Timorous Beasties

Ahhhhhh, the most fabulous Timorous Beasties. I first saw their designs a couple years ago when I was researching the possibility of doing a post graduate course. Their designs make me go weak in the knees. I think that they are the classic example of images that are similar to the detailed illustrations of the 17-20th century applied in a modern context.

Glasgow Toile


From a distance their toile looks similar to the 18th century French toile de jouy scenic pattern. Only on closer inspection can you find “a nightmarish vision of the city, teeming with drug addicts, prostitutes and homeless people” Jeffries (2007). Timorous Beasties take this traditional design and make it modern by changing the subject area. I propose this design is modern because, to the best of my knowledge, no one has used such a controversial subject on wallpaper before.





Digital Moth

This lamp shade design from Timorous Beasties is very detailed. One of the Beasties, Paul Simmons, can be quoted in The Guardian regarding traditional wallpapers saying “that there were often butterflies or flowers in wallpapers and fabrics, but they were always soft and romanticised. You wouldn’t see the tendrils or the scales” Jeffries (2007). I think that the modern aspects in this design include the attention to gnarly details such as feathered antennas, the larger scale of the image and a different angle to the typical straight on direct from above angle. One very important point in considering their modern context is how the moths are juxtaposed with each other. There are five different moths layered on top of one another. The early intent for illustrations were informational, thus layering were never have occured as the viewer would miss details. The effect here causes some tension, with the layering of the moths, grabbing the attention of the viewer. One final point that makes this image more modern, is the position of the moths on the material. The intentional chopping of the image on the edge of the product is another way to grab the attention of the viewer.

Jeffries, S., 2007. The writhing is on the wall. The Guardian, 8 Feb.