The Wonders of Stillness and Nothing
Creativity born from sitting, the best coffee shop, colorful rugs, a garden margarita and more
It always surprises me how much of my creativity is rooted in simply sitting around and thinking. Staring at bits of inspiration, fiddling some type 20px to the left or right, slightly adjusting that shade of cream to be just so. Is this just me? Do you know that sensation of having the free space and time to sit with your thoughts? You noodle out some concepts, go get a snack and some water, and then come back and stare some more with a slightly different eye for what you did. For me, this process of sitting with the work has a lot to do with getting the feeling of something, the texture and the weft of the ideas, creating something that, hopefully, ends up feeling right.
Currently, I’m working on a project for a tech company who helps individuals manage screen time. They’re looking to change up the look and feel of their product, it’s packaging, the website and app, and to bring in a more contemporary and friendly feeling to everything. I liken it to world-building. In client calls I would describe it as building out the “_________ cinematic universe” as it helps folks comprehend the scope of the work you’re doing. Or I equate to laying out paths. Each path is unique, and each path is a viable way to go, but ultimately, it’s the clients choice to determine our direction.
Again though, I’m still in that liminal space where art and commerce haven’t fully entwined. The concepts I’m creating all have different vibes, and all are equally viable, there’s no wrong answer. But there are qualifiers to each project, limitations and future goals that help to clarify which creative vibe can potentially have the most success. These journeys excite me, as it’s oftentimes a lot like life. There’s not a lot of wrong answers to the choices we make, though some can end up being more correct than others.
In other news, I started running again. I’ve decided that my hibernation is over (no working out and lots of cava drinking during the winter) and it’s time to exercise again. Spurred by a TikTok mentioning that we’re 12 weeks out from summer which is the perfect amount of to get our bodies into good shape. Honestly, I don’t care what people think of how I look. I just happen to be quietly vain and want to feel confident in my own appearance! To each their own.
Two more things, Kyle and I will be in Paris this weekend, so hit me up if you want grab a drink! Also, the March edition of OÍR (here’s the archive) is out on Friday, a slow and thoughtful meditation on what Spring sounds like to me. I’ve been writing and designing to it often, and I think you’ll enjoy it. The next few months of mixes are going to be a mixed bag of things, such as loud and live rock music, an ode to 90s R&B slow jams, as well as early 2000s techno and electronica.
I hope your week is starting off well, your coffee is just how you like it, and we’ll chat next week with my updates from Paris 🥐
I simply adore this Glitch Rug from Hey Studio, handmade in India from New Zealand wool. It bridges that gap between traditional, North African rugs and hyperpop design. The colors are so lovely together, this would absolutely make a room pop.
The next UNIQLO U collection is out on 14 March, filled with gorgeous pastels as only Christophe Lemaire can do. Most of my t-shirts are from this collection because the quality is high, they last forever, and the colors are always so unique.
Apple is reportedly working on a flip phone and I really want this to be true. Can we please go back to the era of Razr phones? They were cool, had personality, and didn’t make my pants fall down from being so damn big and heavy. A curse on all gigantic smart phones!
Madrid-based interior designers Plantea Estudio continue to do incredible work with the newly opened Acid Café. This is like, my dream coffee shop. The stainless steel counters, the original plaster detailing around the ceilings, the wood shelving and deep rust paint, and the perfect amount of ambient lighting. Literal perfection.
Graphic design studio atipo have crafted an incredible set of vector illustration mockups consisting of 155 highly detailed illustrations in both outlined and solid styles, including 50 vehicles, 25 facades, 10 devices, 50 packages and 20 prints. Really well done and a steal at only £22.00.
I’m absolutely fascinated by the idea of this Garden Margarita which combines raspberry syrup, lime juice, cherry tomatoes, cointreau, and tequila blanco, then garnished with fresh oregano & tajin.
A ton of great music and mixes came out in the last few weeks, I need to update you on what I’ve been listening to. In no particular order —
DJ Nobu & Wata Igarashi — Flares / 泡 (Abuku) (Artwork above!)
Love the peek into your creative process. Those clients are lucky to have you on the project!