A Kidd's Guide!

This arrived in the Post today and I couldn't be happier. I've been a big fan of Chip Kidd's work for a while after seeing his talk at OFFSET. 

When it comes to graphic design you can never stop learning, and as technology is constantly changing you need to be on top of what's happening in the design world. But this book is great because it covers all the basics, the foundational rules of graphic design will always be there and it's important to know them. If you are going to break the rules, it's important to know the rules. 

As for Chip Kidd (what a great name by the way) his wit and style carries this book and it is such an enjoyable read. I would highly recommend it to design students. And if you are looking for an example of Chip's work, his most famous is probably his cover for Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park, which was used as the inspiration for the film of the same name. 

DRN

Ennis Cowboy

Spotted this today in my hometown of Ennis, Co. Clare. It's by Cork street artist Conor Harrington and it's pretty amazing. 

DRN

The Raft Race

Last May I organised the first ever Ballyalla Raft Race in my home town of Ennis, to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. As a cancer survivor myself I wanted to do something for an organisation that helps so many people all over the country. 

The day was a great success, we had 8 teams in home made rafts, over 300 spectators and most importantly we raised €3500 for the Irish Cancer Society. 

Tonight the local Youth Centre are launching the 2014 Raft Race and will be taking over the organisation of the event. We are having an exhibition of all the pictures from the day, taken by my very talented friend Ciara Killalea, which will run at Mickey Kerin's pub, Ennis, for the next week. 

DRN

Coffee?

Currently curating my coffee table. 

DRN

Jolly-olly-olly Halloween

Happy Halloween. Just a few picks of my previous Halloween greatest hits. 

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Athlonely.

Was back in Athlone during the week, came across some really nice street art. Thought the above piece was particularly clever. 

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Ride or Die.

Check out this bad boy! I actually won this in a raffle during the summer, and completely forgot I won it until it arrived at my door last week. Needless to say I'm delighted with it and can't wait to take it out on the road. 

DRN  

Lace up!

So in the past 2 weeks I've been working hard at working out. I'm aiming to do my first 10K in the next few weeks

Happy Halloween

Yesterday myself & my good friend Shona got in the Halloween spirit with a little bit of pumpkin carving. I was happy with the results. 

DRN

New Shoes

Shoes make everything better don't they?

I may have gone a tad overboard on my last shopping trip...

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Words of Advice

Just a collection of quotes that have stuck with me over the years, so I decided to make them into type posters, all designed by me.

DRN

Shaking Bad.

With Breaking bad coming to an end this weekend, these fun chemical inspired salt & pepper shakers should brighten your spirits. You can pretend to be a meth maker in the safety of your own kitchen.

Available from $15 right HERE.

DRN

Head on down to South Park

South Park has been given a fresh new intro for its Season 17 premiere. It's hard to believe that a cartoon about 4 foul mouthed 8 year olds would have become one of the most successful shows in animation history. Have a look a the new intro below.

DRN

1000 Word Essay

Are you on Instagram?

I've come to adore the social media website as of late, mostly for the fact that it is such a global platform.They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, and with Instagram a picture can be worth a 1000 words in any language.

I am following people from all over the globe, but without the language barrier that happens with Twitter or Facebook. All pictures tell a story, and with Instagram its easier then ever before to share them with the world.

DRN

Follow me on Instagram & Twitter: @DarrenMcMahon54

Not so scary after all?

With Halloween fast approaching (Dunnes stores is already resembling a haunted house) how perfect are these iconic horror villains for the occasion?

Available from Entertainment Earth

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How do you like them apples?

This is the Fruit Wall. Isn't it pretty?

BEFORE

AFTER

Storing your fruit in a bowl is so last century. Carmina Mahugo and Diego Polognioli, the designers behind Fruit Wall, have set up a Kickstarter campaign to bring their creation to the mass market, and into mass production.

I really like this idea of hanging your fruit & veg on the wall, like a constantly changing interactive art piece.

Could be the future of fruit.

DRN

(via Design Fetish)

Bits & Bobs: Hump day edition

 Few nice things to look at to get you over Hump day...

DRN

Stockholm is Burning

Paris may not be burning, but Stockholm certainly is. 

Last week Sailor Moon battled Wonder Woman in the Vogue Femme Final Battle at the 2013 Streetstar dance festival. As you can see from the above video, it was an intense Vogue battle.

On a related note the wonderful Vogue Ball documentary Paris is Burning is now streaming on Netflix, and I can't recommend it enough.

DRN

Punk is not dead.

I love this 1D mash-up  pillow by Taylor St. Claire.

It's the perfect mix of social commentary and wit that I like in a throw pillow.

Available from WANELO

DRN

Back with a bang!

So here is just a selection of my travels in the States. I was lucky enough to visit 6 states in the 3 weeks that I was there, largely due to my fantastic tour guide Katie.

More posts to come next week. WHAM is alive and kicking!

DRN