>can't get enough of MTL...

A burst of colors, a bouquet of smells, that's the Jean Talon market in Montreal...
Thousands of flavors from every corner of the world; even our little "baladi" cucumber!
But the market is not the city's only treasure: check out this awarded site (also designed by compatriots) and dive into MTL!

>citizen k in the skies...

On my way to Montreal, I bought one of my fab mags: Citizen K,
which for a weird (but wow) reason costs only 1 Euro in Europe while you usually pay around 20 dollars!!
And I indulged in the photos and articles of this issue: quite refreshing I must say... a slap in the face!
Graphic art @ 1 Euro only!

NB: can't seem to find their site... Maybe they don't have one!!
Wow is that snob or what!?
Anyway it's at your local newstand...

>blog of the week: Une fille comme moi!

Ladies and gents please welcome Garance Doré, a 31 years old female illustrator from France who draws like a goddess!
The cherry on top is her funny, cute and ironic depiction of the world of fashion and fashionistas...
Discover her blog now if you haven't already...

>fashion shoot sneak preview

Just a snapshot of what we're doing right now... It's still confidential so I can't blab about it, but you'll know soon enough!

>mediterranean flavors

Connaissez-vous "les saveurs campagnardes"?
It's a litlle farm in the south of the country that produces eggs and other delightful products...
For example, do you know what a "café blanc" is? Just add a spoon of orange blossom essence in a hot water mug and enjoy...
The packaging line was really yummy to work on!

>fun and educational

Working on an existing logo is much tougher than creating a new one. Take "Rooly Booly" for example, this toystore had already a corporate image and wanted us to create a line of packaging.
On the above bag we tried to build our work around their logo without identities crashing... It was the same exercise for the rest of the bags and wrapping paper. The end result turned out very fresh and appealing for kids but my favorite is still the giraffe!
Check their blog for news on educational toys...

>a little kitsch never harmed anyone...

Okay politics sucks. That's what you've all said.
So enough with the bad news and let's put some stardust in our lives...
If you haven't already, run ( or fly :) ) to the Hotel de Ville in Paris and discover all about the sparkling diva, Dalida!
More details here.

(photo: poster detail)

>reuse, recycle... fashionably

What to do with a bunch of old magazines and used wrapping paper?
Design colorful and funky badges to pin to your denim jacket your favorite bag etc...
And offer them to your friends in a recycled packaging!

>cool blog, amazing photos

I recently "rediscovered" an old friend of mine
and especially his passion for photography.
Check Christian G's blog for a definite getaway feeling.

>family portraits

That would be me and gus by our 5 years old daughter chloe...
Now why the sun shines on me and not him, and why does he have spiky yellow hair, and why am I a full portrait and he's just a head...
I don't know. All I can say is I love those drawings (!) and the resemblance is quite accurate. No?

>Montreal yummies...

Ever wandered through Montreal's open air markets?
Mmmm... an enchanting world of tastes...
Marché Jean Talon has a hidden treasure: Pastificio Sachetto,
a traditional fresh pasta maker. The best black mushroom ravioli ever! Unfortunately, you can't buy them online but you can purchase other delicious products. And if you ever pass by Montreal, you know where to go!

>"bilad" covers

>mika rocks!!!!

What?? You haven't heard of Mika?? Of course you have! The voice of this Beirut-born prodigy is simply unforgettable!!!
'Grace Kelly', 'Love today', 'Relax' are the ones you know, but logon to mikasounds.com to check 'Lollipop' or 'Billy Brown' and browse through the wonderful world of Mika.
I simply cannot stop listening to his album...
(image from mikasounds.com)

>Images d'Orient update

Here's the new packaging and brand image I was telling you about..
The "posh plastics" now have an identity.
You can also browse through their collections in their website, designed by Pomme S.

>IYPY award: Joanna El Mir

Today ends the London Book Fair and Joanna Elmir handed her International Young Publisher of the Year award to the new winner... Joanna (a great friend of mine!) was granted this prize for her amazing work at Samir Publishers. Cheers Joan! And may this year's winner be as active as you are...

>le "Rectangle Jaune" nouveau est arrive!

It's that time of the year again!
The launching of the new clothing collection by Rectangle Jaune...
We get to work on the concept, art direction and design of a 64 pages catalogue twice a year (winter and summer): it's exhausting but also great fun! Though telling a Ukrainian model (who does not speak a word of English) to relax in the bottom of a pool is not the easiest thing to do...
The theme of the season was water and we offered a funky sports bottle with each catalogue!


(photos: imad el khoury)

>typography challenge

Working with the Lebanese Association for Civil Rights made us brainstorm many times: how do we make a strong and serious message reach the youth without boring them? And more difficult: how do we make it with arabic typography? A special call here for arabic font designers: we need more choice! Anyway the job was tough but the end result was "Bilad", a refreshing monthly magazine which is now getting a great feedback from its young readers!

>improbable destinations: travel stories by baron & baron

"Heureux qui comme Ulysse a fait un beau voyage..."
Well yes, you have to read french to enjoy this wonderful site!
Greg, Patrick and friends have been almost anywhere you can think of (and not think of!), and brought back amazing stories...
You can also find useful info and links to other travel portals if you're planning to pack your bags...

>beirut fashion scene: julien abboud

Tonight I was "front row" at the Julien Abboud fashion show.
Winner of last year's "project fashion", Julien strikes again with an amazing collection, mixing streetwear cuts with haute couture materials. Check Julien's website here, designed lately by Pomme S.

>"posh plastics"...

The ultimate gift to bring back from beirut!
Images d'Orient are rubber tabletop items (coasters, trivets, placemats...) inspired from old mediterranean pavements.
A nice example of traditional design mixed with a modern material.
Pomme S is currently working on all the brand image
and the website. I will post a link as soon as it's ready!