It’s almost as if Makoto Azuma (Vol. 03) has the Midas touch. Any bud, flower, stem or seed that comes within these hands will breed new life in the form of at times, grand, yet simplistic, and calm, yet chaotic compositions of art.

A master craftsman in [...]]]>

It’s almost as if Makoto Azuma (Vol. 03) has the Midas touch. Any bud, flower, stem or seed that comes within these hands will breed new life in the form of at times, grand, yet simplistic, and calm, yet chaotic compositions of art.

A master craftsman in the world of Ikebana, Makoto has been commissioned by the likes of Sony, Adidas, Isetan and more recently Alfa Romeo (see video).

Follow the journey through his personal projects, and while you may never understand the genius that is Makoto Azuma, you will definitely enjoy the ride.

Images courtesy of Makoto Azuma.

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Bracket Vol. 02 and 03 were recently exhibited at the ABC Shop of Art Stage Singapore.

Curated by our friends at The Secret Little Agency, the pop-up store was held at the Marina Bay Sands compound from 12 – 15 Jan 2012. (Little known fact – Anonymous founder, Felix Ng [...]]]>

Bracket Vol. 02 and 03 were recently exhibited at the ABC Shop of Art Stage Singapore.

Curated by our friends at The Secret Little Agency, the pop-up store was held at the Marina Bay Sands compound from 12 – 15 Jan 2012. (Little known fact – Anonymous founder, Felix Ng and TSLA’s founder Nicholas Ye were classmates back in 2004 and both started their company in the same week after graduation the following year).

— About the event

Once ubiquitous to the Singaporean landscape, the mamashop is now a dying cultural icon. The mamashops served their local communities with everyday provisions in decades past until the advent of high-rise HDB apartments relegated the remaining few to curiosities of a bygone era. Join us as we transport a mamashop into Art Stage, updating its purpose to purveyor of the discerning art collector. We invite you to peruse our curios and enhance your artistic pleasures while reflecting on a Singapore that constantly reinvents itself.

More on the event: http://www.facebook.com/events/333132853382914/

Images courtesy of The Secret Little Agency.

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She’s a creative strategist, a screenwriter and a journalist, but Jocelyn Glei (Vol. 03) is probably best known for her role as Editor-in-chief at The 99%.

Running the helm at The 99%, a research arm and think-tank of Behance, is no task for [...]]]>

She’s a creative strategist, a screenwriter and a journalist, but Jocelyn Glei (Vol. 03) is probably best known for her role as Editor-in-chief at The 99%.

Running the helm at The 99%, a research arm and think-tank of Behance, is no task for the weak. With a burgeoning collection of articles and videos on how to get that big idea started to how you can improve your skills and innovate where others have tried and failed, she also produces the annual conference and their monthly workshops.

As if it was really humanly-possible, Jocelyn still manages to make time to work on her writing projects. Keep up to date on her latest articles and other writings via @jkglei.

Image courtesy of The 99%.

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Located in the charming neighborhood of Tiong Bahru at No.9 Yong Siak, Street Singapore 168645, the quaint little shop has evolved from a bookstore to include a collector’s paradise of vintage toys, [...]]]>
Bracket Vol. 03 is available in Singapore exclusively at BooksActually.

Located in the charming neighborhood of Tiong Bahru at No.9 Yong Siak, Street Singapore 168645, the quaint little shop has evolved from a bookstore to include a collector’s paradise of vintage toys, cameras and other wares from a forgotten era.

They have also become a prominent independent publisher in Singapore, with a steady-growing number of paperbacks under their publishing arm Math Paper Press.

Images courtesy of BooksActually.

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Revealed, our interview with Tommy Guerrero for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

I live and breathe… like most. I work and …. I play music when i have time and hang with my son, Diego.

2. Describe a typical day at work.

No [...]]]>

Revealed, our interview with Tommy Guerrero for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

I live and breathe… like most. I work and …. I play music when i have time and hang with my son, Diego.

2. Describe a typical day at work.

No day is typical.. I am rarely in the studio so it’s always different.

3. What are the 3 most essential items you need when you work?

My brain – #1. Depends on the job – work – computer – music – instruments.

4. How much time on average do you spend on the computer in a day? And how important is a computer in what you do?

3 – 8 hours during the week. Depends on my work load. I design and record on a comp. Also communicate, etc, so it’s like a 3rd hand. But i also hate them like warm beer.

5. What is the biggest/most common misconception about what you do?

That i paint.. or surf.. or that i’m a good git player!

6. Being a musician is tough. What keeps you going?

Good question… the need to create mostly and to keep sane.

7. Most of us have a methodological process when we work. What is your process?

Sit / Stand and go. See what happens. Lots of experimenting…

8. Personal and client work often require very different approaches. How does the level of craft applied defer between them?

I always try to put my heart into anything i do.

9. Finish this sentence. In ten years time, craft will…

Become a trend.

10. Do you think that a person’s location affects his/her craft? How significant is this in your scenario?

Yes, but subconsciously… SF YO!

11. What is the best thing you have ever been asked to do?

Have my son…

12. And the worst?

Anytime anyone asks you to “stretch the truth”. Can’t do it.

13. Who/what do you have a bone to pick with?

Greed.

14. If you were not a musician, what would you have done?

I’m a musician?!! My son would say “awesome”!

15. What is the most annoying question you’ve ever been asked?

All of the above.

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Tommy Guerrero for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft
San Francisco, United States of America
www.tommyguerrero.com

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Bracket Vol. 01: Craft is sold out. Visit the archive for more information or check out the brand new issue – Bracket Vol. 03: Education.

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Revealed, our interview with Stanley Donwood for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

I’m kind of normal except bald. I ended up as an ‘artist’ by mistake.

2. Describe a typical day at work.

I don’t go to work. I don’t have typical [...]]]>

Revealed, our interview with Stanley Donwood for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

I’m kind of normal except bald. I ended up as an ‘artist’ by mistake.

2. Describe a typical day at work.

I don’t go to work. I don’t have typical days either. Both are bad things and should be avoided if at all possible.

3. What are the 3 most essential items you need when you work?

Brain + 2 hands. Pencil? Something to draw on.

4. How much time on average do you spend on the computer in a day? And how important is a computer in what you do?

I don’t like them much. It’s hard to works out things like that. On average? Don’t know. 1 hour or 2 maybe.

5. What is the biggest/most common misconception about what you do?

HA HA HA HA HA. Perhaps there aren’t any.

6. Being an artist is tough. What keeps you going?

It’s not that tough compared to most things. That fact, probably is what ‘keeps me going”!

7. Most of us have a methodological process when we work. What is your process?

I don’t think i’ve got one.

8. Personal and client work often require very different approaches. How does the level of craft applied defer between them?

Not to me they don’t.

9. Finish this sentence. In ten years time, craft will…

Disappear? Have a resurgence?

10. Do you think that a person’s location affects his/her craft? How significant is this in your scenario?

I used to work in a quite ugly place and my stuff was kind of angry. But that way probably just me being young + male.

11. What is the best thing you have ever been asked to do?

Get my girlfriend pregnant.

12. And the worst?

Clean lavatories in a crappy restaurant. I wrote about the crappy restaurant in a story called ‘Wage Package’.

13. Who/what do you have a bone to pick with?

I’m trying to avoid that kind of thing.

14. If you were not an artist, what would you have done?

Tree surgeon? Smack addict? Farm labourer? Maybe a vampire.

15. What is the most annoying question you’ve ever been asked?

The one about where you get inspiration from (probably) or maybe “Did you pack your bags youself?” or maybe “Would you step into this room, Sir?”.

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Stanley Donwood for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft
Bath, United Kingdom
www.slowlydownward.com

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Bracket Vol. 01: Craft is sold out. Visit the archive for more information or check out the brand new issue – Bracket Vol. 03: Education.

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Revealed, our interview with Japanese artist, Rockin’ Jelly Bean for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

I’m artist. Most of my works are t-shirts design, cover art of CD. Those most relevant have much rock & music. And most of my motif are [...]]]>

Revealed, our interview with Japanese artist, Rockin’ Jelly Bean for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

I’m artist. Most of my works are t-shirts design, cover art of CD. Those most relevant have much rock & music. And most of my motif are girls whom are cute and naughty. And also, i produced the shop call… “EROSTIKA”, we make clothes, silk print posters and merchandise goods that makes slightly interesting for life.

2. Describe a typical day at work.

I wake up at about the midday. While the sun appears, i do business thing and search for document and i draw a picture at midnight. When run rises, i go to bed. My ancestors will be Dracula…

3. What are the 3 most essential items you need when you work?

Pencil, eraser and cigarette.

4. How much time on average do you spend on the computer in a day? And how important is a computer in what you do?

I spend most of time in front of PC when i be in studio. Internet is a thing such as my library.

5. What is the biggest/most common misconception about what you do?

??? Sorry!

6. Being an artist is tough. What keeps you going?

I eat onion everyday to make the work of the left brain better.

7. Most of us have a methodological process when we work. What is your process?

At first i think about an image darkly and watch document and books. Then, when i finish to ready for the trip, i go to rip that drawing. This is process that most popular by mine.

8. Personal and client work often require very different approaches. How does the level of craft applied defer between them?

??? Sorry!

9. Finish this sentence. In ten years time, craft will…

??? Sorry!

10. Do you think that a person’s location affects his/her craft? How significant is this in your scenario?

It is unconsciousness by myself, but that is significant level almost as same as DNA.

11. What is the best thing you have ever been asked to do?

Muu…. All artwork is so for me. But if i had to compare them, i’d say that is my private exhibition at Tokyo, Aoyama, BAPE gallery in 2004. My close friend made this.

12. And the worst?

Muu…. I can’t remember that…

13. Who/what do you have a bone to pick with?

……

14. If you were not making chocolates, what would you have done?

Perhaps i think that gonna be Go-Go club manager, then i will said to dancer to “use condom!” at back stage.

15. What is the most annoying question you’ve ever been asked?

This is not “most” but i’m tired to answer when asked about a mask and name without examining me.

Thank you for your time.

Is this ok? Sorry my bad english!

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Rockin’ Jelly Bean for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft
Tokyo, Japan
www.rockinjellybean.com

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Bracket Vol. 01: Craft is sold out. Visit the archive for more information or check out the brand new issue – Bracket Vol. 03: Education.

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Revealed, our interview with Mike and Yuri Abelson, designer behind the Japanese label, Postalco for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

We make stationary, bags and wallets as well as consult on projects ranging from shop interiors to hardware.

2. Describe a typical [...]]]>

Revealed, our interview with Mike and Yuri Abelson, designer behind the Japanese label, Postalco for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

We make stationary, bags and wallets as well as consult on projects ranging from shop interiors to hardware.

2. Describe a typical day at work.

We are a small company so we do alot of things. We start by cleaning up the office – it’s a nice way to get focused. Then we all branch off into our own main activity. Doing design is really a pretty short part of the day. Most ideas pop up while in the shower or on the train. The office itself is a finishing tool. A place to give things shape.

3. What are the 3 most essential items you need when you work?

Pen, paper and tea. Which pen, paper and tea depends on the mood of the day.

4. How much time on average do you spend on the computer in a day? And how important is a computer in what you do?

From about 30 mins – 3 hours depending on the amount of email. It is just a tool like other tools.

5. What is the biggest/most common misconception about what you do?

…..

6. Being a designer is tough. What keeps you going?

Designing is probably not that different from delivering mail or cutting wood. Each job has its dynamics and exchanges. I like constant challenge – there are many when you run a small company.

7. Most of us have a methodological process when we work. What is your process?

Start with the specifics and then go to the general.

8. Personal and client work often require very different approaches. How does the level of craft applied defer between them?

Client work may involve many other facilities and partners with their own expertise. Doing projects on your own end up to be much more unpredictable as you do what you can with what you have got – improvising.

9. Finish this sentence. In ten years time, craft will…

Be essential!

10. Do you think that a person’s location affects his/her craft? How significant is this in your scenario?

I cannot separate location and craft – we make things from material, available all around us. As humans, we don’t “make”. It is more of a re-arranging in a way. Without the craftsmen around Tokyo, nothing we make would be as it is.

11. What is the best thing you have ever been asked to do?

As a kid, pulling weeds and weeds and weeds on the hill behind our house.

12. And the worst?

As a kid, pulling weeds on the hill behind our house.

13. Who/what do you have a bone to pick with?

Insurance.

14. If you were not a designer, what would you have done?

Anything making something…

15. What is the most annoying question you’ve ever been asked?

I’ve tried, but i can’t think of one.

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Postalco for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft
Tokyo, Japan
www.postalco.net

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Bracket Vol. 01: Craft is sold out. Visit the archive for more information or check out the brand new issue – Bracket Vol. 03: Education.

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Revealed, our interview with Mihoko Ouchi, product designer and one-half of the., for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

Born and raised in Japan, lived for a little while in France, then quite a while in the US. I’m a product designer and run [...]]]>

Revealed, our interview with Mihoko Ouchi, product designer and one-half of the., for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

Born and raised in Japan, lived for a little while in France, then quite a while in the US. I’m a product designer and run “the.”.

2. Describe a typical day at work.

Start the day with responding to emails whenever i get back from a morning jog. Finish the day whenever my eyes are too heavy to keep open.

3. What are the 3 most essential items you need when you work?

Internet.

Computer

Caliper.

4. How much time on average do you spend on the computer in a day? And how important is a computer in what you do?

6 hours. We communicate throughout the world to make and distribute the. products. Unfortunately and fortunately, the computer is what brought me to where i am now.

5. What is the biggest/most common misconception about what you do?

People don’t realize what our name is.

6. Being a designer is tough. What keeps you going?

Talking with and seeing new people. Real people, not via the computer.

7. Most of us have a methodological process when we work. What is your process?

I am terrible at it and need to find one.

8. Personal and client work often require very different approaches. How does the level of craft applied defer between them?

Personal > ego.

Client > as little ego as possible.

9. Finish this sentence. In ten years time, craft will…

… be something more portable and affordable.

10. Do you think that a person’s location affects his/her craft? How significant is this in your scenario?

Definitely. Where and what you get inspired by with your own senses is what you will eventually create.

11. What is the best thing you have ever been asked to do?

To pick my cat among the kitten crowd at the shelter. I picked the one with the most stylish color.

12. And the worst?

I don’t remember.

13. Who/what do you have a bone to pick with?

The system of society that some groups of people can milk from the weak.

14. If you were not a designer, what would you have done?

Translator for movie.

15. What is the most annoying question you’ve ever been asked?

“Do you massage? and for how much per hour?”

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Mihoko Ouchi for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft
New York City, United States of America
www.thinkofthe.com

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Bracket Vol. 01: Craft is sold out. Visit the archive for more information or check out the brand new issue – Bracket Vol. 03: Education.

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Revealed, our interview with Mary & Matt / Chocolate Editions, for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

Designers by day. Chocolate-makers by night.

2. Describe a typical day at work.

Sleep: 20%. Play: 30%. Work: 50%.

3. What are the 3 [...]]]>

Revealed, our interview with Mary & Matt / Chocolate Editions, for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft.

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1. Tell us about yourself and what you do.

Designers by day. Chocolate-makers by night.

2. Describe a typical day at work.

Sleep: 20%. Play: 30%. Work: 50%.

3. What are the 3 most essential items you need when you work?

1. Chocolate. 2. Elbow grease. 3. Good tunes.

4. How much time on average do you spend on the computer in a day? And how important is a computer in what you do?

6 to 8 hours. The computer is essential.

5. What is the biggest/most common misconception about what you do?

That we eat alot of chocolate.

6. Being a chocolate-maker is tough. What keeps you going?

Not knowing what will happen tomorrow.

7. Most of us have a methodological process when we work. What is your process?

Choco. comes with it’s own process (+ limitations). We have learned to work with that.

8. Personal and client work often require very different approaches. How does the level of craft applied defer between them?

It doesn’t. Craft requires attention to detail + use of quality materials. When you care, it’s hard to skimp.

9. Finish this sentence. In ten years time, craft will…

Still be practiced + appreciated.

10. Do you think that a person’s location affects his/her craft? How significant is this in your scenario?

Yes! We grew up in a suburban utopia that has influenced our aesthetic + craft.

11. What is the best thing you have ever been asked to do?

That’s in the works.

12. And the worst?

We believe that you can learn from all experiences, good + bad.

13. Who/what do you have a bone to pick with?

We don’t have a bone to pick… we smoke those.

14. If you were not making chocolates, what would you have done?

Given our past experiences, we can’t imagine doing anything else!

15. What is the most annoying question you’ve ever been asked?

“Do you still make the chocolate scrabble bar?” Unfortunately we don’t. Hasbro sent us a cease and desist.

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Mary & Matt for Bracket Vol. 01: Craft
New York City, United States of America
www.chocolate-editions.com

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Bracket Vol. 01: Craft is sold out. Visit the archive for more information or check out the brand new issue – Bracket Vol. 03: Education.

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