Trends: Illustration Nation with Design For Mankind

A thinker, a lover. A writer, a dreamer. A mover, a shaker?

Erin Loechner is the founder and writer/editor of the fabulous design and style blog, Design for Mankind. ("because beauty lies in the details of design. in the pencil shavings, in the blueberry waffles. the vintage dress, framed portrait, old postcard. design is inevitable. celebrated. design for mankind.") In her spare time, she works on her novel about hair. (Yes, hair, and it’s fabulous. The novel, not her hair.) When she’s not writing about hair, she’s playing with her dogs. Or eating hummus. Or surfing.

Also, she lied about the surfing thing.

Here Erin weighs in on illustration trends on Etsy. Her picks are modern, stark (lots of black and white!) and totally inspirational. Enjoy the design!

Laurie Gilbert of Elle UK tells me that this summer, "If this summer were a high school, the art nerd would be crowned homecoming king (or queen!)." Lucky for you, we’ve got some great nominees right here at Etsy (all nerds aside).


Death 44 tee: $27 from LuchaWorkshop
Illustration never hurt so good.


Village tee: $17 from Timberps
It takes a village to raise a t-shirt.


Circles 1 original drawing: $35 from PengwynneArt
Circle up now: ten hut.


Owl fetish earrings: $15 from TillyBloom
Hoot hoot.


Brushed nickel drawer pull: $8 from MonkeyShines
My kind of octopus pull.


Original series tea bag string cup: $20 from BaileyDoesntbark
Would you hair for some tea?


Tea towel — bears tea party: $8.75 from MissEllieMay
Tea and bear it.


Branching out print: $7 from AtWhim
Branch me, branch you.


Moustaches postcards: $14 from OhMyCavalier
Say it with moustache.


Didi black zipper pouch: $16 from LouLouBell
Zip it. Zip it good.


Mohair horse and rider: $25 from YellowMonday
Mohair, may I?


Brilliant ideas notebook: $10 from PaperAndCanvas
Great minds draw alike.

For more of Erin’s unique brand of stylish commentary, check out Design For Mankind. Also, see our past Trends pieces here