Our Cool Blog

Zephyr Gonzalez is not merely a graphic designer; he's an alchemist of pixels and imagination, a modern-day sorcerer who conjures breathtaking visual experiences from the mundane canvas of digital screens. Born and raised in the heart of the Lone Star State, Zephyr's journey to becoming an enigmatic creative force is as captivating as the designs he weaves. The Genesis of an Iconoclast Zephyr's story is one of unexpected divergence from tradition. Born into a family of ranchers in a remote corner of Texas, he was destined to follow in the footsteps of generations tending to cattle under the vast Texan...

What does Austin have to do with the Space Race? Well, in the fictional alternate history Apple TV series For All Mankind, Wayne Cobb, the husband of the first female astronaut is a graphic artist that lives a Bohemian lifestyle, even introducing cannabis to other astronauts. Andt hanging prominently in his apartment, visible in multiple episodes, is a poster for the Vulcan Gas Company (see images of the posters by Gilbert Shelton, a pioneer of the underground comix movement). Gilbert Shelton's posters attracted Austin's local counter-culture to the rock music venue Vulcan Gas Company in the 1960s. Set decorator Dianna Freas spoke about...

For more than100 years, graphic tees have integrated themselves into America's fashion, function and fandom.  Here's a decade-by-decade look at the history of the tee shirt in America. 1. In the late 1800s, an early image of baseball's Baltimore Orioles (who would move to NY and become the Yankees in 1903) show players with half-sleeved logo shirts, possibly the first graphic tee produced in the U.S. 2. In 1913, the U.S. Navy officially adopted what is considered the first American t-shirt. The collarless undershirts featured a “crew” neckline, short sleeves, and more fitted “T-shape.” The sleeves of the early design...

Yestercool: Today, I'm joined by Skilar J, a graphic designer with Yestercool and someone with a unique perspective on design. Skilar, thank you for joining us.Skilar J: Thank you for having me. This is cool.Yestercool: So, Skilar, what makes for an impactful design in your opinion?Skilar J: For me, an impactful design is something that speaks to people on an emotional level. It needs to be able to evoke a feeling, whether that's nostalgia, excitement, or inspiration. There’s a lot of stuff on Yestercool that inspires me. So I find it a stimulating pace to work.Yestercool: Interesting. How do you...