Designer John Greg Ball -Weblog

In the image above, Todd Falkowsky of Canadian Design Resource, recently documented a deer warning road sign in Ontario while broken down outside of Toronto. It stimulated some dialogue in the comments section:

“While driving across Canada, it’s interesting to compare these signs in different provinces. They have subtle differences”. -Chistopher B.

In response, above is an image I took from Halifax while on vacation…

And my favorite, the Alberta version (found West of Calgary) has been aptly “shot” with a variety of different caliber guns. The message here is that if a deer shows itself, it won’t get run over, but there’s good chance it will get shot…

Regardless, It is certainly interesting see the slight variations that each province in Canada adds to the design of a simple sign to make it their own. In terms of aesthetics, I must admit that Ontario’s deer seems much more pleasing to the eye. What another great find on Canadian Design Resource today!

John Greg Ball and Shoko Cesar’s violent art collaboration using a 12-gauge shotgun, and prefabricated signage to create wall art. (image from Calgary’s arthouse opening of MADE in the WEST)

Many thanks to Readers Digest for choosing the Hoodoo lamp as one of canada’s 30 best edition this month.

In my opinion, real inspiration to design products should come from first-hand life experiences. In the case of my newest work, we were inspired to design a small coat rack for my daughter’s room (who by the way is already one year old). From that, came the idea for Tusk, a simple powder coated steel coat rack:

“Decorate the nursery with this elephant-shaped coat rack designed by John Greg Ball. Use the elephant’s tusks as hangers for baby coats, baby hats, or bath towels. Available in blue, pink and green powdercoat. TUSK is designed manufactured in Canada”.

now available for purchase here:
www.connectmommies.com

From the Radiant Dark exhibit in Toronto. (Stools designed by John Greg Ball and Shoko Cesar)

More at:
+ Moco loco

As a contributing editor at Moco Loco I always look forward to picking my top 5 posts for the year. In case you missed them, here were my favorites from 2007:
Top 5 2007

(Image above from a recent Canadian Design Resource contribution)

When interviewed by FASHION magazine they asked me: “you are a designer, and why do you choose to live in Calgary”?

Great question.
As described in my recent lecture at the University of Lethbridge: ”Alberta is my home and I am here to stay”. Born here in Calgary, I am a prairie boy by heart and my family roots run deeply here. As a designer and past social sciences student I continually study local art and design culture. I know that no one can truly understand their culture without living there. That said, I do try to travel often and will be in Toronto (my second favorite city) this coming February.

The second reason I live in Calgary is that I live one hour from the most beautiful part of the world: Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Living here gives me the ability to escape urbanity and immerse myself in Nature anytime I want. I hike, camp, and fly-fish there. This is very important to me as it inspires my work, relaxes me, and fuels my mind.

Thirdly Calgary is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, and our economy is booming. There are more construction projects happening here, than any other city in Canada. In particular, I am very excited about Encana’s recent decision to hire Norman Foster + Associates to design “the bow” (soon to be the western Canada’s tallest skyscraper to grace Calgary’s skyline). Decisions like this make me realize there is alot of vision in this city. I also love Inglewood. This is one of the richest, and most vibrant parts of our city. There is alot of style here and its the most ”Calgary” part of the city.

With all that said, I think its hugely important for an artist/ designer to live in the city inspires them most. Its important that a city fits one’s lifestyle best, and for me Calgary certainly is it.

Shoko Cesar and myself are still working hard on our giant Hoodoo lamp. Using some exciting new materials, we’re collaborating with Interior designer: Sean Crawford from Calgary for one of Calgary’s coolest restaurants. We’re also working with my talented brother Grant Ball (making the first cut in the image above). More to come soon following the install….