Author: Igor

  • Naranjo Etxeberria Studio

    Naranjo Etxeberria Studio

    Miguel Naranjo and Diego Etxeberria are the founders of Spanish design studio Naranjo Etxeberria. Based in Madrid, Miguel and Diego work in different fields – ranging from art direction to branding – and are responsible for Cookbook, a magazine inviting a new artist in each issue to curate a selection of recommendations in music, literature, cinema and art.

    To find out more about this creative duo, we visited their studio in Madrid and asked them a few questions. Read their answers below the images.

    Photos by Iciar J. Carrasco

    www.naranjoetxeberria.com

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    Please tell us about your background. What did you guys do before Naranjo Etxeberria?

    Miguel: I was born in Madrid 30 year ago and studied graphic design at “Escuela de arte Nº 10”. I worked in different advertising agencies and design studios for over 7 years. Two years ago I started a personal editorial project called Cookbook Magazine, which won a Laus Award in 2013.

    Diego: I was born in San Sebastian 28 years ago. I studied Creative Advertising in Bilbao and worked in couple of advertising agencies in Madrid over the past 4 years. I’ve also published a magazine with some of my disposable camera pictures and have been involved in several photography exhibitions.

    How did you meet and what made you found your design studio?

    Diego: We meet in a Kebab takeaway. I was working in an advertising agency with Manu Ridocci and we meet with a friend of him to grab something to eat. That friend was Miguel. After that, he came to work with us in the same agency and we started working together on different projects. After working for 2 years in that place, we decided to start our own studio.

    We both have different visions that help us cover projects in a more global way – it is a mix between our past experience and what we want to do at the studio.

    Is it easy to run a creative business in Spain at the moment? What has been the hardest part?

    Miguel & Diego: It is never the perfect moment to run a creative business like this, but if you want to do it, the earlier you start with it, the better. We think that there are lots of thing to do, create and share currently in Spain… but we still have a lot to learn about being entrepreneurs. That’s our new job: learning how to sell our work and find new clients all the time. Having said that, we are very excited with this new beginning.

    You’ve worked with many clients and on many projects so far. Please tell us about a project that is special for you.

    Miguel & Diego: We are so lucky because since the first day, we have been able to work with amazing clients like Vincent Moon, Absolut Vodka, Nowness, Curador Magazine, La Vermutería, Good2b, Sobremesa taller, Cookbook Magazine…

    A special project would be “Cuadernos de su padre y de su madre” (Notebooks of their father and mother). It is a project made by us at the studio. We make handmade notebooks and each one is unique and different from the others. Nowadays everything is on the internet and everything is ephemeral. That’s why real things have more value and why we like to make objects, thing that you can touch and use.

    What does the future hold for Naranjo Etxeberria?

    The future is changing all the time. Last week we didn’t even know that  in less than a month, we were going to be teaching Visual Communication at IED . It is a new challenge because it is our first time, but we can’t wait to do it. Also, we are going to be teaching about naming and visual identity, a couple of thing we love to work on.

  • The Monocle Guide to Good Business

    The Monocle Guide to Good Business

    We are big fans of Monocle Magazine and their Monocle Radio shows. Founded in 2007 by Tyler Brûlé, also the founder of Wallpaper magazine, Monocle provides opinions on business, culture, fashion, design and international affairs.

    A year ago, together with German publisher Gestalten, Monocle published its first book – The Monocle Guide to Better Living. The Monocle Guide to Good Business is the second book in the series that has just hit the shelves.

    The book takes you on a journey from getting started and creating a brand to advice on how to manage your employees and even decorate your office. Whether you’re about to start a new business or just daydreaming about it, The Monocle Guide to Good Business is a great source of advice and inspiration. Each page is full of beautiful photography and illustrations, as well as mini essays introducing each aspect of being an entrepreneur. As told by Tyler Brûlé in the foreword – “the best way to be inspired and stay on top of your game is to get out in the world and observe the people who are doing it best”.

    www.book.monocle.com

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  • Staycation Benefits

    2020 is the year of the staycation due to the coronavirus pandemic, but people are finding that this type of holiday can actually bring many benefits and is preferable to international travel in some cases. Many experts believe that people will begin to opt for staycations over holidays abroad even after the pandemic and it is easy to see why when you look at the main benefits:

    Image via Unsplash

    Scenery

    The UK is an area of stunning natural beauty and many people are only just starting to discover this. There are places that are all over the UK that would make for a perfect holiday for those that prioritize scenery whether you are looking for a beach holiday, a city break or an escape in the countryside. 

    Savings

    One of the most obvious benefits of a staycation is that you can make huge savings. Holidays abroad can be fantastic and a great way to escape, but when you factor in the cost of travel it can make these difficult to afford. This is less of an issue with a staycation as you can simply jump in the car or get the train.

    Take Your Pets

    For animal lovers, you do not have to worry about finding someone to look after your beloved pet and worrying about them all holiday as you can simply take them with you. This can bring an extra dimension to a holiday, especially if you have a dog and you are somewhere that you can go for nice long walks together.

    Easier to Plan

    When planning a holiday overseas, there are many factors to consider such as how you will get to the airport, what time to arrive, how you will get from the airport to your accommodation, what to do about food etc. This is not the case with a staycation as they are much easier to plan. Many people are buying caravans from places like Park Holidays which is a fantastic idea and can make vacation planning incredibly straightforward. This was explained by Park Holidays:

    “We believe the combination of health risks, the expense and hassle of overseas travel and uncertainty around Brexit has highlighted the appeal of caravan and lodge ownership at a holiday park. Being able to jump in your car and be on holiday in an hour or two whenever you choose is very appealing to people who have been locked down for several months”.

    As you can see, a staycation can bring many benefits and not just for 2020 so it looks like they are here to stay.

  • Decorating for family living

    Maintaining a beautiful house while bringing up children can feel like an overwhelming challenge. Children are wonderful, but you learn to accept that things will be broken and there’ll be unavoidable mess here and there. You want to have a pristine house, but it’s important that everyone in the family feels comfortable there. Below, we explore how you can still decorate your house in a pretty way without worrying about the children accidentally creating a mess.

    Image via Unsplash

    Storage and clutter

    Thinking outside the box with storage space can help you carry out a speedy tidy up before guests arrive. You can create elegant storage space by hanging baskets up on the walls to act as decorative shelves. Plus you can include draws subtly behind your sofa to combine your sitting and storage areas. Go for a kid-friendly coffee table too – one that you won’t worry about damage to, without sharp edges. 

    Walls

    Invest in the right paint to deal with what your kids throw at you: from smudges, drawings to other marks on the walls. Kitchen paint is grease proof, wipeable and durable enough to cope with most things your little ones can offer. Meanwhile, bathroom paint can keep mould and moisture away from your bathroom walls, making it safe for everyone.

    Flooring

    Choose your type of floor carefully when considering dealing with mess. Wooden floors can look classy and they’re easier to keep clean than carpeted floors. However, your children will play anywhere, and you need to make sure it’s safe. A large rug can help ensure that your children have something soft to play on above the wooden floor. Plus they can add a cosy dimension to your room, with an endless array of styles and choices to go for. 

    Create space for everyone

    Your living room needs to work for everyone and offer the whole family a chance to relax. Perhaps go for a large corner sofa, alongside some other small perches to rest on. These could be bean bags, ottomans and other little chairs so that everyone has somewhere to chill out. With a sofa bed in the living room you can also have a snuggly night in, by watching a movie together as everyone stretches out in the bed. 

    It can be difficult to combine comfort with kid-friendly, but by following the above advice you can decorate your house for everyone. 

  • 5 Male Fall Fashion Trends in 2021

    The fashion industry is a multi-million dollar global business, and it’s not a surprise that men’s fashion has evolved tremendously over the years. Men have always been one of the hardest customers for clothing stores to please. 

    However, men’s fashion has changed drastically over the years, with men now showing more interest in fashion trends and preferring to wear something different every day. So, let’s check out the current trends in men’s fashion for fall:

    Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

    The Trendy Brogue

    In this age of fashion trends, shoes have become a necessity. From the olden days till now, shoes have been something that people need to complete their look. 

    Finding the perfect pair of shoes for fall can be difficult. However, if you’re looking for the next silk shoes for your outfits, you can try the trendy Mens Lace up Check Brogue. 

    Trench Coat

    Will Trench Coats ever go out of style? No. Never. Trench coats are an iconic part of men’s fashion. They’re the perfect coat for any season – they keep you warm in winter and comfortable in warmer months.

    Men’s trench coats come in various shapes and sizes, but one thing that they all have in common is their versatility. Trench coats don’t just work well with any clothing style, but they also serve multiple purposes – the most popular being the mix between a jacket or blazer and raincoat.

    The Perfect Suit

    We can see that this trend is limited to the workplace and creeping into workplaces like hospitals, law firms, maybe even a date. However, the suit isn’t just for the office. The perfect suit is making its way to the trendy scene, with various styles and concepts. 

    What does this tell us? Suits are now more popular than ever before, and with the versatility of the suit, it’s a fashion trend that is here to stay.

    Denim Jeans

    The fashion industry is always changing, and it’s a cycle that keeps coming around. The latest trend in men’s fashion is denim jeans. Men’s denim jeans are an easy way to add some flair to your style without spending too much time getting dressed up. 

    They are perfect for when you need something more casual but still want a bit of a dressier feel in your ensemble. You can wear denim jeans with a suit, blazer, or even with the following trend.

    Polo Knitted Trends

    The Polo Knitted Jumper is a fashion trend that is available in different colours. Although it can be used for all seasons, it can especially be worn during spring and summer because of its light material. It’s a fashion trend that is popular once again, right on time for fall.  

    It also has a polo collar, which gives the jumper a masculine touch. Knitted wear has seen an amazing boom in men’s fashion, which has been interesting to watch. From the cashmere sweater to the knitted pullover, men’s fashion is pulling one surprising trend, one after another.

    It makes you excited to see what 2022 has to offer.