Umbrella ella ella

It has been Niagra Falls this summer in NYC.  I've never been one to use an umbrella.  In fact, I never carry an umbrella unless I'm going somewhere fancy, it's pouring, and I borrow one from a friend.  It was so rainy this summer that I actually purchased my own from Duane Reade, and not so much because I can't stand being rained on, but more so for self-defense. Imagine walking to work on Broadway from 34th street to 14th Street Union Square dodging 17,000 umbrellas.  New Yorkers are 1. always in a hurry and 2. extra grumpy when it's raining. An umbrella was a necessary investment in order to not get my eyes poked out and avoid whiplash from dodging umbrellas.  

I had a good laugh at the man who had such a HUGE umbrella that I swear he stepped outside, realized it was raining, and grabbed his outdoor umbrella from the patio.  He was at least considerate and would politely pop his umbrella over everyone else's head as they neared him. I think everyone needs one of these umbrellas. Check out the fabulous video here. 

(via A Cup of Jo)

Microtrends

I'm thinking about buying "Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes by Marc Penn."  Here's an overview of it from Microtrending.com:  

Penn and his co-author E. Kinney Zalesne argue that the biggest trends in America are the microtrends -- the smaller trends that go unnoticed or even ignored. One percent of the nation, or 3 million people, can create new markets for a business, spark a social movement, or produce political change.

The book covers a variety of topics from politics to leisure and relationships.  I think that although the book isn't directly geared towards designers, it seems like it would have great relevance to developing marketing or advertising strategies.  I think that the old approach of targeting the masses is fading while marketing to smaller niches is more relevant in today's more individualized culture and society.

library inspired

During my second week of my internship my boss took me out for dinner and drinks at a restaurant called Public in SoHo.  The restaurant was designed after an old public library.  All of the small details were amazing and really made the whole atmosphere come together such as the wall of keys behind the hostess kiosk, the card catalogs, menus on slender clipboards, dim lighting, and sectioned shelving.  

Today, while looking at one of my favorite design blogs, Design*Sponge, I saw that they posted a gift that someone had made which was inspired by library catalog cards.  

Grace Light was celebrating her two year anniversary and decided to replace the book numbers with important dates in their relationship, book titles with “chapters” of their life together, and publisher locations with places that are important to them. The best part? Each year they plan to add memories to their library card box. 

Soak up color

Inspiration can come from anywhere.  That is the foundation of my design blog, so what better way to get started than how New York City is inspiring me as a designer.  Every street, every neighborhood, every person here is different. 

My passion for NYC started spring break of my freshman year of college.  The UCM AIGA group took a trip to NYC to tour design studios, see museums, and experience ethnic food at its finest.  I remember during that trip I asked Mr. Babcock, our professor and tour guide who had once been a real New Yorker, what he missed most about the city.  He said the food for one, and two, how different the city is from street to street.  For him, moving to Missouri was a shock because everything is the same for miles and miles.

Here, there is so much variety in architecture, colors, cultures, music, food, bars, smells (good and bad)... When I walk down the street I try and soak up as much of the atmosphere as I can.  I often find my walks to work come to an end too soon.  

I have already taken a gazillion pictures since I've been here, and since I've started my internships I have become a lot more sensitive to color.  Even in the most neutral collections of grays on buildings there is something to be observed in unintentional color palettes that are formed in nature or any of your surroundings.  I put together a color palette from a picture I took.  At the time when I took the photo I didn't think anything would really come of it.  When I looked at it later I realized there was a great start for a color palette. 

So many times as a designer I didn't know where to start when picking a color palette for a project.  Split-complimentary?  Tertiary?  No, put the color wheel rules to rest and just have fun.  Start with your surroundings.  Dig through old photos.  Take more photos.  Keep a file for future reference.  That's my new goal.  

Texture at the tenement

So today I visited the Tenement Museum in the lower east side of Manhattan.  More info and pictures to come, but I love the texture found on the inside walls of the small apartments.

Hello!

Hello all!  My name is Holly Wright and I'm a graphic design student at the University of Central Missouri.  I'm currently in New York City for two summer internships which I'm absolutely loving.  I think I'm a little behind on the blog trend, but it's better late than never.  My plan for this blog is to provide inspiration for designers and artists, and also my thoughts on the design and advertising world.  I believe that design inspiration can come from absolutely everywhere and from anyone, and what better time to start this blog than when I'm in the art capital of the world.  I'm looking forward to the great summer ahead.