Design Trends: Memphis
10/25/2018
Put yourself back in the 1970s. Imagine the minimalist, straight and structured design that fit the status quo. Now enter Ettore Sottsass, a designer from Milan, Italy who gathered up a group of designers and architects for the sole purpose of breaking every rule about “good” design. They called themselves the Memphis Group.
You may be asking yourself why the trend is called “Memphis” if it was created in Italy. They took their name from the Bob Dylan song Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again. This song played over and over again during their first meeting.
This rebellious movement celebrated the unrestricted and free-spirited exploration of creative design. They wanted to shift their thinking to be “radical, funny and outrageous.”
Connecting Naturally To Design
10/10/2018
Lake of the Clouds, Michigan / Lake Superior
In a nutshell, graphic designers create. We live by a digital code. However, in this age fueled by social media and a lightning-fast internet, the most important sources of inspiration are often taken for overlooked.
As we produce more, swipe more, tag more, post more, the connection with our environment and planet drifts quietly away. We see through our screens rather than taking in all that surrounds us. We seem to almost forget that the earth itself has provided us with everything we need to survive: food, water, shelter, oxygen. Visual and artistic inspiration is less basic but also extremely important.
Design is in the details; the details are in the design. Interesting enough, nature provides that for us, as long as we are interested and know where to look. It may require some exploration, but taking in nature’s beauty has proven to be an extremely worthwhile and beneficial task to undertake.
Take, for instance, a recent trip I took to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with a group of good college friends. As we pushed north, cell service became more sporadic and then was not to be found. Before we finally arrived on the shores of Lake Superior, I’d almost forgotten places like this existed. Serene and quiet, filled with vibrant colors and environment, the elements of design were all around, creating an intricate and beautiful piece for our eyes.
It’s beginning to feel a lot like fall. The leaves are changing, the air is getting crisp, and that means it is time to celebrate with… China Lights! I love new experiences, and the lights, atmosphere, colors, entertainment—everything here is fantastic.
The walking tour starts right when you enter at the gates. There are 45 exhibits laid out perfectly in the garden grounds. Each display teaches you a little more about the Chinese culture and the lantern festivals that are celebrated all across Asia.The show depicts art, skill, and beauty combined.
It’s amazing how the lights and fabric project differently for each display. Some were soft and calming, while others were loud and energetic. With every turn of a corner, my anticipation and excitement grew as I waited to see what display was up next!
Inspiration Destination: Miller Park
10/02/2018
I love baseball.
As a child, I can still remember the excitement I’d feel riding in the car with my dad to a Brewers game, looking out the window, anticipating the moment when Milwaukee County Stadium would emerge from behind the trees along Bluemound Road or I-94.
Even now, as an adult taking my own kids to games, I still get that little twinge of anticipation every time that initial glimpse of Miller Park’s pale, green roof and red brick façade clears the trees on that same stretch of road I’ve traveled so many times before.
I have begun to realize that more than just the game itself, it’s the details—the sounds, the smells, the colors—that build my excitement, even after all these years.
I was at a game recently with my wife and kids, and as we were walking the dark cement concourses, I began to notice just how much there was to look at, before even sitting down to watch the game.
Inspiration Destination: Chihuly at Biltmore
09/19/2018
Dale Chihuly is an artist and glass blower that pushes the limits of his medium to create organic and asymmetrical pieces of art. He is celebrated for large architectural installations.
“I want people to be overwhelmed with light and color in some way that they’ve never experienced.”
– Dale Chihuly
15 minutes as Disney artists
09/10/2018
In my early days, I often wondered what it would be like to work for Disney. I toured the illustration studio at Disney World in Orlando with wide eyes and big dreams. I loved the simple shapes that came to life and transformed into their beloved characters.
Unfortunately, when we went back in January with my daughters, I was disappointed to find that they no longer offered the tour. My girls love to draw, and I had hoped to share in their artist tour experience.
While we had a wonderful visit with many memories to cherish, I still felt a little sad about the fact that they were unable to see Disney artists in action.
The life of an editor doesn’t stop when we leave the office. We leave work only to find our job follows us everywhere. From missing punctuation on a street sign to a “then” that should be a “than” in a friend’s Facebook post, the words and phrases we see in everyday life constantly remind us that nothing is ever perfect (and editors are not used as often as they should be).
Here are some common mistakes we catch out in the wild on a daily basis.
1. Plural vs. possessive
I often see this mistake on social media posts, handwritten cards, and even printed signs at restaurants or stores. Most recently, I saw this grammatical blunder on homemade T-shirts worn by a family of eight at Walt Disney World. Their T-shirts said: “Family Vacation”; then there was a picture of Cinderella’s castle, followed by their last name—we’ll call them the Smiths. Except the shirts said, “The Smith’s.” Adding that apostrophe between the “h” and the “s” made their name possessive, not plural, which is most likely what was intended. So… the Smith’s what? The Smith’s castle? They wish. If the Smiths (plural) wanted the Smith’s (possessive) shirts to be correct, they should have either dropped the apostrophe or changed the arrangement of the words to: “The Smith’s Family Vacation.”
2. Your vs. you’re
This is probably my biggest pet peeve of grammar mistakes. It completely changes the meaning of the sentence when these words get mixed up. “Your” is possessive (even though it doesn’t have an apostrophe) while “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.” I see people writing, “your the best friend I could ever have,” or “you’re hard work is really appreciated.” No! I won’t have it. Pay attention to what you’re writing and your audience will thank you.
