It is that time of year again, Pantone has picked the 2012 Color of the Year. After the bright, uplighting color of 2011 (Honeysuckle), Pantone has gone bold for 2012 with the color Tangerine Tango! The reddish orange hugh can be found on the runways, and now on your walls, coffee mugs and fabrics. Pantone says “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”  What do you think of Tangerine Tango?

It is hard to believe that it has been 50 years since the 60s. The art and ideas that blossumed during that decade shaped the way many still look at art and life. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla is showcasing pieces from the 60s for their Exhibition “High Fidelity: Selections from the 1960s and 1970s. The exhibition features more than 50 works from artists from around the United States. Check it out before it ends on September 5.

While taking on cities by foot, the flashing walk sign at intersections is a familiar site. But one artist began to notice the differences between those silhouettes from city to city and country to country. While the Four Seasons in lower Manhattan is being constructed, the construction barrier around the hotel property is a piece of artwork called “Walking Men”, by Maya Barkai, that brings those international silhouettes to life. Some look very similar to the US, while others feature men in top hats, women and soldiers.

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While wandering through the Dwell on Design exhibition space, I stumbled upon some amazing wallcoverings by Astek Inc. The bright colors and interesting textures first caught my eye, but once I began speaking with the Astek team, the brilliance of these wallcoverings shone through. The Astek team does coverings for TV shows, movies and photo shoots but image what these designs could do in your modern home. Astek recently expanded their team to include graphic artists to create new and interesting designs for walls and also introduced eco-friendly options for coverings. Astek even offers magnetic options for the designs so you can easily swap them out- perfect for kids rooms or retail stores with ever changing tastes.

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Young talented Architects from Interboro Partners clenched the title of MoMA/P.S.1 Young Architects Program competition with this design for a courtyard at the P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center in New York. The “Holding Pattern” titled design offers a temporary canopy that will cover the courtyard in time for the summer music series “Warm Up”. It is a creative design that serves its purpose with flare and style.

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Standing around waiting for the subway is one of the dull daily tasks that millions face around the world. But if you stumble into any of these beautifully designed stations- you won’t be paying attention to the departure and arrival schedule. These Metro stops from all over the globe offer daily commuters and tourist the opportunity to take in some history, modern architecture or intriguing design, all while just waiting around for the subway. Next time your in any of these cities, maybe you should add “riding the subway” to your list of attractions to see.

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Great iPhone Apps can lead to hours and hours of entertainment and often save users from boredom, but this Apps is actually extremely useful, especially within the design community. The “Photosynth” by Microsoft offers users an interactive panorama capture experience. By simply following the direction of the app and taking photos with your iPhone, you can turn a few simple photos into an panoramic image that you can share with friends.

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The Rasterbator is an online program that allows you to blow your own pictures up to 20 meters in size. After uploading your photo, the Rasterbator will transform it into many one-page PDF files, and send it back to you. You can then print out the images, and piece them together in your own creative way. Think of all the things you can do with this, and it’s free! DYI personalized pop art has never been so easy.

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Got wood? If not, check out these Faux Bois placemats and coasters from Chilewich. Mother nature never made them quite like this though. Simulated wood grains are digitally printed on a durable, washable material that is usable indoors and out. Get organic at your next party!

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We would like to give kudos to the cities across the map who have tapped into the creative talents of street artists, illustrators, and graphic designers in this effective and cool new way! With some artistic vision and a little bit of paint, street artists and muralists have managed to transform these bland public spaces such as old buildings, bridges, and car parks, into beautiful displays of art and culture. Read more …