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Water Pistol Pattern Design I found a pack of four

Water Pistol Pattern Design
I found a pack of four water pistols in Poundland – ideal for a pattern design! At the time I thought the design would be for children, but after developing my ideas they began to look a lot more like Andy Warhol than Andy Pandy. The water pistols are very translucent and in four wonderful lurid colours. Elephant Squirt Gun is embossed on the side, perhaps they were made in India for an American market?

Photographing The Squirt Guns
The first photos were shot with strong lighting from below, but this made them into silhouettes. Adding an extra light on one side with reflectors all round worked the best. I shot all four water pistols, but found the blue one had the best definition. This was then cutout with a clipping path. It was then easy to set up different hue and saturation layers to achieve all the different colours.

Converting To Illustrator Files
I used Illustrator’s Auto Trace to convert the blue photograph into just six colours. I then converted the six colours to different opacities of the same hue. It was then possible to use the same image 6 times over using different colours.

Adding Colour Behind The Pistols
As the design progressed, I wanted to be able to re-colour the pistols quicker. So instead of using six different opacities of the same hue, I changed each one to six different opacities of white instead. By adding a layer behind of the entire water pistol I could easily alter the colour quicker.

Drop Shadow
I experimented with adding a drop shadow generated by Illustrator, but it looked old fashioned so instead I used the background shape moved slightly. Then making it 20% black. So would take on the effect of the background.

Colour Combinations
I think the most appealing are those with one main colour with one secondary colour for just one of the pistols.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#waterpistols #waterpistol #squirtgun #squirtguns #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Sheds Pattern Design Inspiration Sheds used to be

Sheds Pattern Design Inspiration
Sheds used to be simple, basic storage. Now they feature on TV programmes such as George Clark’s Amazing Spaces and the competition for Shed of the Year. This design is based on the most basic of sheds seen across the country after the war. The pattern idea came when seeing rows of sheds on a friend’s allotment.

Finding References
I found a series of old shed adverts in charity shop magazines but most of them had text and overlaps as in the sample here. I wanted to be able to adjust, scale and colour each individual shed. I found a selection of individual, isolated, sheds scanned them all and cut them all out in Photoshop. They could then be roughly scaled into proportion.

Creating The Pattern
To make the pattern work, each row of sheds sits on top of the row above. Making them appear to recede into the background. The fourteen sheds then repeat horizontally and vertically as a block. There was one shed that had to be repeated as a patch so that the spacing could be kept tight – like the original advert.

Colouring Elements Of The Design
As all the sheds were made up of filled paths and solid backgrounds. I could alter each of these separately – plus the background to the whole pattern too. The orange version (N12on8-12) has the shed’s paths coloured the same as the pattern background. The orange colour is only used on the background to each individual shed.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined a selection of finished designs with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board.

The Future
The pattern would be great fun for gift-wrapping and fabric. I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#sheds #sheddesign #shedpattern #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels celebrate 50 years of Solo

These matchbook labels celebrate 50 years of Solo Lipnik, from 1909 to 1959. Each of the 10 labels show a different stage in the manufacture of the matchbooks. Although no signs of the actual design stage of creating the labels. I’ve moved the second stage to the beginning as I think it’s the strongest graphic. I love how they have curved the paper with speed lines. Solo Lipnik and Solo Susice are still in operation today, with the Lipnik factory recently renamed Morago AS Ltd following its privatisation.

#czechrepublic #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #SoloLipnik #SoloSusice

#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Old Price Pattern Design While searching for refer

Old Price Pattern Design
While searching for references for my sheds pattern, I noticed that a pile of old do-it-yourself magazines were published about the time I was born – 1958. The typographic styling of old money was wonderfully distinctive then, using a slash to separate the shillings and pennies, Old Price celebrates this era.

Pattern Repeat
To create the pattern I used clippings from five magazines. The yellow one is the central one – placed vertical. The rest are placed to feel more casual. I had to keep jiggling around the combinations so that the negative space (the gaps) was kept even throughout. By slightly arching the clippings around the yellow one creates a subtle horizontal ripple.

Colouring Duotones
The full colour version is the original of course. The duotones are achieved by adding different layers over the top of the black and white version to create different coloured variations. By setting an opacity of 30% gives the effect of a duotone without having to alter the colour mode of the document. I could then experiment with different Pantone colours. Here I have included two shades of blue plus two that appear more sepia.

Re-Colouring Designs
For the last two variations I have changed the yellows to pink, and the reds to green. Perhaps a bit bonkers but rather fun.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#oldmoney #prices #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This pattern design is based on three feathers. To

This pattern design is based on three feathers. To create the pattern I repeated them horizontally. Rather than simply repeat it vertically I flipped the next row, making the curved central feather curve in alternating directions. This set of two lines are then duplicated vertically. From a distance this gives the impression of flowing curved vertical waves.

To give context I combined a selection of finished designs with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the colours. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#feathers #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote biscuits made by PT

These matchbook labels promote biscuits made by PTP - The Durable Pastry Industry. My favourite is the man with the prezel. Vey much inspired by the style of artist M. Sasek. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Translations from Czech…
Prumysl Trvanliveho Peciva = Durable Pastry Industry
chutne nesladke pecivo = tasty unsweet pastries
pecivova smes lisovana, vhodna kazde prilezitosti = pressed pastry mixture, suitable for any occasion
papricky, nesladke syrove susenky = peppery, sweet raw biscuits
precliky kminem jsou sladke a chutne = cumin pretzels are sweet and tasty
drobna maslova smes = small butter mixture

#msasek #czechrepublic #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Here are the normal sized versions combined with t

Here are the normal sized versions combined with the massive mega versions of my three colour design based on a china egg cup - the ovals, the egg - circles and backgrounds. With a palette of 33 colours, there are a staggering 35,937 colour combinations!

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#funkycolours #funkycolors #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote saving for everythi

These matchbook labels promote saving for everything from homes to holidays in the Czech Republic. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Translations from Czech…
sporte na moderni bytove doplnky = save on modern home accessories
pamatujte vcas na dovolenou v zahranici = remember in time for a holiday abroad
sporime pro radost = we save for joy
podnikove sporeni je vyhodne i pro vas = business savings is also beneficial for you
cestovni vkladni knizka = travel passbook
pravidelne sporeni dovolena u more = regular savings allowed by the sea
pravidelne sporeni krasna dovolena = regularly saved beautiful holidays
druzstevni vystavba cil sporeni mladych lidi = cooperative construction of savings goals for young people
vyherni vkladni knizka 250% slosavani 2x no roka = winning passbook 250% drawn twice a year
cil sporeni nasi rodiny = the goal of saving [for?] our family

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This three colour design is based on a china egg c

This three colour design is based on a china egg cup - the ovals, the egg - circles and backgrounds. With a palette of 33 colours, there are a staggering 35,937 colour combinations! This shortlist shows the most fun combinations.
For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#funkycolours #funkycolors #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This print is based on a pattern design called Syn

This print is based on a pattern design called Syncopation. Created by cutting the blue and red shapes from plastic sheets. Printing the blue layer first rollering over the template with blue acrylic paint thinned down with about three quarters screen print medium to make it flow better and stop it drying too quickly. The red second colour is over-printed a week later when the blue paint is totally dry. The design is printed onto a square canvas board.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#syncopation #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

My latest template printed design called Orbit. Us

My latest template printed design called Orbit. Using cut out plastic as templates to print with normal household paint rollers in the three process colours of cyan, magenta and yellow. Printed on small square canvas boards.
#cmy #processcolours #processcolors #templateprinting #templates #cyan #magenta #yellow #orbit #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbooks celebrate the 65th anniversary of

These matchbooks celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Czech company Solo Lipnik that designs and manufactures the actual matchbooks. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. Solo Lipnik, were still in business until 2002.

#csr #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This design started as two inter-locking linocut z

This design started as two inter-locking linocut zig zag patterns printed in red and orange. The messy image would work for a single print, but for wallpaper it would look too clumsy, so as a compromise I tidied up the extra bits, but decided to keep the wobbly edges. I explored re-colouring the zigzags themselves and then the backgrounds to create 11 designs in a total of 100+ colourways.
Colour Variations
For my pattern designs I use a catalogue of background colours each of which has its own number. There are currently 31x colours that I have chosen from to use in the background of these Double Zig Zag designs. The designs get simpler, so the final designs K and L are one shape repeated.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined each finished design with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the surface wallpaper. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please contact me if you would like a high resolution file or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#zigzag #linocut #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These stunning matchbox labels celebrate having a

These stunning matchbox labels celebrate having a “Radio in Every Home”. Sold in Poland in the 1960s. They would probably still be called a wireless then! I love the bright colours and funky presentation.

Some translations from Polish…
Radio w kazdym domu = Radio in every home
Kos = Blackbird
Bateryjny = Battery

#polish #polska #sovietstyle #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Although these odd, little stripy jugs were bought

Although these odd, little stripy jugs were bought separately from different charity shops, I felt they would combine very well as a pair. I cutout the photos then tried different ways of interlocking them to make an interesting pattern design.

Colour Variations
For my pattern designs I use a catalogue of colours each of which has its own number. There are currently 31x colours I have chosen these Stripy Jugs designs from. Whenever I find a new colour I add this to all of my designs to explore if the new colour way would work with the pattern. Here I have shown Stripy Jugs in 12* design variations. In the second series – B, I have treated the two stripy jugs differently which makes even more combinations.
* Smaller screen sizes are designed to display less colour variations.
Rolling your mouse over an image will display its code.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined each finished design with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the surface wallpaper. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please contact me if you would like a high resolution file or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#stripy #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This pattern takes the design Conker Shapes and mo

This pattern takes the design Conker Shapes and moves it into a whole new direction. The original design is based on the pale areas seen on the back of conkers. For Spot I have used the outlines of the five conkers themselves to define the shapes of the spots.

Spot Designs
Most pattern designers have a collection based on spots. I felt what let them down was that they used the same sized spot equally spaced. This design is more organic from start to finish. To avoid a boring step and repeat, the five spots flip, rotate, and rescale independently, making the design more fluid.

Printing The Pattern
The spots themselves are all white, so could be printed straight onto coloured fabric, or plain wallpaper. They could also be manufactured digitally by printing the colour with the spots being reversed out.

Colour Variations
For my pattern designs I use a catalogue of colours each of which has its own number. There are currently 30x colours I have chosen these Spot designs from. Whenever I find a new colour I add this to all my designs to explore if the new colour way would work with the pattern. Here I have shown Spot in 18 colours – smaller screen sizes see less colours. Rolling your mouse over an image will display its code.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined each finished design with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the surface wallpaper. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please contact me if you would like a high resolution file or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#spot #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These Russian matchbook labels focus on road safet

These Russian matchbook labels focus on road safety. Using three colours - yellow, red and blue they feature a man wearing a trilby who finds fault with pretty well everything on the road. Each one has the date of 1958 - the year I was born, oddly now I come to think I am sure my dad used to wear a trilby too!

Some translations from Russian…
ВЗАИМНО ВНИМАТЕЛЬНЫ = Mutually attentive, both pay attention perhaps?
Стоп = Stop

#russian #sovietstyle #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This is the third set of Conker Shape pattern desi

This is the third set of Conker Shape pattern designs. Here I have shrunk the design smaller and kept only 3 of the 5 conkers. Rather than do a simple step and repeat, each individual shape is flipped and rotated independently to avoid looking like a computer generated design. More designs will be added soon…
The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please message me if you would like to see a high resolution file, or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#conkers #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Proving you can create a pattern out of anything -

Proving you can create a pattern out of anything - these odd circle shapes originate from the pattern on the back of conkers! This is the first set, probably the simplest. I will add the more complex ones during the week.
The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please message me if you would like to see a high resolution file, or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#conkers #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote 15 Years of Success

These matchbook labels promote 15 Years of Success of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. It has been regarded as a satellite state of the Soviet Union. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#csr #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

I have called my new pattern design Syncopation -

I have called my new pattern design Syncopation - inspired by a shot I took of tiny mosaic tiles each about 2x1cm. I was intrigued by how each tile appeared to be unique.

Early Designs
The first designs of syncopation still have the tile-like pattern with a seemingly random horizontal pattern. I liked the idea of exploring how two simple coloured shapes could be rearranged within the 2-by-1 rectangle to form an array of different patterns. At this point the shapes on the tiles were opaque white, the colouring comes from the background. I have been building up background colours adding a few more with each new design. There is a palette of 26 background colours used in the complete set of designs.

Rotating the Design Horizontal
By rotating the design to run horizontally I saw that each “tile” had what appeared to be a top middle and bottom, which went 50% – 100% – 50%. I changed the tint of the top to 20% white making it appear darker. Then changed the bottom one to 70% white making it lighter. The effect gives the design three shades (of the background colour) plus white.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
I combined the finished design with a straight-on shot of the mid century modern chair, plus a fake carpet and skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the patterns. I also created a pattern-only version, to give show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please message me if you would like to see a high resolution file, or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#syncopation #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote “folk art treasur

These matchbook labels promote “folk art treasures of the nation”. I love the naive wobbly illustrations. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#folkart #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels celebrate the Five-Year Pla

These matchbook labels celebrate the Five-Year Plan of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. Using just red blue and yellow they list lots of achievments, from 400,000 kindergarten places to 220,000 cars for sale. They date back to when the Czech Republic and Slovakia were part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…

zvysi se peodej = sales will increase
masla = butter,
mleka = milk

105 milionu tun uhli = 105 million tons of coal

prumyslovy rozvoj slovenska = industrial development of Slovakia

220,000 automobila v prodeji = 220,000 cars for sale

prodej masa a masnych vyrobku = sale of meat and meat products

Prodej prumysloveho zbozi vzoste = Sales of industrial goods will increase

400,000 mist v materskych skolach = 400,000 kindergarten places

prumysl = industry
strojirenstvi = mechanical engineering

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This design was inspired when I bought three mid

This design was inspired when I bought three mid century modern chairs in a YMCA charity shop. I love how the angle of the back is the same as the legs, making a beautiful refined silhouette. I took a series of eight photogrpahs to make up the rotating sequence. Once all the photos were taken and cutout I needed to convert them into individual illustrations. Tracing each of them in Illustrator restricting the number of colours to around 6. I then tidied up the paths to make them cleaner and removing the smaller paths. I then chose a limit of 4 colours that each image could use. Altering the highlights, midtones and low lights to keep to the four colours. Finally I converted the four colours to shades of the same colour. I could then alter each set of images by changing the main colour. Meaning that all the other shades would alter too.

Elements Of Each Design
For the chairs themselves I chose five main colours: Grey, Navy, Red, Teal and Yellow. The image codes use these initial letters. The background is the easiest colour to alter. I initially started with half a dozen colours, but by the end I used 18 different colours, the colours are again used in the codes listing from 1-18. Perhaps the most ambitious was to explore using blending modes for each of the chair combinations. Methodically trying each of Illustrator’s blending modes in turn.
Placing The Pattern In A Location
I combined the finished design with a straight-on shot of the real chair, plus a fake carpet and skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the wallpaper. For each design I also created a pattern only version, to give an idea of how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These three-colour matchbook labels each say “Va

These three-colour matchbook labels each say “Vaccination Protects You Against Tetanus”. Using just yellow, orange and grey they clearly convey the message without being too medicinal. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

ockovani vas chrani proti tetanu = vaccination protects you against tetanus

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

The Two Jugs design began as a canvas I painted in

The Two Jugs design began as a canvas I painted in 2013 where I felt the elements were too spaced out. Cutting out the jugs, I could move them closer to produce a more interesting interaction. Duplicating the jugs and slightly altered them meant there wouldn’t be such an obvious pattern repeat.

Three Colourways
There are three sets of colourways, A, B and C. Design A uses the same jug colours from the painting, but with different background colours. For design B I recoloured the jugs to be blue. Finally design C, I made the larger jug creamy white which has produced an interesting engraving style.

Background Colours
There are a total of 24 different background colours which I have tried combining with each of the designs. Roll over each photo to find out the code.

Blending Codes
I used Adobe Illustrator to explore yet more combinations, by altering how the layers blend with the backgrounds. I have detailed the blending methods used in the two digit codes for each design, so that they could be replicated or altered to suit a client’s wishes…
NOrmal, DArken, MUltiply, Color Burn, LIghten, SCreen, Color Dodge, OVerlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, DIfference, EXclusion, HUe, SAturation, COlor, LUminocity.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner

These matchbook labels are about the home, garden

These matchbook labels are about the home, garden and DIY. Isn’t the pot of paint gorgeous! They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…
za vlast = for the homeland
jeste krasnejsi = you are even more beautiful
skolicka = school
Za vlast jeste krasnejsi = For the homeland is even more beautiful

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This series is a simplified variation on the Tango

This series is a simplified variation on the Tango pattern. Repeating a portion of the painting as a white flash and using different coloured backgrounds completes the collection.
#patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #wallpaperdesign #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote the Red Cross. They

These matchbook labels promote the Red Cross. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…
stanice prvni pomocivodlehlych obcich = first aid stations in remote villages
vygybej se nebezpecnym hram = Avoid dangerous games
mlade zoravotniky do kazdeho pioyrského tabora = young pupils to every Piorian camp
ukaznenost na silnici = discipline on the road
pecujte o cistotou vasi obce = take care of the cleanliness of your village
pecijte o cistotu pracovist = take care of the cleanliness of workplaces
alkoholismus rozvraci spolecnost = alcoholism subverts society
snimkovani plic objevi vcas = lung images appear in time

#redcross #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Whilst on lockdown I have been creating more patte

Whilst on lockdown I have been creating more pattern designs. This one is based on a canvas painted in 2013. I have renamed the pattern Tango. This series repeats a portion of the painting as a white flash, punctuated with a pink blob.
#patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #wallpaperdesign #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

The first two colours of my latest print. Using cu

The first two colours of my latest print. Using cut up plastic wallets, I cut out a set of circles then using a normal roller print the cyan; let them dry then print the magenta. These shots show peeling the plastic away for each print. Today will be adding the yellow layer and clearing up...
#lockdown #lockdowncrafts #homeprinting #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote Moravsky Kras - a v

These matchbook labels promote Moravsky Kras - a vast series of rocks and caves in the Czech Republic. All the underground designs have a darker violet background. Those above ground have the fabulous orange rocks and wonderful stylised buildings. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…
Sloup = column
Punkevni = punk
Skalni mlyn = rock mill
vodni = aqueous
and my favourite Macocha = step mother!
#moravsky #moravskykras #moravskycaves #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Re-found in the loft, this canvas was painted back

Re-found in the loft, this canvas was painted back in 2013. Unusually for me I didn’t worry about getting all the elements straight! #blue #oiloncanvas #oilpainting by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Next up in my lockdown finds are these matchbook l

Next up in my lockdown finds are these matchbook labels promoting museums in the Czech Republic. Limiting the colours used to green red and mustard helps them work together as a set. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Cities featured in the Czech Republic…
Brno, Cheb, Teplice, Roztoky, Pardubice, Litomerice, V Tabore, Gottwaldov, Karlovy Vary, Jihlava
#Brno #Cheb #Teplice #Roztoky #Pardubice #Litomerice, #Tabor #Gottwaldov #Karlovy #Jihlava #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Next up in my lockdown loft finds are these matchb

Next up in my lockdown loft finds are these matchbook labels promoting the dairy industry. Most have names with obvious translations. Below are others I found. They were bought in Prague in 2011 and date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

cedar = cheddar
mlekarny = dairy
mlekarenskeho prumyslu = dairy industry
brno narodni podnik = brno national enterprise
tavene syry = processed cheeses
blokovy syr taveny se sunkou = block cheese melted with ham

#dairy #cheese #cheeses #milk #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik #loftfinds #lockdown #lockdownloft
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

I have been collecting old leaflets and instructio

I have been collecting old leaflets and instructions since my schooldays. This tiny instruction leaflet came with a Kodak Brownie Cresta camera dating from 1955. Taking 120 size film, it was capable of taking just 12 photographs.
The printing seems to be a bit vague though, as the whole leaflet appears to be cropped off at the top - all part of the charm. The two colour printing was a cost-saving restriction at the time, but now makes it look more stylish. The deep yellow being Kodak’s branding colour.

#productphotography and #photomanipulation by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

#oldcameras #browniecresta #kodak #kodakcresta #kodakbrownie #oldcamera

This camera is part of a job lot of collectables f

This camera is part of a job lot of collectables from perhaps the last junk shop in Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells. The Kodak Brownie Cresta was introduced in 1955. Taking 120 film size it was capable of taking just 12 photographs. Perhaps just as exciting it came with a lovely, tiny instruction leaflet - watch for the next post…

I shot the front and back of the camera on a white background for flexibility, then in Photoshop added a vector clipping path to cut out the image - the image could then be used on any background. Retouching was a major headache though, as the camera was so hard to clean.

I have shown the camera on a white and a deep blue, flat background - with and without a shadow. When the images are used on a dark background I have added a subtle “inner glow” to avoid the cutout edge looking too bright. The camera has a darker fake shadow when used on a dark background, or a lighter shadow when used on white.

#productphotography and #photomanipulation by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

#oldcameras #browniecresta #kodak #kodakcresta #kodakbrownie #oldcamera

This collection of matchbook labels feature sports

This collection of matchbook labels feature sports holidays across countries in Eastern Europe. I love the simplified style and vibrant colous. Bought in Prague in 2011, they date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Sporte na dovolenou = Sports on Vacation - in Czech.
v rumunsku = in Romania
v bulharsku = in Bulgaria
v zahranici = abroad
na kube = into cubes - may be apartments?
v polsku = in poland
v madarsku = in hungary
v jugoslavii - in Yugoslavia

#sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This covered pot is made by W.Goebel in their West

This covered pot is made by W.Goebel in their West German factory in the 1960s. I love the mid-century modern vibe with crazy flowers, a red lid and matching angular knob.

I shot the lidded pot on a white background for flexibility, then in Photoshop added a vector clipping path to cut out the image - the image could then be used on any background.
I have shown the image on a deep green flat background - with and without a shadow. I have also created a textured background using warp in Photoshop curve a flat grey background. It was then recoloured to team with the leaves on the pot. When the image is used on a dark background I have added a subtle “inner glow” to avoid the cutout edge looking too bright. The pot has a darker fake shadow when used on a dark background, or a lighter shadow when used on white.

#westgermany #westdeutschland #westendeutschland #deutschland #german #Deutsche #wgoebel #midcenturymodern #retro #midcentury #jampot #liddedpot #mustardpot

#productphotography and #photomanipulation by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Czechoslovakian matchbook labels from 1967, celebr

Czechoslovakian matchbook labels from 1967, celebrating the previous 50 years since the VRSR October Revolution of 1917 in Russia - the predecessor to the Soviet Union - CCCP. Illustrations from building Lenin’s Mausoleum in 1930 to Yuri Gagarin first in space in 1961.

The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#sovietstyle #slovakia #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #motorest #sololipnik
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbooks promote Motorest - motels & roads

These matchbooks promote Motorest - motels & roadside cafes in what was then Czechozlovakia. What is now Slovakia. Amazingly all except one are still in business!. They seem to be either massive modernist blocks or Swiss chalets!

The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Motorest Zilina
Motorest Maják Opatova
Motorest Bučany
Vinaren (winebar) Limbach
Hotel Severan Dolný Kubín
Salaš Orava
Hotel Spolocenský dom
Koliba Červený Kút
Motorest Šturec

#sovietstyle #slovakia #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #motorest #sololipnik
#HotelRozkvetLevice #MotorestZilina #MotorestMajákOpatova #MotorestBučany #VinarenLimbach #HotelSeveranDolnýKubín #SalašOrava #HotelSpolocenskýdom #KolibaČervenýKút #MotorestŠturec

#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Out for fresh air in Calverley Park. Just 5 minute

Out for fresh air in Calverley Park. Just 5 minutes walk, but a whole world away. I love how they have left the grass to go to seed, letting the bluebells pop through.
#calverleypark #bluebells #spring #longgrass #tunbridgewells #photography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Matchbooks with safety advice for miners in the Ro

Matchbooks with safety advice for miners in the Rosické Doly coal mines in what was then Czechoslovakia. Now part of the Czech Republic.

The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations include…
Ochranne pomucky = protective equipment
Umis pouzivat zp3 = you can use ZP3 -filter
Nechytej se lana = don’t grab the rope
Zadej a puzivej = enter and push
Dbejte Bezpecnostnich = observe the safety
Neprochazej = does not pass - Slovak
Mezi voziky = between the carts

#cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #coalmine #coalmining #mining #safety #RosickéDoly
#ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

More matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. Th

More matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. These Soviet-style labels are from Slovakia. Promoting the benefits of linen fabric.
Translating as…
len je trvanlivy = only this is durable
len dobre ssaje = soaks up well
len se dobre pere = linen washes well
v lete len = in summer only

The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic
#ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They da

Matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. These Soviet-style labels are from the Czech Republic, depicting hotels and motels. Amazingly all the hotels seem to still be there!

Hotel Racek
Motel Devet Krizu
Hotel Fialka Sušice
Hotel Skoda Plzen
Beskydy Horsky
Hotel Razula
Hotel Churáňov
Hotel Bohema Brno
Hotel Berounka
Hotel Zvikov

#HotelRacek #MotelDevetKrizu #HotelFialkaSušice #HotelSkodaPlzen
#BeskydyHorsky #HotelRazula #HotelChuráňov #HotelBohemaBrno #brno
#HotelBerounka #HotelZvikov

#cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic
#ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

More matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. Th

More matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. These Soviet-style labels feature 50 years of measuring instruments. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative #cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik

Exploring in my loft I redescovered these matchboo

Exploring in my loft I redescovered these matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The Soviet-style labels Celebrate 20 Years of Success of the CSSR (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic).
#cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik

I picked up these sweet little booklets in Gothenb

I picked up these sweet little booklets in Gothenburg 3 years ago. Needless to say I loved the great colours. It’s only now I have looked up what they are actually about…

Mjäll = Dandruff
Vårtor = Worts
Svamp & klåda i underlivet = Fungus & itching genitals
Inkontinens = Incontinence
Herpesmunsår = Herpes cold sores
Diarré hos barn = Diarrhea in children.

No wonder the pharmacist looked a bit worried…

#swedish #gothenburg #pharmacy #medicalleaflet #green #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

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Water Pistol Pattern Design I found a pack of four

Water Pistol Pattern Design
I found a pack of four water pistols in Poundland – ideal for a pattern design! At the time I thought the design would be for children, but after developing my ideas they began to look a lot more like Andy Warhol than Andy Pandy. The water pistols are very translucent and in four wonderful lurid colours. Elephant Squirt Gun is embossed on the side, perhaps they were made in India for an American market?

Photographing The Squirt Guns
The first photos were shot with strong lighting from below, but this made them into silhouettes. Adding an extra light on one side with reflectors all round worked the best. I shot all four water pistols, but found the blue one had the best definition. This was then cutout with a clipping path. It was then easy to set up different hue and saturation layers to achieve all the different colours.

Converting To Illustrator Files
I used Illustrator’s Auto Trace to convert the blue photograph into just six colours. I then converted the six colours to different opacities of the same hue. It was then possible to use the same image 6 times over using different colours.

Adding Colour Behind The Pistols
As the design progressed, I wanted to be able to re-colour the pistols quicker. So instead of using six different opacities of the same hue, I changed each one to six different opacities of white instead. By adding a layer behind of the entire water pistol I could easily alter the colour quicker.

Drop Shadow
I experimented with adding a drop shadow generated by Illustrator, but it looked old fashioned so instead I used the background shape moved slightly. Then making it 20% black. So would take on the effect of the background.

Colour Combinations
I think the most appealing are those with one main colour with one secondary colour for just one of the pistols.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#waterpistols #waterpistol #squirtgun #squirtguns #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Sheds Pattern Design Inspiration Sheds used to be

Sheds Pattern Design Inspiration
Sheds used to be simple, basic storage. Now they feature on TV programmes such as George Clark’s Amazing Spaces and the competition for Shed of the Year. This design is based on the most basic of sheds seen across the country after the war. The pattern idea came when seeing rows of sheds on a friend’s allotment.

Finding References
I found a series of old shed adverts in charity shop magazines but most of them had text and overlaps as in the sample here. I wanted to be able to adjust, scale and colour each individual shed. I found a selection of individual, isolated, sheds scanned them all and cut them all out in Photoshop. They could then be roughly scaled into proportion.

Creating The Pattern
To make the pattern work, each row of sheds sits on top of the row above. Making them appear to recede into the background. The fourteen sheds then repeat horizontally and vertically as a block. There was one shed that had to be repeated as a patch so that the spacing could be kept tight – like the original advert.

Colouring Elements Of The Design
As all the sheds were made up of filled paths and solid backgrounds. I could alter each of these separately – plus the background to the whole pattern too. The orange version (N12on8-12) has the shed’s paths coloured the same as the pattern background. The orange colour is only used on the background to each individual shed.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined a selection of finished designs with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board.

The Future
The pattern would be great fun for gift-wrapping and fabric. I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#sheds #sheddesign #shedpattern #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels celebrate 50 years of Solo

These matchbook labels celebrate 50 years of Solo Lipnik, from 1909 to 1959. Each of the 10 labels show a different stage in the manufacture of the matchbooks. Although no signs of the actual design stage of creating the labels. I’ve moved the second stage to the beginning as I think it’s the strongest graphic. I love how they have curved the paper with speed lines. Solo Lipnik and Solo Susice are still in operation today, with the Lipnik factory recently renamed Morago AS Ltd following its privatisation.

#czechrepublic #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #SoloLipnik #SoloSusice

#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Old Price Pattern Design While searching for refer

Old Price Pattern Design
While searching for references for my sheds pattern, I noticed that a pile of old do-it-yourself magazines were published about the time I was born – 1958. The typographic styling of old money was wonderfully distinctive then, using a slash to separate the shillings and pennies, Old Price celebrates this era.

Pattern Repeat
To create the pattern I used clippings from five magazines. The yellow one is the central one – placed vertical. The rest are placed to feel more casual. I had to keep jiggling around the combinations so that the negative space (the gaps) was kept even throughout. By slightly arching the clippings around the yellow one creates a subtle horizontal ripple.

Colouring Duotones
The full colour version is the original of course. The duotones are achieved by adding different layers over the top of the black and white version to create different coloured variations. By setting an opacity of 30% gives the effect of a duotone without having to alter the colour mode of the document. I could then experiment with different Pantone colours. Here I have included two shades of blue plus two that appear more sepia.

Re-Colouring Designs
For the last two variations I have changed the yellows to pink, and the reds to green. Perhaps a bit bonkers but rather fun.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#oldmoney #prices #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This pattern design is based on three feathers. To

This pattern design is based on three feathers. To create the pattern I repeated them horizontally. Rather than simply repeat it vertically I flipped the next row, making the curved central feather curve in alternating directions. This set of two lines are then duplicated vertically. From a distance this gives the impression of flowing curved vertical waves.

To give context I combined a selection of finished designs with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the colours. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#feathers #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote biscuits made by PT

These matchbook labels promote biscuits made by PTP - The Durable Pastry Industry. My favourite is the man with the prezel. Vey much inspired by the style of artist M. Sasek. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Translations from Czech…
Prumysl Trvanliveho Peciva = Durable Pastry Industry
chutne nesladke pecivo = tasty unsweet pastries
pecivova smes lisovana, vhodna kazde prilezitosti = pressed pastry mixture, suitable for any occasion
papricky, nesladke syrove susenky = peppery, sweet raw biscuits
precliky kminem jsou sladke a chutne = cumin pretzels are sweet and tasty
drobna maslova smes = small butter mixture

#msasek #czechrepublic #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Here are the normal sized versions combined with t

Here are the normal sized versions combined with the massive mega versions of my three colour design based on a china egg cup - the ovals, the egg - circles and backgrounds. With a palette of 33 colours, there are a staggering 35,937 colour combinations!

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#funkycolours #funkycolors #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote saving for everythi

These matchbook labels promote saving for everything from homes to holidays in the Czech Republic. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Translations from Czech…
sporte na moderni bytove doplnky = save on modern home accessories
pamatujte vcas na dovolenou v zahranici = remember in time for a holiday abroad
sporime pro radost = we save for joy
podnikove sporeni je vyhodne i pro vas = business savings is also beneficial for you
cestovni vkladni knizka = travel passbook
pravidelne sporeni dovolena u more = regular savings allowed by the sea
pravidelne sporeni krasna dovolena = regularly saved beautiful holidays
druzstevni vystavba cil sporeni mladych lidi = cooperative construction of savings goals for young people
vyherni vkladni knizka 250% slosavani 2x no roka = winning passbook 250% drawn twice a year
cil sporeni nasi rodiny = the goal of saving [for?] our family

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This three colour design is based on a china egg c

This three colour design is based on a china egg cup - the ovals, the egg - circles and backgrounds. With a palette of 33 colours, there are a staggering 35,937 colour combinations! This shortlist shows the most fun combinations.
For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#funkycolours #funkycolors #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This print is based on a pattern design called Syn

This print is based on a pattern design called Syncopation. Created by cutting the blue and red shapes from plastic sheets. Printing the blue layer first rollering over the template with blue acrylic paint thinned down with about three quarters screen print medium to make it flow better and stop it drying too quickly. The red second colour is over-printed a week later when the blue paint is totally dry. The design is printed onto a square canvas board.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#syncopation #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

My latest template printed design called Orbit. Us

My latest template printed design called Orbit. Using cut out plastic as templates to print with normal household paint rollers in the three process colours of cyan, magenta and yellow. Printed on small square canvas boards.
#cmy #processcolours #processcolors #templateprinting #templates #cyan #magenta #yellow #orbit #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbooks celebrate the 65th anniversary of

These matchbooks celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Czech company Solo Lipnik that designs and manufactures the actual matchbooks. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. Solo Lipnik, were still in business until 2002.

#csr #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This design started as two inter-locking linocut z

This design started as two inter-locking linocut zig zag patterns printed in red and orange. The messy image would work for a single print, but for wallpaper it would look too clumsy, so as a compromise I tidied up the extra bits, but decided to keep the wobbly edges. I explored re-colouring the zigzags themselves and then the backgrounds to create 11 designs in a total of 100+ colourways.
Colour Variations
For my pattern designs I use a catalogue of background colours each of which has its own number. There are currently 31x colours that I have chosen from to use in the background of these Double Zig Zag designs. The designs get simpler, so the final designs K and L are one shape repeated.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined each finished design with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the surface wallpaper. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please contact me if you would like a high resolution file or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#zigzag #linocut #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These stunning matchbox labels celebrate having a

These stunning matchbox labels celebrate having a “Radio in Every Home”. Sold in Poland in the 1960s. They would probably still be called a wireless then! I love the bright colours and funky presentation.

Some translations from Polish…
Radio w kazdym domu = Radio in every home
Kos = Blackbird
Bateryjny = Battery

#polish #polska #sovietstyle #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Although these odd, little stripy jugs were bought

Although these odd, little stripy jugs were bought separately from different charity shops, I felt they would combine very well as a pair. I cutout the photos then tried different ways of interlocking them to make an interesting pattern design.

Colour Variations
For my pattern designs I use a catalogue of colours each of which has its own number. There are currently 31x colours I have chosen these Stripy Jugs designs from. Whenever I find a new colour I add this to all of my designs to explore if the new colour way would work with the pattern. Here I have shown Stripy Jugs in 12* design variations. In the second series – B, I have treated the two stripy jugs differently which makes even more combinations.
* Smaller screen sizes are designed to display less colour variations.
Rolling your mouse over an image will display its code.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined each finished design with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the surface wallpaper. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please contact me if you would like a high resolution file or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#stripy #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This pattern takes the design Conker Shapes and mo

This pattern takes the design Conker Shapes and moves it into a whole new direction. The original design is based on the pale areas seen on the back of conkers. For Spot I have used the outlines of the five conkers themselves to define the shapes of the spots.

Spot Designs
Most pattern designers have a collection based on spots. I felt what let them down was that they used the same sized spot equally spaced. This design is more organic from start to finish. To avoid a boring step and repeat, the five spots flip, rotate, and rescale independently, making the design more fluid.

Printing The Pattern
The spots themselves are all white, so could be printed straight onto coloured fabric, or plain wallpaper. They could also be manufactured digitally by printing the colour with the spots being reversed out.

Colour Variations
For my pattern designs I use a catalogue of colours each of which has its own number. There are currently 30x colours I have chosen these Spot designs from. Whenever I find a new colour I add this to all my designs to explore if the new colour way would work with the pattern. Here I have shown Spot in 18 colours – smaller screen sizes see less colours. Rolling your mouse over an image will display its code.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined each finished design with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the surface wallpaper. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please contact me if you would like a high resolution file or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#spot #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These Russian matchbook labels focus on road safet

These Russian matchbook labels focus on road safety. Using three colours - yellow, red and blue they feature a man wearing a trilby who finds fault with pretty well everything on the road. Each one has the date of 1958 - the year I was born, oddly now I come to think I am sure my dad used to wear a trilby too!

Some translations from Russian…
ВЗАИМНО ВНИМАТЕЛЬНЫ = Mutually attentive, both pay attention perhaps?
Стоп = Stop

#russian #sovietstyle #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This is the third set of Conker Shape pattern desi

This is the third set of Conker Shape pattern designs. Here I have shrunk the design smaller and kept only 3 of the 5 conkers. Rather than do a simple step and repeat, each individual shape is flipped and rotated independently to avoid looking like a computer generated design. More designs will be added soon…
The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please message me if you would like to see a high resolution file, or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#conkers #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Proving you can create a pattern out of anything -

Proving you can create a pattern out of anything - these odd circle shapes originate from the pattern on the back of conkers! This is the first set, probably the simplest. I will add the more complex ones during the week.
The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please message me if you would like to see a high resolution file, or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#conkers #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote 15 Years of Success

These matchbook labels promote 15 Years of Success of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. It has been regarded as a satellite state of the Soviet Union. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#csr #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

I have called my new pattern design Syncopation -

I have called my new pattern design Syncopation - inspired by a shot I took of tiny mosaic tiles each about 2x1cm. I was intrigued by how each tile appeared to be unique.

Early Designs
The first designs of syncopation still have the tile-like pattern with a seemingly random horizontal pattern. I liked the idea of exploring how two simple coloured shapes could be rearranged within the 2-by-1 rectangle to form an array of different patterns. At this point the shapes on the tiles were opaque white, the colouring comes from the background. I have been building up background colours adding a few more with each new design. There is a palette of 26 background colours used in the complete set of designs.

Rotating the Design Horizontal
By rotating the design to run horizontally I saw that each “tile” had what appeared to be a top middle and bottom, which went 50% – 100% – 50%. I changed the tint of the top to 20% white making it appear darker. Then changed the bottom one to 70% white making it lighter. The effect gives the design three shades (of the background colour) plus white.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
I combined the finished design with a straight-on shot of the mid century modern chair, plus a fake carpet and skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the patterns. I also created a pattern-only version, to give show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please message me if you would like to see a high resolution file, or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#syncopation #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote “folk art treasur

These matchbook labels promote “folk art treasures of the nation”. I love the naive wobbly illustrations. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#folkart #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels celebrate the Five-Year Pla

These matchbook labels celebrate the Five-Year Plan of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. Using just red blue and yellow they list lots of achievments, from 400,000 kindergarten places to 220,000 cars for sale. They date back to when the Czech Republic and Slovakia were part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…

zvysi se peodej = sales will increase
masla = butter,
mleka = milk

105 milionu tun uhli = 105 million tons of coal

prumyslovy rozvoj slovenska = industrial development of Slovakia

220,000 automobila v prodeji = 220,000 cars for sale

prodej masa a masnych vyrobku = sale of meat and meat products

Prodej prumysloveho zbozi vzoste = Sales of industrial goods will increase

400,000 mist v materskych skolach = 400,000 kindergarten places

prumysl = industry
strojirenstvi = mechanical engineering

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This design was inspired when I bought three mid

This design was inspired when I bought three mid century modern chairs in a YMCA charity shop. I love how the angle of the back is the same as the legs, making a beautiful refined silhouette. I took a series of eight photogrpahs to make up the rotating sequence. Once all the photos were taken and cutout I needed to convert them into individual illustrations. Tracing each of them in Illustrator restricting the number of colours to around 6. I then tidied up the paths to make them cleaner and removing the smaller paths. I then chose a limit of 4 colours that each image could use. Altering the highlights, midtones and low lights to keep to the four colours. Finally I converted the four colours to shades of the same colour. I could then alter each set of images by changing the main colour. Meaning that all the other shades would alter too.

Elements Of Each Design
For the chairs themselves I chose five main colours: Grey, Navy, Red, Teal and Yellow. The image codes use these initial letters. The background is the easiest colour to alter. I initially started with half a dozen colours, but by the end I used 18 different colours, the colours are again used in the codes listing from 1-18. Perhaps the most ambitious was to explore using blending modes for each of the chair combinations. Methodically trying each of Illustrator’s blending modes in turn.
Placing The Pattern In A Location
I combined the finished design with a straight-on shot of the real chair, plus a fake carpet and skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the wallpaper. For each design I also created a pattern only version, to give an idea of how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These three-colour matchbook labels each say “Va

These three-colour matchbook labels each say “Vaccination Protects You Against Tetanus”. Using just yellow, orange and grey they clearly convey the message without being too medicinal. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

ockovani vas chrani proti tetanu = vaccination protects you against tetanus

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

The Two Jugs design began as a canvas I painted in

The Two Jugs design began as a canvas I painted in 2013 where I felt the elements were too spaced out. Cutting out the jugs, I could move them closer to produce a more interesting interaction. Duplicating the jugs and slightly altered them meant there wouldn’t be such an obvious pattern repeat.

Three Colourways
There are three sets of colourways, A, B and C. Design A uses the same jug colours from the painting, but with different background colours. For design B I recoloured the jugs to be blue. Finally design C, I made the larger jug creamy white which has produced an interesting engraving style.

Background Colours
There are a total of 24 different background colours which I have tried combining with each of the designs. Roll over each photo to find out the code.

Blending Codes
I used Adobe Illustrator to explore yet more combinations, by altering how the layers blend with the backgrounds. I have detailed the blending methods used in the two digit codes for each design, so that they could be replicated or altered to suit a client’s wishes…
NOrmal, DArken, MUltiply, Color Burn, LIghten, SCreen, Color Dodge, OVerlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, DIfference, EXclusion, HUe, SAturation, COlor, LUminocity.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner

These matchbook labels are about the home, garden

These matchbook labels are about the home, garden and DIY. Isn’t the pot of paint gorgeous! They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…
za vlast = for the homeland
jeste krasnejsi = you are even more beautiful
skolicka = school
Za vlast jeste krasnejsi = For the homeland is even more beautiful

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This series is a simplified variation on the Tango

This series is a simplified variation on the Tango pattern. Repeating a portion of the painting as a white flash and using different coloured backgrounds completes the collection.
#patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #wallpaperdesign #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote the Red Cross. They

These matchbook labels promote the Red Cross. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…
stanice prvni pomocivodlehlych obcich = first aid stations in remote villages
vygybej se nebezpecnym hram = Avoid dangerous games
mlade zoravotniky do kazdeho pioyrského tabora = young pupils to every Piorian camp
ukaznenost na silnici = discipline on the road
pecujte o cistotou vasi obce = take care of the cleanliness of your village
pecijte o cistotu pracovist = take care of the cleanliness of workplaces
alkoholismus rozvraci spolecnost = alcoholism subverts society
snimkovani plic objevi vcas = lung images appear in time

#redcross #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Whilst on lockdown I have been creating more patte

Whilst on lockdown I have been creating more pattern designs. This one is based on a canvas painted in 2013. I have renamed the pattern Tango. This series repeats a portion of the painting as a white flash, punctuated with a pink blob.
#patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #wallpaperdesign #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

The first two colours of my latest print. Using cu

The first two colours of my latest print. Using cut up plastic wallets, I cut out a set of circles then using a normal roller print the cyan; let them dry then print the magenta. These shots show peeling the plastic away for each print. Today will be adding the yellow layer and clearing up...
#lockdown #lockdowncrafts #homeprinting #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote Moravsky Kras - a v

These matchbook labels promote Moravsky Kras - a vast series of rocks and caves in the Czech Republic. All the underground designs have a darker violet background. Those above ground have the fabulous orange rocks and wonderful stylised buildings. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…
Sloup = column
Punkevni = punk
Skalni mlyn = rock mill
vodni = aqueous
and my favourite Macocha = step mother!
#moravsky #moravskykras #moravskycaves #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Re-found in the loft, this canvas was painted back

Re-found in the loft, this canvas was painted back in 2013. Unusually for me I didn’t worry about getting all the elements straight! #blue #oiloncanvas #oilpainting by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Next up in my lockdown finds are these matchbook l

Next up in my lockdown finds are these matchbook labels promoting museums in the Czech Republic. Limiting the colours used to green red and mustard helps them work together as a set. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Cities featured in the Czech Republic…
Brno, Cheb, Teplice, Roztoky, Pardubice, Litomerice, V Tabore, Gottwaldov, Karlovy Vary, Jihlava
#Brno #Cheb #Teplice #Roztoky #Pardubice #Litomerice, #Tabor #Gottwaldov #Karlovy #Jihlava #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Next up in my lockdown loft finds are these matchb

Next up in my lockdown loft finds are these matchbook labels promoting the dairy industry. Most have names with obvious translations. Below are others I found. They were bought in Prague in 2011 and date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

cedar = cheddar
mlekarny = dairy
mlekarenskeho prumyslu = dairy industry
brno narodni podnik = brno national enterprise
tavene syry = processed cheeses
blokovy syr taveny se sunkou = block cheese melted with ham

#dairy #cheese #cheeses #milk #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik #loftfinds #lockdown #lockdownloft
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

I have been collecting old leaflets and instructio

I have been collecting old leaflets and instructions since my schooldays. This tiny instruction leaflet came with a Kodak Brownie Cresta camera dating from 1955. Taking 120 size film, it was capable of taking just 12 photographs.
The printing seems to be a bit vague though, as the whole leaflet appears to be cropped off at the top - all part of the charm. The two colour printing was a cost-saving restriction at the time, but now makes it look more stylish. The deep yellow being Kodak’s branding colour.

#productphotography and #photomanipulation by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

#oldcameras #browniecresta #kodak #kodakcresta #kodakbrownie #oldcamera

This camera is part of a job lot of collectables f

This camera is part of a job lot of collectables from perhaps the last junk shop in Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells. The Kodak Brownie Cresta was introduced in 1955. Taking 120 film size it was capable of taking just 12 photographs. Perhaps just as exciting it came with a lovely, tiny instruction leaflet - watch for the next post…

I shot the front and back of the camera on a white background for flexibility, then in Photoshop added a vector clipping path to cut out the image - the image could then be used on any background. Retouching was a major headache though, as the camera was so hard to clean.

I have shown the camera on a white and a deep blue, flat background - with and without a shadow. When the images are used on a dark background I have added a subtle “inner glow” to avoid the cutout edge looking too bright. The camera has a darker fake shadow when used on a dark background, or a lighter shadow when used on white.

#productphotography and #photomanipulation by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

#oldcameras #browniecresta #kodak #kodakcresta #kodakbrownie #oldcamera

This collection of matchbook labels feature sports

This collection of matchbook labels feature sports holidays across countries in Eastern Europe. I love the simplified style and vibrant colous. Bought in Prague in 2011, they date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Sporte na dovolenou = Sports on Vacation - in Czech.
v rumunsku = in Romania
v bulharsku = in Bulgaria
v zahranici = abroad
na kube = into cubes - may be apartments?
v polsku = in poland
v madarsku = in hungary
v jugoslavii - in Yugoslavia

#sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This covered pot is made by W.Goebel in their West

This covered pot is made by W.Goebel in their West German factory in the 1960s. I love the mid-century modern vibe with crazy flowers, a red lid and matching angular knob.

I shot the lidded pot on a white background for flexibility, then in Photoshop added a vector clipping path to cut out the image - the image could then be used on any background.
I have shown the image on a deep green flat background - with and without a shadow. I have also created a textured background using warp in Photoshop curve a flat grey background. It was then recoloured to team with the leaves on the pot. When the image is used on a dark background I have added a subtle “inner glow” to avoid the cutout edge looking too bright. The pot has a darker fake shadow when used on a dark background, or a lighter shadow when used on white.

#westgermany #westdeutschland #westendeutschland #deutschland #german #Deutsche #wgoebel #midcenturymodern #retro #midcentury #jampot #liddedpot #mustardpot

#productphotography and #photomanipulation by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Czechoslovakian matchbook labels from 1967, celebr

Czechoslovakian matchbook labels from 1967, celebrating the previous 50 years since the VRSR October Revolution of 1917 in Russia - the predecessor to the Soviet Union - CCCP. Illustrations from building Lenin’s Mausoleum in 1930 to Yuri Gagarin first in space in 1961.

The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#sovietstyle #slovakia #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #motorest #sololipnik
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbooks promote Motorest - motels & roads

These matchbooks promote Motorest - motels & roadside cafes in what was then Czechozlovakia. What is now Slovakia. Amazingly all except one are still in business!. They seem to be either massive modernist blocks or Swiss chalets!

The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Motorest Zilina
Motorest Maják Opatova
Motorest Bučany
Vinaren (winebar) Limbach
Hotel Severan Dolný Kubín
Salaš Orava
Hotel Spolocenský dom
Koliba Červený Kút
Motorest Šturec

#sovietstyle #slovakia #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #motorest #sololipnik
#HotelRozkvetLevice #MotorestZilina #MotorestMajákOpatova #MotorestBučany #VinarenLimbach #HotelSeveranDolnýKubín #SalašOrava #HotelSpolocenskýdom #KolibaČervenýKút #MotorestŠturec

#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Out for fresh air in Calverley Park. Just 5 minute

Out for fresh air in Calverley Park. Just 5 minutes walk, but a whole world away. I love how they have left the grass to go to seed, letting the bluebells pop through.
#calverleypark #bluebells #spring #longgrass #tunbridgewells #photography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Matchbooks with safety advice for miners in the Ro

Matchbooks with safety advice for miners in the Rosické Doly coal mines in what was then Czechoslovakia. Now part of the Czech Republic.

The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations include…
Ochranne pomucky = protective equipment
Umis pouzivat zp3 = you can use ZP3 -filter
Nechytej se lana = don’t grab the rope
Zadej a puzivej = enter and push
Dbejte Bezpecnostnich = observe the safety
Neprochazej = does not pass - Slovak
Mezi voziky = between the carts

#cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #coalmine #coalmining #mining #safety #RosickéDoly
#ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

More matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. Th

More matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. These Soviet-style labels are from Slovakia. Promoting the benefits of linen fabric.
Translating as…
len je trvanlivy = only this is durable
len dobre ssaje = soaks up well
len se dobre pere = linen washes well
v lete len = in summer only

The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic
#ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They da

Matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. These Soviet-style labels are from the Czech Republic, depicting hotels and motels. Amazingly all the hotels seem to still be there!

Hotel Racek
Motel Devet Krizu
Hotel Fialka Sušice
Hotel Skoda Plzen
Beskydy Horsky
Hotel Razula
Hotel Churáňov
Hotel Bohema Brno
Hotel Berounka
Hotel Zvikov

#HotelRacek #MotelDevetKrizu #HotelFialkaSušice #HotelSkodaPlzen
#BeskydyHorsky #HotelRazula #HotelChuráňov #HotelBohemaBrno #brno
#HotelBerounka #HotelZvikov

#cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic
#ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

More matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. Th

More matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. These Soviet-style labels feature 50 years of measuring instruments. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative #cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik

Exploring in my loft I redescovered these matchboo

Exploring in my loft I redescovered these matchbook labels bought in Prague in 2011. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The Soviet-style labels Celebrate 20 Years of Success of the CSSR (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic).
#cssr #čssr #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic
#productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik

I picked up these sweet little booklets in Gothenb

I picked up these sweet little booklets in Gothenburg 3 years ago. Needless to say I loved the great colours. It’s only now I have looked up what they are actually about…

Mjäll = Dandruff
Vårtor = Worts
Svamp & klåda i underlivet = Fungus & itching genitals
Inkontinens = Incontinence
Herpesmunsår = Herpes cold sores
Diarré hos barn = Diarrhea in children.

No wonder the pharmacist looked a bit worried…

#swedish #gothenburg #pharmacy #medicalleaflet #green #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

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Water Pistol Pattern Design I found a pack of four

Water Pistol Pattern Design
I found a pack of four water pistols in Poundland – ideal for a pattern design! At the time I thought the design would be for children, but after developing my ideas they began to look a lot more like Andy Warhol than Andy Pandy. The water pistols are very translucent and in four wonderful lurid colours. Elephant Squirt Gun is embossed on the side, perhaps they were made in India for an American market?

Photographing The Squirt Guns
The first photos were shot with strong lighting from below, but this made them into silhouettes. Adding an extra light on one side with reflectors all round worked the best. I shot all four water pistols, but found the blue one had the best definition. This was then cutout with a clipping path. It was then easy to set up different hue and saturation layers to achieve all the different colours.

Converting To Illustrator Files
I used Illustrator’s Auto Trace to convert the blue photograph into just six colours. I then converted the six colours to different opacities of the same hue. It was then possible to use the same image 6 times over using different colours.

Adding Colour Behind The Pistols
As the design progressed, I wanted to be able to re-colour the pistols quicker. So instead of using six different opacities of the same hue, I changed each one to six different opacities of white instead. By adding a layer behind of the entire water pistol I could easily alter the colour quicker.

Drop Shadow
I experimented with adding a drop shadow generated by Illustrator, but it looked old fashioned so instead I used the background shape moved slightly. Then making it 20% black. So would take on the effect of the background.

Colour Combinations
I think the most appealing are those with one main colour with one secondary colour for just one of the pistols.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#waterpistols #waterpistol #squirtgun #squirtguns #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Sheds Pattern Design Inspiration Sheds used to be

Sheds Pattern Design Inspiration
Sheds used to be simple, basic storage. Now they feature on TV programmes such as George Clark’s Amazing Spaces and the competition for Shed of the Year. This design is based on the most basic of sheds seen across the country after the war. The pattern idea came when seeing rows of sheds on a friend’s allotment.

Finding References
I found a series of old shed adverts in charity shop magazines but most of them had text and overlaps as in the sample here. I wanted to be able to adjust, scale and colour each individual shed. I found a selection of individual, isolated, sheds scanned them all and cut them all out in Photoshop. They could then be roughly scaled into proportion.

Creating The Pattern
To make the pattern work, each row of sheds sits on top of the row above. Making them appear to recede into the background. The fourteen sheds then repeat horizontally and vertically as a block. There was one shed that had to be repeated as a patch so that the spacing could be kept tight – like the original advert.

Colouring Elements Of The Design
As all the sheds were made up of filled paths and solid backgrounds. I could alter each of these separately – plus the background to the whole pattern too. The orange version (N12on8-12) has the shed’s paths coloured the same as the pattern background. The orange colour is only used on the background to each individual shed.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined a selection of finished designs with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board.

The Future
The pattern would be great fun for gift-wrapping and fabric. I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#sheds #sheddesign #shedpattern #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels celebrate 50 years of Solo

These matchbook labels celebrate 50 years of Solo Lipnik, from 1909 to 1959. Each of the 10 labels show a different stage in the manufacture of the matchbooks. Although no signs of the actual design stage of creating the labels. I’ve moved the second stage to the beginning as I think it’s the strongest graphic. I love how they have curved the paper with speed lines. Solo Lipnik and Solo Susice are still in operation today, with the Lipnik factory recently renamed Morago AS Ltd following its privatisation.

#czechrepublic #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #SoloLipnik #SoloSusice

#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Old Price Pattern Design While searching for refer

Old Price Pattern Design
While searching for references for my sheds pattern, I noticed that a pile of old do-it-yourself magazines were published about the time I was born – 1958. The typographic styling of old money was wonderfully distinctive then, using a slash to separate the shillings and pennies, Old Price celebrates this era.

Pattern Repeat
To create the pattern I used clippings from five magazines. The yellow one is the central one – placed vertical. The rest are placed to feel more casual. I had to keep jiggling around the combinations so that the negative space (the gaps) was kept even throughout. By slightly arching the clippings around the yellow one creates a subtle horizontal ripple.

Colouring Duotones
The full colour version is the original of course. The duotones are achieved by adding different layers over the top of the black and white version to create different coloured variations. By setting an opacity of 30% gives the effect of a duotone without having to alter the colour mode of the document. I could then experiment with different Pantone colours. Here I have included two shades of blue plus two that appear more sepia.

Re-Colouring Designs
For the last two variations I have changed the yellows to pink, and the reds to green. Perhaps a bit bonkers but rather fun.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#oldmoney #prices #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This pattern design is based on three feathers. To

This pattern design is based on three feathers. To create the pattern I repeated them horizontally. Rather than simply repeat it vertically I flipped the next row, making the curved central feather curve in alternating directions. This set of two lines are then duplicated vertically. From a distance this gives the impression of flowing curved vertical waves.

To give context I combined a selection of finished designs with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the colours. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk

#feathers #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote biscuits made by PT

These matchbook labels promote biscuits made by PTP - The Durable Pastry Industry. My favourite is the man with the prezel. Vey much inspired by the style of artist M. Sasek. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Translations from Czech…
Prumysl Trvanliveho Peciva = Durable Pastry Industry
chutne nesladke pecivo = tasty unsweet pastries
pecivova smes lisovana, vhodna kazde prilezitosti = pressed pastry mixture, suitable for any occasion
papricky, nesladke syrove susenky = peppery, sweet raw biscuits
precliky kminem jsou sladke a chutne = cumin pretzels are sweet and tasty
drobna maslova smes = small butter mixture

#msasek #czechrepublic #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Here are the normal sized versions combined with t

Here are the normal sized versions combined with the massive mega versions of my three colour design based on a china egg cup - the ovals, the egg - circles and backgrounds. With a palette of 33 colours, there are a staggering 35,937 colour combinations!

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#funkycolours #funkycolors #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote saving for everythi

These matchbook labels promote saving for everything from homes to holidays in the Czech Republic. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Translations from Czech…
sporte na moderni bytove doplnky = save on modern home accessories
pamatujte vcas na dovolenou v zahranici = remember in time for a holiday abroad
sporime pro radost = we save for joy
podnikove sporeni je vyhodne i pro vas = business savings is also beneficial for you
cestovni vkladni knizka = travel passbook
pravidelne sporeni dovolena u more = regular savings allowed by the sea
pravidelne sporeni krasna dovolena = regularly saved beautiful holidays
druzstevni vystavba cil sporeni mladych lidi = cooperative construction of savings goals for young people
vyherni vkladni knizka 250% slosavani 2x no roka = winning passbook 250% drawn twice a year
cil sporeni nasi rodiny = the goal of saving [for?] our family

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This three colour design is based on a china egg c

This three colour design is based on a china egg cup - the ovals, the egg - circles and backgrounds. With a palette of 33 colours, there are a staggering 35,937 colour combinations! This shortlist shows the most fun combinations.
For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#funkycolours #funkycolors #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This print is based on a pattern design called Syn

This print is based on a pattern design called Syncopation. Created by cutting the blue and red shapes from plastic sheets. Printing the blue layer first rollering over the template with blue acrylic paint thinned down with about three quarters screen print medium to make it flow better and stop it drying too quickly. The red second colour is over-printed a week later when the blue paint is totally dry. The design is printed onto a square canvas board.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#syncopation #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

My latest template printed design called Orbit. Us

My latest template printed design called Orbit. Using cut out plastic as templates to print with normal household paint rollers in the three process colours of cyan, magenta and yellow. Printed on small square canvas boards.
#cmy #processcolours #processcolors #templateprinting #templates #cyan #magenta #yellow #orbit #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbooks celebrate the 65th anniversary of

These matchbooks celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Czech company Solo Lipnik that designs and manufactures the actual matchbooks. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. Solo Lipnik, were still in business until 2002.

#csr #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This design started as two inter-locking linocut z

This design started as two inter-locking linocut zig zag patterns printed in red and orange. The messy image would work for a single print, but for wallpaper it would look too clumsy, so as a compromise I tidied up the extra bits, but decided to keep the wobbly edges. I explored re-colouring the zigzags themselves and then the backgrounds to create 11 designs in a total of 100+ colourways.
Colour Variations
For my pattern designs I use a catalogue of background colours each of which has its own number. There are currently 31x colours that I have chosen from to use in the background of these Double Zig Zag designs. The designs get simpler, so the final designs K and L are one shape repeated.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined each finished design with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the surface wallpaper. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please contact me if you would like a high resolution file or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#zigzag #linocut #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These stunning matchbox labels celebrate having a

These stunning matchbox labels celebrate having a “Radio in Every Home”. Sold in Poland in the 1960s. They would probably still be called a wireless then! I love the bright colours and funky presentation.

Some translations from Polish…
Radio w kazdym domu = Radio in every home
Kos = Blackbird
Bateryjny = Battery

#polish #polska #sovietstyle #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Although these odd, little stripy jugs were bought

Although these odd, little stripy jugs were bought separately from different charity shops, I felt they would combine very well as a pair. I cutout the photos then tried different ways of interlocking them to make an interesting pattern design.

Colour Variations
For my pattern designs I use a catalogue of colours each of which has its own number. There are currently 31x colours I have chosen these Stripy Jugs designs from. Whenever I find a new colour I add this to all of my designs to explore if the new colour way would work with the pattern. Here I have shown Stripy Jugs in 12* design variations. In the second series – B, I have treated the two stripy jugs differently which makes even more combinations.
* Smaller screen sizes are designed to display less colour variations.
Rolling your mouse over an image will display its code.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined each finished design with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the surface wallpaper. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please contact me if you would like a high resolution file or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#stripy #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This pattern takes the design Conker Shapes and mo

This pattern takes the design Conker Shapes and moves it into a whole new direction. The original design is based on the pale areas seen on the back of conkers. For Spot I have used the outlines of the five conkers themselves to define the shapes of the spots.

Spot Designs
Most pattern designers have a collection based on spots. I felt what let them down was that they used the same sized spot equally spaced. This design is more organic from start to finish. To avoid a boring step and repeat, the five spots flip, rotate, and rescale independently, making the design more fluid.

Printing The Pattern
The spots themselves are all white, so could be printed straight onto coloured fabric, or plain wallpaper. They could also be manufactured digitally by printing the colour with the spots being reversed out.

Colour Variations
For my pattern designs I use a catalogue of colours each of which has its own number. There are currently 30x colours I have chosen these Spot designs from. Whenever I find a new colour I add this to all my designs to explore if the new colour way would work with the pattern. Here I have shown Spot in 18 colours – smaller screen sizes see less colours. Rolling your mouse over an image will display its code.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
To give context I combined each finished design with a straight-on shot of the chair used in my design for mid century modern chairs. Adding a fake carpet and simple skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the surface wallpaper. For each design I also created a simple version that was just the pattern, to show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please contact me if you would like a high resolution file or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#spot #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These Russian matchbook labels focus on road safet

These Russian matchbook labels focus on road safety. Using three colours - yellow, red and blue they feature a man wearing a trilby who finds fault with pretty well everything on the road. Each one has the date of 1958 - the year I was born, oddly now I come to think I am sure my dad used to wear a trilby too!

Some translations from Russian…
ВЗАИМНО ВНИМАТЕЛЬНЫ = Mutually attentive, both pay attention perhaps?
Стоп = Stop

#russian #sovietstyle #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This is the third set of Conker Shape pattern desi

This is the third set of Conker Shape pattern designs. Here I have shrunk the design smaller and kept only 3 of the 5 conkers. Rather than do a simple step and repeat, each individual shape is flipped and rotated independently to avoid looking like a computer generated design. More designs will be added soon…
The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please message me if you would like to see a high resolution file, or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#conkers #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

Proving you can create a pattern out of anything -

Proving you can create a pattern out of anything - these odd circle shapes originate from the pattern on the back of conkers! This is the first set, probably the simplest. I will add the more complex ones during the week.
The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please message me if you would like to see a high resolution file, or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#conkers #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote 15 Years of Success

These matchbook labels promote 15 Years of Success of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. It has been regarded as a satellite state of the Soviet Union. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#csr #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

I have called my new pattern design Syncopation -

I have called my new pattern design Syncopation - inspired by a shot I took of tiny mosaic tiles each about 2x1cm. I was intrigued by how each tile appeared to be unique.

Early Designs
The first designs of syncopation still have the tile-like pattern with a seemingly random horizontal pattern. I liked the idea of exploring how two simple coloured shapes could be rearranged within the 2-by-1 rectangle to form an array of different patterns. At this point the shapes on the tiles were opaque white, the colouring comes from the background. I have been building up background colours adding a few more with each new design. There is a palette of 26 background colours used in the complete set of designs.

Rotating the Design Horizontal
By rotating the design to run horizontally I saw that each “tile” had what appeared to be a top middle and bottom, which went 50% – 100% – 50%. I changed the tint of the top to 20% white making it appear darker. Then changed the bottom one to 70% white making it lighter. The effect gives the design three shades (of the background colour) plus white.

Placing The Pattern In A Location
I combined the finished design with a straight-on shot of the mid century modern chair, plus a fake carpet and skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the patterns. I also created a pattern-only version, to give show how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

The Future
I would love this design to have another life taken up by a manufacturer. Please message me if you would like to see a high resolution file, or to talk about how we could work together.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#syncopation #midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote “folk art treasur

These matchbook labels promote “folk art treasures of the nation”. I love the naive wobbly illustrations. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

#folkart #czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels celebrate the Five-Year Pla

These matchbook labels celebrate the Five-Year Plan of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. Using just red blue and yellow they list lots of achievments, from 400,000 kindergarten places to 220,000 cars for sale. They date back to when the Czech Republic and Slovakia were part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…

zvysi se peodej = sales will increase
masla = butter,
mleka = milk

105 milionu tun uhli = 105 million tons of coal

prumyslovy rozvoj slovenska = industrial development of Slovakia

220,000 automobila v prodeji = 220,000 cars for sale

prodej masa a masnych vyrobku = sale of meat and meat products

Prodej prumysloveho zbozi vzoste = Sales of industrial goods will increase

400,000 mist v materskych skolach = 400,000 kindergarten places

prumysl = industry
strojirenstvi = mechanical engineering

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This design was inspired when I bought three mid

This design was inspired when I bought three mid century modern chairs in a YMCA charity shop. I love how the angle of the back is the same as the legs, making a beautiful refined silhouette. I took a series of eight photogrpahs to make up the rotating sequence. Once all the photos were taken and cutout I needed to convert them into individual illustrations. Tracing each of them in Illustrator restricting the number of colours to around 6. I then tidied up the paths to make them cleaner and removing the smaller paths. I then chose a limit of 4 colours that each image could use. Altering the highlights, midtones and low lights to keep to the four colours. Finally I converted the four colours to shades of the same colour. I could then alter each set of images by changing the main colour. Meaning that all the other shades would alter too.

Elements Of Each Design
For the chairs themselves I chose five main colours: Grey, Navy, Red, Teal and Yellow. The image codes use these initial letters. The background is the easiest colour to alter. I initially started with half a dozen colours, but by the end I used 18 different colours, the colours are again used in the codes listing from 1-18. Perhaps the most ambitious was to explore using blending modes for each of the chair combinations. Methodically trying each of Illustrator’s blending modes in turn.
Placing The Pattern In A Location
I combined the finished design with a straight-on shot of the real chair, plus a fake carpet and skirting board. For every image I altered the colour of the real chair to complement the wallpaper. For each design I also created a pattern only version, to give an idea of how the design could be used for fabric, lampshades, and other surfaces.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#midcenturymodern #midmod #wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These three-colour matchbook labels each say “Va

These three-colour matchbook labels each say “Vaccination Protects You Against Tetanus”. Using just yellow, orange and grey they clearly convey the message without being too medicinal. They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

ockovani vas chrani proti tetanu = vaccination protects you against tetanus

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

The Two Jugs design began as a canvas I painted in

The Two Jugs design began as a canvas I painted in 2013 where I felt the elements were too spaced out. Cutting out the jugs, I could move them closer to produce a more interesting interaction. Duplicating the jugs and slightly altered them meant there wouldn’t be such an obvious pattern repeat.

Three Colourways
There are three sets of colourways, A, B and C. Design A uses the same jug colours from the painting, but with different background colours. For design B I recoloured the jugs to be blue. Finally design C, I made the larger jug creamy white which has produced an interesting engraving style.

Background Colours
There are a total of 24 different background colours which I have tried combining with each of the designs. Roll over each photo to find out the code.

Blending Codes
I used Adobe Illustrator to explore yet more combinations, by altering how the layers blend with the backgrounds. I have detailed the blending methods used in the two digit codes for each design, so that they could be replicated or altered to suit a client’s wishes…
NOrmal, DArken, MUltiply, Color Burn, LIghten, SCreen, Color Dodge, OVerlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, DIfference, EXclusion, HUe, SAturation, COlor, LUminocity.

For more details see my pattern design website: ColinWalton.co.uk
#wallpaperdesign #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner

These matchbook labels are about the home, garden

These matchbook labels are about the home, garden and DIY. Isn’t the pot of paint gorgeous! They date back to when the Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia. The matchbooks are designed and manufactured by Solo Lipnik, still in business until 2002.

Some translations from Czech…
za vlast = for the homeland
jeste krasnejsi = you are even more beautiful
skolicka = school
Za vlast jeste krasnejsi = For the homeland is even more beautiful

#czechrepublic #sovietstyle #prague #czechoslovakia #matchbook #matchbooklabels #matchboxlabels #matchbox #czechrepublic #ceskoslovensko #ceskoslovenska #sololipnik
#productphotography and #graphicdesign by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

This series is a simplified variation on the Tango

This series is a simplified variation on the Tango pattern. Repeating a portion of the painting as a white flash and using different coloured backgrounds completes the collection.
#patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterns #graphicdesign #wallpaper #wallpaperdesign #fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #productphotography by #colinwalton at #waltoncreative

These matchbook labels promote the Red Cross. They