On the tail of Penguin Explains the Universe and Fish Explains the Facts of Life, here is a colloquialism my dad was apt to throw around if I asked a silly question. Feel free to use it when the chase must be cut and the answer is yes.

“F is for Fusion” is part of an on-going alphabet series for kids using math, science and geography vocabulary. Have an idea for a good word? Send it my way!

As a sequel to Penguin Explains the Universe, here is a little ditty about the bare reality of life at sea (or land or air). So when Monday comes and slaps you upside the face, don’t say fish didn’t warn you.

Having worked on several Danish clients and projects over the last few years, each experience has consistently reminded me of the Scandinavian preference for simplicity. It surprises me every time and if pressed to describe the process on my work it would be something like this – step one: design something as stripped down as possible, step two: strip it down 50% more. Then you have probably achieved Danish minimalism.

To keep this skill sharp, I decided to practice it on a series of animal icons that (for the most part) employ just lines and twists with a slight shadow to emphasize the two elements. I’m sure it’s still 25% “over the top” if you asked a Dane-off-the-street, but I quite like the effect.

Here are 4 icons each for water, land, air, and small things from the animal world.

Penguins are funny little creatures, but like most things nature makes, penguins have some hidden talents. According to the experts, “the light front and dark back coloration of classic penguin plumage is called countershading and it provides superb camouflage from above and below to protect penguins in the water”.

Here are a few more animals in the teardrop style I am practicing – this time all birds. Check out the first sketches of a porcupine, skunk and bunny. I’m curious to see how universally I can apply this style.