Fly in under the radar for a sneak peek at the latest goings-on here at Angel Bomb and inside my crowded cranium. You might find photos of a killer project about to hit the press, a rant about the state of design in the digital age, the inside scoop on an upcoming art opening, a recipe for succulent beef tenderloin in port-rosemary sauce, or something completely different.
The Blog is updated on a predictably unpredictable basis, so check back often to see what’s bubbling up to the surface.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Order. Order. Order in the court.
Not all letterpress projects need to be die-cut or crazily elaborate. Sure, those are fun, but sometimes a classic design treated to a heavy impression in fine paper makes such a statement of quality and refinement that you don’t need all that hooplah. Here’s a good example: Tressler Family Law. P&H handled a redesign of their client’s identity and brought the printing to Angel Bomb. I think if a lawyer hands you a business card and it’s been letterpress printed, you can probably trust them.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
New Year Good Fortune
Every year, the fantastic jeweler Karin Jacobson sends out cards to her clients and friends wishing them New Year Good Fortune. She used to send out actual charms that she’d make, but since she’s gotten so popular and making charms for that many people gets expensive, she’s had to settle for just sending cards. Or did she? This year’s holiday treat is a letterpress printed diamond you can pop out, put together and hang somewhere. That’s right, there’s no settling when you use Angel Bomb. Here I designed a paper construction that was a cinch to put together and looks good both when it’s put together and when it’s still in the card. Biodegradable and recyclable jewelry….sweeet!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Holiday Cards
Ahhhh, ‘tis the time of year when clients ask for something a little special to send to their clients. Sean Tubridy at Blue Over Blue designed these fine cards for the folks at Brain Traffic just down the street. It’s a nice typographic treatment of the traditional holiday sentiment. The card is printed on Crane Lettra, which, as you can see in the closeup, has enough tooth to it to give a great velvety feel. This stock is popular with cards and wedding invitations.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Simple Good and Tasty
If you ask anyone who knows me, they’ll tell you I like food. Scratch that, I love food! Enough so that I left my old job to attend chef school in London for a year where I blogged about my experience under the pseudonym London Chef. And if I hadn’t broken my collarbone (again!) I’d have been staging at The Fat Duck after I graduated. So it came as a great opportunity to print the new local food lover cards for Simple Good and Tasty. Not only were they beautifully designed by Stuart Flake, but they’re also for a great cause: the promotion of businesses that promote local, sustainable and organic food. Hot damn! Get out there, support your local responsible eateries and buy a local food lovers card, they’d make great gifts for your favorite foodies!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Some Tasty Cards
I gotta say, “I love die cutting.” You’re punching shapes into paper and it can give a business card or invite that much more presence. Take for example these lovely cards designed by Very, Inc. for Salty Tart. The illustrated border is fantastically detailed and the whole piece reminiscent of a grand Parisian bakery. And it’s located right here in Minneapolis’ own Midtown Global Market. I can’t wait to get down there, see these cards displayed, and buy myself a tasty tart!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Angel Bomb Letterpress in Hardbound Book Form
Last week with the help of Dan Marshall Photography, we took some dandy shots of recent work done on press for possible inclusion into an upcoming book on contemporary letterpress, called “Adventures in Letterpress” — A hardcover 178 page book to be published by Mark Batty Publisher, a respectable publisher of design books both here and in the UK. I don’t know how many of the pieces I submitted will make the final cut, but keep your fingers crossed. I’ll be letting you know as soon as this bad boy hits the shelves sometime early next year.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
America Five-Oh NoDak Style
The latest in the ongoing series of greeting cards, America Five-Oh, is hot off the press, cut and scored, and ready to be purchased. Being from North Dakota, I found this one to be a little tough. I make fun of the state and it’s wide open…emptiness, but it really is a good place to be fun. So how do I make a card that’s humorous without being so snarky it insults the twelve people still living there? I think we pulled it off beautifully. My favorite part is the bison pooping.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Jetty Identity System Printed
Ahhh, the benefits of of having a Heidelberg in your shop. Not only can you run thousands of impressions without having to hand-feed every single sheet of paper, but you can hold super tight registration as well. Exhibit A: Jetty Design’s new identity program designed at Angel Bomb and printed here as well. Note the nice deep impression, the way it pops off the page on every single piece be it business card, envelope or letterhead. When you get one of these in the mail, you’d better sit up and pay attention.
