I’m still thinking about female designers, so let’s talk about the RISD-educated Janine Rewell. Finnish (with stunning looks) and currently Helsinki-based, Janine is a talented designer and illustrator.

She’s won a pile of awards (though, Tan the Man, pictured above, is obviously the pinnacle of her career) and has a huge variety of projects and her belt. Despite her achievements, her work continues to be fresh, relevant, amusing and, above-all, confident. 

“Janine won a bronze Design Lion at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival 2009 and recently nominated by Print Magazine as one of the twenty best new visual artists of 2010. She is also awarded with the Junior Award 2010, the greatest national recognition for a young designer. In addition to taking part in many group exhibitions, she had her first solo exhibition in Barcelona in 2010.

Inspired by surrealist painters, children’s books, art deco, bright colors and the geometry of nature, Janine’s designs are a enchanting mix of Scandinavian design and Slavic folk art.”

You’ll love it. 

What about Elena Giavaldi? 

1. She has a pleasantly rythmatic name.
2. I discovered that she’s Italian, so point No.1 is a given …
3. Her work has popped up in W magazine, The Atlantic and Fast Company magazines … 

But none of that is impressive as her library of well-developed talents, which range from illustration, layout design, useable and attractive templates, screenprinting and more.

Her pattern-a-day project alone has turned into an impressive body of work.

Elena’s portfolio has the unique ability to captivate and inspire, without appearing pretentious, over-thought, or too dependent on trends. Someone to watch!

(And PS, lots of people online love her too. Just jump on the bandwagon.)

Cody Hudson of Chicago-based struggle, inc. Colorful designer who works a lot with visual deconstruction for a cut paper/collage effect. His work feels optimistic and energetic without feeling cliched. That all said, I don’t know what he’s been up to recently, his portfolio consists mostly of work between 2006-9. 

I’ve posted these before, but honestly, do you blame me? There’s an entire gallery of exquisitely carved leather book covers featuring inspiring geometric compositions. Beyond delicious.

“The original designs for these decorative book bindings incorporate figurative and geometric representations and rhythms that are strikingly realized when seen as significantly larger images. Originally an expression of applied art “La Canne de Jaspe” by Pierre Legrain uses pure geometric forms, to create a strikingly beautiful abstract image.” - Grabink

A Friend of Mine, an Australian graphic design company, continually produces low-key, under the radar projects with mind blowing originality, wit, and power.

This project, an identity and way-finding for a student exhibition is an example of their design superpowers. 

With a desire to emphasize the hand-done process integral to the student exhibition, AFOM chose six silhouettes of hands in various stages of “process.” These silhouettes became frames for intricate and brilliantly hued dioramas depicting process. 

Another A+ execution. 

(PS: Seems like there’s something in the water down under … Aussie designers keep whipping out amazing work.)

Oh-so-stylish moleskins with beautifully engraved leather covers by New Yawker’s at MyORB.