Album Art (The Best of 2011)

As MMXI comes to a close, we're counting the days to MMXII and checking out all the albums on Pitchfork's Top Albums of 2011 annual list. Design inspiration comes from so many places and that definitely includes our favorite jams. So today's post is in honor of some of the most inspiring album art we found on the list.

Numbered in no particular order (and then shown in random order) above...
1. Cults Cults because we want to shop where they shop
2. Panda Bear Tomboy because screenprints, band Ts and feathered bangs ARE COOL
3. Jay-Z & Kanye West Watch the Throne because wherever this is is where we want to be
4. Clams Casino Instrumentals because it's pretty
5. Kurt Vile Smoke Ring For My Halo because it's pretty and the blinds look like a SKU
6. St. Vincent Strange Mercy because it's provocative
7. Fleet Foxes Helplessness Blues because it's whimsical
8. Julianna Barwick The Magic Place because it looks warm and earthy
9. Wild Flag Wild Flag because it's a splash of color

And by the way, Happy New Year! Looking forward to new projects and new inspirations in 2012.

KRS Releases White Paper

“Understanding Today’s Shopper: The Epicurean Miser” decodes the opposing motivations of today’s consumer and lays the groundwork for retailers to create a value-based environment their customers will look forward to visiting again and again.

Leading retail design firm, King Retail Solutions (KRS), announced today the release of its most recent white paper.

“Understanding Today’s Shopper: The Epicurean Miser” cites both statistical and empirical evidence showing that shoppers, while still frugal, are poised to treat themselves to some of the finer things once again, with some caveats that reflect today’s economy.

The paper suggests tactics as to how retailers can strategically appeal to a customer who believes they shouldn’t spend too much and at the same time wants to feel like they’re indulging in some of the niceties they’ve been denying during this economic downturn.

To view “Understanding Today’s Shopper: The Epicurean Miser” online, visit: http://kingrs.com/whitepaper/epicureanmiser.pdf .