Author: Maru Saurer

Creativity flows easily on rainy days

| Maru Saurer

It was on a wintry December morning, when l discovered this gem – A History of Graphic Design for Rainy Days. A smile beamed across my face, as l took a peek at the book online. How utterly invigorating to find such a book that takes the reader on a illustrative journey of Graphic Design! Overflowing with bright graphics and fun activities, this entertaining book demonstrates the humor and creativity that can be found in the visual world of graphic design.

The graphic design agency behind this masterpiece is Studio 3. An in-school agency that is located within the Graphic Design Department of Westerdals School of Communication in Oslo. l believe Studio 3 exists on the steadfast foundation of raw talent – hand-picked 3rd year graphic design students – truly inspirational to all graphic designers!


They say lightening only strikes once, and yet Studio 3 keeps on giving… in the form of another book – Hyperactivitypography from A to Z. A vintage styled journey celebrating the beauty of typography.

Glorious in form and activity structure.

Smile!

Exploration of secret inner worlds

| Maru Saurer

To step into the dream-like world of Nina Mankin’s art is to step onto a theatrical stage of pure intrigue and richly-intense drama . Exploration and “an attempt to uncover the lost parts of our psyche…our secret shadow selves” is a main theme that runs through Nina’s work.

Watching Nina talk about her work, along with the ‘Victorian’ hue that colours her work, enticed me into showcasing her hidden worlds. Secret places that can only be viewed when glimpsed through a tin’s tiny pinhole. l find the idea of creating a secret ‘narrative based’ inner world out of disused objects and materials enthralling, fueling my imagination, along with a sense of searching for a deeper meaning.

‘Behind Closed Doors’ is a mixed media piece, and tells the story of a man with a ‘faux’ tailors workshop who becomes obsessed with a woman called Deidra. Posing himself as a dressmaker (with an eye for the ladies in corsets),  he entices her into his workshop, and with the lure of a  magic potion…slowly she begins to fall in love with him…

Such dark narratives are perfectly played out on the hidden theatrical stage settings that Nina has so intricately crafted.

Let’s make some great art

Image | | Maru Saurer

In creative collaboration with Laurence King Publishing, talented illustrator Marion Deuchars has designed a book which fills my sketchbook heart with pure joy!

´Let’s Make Some Great Art´( Kritzeln Zeichen Kunst ) is a drawing playground for children and adults, which in my mind enables us to keep young at heart. This book allows the imagination to run wild – inviting the inner artist to simply have fun making art.

From playful fingerprints, to exploring the technique of artists like Jackson Pollock, l believe realising one’s own artistic expression can open up a whole new world – this book offers such a journey in creative abundance.

l warmly invite you to sharpen your pencil and make your mark…

© 2011 Marion Deuchars

Classic objects with a paper twist

| Maru Saurer

WOW! This was the first word that came to mind, when l discovered these glorious paper creations by textile designer/artist, Jennifer Collier.

l look with awe at the magic that is woven to design such classic objects from paper. Treating paper as a piece of cloth, and utilising various textile techniques, Jennifer creatively explores the art of re-construction  – breathing new life into objects, and materials that may be discarded or simply forgotten…

Serving as a vibrant form of creative inspiration, the artistry of paper, can be found not just in its natural form, and transformation, but also in its ability to inspire.

How profoundly beautiful!

The new term starts here…

| Maru Saurer

As we say goodbye to long summer days, and begin to feel the cool breeze of September, l find myself casting my mind back to the childhood days of starting a new school term.

Present & Correct (founded by two graphic designers with a long-term obsession for stationery) charmingly enfuses this concept of going back to school, (or work) with retro flair and classic execution. Here are but afew of their findings, which undoubtedly conjours up many a classroom memory. From simple desk-sets to colourful chalks & boards – all these school-related objects most certainly raise a smile!

l suddenly feel inspired to brighten up my own creative space with a sprinkle of new term magic…

Looking Glass milestone

| Maru Saurer

On 1st September 2020, Looking Glass celebrated its 10th anniversary. This celebratory milestone prompted me to look back to the first sketch that l originally created for my online sketchbook. l happily remember drawing up my first visual, jotting down all the thoughts that were swimming around in my head, and sharing the concept with dear friends and family…

Looking Glass has come a long way since this initial drawing, and l’m delighted with the direction that it has taken – reflecting the many diverse forms of creative inspiration, that l have had the fortunate to discover, thus far on my journey.

The shape is a constant sea of change, but the authentic “sharing of inspiration and creative forms” remains firmly rooted in its origins, and for this l thank the many talented artists that have kindly accepted my invitation, and subsequently graced the Looking Glass stage.

l also wish to take this anniversary celebration to thank all the many readers that have supported, encouraged and inspired me to share the wonder, and beauty which can be found in creativity.

Perhaps you may just catch a glimpse of your creative self, as l continue this Looking Glass journey…

A porcelain take on the postcard

| Maru Saurer

With summer slowly coming to an end, l have been fondly looking through the many postcards that friends, and family have kindly wrote to me over the past few months. There’s something rather endearing about receiving a postcard through the mailbox, reading about people’s adventures, admiring the stamp design, and smiling at the squeezing of text into a designated space. Such mail can also makes a refreshing change from regular post too.

This witty take on the postcard by the contemporary home and life accessories company Bailey Doesn’t Bark (TM) is most certainly an innovative portrayal of the classic postcard format.

You simply write (or draw) your message onto the mug, leave to dry, and pop into the oven to bake, and there you have it – a permanent postmugTM set in porcelain.

Writing a postcard has been given a freshly interactive twist!

Letterpress in motion

Video | | Maru Saurer

Just imagine my excitement, when l came across this engaging Letterpress film created by talented graphic designer – Naomie Ross. Beautiful in style and technique. l’ll let the moving pictures do the talking… Enjoy!

Up, up, and away…

Image | | Maru Saurer
Above it all, Screenprint

Whether it be Dorothy attempting to make her way home from the land of Oz, or the 1956 David Niven film based on Jules Verne’s classic tale ‘Eighty days around the world’, l do find something rather romantic, and adventurous, when it comes to thinking of the hot air balloon.

Freya Cumming has beautifully captured this sense of nostalgic romance and escapism through her vibrant screen print work. The muted colours and choice of pattern screen-printed onto a white canvas generates a sense of adventure reminiscent of bygone days.

Freya’s balloon illustrations also takes me back to a childhood memory of a warm summer’s evening, when l was fortunate enough to view a hot air balloon festival – Layer upon layer of balloon shapes, set against a backdrop of an urban landscape.

Above it all, captures not only this memory, but it also  creates a rich sense of juxtaposition – below, grey lines of architecture, and above it all, a sea of colour. Which in my mind harks back to this idea of adventure & escapism.

Screen-printing is a technique that l hold dear to my creative heart. l fondly recall learning this craft at Edinburgh College of Art, and so l was thrilled to come across Freya Cumming’s work – an imaginative combination of printing technique and subject matter – created with such artistic flair!

l warmly invite you to be taken up, up and away by Freya’s screen-printed hot air balloons.