb in the morning to get me through the day! I started my Monday with a large green juice and took these babies to work. Popped them in the microwave this morning and they were fantastic. I plan to make them frequently now since early morning plus long commutes make breakfast time a drag. These would also be great for brunch parties. Throw in your favorite omelet fixins and go! I think next time I will add some chicken sausage for a little kick! 

Skinny Egg Frittatas (yields 6) 

3 whole eggs

2 egg whites (or egg substitute)

3 Roma tomatoes (chopped)

4-5 heads of broccoli stems, (chopped)

1/2 cup feta cheese

2 cloves minced garlic

1 small onion or scallion chopped

salt and peeper to taste 

(chicken sausage, turkey bacon, optional mix-ins)

Directions:

Preheat the over to 350 degrees and prepare your muffin tin with cooking spray or light oil

Beat whole eggs and egg whites and fold in desired chopped toppings

Season with salt and pepper to taste

Pour egg batter into pre-oiled muffin tin

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes or until slightly golden brown on the edges

**Notes: Some recipes called for milk and I say skip this part. I made the mistake of adding almond milk my first batch and the entire egg (with broccoli and feta no less) tasted like a lump of eggy almond milk. NOT GOOD people. So I say skip the milk, it also made them a bit watery.

Enjoy! 

Instamissimo

I have always been a huge admirer of artist Asia Pietrzyk and love keeping up with the work on her blog, or finding her on other spots like DLF. I particularly love her maps and it's inspired some projects of my own. Her latest project is entitled Instamissimo and it's just the coolest. She takes her favorite instagrams that pop up on her feed and illustrates them. I love how her style is so relaxed and approachable but there is real elegance in the choices she takes with certain lines and specifiaclly her color palettes. Below are some of my favorites so far.

PS on a super unrelated note if you like the New Yorker or Jason Schwatrzman or funny videos that make you smile click here

Happy Friday!

30 Day Design Challenge - Day 24

ahh...the immortal genuis of none other than Ms. Lauren Hill... Still working through the colors on this one but I think it might have to be hung on someone's wall...just maybe...

30 Day Design Challenge - Day 23

 Because I am never one to quit, I am finishing the challenge in hopefully the next few days!  For now here is a sketch of the Chicago skyline I whipped up today, for another project that is filed under "PROJECT WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED". Super top secret. Though once I edit this down a bit more, it could pop up on my Etsy shop soon. 

"Wait, where is your Etsy shop Kaitlyn?"

 Coming soon! Stay tuned!