Calm & Collected are a boderline dystopic, psychedelic London creative studio. I use the word ‘dystopic’ because their designs remind me of things you’d see at the end of civilisation- when all cultures and colours and eras have melded together, creating something never seen before.

With cartoon inspired influences, Calm & Collected is what you’d get if you put the Lazy Oaf team in an art studio and gave them magic mushrooms. Melding the bright, 80’s garish colours that have made a recent resurgence in the design scene, and colourful cartoon figures from all manners of branding (from Donald Duck to the iPhone).

Calm & Collected’s imagery is what you would get if all laws governing advertising were erased, and artists were asked to take over. Their talented and tongue in cheek designs are a sort of anti-branding, whilst including the traditional symbols of Western capitalist society (Mickey Mouse, Apple, etc), they’ve simultaneously twisted and distorted these symbols beyond commercial use.

With an eye for fifties advertising and vintage designs, Calm & Collected will be the first to push the boundaries of design and what they can get away with, re-invigorating the scene with a touch of humour and finesse.

http://www.wearecalmandcollected.com

Words / Ruby Giles