Design Notes

The table stays.

The New York Times this week looks at what happens when people with high-design homes bring children into that environment. Some parents in the article were forced to give up their formal dining room to become a playroom, while others got even more creative.  Take Kipp Cheng and his partner of 15 years, Mark Jarecke for example.  That couple turned to foam to childproof their Barcelona chairs and Noguchi table. Mr. Jarecke thinks that the foam “transformed this beautiful modernist piece of furniture into a piece you’d find in a ’70s rec room.” I’m actually happy the table stayed in the picture. As the photo above illustrates, the table’s still a looker, with or without the foam.

Identifying the white bike.

In a recent Design Notes newsletter, Ray Brunner discussed various forms of alternative, environmentally sound transportation. We’ve been asked: “So, where is that white bicycle in the picture from?” In response, I was asked to provide a little background about it.

Several years ago I asked one of my bicycle geek friends to build me a bike. What resulted was my pride and joy – an all black hybrid of old-school track bike and new-school fixed gear. Since then I have been very content with it. Given my love for my bicycle and all things cycling related, about a year ago a friend asked if it was possible for me to build her a bicycle. I had already been tinkering with the idea of taking up bicycle building as a hobby to get myself out from behind the computer, and I had experience in restoring vintage motorcycles so I thought, “How difficult could it be?”

I began pulling the pieces together, both new and vintage, and got the build under way. Having worked as a graphic designer for the last 10 years, I know the value of designing for my client – not for myself – so my goal was to design the prototypical bike for her, both in function and form. The finished product turned out exactly as I imagined it from the start (see the above Design Notes pic) and when I handed it over to her I saw her face light up (this must be why parents give their children bicycles for Christmas). Once everything was tightened down, we took a ride through the park together and her excitement grew the further she rode. She was hooked on riding her new, Jeremy-designed bike and I was hooked on building them.

Since then I’ve had more requests for work and it has actually grown into a fun little side project. While most designers love to see their work preserved for all to see, I much prefer seeing mine locked up to a post and worn from use – that means the owner is out enjoying themselves.

Made in Brazil.

From the land of the beautiful people and supermodels comes this from a Brazilian gym’s ad campaign. It’s an effective and playful use of graphic design and one of my favorite print campaigns of recent times. Playing on the old adage that there is a thin person in every fat person dying to get out, the posters clearly make you imagine your inner ripped-body Brazilian longing for the light of day. It’s the last thing I needed to see as I sit here with a cookie in my hand, but it works. I just felt compelled to find a spin class online I’m hitting after work. Via Jockohomo, a site you should know and love.

2nd home blues.

Last week the New York Times ran a story on the despair of owing a 2nd home and, as someone who recently purchased one, I can easily see where things could go wrong quickly.  My partner and I are currently renovating a second home in upstate New York and it’s been quite a hit to the old pocketbook.  New siding, floors, windows and kitchens all begin to add up.  But we (and by we I mean mostly him) have decided to do a lot of these things ourselves, saving costs and allowing us complete creative control.  Some expenses have been unexpected (a new water filtration system, ridiculous gas heating costs during winter), but by and large the experience has been positive.

As most Manhattanites can attest just the fact that having a place to put our things is calming. And we’ve found ways to save here and there. A few ways we’ve cut costs have been to shop on eBay (where we got our Viking Stove), do many of the projects ourselves and to outfit the space at DWR’s Annex. Seriously, even if I did not work for DWR it would be the best place to outfit a modern house on a budget. Now if only they could help me wallpaper.