615creative

finishing up

2010-06-21T15:48:00.001-07:00

It has been a long time, I know. No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth..just lots of transition happening and I have been quite busy finishing some things up. Like, for instance, part three of the Summer Lotus triptych. She is almost done. Just in time for the official beginning of SUMMER.

Something else that is about to begin is a new season for me. That's right. My time at 615 Creative is wrapping up. It has been such a fun year..and very foundational. There are some doors opening up for me to focus more on the aspects of art, styling and design that I do best, so I am about to walk through them into the next chapter of the story.

One of the (many!) things I have learned in this year with 615 is that I truly love blogging and sharing life, art, inspiration and beauty with all of you. So, that will not be ending. My new blog is currently a work in progress, a blank canvas so to speak, but in the meantime..you can keep up with me on Facebook (aimee siegel creates) as I embark on my new adventures. Also, be sure to follow me on twitter...for a daily glimpse of what is going on in my (sometimes messy, but always beautiful!) world.

Many thanks to all of you for listening, looking, reading..and, with your encouragement, helping to launch me into new endeavors. I hope that we shall continue to journey and CREATE together!

part two

2010-05-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

here it is. One more piece and the "Summer Lotus" triptych will be complete! Then: onto the NEXT set of work. I'm thinking it may be entitled "Global Bazaar"....but, I digress.

Part two? She is complete and I think I am quite happy with how she turned out.

(the icing on the) Cupcake Break

2010-04-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

For the next week or so, I will be taking a break from the weekly "icing." Lots going on...lots of changes coming that (hopefully!) I will be able to tell you about in the next couple of weeks. But, for now, here's what I think we should ALL do.

The Icing on the Cupcake

2010-04-21T15:43:00.001-07:00

Moroccan tea glasses. They could definitely add some spice to your next tea party. But, what about filling them with some bubbly and raising them in a toast at a dinner party celebration? Or, picture them brimming with colorful, freshly squeezed juices at your next Sunday brunch. SO many possibilities for these little lovelies!

I purchased my favorite orange and gold glasses while shopping in this amazing town, but if you aren't able to take a quick overseas jaunt before your next party they have some fun ones here . And, I would bet you could also find some here.

Cheers!!

collecting and gathering

2010-04-16T16:08:00.001-07:00

Busy putting together a colorful pile of props for a photo shoot tomorrow morning in this fun area of Nashville. Good times are about to be had..especially if the shoot is followed by lunch here. I'm telling you, people, Saturdays just don't get much better than this!

The Icing on the Cupcake

2010-04-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

Same little clear glass bottles as last week, totally different look. Fill them with chartreuse spider mums (one of my personal FAVS), tie silky black ribbon onto them and hang them from a white, multi-tier, metal plant stand. Viola - This week's icing!

work in progress...

2010-04-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

I know. I have been talking about it alot and (finally) part two of the Summer Lotus Triptych is under way..and here's some proof. Truth be known, I am actually even farther (or is it further?) along then this picture shows. But, I just haven't gotten it all photographed yet...still busy trying to get the remains of the Mod Podge off my sticky fingers.

Hope your Monday has been HAPPY!

sunshine and happiness

2010-04-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

Blueberry cream coffee at sweet local bakeries, inspiring conversations with creative friends, scouting jaunts through sunny local parks, and tomorrow....my hands will be covered with paint and glue.

Weekends like this one could spoil me forever.

The Icing on the Cupcake

2010-04-07T15:54:00.001-07:00

This week's decorating detail is another finishing touch from the wedding I featured last week. Clear, tiny, versatile glass bottles. These were specially requested by the bride. I must say that they happen to be one of my favorite items that I have collected over the years, so I was quite happy to work them into the design. For the ceremony we filled them with beautiful, sweetly scented ivory and lavender roses and hung them, from a wooden frame at the altar, with glimmering copper and eggplant ribbons.

But, you really should know - and see - just how versatile these tiny treasures are, so...next week I will show another (completely different!) look that incorporates them as well.

Happy (mid)week to all of you!

Blossoms

2010-04-05T18:58:00.001-07:00

Spring is in full bloom. And, it's sorta making me want to put flowers EVERYwhere. This weekend I glued some to metal...and made hair pins. What could be more fun than a vintage fabric flower, pinned in your hair on a sunny spring day?

Next up: I will glue them onto wood. As in the second wooden canvas for the Summer Lotus Triptych.

Because, actually, THAT might be the only thing better than vintage fabric spring flowers...a vibrant, shimmering SUMMER Lotus.

The Icing on the Cupcake

2010-03-31T18:05:00.000-07:00

Eggplant, lavender, ivory and copper. One of the most unique - and beautiful - color combinations chosen by a bride that I've worked with. Carrying that theme over into the floral design, I chose to incorporate some copper wire twists and ivory pearls into the bride's hand tied, casually elegant bouquet. It was just the "icing" it needed to be complete.

And, this picture of the lovely bride and her bouquet (taken by my friend, ian) is definitely one of my most favorite wedding photos. You could even say it's like the sprinkles on top of the icing. rainbow ones.

Part One

2010-03-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

Just a little look at the first finshed piece of the "Summer Lotus" triptych that I am currently working on.

Part Two...coming up...soon..

2010-03-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

It's a be-A-uuu-tiful Saturday and I am putting some spring sunshine on the table. And, getting ready to go buy a wooden canvas. I am going to put some sunshine on that too.

The Icing on the Cupake

2010-03-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

As promised last week: some more birthday party "icing." Using one of my favorite little tools (alphabet stamps) I created a "happy birthday" sign for the bouquet of pink and red carnations.

A simple, easy little detail, but it turned out to be one of my favorite finishing touches...that and the noisemaker in the candy. Colorful Noisemakers + Bright Fun Candy = Pure JOY. Don't you agree?

Have a sweet - and COLORFUL - day!

This summer...

2010-03-22T17:43:00.001-07:00

there will be an art show. Therefore, there must be art. Some new art. A new triptych, in fact. The first piece is just about done. It involves red acrylic paint, turquoise and gold fabric and paper (from Nepal) and more colors. Lots of color.

Pink, red, yellow, orange PLUS the turquoise and gold, of course. That's right. Aside from international newspapers and some vintage fabric scraps there is not much in my world right now that is black and white. And, I like it that way.

More sneak peeks of the triptych in progress coming soon....

The Icing on the Cupcake

2010-03-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

The guest of honor at a birthday party is ALWAYS a RockStar. And, they most certainly deserve a star (or some kind of creative trinket...the possibilities are endless!) on their drink bottle. Personally, too, I think the only way to make a drink this color look even better is to add a sparkly red star to it.

More "icing" from this colorful birthday party coming next week!

this week we are....

2010-03-13T15:04:00.000-08:00

1. Shopping here for the perfect wedding invitation
2. Beginning to (gulp) organize and restyle the creative studio
3. Feeling inspired by these AMAZING and coloful still life pictures
4. Looking at recipes for pink champagne cucpakes (for a creative project, but - trust me - a taste test WILL be involved.)
5. Needing to get some paint on our fingers again (canvases are calling..)
6. Watching daffodils rise from the dirt to smile in the (almost!) spring sunshine.
7. Celebrating the shoot we styled with our friends,Tabor Jean Weddings, being featured here!!
8. Soaking in the bright daylight of a new season.

Happy (week before the official first week of) Spring!

The Icing on the Cupcake

2010-03-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

A quick, easy, always beautiful and fun decorating detail? placing a fresh flower inside a cup at a place setting.

Especially a sushine-y daisy.

in a crisp, white mug.

with a colorful vintage cloth napkin on the side.

happy.

happy.

happy.

new color crush

2010-03-08T15:38:00.001-08:00

Daffodils that have been sleeping under the dirt outside my front door, sunny paper bead necklace purchased in a Ugandan market, tube of lemon-y acrylic paint calling to me from my art studio: I cannot stop thinking about you. And, I am so ready to see more of you. You are cheerful. fresh. bright. hopeful. Just like spring.

New Weekly Feature: The Icing on the Cupcake

2010-03-06T14:44:00.001-08:00

When I am working on design and decorating projects I often find myself feeling the most excited - and unable to stop smiling incessantly - at the little, lovely, unexpectedly falling-so-perfectly into place DETAILS. Whether it be a spur of the moment restyled vignette in my home or a carefully planned, unique bridal bouquet - each week I will share with you some of the details that have made the rooms, events and weddings I've had the priviledge of working on come together...the finishing "frosting" that made them complete.

So, why "The Icing on the Cupcake?" Well, I really do love cupcakes. Seeing a beautifully decorated one, with piles of pastel frosting on top, never fails to make me smile. My hope is that the fun details I will be sharing with you will also bring a smile to YOUR face...because we can always use that. Especially around midweek when the weekend can suddenly seem way too far away and our creative juices are often in need of a recharge.

And, speaking of (literal) cupcakes. These are my favorite here in my hometown of Franklin, TN. If you live in the Nashville area and have not yet tasted these...you really need to. If you get them to go, they put them in (the cutest of cute) bright pink bakery boxes - which, to me, is most definitely The Icing on the Cupcake (metaphorically speaking.)

Be watching for the first official Icing on the Cupcake post - coming your way next (mid) week!

Oh, and the fun photo above was taken (on my living room floor) by mister ian collins. You can see more of his lovely work right here. By the way, the "Icing" on THAT cupcake? The tall, thin, bright red candle. It makes me smile.

on the horizon...

2010-03-01T17:47:00.001-08:00

We are beginning to dream and scheme about a fun, colorful summer event that you won't want to miss. Can't share all the details yet - because, honestly, I don't KNOW them all yet, but I can tell you that it involves:

1. Pieces of art created in Uganda
2. Collaborating with these creative friends

and...last, but definitely not least..

3. Making the world a better place for an amazing group of kids on the other side of the globe.

Oh so many fun things...just around the corner! Stay tuned...it's going to be quite a happy (grass-turning-green-and-flowers-beginning-to-bloom-all-over) sort of season!

Picture Perfect

2010-02-22T16:09:00.000-08:00

Spent a sunny, Nashville Sunday here with my friend - and amazing photographer - Kelli Trontell. The mission? Capturing photos of two brides and two grooms. Two couples with two totally different styles, but both equally gorgeous. And so much fun to work with!

To accomplish said mission we scaled mountains and rocks...Ahem. Okay, so it was actually rolling hills and stone pathways, but when you are carrying camera accessories, boxes of props and bride's bouquets they do sure FEEL like mountains and rocks. But, it was completely worth all the trekking for the beautiful end result. I can't wait to share the photos with you as soon as I am able to!

One of my favorite things about designing weddings is getting to see how different and unique each couple is and discovering how to coordinate and execute a look that accurately represents who they are. So, with that in mind, here is just a little preview of the two wedding designs we are working on:

Wedding #1:

style - Modern Classic Elegance
colors - black and white with touches of crimson red, lemon yellow and soft sky blue
textures - glass, metal, silk and lace
couple affectionately known as - "our GQ couple"

Wedding #2:

style - Rustic Spring Woodland
colors - browns and spring greens with touches of teal, pink and lavender
textures - burlap, bark, yarn and twigs
couple affectionately known as - "our Anthro couple"

Two completely different directions - but, I love them BOTH. And, both are going to be so much fun to work with...just like Kelli, who by the way, just re-designed her site. You should check it out. Really, you should.

And now it is time for me to go unpack the previously mentioned "boxes of props" and try to put my jumbled studio back in order before the next round of wonderfully chaotic creativity begins!

a Beautiful evening

2010-02-06T13:31:00.001-08:00

Candles flickered and cupcake paper flowers stood tall as we sat beside the Nashville skyline and were inspired. No, more than inspired. Called to action. By friends who are not only compassionate. They are changing the world.

And, when creating centerpieces meets world-changing? Well, THAT is when life (as an artist and designer) is truly beautiful.

this week we are.....

2010-02-01T16:56:00.001-08:00

busy. And, busy is good. It is especially good when it involves collaborating with wonderful, creative (and FUN!) friends on their new ventures .

Busy is also (oh so) good when it includes making pretty things for shindigs like this one. Clear glass vases, red paint, cupcake papers, floral wire and round paper boxes have all gathered on my work table. And they are ready and waiting to be transformed into lovely, unique centerpieces. 5 designs. 25 tables. 3 nights from now.....it's time to (go grab a paintrush)and CREATE.

More details (and photos)from both projects will be on the way soon!

Custom Artwork: Delivered!

2010-01-13T15:07:00.001-08:00

Here at 615 Creative our New Year began with custom artwork: signed, sealed (with many generous coats of Mod Podge) and delivered to our friends, Zak and Erin.

I first had the pleasure of working with Erin when she called on me to design and style her and Zak's wedding several years ago. It was a creatively chic brown and (several shades of) pink affair that included unique details like: a Bride's bouquet made entirely out of Baby's Breath, a dance performance by a ballerina dressed in a frothy pink confection and wrist corsages for the bridesmaids that were handmade from ribbons and orchids.

Not too long ago Erin and Zak moved into a new home here in Nashville. And, once again, Erin called on me to help. This time she needed some style direction and color advice for their new, spacious living room. Erin, herself, actually has such good taste - and a great eye for design and creative details - that she makes my job easy! It's always lots of fun to collaborate with her, compare ideas and then turn them into a reality.

Once things started coming together with the direction and plan for the room, there was one particular wall that seemed to just be begging for a substanstial piece of artwork. So, she commissioned 615 Creative to begin, what was to become, the largest piece of custom artwork we've done so far!

It was Erin's (brillant!) idea to use an old door as the canvas. We began to cover the door with grey acrylic paint, tissue paper, glue, newspaper from an international market and, finished it out with: trees painted with white latex, a red origami crane and flying, blue, paper birds. And, it was FUN. So much fun that - if I had adequate storage space available - I would like to promptly go out and begin collecting old, abandoned doors and cover them all with colorful paint and fun papers!

For now, though, we will just be happy to have made Zak and Erin so happy. Oh, and once the piece is in place and hung we will be sure to show you more pictures of this stylish couple and their fabulous, artsy modern living room!

color crush

2010-01-08T16:27:00.001-08:00

I think my first color crush of the year is developing. I'm not sure if it is just the need for something fresh and crisp on my plate after December's sugary overload..or, maybe a subconscious longing for the leafy foliage of summer, but....I can not stop thinking about GREEN. The cheerful kelly green cardigan hanging in my closet, the refreshing lime ice green paint on my kitchen walls, a roll of deep blue-green yarn sitting in the art studio and...my favorite vintage tablecloth: green perfection, captured (oh so beautifully) by my friend, Ian. And, I know just the bowls that need to sit on top of it. They are chartreuse.

Merry and Bright

2009-12-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

Well, the Christmas crafting, baking and truffle-making are just about over! And, while we still have some finishing touches to put on custom artwork ( oh, and a few Christmas cards to write, stamp and send), we are just about ready to jump on planes, sit in front of fireplaces, drink peppermint hot chocolate with friends and family and...call it a year!

This year has certainly had its bright and shiny moments, but 2010? She is going to sparkle. Here are just a few of the things we are looking forward to in the New Year:

1. our very own art show in downtown Nashville
2. creating new, fun products for our Etsy shop
3. frosted heart cookie day (a.k.a. Valentine's day)
4. paintings from Paris coming to visit us!
5. our BIRTHDAY!!!! (6/15, in case you were wondering)
6. inspiring trips to faraway lands
7. learning how to screen print
8. collaborating creatively with talented friends

So, from all of us at 615 Creative: a very MERRY and bright Christmas and a So-HaPPy-it-SPARKLES New Year!!!

Handmade Christmas Cards for Sale!!!

2009-11-25T16:13:00.000-08:00

We've been busy little elves, designing some pretty awesome Christmas Cards to sell on our Etsy shop. Here are some samples.

You can check all 10 designs out at our Etsy shop by clicking here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/615Creative

Or you can now find our Etsy shop in the right column of the blog!

THANKS for reading our blog and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

~peace
david

this week we are..............

2009-11-18T18:12:00.000-08:00

1. moving forward with custom art pieces

2. creating miniature holiday works of art (a.k.a. Christmas cards)

3. in awe of these creative people

4. pairing sparkly lavender with midnight blue

5. dreaming about filling vintage dishes from here with homemade truffles

6. launching something NEW - stay tuned!!!!

7. hoping to go see this exhibit while in Philly

8. playing with colorful felt, shiny glitter and textured paper

9. making lists...and checking them twice

10. decorating cupcakes with autumnally colored sprinkles

11. feeling thankful. yes, very thankful.

Our Day in the Woods: A Photo Shoot

2009-11-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

So, a few posts ago I wrote about a project involving a very talented writer and a lovely new friend. Well, here is what you've been waiting (with baited breath, no doubt) for: The Photos!!

We spent a beautiful afternoon in the woods (actually, a small wooded area of a local park, but one can dream!) of Franklin, TN. We took antique book pages, some twine and wooden clothespins...added a colourful quilt, scattered with intricately patterned books and the scene was for set. Enter Kelli (the aforementioned lovely friend) and Joanne (our dear friend and the talented writer.) And, here's what happened...lots of lovely! The only thing that wasn't wonderful: the mosquitos. Lots of them. But, we survived ..and, even found a poem in their honor. (Behind the scenes tidbit: Joanne is reading it one of the pictures below.)

If you are in need of a photographer, don't hesitate to contact Kelli. I can guarantee that you will be met with amazing creativity, lots of joy and laughter and, the end result will be beautiful, quality product that you will cherish for years to come. We hope to work with her again..and again!

Now, the photos. Enjoy!

A few new projects!

2009-11-02T14:27:00.001-08:00

This week we're working on some exciting new projects, specifically, 2 new web design projects, one logo/branding project, custom art, and holiday interior decorating.

JoanneChantelau.com
Joanne is an up-and-coming writer who was in need of a cohesive web presence. We're designing a new site for her and updating her blog to match.

dmarlenejewelry.com
d. marlene jewelry is a new high end jewelry company. They will be focusing their efforts selling their jewelry in spas and salons. We're working on creating their web presence and e-commerce solution.

Live Love International
Live Love International is a non-profit based in Florida. Their mission is to be a resource for individuals and groups who are looking to volunteer internationally. We'll be giving them the branding they need to stand out in the crowd.

We're also busy working on two large custom art pieces. So far we've used red and white paint, wood, and newspapers from Chinatown...I'm excited about these. We'll upload photos when we're done.

Also, don't forget, we're currently providing consultations for Holiday Interior Decorating for only $99. And, if you need it, we can do the decorating too for a good price. Click here to see some examples of our work.

it's beginning to look alot like....

2009-10-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

Yup. That's right. We are pulling out the wintry white branches and silver balls, wrapping packages and decking the mantle - all for one day. We are doing a yuletide photo shoot for our holiday interior decorating promo. More on that coming soon...very soon.

We are also busy little elves (sorry, couldn't resist) working on some new Christmas card designs. Bringing three people together, each with their own design style, can be very interesting - and inspiring. What is it they say? "Variety is the spice of life?" Something like that. Well, it certainly enlivens our weekly ideating sessions. These cards will be unlike any others you've seen! Jolly. Colorful. Unique. Lovely. Entertaining. Classic. Modern. Antique. That's right - we do it all. And we look forward to sharing them with you soon. very soon.

To give you a little hint of what our holiday offerings will be like, here are some of the things that are inspiring us lately: woodland themes, teal yarn, antique books, felt and fabric, security envelope designs, shades of blue and green, his breathtaking installations, wooden snowflakes, clear glass and shining silver...just to name a few!

With the current flurry of festivity in air, we may even have to pull out the Bing Crosby Songs of Christmas record before (gulp) Thanksgiving.

Happy (pre)Holidays Everyone!

this week we are.....

2009-10-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

1. accessorizing bookcases
2. creating centerpieces out of Kazakh dictionary pages
3. anticipating half price day at Goodwill
4. taking field trips in our hometown
5. preparing to make antique book pages float from a tree
6. loving the deep blue autumn sky
7. playing with new card designs and packaging
8. becoming addicted to inspiring, newly discovered blogs
9. starting to spread the word about holiday decorating packages
10. thinking about old doors as canvases
11. saying hello to October and all the beauty that it holds

Dignitee Apparel

2009-09-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

We recently finished an awesome branding and web project for Dignitee Apparel. Not only did we do all the branding and web design for them, but we also did all the designs for their tee shirts. We'll be working very closely with Dignitee in the future...so stay tuned to future blogs.

Here's some of our work...

Branding/Identity

Email Blast

Web Screenshots

Now, you should visit their site and buy some cool shirts that are changing the world.

~peace
david

two projects

2009-09-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

Project #1 involves: a spacious living room, Something Blue, a set of fun retro green chairs, a custom-made rustic wooden bar (possibly?), a search for a modern grey couch, a bookshelf, a white shag rug, some pops of red to accent and this talented duo

Project #2 involves: a wide open outdoor space, an antique desk, one very talented writer, book pages floating from a tree, the golden sunlight of a late September and this gifted lovely new friend

All the details and the happy visuals will soon follow...because, as you can see, not only are WE creative - our friends are creative. And, we love working with them.

and......feathers

2009-08-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

Whenever the occasion arises for me to wrap a gift, I find myself having to make sure to remember to set aside sufficient time to do so. For me, wrapping a gift is more than a necessary task - it's an art form. No matter what intentions I may have to just "quickly" get it taken care of - I always get carried away in the process of combining colors, textures and shapes to create something that is as beautiful to look at on the outside as the treasure it contains inside. Over the years I have collected all sorts of odds and ends - silky flowers, balls of twine, rolls of string, pieces of vintage ribbon, handmade papers, international ephemera and…...feathers.

Last week it was my dear friend Ronda's birthday. And, this time, the embellishments on the package were more than just a lovely decoration - they were the seeds of a new endeavor. My creative comrade is going to be making adornments for the hair - and, in the near future, you can find them right here. Be sure to keep a look out for them. I have no doubt that they will be lots of fun. Just like Ronda.

Oh, and in case you are wondering (because I know I would be) what was underneath the sky blue paper, colorful strings and floaty feathers : it was an art piece created from a picture I took in Paris, mixed with gold leaf and French newspaper, all collaged on a wooden "canvas" which happened to formerly be part of my bedroom closet door. Don't be alarmed: the rest of that said door is now happily resituated as my headboard and, in its place, hang burnt orange velvety curtains from IKEA. All is well.

The last week of August is here. September's yellow is beginning to peek through the green of a passing summer. The holiday season will be upon us before we know it …and with it: mucho gift wrapping. Need some help? Or want an artful collage to place under your Christmas tree? Let us know. That's what we are here for, because we…yeah, you know…are creative.

kuh-lab-uh-rey-shuhn

2009-07-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

Collaboration: having fun making stuff together.

That's what we are are doing. Because WE are creative.

Keep watching...we're just getting started.

Welcome Evan Millard to 615creative!

2009-07-09T14:55:00.000-07:00

Well, not really...he's been a part of the team now for several months, but I just made the time to add him to the web site. I know, I'm a bad person. But Evan is not, he's great. Here's a little about him:

Hey there, my name is Evan. If I had a kingdom, its flag would be aqua blue, a brilliant red, and white. My first discovery of design came through the introduction of Legos in my life. I remember asking for Legos every single holiday and playing with them for hours. My favorite dessert would have to be Thai Sticky Rice with Mangos covered with Sweet Coconut Sauce. My favorite city is Savannah, GA. The old world charm and architecture of Savannah is breathtaking! I love the look of a square. I'm passionate about creating designs that reflect a specific purpose or love. I've always wanted to skydive from a plane with my best friend.

See, he's awesome...and he does great work.

Speaking of work, if you need us to work for you, just let us know. It'd be our pleasure.

~peace
david

Hello, My Name is Aimee

2009-06-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

This is my very first attempt at blogging. I have always wanted to blog. Or, at least, I thought I did. Then, the opportunity finally presents itself and I freeze. I’ll admit it: I’ve had blog intimidation. Am I creative enough? Interesting enough? Will anyone even read what I am writing? So, our first 615 Creative blog post came from David. It’s a very informed, intelligent diatribe on web “stuff” that I basically know nothing about. More intimidation. Especially for a girl who just wants to write about colour combinations and cupcakes. But, I tell myself (okay, and David told me too) - we need variety. It takes all different kinds of people to make a design group or....all kinds of "different" people, maybe. So, here goes nothing …or everything?

Last week, on 6/15, we had our launch party. It’s okay to pause right now and notice the cleverness of that date. Yes, it was deliberate. So, the lovely and talented Sarah Barlow basically let us turn her apartment upside down and – in a explosion of orange, white and silver accessories, furniture and food – create a party. One of the things we did at the party, by way of introducing ourselves to the world, was to write (non-fiction, of course) stories about ourselves. Since this is my introduction to blog world I thought it would be appropriate to share mine with you. Here is my “story” - and I’m stickin' to it.

“Hello, My name is Aimee. If I had a kingdom its flag would be seafoam green, tangerine and red...today. Tomorrow, it may be canary yellow, turquoise and grey. One of my first artistic expressions (a.k.a. a sign that I was truly a designer at heart) was when I began taking all of the books off my parent's bookshelves to create individual, uniquely decorated ''apartments" for all of my dolls. My current favorite dessert (because it changes as much as my favorite colors) is a cupcake from Ivey Cake. It's pink and it's strawberry and it's called "Big Dreams." I like that name. My favorite city is THE city, New York, and my favorite thing that I've done there (so far) was to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. My favorite shape is a Lotus Blossom. I love creating atmospheres....especially celebratory ones. I've always wanted to travel from North Africa down to South Africa and visit as many countries on the way as possible!!”

THE END. Or, perhaps I should say, (as I wave goodbye to intimidation..) “Til next time.”

I Hate the "Web 2.0" Design Trend!

2009-04-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

First, let me state that I know that Web 2.0 has nothing to do with design, but is more an ideology of communication, connectivity, and collaboration...unfortunately though, many people have confused the issue and have used the term to describe a certain overused and unoriginal design style...and it's that design style that I'm beginning to loathe.

I'm not exactly sure how this childish fixation started, but I'm going to blame Apple and Nintendo, two companies that I, more often than not, like.

Apples' contribution to this design debacle was the beautiful design of it's products followed by the embossing, gradient, and reflection effects in almost all of it's marketing and advertising. Take a brief stroll around their website, www.apple.com, and you'll see what I mean.

I don't hate this design...in fact, I really like it. My problem is that everyone who ever thought they were a designer, both professionals and high schoolers with cracked versions of Photoshop, started copying it because it's so nice. I have to admit, even I have designed a piece like it--two years ago.

Nintendo, in my opinion, added to this trend with the release of the Wii. My problem is not with the gaming system, but with the "bubbly" embossed design of the interface. And, I can't stand the look of the Mii's. I feel like I'm playing with old PlaySkool toys...everything is so circular and round...like Mr. Potato Head. The Mii's make me feel "wii-erd".

Anyway...enough ranting. What can we do? Well, first let's define the problem.

Problem:
Any design containing at least 3 of the following: drop shadow, embossing, reflection, gradients and endless use of rounded corners. I don't think that any of these individual elements are evil...it's the fact that there are so many designers copying this fad and it's really becoming ridiculous. If you look closely, you'll see the largest companies in the world starting to "Web 2.0" their logos, advertising, and web sites. Ugh...trust me, if you look for it, you'll see it.

I'm not sure what exactly the problem is...maybe creatives are becoming lazy--it's easier to recycle design, than to do something original...maybe clients are dictating design--"Oh, can you make the site look like Apple?"...and maybe it's a combination.

Solution:
I know it makes no sense to just hate. I'm not usually a hater and I recognize that I'm not the most creative designer on the planet, I'm just extremely tired of this cliched and overworked fad.

So, it's up to us. If like me, you strive to be a creative designer, then let's be CREATIVE and take back the design of the web.

~peace
david

RESOURCES:
To see a lot of the things I abhor here.
Learn how to be a design mimic here.

Bloggin' Baby...

2009-04-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

This is a lame excuse for a first blog...but everyone starts somewhere, right?

~peace
david