All posts filed under: Allgemein

MAKI:minimag_Under the ocean_summer reading list

Summer reading list #4 : under the ocean

Published by patricia

Under the Ocean: That is where number 4 of our summer reading list brings us. After #1 about playing in the sand, #2 about the summer garden and #3 about an ABC of a sailor it is time to go diving. “Under the sea” is a beautifully designed pop-up book that plays the dichotomy between down and under, above the water and in the sea well. While on the top side you can find boats, ships, islands and harbours there is a totally different world under the surface: whales, fishes and turtles, divers and corals, icebergs and seashells. So: Climb aboard the red sailboat Océano and get ready to depart on an exciting expedition around the world! The scenery changes as the boat sails from a busy port to the icy Arctic, through stormy seas, on into an idyllic sunset. But it’s what lies under the ocean that will surprise and thrill you the most. “Under the ocean” combines inspiring pop-ups with cutting-edge illustration and design in a celebration of the splendors of the ocean. Anouck Boisrobert is …

MAKI:minimag_Playful_by MerMag_crafts for kids

Playful – A new Crafts for Kids book

Published by patricia

Sometimes it is great to have some inspiration on what to do with your kids when they are in a crafty mood, the weather is bad or gifts have to be made. “Playful” is the perfect solution on all those occasions! “Playful” by Merrily Liddiard is  a new book about crafts for kids. It includes 26 different and fun projects to make with and for little ones. And they are all beautiful, simple and full of fantasy. Divided into five categories—Playful Dress Up, Playful Toys, Playful Paper Crafts, Playful Repurposing, and Playful Art—the book offers a collection of low-skill, high-style, low-cost projects. Merrily Liddiard, the author, is a blogger, an experienced mum and crafter herself and she shows how to emerge in  creative worlds together with your kids. Her crafts for kids ideas are all about encouriging playfulness, creativity and handmade magic. Play towns, animals masks, crowns, wooden blocks, puppet parades, fingerprint art and a pen holder – that is just a small handful out of the suggested projects. They are all stylish and made of simple materials, …

MAKIminimag_Fredun Shapur_playsacks

Vintage Toys: Playsacks by Fredun Shapur

Published by patricia

In our collection of vintage toys we want to show you the Playsacks by Fredun Shapur today. Fredun Shapur is a South African born toy designer and illustrator and the creator of these fantastic “Playsacks”, designed for Creative Playthings in 1968!! Yes, thats right, 1968! Their look is so strikingly contemporary because of their modern use of colours and their graphic refinement. And yes, you can put the sacks on your head because they are made of paper! In total there have been 12 different designs, children could disguise themselves as tigers, pandas and zebras, amongst others. The idea is so simple but great it seems strange there have not been new, contemporary designs lately. Like Bruno Munari or Charles Eames, Fredun Shapur (born 1929) made a particular daring and inventive contribution to the world of children. Between the 1960s and 1980s he designed toys for manufacturers such as Naef in Switzerland, Galt Toys in Great Britain, and above all Creative Playthings in the United States. From wooden puzzles and racing cars  to animal disguises, Shapur’s toys still have …

MAKI:minimag_ABC du marin_Virginie Morgand_summer reading list

Summer reading list #3 : ABC du marin

Published by patricia

Today it is time for number three on our Summer Reading List: ABC du marin by French artist Virginie Morgand. A book full of wonderful illustrations, inspired by hands-on printing techniques and 50ies/60ies children´s toys and literature. The Paris based artist uses hand drawn shapes and bright colours to create vibrant images full of life and energy. Anchors, buoys, bulls-eye´s, pirates and parrots, lighthouses – it is all there in this blue, red and yellow sceneries. A perfect book for summer, like a little vacation and a graphic adventure in one. That is why we put it on our summer reading list. Virginie’s background is in animation but, having learnt how to screen print at L’atelier Dupont, she has developed her own visual language as an illustrator working for a growing number of clients. Recent projects include children’s books for book publisher MeMo, illustrations for The Sunday Times, Elle magazine, Barneys in New York, and front covers for Ballroom Review, The Parisianer and Erratum. If you want to see more of her fantastic work look over here. Like …

MAKI:minimag_summer reading list_Im Garten von Alain Gree

MAKI:minimag summer reading list – #2

Published by patricia

We have compiled a little summer reading list with five of our favourite children´s books. Number 1 has been “Backe backe Kuchen”, about playing with sand. Number 2 on the MAKI:minimag summer reading list is “Heidi, Peter und der Garten” (Heidi, Peter and the garden) by French illustration hero Alain Grée. It is about Heidi and Peter visiting their uncle Bertram and his garden. In beautiful colours Grée shows  sorts of flowers in the garden, the different trees, tells about the vegetable garden and how you care for it. It shows the animals that live in a garden and features a little picture story about how an apple becomes a tree becomes an apple again. We love these vintage illustrations in bold 60/70ies  colours and their naivety of form. There are other books of Alain Grée (which are available in English) which are great for a summer reading list. There is “Nature”,  a compilation of books, including, amongst others, ‘On the farm’ and ‘In the forest’. In simple words it tells children about the different flora and fauna they …

MAKI:wishlist*tate_british_art_activity_book

Tate Kids British Art activity book for kids

Published by patricia

The new book on our MAKI:wishlist – Tate Kids British Art activity book for kids While writing about books and working on our first printed issue of children´s magazine MAKI:minimag we come across so many great books we would like to have. So why not put them on a MAKI:minimag wishlist and share them all with you? Our first one is the Tate Kids British Art activity book for kids, illustrated by great James Lambert. Here is what this charming activity book for kids is all about: “This book includes art activities based on 10 historical, modern and contemporary British artworks. Devised by Tate Kids online editor with designer/illustrator James Lambert, it is a fun and insightful introduction to art. Throw yourself into British art with this zany book of activities based on artworks by some of Britain’s most exciting artists. Play a game of ‘Formaldehyde and Seek’ inspired by Damien Hirst; take cues from Barbara Hepworth and carve a sculpture out of soap; and find out how to capture the spectacular glow of J.M.W. …

MAKI:minimag_Libuse Niklova_gonfle_3

Splash!!! Cool Summer with Libuše Niklová

Published by patricia

It is finally summer! That is why I wanna show you this great bath toy – a seahorse –  by my toy designer hero Libuše Niklová. Fatra, the company she worked for, is still in business today, and they re-edited some of Niklová´s toys. Unfortunately not the sea horse… but other ones!!  And they approached contemporary Czech designers amongst which graphic designer Zuzana Lednická from Studio Najbrt, who re-interpreted the toys from the ’70s and created contemporary versions of them. Zuzana Lednická did some great beach balls.  Summer in Style! Have fun:)   Not for swimming but still very beautiful ad designed by Libuše Niklová: these baby toys! Like this:Like Loading…

MAKI:minimag_DOT. The happy mag for creative kids

DOT. kids magazine #2

Published by patricia

Here is the second of our series on creative kids magazines. The first one was the french magazine Georges. Today we travel to England, where DOT comes from. DOT is the new, quite lovely magazine by the publishers of the famous kids magazine Anorak (we will feature that one soon too – promised!:) It is designed for toddlers. DOT is not just the name of the magazine but also the name of its main character who carries in his head all that is needed to solve any problem. The magazine’s first issue, focusses on the theme of shapes and includes stories, games and activities, all written and edited by Cathy Olmedillas and beautifully illustrated by Anorak’s chief designer Anna Dunn. Guest illustrators include Jon Boam, Lauren Humphrey and Andres Lozano. You can buy a copy of the first issue of DOT magazine here. Like this:Like Loading…

MAKI:minimag_Die blaue 2_detail

Pop Up Art 2

Published by patricia

The book “Die blaue 2” is the follow up of “1 roter Punkt” (One red dot) by David A. Carter. This time it is a blue two that is hiding very elaborately in different architectural paper constructions. Again it is a true piece of artwork made of paper!!! Das Buch “Die blaue 2” ist das Nachfolgebuch von “1 roter Punkt” von David A. Carter. Dieses Mal ist es eine blaue Zwei die sich sehr kunstvoll in den verschiedenen architektonischen Papierkonstruktionen versteckt. Wieder ein echtes Kunstwerk aus Papier!!! Het boek “Die blaue 2” is de opvolger van “1 roter Punkt” (1 rode stip) van David A. Carter. Deze keer is het een blauwe twee die zich heel kunstvol in verschillende architectonische papierconstructies verstopt. Het is weer een echt kunstwerk gemaakt van papier!!!     Like this:Like Loading…

MAKI:minimag_Têtes, Bêtes, Lettres_Pepillo

“Têtes, Bêtes, Lettres” . game by Pepillo

Published by patricia

A happy girl, a mister wearing a moustache, a sun, a walking R…these and lots of more figures never looked more charming and fun than when assembled with the lovely iPad-app “Têtes, Bêtes, Lettres” by Pepillo. Illustrator Celine Vernier designed it as a follow-up to the book/game” Têtes, Bêtes, Lettres”, a sticker booklet edited by Helium. Simple graphic elements that can be combined to build little universes, plays of words, letter characters. Super original, super beautiful, super simple!        Like this:Like Loading…