Helvetica, the neue black

helvetica is the neue black by bustednut
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Graphic designers and font lovers will appreciate this humorous homage to Helvetica (especially the Neue Helvetica font family, which brought the much-loved typeface to the modern era). It's a simple text design that tells it like it is!
I found this t-shirt on Busted Nut Designs and I couldn't resist the temptation! It's smart, funny and (hey!) it's about Helvetica.

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• You are The New Black
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You are The New Black

The New Black iPad case by surrealitee
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It's time to present with the latest of my typography projects, the New Black design. What is the new black? According to trendsetters it's something new every season -then again, nothing ever becomes the "new" black, the... old one is doing fine, thank you very much!

The New Black destroyed shirt by surrealitee

According to me, it's a way to be sarcastic to the trendies and/or to signify that you (meaning: each individual) make personal choices that may well be the exact opposite of a new fad. Every one of us is the "new black" and none of us is, because we are not a herd and our tastes are diverse.

The New Black bag by surrealitee

I put that in text, in bold lettering combined with thin drawn lines -unfortunately they can't be seen in the small previews- in what I believe to be a striking but simple design. You can see the stuff it's applied to in the New Black section of Surreality store. Enjoy, and do tell me your opinion.

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• The End
• Sign of the sacred Chao
• Call me irresponsible

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The End

End Title dark t-shirt by surrealitee

This rendition of a classic old film's end title is my latest typography design. I was charmed by the calligraphic font and the nostalgia of old Hollywood. At the same time, it evokes a strange, slightly ominous feeling.

End Title Card poster by surrealitee

As you can see there are two versions: the strictly text one and the title card with the retro, silent movies background. I do like both of them!

End Title envelope by surrealitee

The End Title product line on Surreality includes products that may send various messages. This envelope, which received a Today's Best Award from Zazzle, hides the message on the inside. Talking about bad surprises!

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The hype

Hype by bbqsource
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It should be obvious, but somehow it isn't: Don't believe the hype. It probably has to do with something engraved deep in the mammalian brain, the need to conform, to do what the flock does, to be aligned with the trends of the masses. Well, this t-shirt reminds you that there are machinations you shouldn't fall victim to.
The pleasant colors and good typography of this design, created by BBQ Source, help to get the message through!

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• Call me irresponsible (surrealitywatch.blogspot.com)
• Words of wisdom (surrealitywatch.blogspot.com)

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Fighting beauty

Fight Lady iPad case by surrealitee
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The silhouette of a sexy, swimsuit-wearing lady and typography in pink seem to clash with a call to action and fighting. That's what I thought and that's how this idea came to life. The lady's pose is a classic old-school model's posture, yet the silhouetted raised fist can be viewed as the symbol of protest and uprising.
The woman inclines on huge, pink letters but they spell "fight" and their grungy texture is far from pristine.

Fight Lady ladies shirt by surrealitee
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I find this contradiction humorous and interesting -even slightly political. It's the latest addition in my Vectoria work and you may find it in the Fight Lady section of my store.

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Sign of the Sacred Chao

Holy Chao ringer shirt by surrealitee

A new design where the Hollywood sign gets the discordian treatment! The famous lettering is used to spell Holy Chao, the Sacred Chao of Discordianism. What is the Chao?
In the words of Malaclypse the Younger:

The Sacred Chao symbolizes absolutely everything anyone need ever know about absolutely anything, and more! It even symbolizes everything not worth knowing, depicted by the empty space surrounding the Hodge-Podge.

Holy Chao black mousepad by surrealitee

You could say it's the symbol that depicts the balance between order and chaos. In this case, I used the Hollywood cultural reference as a pretext to convey the meaning of the Sacred Chao without showing the symbol itself. A simple, humorous mashup, really. You can see more at the Holy Chao section.

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Call me irresponsible

Let's Pretend stationery by surrealitee
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In constant denial? Refusing to accept how things really are? (how are they, really?) Childish or even hypocritical? Maybe just plain sarcastic?
This weird typography design is the latest addition to The Word series. Ink splashes and text in bright green that simply proposes "Let's pretend none of this ever happened".

Let's Pretend by surrealitee
Make a custom t-shirt at zazzle

So, be optimistic and carry on avoiding the painful truth like the rest of us -or simply express your strange kind of humor! Brought to you by Surreality.

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Redesigning the webs

404 error by retrofuturs
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I felt the need for some solid and inventive graphic design, something that could balance neat typography and clean looks with gritty, biting passion.I found it in retrofuturs, a store with splendid posters and t-shirts. The first thing that caught my eye is this 404 error design. I'm interested in visualizing internet standards and error codes (some of you may remember my own endeavors on Real Error 403) and this one is a true work of art!

web service 5 by retrofuturs
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Then I saw those great web service designs and I got hooked. Great ideas, weird imagery and craftsmanship characterize all retrofuturs work.

semicolon by retrofuturs
Poster printing by Zazzle

I you'd like to taste more of this beautiful, organized madness go the store (and, please, get me this semicolon print while you're at it, OK?) and then visit the remarkable retrofuturs website.

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The real Error 403

403 Forbidden Reality card by surrealitee
Design a note card on Zazzle

Most web-surfers have seen the "Error 403, Forbidden" HTTP status code. Some may even remember experiencing a slight uneasiness the first time they saw it -the fear of actually doing something forbidden is deeply instilled on many people.
I came up with this design by posing these questions:
What about our everyday life?
Can we perceive reality outside the boundaries set by our subjective filters?
Could it be that we only see a small fraction of what Is, while we try desperately to translate our experience to others?
Is that experience really translatable or are we lonesome travelers in a world of illusion?

These questions may be too big to be properly expressed by a simple typography design, but, hey, at least it's stylish! You can find it in my new 403 Forbidden Reality product section and see for yourselves.

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Rare breed

ADOPT A RESCUED DOG! by papelustro
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What a postcard! This design amazes me. It manages to be surreal, humorous, tender and gorgeous at the same time. Seems based in the finest tradition of graphic design (some '40s and '50s styles come to mind) and I do wish you have friends who will appreciate receiving such a work of art.
The artist is Belinha Fernandes from Portugal, her store is named Papelustro and everyone crazy enough to follow this blog will be more than happy to go there and take a look!
Here's another favorite:

POSTCARD INTERNATIONAL DAY... by papelustro
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She is great with collage but doesn't stop there: her overall designing abilities are diverse and always interesting -as I found by visiting Belinha's cool blog.

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Helvetica love

LoveHelvetica Maroon Mug by imjustcreative
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The neutral clarity of the Helvetica typeface not only makes it one of the most widely used of all times but also one of the most loved and respected. It continues to inspire designs, art and documentaries, having such an impact over our view of the printed letter that obscures most -if not all- other typefaces when it comes to being iconic! Developed by Max Miedinger in 1957, it was rejuvenated in 1983 with the creation of Neue Helvetica.
It's a typeface I love and it sure feels nice to see it used in cool typography designs such as this one. The store is I'mJustCreative and the talented designer is Graham Smith, a man passionate enough to maintain a great website about Helvetica. Typophiles and design lovers take note!

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Swallow art

Swallow EDUN t-shirt by surrealitee
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It's been some time since I last made something so deeply rooted in classic graphic design and now I'm happy to present you with Swallow. I love how the shape came out, the lightness of the overall feeling and the fact that that there's a sparrow hidden somewhere in there, so the swallow can have some unobtrusive company!

Swallow binder by surrealitee
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I had to make a rectangular version too (for binders, cards, prints, postcards etc.), and I believe it came out quite nice! But what I'm really proud of is my first ever skateboard:

Swallow skateboard by surrealitee
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So, after a series of more eccentric looking things and subterranean humor, I finally came up with something more happy and upbeat -while keeping an intriguing, approach, I hope. Here is the whole Swallow series, waiting for appreciative eyes!

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