It’s that time of year and what an awesome year it’s been! Settling down to some time with family and friends and a nice break to recharge those creative batteries!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy holiday and I look forward to 2012. Bigger, brighter and beautiful!

Jason.

For me, when I stumbled upon this image I was taken back to when I was younger, looking at images of the planets and our solar system, thinking about how far our galaxy reaches and what other life forms (if any) also exist. I’ve always had a fascination with space and the statistics that we were taught about growing up. How far each planet is, how big each planet is in relation the list goes on.

This image taken from the National Geographic website fascinates me in the same way that I was as a child. I love looking at the detail, following the lines and working out each destination of every mission.

To see the hi-res image click here.

More details from National Geographic:

The first attempts to reach Mars (1960) and Venus (1961) failed, yet triumph followed quickly. Of nearly 200 solar, lunar, and interplanetary missions depicted on this map, most have been Earth’s closet neighbours. As rocketry, navigation, and imaging have become ever more capable and reliable, the planets and many of their moons have been examined in detail. The New Horizons mission to Pluto is under way, as is the MESSENGER mission to Mercury. Others not yet launched, perhaps not yet dreamed, await.

- Jason

I wanted to be able to focus on particular genres/categories each week so starting today I present to you some of my favourite sci-fi outer space posters!

Alien - 1979: A classic take on the simplistic yet unknown alien threat. Brilliant design can come from a minimal idea.

Aliens - 1986: The classic 80's style illustration poster beautifully capturing a climactic point in the film. Also wanted to note the contrasting styles of the first and second film and how they relate to the actual styles of filmaking in both. Alien being a very cold mysterious thriller while Aliens a gung-ho action flick.

2001 A Space Odyssey - 1968: A classic poster for a classic film. Why not show off some of your best visuals on the poster, after all the film was made pre Star Wars special effects and its just one of the reasons to get you interested in seeing this film.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture - 1979: I'm not the biggest Star Trek fan out there but some of the artwork for the earlier films are stunning. Unfortunately they seemed to get cheesier and more 'made for TV' as they went on.

Moon - 2009: Okay I cheated a little, haven't even seen this film yet. In fact it isn't even out yet!

Zathura - 2005: Space isn't all gloom and doom as advertised in "Zathura's" bright, colourful imagery and kids that just want to explore!

Apollo 13 - 1995: They say an image speaks a thousand words. Tom Hanks aptly proves this point in Ron Howards gripping space flick about the failed mission to the moon.

Forbidden Planet - 1956: I should really have added more than just one of these from the classic days of space horror, but this is one of my favourites.

The Empire Strikes Back - 1980: I had to put a Star Wars film in here somewhere but I was just not sure which one as there are so many to choose from!

So there ya go, and thats just a small handful of posters. I’m sure I’ve missed out quite a few, what others would you recommend?

- Jason