Giant Robot has teamed up with the crew for an exhibition titled, “Art of Problem Solving”. If you’ve seen the show, you understand why it’s worthy of an exhibition. It’s art on national television. And if you know the history of Ben Jones and Paper rad, you see his influence all over this… it’s Ben Jones, 100%.

Below are some images of a super limited zine that our friend, John Vermilyea (lead artist of the Problem Solverz) gave me. These are more like sketches and ideas in this zine, I’m sure you’ll be seeing concept art at the show as well, but, probably tons of finished, vibrant, tripped out pieces. Info on the show below.

Here is Jon Vermilyea… thanks for the zine Jon!

and, the show info…

The exhibition is at the Heath LA store until the end of the year. You can read an exclusive interview with Geoff McFetridge from our friends, Bobby Solomon and Kyle Fitzpatrick, of LAImYours.com. For the Angelenos, Geoff McFetridge along with potter/director of Heath LA, Adam Silverman, will be doing a studio talk on December 3rd. Mark your calendar.

Even more images from the show at our Flickr.

Jeff Hamada, Angie and I narrowed down the hundreds of entries down to five finalists, Jessica Fortner, Jake Pauls, Heiko Xlylophone, Alice Maca, and Andrew Lawandus. Then, we left the decision up to you. With over 1400 votes cast in a just a couple of days, designer Andrew Lawandus received the most votes and won! That winning design now a part of the Poketo archives and available in super limited edition on the Poketo site.

We caught up with Andrew to get to know him better and to see what’s been brewing in his part of the world.

Hi, Andrew. In three words, how would you describe your aesthetic?
Fresh. Thoughtful. Interesting

In our collaboration with Booooooom, we asked everyone to submit around the theme of “Before Life.” Could you tell us more about your design and where it originates?
When I hear the words “before life”, I automatically begin thinking of amoebas and microorganisms. The design actually originated from a drawing in my sketchbook of a one-eyed amoeba, made up of lines and triangles.

What are some of your favorite blogs that you visit daily?
A few of my favorite blogs are: Good, for my news fix; Book Cover Archive, for my book fix; Pirates Press, for my vinyl fix; and Devour, for my viral video fix.

Music seems to be a big influence on your work. What’s currently on your playlist?
Beach Fossils
The Drums
Surfer Blood
The Babies
Yuck
The Vaccines

Aside from the awesome wallet on the site, where else can people catch your work? What are you working on?
Currently, I’m working on two projects; the first is an info-graphic icon poster displaying the evolution of cell phones over the past 24 years. The second is complete re-design of the newest Death Cab For Cutie album “Codes and Keys”, on vinyl.

Andrew Lawandus’ winning wallet design.

What are you looking forward to in the next few months?
I’m really looking forward to the next few months when I’ll be getting to take a break from classes at Savannah College of Art and Design, and have time to work on writing songs with my bandmates.

Check out Andrew’s wallet at poketo.com.
Find more of Andrew on doworkdesign.com.
Check out booooooom at booooooom.com

Hanako left Japan in 1997 for Ireland where she studied Visual Arts and English. Then headed to England to explore her passion for Child Psychology, eventually finishing her degree from the University of London. Despite (or perhaps because of her studies), she found a renewed love for art and has since enchanted us with her exploration of nature, the animal kingdom, psychology, fantasy and her native culture.

We were curious to see how inspiration sprang from the mind of Hanako so we asked her to share a slice of her life with us. Hanako sent us a few snapshots of her daily life and with it we place ourselves in her proverbial shoes.

This is me and as you can see I’m heavily pregnant (9 months). My tummy is getting bigger and bigger every day. Can’t wait to see my daughter soon!

Check out Hanako’s wallet and mousepad.
Find more of Hanako at ilikesleeping.com.

Check out our new wallets on poketo.com.

This week, we’re saying hi to Scott Kitano, an educator, music maker and one of our regulars at Poketo events. Based on the cool, self-mixed CDs he’s given us, he has an awesome taste in music. You might remember him from earlier this year, when he channeled his love for music into a fundraiser for Japan. Here’s a little more about him:

Hi, Scott! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Scott Kitano and I am a teacher, musician, artist and someone who loves to cook.

Where in the world are you?
I am born and raised in Culver City but have also lived in Honolulu for about five years.(I just came back from a recent trip to Hawai`i where I found tons of cool patterns and design ideas.) I moved back to Culver City about three years ago to regain my inspiration. Plus, I missed Mexican food!!

We also know that you are a teacher and also a DJ and musician. What a cool combination! What subject do you teach? And what level?
I teach 9th grade Algebra 1. I started teaching in Kapolei, a city on the west side of Oahu. When I moved back to Los Angeles I taught at a school in the West Adams neighborhood. I enjoy teaching the kids at the 9th grade level because you can positively shape the next four years of their high school career. Everyone comes into a math class with predetermined disdain so I am motivated to change that. Learning math can be fun if it’s meaningful to the kids.

How did you come to be both teacher and musician?
Teaching is just an extension of being a performer. Playing music in front of people is just the same as giving a lecture to the students.

Could you tell us your earliest memory of music?
The earliest I can recall is listening to vinyl from a band called Kalapana (they’re like the Rolling Stones of Hawai`i), Mama’s and Papa’s and the Beach Boys. I also remember borrowing my brother’s Kool Moe Dee cassette tapes. The first CD I ever got was Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” which was right when the discman was first invented.

How does music make your life better?
Music is everything to me. It’s a soundtrack. It’s a memory. It’s history. It represents so many emotions. It can make you feel something that nothing else can make you feel. That is powerful.

You’ve given us some kickass music CDs, so we want to know, what’s your latest musical inspiration?
I have been producing music for over 10 years now right from my bedroom studio called Dojo Arigato Studios. I have a couple EPs I am working on for some musicians in Los Angeles (Ami, Tim & the G-minors, Miya) and my solo Scott Eats Ohtoro EP. The gem I am holding onto is the second record with my band Hearios. We have Aloe Blacc on a couple songs and they are amazing!!

What is ESO Music Art and Scott Eats Ohtoro? Could you tell us more about them?
ESO Music Art is my company where all my creative projects live. From albums to design work to re-salvaged lifestyle pieces to Hawaiian quilts, everything is thought of and created there. ESO has always been the name I gave my art and there is really no thought provoking reason behind it; I picked it because the letters are easy to work with. Being in Los Angeles has taken a new meaning which translates to “that”. So I guess it’s that music art from Scott.

Scott Eats Ohtoro is just saying what my favorite food is. Traveling to Japan and the love I have for that country, I wanted to showcase their appreciation of food.

How did you first find Poketo?
I went to a Felt Club art show that my friend told me about. I have always liked trees. I’m walking around and I see a cool looking tree on a shirt and I need to have it. Turns out it was a Poketo shirt and when I look at their other stuff I was instantly hooked.

What Poketo stuffs do you have at home or at work and could you show us how you use it?
I have a bunch of shirts, some mugs, some wallets, the apple vinyl print that my other brother gave me and stickers I use as bookmarks. When I am travelling, I always have something Poketo (During my recent trip to Honolulu, I came with nothing but Poketo shirts).

Scott’s traveling gear. All Poketo. Wow!

What do you think has been the most important life lesson you’ve learned so far?
Never give up. If there is a passion for something and outside forces are making it difficult to continue, you can’t give in. You can’t stop. Even if it hurts, you need to keep it going because in the end the journey will be worth it.

What’s next for Scott Kitano?
Well, I am going to be very busy. For my music, I am really excited to release the Hearios LP and to finish up the Septt Eats Ohtoro EP. I am working on a collection of my re-salvaged lifestyle products and my mom has just taught me how to sew so I am going to start whipping out some Hawaiian patchwork quilts. Oh yeah, I am also starting to brainstorm an autobiographical cookbook which will have my original recipes inspired by Japan, Hawai`i and California.

Thanks, Scott!
Thank you so much for the opportunity. I am really honored that Poketo has chosen to interview me. Thanks Angie and Ted!!!

Find more of Scott at ESO Music Art for all the songs, artwork, recipes and updates.

Know someone we should talk to for our next installment? Send us a quick note. We’ll be glad to hear from you.

Update: In honor of this interview, Scott just released a free to download EP, “Like to Love.” Listen here.

Colorful critters by DGPH.

Irreverent Martian humor by Rama Hughes.

Put your hands up for Keith Shore’s work.

Science and art mix with Chris Pew’s Disorderly Circumvolution.

Go minimal with Anne Cibola’s Radiating.

Find your style at poketo.com. Sale ends this Sunday, midnight!

If you’re moving into dorms, apartments or little corners this fall, don’t forget to get in on our 50% off sale on art prints and wall decals. And keep these easy tips in mind:

Blank walls are white canvases, add your style and go!
Keep your walls neutral, but add a row of framed art to create a great contrast without chaos.

Art prints bring a pop of color into a neutral space. A great piece can also be a conversation starter.

Shop for space savers
Look for furniture that does double duty or folds into a compact space, so you can maximize the space in your apartment. Some pieces might be made especially for close quarters, but exercise your creativity and you can often find other uses for pre-existing items.

Swap out one plant for utensils on this mountable planter and you instantly have a bit of green with extra space.

Do without walls, but do divide your space
Walls constrict and nobody ever wants to run into them. Divvy up your living area by adding a visual element. Why not use a plant, a stack of books or wall decals as a divider?

Have you found some great tips to spruce up a small space? We’d love to hear them! Share your photos and tips on the comments below!