Last spring, Blik participated in the Art Center College of Design’s Advanced Illustration Studio class. Fourteen students at the Pasadena campus enrolled in the course, which is part of the illustration design curriculum that focuses on design beyond the printed page. Led by the chair of the illustration department, Ann Field, the upper term class taught applications for illustration including wall graphics, fabric, ceramic plates and interior design.

According to Field, part of the magic was how quickly the project with Blik was pulled together. Each student created one design and submitted it to Blik to be turned into a printed wall graphic. During the process, Blik tutored the students in how to create and set up their illustrations as files for print production. The final designs were presented and installed in the classroom.

“One of the great things about this class is the opportunity to work with companies, like Blik, who have a high-design aesthetic and impeccable attention to detail,” says Field. “These qualities combined with Blik’s contemporary products and history of working with established artists makes for a good working partnership.”

Blik also worked with one of Art Center’s star graduating students, Patrick Hruby to manufacture his final project, “Imagine Something Beautiful.” Each year, the Art Center faculty gives a wall in the main school entranceway to one student to display their final project. Patrick’s project was selected for the space and he approached Blik to help execute his vision.

Blik is proud of the students’ work and looks forward to continuing our relationship with Art Center again in the future.

Art Center student, Shanghe Shin's graphic.

Patrick Hruby's "Imagine Something Beautiful"

This is the tale of one amazing custom project that took Blik around the world without us ever having to leave Venice.

Working with Zoopy, an online and mobile social media community, Blik launched a creative process that began in the Netherlands, stopped in Venice, CA before the final destination of Cape Town, South Africa.

Zoopy co-founder and CEO, Jason Elk, wanted to energize his head office with original artwork by his friend and Blik collaborator, Jan Willem Wennekes aka Zeptonn. Zeptonn masterminded a spectacular 32′W x 9′H mural from his studio in the Netherlands, and sent the files to us in Venice to set-up, print and ship to South Africa.

The Zoopy team then did an incredible job of installing six large format prints to create one seamless, eye-popping mural…so much so, the real deal looks exactly like Zeptonn’s concept artwork. Their office, however, looks like a whole new world. Take a look.

Chauffeur, you’ve been fired. Meet the Pikes Peak Audi TTS.

Blik was recently commissioned by Volkswagen Group of America to manufacture and install vehicle graphics for the new Pikes Peak Audi TTS. This innovative rally car was designed by Stanford University and the Volkswagen Group of America ERL to tackle the Pikes Peak hill-climbing race course in the Rocky Mountains. The driverless vehicle navigates using GPS and advanced programming. Look Ma - no hands!

The design of the Audi TTS was a modern interpretation of the original graphics on the Audi Quattro, which won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb ‘Race To The Clouds’ in 1987.

“The vehicle wrap was an extremely technical install, which included surgically placing the top graphic around the car’s three antennas,” said Blik custom projects manager Nick Martin. “Volkswagen was thrilled with the final product. We enjoy working with Volkswagen and look forward to continuing our relationship.”

Watch the video of the autonomous TTS being tested on Pikes Peak. For additional images and to learn more about Blik Custom, click here. And for now, keep your hands on the wheel…

As we’ve told you over the past few weeks, Blik was a proud sponsor of Manifest Equality which closed last Sunday in Hollywood. We had the pleasure of working with organizers Yosi Sergant and Apple Via to help transform the raw space into a sprawling, pop-up art gallery with more than 200 artists including street artists Robbie Conal, Swoon and Shepard Fairey, and illustrative painters Barry McGee, Gary Baseman and Elizabeth McGrath. Plus one of our favorites – the JUSTICE Mural by El Mac, Retna and Kofie. Watch the time lapse installation video.

The five-day show was a smashing success with 10,000 people trekking through the gallery to see art in addition to great musical lineups that included Fitz and The Tantrums, Sea Wolf, Ben Lee and Crystal Method.

While Manifest Equality has ended, the fight for full and equal rights still marches on. Visit Courage Campaign to find out more about repealing Proposition 8.

Manifest Equality Shop graphics

Equality Arrow

Spray-painted mural by Retna, El Mac & Kofie

As Manifest Equality prepares for its VIP opening tonight, we are thrilled to present a sneak peek of the space. Blik proudly transformed the raw space into a massive pop-up art exhibition that goes live tonight with events continuing through Sunday.

We created the exterior banner for the giant sign outside; a quote “with certain unalienable rights, that among these are … liberty and the pursuit of happiness” that wraps around the interior of the space (pictured); interior and exterior graphics for the onsite shop; the logo/entrance wall that proclaims Manifest Equality’s mission statement and an exterior “Equality” arrow on Vine (pictured.)

“Being a part of Manifest Equality has been a tremendous experience for Blik,” said Scott Flora, co-founder of Blik. “The high caliber of artists involved have created an inspiring visual call to action that speak volumes about the fight for equal rights.”

The Manifest Equality gallery will be open to the public, March 3-7. Visit http://www.manifestequality.com/ for more details.

TheLofts@Cherokee Studios in Hollywood, California mark the first “green” LEED Platinum Certified mixed-use or market rate multifamily building in California. The development of 12 condo lofts and 2800 square feet of retail space pays homage to the amazing musical and Hollywood history of Cherokee Recording Studios, MGM Studios before it and all the artists who recorded music on the site. From Frank Sinatra to David Bowie to Dave Matthews…to now, BLIK. Four designers were chosen to vamp up 4 lofts for the Rock-n-Platinum Showcase: Dennis Design Group, Rogerio Carvalheiro, Cisco Home, and Jennifer Siegal & Sandra Sharma. PreFab designer extraordinaire, Jennifer Siegal of Office of Mobile Design, enlisted us to design, manufacture and install a giant graphic for her loft dubbed, “30 Seconds to Mars Penthouse”. She said she wanted something organic, tall, with the color yellow and we ran with it. Here’s the 18 foot high by 10 foot wide graphic our crackerjack designer conjured up. We think it rocks the house…but then again, we are biased.

A mere 200 feet from the sand and overlooking the famous (or is it infamous?) Venice Beach boardwalk, Hotel Erwin is totally rad. The rooftop bar alone, with its 360 ocean view, is worth the trip. But hotel planning gurus, Joie de Vivre, wanted the entire Erwin experience to be unique and capture the vibe of the Venice art scene. So, we decked out over 100 suites with graphics from our collaboration with Upper Playground. With artwork that mimics the graffiti artists who’ve characterized Venice for decades, our canvases ranged from glass doors to closet doors. We used each one to bring a bit of the energy outside, in, and tell a different story in every room.  So pack your sunscreen, kick up your feet and stay awhile!

We got to go to Greece this summer! Ok, no, not really. But our graphics did. One of our neighbors, clothing company, 291Venice, asked us to make some graphics for a special event hosted by one of their distributors in Mykonos, Greece. The graphics vamped up windows and walls to bring a bit of California sunshine to the Mediterranean. Coveted by celebrities and jet-setters everywhere, 291 is a collection of tees, hoodies, and bottoms created by 3 long-time friends. The aesthetic is inspired by the 1970’s beach culture of its namesake (Venice, 90291) and the global sophistication of today’s traveler. In other words, they’re perfect for kickin’ it in Greece. Sigh.

A couple of months ago, we told you we were hard at work on a custom mural for the Santa Monica Public Library, known for its innovative, one-of-a-kind “green” architecture and landscaping. The 539 square foot design for the Children’s Activity Center was conjured up by our stellar design team to both promote sustainability and ignite the imagination. We feel it hits the mark. Then again, we are biased. Let us know what you think! And keep your eyes peeled for more custom projects on the boards.