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!

Starts 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.

+ Part 1 on Moco Loco

+ Part 2 on Moco Loco

+ Canadian Design Resource

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

Although I could hardly lift it, I was thrilled to receive my copy of Design inspirations in the mail today. The otto chair, x-Crib, and the Cholesterol Lamp are all featured in this monster 700-page coffee table book by Daab publishing.
Buy it here at amazon books

Karen Von Hahn of The Globe and mail published a very thought-provoking article called: Violent By Design that featured the X-Crib as well as a number of other interesting works.

See the article here:
Violent by Design

The hoodoo lamp is part of a great book on international design and innovation from material connexion.
“I.D. magazine called it a “must have,” and we’re sure that you’ll agree. Filled with interviews with Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders, Patricia Urquiola, David Adjaye (and many more); up-to-date technological information; and hundreds of new materials and applications, Ultra Materials will inspire and inform”.

Available through amazon books

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