Those of us who have visual minds find that although we dream in color, there is one fact that is inherently black and white. We are cursed to picture things in our mind that we would rather not – but on the flip-side we are blessed to have the ability to envision a draft-worthy product before we even have the materials ready to sketch. Some visual-minded individuals, like Nikita Nomerz of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, are blessed to see things that do not exist, and have the ability to bring them to life. Nomerz has brilliantly personified a collection of towers, dilapidated buildings, and deteriorating urban spaces by forcing us all to see what he sees.

I imagine that when Nomerz sees an opportunity, he immediately feels an itch or craving that can only be scratched or satiated by dropping everything to share his discovery with the world (much like it has been for me about writing this post). A very elementary example of my own is found in the FRCH lobby. Months after Jon Lewis tagged the column, I discovered a bear lurking in a blob. The only option was to postpone lunch to force everyone else to see it too. Hence the reason for calling it a curse.

Below is a more thorough collection of Nomerz’s work. The way that he uses architectural elements to create facial features is amazing. I love how he maintains the integrity of his surfaces to bring life to the canvas rather than creating a completely separate work of art.

“Open Your Eyes” – Irkutsk, Russia – 2011.. The eyebrows are obvious, but the roof pitch looks to me like a beret. And the shutters could be ears, or possibly even sideburns.

“Watcher Man” – Kransoyarsk Krai, Russia – 2011… Another vision impaired building.

“The Fire in the Eyes” – Nizhny Novgorod, Russia – 2011… Watch the video of Nomerz creating this spirited piece in time lapse. Skip to 0:45 to avoid the interlude of leaves.

“The Big Brother” – Nizhny Novgorod, Russia – 2011

“River Man” - Novosibirsk, Russia – 2011

“The Faces” – Perm, Russia – 2011… Real life Thomas the Tank Engine.. sans the engine…

“Tower Man” – Perm, Russia – 2011

“Underground Dweller” - Nizhny Novgorod, Russia – 2011

Nomerz’s ability (and successful effort) to bring life to the otherwise ignored is such an inspiration. This might seem random, but while seeing and studying these works of art, I am continuously reminded of John Keating’s quote in Dead Poets Society: “I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way.”

- visit Nikita Normerz’s personal blog to explore his other works.

Yeah, it’s been a while since my first post. Mostly because I realized I’m not the best person for a music blog. My musical tastes, while broad within genres, aren’t broad in general. However I’d be willing to wager that everyone pigeonholes his/her musical spreadsheet much like I do. Such is life. Anyway if you think I could benefit from a little exposure to Dubstep or Pop Country, feel free to tell me, or suggest me something on Spotify. Also, I encourage everyone to post a comment with songs/artists that blow your hair back!

Here are 5 songs that got me bouncing in my seat lately!

Fortune – The Marked Men from Ghosts (2009)

You ever hear a song and it captures your imagination so intensely that you get goosebumps? Chances are this song won’t do it for you, but it definitely did for me. I don’t know what they put in the water in Denton, Texas but I want some. If this song lit up your life, check out some of their side projects that literally sound exactly the same: The Potential Johns, The Reds, High Tension Wires.

In a Big Country – Big Country from The Crossing (1983)

This band is a testament to my musical ignorance. I have a friend who is OBSESSED with Big Country and would always blast this song at 4am when only four or five of us were still awake on a Friday night. I was under the impression that this band was some unknown gem from the 80s. I was so wrong. So very wrong. This band’s career spans decades and they still tour today. So dust off your record player and go buy this LP now and blast it at 8pm while your neighbors are trying to watch American Idol. Your kids will love you for it.

Torche – In Return from In Return (2007)

This band is my new obsession. It’s hard to explain the genre they fall into. They are generally classified as “stoner metal” but there is so much other influence thrown into this band (indie, pop punk) that it is daunting. No other songs on this EP sound much like the title track so if you like the song, I would suggest listening to the LP Songs For Singles. They also just recorded three amazing Guided By Voices covers for a split with the band Part Chimp. Go get it!

Son et Lumiere/Intertiatic Esp – The Mars Volta from Deloused in the Comatorium (2003)

Let me start off by saying that I don’t like this band…at all. But for whatever reason these two songs (you can’t really listen to the second track without the previous one) get my hair standing on end every time I listen to them. Songs like this make me truly believe that artists sometimes sit down and craft an arrangement of music that they know will absolutely blow everyone away across the board. Which is probably why they’re huge.

I’ve Got My Mind Set on You – George Harrison from Cloud 9 (1987)

I know this song was a cover, and the album itself has much more substance than this hit single, but there’s no possible way anyone could dislike this song. Even the music video was genius. Plus, it was because of writing this album that Harrison became fond of writing music again and went on to form The Traveling Wilburys. So back off!

Now i need to know what you all have been listening to while ignoring your fellow co-workers! Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars kids!

It’s amazing to me that there isn’t a second of hesitation in recognizing the Disney “D” and BP is synonymous with “gas”. In the world of brand strategy and logo design, we spend so much time carefully crafting recognizable identities with meaning, but do we ever stop to consider the impressions we make on our youngest consumers? It’s a reminder for me in the power of simplicity, like the McDonald’s “M” which this child was happy to connect with french fries.

There’s a little gem of a store at 72 Spring Street in Soho, Manhattan.

Called C. Wonder, Christopher Burch opened the store in October of 2011, and has 3 others on the outskirts of New York. Brightly striped green and white laminated walls, along with a floral vespa, greet you as you enter through the big green over-sized doors, boldly emblazoned with a distinctive ”C” . The store is a series of small shops with unique  appeal, each housing a curated assortment of everything from housewares and textiles to jewelry and apparel.

This store is very fun, with some quirky color combinations and geometric patterns that just somehow seem to work.

The merchandise presentation is done well, particularly in more difficult categories like eyewear and aprons.

The fitting rooms have touch screens that allow you to control the lights and the music. In addition to a central cash wrap, sales associates roam the store with itouches that can complete sales transactions. Bag stands hold the appropriate materials to package each purchase.

I was charmed by this store, and they were very gracious in allowing me to photograph at will. Next time I will shop!

It was a busy few days for the FRCH team at the 101st NRF Annual Convention and Expo, held January 15 through 18 in New York. This year there were an estimated 24,000 attendees.

“Embracing Our Common Humanity” was the title of former president Bill Clinton’s keynote address to a capacity crowd. Held in the enormous North Hall, it was standing-room only.

Our very own Lori Kolthoff and Steve Gardner were two-thirds of a presentation entitled: Innovation in Store Design, Resource Design, and Technology. They both did an amazing job presenting their subject matter, and we are sure to see more of them in the future, elaborating on their expertise. Click here to see the NRF daily newsletter with a recap of their speech.

Monday evening brought us to the International Store Design Awards Gala sponsored by the Retail Design Institute. FRCH had two winning projects, Giraffas and Bob’s Stores. Giraffas won a design award, first place in the Franchised Restaurant category.

Bob’s Stores won two awards, an Innovation award for Visual Merchandising, and a First Place/Value Store design award. The clients for both projects were present to accept the awards, and seemed thrilled to do so.

We also had the opportunity to visit some great new retail, more to come on that in the following weeks!

Like with any design, the concept starts with a sketch and a 3-D model to work out the details and get the proportions right.  Solving design problems at this stage will make the construction process much easier.

Choosing the right materials and creating a parts list from the model saves time and money.  Some of the techniques shown here are similar to theme park and movie set applications.  Stuart Craig, production designer on the Harry Potter films, refers to himself as “an architect in plywood”.  The sets are typically simple construction and finished in a heavy coat of faux paint and texture.  Sculptural elements are usually carved in foam and, if need be, coated in fiberglass.

Careful layout and planning is key to a successful finish.  Templates for all the varying shapes can be made directly from the Sketch-Up model.

Cutting and assembly of the pieces is the next step, making sure the opposite sides of the arch line up.

Automotive filler, or Bondo, is used to add three dimensional texture, grout lines and cracks.

The Bondo and primer  process is on-going throughout the construction. Other moldings and dimensional elements are then added and matched in texture.  A router table with a panel raising bit will shape the curved cove moldings, while a lathe is great for turning the corbels on the top and bottom of the columns.

Faux painting and a bit of carving is next.  Thin washes of varying tones and colors provide the look of stone, dirt and age.  Splattering, sponging and dry brushing are techniques that add to the look.                                                 

The easy part is the door.  Simple plank construction, stain and aging.

MDF is the perfect material for the hinges and provides a great surface for a carved, or forged, texture using a Dremel tool.

Finally, sculptural details are added and painted to look like iron.  This is the same technique used in “How to Make a Pirate Cannon”,.

And there it is.  From a pile of plywood and lumber to a finished sculptural piece ready for your next Harry Potter or Murder Mystery Party.

I am a fan of the simple elegance of Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s work. The Centre Pompidou-Metz is hosting an exhibition, inviting visitors to wander through a gallery highlighting fifteen years of work. The collection includes pieces ranging from prototypes to mass produced work, as well as hand-crafted objects.

If you find yourself near Metz, France this winter, be sure to stop in. The exhibit runs from October 7, 2011  to July 30, 2012.

via Contemporist

While searching for some images recently, I came across a few forgotten photos that reminded me that even in it’s simplest form, all retail can appeal to the right shopper.  Above, a New York street vendor presents their wares.

A puppeteer in Cologne prepares for a street show.

Despite the dreary conditions, the lure of a unique book or artwork draws visitors to these stands along the Seine.

2011 has been a great year for us. We want to thank all of our incredible client partners, dedicated employees, friends and family who have contributed to our shared success. We raise our glasses to all of you and toast to a bubbly and bright 2012, Cheers!

Incredibly, each letter is routed out of 30mm granite, individually hand placed and embedded into concrete panels. This project takes the idea of type setting to an entirely new level. The endeavor even required developing new techniques and recipes for production, such as a blue granite that won’t fade.

An absolutely mammoth undertaking including 160,000 individual letters spread out over 320 concrete slabs, showcasing quotes from over 1,000 comedians. The website does a great job of explaining the work’s history and process, while this short clip does a better job than photos of displaying the sheer scale of the project.

Blackpool, Comedy Carpet from James Gilbert on Vimeo.

The pristine glossy finish. Now, I want to know what happened to those left over granite slabs of the letter negatives, I want to make a coffee table out of one.