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Cabin Studio, Olympia

via reddit

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Millionheir | Luxury At Its Finest

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This cozy home library in Washington DC

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Hunters Hill House, NSW, Australia by Handelsmann + Khaw | 📷 Felix Forest

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ANORAK - THE END

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When I presented on Thursday I honestly had no idea what to say. Why? I simply am still trying to understand how everything is connected throughout life and how that works when designing. All my ideas are still fresh and very abstract. I honestly don’t think I will ever fully understand what this weather system is made of and how to explain it. But I think the most important thing I got out of this project is how to use it. The piece I created was much better and more abstract than any piece I’ve ever done because I wasn’t thinking about just making or getting the project done. I somehow cannot put this experience into words. I wish I could.

I also got asked where I plan to go with this project after class is complete and I simply didn’t know. I will continue to use this abstract approach to all my design projects and I will continue to do what strikes passion in me. I do however feel like my glasses project is incomplete now that I have thought about it for some time. I think I would like to make a whole collection of glasses that revolve around the issue of looking through other lenses. Making them more specific to situations and ideas. I would like to carry on this project to bigger places beyond one pair and idea. There are so many possibilities.

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Last week my coworker brought me to a custom flower shop, which I had no idea even existed. I purchased a small piece she had sitting out for my desk at the office which I have been getting compliments on all week. Not to mention, I absolutely love it. Today I went down to visit the owner for a field trip. I wanted to share this unique method of design! I talked to her for a bit about design and the best quote she had for me was “I never copy a picture, that just isn’t creative and can get you in trouble!” We had a wonderful conversation about this workshop and about her flowers. She gave me her card and was excited that I found this place worth sharing! I look at plotted plants much differently now, who knew you could design with life!

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I often find people judging or questioning what people wear and I get irritated. Have you seen run way shows? Those people strut down the walk wearing things few people would wear out in public but, we adore it. I think this is strange. Why is it so beautiful flowing down a run way but so strange and weird inside our everyday lives?

When kids dress themselves, they come out in the most ridiculous outfits, making you question if they even notice what you dress them in every day. They let their imagination pick what they think they should wear, its not about what’s normal and who might judge. They wear what makes them happy.

Why can’t everyone do this?

I often hear people saying oh this looks funny, this makes me look fat, or this is just a crazy piece of clothing. Well do you think it looks funny? Do you feel fat in it? Do you like crazy? A lot of people dress the way they do because of other people’s judgement and it makes me wonder why we do this so much with fashion but not abstract art or even furniture pieces. Being different in those mediums makes you a famous artist with a wonderful mind. But wearing an odd piece of clothing makes you weird.

Image the world if we were all wearing something super crazy and different every day. You would be viewing art almost all the time. I think identity would be more broadcasted than it is today also. The way someone dresses usually has a stereotype to go with it, but does that really have anything to do with that person or do they just wear it so, you, the viewer, can accept that its normal?

I often find myself in this position too. I love fashion but what I wear has nothing to do with my style or what I would like to wear. In the office I wear what we are “supposed” to and outside of work I wear pretty standards things. I am afraid of judgment. How do we let judgment go when it comes to fashion? I think everyone just needs to wear what makes them happy and appreciate what art other people start to wear. 

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The day Matt told the class he couldn’t remember a tree was the day I started to notice trees, my memories of tress, and how other people thought about trees. I can’t remember them either.

The house I lived in for 6 years growing up had the most beautiful tree I have ever seen right in the front yard. It was almost perfectly round and just tall enough for me to stand underneath. In summer, it was bright green, brighter than the rest of the swamp I lived on. In fall it was bright red, orange, and yellow. In winter, its skeleton was the perfect sphere. My whole family would make comments about the tree during holidays. But I can’t remember a single branch. I couldn’t draw this tree if you asked me.

My great grandfather and uncle died 5 years ago. My family got together and planted trees in my grandmother’s woods to celebrate their lives. They still grow today with small bows attached to them, so we always remember. These trees can be seen out my grandma’s main window. But I can’t remember a single branch. How could I forget?

My step grandma has a large tree. The kind that has all the vines hanging down. I used to grab them and swing from them as a hyper small child. I remember I would bounce and they would almost lift me up before I would fall and smash into the water. I felt like Tarzan; I was Tarzan. I remember it was the perfect swinging tree. It had grown left towards to water, so the trunk never got in the way of my fun. It was perked up on a hill, so I had room to swing above the water. It was like the tree had grew for swinging. But I can’t remember a single vine. Was it really this magical?

I used to catch big bull frogs on the mucky shores of a lake in Clear Water. The shore was lined with trees that curved to make a small tunnel between the shore and water. This is where the cold muck came up to your knees. As you stepped through it you could feel frogs hit the bottom of your feet. This is when I would slide my hand down my leg and grab frogs as big as my face. This tunnel of trees was these frogs home. I was invading it and I thought I was on a mission. But I can’t remember a single branch? Do the frogs still live there?

How can something so memorable be lost?

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Democrat or republican?

Boy or girl?

Gay or straight?

Guns or no Guns?

Black or white?

Why is it that those that fall in-between these answers are considered different? Why are those that question these questions considered weird? Are we just supposed to fall into this gray world thinking in black and white?

Is black and white thinking just simpler? Is It like math; there is a definite answer? Or is this just normal, that’s what every human does?

Did it start with cave men?

Hot or cold?

Eat or no eat?

Alive or dead?

Wet or dry?

Is this part of our DNA? Or is it just easier?

Will we ever evolve out of this horrible habit? Or will we continue to take the easy way out?

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How many memories do you see?

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Every Designer hits a point where they are wearing out, they feel tired, and they think they just need a “vacation.” I’ve said it, you’ve probably said it, and I hear many people say it. But what does this really mean? Should we be lying on the beach with our brain shut off? Should we be having a Pina Colada on a ship somewhere?

Is that really a designer’s idea of a vacation?

If we feel this way are we really doing work that stimulates passion, love, and happiness?

All these things spark a drive in us that keeps us going. Designers truly can love what they do and never get “tired.” A vacation from design is design. If your tired of making scarfs than make hats.

This goes hand and hand with practice. When someone continues to invest in the things that make them happy even though it requires a lot of energy, emotion, and time they don’t try and escape from them. When I go to Miami or Las Vegas, yes, I soak up the sun and have a drink, but I also look at the buildings. I think about the Duck vs. Shed piece we all learn about in architecture school. I think about the shapes, color, and what it took to design and build that.

So, the next time you try and escape maybe you should work harder, practice more, and start a new project. That will power you further than these work, wear, escape cycles we all get stuck in.

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What is music?

I have been thinking about this question a lot lately, especially after meeting Roy. John cages music was something I was unfamiliar with, so I decided to listen to it for 9 hours straight today. Everything from 4’33” to his percussion pieces Roy had mentioned. At first, I did not like the music at all. I honestly wondered why this was even a thing, I didn’t feel the normal musical sensations such as rhythm or joy during this long moment of silence. I can understand however where he is coming from and why he would do this, it really brings this idea of everything is music to life. His percussion music was much more enjoyable. Once again, at first, I wasn’t really into it but by the end of the day I found myself snapping or tapping my feet to his beat as I worked.

I want to take his idea even further.

When people talk is that music? I mean conversations, not rap. Is the sound of breathing music? Is that small sound of your faucet dripping music?

What is music?

I guess music is life. When people talk to me my brain lights up with happiness, when my cat is snoring in my ear I smile, and when I hear my leaky faucet I know I’m finally home after a long day at the office. All these sounds bring joy, comfort, and familariness. The sounds of cars crashing, a cup falling off the shelf, and the unexpected screech of chalk on a board. These are all unpleasant, but they bring for memories and I can’t imagine the world without them. Even in all silence we cannot escape the sounds of our own body…. then what is silence? Has anyone ever actually experienced silence?

Music is life, and life cannot exist without music. I understand John cage.

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This was the best trip to the library I have had all semester. John (this man smiling for the selfie) looked for books the whole time we were there. He would just stop by and say this might help. The stuff he gave me was more interesting than what I had picked out for myself. The best part was I asked for some information on glasses and he brought back an actual pair of glasses! A group of designers made these glasses together for a certain cause which I found extremely helpful with my own project and was something amazing to see/read. I just wanted to post the pictures I took and leave you to see what I found. I plan on using this experience in my final work, so I can’t give it away!

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Why didn’t we discuss Robert Irwin’s photography?

I did my researching and investigated Robert Irwin and it doesn’t happen to often when I am completely blown away be someone’s photography. I think there is many great photographers, but I think it takes an extremely talented person to do something different within that media. Why do I think he’s different?

When you place a camera next to a mirror you get endless copies of that image, going on and on forever. Of course, most of us have experienced this and multiple people work with this in their photography. Robert does this but without mirrors, without the endlessness, and with structure yet it still has the same effect as an endless picture in a mirror. In a way his is almost more interesting. When a mirror repeats we can always understand that the next image will be the last. Roberts work has these small moments where that is not the case, it breaks the rule. There will be a random opening that doesn’t follow a pattern or a hole into public that shows people. His work just blows me away, even more than the science of mirrors.

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The more I read about the Eames the more I get upset. I recently found a book on the Eames chair, it had complete sketches, ideas, and photos. But most importantly it had interviews with those that worked along side the Eames. After the third interview I couldn’t read anymore which is uncommon for me. Why did I have to stop?

1.       Charles was teaching a man names Don Albinson at Cranbrook Academy of Art. During this time the chair was in the design process and six students were helping with its organic shapes. Don however was the first one able to make a prototype out of hardware cloth and plaster. He explains that the Eames were shocked he could do that in almost a negative way. It seems they didn’t this he could be as creative as them or that someone could create their work in a different medium. This was not empowering. A teacher to student connection should not be this way. Don should not be paying to help the teacher with his project and shouldn’t feel negative about being able to do something great. It just seemed so backwards to me.

2.       The interviews then go on to a select two workers that got asked to describe Ray and how she related to the firm and the workers. They go to explain that she was mostly in her “room” and they were not to go to her for questions, Charles was the one they answered to. One worker was also shown a set of drawings that Ray did that can now be found in the library of congress and they knew nothing of her drawings or that she was even involved. This really makes me think about the lives of these two. I feel as if this was something Ray never wanted but fell in love with Charles and was loyal enough to stay on his dream path. I think she left her own goals and dreams behind and let his consume hers. I think Charles was arrogant and kept Ray around because she could see things that his architectural technical side could not. I’m not sure he cared about her the way people think he did. In a way, the more I read, the more I feel as if she was just another tool in his plan. I do think he was being selfish and Ray was being selfless.

3.       As I go on to read and discover more interviews it seems the workers were treated the same way. They made no money, did not get credit for their designs, and watched Charles become famous. It all seems so negative for the people around this man.

How could great work come out of this collaboration? Was this collaboration really Charles and Ray? Or was is Charles and his crew? Or was it just Charles? Is that what Charles thought? I don’t think I will ever know the true answer to all these questions and that is why it is truly upsetting. I would like to think Ray was happy, Charles unselfish, and that this great work came from many people. But that is not reality.

Is it okay to dislike someone’s work because of their morals and characteristics? Is it okay to love everything Ray did but hate what Charles did because of the person he’s made out to be? For some reason this is how I feel the more I read about this “couple.” It alters how I look at the work, it alters how I think about their work, and it alters the way I look at design. Is this good or bad? Who knows.