Hasta La Ideas

The new print project from a promising Danish art student

At just 18 years old, Danish art student Christian Andersen is already striking out on his own with a highly detailed and imaginative publication called Creative Future. Working out of his room in his parents’ basement, Andersen spends “hours upon hours” creating what he thinks of more as an art project than a magazine, with a goal to “inspire and lift the creative spirits within.” Having just released the second edition, Andersen is very much the major operating act behind each issue, but says that, overall, “Creative Future is really a collaborative project, because it’s formed by everyone who’s been a part of the creative process since the first pencil line was drawn.”

In addition to the print project, Andersen updates his website with a host of other thoughtful works, using a laptop covered in Supreme stickers to bring his colorful style to videos (be sure to check out “The Street Aesthetic of New York City“), paintings, photography and even furniture. With clearly a bright future ahead of him, we recently asked Anderson to tell us more about the making of Issue #2, what inspires him and how he manages to be so productive. Read the interview below, and pick up the latest edition of Creative Future online, which includes a hand-painted puzzle by San Francisco-based cover artist Aaron De La Cruz.

In what ways is the publication itself a work of art?

Looking away from the content, I really think it is the way the publication is presented. When we create Creative Future we go through a long process, choosing the right materials for the issue. Every magazine we’ve put out so far has literally been put together by hand. And that’s one of the major reasons why we think each magazine is an artwork in itself. None of them are exactly the same. Besides that, the main feature of each issue gets the chance to design the cover and an exclusive item for the project. In this issue Aaron De La Cruz did an amazing job hand-painting 50 limited puzzles to include in Issue #2, all hand-numbered and signed in his studio in San Francisco. I think it is those kinds of things that makes Creative Future special.

It’s not just another magazine featuring a couple of articles and interviews. We put hours upon hours into the small details of each the issue, by experimenting with different design techniques, types of paper and packaging. That is also why we don’t set a specific release date for our publications before we are 100% satisfied with the content and look. We don’t want to compromise if it affects the quality of the publication.

You chose the work of Aaron De La Cruz for the cover, what strikes you most about his style?

Aaron is a really talented artist who has an incredible story to tell. I think the thing that strikes me most about his style is how he manages to stay consistent, yet innovative about his work. The very minimalistic look in his artworks sets some special parameters and limitations where he can express himself freely and creatively. This is also one of the reasons why his art is recognizable. When you first look at his artworks they may see simple at first, but it is sometimes important to understand the higher meanings in the broad range of mediums Aaron uses. As he says, “Just because you don’t literally see it doesn’t mean that its not there.” So I really think the ideas and visions behind his style are what strike me the most.

Is street art the medium you find most inspirational?

I think street art and the whole culture surrounding it are very inspirational and motivating. The thing that strikes me most about street art is the fact that the world of street art is constantly evolving and reinventing itself. The great thing about street art is that it refuses rules of categorization, but at the same time connects with the traditional art world. It might be illegal, but I wouldn’t consider it pure vandalism. I do find a lot of inspiration in street art and art done in the streets, but as far as my favorite medium goes, I think it’s a mix of more than just one medium.

So even though I’m not a hardcore street artist, I still think street art and graffiti are very interesting, especially because they’re part of this generation’s modern society. All over the world, there are magazines, art galleries and websites dedicated to street art and graffiti. That kind of thing wasn’t around just two decades ago, so I definitely think that we’ll see more street art and urban art forms in the future. The attitude towards street art is constantly changing.

How would you describe your own style? Would you say the magazine reflects that?

I think the Creative Future Project is a great reflection of my own style and I somehow think there is a connection between Creative Future and the career I am trying to establish in art. I think my own style is very energetic, colorful and quite contemporary. I find a lot of inspiration in urban art forms, as I mentioned, so without knowing it, I think there’s a connection between my art and the Creative Future Project. With the Creative Future Project I have the chance to speak with some of the artists I’m inspired by. I think my own style is still progressing and developing, so by being able to speak with other artists in industry, I somehow learn new things. So while I’m not locked onto one particular way of doing things, I think the Creative Future Project somehow helps me to explore and learn. I’m still experimenting with different mediums and techniques in art myself, so with only one year behind me as an artist I find it hard to describe and define my style.

What is one of your favorite aspects of this issue?

I really like the fact that we have been able to go beyond what we have done previously. We have been able to experiment a bit more in this issue compared to Issue #1, so I really think we’ve set the bar a little higher in this issue. We have not only reinforced the look, layout and quality, but also managed to include some very interesting features and interviews. So by attacking the unfamiliar and unknown with new creative approaches, I feel we’ve been able to take the Creative Future Project to the next level. In terms of my favorite aspects of the issue, I really like what Aaron has contributed. He has just done an incredible job on the puzzles. Besides that, I’m really satisfied with the look and quality of this issue. When comparing this issue with our first publication, I really see a positive transition.

How do you manage so many successful projects?

Even though it’s sometimes hard to manage it all at the same time, especially with school running on the side, I think you will be able to make things work if you’re dedicated and hard-working. You only live once. Do the things you love, and enjoy the people around you. In order to make a change you need to stay curious and believe in what you do. If you want things bad enough, they will happen.

What makes you most excited about the future?

I’m really exited to see how my art and Creative Future will develop in the next couple of years. My future is quite uncertain because I’m still in school. I’ll be done in a year and a half and I have absolutely no clue of where I am headed, so I really think it is quite exiting to see where I’ll be in just two years. I feel like my art projects are starting to look very promising and the uncertainty just makes me hungry for more. I feel like I have a lot more to accomplish and achieve in the future and my mind is currently filled with ideas and visions for future projects.

I really find the uncertainty very motivating and exciting. I guess I’ll just continue working towards an imaginary goal. I don’t know what it is yet.

A festive marketplace by Meghan Folsom and Terrific Mag

Having launched their delightfully titled online magazine, Terrific nearly a year ago, Rachel Kichler and Blair Pfander seem to have mastered a winning formula, supplementing solidly smart content highlighting local and international music, art and fashion talent with parties.

This summer a stellar roster of independent local-NYC designers—mostly pulled from Terrific’s virtual pages—gathered at Union Pool in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for their inaugural marketplace, “Pool Supplies,” kicking back with margaritas and a taco truck in the spirit of supporting small artisanal businesses.

As the holidays gain steam the Terrific girls are back, and in partnership with fashion editor-turned-consultant Meghan Folsom are throwing “Deck the Halls,” 12 days of shopping beginning 10 December 2011 with another roll-out of apparel, accessories and jewelry designers in an old school—a venue officially called The Old School—in Nolita. Applying an editorial eye to the selection of goods as well as to the charmingly kitschy setting, Folsom, Pfander and Kichler were primarily motivated by the seasonal spirit of giving. Not only does Deck the Halls offer a piece of the extremely pricey Nolita real estate pie to these mostly smaller-scale designers, the market ventures to take the stress out of December shopping.

“Holiday shopping is hell,” says Folsom,” but here, you can drink wine, hear music and chill out and buy gifts from some of the most talented people in New York City.” Plus, adds Pfander, “because designers are customizing each of their spaces, walking through the market will feel a little bit like being inside a magical, indie mall—just with lots of cool gear instead of Annie’s Pretzels. Oh, and cookies. Lots of cookies.”

Among the designers who will be peddling their wares over the 12-day stint will be Mociun, Baggu, Outlier, Shabd, AANDD, DLC Brooklyn and several others. “Terrific focuses primarily on up-and-coming, New York-based designers, ranging from the bigger guys like Timo Weiland to relative newbies like Beatrixe,” says Kichler. She also gives credit to the events they’ve held in sustaining their word-of-mouth model to uncovering the best talent. “The best part, we’ve found, is that because it’s such a tight-knit community, a lot of introductions seem to happen very organically—lots of friends of friends.”

We spoke with one of the event’s headliners, Caitlin Mociun, who told us that Deck the Halls will serve as a “mini-debut” of her forthcoming first boutique. “I am in the works of opening my own store,” she reveals. “It will showcase my textile and jewelry designs as well as the work of other jewelry, accessory and home product designers whose work I love. Being in the NYC design world for six years with my own line I have gotten an amazing response from other designers wanting to be part of my new endeavor. I was eager to get the ball rolling.” As a gift celebrating her store sneak preview, she’ll be sending Mociun purchases home in a free Mociun Baggu bag.

“Deck the Halls” starts 10 December 2011 at The Old School. Check out their Deck the Halls Tumblr for more of what will be up for sale.

Our “store” with the new subscription service puts physical gifts in your mail box

You might have already read about how impressed we were with Quarterly Co., a new subscription service offering gifts hand-selected by a unique roster of influential contributors. Well, now it’s our turn—opening today at 12 p.m. PST, the Cool Hunting c/o Quarterly Co. “store” will be live for 48 hours, during which time users may buy subscriptions to receive CH-curated packages—called “issues”—every three months.

Subscriptions start at $25 per quarter for a selection handpicked by Cool Hunting co-founders Josh Rubin and Evan Orensten. Items included in each issue will reflect their interest in design based on clever combinations of form and function. “Think Transformers, but with a utilitarian angle” says Rubin. Subscribe within the next 48 hours to receive Cool Hunting c/o Quarterly Co. mailings.

Unexpected missions and odd adventures in a new iPad pub with a clever user interface

The brainchild of a creative group of friends in Berlin, Astronaut is an independent magazine designed specifically for the iPad. Intriguing editorials and clever interactivity lend the first issue—released last month—a comfortable feel which, nicely complimented by strong imagery and enthralling mini-documentaries, which tell tales “of amazing journeys, great missions and epic adventures.”

Although the overall package is compelling in its own right, the short documentaries are a fantastic device-specific enhancement. Ranging from four to 22 minutes in length, each film acts as an extension of the editorial content by diving deeper into the subject at hand. And after swiping through the issue numerous times, the documentaries alone seem well worth the magazine’s modest $4 price. Make sure to check out the study of eccentric Midwesterner “Zoomer” and the Polar Bear clubs of Australia, each a pleasure to watch.

In terms of interactivity, the navigation is a simple swipe-to-turn-pages model that’s enhanced by only having some components of the page turn from time to time. The article opened might move off the page to see the background picture full screen before moving on to the next page, for example. To further challenge the dynamic of traditional magazine format, some pages hold hidden imagery only discovered with a keen eye and the slide of your finger in just the right place. What could have been overdone, the clever user interface content finds a nice balance with the editorial content without getting in the user’s way.

Astronaut magazine can be found in the iTunes App Store—with twelve editorial features and over ninety minutes of film there is really no reason not to jump on board.

A Singaporean magazine takes their pages to the arcade and more

A publishing concept that bridges print, digital and display mediums like touchscreen or arcade console, Singapore’s free, quarterly Kult Magazine by creative agency Kult 3D is set to release its sixth art-centric issue with a theme focused on extinction. Concerned about how quickly animals are disappearing due to the hands of man, it presents a visual discussion on their value through interesting facts and thought-provoking graphics.

The staff at Kult 3D decide upon the different themes based on their topicality; for example, a previous issue on AIDS was sponsored by Singapore’s Health Promotion Board as part of its education campaign on the subject. Kult 3D then culls artists and graphic designers—mostly in Asia, to help provide them with a platform—who present their own takes on the subject, and the results become part of the magazine.

The agency then takes the artworks and turns them into interactive pieces that can be experienced on the Kult Artcade, an ’80s-style arcade console whose current location is at the Know It Nothing boutique on Singapore’s Haji Lane.

Also at that location until the end of June is a touch screen display hanging in the window where passers-by can swipe and drag elements of the artworks to activate fun and surprising animations of the Fortune issue. Made using UBIQ technology, the project was a special commission from the store as part of its ever-changing window display project.

“We identify technology that we want to explore then we adapt the content to best suit the medium. The interactive window display makes the magazine accessible to a wider audience. By having a theme for each issue, it helps the viewer to understand the work, thus improving the wider public’s visual literacy,” said Kult Creative Director Steve Lawler.

Those not stopping in Singapore anytime soon can still engage in the interactive version via the website. The issue comes out early June 2011, but readers outside of Singapore can subscribe and just pay the postage.