ReubenMiller

Top Sites In All 'Design' Categories - Alexa

Earlier today I was looking through Alexa's directory of popular websites based on category. Well lo and behold under the category 'Design', I happened to stumble upon yours truly (How do the folks over at Alexa figure this stuff out?)

Anyway I decided to put together a summary list of the current top 200 design related websites per Alexa (bookmark this list, because it's quite possible the positions keep shifting). The list includes fashion design, architectural design, interior design, graphic design and more.

Naked Site

There was a time when I worked in real estate development. As much as I enjoyed watching a new building go up, I have to admit my favorite type of project was a rehab, where an existing structure was repurposed and renovated.

In one instance we converted a commercial office/warehouse building in Manhattan into a luxury condominium. The central core of the building was demolished in order to allow for a new elevator and staircase. On one occasion, my artistic curiosity got the better of me, and I started snapping hundreds of shots of the interior in its raw, naked state. I felt in a sense that by peeling away the interior layers I was uncovering history. (We actually did find loads of interesting information about turn-of-the-century construction methodology.)

So, here it is - my first and only photographic exposé, shot on a simple Canon PowerShot S400 (4MP). The  image is a 'collage' of the many snapshots I took. I wanted to create a sort of panorama of the site's raw beauty.

Exclusive Interview - Simon Oxley

 

We've had the great fortune of corresponding with artist and illustrator, Simon Oxley of Japan (and formerly of the UK.) His work features strong Japanese influence and more than a touch of refreshing humor. The simplicity of his work has inspired countless designers today, bridging the cultures of Japan, Europe and the US.

REUBENMILLER: Your art has a strong Japanese influence. Do you feel any other image-makers or styles also influence your work?

(read the full interview after the jump...)

Just Paint it Over

This is a photo taken by Amy McKenzie. Apparently this paint chip has between 150-200 layers of paint accumulated over the years (it's only 1cm thick - note the closeup of her fingertip.) Imagine what we'd learn about history if we could read paint layers like tree rings, huh?

Take Out, Keep It

Lorena Barrezueta is a Brooklyn-based artist. Her Gourmet collection of ceramic dishes as replicas of disposable take-out foil containers is inventive and surprisingly good-looking. The 'Lush' color series really reinforces the textural qualities of the molds, which is why I love this particular series.

Lorena's work has been widely featured in national publications, as well as various design blogs. We thought it was worth talking about anyway because her work is so refreshing and unique we just had to share it (with those who might never have seen her work, like us.)  What I also find so amazing is how a simple-yet-smart concept can spawn a whole collection of wonderful objects that are so universally appreciated!

Buy directly from the artist  at  Etsy. Now is the perfect season, so you have an excuse.

Check out some studio images after the jump.

Lightbulb as Sculpture

When a common, everyday product sold in the millions is suddenly reinvented, sit up and notice - you're about to witness a true paradigm shift. Hulger's Plumen Project reinvents the utilitarian compact fluorescent light bulb form as a sculptural work of art.

In Hulger's words, "Surely the tubular formation of these objects should be used to its' advantage, drawing, sculpting or scrawling in the air with light, turning these afterthoughts into centrepieces and perhaps in the process creating designs that people will buy through genuine desire rather than mere moral obligation."

When something this interesting hits the blogsphere, it gets talked about a lot. But, it was too good not to share. We're really excited about the possibilities with this project.

Yellena's world

Stunning work by Yellena. Kinda reminds me of that magical microscopic world of thingamagigs.

Dekoreone T-shirt Design

A great t-shirt designed by French artist, Nicolas Tual a.k.a. DEKOREONE. This tee is a limited edition print from the TeeDash series, by the awesome A Better Tomorrow.

Superman

Artist Walter Robinson has created this piece he calls Cephalogo (Superman)
In case you were wondering, it was created using plastic, metal & found material. I wonder what part was found. Regardless it'll make a marvelous gift for a loved one.
See more of his work at the CATHARINE CLARK GALLERY

[UPDATE]

See Randy Ludacer's comment below. Maybe there is a connection between Walter Robinson and Damien Hirst after all. Thanks Randy.

Carpet of Branches

Brushwood is a carpet that mimics the texture of forest growth, designed by Dima Loganoff. The highly tactile surface is created by combining hundreds of pieces of cut felt in different shades of brown. The effect is a cross between forest undergrowth and a thicket of branches.

More images after the jump.