Visual Cliché

Urban Exploration

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:03:00 +0000

My friends, Toby, Drew and I awoke at 3 in the morning with every intention of illegally trespassing at an abandoned sanitarium and making it to the rooftop before sunrise. It's been a while since I've shot on film, let alone medium-format. So with the little light that I had to work with there weren't that many images that came out. But here's the one that I was pleased with, unedited.

Tones & Type

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:04:00 +0000

It's been a while since I've posted something of my own. For one of my classes we had to design a poster for the movie Coraline using only two typefaces, no images, and no color. So I decided to make an image out of type. The technique isn't new by any means, but it was always something I've always wanted to try. It's just an overlay of text blocks overlapping and creating tone. If I have the time I might go back and add more flourishes. You can see the results to the right (Slow Internet Connection Warning: It's 15mb.)

A Kiss On The Hand May Be Quite Continental

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:25:00 +0000

Created with an array of white flowers—tuberose, neroli, and tiare, by Marcel Roucel for Shalini Kumar. At $990 for 2.2 oz and $200 for .34 oz. I'm not the biggest fan of perfume, but my fragrance of choice at the moment is Masakï/Masakï. I'm not even the biggest fan of floral scents, however from reading reviews ("It is delicate, fresh, sparkling and uber feminine yet not at all cloying or heavy.") it's not unlike me at all. Not to mention that I tend to have a penchant for purchasing unnecessarily expensive cosmetics.

Un Cœur de Papier

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:13:00 +0000

Your heart knows in silence the reason for days and nights and your ears would like to hear what your heart knows. –Voltaire

These lovelies come from the teeny tiny scissors of Aoyama Hina, which I found through Paper Forest.

MyPod Approved

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:57:00 +0000

Finally, tracking down fonts when you're on the go.

I Believe I Can Fly

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:16:00 +0000

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." -Goethe

Obamauguration!

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:11:00 +0000

From "Yes We Can" by Photographer Scout Tufankjian.

Heinous

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:58:00 +0000

Wood Pulp

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 03:12:00 +0000

I post stationery and aesthetically pleasing office supplies here all the time. Most of the time they tend to be more girly. But there are some guy friendly ones too such as the ones seen here from Field Notes and the elusive No. 2, a sub-brand of Knock Knock. I've tried googling for it, but the only place I've ever found them stocked is at The Paper Source. Knock Knock is pretty cool too, for the passive-aggressive organization-obsessed.

Pretty Paper Cuts

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:14:00 +0000

I'm absolutely blown away by designers and illustrators that use unconventional tools to produce typography. Yulia Brodskaya proves it can be done with paper, negative space, X-Actos, patience and grace.

Playing With Your Food

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:43:00 +0000

When my roommates were taking Dimensional Illustration I found that it was the most intriguing takes on the subject, besides Pop-Up Book Illustration. And when my friend Bryan and I were in my favorite store we came across a book by Saxton Freymann called Food Play. I always knew food lived secret lives.

Pool-Shooting-Shimmy-Shyster

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:01:00 +0000

I need to give props to my favorite Spring Menswear collection of 2009, Junya Watanabe. It's the checks and the Panama hats that he dresses his traveling wayfarers in that I just can't get over.

Walkin' On, Walkin' On Broken Glass

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:31:00 +0000

Here's a preview of what I'm working on for my site re-design. It's kind of like cross-hatching with pins. A lot more work to be done, this is only a test shot.

Collecting Snowflakes

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:24:00 +0000

New quarter coming up. I have crossed off many things on my to-do list and I feel quite accomplished. The next step is to keep myself busy with more goals and that's what I shall do.

As soon as I get back in the studios I'll be working on personal photo projects for promotional purposes (Oh man, that was some sweet alliteration). But even bigger, after two years I plan on tackling my website and doing a completely new look and design. Maybe even a logo for myself, which I don't even have yet after the five some-odd years of running this website. Yes, it's been around for maybe even longer. I have, however been doing some logos for my friends for kicks. I might reveal those later on as well after I complete them.

Excitement! I can't wait to get back to school and start the new quarter. Two more and I'll be done, done, DONE!

XY

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:09:00 +0000

Select Media Festival sure knows how to grab people's attention. Subjects aside, this design is exquisite.

Breaks Thanks Gives

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:54:00 +0000

To do list for Thanksgiving Break:

Pick-up my sweet, sweet business cards.
A year ago I visited Boxcar Press, a letterpress studio located in Syracuse. I've always wanted letterpressed business cards, so naturally they were my first choice.

Infiltrate the DPC and make my portfolio.
I took a class on bookbinding this quarter and it gave me the chance to combine two of my interrelated loves: design and papers.

Visit Jason, Lauren, and baby.
Because nothing takes the weight of finals and exams off your back than the smile of a baby.

Make the turkey with my sister.
And probably go see HSM3.

Knew New Nude

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:15:00 +0000

Bettina Rheims has a titillating new book out, The Book of Olga. A Russian millionaire requested her Agent Provocateur-esque style to photograph his femme fatale wife, Olga Rodionov.

There Goes My Hero

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:55:00 +0000

"The passion and persistence of Obama and the crowd that turned out to hear and see him despite the weather speaks volumes," said [Attendee Charlene] McGrady. "It's a telling contrast to the fair-weather attitude of the McCain campaign, which threw in the towel at the first drop of rain."

We Sailed Away In An Origami Gondola

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:59:00 +0000

My good friend Jason just sent me a link to the wonderfully imaginative, quirky and thought-provoking works of Si & Ad (Simon Atkinson and Adam Townley) – specifically the short titled "Post It Love". I would like to compare them to the works of Michel Gondry, but I think they can stand alone with their complementary choice of music and without the feeling of an acid trip.

Kids Are Cute

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:44:00 +0000

I shot my first wedding this weekend out in Syracuse. We were blessed with dry skies and smiling faces. Here's a rough cut of some of the images.

And we love Reggie.

Keeping My Finger on the Shutter

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:58:00 +0000

I've been working on some major updates. New photography added to the photo section and I'm working on the design portion as I type this out. I just don't have the time to do a major re-design but I'm constantly thinking up new ones.

Since I don't have any shooting classes this quarter I've been finding other ways to keep myself motivated and in a creative flow. This summer I was asked by a film friend, Toby Orzano, to shoot his production stills for his thesis. Check. I also offered to help my good recently graduated comrade, Bryan Williams, shoot his dimensional pieces for his portfolio. Check. Now this weekend I will be shooting a wedding for my roommate's best friend. Check. Wedding photography is, in fact, the bane of my existence. However, I am given free range to shoot whatever I please so it should be fun. Especially since it's an environment with people I know and am comfortable with.

Also, a French Club has just been started up at my school. WOOT!

People-mation

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:45:00 +0000

Michael Langan's Doxology

Geek Chic

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:05:00 +0000

It's already the second week of September, but just in case you still wanted a pretty little notebook to tote around or a creative planner that suits your style here's a few of my favorite places to shop for school supplies:

Russell + Hazel
I live by this company. I just dropped $90 on supplies from here just a few days ago.
Essentials.
One of my favorite places to visit whenever I'm in Northampton.
Kate's Paperie
They're very much into the eco-friendly, cause it's so trendy right now.
Paper Source
This place inspired me to one day open up my own stationery store.
See Jane Work
I don't know much about this place, but they do supply a few of my favorite designers.

Wanted

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:46:00 +0000

Wanted: Giant Stuffed Panda. Like the kind I used to have as a little girl. It was half the size of the six-year-old me. My mother got rid of him when I developed allergies to dust mites. He needs to occupy my bed at all times, more importantly on the days I am feeling sad and lonely.

Moar Nao Plz?

noreply@blogger.com (Shalini) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:42:00 +0000

I am in love with the typographic style and unpolished-but-precise look of Stefan Glerum's illustrations. Unfortunately there just isn't enough to look at yet, hopefully more in the future.