Map Ink Blog

“She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” Download these postcard for free. Print and send to your representatives, to the strong women in your life, as a thank you to Senator Elizabeth Warren or use as a daily reminder to persist in what you are fighting for. Click here to download. The post Free “Nevertheless, She Resisted” Postcard appeared first on JHill Design.

Download signs here: march.domecollective.com  /  forallwomankind.com  /  counter-type.com  / jointheuproar.com *protip: printing these signs at 11×17 will be cheaper than a bigger size, but copy shops like Staples and FedEx can do either for you. You can also print large signs at home and tile them together like a puzzle. Just takes a little patience, a long ruler, some tape and a sharp exacto. Here is a good tutorial for word and for photoshop I’ve been inspired by the Women’s March sign design I’ve seen on instagram the last couple days. I need a digital flip board for all I want to say, picking one statement is so hard. I’ll be at the Women’s March in Boston with my 6 yr old son and my husband. Enjoy your right to peaceful protest! The post Free Women’s March Sign Downloads appeared first on JHill Design.

As you can imagine, we get asked about frames a lot. We work with a great custom-framer to frame the pieces sold on our website, but custom framing, while always beautiful, isn’t always economical. Check out our favorite pre-made frames for a tight budget. Ikea: Have a european print size? You can bet Ikea will have a frame to fit. They also carry 5×7, 8×10 and other standard US frame sizes. Our favorites are the Ribba frames, which start at just $2. However, you need to inspect the corners of each Ribba frame, make sure that the corners are seamed correctly and that there aren’t any chips. Another steal is the Stomby frame at $17.99 for a 24″ x 35 3/4″. The aluminum frame and glass panel keeps this large frame from warping as opposed to other large ikea frames. Michael’s: This store both gives me a panic attack AND makes me excited to make things. They have a great framing section, and also offer custom framing and matting. Unsure of what to do? Bring your piece in with you and talk to the framer. They can guide you through the options. Blick: When I need to order frames for a show I always order the Blick Metal Gallery Frames. They also sell the high-quality Nielsen Bainbridge frames, which are the same framing components our custom framer uses. Want more insider tips? Or maybe you’re still totally lost? Any questions don’t hesitate to ask us over on twitter via @jennifer_hill.

Beautiful bleeding color always seems simple. My own watercolor trials have proven it the opposite. You need to be patient enough to let the medium do it’s own thing, something the graphic designer in me can hardly handle. Each time I paint it is a lesson in releasing control. Here are some beautiful examples that have been sitting in my pinterest inspiration board for too long. from top right:  tide business card Bland Designs // photographic paintings by Matt Waples // textile design student Rachael Selina // textile designer Ayelet // artist Claire des Jardins // artist Anna Badur

I’m all for a great graphic tee, specifically when it is typography heavy. I would rock any of these Women’s World Cup t-shirts for tonights USA v Germany semi-final game. Wildfang “The Squad” T-shirt calls out “Hey-Oh & Pinoe & Wambach & The Kid”. Also, kickass models. $48 here. Never anything wrong with a vintage-eque type soccer tee. Via Soccertees.com I’m sure we can all relate to this sentiment on and off the field. via Thuglifeshirts.com Love this typography team tee from Didi, I hope they reprint it. USA USA USA!

I’ve been researching athletic/Olympics graphic design as we work on the branding for our Run Ink. The 1968 Mexico City Olympics branding is my design happy place. The simple, strong logo and icons were applied to everything from stadiums to sun hats, each application totally considered. What a dream project to work on as a young designer. The 1968 Olympic branding was designed by graphic design icon Lance Wyman. (Visit his website/amazing portfolio). Be inspired by photos at Graphic Ambient / a great interview with Wyman at Walker Art Center / and more Olympic branding design at Design Boom

Nothing delights me more than seeing Abbi from Comedy Central’s Broad City dancing around naked, singing Lady Gaga in front of my Queens Map Print.    

One ways I’ve been breaking free from my creative block is stepping away from computer illustration. I love my vectors, but it is time to incorporate more into them. My goal is to take some of my favorite existing patterns / places and recreate them using different methods such as watercolor, paper marbling, and printmaking. I started with watercolor. Here is what I learned: 1. It’s hard 2. I’m a massive control freak 3.There is no controlling watercolor (for the beginner at least). It’s basically the opposite of working in illustrator for me.As fate would have it my new studio mate is illustrator extraordinare Julia Denos. We have spent afternoons painting together, with her teaching me painting tricks and I educating her on InDesign and going to a spa.  I have loved every minute of it. I’ve scanned these watercolor paintings and work will them into a totally new design for the Fairbanks, Alaska pattern – an imagined vacation to see the aurora borealis. And I’ll keep on painting, because I’ve barely scratched this surface.

One night, while laying in bed perusing graphic design on Pinterest, (a favorite pre-bedtime activity), I came across the work of graphic designer Kellyn Walker. I was so inspired! I’ve been killing my creative block by incorporating more handmade elements, scanned objects and collage-ness to my patterns and designs. She does it so very well. Check out her very inspiring Pinterest boards. 

Last month I had surgery and spent about a week and a half sleeping off pain killers and watching movies. I have been going through a bit of a creativity crisis and watching so many great process movies and biopics has really helped. Here are some of my favorites that I watched while convalescing. 1. BILL CUNNINGHAM’S NEW YORK // I’ve watched this multiple times and never tire of it. “Fashion is the armor to survive the everyday life”. (netflix) 2. BASQUIAT // The story of Basuait’s rapid rise to fame. Plus David Bowie puts in an amazing performance as Andy Warhol. (netflix) 3. SCATTER MY ASHES AT BERGDORF’S // The history of the store and the making of their holiday windows peppered with interview from fashion’s frontrunners. (netflix)   4. GREGORY CREWDSON, BRIEF ENCOUNTERS // The process behind the making of Crewdson’s elaborate movie-esque photos. (netflix) 5. MARC JACOBS + LOUIS VUITTON // My favorite all time process movie. Watch Marc design multiple collections and throw a killer halloween party. I’ve watched this a billion times. (youtube) 6. THE RACHEL ZOE PROJECT  // I am SO SAD that this show was cancelled. I love how honest Zoe is, especially in the last season as she becomes a working mom, insecure in her work and trying to balance everything. I totally relate. Plus she is quite funny and the fashion is to die for. (amazon) Any creative documentaries that I missed that I need to see? let me know!   The post THE HUSTLE: CREATIVE MOVIES online appeared first on JHill Design.