design reads :: Small Pond Graphics

Archive for design reads

design read . Uppercase

· January 31, 2014

I’m excited! In December, I treated myself with a subscription to UPPERCASE Magazine — “a magazine for the creative and curious. My first issue arrived in the mail this week and I can’t wait to immerse myself in it this weekend. At first glance, it promises not to disappoint with beautiful photography and spreads, a great design and intriguing stories and profiles from lots of creative disciplines, all on nice-to-hold uncoated paper. It’s published, edited and designed by Canadian designer, Janine Vangool. It definitely lives up to the teasers I found online it its companion blog. Enjoy a few of my favorite at-first-glance spreads and I let me know what you’re reading this weekend!

Categories : design reads

Tags : design resources, magazines, photo styling, reading recommendations

design read . JENESEQUA

Posted by haley montgomery

· December 7, 2012

It’s a special privilege to find beauty, creativity and inspiration around us. I’m finding that paying attention to this privilege keeps me fresh in my own creativity. In times of transition and even sorrows as my family has experienced this Fall, it’s so easy to become numb to beautiful things around us. One of the hallmarks of coming alive, of moving forward — at least for me — is seeking out that inspiration once again. I’ve begun that process slowly during the last few weeks.

This week, I was browsing through the iPad publication, JENESEQUA. The app is a lifestyle magazine developed specifically for the iPad format, and it’s a true multi-media presentation. Beautiful photography, interesting lifestyle editorial content and varied content are augmented by “related content” curated from across the web including YouTube videos, Pinterest boards, blog posts and online shopping excursions. The content is sharable with a touch of the screen and readers can “favorite” items to a profile for reading later. The No. 12 holiday issue is sparkling with holiday celebration and fashionable finds. Enjoy a few of my favorite stories!

Categories : design reads

Tags : fashion design, online magazines, well-designed life

design read . BluDot

Posted by haley montgomery

· December 2, 2011

Ok, so this is not really much of a “read.” It’s more eye candy, but it has me like a kid in a candy store. I received a BluDot catalog in the mail a few months ago, and I keep going back to it. It’s an oversized uncoated design in that layout where you flip the book over halfway through to see the spec pages. I just love the look and feel of it. And I love the products. The self-proclaimed “modern furniture” line is both classic and new at the same time. But, the reason I plan to absorb it again this weekend is the off-center styling throughout the catalog. The BluDot message is “good design is good.” It is, and the photos in the catalog show their product line strewn with random touches of life, rather than in some pristine showroom atmosphere. It has a fun blend of mid-century and 21st century elements. I just love looking at the images, and the spec pages are just as engaging. Have some fun window shopping BluDot this weekend!

Categories : design reads

Tags : catalogs, furniture design, modern design, photo styling

design read . They Draw and Cook

Posted by haley montgomery

· February 4, 2011

Great illustrations and great food. Sounds like a great candidate for my weekend reading! Have you seen They Draw and Cook? It’s a wonderful blog for foodies and artsy types — and happy eaters. Creative cooks submit their recipes to the site in a VISUAL format, illustrated in whatever style they prefer. Yep, the recipes are fully illustrated. It reminds me what a truly creative and serendipitous adventure cooking really is. It literally elevates spreading the table to a true art form. Check it out and happy eating this weekend!

Categories : design reads

Tags : illustrators, inspired by food

Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of Small Pond Graphics. I sometimes fancy myself a frog kisser— a documentarian coaxing poignant moments from unexpected places. This blog has evolved from those moments.

The small Pond FIELD GUIDE is part diary, part sketchbook, and part wish list – an archive of ordinary wonders. For years, this space has housed my stories – creative ideas, vintage inspiration, our forays into curious places, and the simple artifacts of quiet of conscious living. Through watercolor, photography, and illustrated tales, these pages uncover the blessing of ordinary days and the wonder found in authentic places and pursuits.

I invite you to open the boxes.
Peek into the drawers.
Rustle through the pages.
I’m honored to have you here.