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.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Adopt A Maple
As one who recently adopted a blind puppy, I can proudly say that adoption is a good thing except when the adoptee pees on the floor. Which is why I take great pride in presenting these new certificates for Anderson Maple Syrup out of Cumberland Wisconsin. The trees stay in Wisconsin and won’t give you any headaches. Anderson wanted something woodsy that would show the recipient not only where the tree they adopted was, but also contained facts about the tree and the sugarbush in which it resides. We went with a subtle woodgrain background which is a great effect achieved with a hefty impression and just a little ink. You can see the nice detail in one of the images below. And check out the photopolymer plate used to print the second color. These are a pretty cool advancement in printing plates: they are compact, easily stored, and recyclable. Anderson even got some advance press in the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel’s food featurette a week ago. It’s always nice to see my designs online and hanging in people’s houses so get out there and adopt a maple tree; you’ll get one of these dandy certificates along with your syrup.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Vintage Letterpress
So these two kids come walking into my shop all teary-eyed and crying and I ask them ‘what’s up?’ They tell me they need a print job done in a hurry, one color, a couple hundred copies max. I look for their parents but no-one else is around. The girl draws a picture of a dog, not a very good one either, and I try to get her to pony up for my illustration services but she wasn’t having any of it. I run the poster for them and they pay me with pennies and a handful of Tootsie Rolls. Lousy clients, but I’m glad they got their dog back.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Thank you thank you thank you.
It’s that time of year again. The holidays have past and a new year is well underway. Time to send out a thank you to all the clients who helped make Angel Bomb a success and remind potential clients that there’s more than one letterpress joint in this town. If you’ve been a proud supporter, watch your mailbox for these nifty cards. Official Business is a new line launched by Angel Bomb and these cards give you a taste of what’s to come. We’re all busy and don’t have time to sit and write soliloquies to friends, loved ones, clients. Use these handy cards to share your thoughts in less time than it takes to send an email with a lot more personality.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
CKY business cards
Charles Youel of Artcrank fame asked me to print his new business cards along with some sweet note cards. His identity and cards were designed by Aaron Pollock out in NYC. Clean. Simple. Gorgeous. This set of four different cards printed on a luxurious 100% cotton bright white sheet really feel good when you hold one. With a nice impression, you really notice the difference letterpress makes when you hold one. It just goes to show you that sometimes less is more; a simple design with exceptional execution can be far more effective than lots of silly tricks. It’s why a filet mignon doesn’t come covered in a heavy sauce or why an Aston Martin doesn’t have flames painted on the side.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Blank Slate
I know I haven’t been blogging much lately and here’s why: Angel Bomb is moving! That’s right, all of two floors and down the hall, but when you have tons of equipment to move, you gotta plan for it. And besides, I’ve been busy sanding, painting, and refurbishing the hardwood floors with the help of some really good mates. It’s pretty exciting to start anew with a fresh space. I’m not sure how the decor for Angel Bomb HQ will suss out; I was hoping Shepard Fairey would do a large mural for me but now he can’t because of a nephew’s Bar Mitzvah or somethin’. Rats.
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!
