MATTEL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL UCLA
We are very excited to share our work for Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, part of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Mattel asked Blik to art direct all aspects of the project as well as design, manufacture and install wall graphics at the Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA Play project. Housed within the I.M. Pei designed Ronald Reagan UCLA  Medical Center, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA was named with a generous gift from Mattel Children’s Foundation.

The facility is beautifully designed with minimalist details and clean lines. The goal of the Hospital Play project is to infuse the space with…well, a sense of playfulness essential to development, learning, healing and growth. The project started with a pilot phase, focusing on the 5th floor. We worked with one of our collaborators, Patrick Hruby, to create a magical world for the kids complete with an enchanted forest, whimsical garden and an undersea adventure. The big unveiling was during the hospital’s annual holiday party in December and was a huge hit with the patients and their parents. We think the photos tell the story best. The project will continue this year as it expands to other floors.

 


 
LEO BURNETT
Leo Burnett, the premiere, powerhouse international ad agency came to us to manufacture and install custom graphics throughout the 21st floor of their Chicago headquarters. The centerpiece was a giant illustrated mural spanning two walls and a glass door. The challenge was to create and install wall panels that appear seamless leaving only the spectacular artwork as the focal point. See the giant numbers below? We screen printed them directly onto the wall and each number was designed out of tiny, intricate elements such as rockets, text, slinkies and musical notes.

GRUPO GALLEGOS
Grupo Gallegos, an ad agency focusing on the Hispanic market, asked us to bring an original illustrated mural to life in their redesigned office space in sunny Huntington Beach, CA. The challenge of the large, 46′ x 9′ mural was to capture and maintain the integrity of the detailed sketched strokes through seemingly seamless full color printed panels.

 
KEITH HARING POP SHOP
Last October, Pace Prints in New York City had a Keith Haring exhibition of prints and small-scale multiples by Haring. The exhibit included a special Pop Shop installation. Blik was brought on board by the Keith Haring Foundation to help recreate the famed Pop Shop mural environment. Blik used original artwork from The Haring Estate to create wall panels and wrap the entire “pop-up” Pop Shop from floor to ceiling. We think you’ll agree that the exhibit really “popped!”

Whew. Just reading this makes us tired. Nice work team!

Every month Blik is faced with the tough decision of picking our next fan of the month winner. This time, when we were face-to-face (literally) with this entry we just couldn’t say no! So we’re crowning Philip Johnston and his hilarious mug shot our February Fan of the Month winner. Don’t you think he looks like he just stepped out of the Flying Headcloud wall graphic?

Think you got what it takes to be our next fan of the month? Show off your photography skills and send us some shots. We’ve put put a call for entries for our March Fan of the Month. Post a photo of Blik in your home or office to our Facebook wall, send us a tweet or email pr(at)whatisblik(dot)com. Just get your photo in by February 29, 2012 to be entered. The lucky winner gets a $25 Blik gift certificate, a Blik tee and a photo in our Fan of the Month photo albums on Facebook and Flickr. The search is on!

GIVEAWAY: Shout your love from the virtual rooftops and your buddies at Blik and Knock Knock will reward the best aw-shucks-tear-jerking-romantic anecdote with a bundle of true love. Give us the best falling-in-love story and receive a lovetastic prize pack from Blik and Knock Knock.

PRIZE PACK:

Untitled Heart wall graphic from Blik
Lover’s Vouchers
100 Hugs
Why I Really Really Like You Pad
Sweet Nothing Sticky
Pickups and Come-Ons

Pull at our heartstrings. No, really, please do. We have our tissues ready… Let’s hear those love stories!

Details: Comment right here on OUR blog by 11:59pm PST on 2/1/12 in order to be eligible to win. The winner will be announced on 2/2/2012. (US and Canada only.)

UPDATE: Congrats to Jill Welch. You’ve been selected as our winner! Thanks to everyone who shared their stories with us.

This Valentine’s Day we’re teaming up with our friends at Knock Knock and giving you 2 ways and 2 days to prepare for the big day. Day 1 is for all those broken hearts out there.

GIVEAWAY: Let Blik and Knock Knock be your shoulder to cry on this Valentine’s Day (sans the physical shoulder). Vent your worst breakup tale on Knock Knock’s blog and you could win a bundle of Blik and Knock Knock prizes in return. Love hurts. We know. So one lucky winner will receive an epic prize pack full of goodies to heal that broken heart. And while you’re there, be a pal and “like” Knock Knock on Facebook.

PRIZE PACK:

Heart Breakout wall graphic from Blik. Color: red.
Breakups and Rejections for All Occasions
Things You Do That Really Piss Me Off Pad
Thanks for Being Stamp
Rate-A-Date Pad

And for all you love sick puppies, we haven’t forgotten about you. Come back to the Blik blog tomorrow (February 1) to check out Day 2 of our Valentine’s Day giveaway. You’ll be commenting here to win then. Don’t worry, Blik will always be your valentine despite whether you’re a ‘forget-me-not’ or ‘forget-me-ASAP’ type of person.

Details: Comment on Knock Knock’s blog (not here!) by 11:59pm PST on 1/31/12 in order to be eligible to win. The winner will be announced on 2/2/2012. (US and Canada only.)

UPDATE: Congrats to Dawn Taylor – you’ve been selected as our winner. Your break-up story had us chuckling. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories with us.

“I live with my husband Michael and our two kids Sam (3 yrs) and Kate (17 mos.) We moved into the house three years ago after living in a condo in Marina del Rey. Moving from a one bedroom into a house meant we had a lot more wall space to cover. We’ve been fans of Blik since its inception (years before I started working here) and had tested out Organic, Eames Crosspatch and Fly in our old place.”

“The first Blik graphics were in Sam’s nursery (now Kate’s room.) Seeing that we live in LA, Blik was my go to option for what could safely hang over the crib. We picked Mel Lim’s Bambinis in custom colors. My thought was that they could easily work in a boy or girls room and I liked that the designs were kid-friendly, but not babyish. When Kate was born, we traded in the blue decals for pink ones. Now that she’s getting older, I’m thinking about what her next wall decals should be…”

“The painted striped walls are my favorite part of Sam’s room, but if you ask him he’d tell you the best part is the robot sheets. A friend recommended the robot and martian canvases from Oopsy Daisy and they turned out to be perfect match for his robot-themed big boy room.”


 

A stroll down the hall leads us to Sam and Kate’s playroom which is filled with brightly colored toys and what’s that we spy? A retired Threadless wall graphic, “The Day The Fire Brigade Went on Strike.” One of our favorites.

Downstairs leads us to the living room. Behind the couch are a series of photographs by Mickey Smith: Word Study and More Books. “We searched for months to try to find the right art for the living room. When we saw the Volume collection by Mickey Smith on 20×200 we were sold. Not only did the colors match the pillows to a T, but we loved the story behind it – an ongoing project documenting bound periodicals and professional journals in public libraries.”

Above the fireplace sits “Hannah” by LA-based photographer Alex Prager. “Michael and I went to Alex Prager’s first solo show in 2007 and it was love at first sight. We know that it’s the kind of piece that evokes a love it or hate it reaction.”

Last, but not least we take a peek into the family room and kitchen where it’s clear that kids live here. Our eyes stop on the Slim Aarons photograph “Poolside Gossip” taken at Neutra’s famous Kaufman House in Palm Springs. We immediately have leisure-envy and wish we were sitting by the pool with a cocktail in-hand.

The kids break our trance and happily show off their easel where the budding artists are learning to color and paint. Hanging above the easel on an industrial metal clip is “We Are So Good Together” by Dylan Fareed, also from 20×200.

And what we assume is an homage to living close to the beach, the family has collected sand from various beaches both far and near. Ok, now that has us wanting to slip off to the beach.

Thanks for the tour, Heather. We’ll see everyone back in March for the next Blik in our Homes.

We’ve got fresh new work from Blik Studio (the custom arm of Blik) to share with you. Today, we took a trip to IGN in Beverly Hills to install two custom pieces. If you’re not familiar with IGN, it’s only the premiere site for video game reviews, news, trailers and videos.

For the mural, we designed a sweet mash-up with IGN’s logo – crossing “IGN” with iconic video game characters (spot your favorites) to create a 20′ wide graphic for a prominent wall in their office. We also installed a 100′ long runner (yep, also designed by us) using various levels from Super Mario Bros.

 


 

Who is that masked man?

Are you a fan of colorful, modern graphics? We’ve heard a number of you are. That’s why we are excited that our first launch of 2012 is the return of renowned fine artist and celebrated graphic designer, Rex Ray. Rex is back this time around with two new designs under his R2 Lab collection: Verdant Flow and Radiant Velocity. Similar to his first collection with Blik, Verdant Flow and Radiant Velocity embody Rex’s signature modern aesthetic with abstract images and hand-cut shapes.

Do the new graphics look familiar? We did a sneak preview with the fabulous Fab.com last fall and what do you know, they all sold out! Not that we let that go to our heads… Just sayin’ — people like them!

GIVEAWAY: To celebrate the launch, we are giving away Verdant Flow and Radiant Velocity to two lucky winners. This time around, we are going to reward Pinterest fanatics (and truth be told we are quickly falling into that category.)

Winning is easy. We’ve pinned both graphics on our Blik 2012 Releases board. Repin the one you’d like to win: Verdant Flow or Radiant Velocity. All repinners will be entered to win the random drawing where two winners will picked. Winners will be announced on Friday, January 20, 2012. And while you’re on Pinterest, why don’t you follow us there as well?

WINNERS: Congrats to Justine Ortiz and Lenay Snyder! Thanks to everyone who re-pinned our Rex Ray pins. Keep an eye out for more Pinterest contests.

Not on Pinterest yet? We have a few invites to share. Just comment below with your email address to get one.

Baby on the way? It’s not too soon to start thinking ahead. Time is ticking and those little bundles of joy won’t stay small forever! Don’t miss an inch with our new “Growing like a Weed” Growth Chart by Wee Gallery.

This whimsical wall graphic beautifully marks each passing year with delicate cursive numbers along a tree and its branches. A playful bunny, fluttering butterfly and two ladybugs greet your little grower along the way. Make Blik a yearly tradition with your family and let the growing begin!

Patience and perseverance. That’s what it takes to be a Blik Fan of the Month winner. Or at least that’s what it took for Paddy Dwyer of London when he put up Stone Jungle. Way to go Paddy! Patience prevails.

Now, why don’t you make it your New Year’s resolution to get that Blik graphic you ordered up on the wall. We’ve put out the call for entries for our February Fan of the Month. Post a photo of Blik in your home or office on our Facebook wall, send us a tweet or email pr(at)whatisblik(dot)com. Just get your photo in by January 31, 2012 to be entered. The lucky winner gets a $25 Blik gift certificate, a Blik tee and a photo in our February Fan of the Month photo album on Facebook and Flickr. Good luck!

1. Jerinne, Blik co-founder

What the %#@ Taz by Dan Witz

“I’m a huge fan of the Pattern Wall Tiles, especially Fishwall since it’s up in my home, but my favorite for 2011 are the Dan Witz products but especially What the %$#@ Taz. I have a soft spot for that Tasmanian devil.”

2. Nick, Manager of Operations & Custom Projects

Psychedelic Garden ~ Pattern Wall Tiles by Threadless

“I love patterns, wallpaper, textiles and have invested hours researching new medias to help us take the first step in becoming eco-friendly. I love the idea of being able to cover an entire room or accent wall with a single art piece. It’s truly AWESOME.”

3. Ryan, Designer

A Mutual Bond by Rex Ray

“My favorite is Rex Ray’s A Mutual Bond. The textures and use of layering bring a level of sophistication our other products have yet to explore.”

4. Eduardo, Production

Muppet Crew by Disney

“I like the classic Muppet designs.  I’m a Muppet traditionalist.”

5. Sonja, Custom Projects Manager

Babybot Land by Babybot

“Babybot Land because it’s quirky and makes me smile. Smiling is good.”

6. Margo, Print

Peeking Muppets by Disney

“I like the quality of the print, the colors and the size. Peeking Kermit is my favorite.”

7. Heather, PR & Marketing

Flutter Re-Stik by Christy Flora

“I like the delicate pastel-colored butterflies of Flutter with their subtle burst of color and whimsy as they float across the wall.”

8. Kim, PR & Marketing

Bird Flurry ~ Pattern Wall Tiles by Threadless

“My favorite is Bird Flurry Pattern Wall Tiles because they are so easy to install and I can get really creative with them. Hooray for no more boring light switches and sockets in my apartment!”

9. Uly, Shipping

Imaginary Castle by Patrick Hruby

“My pick is Imaginary Castle — it’s stylish and colorful.”

10.  Scott, Blik co-founder

Conquered ~ Pattern Wall Tiles by Threadless

“Pattern Wall Tiles are a fresh new concept that pushed us in an innovative direction. I like that they encourage people to unleash their creativity by cutting, moving and combining patterns. I had fun putting them up in my own home.”