'Empire State of Pen' by Patrick Vale | London (UK)

Our appreciation for capturing a location from a unique viewpoint is the drive for our exploration and is fundamental in our design approach of ‘mapping out a city’. Our sense of spatial awareness and approach to highlight a community of independents is the conveyance of better living. A city can and will always be viewed from a differing perspective, one person to the next, from ground zero to a roof top. The city drawings by Hackney based artist and illustrator Patrick Vale are a demonstration to how we view a city, be it as a local or a visitor.

Patrick whose idiosyncratic sketches of major cities are incredibly complex, built up by a multitude of layers has lead him to international acclaim, large and highly detailed, Patrick’s freehand drawings render a sense of history and character, making us intrigued; we peer deeper into the makeup of a city. Each drawing shows the intricate structures of fire escapes and rooftops as much as it does the famous landmarks that makes a city iconic and instantly recognised. Often choosing a very high vantage point, Patrick creates work that represents vast swathes of a city, which invite us to investigate and relate to.

Patrick is best known for his work based on New York City, where his freehand drawing ‘Empire State of Pen’, a view of Manhattan from the Empire State Building was documented in a time-lapsed film captured from five days of intensive drawing. View Patrick’s portfolio to find out more about his work past and future.

Illustrated Maps by Masako Kubo | Tokyo (JAP)

Knowing us well means you understand our excitement for illustrated cartography. On a recent web wander we came across these beautifully hand drawn maps by Masako Kudo. Masako is a illustrator based in Tokyo (Japan) and having received a non-art related BA degree as well as worked for a Tokyo ad agency, Masako studied illustration at the University College Falmouth. Since then Masako illustrations has graced many publications such as the Wall Street Journal Magazine and national newspapers including The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and The Independent.

Masako certainly seem influenced by the original story telling style of traditional Japanese illustration, capturing your imagination and sense of exploration in the cities she draws. The use of subtle shading and a delicate colour palette makes Masako’s drawing easy on the eye while remaining helpful and offer a sense of Masako’s own taste in adventuring a new or familiar city.

Aprons by Editor's Index | New York (USA)

From the outside looking in, Editor’s Index present a small selection of hand crafted aprons designed and made by Kimmy Eliot Fung. But on further inspection there’s a lot more than meets the eye. Editor’s Index is the convergence of style, utility and craft, where an apron serve’s its own specific purpose for its owner. Editor’s Index creates articles with a thorough design ethos; understanding taste, dissecting form and minding the manners of design.

Where reference is just as likely to be sourced from architecture and literature as a restaurant kitchen. The philosophy behind Editor’s Index is deeply integrated within the artistic vernacular of Kimmy Eliot Fung who aspires to offer makings of intellect, honesty and sentiment. Currently Editor’s Index offers well considered aprons which have been designed with function and form in mind. Crafted from either 10oz cotton duck or 9.5oz Japanese Hickory denim stripe canvas in a New York studio, the Lock, Half and Cross aprons are quiet, simple and industrious in design while offering protection and utility.

Top centre – Half Apron (Bib), 9.5oz Cotton Hickory Denim Stripe Canvas
Middle left – Lock Apron, 10oz Cotton Duck Canvas
Bottom left - Cross Apron, 10oz Cotton Duck Canvas

'Materials Matter' 2014 Calendar by Labour & Wait | London (UK)

To complement their fondness for timeless, functional products for everyday life, East London design shop Labour & Wait has recently released their new calendar for 2014 aptly titled ‘Material Matters’. In cohesion with their shop, which since 2000 has dedicated its focus on sourcing the best possible traditionally crafted products for home and life, the self-published calendar celebrates the unique characteristics of twelve of Labour & Wait’s favourite materials: Wood, Ceramic, Glass, Cardboard and so on.

Appearing in a well-considered series of still life, the calendar features a selection of simple, utilitarian objects that are often overlooked but deserve further scrutiny in their design, function and form in daily life. The calendar, which includes the wooden clipboard, is a great office or home addition, be it to save a date or merely to keep ahead of each month as it passes. Available from Labour & Wait online or at their bricks and mortar shop on Redchurch Street.

Varsity Collection by Quella Bicycles | Cambridge (UK)

Cambridge based custom bike builders Quella Bicycles founded by Mark Langley and his partner Jordan Emery. Quella meaning 'The One' is the result of a passion for cycling and the will power to offer contemporary bicycles that respect the past, are made to the highest quality and are fairly priced to be used in the city. Every Quella bicycle is carefully designed in their Cambridge workshop to encompass an authentic classic bicycle design with 21st Century track technology, providing comfortable, aesthetically pleasing bicycles with unrivalled performance.

Named after the iconic Cambridge; Pembroke, Kings, Darwin and Trinity Colleges. The Quella Varsity Collection sees a series of single speed bicycles featuring vintage-inspired diamond formed steel frame, riser bars allowing for a responsive city riding, and Quella’s lightweight 40mm Deep-V Wheel Set, finely crafted to the highest attention to detail.