Born in Hokkaido, Japan, and currently based in Winnipeg, Canada, Takashi Iwasaki creates art that's playful and meticulous, ranging from embroidery, sculpture, painting, to collage. 

In previous work, ‘visual diary’ (abstract and symbolic records of activities, thoughts, and memories in a period of time) has been a starting point; however, specifically for Illustrated Type, Takashi chose to work with two personally important Japanese characters—‘poetry’ and 'sublimity’. He visualizes a relationship between the two, with an impeccably hand-embroidered diptych. These colors and shapes are so fresh and whimsical!

 


Poetry


Sublimity

Takashi has been on my radar for the past two years, and I’m so happy to feature his artwork in our gallery! His pieces, along with those of fellow contributors Studio On Fire, Christine Nguyen & Michael Wysong (to name only a few), definitely bring much-valued tactility to the space. See them all on Saturday, May 14th!

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Images provided by Takashi Iwasaki. 

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Full steam ahead! 

Illustrated Type artwork has been flowing into the gallery, and let me tell you, opening these packages is like Christmas morning, but WAY better. Lots of bubble wrap and lots of consistently amazing pieces. This design seal meme perfectly captures my reaction upon unwrapping Studio On Fire’s posters.

Based in Minneapolis, MN, Studio On Fire provides both design services and letterpress printing with a distinctively tactile presence. Their unique workspace marries design, art and craft. They say it’s like having cream and sugar in your coffee, and I couldn’t agree more.

I’m ecstatic to share their contribution to Illustrated Type! An exquisite letter press poster featuring refined, geometric type paired with raw, organic textures. This piece encompasses some of Studio On Fire’s favorite things—posters, fluorescents, thick paper (which feels SO good, you guys!), split fountain printing, and a wise quote (brought to us by Alphonse de Lamartine). On opening night, we’re releasing 30 of these beauties!

 
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Image from Studio On Fire.

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Jared Andrew Schorr’s preview letters have been getting lots of positive feedback on Twitter and Facebook, and it's only right for them to garner some more love here on the Nucleus blog. Aren’t the colors great? Enjoy these paper cut space adventures!

 
 
And we’ve got 2 more where this came from! 

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Images from Jared's Twitter account. 

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Eric Smith has designed for Element Skateboards, HOW Magazine, and even Myspace, but what really got my attention is his ‘Live Now’ Project. 

Some time ago Eric was diagnosed with cancer. He started ‘Live Now’ during his treatment, when he began to discover what cancer could gift to him—

We are a growing collection of friends, powerfully pursuing the notion of 'living now'. We're spreading our message through artwork, literature, relationships, exhibitions and more. This movement cannot be confined, is spilling out, and making history.

The 'Live Now' book (now available!) is a catalog of over 100 inspirational quotes and illustrations from collaborators all over the world. AND all pages are perforated, so get ready to clear some wall space/spread the sunshine!

I was extremely touched by Eric’s story and message, and am SO happy that he agreed to be a part of Illustrated Type. Below are his three beautiful posters, "crafted with smiles"!

Thanks so much for taking the time to send over some process photos, Eric! Can’t wait for everyone to see your posters in person!

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Images from Eric's Flickr account. 

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Back from a twelve-day blogging hiatus with an exciting announcement!



If you’ve perused the Illustrated Type event page within the last week, you may have noticed that the legendary artist and designer ED FELLA was added to the roster! A show celebrating hand drawn and experimental typography without one of its trailblazers just doesn’t seem right, so we’re ecstatic and honored that Ed has agreed to participate! 

Be sure to read Vince Carducci’s beautiful piece on AIGA’s website—it does more justice to Ed and his work than anything I could ever type into this blog post! And of course, visit Ed Fella’s truly compelling online portfolio.

Lorraine Wild (fellow AIGA medalist, CalArts faculty member, and graphic designer), on Ed Fella: “Ed’s work marks a sea change in graphic design. He introduced ambivalence and ambiguity, the multiple meanings of design as text and subtext, and that graphic designers are really artists.”

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Images from his website. 

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