Costume Creation

As today is Halloween, all I can think about are costumes. Downtown, all the little children are running about with their parents dressed in a special outfit they can only wear this one special day of the year. What intrigues me about costumes is that with a few key items we can almost immediately identify who a person is dressed as, and they are these distinct cues that costume makers have to pick up on in order to develop a costume.

Costume designs are very much dictated by the general view of society, as societies creates their own definitions. A successful princess costume is one that will have its wearer instantly recognized as a princess and unmistakable as anything else. But if that design were to be brought into another culture, it might not be received in the same way.

The interesting thing to me about costumes catering to society's views, is how designers come up with costumes for celebrities. One of the most popular celebrity costumes for this year I suspect will be of pop singer Lady Gaga. Her personal style is to an extreme in comparison to an average person on the street, which makes it a little easier to dress as her, but still I was interested in finding what was considered key items for someone who wanted to impersonate the infamous fashion rule-breaker.

In her own words, Lady Gaga suggested wearing, "Wigs, purple shampoo, and high heels. Lots of latex" according to MTV News.


It seems that everyone else has interpreted her style much differently, sans the purple hair. In my opinion, the most popular Lady Gaga costume ideas stem from how she appears in her music videos. This seems to make the most sense since it's likely that the majority of people have seen clips of her video rather than paparazzi shots of her day to day outfits.

Popular beauty "how-to" girl Michelle Phan on youtube shares her interpretation of Lady Gaga's look in a make-up tutorial. The look is based off of her music video for the song, Pokerface.



Blogger Ashe Mischief at Dramatis Personae has also compiled a list of necessary pieces in order to be easily perceived by others as Lady Gaga for Halloween.

Photo courtesy of Dramatis Personae.

Design, may it be costumes or something else, must take in the public's views and interpretations in order to be successful. If it were to be based on just one person's view, it wouldn't be very effective. In this example Lady Gaga's suggestion on wearing a purple wig would not be a strong choice as most websites and images searched through Google will suggest that you go for a blonde wig with blunt cut bangs.

While it is important in design to pay attention to majority's view, don't forget to let creativity break through!

Happy Halloween :]Photo courtesy of MSN.

Fold. Crease. Fold.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

I remember when I was little I used to pass my time away folding origami, from cranes to gift boxes to jumping frogs. I've always been curious about the process one goes through to come up with an original origami, and furthermore how they determine the steps of the process in order to communicate them to others. So much of origami is in the process of creating it, although that part is often overlooked because of the attention given to the final product, but it certainly isn't forgotten. The folds and crease marks are as much a part of the final piece as the shape of the object.

Today, I stumbled across the works of origami artist Cindy Ng. She has taken the remarkable craft of origami beyond paper to more luxurious materials, silver and gold. According to her interview with Charmingly Chic, each piece of jewelry from her company Origami Bijou is created using a sheet of precious metal and is folded like paper into a wearable origami.

In her interview, she is quoted saying, "Jewelry is a good way to share a classic art form with the world." In my opinion she certainly maintains the essence of origami in her jewelry designs, as the necessary folds of the process are visible even while they are made of metals.

Photo courtesy of Origami Bijou on Facebook.

Photos courtesy of Charmingly Chic.

Her designs bring the delicacy of paper origami to an approach that creates much longer-lasting pieces through the use of precious metals. The long tradition of paper folding art moves into a modern application, introducing a new form of art. I find her work very inspiring, and brings me to think that perhaps techniques in textile making could also be transferred into jewelry-making for some unique pieces of art.

As someone who really admires origami, I am very excited to discover her line of origami jewelry. The charm to her jewelry line, is the look of handmade art, and wearers can relax because unlike paper, this origami won't be crushed easily.

For those of you who haven't tried origami before, here's a quick and fun tutorial on how to make a swan! It was the very first thing I learned to fold, and it obviously hasn't detered me from learning more as I'm still a big fan of the craft.

Hope you enjoy!

Nails

Nail art is an incredibly expressive form of design that makes a statement just as clothing does. Fingers become a blank canvas, where much more than just color can be used. Having the skills and the patience to do such intricate work on a tiny surface is something I definitely admire and see as a growing art in the beauty world.

One of the charming aspects of nail design is that a theme can be carried through a set of nails, with variations in the design of each nail. It draws interest to the individual designs, and it is amazing how much detail can be contained on a single nail.

Photos courtesy of Trend de la Creme

Many designs become so extravagant, that they are far beyond practicality. Artists even extend beyond the space of a nail bed to adding dangling accessories. I find these to be powerful statements similar to the effect of wearing ornate jewelry. Some celebrities pose in a way to draw attention to their highly decorated nails, in a way similar to how some would show off their new engagement rings.

Flaunting Nails

Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. Photo courtesy of Morning Cafe.

Chinese singer Jolin Tsai. Photo courtesy of Nitrolicious.

Flaunting Rings
Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt. Photo courtesy of Faded Youth Blog.

Actress Jennifer Lopez. Photo courtesy of Life & Style Weekly.

As a form of self-expression, nail art is somewhere between jewelry and tattoos in terms of permanency. They are more attached to the body than a bracelet may be, but they do have a wear-life that doesn't compete with lifelong tattoos. I do believe nail artists will gain more recognition for their work as art in the future the way tattoo artists and jewelry designers have.

Perhaps in the future, since nail art serves the appeal of wearing an accessory, instead of donning corsages on their wrists, girls will have embellished nails matched to their prom dresses.

Photo courtesy of For Ladies by Ladies.

One of my favorite blogs to visit is dailydanny.com, where green living expert Danny Seo writes about various topics that all relate to an eco-friendly lifestyle. Awhile back, I remember coming across this photograph of his craft room and absolutely fell in love with how it so gracefully combined elements of interest in a way that maintained a sense of simplicity in the room.

Photo courtesy of dailydanny.com

The most striking feature was the set of silhouette plates hung on the wall for decoration. Although the plates were not uniform in size or material, as some had a foil-like shine while others had more of a lacquer finish, their round shapes as well as the black color created a sense of unity in the display. Each plate featured a unique silhouette or design, which was something I spent time looking at later, and they certainly help to move the eye through the display as a whole. For example in the upper middle of the piece, the image of the cow faces right guiding the eye down through the plates to the right of the window. Then, the plates on the right feature images that move your eye into the the display rather than out of it, such as the turkey, horse, and two people facing left. I found this to be a strong point in the display because viewers are continually moving through the piece.

The room itself has great sense of balance. Symmetry certainly helped to achieve this feeling through the placing the same item on both ends of the wall, such as the mirrored shelves on the walls as well as the table supports and stools. Furthermore, the plate display works well with other elements of the room to create unity through the color black. The first thing I look at in the picture is always the plate above the window with the cow, then my eyes move down the plates along the right, down to the table support, to the stools, then up through the plates on the left, back to the cow plate. This circular path that my eye is drawn through is based heavily on the dark color of those elements, and the variations in the repetition of black in the room make it interesting.

This photograph shows a great design for a small little nook, and is also inspiring for all who are looking for new ideas of decorating. Most of the time little spaces in the home become wasted space because people don't know what to do with them, and this is a wonderful example of a useful solution. It also shows that a beautiful wall display doesn't have to cost a fortune. In fact, the silhouette plates were created by Danny using old plates from thrift stores, some images printed from online, and porcelain paint. Using this technique, the possibilities are endless because different colors could be used or different shapes of plates, or even something other than plates! With a pinch of creativity, this simple craft can result in a truly unique design for just a few dollars.

Look Again

I was sent an interesting video yesterday that made me think about how much people are intrigued by things that are out of the ordinary, and how design serves to create that excitement.

In the first part of the video, they filmed how most people exiting the subway take the escalator out instead of the stairway. Then the second part showed the creators of the video making real the idea of designing the stairways to look like a piano, so that each step was a key on the piano, making it the more appealing route for people to take. The best part of their plan was that when a person steps on a stair, it will actually play a note. Their theory was that if they could add an element of fun, they could change people's behaviors. The video then showed the group of experimenters working late at night placing strands of wire on the steps for the sound, and laying sheets on top to represent keys of a piano.

I absolutely love the idea of a gigantic working piano. It can brighten a person's day while they are out and about on their usual routine trip on the subway. It's also amazing how the image of short black rectangles on larger white rectangles immediately registers in our minds as a piano, even when it is on an incline instead of flat.

In my opinion, the design was incredibly successful, as it certainly grabbed attention and people immediately knew how to interact with it. Unfortunately, it seems the piano stairs was a temporary design for the sake of experimentation.

Luckily, for some similar fun you can visit New York's FAO Schwarz store where they have the famous giant floor piano, which was featured in the film Big starring Tom Hanks.

Photo courtesy of http://blogs.amctv.com

Take Me Out

Inspiration comes when I remove myself from everything that is a part of my usual routine. Once I'm outside of all things that relate to me, there is more to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch because to me they are new.

The best source of inspiration outside oneself is through the experience of travel. Fresh ideas will be whirring through your brain every minute as you become submerged into a new culture, lifestyle, and community. Even things that would normally seem mundane, such as the weather, can become interesting with the backdrop of a new city.

For example, when I traveled to Hong Kong the way people put together outfits, and the individual pieces of clothing were so different from the clothes I wore. Most of all, I remember going to a trendy jewelry store because it was packed with girls my age. There I discovered earrings where two studs were connected by a chain, intended to link the cartilage piercing with the lobe piercing. The look was something I had never seen, or had even thought of. The chain-link earrings were done in many variations, some with rhinestone chains and others with more delicate ones. Some were even done in themes such as a pirate one I saw where one stud was a sword and the other was a skull and crossbones. It definitely inspired some diy projects.

But traveling doesn't always necessarily mean leaving the country. It could also mean just getting away from the usual. It's so refreshing to have new things to look at even if it's somewhere you've been before. I always love visiting San Francisco even though I've been there countless times because every trip is different. Inspiration, in my opinion, is in everything, but it's just that we can't turn our senses on to the things we've become so accustomed to being around on a daily basis.

Give Me Pretty, Don't Give Me Plain

While browsing through all the insanely cute useful things sold on fredflare.com, all I could think about was how ugly my kitchen aid skillet was because it didn't have a smiling panda on it. Then suddenly so many things in my kitchen seemed so ugly and boring like my measuring cups because they weren't cute little russian dolls, my cutting boards because they weren't blue and elephant shaped, and my spatulas because they weren't bright green with a smiley frog shape.

Actually to be honest, I wouldn't want my kitchen full of that stuff, but I have to admit that practical everyday things that we fill our homes with are not all that aesthetically pleasing. It's so easy to find everything in plain black, void of color or pattern. That's why I fell head over heels the first time I saw a cartoon character shaped USB flash drive where u pop his head off to plug him in!

In my opinion, bringing an artistic element to practical everyday items is a huge market for designers. I definitely see it growing in the future, especially as I discover the beautiful things people have crafted on etsy.com. If beauty is so valuable and enjoyable, we have no reason to neglect it from being a part of the things we use so regularly. Even for someone who would prefer the simplicity of plain objects, I don't think they would object to having more available options.


In case you are curious to see the cute kitchenware I spoke of, here are some links to them:

panda skillet
http://www1.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=5388&cat=316&bf=sw
doll measuring cups
http://www1.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=5244&cat=316
froggy spatula
http://www1.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=5335&cat=316
cartoon flash drive
http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=5205&cat=309

Traveling at Anthropologie

Over the weekend while visiting an Anthropologie store in the Bay Area, unlike the usual shopper who would be engrossed with the clothing, I was drooling over their imaginative displays.

First, from the outside of the store the front glass windows of the high ceiling store were decorated with none other than painter's tape, which is a type of masking tape that removes from the surface cleanly. In the colors blue and orange, this tape was stretched across the windows with twists and turns for a composition that resembled a gigantic road map splayed on glass. Upon opening the doors and entering, the first display to meet my eyes was a very abnormal display stand. Attached to a steel pole were three old wooden drawers, one on top of the other but each angled to face a different direction. Taking a peek at the contents, I discovered them to be little trinkets sold in the store.

Turning around to look at the backside of a mannequin I was admiring earlier from outside, I now noticed that it stood on a wooden platform with four wheels at the bottom. Next to the mannequin were four old, worn out suitcases stacked on top of one another, in a seemingly careless fashion yet obviously well balanced. As I made my way further into the store I saw a model of a small town made of paper, with swirling wires poking out. As the ends of these wires were paper planes crafted from old road maps, adding a sense of real travel.

Throughout the store I found many more displays that carried the theme of travel in an way that felt imaginative and playful. Not only were they interesting to look at, but they initiated thought of travel and exploration. The design was not aimed toward selling clothing to customers for travel purposes, but aided in selling a lifestyle. In my opinion it was very effective in defining what the company stands for, and the type of customer they appeal to.

Not only were the designs indicative of an exploring nature of their customers, but also to a liking for things handmade and vintage. For example, the display stand was obviously not a mass marketed piece of furniture and by filling them with trinkets it gave customers the feeling of going through their grandmother's old jewelry box for vintage finds.

This one is definitely one of my top favorite displays that I've seen from Anthropologie so far, not simply for the creativity and aesthetically pleasing nature of it all, but for the complex meaning of the overall design as a definition for the company's target customer.

Multifunctional Trend Aids Minimalism

New technological devices are continuing with the practical trend of providing more than one function. Most obviously, cell phones are no longer used simply for making calls but are now taking the place of wrist watches, monthly planners, mp3s, cameras, and even more. With the millions of applications available to users, a cell phone can essentially erase a work desk of clutter. A multifunctional device like this could allow someone to live like a minimalist.

At a time like this when society is highly conscious of their level of consumption of the world's resources, minimalism seems favorable. Designing products that allow users to accomplish their tasks while consuming less than they normally would is definitely a step toward a greener earth. For example, using a calendar application on a cell phone instead of a monthly planner saves paper.

Aside from being earth-friendly, it could also be aesthetically pleasing in the home. Many share a desire to have less clutter in the home in busy areas of the house which are often the kitchen and the living room. Imagine having one appliance to take care of toasting bread, heating up leftovers, opening cans; basically doing all the things that the appliances on your kitchen counter do. For college students, it would be a dream to have only one appliance to pack up and carry every time they move.

In the living room, one could say that technology has answered the request for minimalism. Game consoles such as the Playstation 3 can be used not just for games but also to watch DVDs and Blu-ray, play music CDs, and go on the Internet. The unique aspect of this device is that it brings the quality of multifunctionality to the television screen as well, since now it can be used in a similar fashion as a computer screen.

Designs like these could mean less consumption of resources overall, but the downfall comes in having a heavy reliance on one piece of equipment for multiple tasks. While it surely can allow for a lighter backpack, and a simpler way to complete tasks, it could also lead to increased chaos when the device malfunctions or breaks down. Overall, society seems to be embracing the idea of multifunctional devices and dealing with these obstacles as they arise.

Cartoons for Adults

I visited an exhibition called "Merch Art" yesterday, which was a display of the collection of Lawrence Banka and Judith Gordon of San Francisco. I was interested by the number of cartoonish pieces included in the collection. Though the pieces certainly had a playful quality, it was also obvious that they were not intended for children. This clarity in the design as being made for adults sparked some thoughts about why cartoon characters still so likeable to adults.

I believe it is the personalities of the characters, or what they stand for, that adults become a fan of. The character becomes a way of expressing a trait for others to see, such as through displaying it in the home with a decorative item or worn on clothing and handbags. They are designed to portray a character that fits into a specific culture that adults can relate to and enjoy.

The first set of characters that comes to mind is the Harajuku Girls created by celebrity Gwen Stefani. She has imprinted these characters on handbags, wallets, apparel, shoes, and even perfume bottles. These bottles are designed as much for aesthetic appeal as they are for function, as they look like miniature dolls. Each of the four characters has a name that reflects their distinct personality: Love, Angel, Music, Baby. The scents were also created to reflect the personalities as well.

It seems that cartoons, though seemingly childish, still appeal to adults because of our desire to express ourselves to others. For example, if a person carries her groceries in a canvas tote bag rather than a plastic bag, it says that she is a person who makes an effort to be environmentally friendly. That conclusion is reached through society associating canvas tote bags with the green movement. In the same sense, a person who wears a character on their shirt is expressing who they are through what that character stands for.

If you would like to visit the exhibition go to http://nelsongallery.ucdavis.edu/ for more information.

Photos from my visit:

More Than Just "Yum"

Yogurt shops have been springing up one after the other with increasing popularity among customers of all ages. Though the frozen treat may boast health benefits from the live active cultures in the yogurt, the true appeal of these yogurt shops seems to be in the cheery atmosphere of their designs and the delightful experience of creating your own unique frozen treat.

A typical yogurt shop makes use of bright colors and plentiful light, bringing a quality of youth and merriment. It’s relatable to a candy shop; especially with the similarity in how the assortment of toppings are presented in clear containers with plastic scoops. The ability of a yogurt shop to provide not just food, but to bring back feelings of youth through the experience could explain the rising popularity of these shops.

Getting frozen yogurt is less about the food, and more about the leisurely activity of getting it with others. The shops are designed to involve their customers with the creation of unique combinations, with self-serve yogurt machines and a large assortment of toppings. With plenty of seating indoors and outdoors, at most yogurt shops, customers often sit to chat and share their flavors with friends.

The way yogurt shops have been designed has prompted a culture where frozen yogurt fans go beyond just eating the yogurt, to creating memories during their visits to the shops. For example, Pinkberry fans can become a “groupie” on the website to share photos of their visits, their yogurt creations, along with short stories about special moments that took place at the yogurt shop.

If you haven’t visited a yogurt shop yet, do visit one soon to revisit your memories of being a child in a candy shop, and feel the youthful flavor that emanates from the delightfully bright designs.