May 18, 2011
In London and Paris, a multitude of Museums and Galleries house some of the most influential and amazing art in the world– but I’ve found, in both cities, the street art has an awe-inspiring and raw quality that is even more magnetic. For me, these pieces and the creativity they inspire span a gap between graffiti, street art and installation art and allow the streetscape to act as gallery.
March 31, 2011 1 Comment
In my never-ending quest for great (and travel appropriate) boots and only having disappointing retail experiences trying to find them, I finally had to turn to online sources – and frankly, I will never go back! Piperlime.com has won me over! While I knew I would love the boots – I had no idea the Brand experience would be so delightful. Read more of this post
February 4, 2011 1 Comment
Is the power of orange being diluted? For a color that used to stand strongly behind the construction industry, it is getting a lot of traction across multiple industries. The Brand that is currently using it in the boldest way is AT&T (or should I say the remnants of the Cingular merger). Read more of this post
January 21, 2011 2 Comments
The new Comedy Central logo has elicited a vast range of responses from Boooooooooring to Kick A**! The network set out to update their look, which has gone nearly unchanged since the 90s, launching the new logo January 1. According to thelab, the designers for the project, the goal was to create an ‘irreverent wink’ and to have an inherent simplicity that works on all levels of media. Read more of this post
December 9, 2010
Chicago, one of America’s classic cities, has it all – from retail to incredible Architecture to most importantly RESTAURANTS… it is really a design paradise – even when the wind chill is -10 degrees.
November 11, 2010 3 Comments
Advertising agencies are elevating the level of ‘Branding’ in commercials these days, with the more widely accepted practice of employing key celebrities to do their voiceovers. An art in itself, casting the right voice – and often, more importantly, the right celebrity character’s voice, adds depth to these commercials that is almost on a subconscious level. If you emotionally connect with that character, can the simple use of his or her voice connect you to that product as well? Do you listen to the message more intently when ‘Don Draper’ tells you to love Mercedes?
Or when Mad Men’s ‘Roger Sterling’ sells the ‘Lincoln lifestyle’?
Or can you accept Cisco and the ‘Human Network’ as a forward-thinking, inspired company when paired with a youthful Ellen Page and a classroom full of globally connected children?
Then again, a few fall short… despite his presidential confidence – am I supposed to believe that Martin Sheen is the choice, or voice, of the ‘Next Generation’?
The bar has been set high and Brand’s need to be all the more aware of who their customers emotionally connect with… Trust me, we’re listening.
If you were a voiceover, which Brand would you be?
October 29, 2010 1 Comment
While looking for unique servingware recently, I purchased a Himalayan Sea Salt slab – it’s ethereal pink translucency and pure weight were slightly mezmerizing and drew me in initially. Little did I know the full benefits of my purchase – but quickly came to find out that not only was this a dramatic serving piece, but it was an amazing interactive show piece as well! These slabs– ‘salt of the earth’, literally, can unassumingly be heated up to 500º at which point you can cook directly on their surface with some simple prepping. They can also be used over direct heat on a stove or grill AND cooled to feature cold foods, even ice cream. Sweet! Or in this case… Salty!
Sizzling Scallops on a 500˚ salt slab by Fresh to Market
Grillin’ sausage and eggs over an open grill by BarbequeMaster
Scallops with Szechuan Peppercorns and Citrus from Salt News
So at your next dinner party – sizzle like the culinary star you’ve dreamed of being and rock the Himalayan Sea Salt cook top!
September 30, 2010 2 Comments
First, let me apologize to the true wine connoisseurs out there for my less than scientific wine buying tactics…
Here’s the buying journey: To start, I check out the bottles flagged with ‘wine spectator’ or other reputable ratings, then if I‘m not satisfied, I’ll ask for a recommendation from the knowledgable staff. But that’s really where ‘reason’ ends and my design brain takes over. Even if the wine is great, could I possibly buy a bottle with a terrible or even mediocre label?!? I think not. And while I, begrudgingly, understand I cannot base my entire wine choice on the design of the label, there is part of me that hopes and waits for that day. Until then, I suggest Toast-Its! A site offering wine bottle labels for all occasions.
Cover up those nasty labels… Bottoms up! Na Zdrowie!
September 16, 2010 1 Comment
The FRCH United Way Campaign scored another win with the fabulous FRCH Bake Sale this morning!!! Special thanks to all the wonderful bakers who contributed sweet and savory baked goodies. Big thanks to all you FRCH-ers out there who made it such a huge success!
Culinary Creations included: Banana Walnut Oatmeal Chip Cookies, Triple Chocolate Espresso Cookies, Great Aunt Silvia’s Caramel Cuts / Blondies, Double Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies, Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispy Sticks, Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies, M&M Cupcakes, Pumpkin Roll, Zucchini Bread, Bacon-Leek-Cheddar Mini Quiches, Fruit Pie Cookies, Chocolate Chocolate Brownies, Pineapple Cupcakes and Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies!
Unbelievably delish!
September 2, 2010 1 Comment
Menus can say a lot about a Brand and contribute even more to the overall personality and dining experience. They have become much more than a vehicle for communicating the offering – they tell a bigger story about guest interaction, choice, sustainability and ever-changing fresh daily menus. Beyond that, they present their own personality – whether they are home-spun, casual, iconic, playful or loud… they create a unique experience. Here are some of my favs (menus and restaurants!)…
ABOVE: Menus from ForkHeartKnife (left) and Take the Cake (right), both in Cincinnati (and fabulous). These speak primarily to their daily culinary creations. The kraft paper and chalkboard materials also give them an old school deli/bistro feel.
ABOVE: Menus from Mayday (left) in Cincinnati and Yeah! Burger (right) in Atlanta, specialize in all the possible crazy combinations and fun choices for ‘Build Your Own’ dining.
ABOVE: Menus from Andaluca Restaurant (top, left – photo courtesy of jenniferyellow/flickr) in Seattle, farmerbrown (bottom, left – photo courtesy of ja-nel-a-di/flickr) in San Fransisco, and Hidden (right – photo courtesy of amenonine/flickr) in Vancouver all use paper in innovative and playful ways for the guest to interact with. The Hidden drink menu is a game, like the ‘fortune tellers’ of elementary school, where you play to find out what you’ll be drinking that evening. The farmerbrown menu goes a step beyond and uses an industrial metal cover and magnet to hold on daily specials.
ABOVE: West Egg in Atlanta goes with the fun, loud approach matching big graphics with big flavor! That Banana Bread French Toast is genius.
Eat. Drink. Be Graphic.
