Can't Get Enough Of (#5)... Craig & Karl

I guess it's not difficult to see why the work of graphic design duo Craig Redman and Karl Maier appeals to me.  Vivid colours, bold black outlines, simple shapes - tick, tick, tick.

Their pop-art designs and illustrations are reminiscent of the work of Milton Glaser, Roy Lichtenstein and Patrick Caulfield (and no, I didn't see either Roy or Patrick at the Tates this year, which makes me hate myself a little bit), but they also bring something new to the table with street art influences and contemporary cultural references

If you haven't come across them before, take a look at some of the incredible projects they've worked on.

They've been on my list of fantasy collaborators for a while (it's a list that only exists in my head, and it's quite long, but man, we're working on some amazing windows in there).

In the meantime, I'll just keep an eye on their Instagram feed.

Can't Get Enough Of (#4)... Jonna Saarinen

I've followed Jonna's work for quite a while now - there's something about her exuberant use of colour and loose, over-printed splashy designs that feels so fresh against the tide of restrained Scandinavian minimalism.

Her patterns are inspired by her idyllic sounding childhood.  Growing up in South West Finland, she explains:

"My main inspiration will always be my late grandmother and growing up by the sea in Finland with her.  Back then summers used to be endless, the sun was always shining and running in the forest wearing no shoes and swimming with your clothes on was totally normal.  She had a fantastic style of hand knitted cardigans, crazy patterned aprons and woolly socks, which I hope I have also inherited.  It was these long summers that gave me my imagination and love of nature, which is where I get all the colours for my work from."

(excerpt from an interview with Patternbooth)

Now this is where I wish I lived nearer to London - next week she is running a series of screen printing workshops as part of the Etsy Market Place at the Dock event which ties in with the London Design Festival.  You can register for tickets to the workshops here - they're free!

And on top of being a rising star, she's also dead nice and drives around in a Marimekko-curtained VW campervan.  Take a peek into her lovely life here.

Can't Get Enough Of (#3)... Les Glass

For various reasons, fused glass objects and panels rarely appeal to me.  But these spoons by Australian glass artist Les Kendall are delicious.  I love their wobbliness, juicy colours and geometric patterns.  I want to hear the chink of glass on ceramic as I stir my coffee, and feel the cold smoothness of the glass in my hand.

Can't Get Enough Of (#2)... Anna Lindsten

I think I discovered Anna Lindsten's work via Twitter - one of those "I'll just have a quick look what's happening on the internets while I eat this sandwich" moments. I don't remember what was in the sandwich. But I do remember seeing lots of gorgeous patterns, shapes and colours which I mentally bookmarked to put up here.

If you like looking at talented people living nice lives in Sweden, her Instagram is worth a follow too.

Can't Get Enough Of (#1)... Jean Jullien

all images © Jean Jullien

So I thought I'd do an irregular series of illustrators, designers, artists, makers and general-all-round-creative-wizards whose work I just can't get enough of.

First is French illustrator/graphic designer/film maker Jean Jullien.  His work is funny, dark, smart and visually arresting all at once.  One of the themes of his work is the interaction between people and technology - it's hard not to find yourself cringing in recognition at some of his images.

I love the flatness of the digitally rendered colour combined with those loose, painterly outlines, and the deft simplicity with which his message is conveyed.

He also runs a tidy Instagram account, for a daily hit of brilliance.