Sean: This is probably lame because anyone that knows me knows I would pick my BMX bike. I kind of feel like it's an extension of myself...it's constantly evolving, but some parts always stay the same. Riding this thing equals lots of fun times and lots of frustrating times, kind of like life, but the net result is always on the side of good. Plus when I ride past little kids, they always point and ask their parents why my bike is the same size as theirs. So as in biking, life and art, don't take yourself too seriously because no one else does. Give it all your effort, but have fun and experiment.
Luke: The Golden Guitalele. A great travel companion. You can throw it inside your jacket in the winter, hop on the bus and pluck away for the entire route. It's nice and quiet. It's been on many trips and commutes and has been the source of janky sounds in several homemade tracks. There's some sentimental connection to it, but when it was wooden, it didn't LOOK like a favourite thing. So I painted it gold.
Gavin: I really like the idea of a bench because it's so simple and basic in form & purpose, but yet such a versatile utilitarian object. It just works, without trying to do too much. So over the summer, my friend Jon Han and I found some reclaimed wood, and built ourselves a couple of these small benches. It's also great to have something that you spent time building yourself, as both the object and the experience building it are equally as valuable.
Britny: I first heard of TOMS shoes about a year ago and immediately fell in love with the TOMS motto: One for One. What this means is that for every pair of shoes you buy, TOMS will give a new pair to a child in need. Although I loved the whole purpose behind the company and respected everything they stood for, I couldn't help but feel that the shoes themselves were a little plain, if not ugly. People I knew who owned the homely canvas shoes would rave about how comfortable they were, often buying several pairs. I finally caved when I decided to design a book about the brand for a project at school. So I settled for a nice size 61/2 pair of classic gold glitters. I must admit, these sparkly little shoes are probably the only pair of shoes I own that go with me nearly everywhere. They've been on airplanes, dates, and walks, in cars, boats and bicycles, to work and even church. Now, needless to say, I'm the one that's raving.
Jordan: Inspiration is an easy commodity to find on the web today. What's harder to find is inspiration you can feel, touch, and even smell. That's what I get out of these Mondo posters. Each are created by fantastic illustrators and artists, beautifully screen printed, and awesome to look at. They are all based on popular culture, with a retro twist. What makes them even more special to me is the rarity; they are printed only once and never sold again.
Katryna: There is a jar in my room and in this jar is a handful of sand taken from the beach where I grew up, the place I will forever call home. Having this with me in the city keeps me grounded. This little jar of sand has influenced my design and illustration literally in subject matter but more notably in style. I know I am very fortunate for I love what I do and I gather that this small jar of sand is not entirely blameless for my love of design.
