Pallone!

Spent the weekend thinking about our last post and the reference made to balloons. We love balloons, but why? Because they're whimsical? Colorful? The aesthetic of the balloon is not usually pondered because nobody wants just one balloon, preferring, like these two bathing beauties, the rainbow effect of the "whole bunch."

But there's something beautiful about just one or two balloons. It's unexpected and compelling, like seeing someone carrying just one large flower.

And while we often find comfort in bunches, there's always a place for the singular. So where do these squeaky, rubbery, colorful objects fit into the world of design world? And how can we capture their ethereal quality with paper and ink?

Graffiti art by Bansky, South Bank, London. Like the boy in "The Red Balloon," it is a poignant symbolization of dreams.

The illustration and the photograph below convey movement in their compositions, drawing the eye diagonally across the image. In both, the elements of balloons, outstretched limbs, and empty negative space give each piece a more graphic, less painterly quality.

While we love the compositions above, we also love the aspect of surprise.  The urban, industrial setting of the wedding photograph below, along with the oversized, bright balloons and the bride's pink dress, is comical, ironic, and fun! And below, the combination of the "Lazy Dog" and his serious, fashionable owner is totally absurd...but awesome!

Below are some of our favorite "balloon" designs that beautifully translate all of these concepts. Enjoy!

From designer Kate Gilman, this letterpress postcard relates a sense of trapped space and time.

Designed and printed by Elizabeth Evans of Wildhorse Press, we love the way the typography works within the space of the balloon. An uplifting message, literally.

Fill-in party invitations by Seven Sparrows in Sydney, Australia. Love the color, the diagonal lines, and the simplicity of the design.