A GOOD READ: Anorak Magazine

EVEN THOUGH Anorak magazine, published four times a year, is aimed at kids aged five to nine, this writer’s 3-year-old is equally enamoured of the new mag as his older friends. Anorak has been devised, says its editor Cathy Olmedillas, formerly of The Face and Sleazenation - who works in conjunction with art director Supermundane and an unofficial team of up to 70 children - to fill the gap left by the demise of annuals like Jackie, Beano and Bimbo.

The paperback tome is sweet, quirky, engaging, and positive in outlook with story strips, colouring-in pages, debates about snot, and essays about fear. Despite the Ed’s editorial history, there’s not a hint of irony when she says, “Anorak is all about inspiring children with fun stories to read and games to play. It was launched because of our shared passion for illustrations and words, looking to bring together the wealth of talented graphic designers and writers in this country. It gives children a platform to express their creativity as they review books, favorite places to go, films and music. We simply want to inspire them and fire up their imaginations! And to give them the opportunity to express themselves.”

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Posted 1 September 2008 in Art + Graphic Design

WALL ART: Paula Juchem

WE FELL head over heels in love with Paula Juchem’s vibrant, semi-naive graphic art when we saw her garden / beach scene designed for the Conran Shop’s summer Outdoor Collection windows (left, click to enlarge).

Based in Milan with her photographer husband Ruy Teixiera, and her two children, Pedro, 6 and Bia, 7 months, Juchem describes her look as being about: “Imperfection - my lines are never straight, nothing is symmetrical, and all is colour. It’s a very Brazilian style.”

And whilst it’s not designed “specifically for children or adults,” Paula’s illustrative style is influenced not just by her Brazilian 1970s/80s childhood - with its memories of brightly-coloured juice cartons, homemade fishing rods and impromptu waterproof clothing made from garbage bags - but by her own family.

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Posted 1 September 2008 in Art + Graphic Design