In Winter

I think I've come a live this summer

Lasting Impression

   & this is all of the fighting we ever did.

Moving Forward

I got this lovely e-mail from my professor a few days ago and I'm still smiling about it. It's rare to find people that change the way you perceive the world and I feel so fortunate to have been influenced by quite a few admirable minds in the past four years. So this is me moving forward in hopes that I will turn out to be a more exciting 20 something year old with a little help from friends, family and mentors.

" Dear Independent Studio,

During the last few weeks of class I came across these words, by Michael Ondaatje in ‘The Cat’s Table’, that made me think about you moving on from RSID -

‘There is a story, always ahead of you. Barely existing. Only gradually do you attach yourself to it and feed it. You discover the carapace that will contain and test your character. You find in this way the path of your life….’

I wish you well with what comes next and hope you keep in-touch.

It has been an inspiration and pleasure getting to know the way you look at the world.

-CD "

Playlist: Toronto

School is finally out for summer and I couldn't be happier. Having had time to take some very long, much needed breaths of fresh air, I'm happy to say that upon revisiting my thesis  project, on this sunny afternoon, I am still quite pleased with the outcome. I'm working away on a brand new portfolio and website so stay tuned for some more information on the project. Until then, I hope you enjoy this little touch of Graphic Porn. 

Special thanks to Steven Lee of Silhouetted Skyline for the inspirational photography and to Toronto for being a city full of adventure.

Buildings for Music

I had my first hand in for my thesis project on Thursday. It basically consisted of my proposal and some background research regarding my topic: "Buildings for music". Above are a few of my most successful pages. The Goal is to create "Spaces that hear" where the user is able to engage with music and the sounds of the metropolis.

This morning, I grabbed a coffee and walked to the subway to head to work with the hum of St. Vincent for company. Despite the spiraling winds and the snow melting on my nose, I couldn't help but smile to myself as Annie sang: 

"Marry me, Jon

Marry me, Jon

I'll be so good to you"

As you move about your neighborhood, how does music or the sounds of your city effect your perception of space, time and people?

Matthias Manner

As I dive into my final design project of my university career, I can't help but revisit all of my previous projects for common threads. I'm smiling at my successes, laughing at my failures and accepting that things take time. It has been four years and I think I'm in a very comfortable place.

 After viewing the incredible work of Matthias Manner, I'm immediately taken back to the work I did last semester regarding weather and architecture. I guess there's validity in the phrase "No design is ever finished"

In Process

I finally finished this semester on Monday. I was up all night on Sunday working away like little elf in the studio. The topic was PROCESS: how it aids us and its relevance both inside and outside of the design community.  We filmed our peers and faculty within my design school to find answers to these questions in hopes a making a short documentary next semester.

After having time to let my thoughts gain some clarity, a few ideas on my own personal process have begun to resonate. It's the second consecutive semester where I'm quite happy with the work that I have produced. I feel quite confident in my ability to provide creative design solutions both two dimensionally and three dimensionally . I  never really thought of this until now but.... 

 "I think I could be a great designer. There, I said it. Sue me" Here are a few pages from the book I designed and  submitted in collaboration with Rabab Ali "These follies of Mine"  and Jacqueline Kay "BLAHg". Both of their blogs are worth checking out if you haven't already done so.

Cirrostratus

In Brown

For BVGROUP

Tools of Self Expression

It's far too easy to get lost in the metropolis. Stop and stare at something you pass by everyday. You'll be suprised by what you find or even what you don't find.

Goodbye Summer, you were good to me

Year three of design school has begun and I'm already anticipating an eventful year. I'll try to keep you posted every step of the way as I stumble upon brilliant architecture, melt into imaginative interiors and glorify my fickle muses.I drew this portrait one night a few weeks ago by computer light. I think it describes my state of being as I enter a new school year. (A bit worried, perhaps with a pinch of angst and emphasis on the art of being aware.) My eyes are wide open and I'm observing. Through observation and a soaring imagination, I create. This is my craft. This is my bag.

Cardboard Chair

Meet ISIS
Goddess of Simplicity
Patron of Magic
Representation of the throne.

Isis was cut, folded and scored from a 4 x 8 sheet of corrugated cardboard and can support 225 lbs. I think this one is keeper.

Sleep is for the weak when you're counting sheep.

I haven't slept in days ( but like actually)
I'm currently designing a cardboard chair that has to support 225lbs. I started thinking of a narrative for this chair and my mind took me straight into something of a different world.
On my precedent hunt for my lovely cardboard chair I found this lovely image! I want this in my house one day.

Tic Toc nouveau

I have to work: tomorrow.
I have an exam :tomorrow...
aqua vitae: tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Although there is a light at the end of the tunnel (no matter how blurry it will end up) I can't help but get into this time warp and think: "Damn, I shoulda been a house-husband"

In my procrastination, I see great images like these: and I remember why I'm going to be a designer. It's all about the relationships we share: how two or more objects or ideas marry and divorce. It's about sitting at a table for two or sharing a picnic with the everyone on the block. It's about time and it's about direction.
I think at this point I'm beginning to get a sense of what I like, what I'm going to do and what styles I will put my signature on. as a designer. (one day) All I have to do is find title for it...:

Tomorrow .

Get in the spirit already!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Access or ease?

5 minutes under those light would make you vacant.
If by chance I fall into bad habit,

Catch me when I fall.

Disregard distance.

Disregard time.

Design school has begun ( year two) and I hope to find my niche.
I hope it’s comfortable and cozy- like a crawlspace overcome with feathers.

I'm feeling creative musically, in my writing, in my photos, in my wardrobe and in my accessories.

I hope this translates into my designs.

I hope my little blue bird sings the happiest of tunes to help me soar.