Salt by: Funkstörung. What can I say about this track that hasn’t already been said? It’s a dope beat, and a collaborative effort by Michael Fakesch and Chris De Luca who made up Funkstörung. I love the haunting melody on the guitar, and that eerie minimal brass section that drops in every now and then. Almost sounds like the ghosts of a jazz quartet haunted the production while this track was being produced. Perfect song to listen to while nursing a hangover, or while working on a typical Portland rainy day.

The packaging is pretty fantastic as well. Definitely unconventional, but it screams Funkstörung.

Happy listening

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

There is nothing better than designing on a Sunday evening in Portland, Oregon with the sun setting, all while listening to a down-tempo compilation that helps ease my day towards its expiration. This is one compilation I never grow tired of listening to. I can actually listen to this comp from start to finish, (and it’s a double disc, which is even more amazing to me). The compilation is titled: “Putting the Morr back in Morrissey“, and is released on the Morr Music label. Each track on this compilation was influenced in one way or another by an existing Morrissey song. One track that really stands out to me over all others on this compilation is a track titled: “Delc:R” by Arovane. I’ve always been a really big fan of Arovane, and how he manages to make any time of day beautiful when you listen to his work. I would highly suggest picking this up if you can find it. The design and layout are pretty dope as well. I really love how simple it is, and how it’s so complimentary to the music. The credit for the design direction goes to: Jan Kruse from o8 Design.

Anyway, be sure to give it a listen.

Peace

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

We found these logos in the Graphis Annualâ„¢ 1985 /86 edition. I really love how minimal, and traditional these are. It’s very easy to walk away from viewing these, and still remember their associations. It wasn’t until the 90s that people really went crazy with the idea of branding, and started peddling crap for logos. Personally that’s one of my biggest pet peeves when people forget the purpose of a logo / icon / brand identity, and just produce shiny, colorful abstract shapes without considering who’s going to be viewing it, and whether or not it’s memorable.

Christy and I usually follow a strict guideline when branding a client, or product. We believe strongly in the use of negative space, a flat 2D approach, and a minimal use of colors (if any). When we’re finished with the brand identity / logo / icon (whatever you want to call it), it has to look good in black and white initially, and then we add color to it if necessary (depending on the client, and the client’s demographic). I wish more logo designers would follow this rule of thumb. I’d like to take this time to give credit to the designers whose work we featured in the image above. Going from left to right, top to bottom:

• Icon designed for the American Protection Industries, Inc. Designed by: Gary Hinsche.
• Logo for the Central Typesetting Company. Designed by: Emmett Morava.
• Icon designed for GoTech™ Inc. Designed by: Peter Adam.
• Icon designed for landscape designer, David Baldwin. Designed by: Alan Colvin.
• Icon designed for Dacosystems™. Designed by: Emmett Morava.
• Icon fro the Japanese bank Mitsui™. Designed by: Takenobu Igarashi.
• Logo for Transportes Urbano de Sevilla. Designed by: Roberto Luna & Fernando Mendoza.
• Icon designed for the amalgamation of two flour mills. Designed by: Rosmarie Tissi.
• Icon designed for the LAOOC (Amateur Athletic Foundation). Designed by: Ray Wood.

Hope you enjoy

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

Another great ad featured in Graphis Annualâ„¢ 1985 /86. Designed by Takenobu Igarashi, this advertisement was produced in black and white for furnishing by Habitat, on the occassion of the Trade Expo 85 in Nihhon (Japan). I love the 3D / architectural treatment of the characters, and how no character repeats itself, making every character unique. The layout is pretty amazing as well. Very encouraging to look at.

Enjoy,

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

A few years ago I made a trip to Japan (Nihhon) to kick it with my buddy Toyohisa Kanno. While we were exploring the various parts of Roppongi (Gaijin) Tokyo we happened to stumble upon one of his favorite Japanese (Nihojin) electronic artists named: Organ-O-Rounge. I had never heard of them before this point, but the experience was amazing. Since then Toyo has been sending me their albums. I must say, I looked long and hard to find their albums in the states, but to no avail. I’m sure I could have just found their albums on “i-tunes”, but I’m not a fan of the whole “i-tunes” monopoly game that Apple is trying to push on everyone. Anyway… this is probably one of my favorite albums by Organ-O-Rounge titled: “Futron.” It just so happens that is also the name of one of my favorite tracks on the album.

If you’re like me, (still kicking it in record stores, and living in the USA), and you happen to stumble upon this album while digging, do yourself a favor and BUY IT. Not only is it extremely hard to find in the US, but it’s absolutely beautiful as well and a must own to anyone who wants to remain sane in this “America’s Next Top whatever…” age we’re living in.

Anyway, be sure to give it a listen.

Enjoy,

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

This is another design we found featured in the 1985 /86 Graphis Annualâ„¢ that we were pretty impressed with, so we thought we would share. The design was produced by Rubên Fontana, and was the cover of a brochure for a non-destructive test centre. The treatment is very minimal, but at the same time very abstract. I really love the way he used the colors and arrows to produce the cube, and how it’s almost reminiscent of a halftone effect.

Enjoy,

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

First off let me say, this record is a MUST HAVE in any music library. Secondly, if you don’t know who Charles Atlas is than you’re doing something incredibly wrong. The great thing about this record is that it’s a Charles Atlas remix compilation of the album “Worsted Weights”, featuring local PDXers such as: *Strategy, and *Nudge, as well as international electronic artists and producers like: *Isan. The photographs and design direction are pretty dope as well and really compliment the sound of the record.

One of my favorite tracks on this entire compilation is a remix by Strategy (Paul Dickow) titled: “One Foot Under.”

If you follow any releases by Strategy than I’m sure you’ll know that he usually always hits the mark with emotional sound content. The “One Foot Under” remix is no exception. If none of what I’ve said means anything to you, than the only thing I have left to suggest is to give it a listen and judge for yourself.

Enjoy

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

We thought someone might find this piece from our archives amusing, so we decided to share this with whomever is interested. One of our good friends commissioned us to create one of their infamous holiday greeting cards last Christmas for their insanely long list of family and friends. We decided to illustrate them, and put them in a conventional busy mall setting with a line of people waiting to see Santa. If you notice, everyone has got their ideal gift already picked out in their minds, and they’re just waiting to spill the beans. I can’t tell you how long this took, but it was quite a while. Every element was intricately illustrated, from the mall backdrop and Christmas tree, to the family and Santa in the foreground. Although it was very detail oriented, it was extremely fun to work on. We’re looking forward to taking it on next year as well.

Hope you enjoy.

Peace,

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

Christy and I found this dope article in Graphis Annualâ„¢ 85/86 about featured package design. This one in particular really stood out to us, so we thought we would feature it here. The package was designed by Yasuo Itou of the Tac Co. Agency for the Japanese gift company, Zeniyaâ„¢. I personally love the use of negative space. It’s very minimal, and the logo treatment is beautiful as well. Almost seems like something you would expect to see in Los Logos.

Enjoy

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

Mornings at the Colorcubicâ„¢ office tend to involve Gusto Crema blend coffee from Cafe Umbria, a bagel with cream cheese and tomato, and Autechre…. an interesting blend of circuit bending, good production, and eclectic beats. I’ve noticed Autechre tends to be hit or miss with some people. For me Autechre has always been an inspiration for the never ending exploration of sound design. Albeit there’s a time and a place for Autechre, but one of my favorite albums of theirs would have to be “EP7″ hands down. To this day I’ve never heard them try to reproduce that sound. Whatever the reason, it’s a brilliant album.

The packaging is pretty dope as well. Kind of an unconventional approach to fractal design. I think if you’re new to Autechre, or you’re battling with the “love / hate” relationship that tends to follow Autechre, I would highly suggest picking up this album. It’s probably one of their most melodic albums I’ve ever heard. My all time favorite track from this album would have to be track 11 titled: “Pir.”

Anyway, just thought I would share this Autechre experience. Feel free to give it a listen below.

Enjoy

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

We finally finished an 11 x 20 print motif for Nueva Formaâ„¢ musica internacional, an electronic music label of Colorcubic. Once we’re finished redeveloping colorcubic.com, and nuevaforma.com we’re planning on releasing this print for sale.

We’ll be sure to post the release of when this is officially on sale and ready to ship out.

Hope you enjoy.

Peace,

- m / Colorcubicâ„¢

Chris Ware is one of my favorite comic book artists. I was introduced to his work 5 years ago when I came upon a Rusty Brown tin lunchbox. Rusty Brown’s character is an awkward young man that has been outcast by his peers, and the lunchbox features images of Rusty eating in the cafeteria alone, running from bullies throwing trash at him, and other pathetic images that you can’t help but feel bad about and laugh at the same time. Ware’s images and stories are satirical, sad, perverse and often terribly funny in an awkwardly honest way, like you had just walked in on your kid brother in the bathroom with a nudie mag.

A book that I refer back to often for design inspiration (specifically for typography and layout) is Ware’s “The Acme Novelty Library“. From the minute you see the book’s exterior, you’ll be captivated by the intricate ornamentation and book band. Each tabloid-size page is a work of art and features a comic hodgepodge of familiar Ware characters such as the aforementioned Rusty Brown and his buddy Chalky White, Quimby the Mouse, Rocket Sam, a nude superhero, and more.

Ware also recreates a world of fake ads similar to those you’d find in 70’s and 80’s Archie’s digests. Has anyone growing up in the 80’s not been swayed into sending away for those magical Sea Monkeys that could be trained to perform tricks (as advertised)? Or what about those X-Ray glasses that allow you to see the bones in your hands… or underneath Sally’s skirt! Nostalgic.

Perhaps one of my favorite things about the book aside from the overall design are the Acme library construction projects. Sandwiched in the middle of the book are paper book and shelf diagrams meant to be cut out, folded, and glued together to construct your own miniature Acme library. I’ve never actually done this as I wouldn’t dare cut into the actual pages of the book, but you could photocopy the pages as to not ruin the original. It’d make for an interesting rainy Saturday, which unfortunately is much too frequent in Portland, Oregon.

- c / Colorcubicâ„¢