* _patron ::: Misha’s Kind Foods : Non-Dairy Cheese { Los Angeles / California _United States } // _commission ::: branding / packaging // _brand + photography ::: Funnel : Eric Kass / _styling : Misha Young //
20201128
* Products : FUNNEL : Truth + Heart Goods //
// FUNNEL : Truth + Heart Goods //
_( TRUTH / HEART ) PATCH SNAPBACK CAP : custom embroidered patch designed by Funnel : Bespoke Brands in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Celebrating the honest-to-goodness Midwestern ideals that run in our veins and infuse our work – hand applied to a premium acrylic/wool blend, structured high-profile, flat green underside visor, 6-panel snapback cap //
_( F ) EBBET’S FIELD FLANNEL CAP : vintage-inspired custom snap-back cap designed by Funnel : Bespoke Brands in Indianapolis and hand-crafted by Ebbets Field Flannels in Seattle - made of wool with a felt hand-stitched “F” for “Funnel” or whatever the “F” you want //
_( TRUTH ) ENAMEL PIN : custom 1.25" x .875" enamel pin designed by Eric Kass of Funnel : Bespoke Brands originally for a tattoo on his right wrist intended as a genuine promise with a handshake – now you too can pronounce your honest intentions – couldn’t we all use a little truth nowadays? //
_( FUNNEL ) PATCH / STICKER / BUTTON PACK : custom patch, sticker and button set //
_( POUR YOUR HEART INTO IT ) COASTERS : set of four custom 3.7" coasters //
»»»»» PURCHASE »»»»» FUNNEL : CURIOSITIES SHOP //
20201028
* Hodinkee + Huckberry + Timex Limited Edition Collaborations //
Loving my new Timex collaborations from Hodinkee & Huckberry with their fresh limited edition redesigns of the classic 1970’s Q Timex.
The Q Timex was one of the first affordable mainstream quartz watches upon its release in 1979, designed to combine accuracy and ability in a single functional package. Last year Timex re-issued its iconic quartz watch to immediate success. Hodinkee created their own limited edition version by deleting the calendar complication for a more symmetrical dial layout and stripping the steel bezel bare. The crisp white dial completes the simplified, cool, clean look.
Instead of reissuing a watch from Timex’s archives, Huckberry sat down with them to build their very own classic from the ground up—a tribute to legendary divers and flight watches from the mid 20th century. They drew on styles from the 70s and 80s and went with a military-inspired ‘crosshair’ dial with polished and faceted 6, 9, and 12 markers. Finished with a woven stainless steel bracelet and a functional aluminum timing bezel.
_photos : Eric Kass
20201017
* Design : The American Nightmare Poster //
Fear is used to control and divide us but we can combat it with information, openness and understanding. America is a wonderfully diverse place which we can all use to our advantage to achieve amazing things when we work together. Ask questions and dig deeper to learn about others experiences, challenges and triumphs. There is The American Dream of freedom, fairness and opportunity which is something to honor, defend and celebrate with pride, but we must not turn a blind eye to the skeletons in our historical closet. Our country is also a culture of violence, greed and exclusion built from genocide, racism and war. Blind patriotism that arrogantly only focuses on our positive qualities or one viewpoint, but ignores our troubling issues is selfish and dangerous. We can’t work toward resolving our problems until we acknowledge them and listen to everyone’s experience to truly see others unique journey. Use your voice to halt hate, embrace empathy, share love and conquer fear. Let’s defeat arrogance, entitlement and ignorance by embracing understanding to help and celebrate one another. Love and Peace.
* Design : Love Wins //
* Design : Backyard Feed Co. Branding //
* _patron ::: Backyard Feed Co. { Florida _United States } // _commission ::: branding / identity / packaging / site + more to come // _brand + design ::: Funnel : Eric Kass / _photos ::: Stacy Larsen // YOU ARE WHAT THEY EAT – What you feed your chickens matters. Healthy chickens provide fresh, nutritious eggs. We use only the highest quality, organic, non-gmo ingredients with zero fillers and never any preservatives. Check out my site design at backyardfeedco.com //
* Design : City Dogs Grocery Identity //
* _patron ::: City Dogs Grocery : Retail Store { Indianapolis / Indiana _United States } // _commission ::: branding / logo / signage / business card // _brand + design ::: Funnel : Eric Kass // the logo features the owner, Christi Rider’s dog, “Ida” //
20200807
* Design : Half-Century Club //
20200520
* Design : Bovaconti Coffee Signage Interior / Exterior Design //
* _patron ::: Bovaconti Coffee { Indianapolis / Indiana _United States } // _commission ::: branding / identity / signage / menu / packaging / interior/exterior design consulting //
* Design : Lyon Rum — Windon Distilling 2020 Bandana //
_patron ::: Lyon Rum : Windon Distilling { St. Michael / Maryland _United States } // _commission ::: bandana ( new design in 3 colors ) //
20200518
* Interview : AIGA INDY //
Describe yourself in one sentence.
Curious, compulsive collector and curator with a passion for process and personal connection who hopes to add something constructive, joyful and lasting to a larger cultural conversation through creating intellectually inspired and emotionally heartfelt work.
Where do you work/go to school?
I work at my company Funnel : Bespoke Brands but everyday feels like school too. Its an opportunity to hone skills, expand understanding and learn from mistakes which is why I also refer to my company as Funnel : The Fine Commercial Art Practice of Eric Kass. Funnel refers to the process of inputting information + inspiration and distilling it down to its essence which is both me as a designer and the service I provide my patrons.
Favorite program/tools to use for designing?
I use Adobe Illustrator for everything, even things I probably shouldn’t, but I love the intuitive quick way I can work. Feels like a large digital table top that I can make a big mess on, as I work creating things spontaneously and refining as I go. I also use Photoshop quite a bit.
Design hero?
Charles S. Anderson. His firm’s work was born from his personal perspective and inspired by design history with an intimate understanding of production processes and cultural context has influenced me from the beginning. Appreciate their ability to do large scale commissioned work, as well as, developing their own revenue streams through licensed artwork and products.
Favorite thing to do outside of work?
I truly do live and love what I do so my life and work are totally integrated. My personal interests directly inform and inspire my business and creative output. I enjoy exploring everything from National/State Parks, to all sizes of cities, museums and scouring vintage stores for inspiration. I often post photo essays of my adventures on my blog and share my vintage finds and collection on my site Ephemerotica.com. Music is a vital source for enjoyment, inspiration and comfort. I frequent my neighborhood record shop Luna Music in Broad Ripple, catch live shows at the HI-FI in Fountain Square and enjoy my record collection on my dad’s hand-me-down 1970’s stereo.
Favorite place in Indy?
Love the meditative nature of the hiking trails, nature center and “The Ruins” at Holliday Park. Also, the Indianapolis Museum of Art is a favorite serene spot for inspiration, education and reflection.
How and why did you get involved with AIGA?
I was first introduced to AIGA in art & design school at Ball State University in 1990. Seems impossible now, but the Internet wasn’t around yet so AIGA was a great way to connect with other creatives everywhere and to have access to professional resources, information and news.
Approximately how long have you been involved with the organization?
On and off for 30 years.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on Misha’s Kind Foods ( vegan cheese ), Amped Kitchens ( commercial kitchens ), Patterns World Inc. ( fashion clothing patterns ) all in Los Angeles. Urban Umbrella ( Modern Scaffolding ) in NYC. Backyard Feed Co. ( organic non-GMO subscription chicken feed ) in Florida. Neely’s Nest ( pet home goods ) in Connecticut. Lyon Rum ( Windon Distilling ) in St. Michaels Maryland. Forget Computers ( professional services for Apple technology ) in Chicago plus various other projects.
Any projects you want to highlight?
Lyon Rum, Windon Distilling, in St. Michaels Maryland, who I’ve been working with since their beginning six years ago has grown an evolved into a successful boutique distillery. I created their brand, identity and a flexible packaging system that could be easily and efficiently adapted on the go to work for a variety of experimental small batches as they dialed in their core line of products and increased sales and distribution. Recently I designed new more sophisticated, foil stamped, embossed and die-cut packaging for a permanent line of five liqueurs and three rums with more exciting things to come.
* Check out the feature on AIGA Indy here » Member Monday : Eric Kass
20200407
* Design : Forget Computers ( Offline Edition ) Newspaper //
20200331
* Design : Lyon Rum New Packaging //
* Lyon Rum : Windon Distilling, St. Michaels, Maryland : new foil stamped, embossed packaging for White, Dark & Saliors Rum that went into production right before the lockdown //
20200229
* 02 / 29 : 2020 Leap Day //
