Andy Irons, I surf because… (short film)

3X World Champion Andy Irons has passed away. Sad, sad news for his family and the surfing community. Read the official Billabong press release at Surfer Mag. Aloha Andy, rest in peace.

Revolutionary Pantone Inc. launches a colourful new realm to their colourful universe. Introducing The Pantone Hotel™ Brussels…

Pantone Inc. revolutionised the graphic arts world by introducing their globally recognised colour matching system some 40+ years ago. Continuing with their innovative approach, the company have just added to their growing consumer offerings with the recent opening of first Pantone Hotel™ in Brussels.

This colourful hotel is based on the iconic Pantone™ colour matching system used by art directors and designers alike and demonstrates their expansion into more realms of this design-driven universe. In recent years consumer spin-offs including the Pantone™ Chip inspired mugs created by W2 to Sonia Spencer cufflinks and Alpa stationery and bags have graced this colourful sector of the consumer marketplace. The hotel offers the largest selection of Pantone™ inspired products worldwide, all available for purchase. Smart marketing.

Centrally located just steps from Avenue Louise, a glamorous shopping and business district named for a king’s daughter and now a muse to modern-day designers, the boutique hotel combines a chic, colorful design aesthetic with comfortable, well-appointed guest rooms.

Whether you’re a cosmopolitan adventurer or looking for an inspired event or meeting venue, the Pantone Hotel™ is an array of colourful delights and playful surprises. Designed by Belgian interior designer, Michel Penneman, and Belgian architect, Olivier Hannaert, each of the hotel’s seven floors are enlightened by different colour palettes to complement guests’ emotions with distinctive hues – whether vivid or subdued.

Guest rooms are graphic art in themselves – white walls and bedding provide a clean, crisp canvas for saturated pops of vibrant color, each room features photographic installations created by renowned Belgian photographer, Victor Levy, and include a spectrum of vibrant Pantone™ Colors to create a unique ambiance. The 59 affordably priced rooms and suites empower guests to transform their travels by selecting a room that complements their mood through colour. The rooms and suites are patterned after one of seven distinct Pantone™ colour palettes and many also offer unparalleled views of Brussels.

Two custom, top-floor meeting rooms are available for private events and other functions. Meeting rooms can accommodate up to 20 people and are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual and technical equipment. Ideal for summer cocktail parties or events, the rooftop terrace, complete with its own bar, can be rented for private functions of up to 100 guests. Pantone™ Color consultants are also available by appointment for informal colour consultations or to present educational seminars on colour psychology and trends.

Rooms and packages can be booked by visiting www.pantonehotel.com

Life as a graphic designer would be very different without the Pantone™ system. An industry standard which, unlike others, is a pioneer within its sector always seeking to evolve and inspire… no dusty, archaic rule book here. Perhaps one of the most appealing factors of the design industry is the universal proactive attitude towards “change”. Unlike other industries, as designers we embrace change, not fear it. Unsurprisingly then, I’m off to “proactively” find a really good excuse to justify a trip to Brussels!

Consumerism never looked so graphically seductive.

The San Juan Surf (Ad)venture

As the saying goes; a change is as good as a rest. One of our designers, Charlie Brown (yep, that is her real name), decided that the sea down on the south coast, in our local spot on Wittering, could no longer satisfy her love of surfing in her spare time.

Having worked with some leading design agencies including Deep and the Nokia design team and with clients such as the Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly and Centenary; she now, as well as working with The Neon Hive, is changing the face of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Charlie and boyfriend, Sean Dennis, took a leap of faith just over a year ago and relocated to the warm and beautiful waters of Nicaragua in Central America.

The new lifestyle has fuelled her creativity; utilising a combination of their skills, to build a online tourism directory. SanJuanSurf.com provides vital information, to locals and visitors alike, amidst a rapid growth in tourism. During their time in San Juan, they have witnessed the town become busier, the social life grow and more and more people start to fill local bars and restaurants. Despite the rapid growth, they realised there was still so little information available to people looking to find out where to stay, where to go, what to do or where to catch the best breaks! The directory is designed to help local businesses promote themselves to their community and the tourist trade, to mutual benefit.

Surfing is an intrinsic part of life in San Juan del Sur. Local legend, Rex Calderon (pictured here flying across a wave), recently returned from the Junior World Championships in Ecuador having won the title of Junior Central American Champion. Between juggling the launch of SanJuanSurf.com and some of our projects, Charlie and Sean try to make it out to one of the many beaches close to town - Playa Madera, Remanso or Playa Yankee - for a surf as often as possible and maintain a healthy work/life balance. Their home, complete with stunning view overlooking the Bay of San Juan del Sur, is pretty close to a newly built statue of Jesus which is rumoured to be only 3 foot shorter than the one in Rio de Janeiro!

SanJuanSurf.com features some truly awesome photography and the gallery is updated frequently with the latest surf images. So whether you want to plan the ultimate surf adventure, experience a real fiesta or just want some R&R, no doubt SanJuanSurf.com will come in mighty handy! All that remains to be said is, please help us support the San Juan community… whilst I start planning our next team holiday to Nicaragua!

For more information or if you’re interested in becoming an affiliate, advertiser or editorial contributor, please get in touch with our good friends, Charlie and Sean: hola@sanjuansurf.com