Ta da!

Meet Diya Dasgupta!

This, my lovely peeps, is the young designer who won the 'An Indian Summer' logo design contest! You can see her hard at work above. And below, here are a few of the designs she deftly created for An Indian Summer. And up there, you could see the new banner, while towards the right, you could see the new widget for An Indian Summer. As you look through more of her designs in the post below and in her portfolio, you would figure why I feel like an art curator showcasing the work of a brilliant designer in a gallery :)

Calling colour, pattern and print as her greatest loves, Diya's goal is to design a visual language. Her core design philosophy addresses the notion of (cultural) identity through the medium of design, and thus her work is an infusion of her Indian upbringing and her experiences of other cultures, places, people etc that she has come across in her life so far.

Sketches and paintings - couple of many techniques used by Diya in her textile and graphic design work

 

This is a part of Diya's final year project - The Tactile Manifesto, and is a reflection of her personal design philosophy. The Tactile Manifesto examines whether the homogenizing effect of globalization curbs individuality and thus, creativity, or whether it is possible for designers to maintain their (cultural) identities and creative spirit in a globalizing environment. One of the designs from this project is already being used by a furniture supplier in Sydney.

Diya's project where she designed a concept for a screen/room divider that is inspired by Indian Mughal architecture.

In Diya's words:

I moved to Australia in 2007 to study and have recently completed a Bachelor's degree specialising in Textiles and Graphics/Media at the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales in Sydney. I completed high school in Berlin, Germany, middle school in Kathmandu, Nepal, primary school in New Delhi and pre-school in Belgium. Although I feel somewhat like a nomad, I consider myself very lucky to have been exposed to different cultures and ways of thinking from such an early age. It has framed the way I see the world and heavily influences my work.

A series of textile concepts designed by Diya, for an Oriental boutique hotel

Diya was one of five finalists in the 2009 Rug Up competition organised by Designer Rugs. The shortlisted design 'Hope' is the first one in the image above.

Diya and I had a great time developing an identity for An Indian Summer. While it was a really tough call trying to select from the many incredible designs that came in, I felt Diya was able to put on paper the essence of what I had in my mind. I wanted a distinct 'motif' that captures the exuberance of this blog, and yet, is simple enough so as to not overpower the brand. 

Like Diya's work? Well, the good news is that she is open to freelance work and exciting projects and I can't recommend her enough! You can reach Diya at this email ID.

Over the next few weeks, I'll try and clean up Mr. Blog to make it more reader friendly. Any one who has tried to clean up a boy knows what a task it is going to be! ;). Drop me a comment / email if there are changes you would like to see. And do tell Diya and me if you like the new logo! 

[All images copyrighted to: Diya Dasgupta]

Logo Designs - Thank you!

Finally! It's time for me to share all the fabulous designs that came in as part of the logo design contest for An Indian Summer. I am overwhelmed by the response and love each and every creation that came in. I made new friends in the process, and gained fresh insights into my design preferences too! 

Next week, I'll introduce to you the winning design, and the lovely designer who worked very hard with me to create the final logo.

Shared below are all of the other designs (in no particular order), with email/site details of the respective creator. Click on the images to enlarge.

~ Maria Valeria Casalderrey ~

[Email]

 ~ Aleisha Pillai ~

[Email]

~ Linda Arthurs ~

[Email]

~ Alpana Vij ~

[Email, Link]

~ Juhi M Meshram ~

[Email, Link]



~ Susan Herbert ~

[Email]

~ Nimita Chandiramani ~

[Email, Link]



~ Sriparna Ghosh (and Rohit) ~

[Email, Link]



~ Vanessa Zambrano ~

 [Email, Link]



~ Sangita Pillai ~

[Email]

~ Poonam Shenoy ~

[Email]

~ Cornelia Debnath ~

[Email]

~ Ingela Kristoffersson ~

[Email]

~ Padmaja Venkat Raman ~

[Email, Link]



~ Qwan ~

[Email]

~ Ashley Davis ~

[Email]



~ Catherine Grogan ~

[Email]

~ Swadha Prasad ~

[Email]

~ Anusha S Rao ~

[Email]



~ Anna Prigkipaki ~

[Email]

~ Disha Mishra ~

[Email]

[All images copyright respective owners]

Thank you all once again! Sending a big virtual hug your way!

The end is near!

For the logo design contest!

If you have a design to submit

Please do so by Wednesday, Aug 31st

I'll take about a week or two to sort through the designs and prototype

And by the second week of September

I'll announce the new identity of the blog

As well as share with you all
The very creative and pretteh designs that have come in! 

In much anticipation

Me, Mr. Blog, The Fur Ball & The Gift Box

Design for An Indian Summer - Till Aug 31st now!

Hello ya all creative peeps!
Thank you for joining in the logo design party!

It has been lovely to get your emails and the first few designs of the logo for 'An Indian Summer'. A lot of you have requested for more time, and I have received a bunch of questions about the finer details of the style and the kind of logo I would like. Worry not, for here is some more information:

Timeline

Based on your feedback, I have decided to extend the timeline for the logo design till the end of this month. You now have till Aug 31st to submit your fabulous creations!

Style of the logo / My design preferences

Well, to begin with, do read this, if you haven't done so already. I'll also share my design preferences right here, for easy reference:

- I would like a 'clean' design - not minimalistic, but not too crowded either.

- I adore runny water colors, crayons, pencil and ink sketches, hand drawn illustrations, letterpress, handwriting and typewriter fonts!

- The design does not necessarily need to be 'Indian' in theme or look & feel. 'Summer' is a potential theme to build the logo around. 'Design' could be another one. 'Summer in India' maybe. Or 'Design from India'. How about 'Bohmian design'? Just some potential themes for you...can't wait to see your take on the blog's identity! :)

- Please feel free to send in as many versions of the logo as you want. The more the merrier! Send your designs here. 

- More questions? Send them my way any time!

- Read the first post announcing the logo design contest here

Thank you again folks! I am so looking forward to what you'll send me! Remember, a fabulous gift box, lifetime credit and a big bear hug from Mr. Blog awaits the selected design :) 

Design for 'An Indian Summer'!

Can you draw/sketch/paint/doodle or such?

If you do,
Hallelujah!
Where have you been?
I need you!

Long time readers of this blog  have been a witness to my many attempts at creating an identity for An Indian Summer. While I am quite talented otherwise (ahem), I am no artist, sadly. And, as this blog gears up for some exciting new ventures, I would like it to have a distinct identity. And that's where You come in! I mean, I do do hope that you will come in and help me out here. Pretty please?

So, calling out to the fabulously talented people who I know read 'An Indian Summer': If you are an artist, a graphic designer or love to paint / draw / sketch, will you please help me create an identity for my blog? A logo. Some icons. All that will proudly showcase your work and announce 'An Indian Summer' brand.

I will be ever so grateful, not to say chirpy like a spring bird and happy like a well fed kitten, if you would do this for me. And to thank you, I would like to send the creator of the selected design a Gift Box. A rapidly growing Gift Box that has personally handpicked gorgeous items for you and your home. And that's not all! Your work will be credited like for ever on this blog's home page, and any other sites/publications where I use your designs. 

[So far in the GiftBox: Chanderi block printed stole, Wood printing blocks, Madhubani paintings, Tribal necklace and earrings, Incense sticks and blue pottery holder in a cute wooden box, andhra leather puppet for the wall, kantha stole/throw and more pretteh tidbits to be added....Ooo, somebody stop me!]    

So how does it work:

1. Click here to read a quick requirements doc. I have put a few relevant details in here. Feel free to send me any other questions that you might have, or, just drop me a note letting me know that you are going to design for the blog (and I'll send virtual kisses back!).

2. You design for the blog! (yippee and yips) and send your design/s to me by August 18th 31st, on the blog's email ID. 

3. I ooh aah over what you all send to me, and then select the one that is the closest to what I would like the identity to be.

4. The creator of the selected design receives an email from me because well, there is this fabulous Thank You Gift Box that I would need to send you, and I would need your shipping address (ships to anywhere in the world)! Wohoo!

5. I also share all the designs I have received in a post, with credits (unless, you specifically ask me not to share your work). So even if I pick up some other design, your work would still be showcased to my fabulous readers. Like forever. In a post. On this blog.

Sounds good? I am all aflutter with anticipation already! 

Send me any questions or thoughts you have via comments or email. And Oh My God, please DO send me some designs, or I would forever be held captive by evil PowerPoint. (Yes, I created the current header in PowerPoint. Designers/Artists: Don't kill me! Just design for me please!)

Psst: Dear readers and blogging friends: I would love it if you could help spread the word! Please share on facebook, twitter and/or your blogs. Thank you!

Much Love

Mr. Blog & Bhavna

Update: Read the latest here!