Japan has Flavor

I went to one of my favorite stores in Melrose Avenue (Los Angeles) "SELECTA". Selecta sells exclusive apparel, rare-collectible items (Steve Urkel Doll & R.O.B Nintendo robot) and a good selection of music. As usual, I walked toward the back to talk to my good friend DJ Yoshi, on the latest music releases. As we were talking I couldn't stop staring at the bottle he was drinking. The bottle looked similar to one of those Aloe Vera Juice drinks that my mom loves to drink. The thing that caught me off guard was that it had the Pepsi logo. To my surprise I found out that Yoshi was drinking none other than Ice Cucumber-flavored soda. He told me he got a whole case from Japan...

Apparently, in the summer of 2007, Pepsi not only released the Ice Cucumber flavor, but they also released Pepsi White (Half Pepsi/Half Yogurt drink) to the Japanese market. Even the man himself, Chester Cheetos changed its flavor earlier this year in Japan by going from Flaming Hot to Strawberry and Chocolate... Japan offers a variety of Kit-Kat flavors, the Kiwi Kit-Kats are good.... This shows how different cultures have different tastes.

The packaging on the Ice Cucumber is very modern, refreshing in color and eye catching. It surely worked on me, because I couldn't stop staring at it, maybe because I hadn't seen it before maybe...Pepsi needs to work on the design for the Pepsi White it simply looks nasty.

I'm not sure if the Ice Cucumber-flavored drink would be popular in the U.S. I guess this is how the people in Japan keep cool in the summer....

Rumor has it that Pepsi is going to release Hot Dog flavored Soda exclusively for South Central L.A liquor stores. Are you ready for the Pepsi Challenge?

Time in Color

The Pantime Clock is a student project, designed by James Beattie from Bedford College, UK. The Pantine Clock is an interesting way to replace traditional clock numbers with different colors that correspond to Pantone Matching System numbers, starting with "012 C" (Pantone # for Yellow). Now, Graphic Designers, Printers and Artists can match the colors to its respective number from the Pantone Matching System.

It would be hard for me to tell time just by looking at the Pantime Clock. James Beattie, should make a 365 calendar by using the same system....

LMFAO Album Covers....

Over the weekend I went to my favorite music store Amoeba (Hollywood) located on Sunset Blvd between Ivar and Vine Avenue. As I was digging through some Records in the SOUL section. I came across Millie Jackson's 1989 Album "Back to the S_ _ T!", I seriously thanked graphic designers for coming a long way... The cover has Millie Jackson sitting down on a toilet bowl with her panties hanging down to her ankles, with a facial expression only a toilet can make you do...

Here's a couple of other memorable-funny album covers. These are some of the worst album covers that have ever been designed. Bad design and typography is everywhere, but these album covers have crossed the line!!!

"Zip Zap Rap" by Devastatin Dave was a single released in 1986. The single is an anti-drug song, released during Ronald Reagan crack-cocaine era. Check out the CMYK color scheme.

Knorkator-Hasenchartbreaker is an album by a German heavy metal band, released in 1999. Bad Image and terrible typography used

Ken-By request Only, released in 1976. This record sold for $150 on eBay.

Norberto de Freitas-Trapalhadas do Balbino... All I could say is Woow..

King Obstinate-25th Anniversary, released in 1983.

Eye exam...

This is the new DMV eye exam test. j/k.....
Can you read what it says????















(Hint: Don't look that close)

The Moment of Truth...

We have come to the final day of the political race that will shape our nation's history on same-sex marriages, animal rights, and will determine the next 44th U.S President. Remember the choice is yours, go out and vote like the poster above.....

I found a couple of posters:

"Vote", is a powerful poster it uses sans serif typography to create the shape of a thinking bubble. There's a mix of type styles and sizes. The overlapping and type size change used in this poster is a common technique used in advertising posters.

"Mc Cain I am Bush", was created after October 15th 3rd Presidential debate. When Senator Mc Cain told Obama, " Senator Obama, I am not President Bush". Classic Quote by Mc Cain.

"Nope Sarah Palin", is a parody of Shepard Fairey's Hope poster, notice the filters in this image.

Can you read what it says???? It's a poster by Lance Wyman, reminds me of an optical illusion.

The Gallery Row: Downtown Los Angeles

Two weeks ago I went to the Gallery Row located in Downtown Los Angeles between Main and Spring Streets from 2nd to 9th Streets. The art-walk is dope like heroin, it's an art aficionado's wet dream come true. It's basically, a public self-guided tour that showcases 42 art galleries, museums, and non-profit art venues, every 2nd Thursday of the month from 12:00 p.m to 9:00p.m. The Gallery Row was founded in 2003 and has always showcased a special artist each month.

This month they showcased two internationally known and locally respected Los Angeles Graffiti Artists. "Kofie One", who designed murals for Barack Obama's presidential campaign and "Mear One", he's a living legend. His art can be seen anywhere from the concrete streets, magazines, art galleries, etc.

I really like the environment at the Gallery Row, there's music and plenty of food. There's even a free shuttle service from 6-10 p.m called the "Party Bus". Some of the art pieces are inspirational and some are mind blowing. Keep in mind that the photographs don't do justice for these works of art. The next art walk is on November 13th, hopefully I can see some of you there....

Upcoming Attractions...

Since, I talked about some of my favorite Horror movies and posters, it's only right to discuss about upcoming movie posters...

When I'm not listening to music, eating, hanging out w/ friends or tap dancing, I'm probably watching a movie. I hate it when I buy bootlegs DVD's, because they don't show upcoming attractions. Watching upcoming attractions is one of the reasons I like going to the movie theaters. One thing I hate about going to the movie theaters is looking at those cheesy trivia questions they advertise before a upcoming attractions.

Movie ad's are an important element in the Motion Picture Industry, they spends an average of $15 million to promote each movie. I really like the way movie posters are designed: Image, Tag-line and Title (Sometimes Actors names). It's interesting to see how they advertise and create hype about a film by using these 3 elements, without revealing too much information about the movie.

These are some Teaser Posters for upcoming films in 2009....

For the Horror fans: Friday the Thirteen and The Uninvited

For the Comic fans-Xmen Origins: Wolverine and GI-Joe:Rise of Cobra

For the Munchkins: Dragon Ball, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinasours and Where the wild things are (Remember this Book, I do)

Some other films, I'm looking forward to in the year 2010 are Alice in Wonderland, Iron Man 2, Thor, The Smurfs, Voltron, Gears of War, Bob Marley: Movie and the Unauthorized Bio of Jimmy Moss.

Favorite Horror Movies and Covers...

Candy corn, Pumpkins, Halloween parties and Horror films....Halloween is here. I'm a big fan of Horror films, I like watching B-side , Cult and Shockumentaries movies. Whenever I get a chance I like going to the Grindhouse Theater on Beverly Blvd west of La Brea, sometimes I just pass by just to see the great Horror film posters.

On Friday, I overheard some youngsters talking about how SAW Cinco (Five) is scary and good. I think that High School Musical movie is scarier than Saw 5...

As a kid I had no choice but to watch Horror films with my Uncle. I remember this video store by my house, I would walk on the other side of the street to avoid seeing the Horror Posters. Even though, I was scared I was always attracted to the posters. I think it has always been the creepy images they have used to create fear and mystery.

Here are some of my favorite films and covers check out the typography on these babies...

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
The Exorcist
Dead Alive
I Drink Your Blood
Cannibal Holocaust (Not for the Squeamish)

Dial Soap vs. Doritos Chips Bag

During the week I went Halloween shopping around town. I went to Rite Aid on Crenshaw and Slauson, as I went through the Shampoo section I stumbled upon a canister of Dial shampoo. I was a bit confused when I saw it, is it me or does it look like a bag of Doritos....You be the judge????

Shocking HIV/AIDS Awareness Ads

As the saying goes, "Sex Sells", I stumbled upon this excellent HIV/AIDS Awareness campaign ad from France. The text reads: "Without a condom you're making love with AIDS. Protect yourself." The ad was designed by French NGO (National-Governmental Organization) called AIDES ("Aide" means "Support" or "help" in French), which was founded in 1984, which is the leading French Aids fighting association in Europe. These ads were created to shock, scare and spread awareness. This is a serious issue ladies and gentlemen, PROTECT YOURSELVES and Practice safe sex, even Superwoman can get it. Test yourselves, there's plenty of free help out there...

Obama Fever....

As the presidential elections get closer and closer, 26 days to be exact. There's a hot new trend among Street Wear Clothing Companies, Barack Obama shirts. Obama's mugshot can be seen everywhere from bumper stickers, coffee mugs, toys and even lingerie. Obama shirts are grossing in sales among Street Wear Clothing Companies, it seems to be the new way to campaign. John Mc Cain and Sarah Palin seem to be getting no love, I've only seen negative shirts for them. If you really want an Obama shirt you can get yours on the corner of Crenshaw and Slauson. Keep in mind that the last day to register to vote is October 20th, 2008, don't let time pass you by...

I wish Bill Clinton could run for president again, I would love to see the shirts...

Introducing CS4 Illustrator

For those of you that didn't read my blog about the Adobe Creative Suite at Cal State Los Angeles a few months back... I basically talked about how the computer labs in the Fine Art building were still using Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign CS1. During the first day of the Fall Quarter it was good to see that new computers and the updated software jumping from CS1 to CS3.

Technology changes quickly, Adobe will release a new version of the Creative Suites 4 (CS4) that will hit stores during October. Illustrator CS4 will feature a new art board which has the ability to create a document with up to 100 separate art boards. Each art board can have a different orientation, size and can be exported to its own file.The multi-artboard options will allow you to create many different comps that can be taken into other Adobe applications like Photoshop and InDesign.

It will also feature a Blob brush tool, instead of painting with a regular brush stroke it will have the capability to paint with the blog brushes which give you a filled, compound path. Another feature is the transparency in gradients with on-object controls and it will also include new tabs in order to work with multiple applications in a single window.

Hopefully, they can offer an easier way to work with In Design...In Design will have a new Live PreFlight tool.

Adobe is currently offering pre-orders for $1,799 and upgrades for $599. Professor Jimmy Moss can I borrow $599???

President Abraham Lincoln's penny gets a makeover

The U.S mint unveiled four new designs for the 1-cent coin (penny), Yesterday September 22nd during a ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. It will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday and the 100th anniversary of Lincoln appearing on the penny. The first penny is scheduled to go into circulation on Feb 12, 2009. The penny hasn't changed since 1959. The classic mugshot of the 16th U.S president will remain on the heads side of the coin, but the Lincoln Memorial will be replaced on the other side by four new images which include a log cabin, a Young Lincoln taking a break, Lincoln as a Young Lawyer and a half-completed Capitol dome. The copper will also be replace, by high quality steel.

Do we really need a new penny????

Gas signs in Los Angeles

It's sad to see that unemployment rate is increasing, America's economy going down the toilet, and Gasoline prices sky high. As they say another day another dollar...The price of gasoline has been slimming down my pockets for at least two years now. The national average price of gas this week is $3.67 a gallon, five years ago the average price of gas was $1.53 a gallon. When the gas price reached $3.00 a gallon I told myself "Get used to it", but when it passed $4.50 a gallon it was like a slap in the face. Oil prices will continue to go up...At what price will Americans stop pumping gas??? At least we don't have to pay $10.48 for a gallon of gas like people in Norway...

It's good to see people like the ones below, advertising the truth about oil companies...

CS3 in Fine Arts Building?

On Monday, I was surprised when I went to the computer lab in Salazar Hall. I used a Mac Computer to work on the Final Presentation in In Design program. I was surprised when I uploaded the In Design program they the CS3 version, Illustrator CS3, plus the Photoshop is in CS2.It’s a shame to see that the Graphic Design computers labs in the Fine Art building are still utilizing CS1 programs. I wonder how long it’s going to take the department to upgrade the programs? The Graphic Design labs are the ones that need to be up to date with programs.

ABC3D

This is a fascinating and innovative video, it's from a book called ABC3D. It's a
pop-up book of the 26 Alphabet letters, the cover is real cool, I also like the letter U alot. The hardcover book was made by Marion Bataille it will be released on Oct 14,2008. You can preorder a copy today at Half.com. Marion Bataille is a widely published graphic design artist and illustrator. I will definitely buy her book, it's only $19.95.

Words from the Wise

I wanted to share these inspiring and excellent quotes, with my fellow graphic design classmates. Each one of these quotes has given me inspiration; hopefully it can do the same thing for you…….

“Don’t confuse legibility with communication” David Carson

“You can do a good ad with poor typography, but you can’t do a great ad with poor typography”- Herb Lubalin

“Design is about making order out of chaos.”-Cipe Pineles

“A poster must do two things well: to be noticed and to hold your attention long enough to get the message across. And in that order.” Emil Weiss

“The expression in a (typographic) design is what is most important, not the typeface that is used.”-Wolfgang Weingart

Hidden Logo's

I was at my friends house on Tuesday talking about politics, music and more music. He happens to work at FedEx, out of curiosity I asked him, “Have you ever noticed the hidden arrow in the FedEx Logo.” He automatically said “NO”. I told him to look closely between the letter E and x. Yesterday, I got a phone call and he told me that it took him a while to find it. He asked several managers and co-workers if they knew about the hidden arrow in the logo, most of them were unaware of the hidden arrow.

I was amazed that my friend and his co-workers were unaware of the hidden arrow. I don’t blame them either, when I worked at FedEx I found the arrow after working there for several months. I never viewed the FedEx logo the same. It supposed to symbolize speed and precision.

There’s a similar logo to FedEx, it’s a logo created for a puzzle game called Cluenatic. The logo has the letters C,L,U and E they’re arranged as a maze. Can you find the letters? Can you see a key? If you see the logo from a distance it looks like a key.

Kuka the robot calligrapher

Move over calligraphers and typography aficionados, theirs a new sheriff in town. He’s not human, he’s a robot named Kuka. Kuka was created by a group of German artists called RobotLab. Kuka was programmed to write the entire Martin Luther-period Bible, including the Old and New Testaments by hand. All written on a long scroll of paper, by using a calligraphic style early font called “Schwabacher.”

I wish I could of used Kuka for Jimmy’s class. I’m excited to see what Kuka and other robots can do in the future. Hopefully, Kuka won’t replace human calligraphers in the future. Could this be the beginning of man vs. machine in the typography world?

Typography 101: Guidelines of Letterforms

It’s critical to become fluent in the terminology of typography. An awareness of the structural aspects of type is the key to success, it can also provide useful insights for making informed design decisions. Remembering the terminology for describing letters in typography isn’t difficult because most of them are named after the human anatomy. It only becomes difficult because theirs a lot to remember. It is important to first understand how guidelines are used with letterforms, then to learn about all the parts that make up letterforms. These are the basic principles to learn typography.

The x-height consists of an invisible grid of parallel horizontal lines that shows how tall to make a lowercase letter of a typeface. The five horizontal lines from top to bottom represent different guidelines. The ascender line marks the appropriate height for the tall lowercase letters of a typeface like the letters b, d, h,and f. The cap height is the height of the capital letters. The mean line or waist line is the line that marks the tops of lowercase letters without ascenders, which can be referred to as a high waist line or a low waist line; the baseline is a line where all the words rest, making them appear evenly. Finally, at the very bottom, the descender or beard line marks the correct length for the lowercase g, j, p, y and q, it’s the level to which the lowest descenders descend.

Skull and Bones Exhibition

There’s a cool art exhibition called “Skull and Swords”, that’s showcasing some of the finest modern artist in the graphic design, graffiti, tattooing and painting industry. Todd Noble, Shawn Barber, and Saber (MSK/AWR graffiti artist) are among the notable artist in the gallery. There's plenty of inspirational and mind blowing pieces in the exhibition. Please remember that web photographs don’t do justice to these pieces , one has to analyze the art ship. So, get out of your seat and visit Skull and Bones it will be open until May 31st, 2008. It's located on 441 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA.

VIDEO of The WEEK: 80 of 500 handdrawn posters

This is an inspiring video from a Netherlands graphic designer named Job Wouters a.k.a "LETMAN." I really like the different elements of typography that he used, his style is a cross between graphic design, graffiti, and calligraphy. Keep in mind that all of the posters are hand rendered by the same artist.

Can we forget "Sarah Marshall" ?

About a month ago, I was walking down Melrose with my girlfriend and I saw an all white billboard sign with black letters that read "You suck Sarah Marshall." I laughed, I seriously thought it was a guy getting revenge at a girl and what a better way than to display his feelings in a public billboard.

After a couple of days I started to see the same billboard sign with different choice of words plastered in every bus and billboard around Los Angeles. A couple of my friends also wondered who was this mysterious person "Sarah Marshall". After watching the movie "Drillbit Taylor" I found out those billboard ads are for an upcoming film called "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" that is going to come out this Friday the 18th.

In my opinion it's a brilliant graphic design campaign. I always thought, a good movie ad consisted of a well designed poster, but it's not the case with this film. It's a simple design, that definitely caught my attention, even though the movie ad is damm near ugly. It's going to be hard to forget "Sarah Marshall" with these funny marketing strategies.

Digital Democrat

Shepard Fairey

"Kofie One"

Political posters have been around since the First and Second World Wars. Usually these Political posters were posted on the walls in order to communicate their message to the public. Since the rise of Modern day Technology, political posters and Presidential Campaigns have enhanced and changed forever.

Several clothing companies, graphic designers and graffiti artists have been contributing to the recent Presidential election campaigns, primarily Democratic candidate Barack Obama. It has been part of an ongoing series of artist collaborations.

The fist well known contemporary artist to create an Obama poster was Shepard Fairey of the “Andre the Giant” infamous street art campaign and Obey (clothing company) fame. He contributed support to Barrack Obama’s campaign by releasing limited edition Obama Posters, which quickly sold out. With the success of the posters Shepard Fairey will release several T shirts, posters and stickers in support of Barack Obama.

Another artist that has endorsed their artistic and graphic design skills into the election process is Matt Revelli, the founder and creative director of Upper Playground. He created poster’s for Barrack Obama and collaborated with Shepard Farey’s Obama poster.


Internationally known and locally respected graffiti artist “Kofie One” from UTI and WCA a Los Angeles street based graffiti crew has created a mural in Barack Obama’s Los Angeles headquarters in Mid Wilshire. The piece is perfectly structured, it embodies the Democratic candidate and the California state outline with bright colors.


Even though you may or may not like Barack Obama political take, it’s interesting to see political support from different artistic forms. It would be great to see more artist collaborations in the future. Hopefully, it won’t stop with just the current Presidential election campaigns.