The opening day of Top Drawer Spring was as inspirational as you might expect from the first show of the season, a treasure-trove for lovers of design-led contemporary product
One of our favourite stands of the show was Lagom Design, and eco-conscious publisher that won the Best Words and Sentiment Collection category at The Henries Awards 2013.Lagom has a number of cutting-edge artists on its books and there was so much great product on the stand that rather than pick just one, we decided to bring you a selection of the latest designs from this exciting publisher.
Above left: Secret Jungle greeting card by Studio Tipi, where children play in a colourful wildlife wonderland, filled with friendly animals and spectacular plants, in this charming collection of greeting cards. Right: A distinctive Postco greeting card by artist and designer Kelly Hyatt, produced using heavyweight, uncoated board from the Swedish mill Munken, and feature gold foil blocking. Each card comes with matching envelope for that extra touch of elegance.
This fun bear card is the creation of Spanish designer and photographer Yago Partal, creator of the Zoo Portrait range. The range includes remarkable portraits of everyone’s favourite animals and birds, and are the perfect way to make an impression on any occasion.
Satoshi Hashimoto, right, has created a beautifully whimsy collection of cheerful, charming cards featuring the distinctive 1950s and ’60s retro style of this leading international illustrator. Satoshi was born in Yokohama, Japan, where he is now based. His work is influenced and inspired by the styles of the 1950s and 60s illustration and graphics, including old children’s illustrated dictionaries and colour prints, as well as craft objects and travelling. His distinctive drawings are now seen in a wide-range of leading international publications, and regularly appear in Monocle magazine.
Alexander Girard (1907–1993) is one of the greatest colourists, pattern makers and environmental and exhibition designers of the 20th century. Girard was hired by Herman Miller in 1952 to lead Miller’s textile division, where he brought colour and life to the modern furniture creations of George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames. He left his distinctive mark on the world of avant-garde design with his celebrated contributions to the New York La Fonda del Sol restaurant and Braniff International Airlines. These colourful greetings cards featuring Girard’s designs (left) are ideal for friends, family and any occasion.
American photographer Alicia Bock is inspired by her children, her own childhood memories of her grandparents’ gardens and her family’s boxes of old Polaroids. This card collection uses Alicia’s dream-like photography to communicate warmth, humanity and a love of the world.
Artist and illustrator Ellen Giggenbach is influenced by German folk art, graphic designs of the 1950s and ’60s, and the sunshine and wildlife of her New Zealand home, Her greeting card designs sparkle with life and are perfect for all sorts of special occasions, or just saying hello!
Hej (pronounced ‘hey’) is Swedish for ‘hello’ – and these Animal themed greetings cards are a great way to say hello to friends and family. The designs are by the talented, Stockholm-based illustrator Ingela P Arrhenius and feature her trademark, line and colour style, influenced by the strong graphic designs of the 1950s and 1960s. Quirky, cheerful, colourful and fun, the Hej collection of cards offers something special for any occasions. £2.00
The colourful retro designs of the Monster Riot range are from husband and wife team Jason Ruddy and Catherine McDaid. Full of friendly and cheerful characters and animals, these greeting cards are perfect for saying happy birthday, congratulations, good luck, get well, or just for telling someone special how much you care. We think these cards are a wonderful way to brighten a loved one’s day.
The fun Walkies greeting cards feature the work of Steven Lenton, but we can’t tell if it is the dogs who look like their owners or the owners who look like their dogs!
The Tuileries range is by illustrator and pattern maker Helen Dardik, who was born in the Ukraine, grew up in Siberia, finished art school in Israel and completed a graphic design degree in Canada, where she now lives. These days Helen is best friends with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, the dealers that help sustain her addiction
to creating her wonderful designs. These beautiful card designs are inspired by Scandinavian folklore and are suitable for any occasions.
