I was experimenting with geometric patterns and decided to push it further with colors. Here are a few wallpapers using a hexagon pattern and certain colors from my past. I’ve included iPhone and desktop versions. Click an image for the larger version and to download.

How You Like Them Grannies

Desktop

iPhone

 Mustang Sally

Desktop

iPhone

 My Name is Mud

Desktop

iPhone

 Raspberry Crochet

Desktop

iPhone

Cub Scouting

Desktop

iPhone

Sea What I Did?

Desktop

iPhone

Silly Lily(pad)

Desktop

iPhone

What On Earth?

Desktop

iPhone

Why So Sour?

Desktop

iPhone

 Wowie Zowie

Desktop

iPhone

Z-z-z-z-OMG

Desktop

iPhone

Our speaker at the March 2011 San Francisco, CreativeMornings (www.creativemornings.com) was Mike Monteiro, Design Director, and co-founder of Mule Design Studio (www.muledesign.com). This event took place on March 25, 2011 and was sponsored by Happy Cog and Typekit (who also hosted the event at their office in the Mission).

I was a little surprised to see a large number of visual artists, including graphic designers, rush to create pieces inspired by the disaster and recovery—with proceeds donated to various charities. It’s amazing how quickly they responded. We’re talking original, full-scale prints with the possibility of multiple runs and an opportunity to bring in countless dollars. Many of these pieces are beautiful and capture the simplicity of Japanese art and are reaping thousands of dollars for recovery.

As designers, our primary goal is to create a solution to a problem in an aesthetically pleasing way where function precedes form but both are equally important. As artists, our primary goal is to create an aesthetically pleasing product often driven by emotion with fewer constraints and expectations. I see how those roles played into the creation of these pieces.

I also understand the emotional response to the tragedy in Japan, but one of the first things I did upon learning of the earthquake was text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10. I’ve done it three times so far and encouraged everyone in my social networks to do the same. Each time was quick and painless. It was the fastest, most effective, and efficient way to help. Nothing wasted (notably: fossil fuels, time, paper, ink, valuable resources, energy, etc). The money was transferred to the Red Cross instantly.

Simplicity—a Japanese ideal that I appreciate and that drove my actions.

I’m certainly not attacking these artists and designers. Humans certainly feel compelled to act in the face of tragedy; artists feel the need to create in these circumstances to express their emotions.

Still, my main conflict is more so with the audience buying these pieces like pieces of Justin Bieber’s locks of hair. This disaster isn’t a pop star in a tabloid. This is millions upon millions of lives thrown into limbo facing death, nuclear meltdowns, and utter destruction. Who wants designer disaster porn on their wall? It’s not humbling. It’s not a peaceful reminder of the fragility of humanity or our Earth. It’s grotesque. It’s post-modern consumerism attempting to parade as humanitarianism. It’s disaster porn.

Have we as humans become so narcissistic and self-involved that we can’t even give to those in need without expecting something in return or needing a fucking carrot on a string to act? If so, we’ve learned nothing from the tragedies that have stricken Japan and humbled their nation.

Below, you’ll find some creative and brilliant designs. If you’re like me, you find them beautiful and interesting, but can’t figure out the perfect spot to hang a memory of a tragedy.

The logo pulls two, common ideas relating to schools: the apple and the chalkboard. I sought to involve both in a modern brand that looked both professional but would also relate to students.

Project included:

• implementation of CMS
• custom CSS and XHTML
• graphic design including site theme, flyers, and posters.

*Previously designed 2005, 2006, and 2007 site, flyers, posters, etc.