Inclined to Create

Good Work: Silva/Bradshaw

Tara — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:45:03 +0000

I am in love with this jewelry from the design duo Silva/Bradshaw.

Artist/designers Matthew Bradshaw and Sergio Silva met while studying industrial design at Pratt. They design some pretty gorgeous items and just last month they launched their jewelry line. I love how their pieces are simple in form yet intricate and that the rings can also double as necklaces. Either way, these are statement pieces. I am also currently swooning over their Dyvel Table, which consists of two parallel glass surfaces held in tension by four wooden legs. Spend some time on their site checking out their other amazing creations.

*via Co Design

Monday Morning Inspiration: Design Thinking

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:53:24 +0000

The Four Phases of Design Thinking

by Warren Berger

What can people in business learn from studying the ways successful designers solve problems and innovate? On the most basic level, they can learn to question, care, connect, and commit — four of the most important things successful designers do to achieve significant breakthroughs.

Having studied more than a hundred top designers in various fields over the past couple of years (while doing research for a book), I found that there were a few shared behaviors that seemed to be almost second nature to many designers. And these ingrained habits were intrinsically linked to the designer’s ability to bring original ideas into the world as successful innovations. All of which suggests that they merit a closer look.

Question. If you spend any time around designers, you quickly discover this about them: They ask, and raise, a lot of questions. Often this is the starting point in the design process, and it can have a profound influence on everything that follows. Many of the designers I studied, from Bruce Mau to Richard Saul Wurman to Paula Scher, talked about the importance of asking “stupid questions”–the ones that challenge the existing realities and assumptions in a given industry or sector. The persistent tendency of designers to do this is captured in the joke designers tell about themselves. How many designers does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: Does it have to be a light bulb?

In a business setting, asking basic “why” questions can make the questioner seem naïve while putting others on the defensive (as in, “What do you mean ‘Why are we doing it this way?’ We’ve been doing it this way for 22 years!”). But by encouraging people to step back and reconsider old problems or entrenched practices, the designer can begin to re-frame the challenge at hand — which can then steer thinking in new directions. For business in today’s volatile marketplace, the ability to question and rethink basic fundamentals — What business are we really in? What do today’s consumers actually need or expect from us? — has never been more important.

Care. It’s easy for companies to say they care about customer needs. But to really empathize, you have to be willing to do what many of the best designers do: step out of the corporate bubble and actually immerse yourself in the daily lives of people you’re trying to serve. What impressed me about design researchers such as Jane Fulton Suri of IDEO was the dedication to really observing and paying close attention to people — because this is usually the best way to ferret out their deep, unarticulated needs. Focus groups and questionnaires don’t cut it; designers know that you must care enough to actually be present in people’s lives.

Connect. Designers, I discovered, have a knack for synthesizing–for taking existing elements or ideas and mashing them together in fresh new ways. This can be a valuable shortcut to innovation because it means you don’t necessarily have to invent from scratch. By coming up with “smart recombinations” (to use a term coined by the designer John Thackara), Apple has produced some of its most successful hybrid products; and Nike smartly combining a running shoe with an iPod to produce its groundbreaking Nike Plus line (which enables users to program their runs). It isn’t easy to come up with these great combos. Designers know that you must “think laterally” — searching far and wide for ideas and influences — and must also be willing to try connecting ideas that might not seem to go together. This is a way of thinking that can also be embraced by non-designers.

Commit. It’s one thing to dream up original ideas. But designers quickly take those ideas beyond the realm of imagination by giving form to them. Whether it’s a napkin sketch, a prototype carved from foam rubber, or a digital mock-up, the quick-and-rough models that designers constantly create are a critical component of innovation — because when you give form to an idea, you begin to make it real.

But it’s also true that when you commit to an idea early — putting it out into the world while it’s still young and imperfect — you increase the possibility of short-term failure. Designers tend to be much more comfortable with this risk than most of us. They know that innovation often involves an iterative process with setbacks along the way — and those small failures are actually useful because they show the designer what works and what needs fixing. The designer’s ability to “fail forward” is a particularly valuable quality in times of dynamic change. Today, many companies find themselves operating in a test-and-learn business environment that requires rapid prototyping. Which is just one more reason to pay attention to the people who’ve been conducting their work this way all along.

Warren Berger is the author of GLIMMER: How design can transform, business, your life, and maybe even the world. He also edits the online magazine GlimmerSite.com.

This article was originally on the Harvard Business Review Blog. You can see the original here.

The image is actually a visualization of the whole flickr processing.org group which was created by Andreas Köberle

An Interview: Anna Wintour

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:07:42 +0000

“It’s not about forcing how we choose to present our stories into the same mold. It’s about seeing how our readers interact with each medium, and what we feel each medium has to offer the reader.”
-Anna Wintour

Humberto Leon, one of the co-founders of Opening Ceremony, recently had the opportunity to speak with Anna Wintour.

There’s something truly inspiring about discussing fashion with Anna Wintour that goes beyond her great influence. When Carol and I were invited to her office to discuss Fashion’s Night Out, among other topics, we were struck by how passionate and curious she remains about the fashion world. We were surprised to find ourselves geeking out with Anna on ‘Like a Prayer’-era Madonna, her iPad, lost Soho oculists, and what prompted her to put a pair of jeans on the cover of Vogue in 1988. Of course, the order of the day was Fashion’s Night Out, the event she developed last year to jumpstart global retail. I think that one of the things we share with Anna is an excitement for shopping, and a belief that retail should be fun, which is why being part of the event comes second nature to Opening Ceremony.

Humberto Leon: What’s new for Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) this year?
Anna Wintour: This year we have a CBS documentary on the making of the event, and we’re staging the largest public fashion show in New York’s history with some of the world’s top models. It will be a carnival-style celebration like last year, only bigger and better, with more cities and retailers participating.

HL: We hear that Vogue is organizing a giant FNO fashion show at Lincoln Center, the new home of Fashion Week. What can we expect to see?
AW: Traditionally, shows are industry events, so this is unique as we’re staging it for the consumer. Not only will shoppers preview the best trends for fall on many of the world’s most recognized models, but they will also have the opportunity to purchase those trends on Fashion’s Night Out. No matter their style or budget, anyone can translate the latest trends to suit their tastes and wardrobe.

HL: How can FNO achieve the same impact abroad as it has in NY?
AW: Last year, many cities had very successful celebrations. The fact that 3 more countries have decided to join in is a testament to last year’s success. At its core, FNO is a celebration of fashion, and each city knows best how to tailor the event to suit the needs of its culture. But what’s interesting is the transactional element – stores are taking the creative initiative to draw consumers in. Each city is responsible for thinking outside the box to create that unique environment and connect shoppers with fashion on a whole different level.

HL: As a retailer, Opening Ceremony realizes that FNO is the best excuse to do something really fun, exciting, new, and fresh for our customers. Is this what you imagined for FNO?
AW: Absolutely. Opening Ceremony is a great example of a retailer that knows its consumer and is responding to their interests, personalities, and shopping habits. The store is always current and exciting, so people are destined to return again and again. It is a wonderful microcosm of what we hope the world of FNO will be on Sept 10.

HL: Ignoring budget and logistics, can you describe your fantasy FNO?
AW: Looking at the impressive lineup for this year, I think we are already seeing the fantasy being played out in reality.

HL: What is a change you’ve seen in the fashion industry since the first FNO?
AW: I believe consumer confidence is being restored. People are out there shopping again without the level of guilt or concern of the previous year. Also, it’s built community amongst designers and retailers, both competitors and otherwise, and brought together all aspects of American culture and arts, which is an exciting aspect in and of itself. It’s a time of the year when fashion cities around the world are united in a cause, which is wonderful.

HL: What’s your vision for FNO 10 years from now?
AW: That retailers and consumers will be inventing bigger and better ideas to celebrate fashion.

HL: Do you read fashion blogs, and if so, which ones are your favorites?
AW: Yes, of course. We’ve featured many bloggers in Vogue. Hanneli Mustaparta and Rachel Chandler are regular contributors to Vogue.com.

HL: How do you think fashion blogs have affected magazine content?
AW: Like any evolution in the industry, they force you to become better at what you do. Vogue’s in-depth articles and beautiful fashion stories, along with coverage of the arts within a fashion context, is not something that exists in the same way on blogs. They force us to dig deeper for stories, but we’re not competitors; we serve different markets.

HL: Can photography and fashion editorials exist on the Internet?
AW: Yes and they do. They are just presented in a different manner and provide more of a complementary voice to what lies in the pages of Vogue. Every medium serves a great purpose to reach our readers. It’s not about forcing how we choose to present our stories into the same mold. It’s about seeing how our readers interact with each medium, and what we feel each medium has to offer the reader.

HL: Your first Vogue cover featured jeans paired with a Christian Lacroix jacket. How did this idea, which was so revolutionary at the time, come about? Do you still take inspiration from youth culture? Is there anything happening in street style that you find interesting?
AW: It was first and foremost a translation of a European aesthetic for the American consumer. It brought couture to the street and streetwear into Vogue during the era of Madonna’s Like A Prayer. It was also a recognition of the importance of personal style in fashion, which has played a role in Vogue ever since.

HL: Who do you think is New York’s #1 shopper?
AW: New York is a fashion-conscious city, and there are many anonymous shoppers who could claim that title.

HL: What influences your own sense of style?
AW: I think style should always be an expression of an individual’s personality and tastes.

HL: What is your favorite store in New York that is no longer open?
AW: There was an oculist on Prince Street that had great sunglasses and is sadly now a wine store.

HL: Do you own an iPad?
AW: Yes, I do.

HL: Our FNO concept is patterned after great Parisian flea markets such as Clignancourt and Vanves. Have you ever been to any of them, and if so, what have you purchased?
AW: I am usually in Paris on business and don’t make it out to the markets, but they are wonderful places with incredible history and serve an important role in the fashion industry.

HL: As you know, our country collaboration this year is with France. Would you mind sharing your favorite French spots? What are the best shopping neighborhoods/streets?
AW: There are so many wonderful shopping areas in Paris. Different streets cater to different tastes, so it depends what I’m looking for.

HL: The place you most wish existed in NY?
AW: I love the Place des Vosges and wish there was something like it in New York.

HL: The best hotel bar?
AW: The bar at the Ritz.

HL: And finally, your favorite hidden spot?
AW: If I told you it wouldn’t be hidden!

Monday Morning Inspiration: Paper Cut Project

Tara — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:48:26 +0000

Drawing on their backgrounds as a fashion editor and a stylist, Georgia based artists Nikki Salk and Amy Flurry create these amazing three-dimensional sculptures as part of their company Paper Cut Project.

Launched in January 2010, their creations are “fueled by a love of fashion and an appreciation of grace and nuance of this humble material.” Paper Cut Project has created a collection of animal inspired paper masks as well as these dramatic paper wigs that crowned the mannequins at the Jeffrey stores in both NY and Atlanta and are they now working on an exclusive collection for Hermès.

See more of their extraordinary creations here.

*via T Magazine

Good Work: Jensen-Conroy

Tara — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:36:06 +0000

I’m loving these Jensen-Conroy knit-wrapped cuffs. The combination of the hard metal with the loose textile is stunning. Wade Jensen and Moire Conroy’s jewelry line launched last year at the gorgeous boutique, Maryam Nassir Zadeh but can also be found at No6 Store, Colette and Mick Margo.

*via No6 Store

Teamwork: Gilt Groupe + Target

Tara — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:56:10 +0000

Beginning August 20th, Gilt Groupe, the fashion flash-sale retailer, will be partnering up with Target to offer an exclusive advance look at three designer capsule collections by Mulberry, the British lifestyle brand known for its luxury leather goods, Tucker, the nostalgic collection of draped silk blouses and dresses and John Derian, the master of decoupage.

In many ways, Target and Gilt’s consumers are cut from the same cloth – they both seek out deals and bargains. It’s a well thought out partnership and, if executed well, should expand Gilt’s membership and increase Target’s brand visibility. I think the key to a successful partnership will be the product offerings as well as the overall quality of the goods. The challenge is that in the past Target’s partnerships have been hit and miss. There are times where the collections are compelling but the quality or fit is lacking and vice versa. I’m both curious and excited to see how this one plays out. Let the countdown begin.

Monday Morning Inspiration: Art in Your Pocket

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:42:50 +0000

MoMA is ahead of the game. While many other museum have failed to accept the digital age, MoMA has embraced it with a free iPhone application that allows you to browse their latest exhibitions, daily events and film screenings as well as over 32,000 works in their permanent collection. It even lets you create a playlist to listen to while you visit the museum. True to MoMA’s mission, the visual interface of the app is engaging and inspiring and makes me want to visit Bruce Nauman’s Days, a “sound sculpture” consisting of a continuous stream of seven voices reciting the days of the week in random order. Who wants to join me?

You can download it from iTunes.

*via Cool Hunting

Discovered: Chance

Tara — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:31:24 +0000

This really is the. perfect. striped. shirt. Created by Julia Leach, the former creative director of Kate Spade, Chance celebrates form and function.

Chance sees the nautical striped shirt as the personal fashion paper clip–”every drawer has one.” Honoring timeless style that can travel the world whether in a small fishing village on the coast of France or in your backyard picking blackberries, the striped shirt is a quintessential staple. As seen in the time line on the Chance website, the striped shirt has history. From the French Navy to Picasso, James Dean, Mick Jagger and Hunter S. Thompson, I think it’s safe to say, stripes have always been, and will continue to be, “in.”