Yabu Pushelburg

This semester it's all about retail design. Now, retail design is one of those areas where you have to be creative and constantly one-upping yourself because stores can go out of style so quickly and most people just shop online these days.

I have to say, with the first two projects, I've been experimenting and having lots of fun. So when we got this current project to redesign Bloomingdale's lingerie department, I was nervous, but up for the challenge. 

The point of my story? My teacher introduced me to a pair of designers and their work is so awesome I just had to share it!

George Yabu and Glenn Pushelburg

Yabu Pushelburg (headed by George Yabu and Glenn Pushelburg) is a world renowned design firm who specialize in the luxury retail, hospitality, and restaurant sectors. The two actually met back in the 70s when they went to school together for interior design at  Ryerson University in Toronto. Then three years later they opened a studio together after bumping into each other on the street (always be nice to your classmates, lol)!

Public Hotel, Chicago

There are a million things about these two guys that I find amazing. The first is that their work has led them to travel all over the world- a huge dream of mine - and that they manage all these high profile projects while running two large offices, one in Toronto and one here in New York.

I also admire that they don't just have one style. I've been struggling to identify with a style and I don't quite know what it is. Maybe having a style is not as important as having a vision. And that, they do have. They are always very critical of their own work and push ideas and new interpretations of popular materials to make them more tactile and surprising. They achieve a great balance between edgy and elegant and always design with a customer or character in mind.

Lotte Centum City Dept. Store, South Korea

So why did my teacher think Yabu Pushelburg would help me with this project? Because I asked him what makes shopping necessary when there's the internet. And then, I was stumped with figuring out what to do on the ceilings and that five-foot wall space above the display fixtures. 

Sometimes with designers, a visual explanation is more helpful than a spoken one and introducing me to this firm was the perfect solution. So to my first question: yes the internet is great for getting what you need, but shopping is an experience. There are people to interact with you; take your coat, offer wine, personally choose outfits for your upcoming occasions and there are places to sit, relax, and eat wonderful food. That is what luxury shopping is and that is what Yabu Pushelburg creates.

Oh, and that pesky space above the display area??? You can do anything!!! As long as it doesn't overpower the product you're trying to sell and it speaks to your desired users, the sky is the limit!

P.S.

I only showed a small sample of this great firm's work, but if you'd like to see more, check out their online portfolio. You'll be blown away.

~ Lisa Lou

BOLON

Today I'm featured on the BOLON by VIIIR blog. I heard of Bolon on a case study I was doing for our new medical office project. When the office manager had so much to say about just the flooring and all its possibilities, I thought 'I've got to check this out for myself!'

 Bolon is actually greater than she could ever have expressed. It's like a work of art that you just have to see in person to experience it's true beauty. They have a vast variety of color choices, and my favorite, the create line, involves a dynamic color-changing effect because of it's cross weaving. So cool!

Now you should know, a product isn't going to knock my socks off so easily - I wear really high socks - but not only is Bolon beautiful, and flexible. It's bleach cleanable, can be applied to almost any surface, and it's sustainable (zero waste should be everyone's goal). Check out the website to get some more ideas. I'm sure if you haven't before, you'll be hearing about Bolon a lot more in the future. Feel free to make an appointment to see it's greatness in person. The staff is the warmest and coolest bunch :)

~ Lisa Lou

Project 2

Project 2 is FINALLY complete!ll!!

I know... I didn't mention much about it but it was a competition and it got into full swing reallll fast. 

Basically, a company asked our design studio to furnish three studio apartments in one of their developments. It was a creative 'decorating' project really, because you cant really do much construction-wise in a rental. 

We were each given a $10,000 budget, the site, a client range and pretty much the creative license to do anything we could afford. 

I loved this project!

For one, we finally got to work with a real budget

Secondly, a little friendly competition is what I needed to get my gears running

And lastly, look how well it came out!!!!

Sigh....I'm proud of me :)

I'm sure you guys will notice the difference in my rendering form project one, I have a light hand so this is extremely dark for me lol

The winners of the competition get to have their designs installed in the actual apartments.
The results aren't in yet....but this was a personal victory for me

Hope yall like it as much as I do

~ Lisa Lou

David Walker

I will always see graffiti as I roam these New York streets, why? because everybody's got something to say. But, if it looks anything like the work of David Walker.....I'll stop dead in my tracks every time.

David Walker creates female graffiti portraits on almost anything: wall, canvas, records only using spray paint. I always show more appreciation for free-hand artists because my own free-hand work is.....eh. The London based artist is a member of the Scrawl Collective, and has shown his work internationally. Did I mention he's been doing this for less than 5 years???

Do I have a thing for female featured artwork?? eh...maybe. Women are beautiful. Or, do I have a thing for young artists that are innovative and modern and appreciative of natural beauty? Either way, David Walker fits the criteria. 

He embraces the use of colors much like the TAGs on every free building side wall, but his work is vibrant, three dimensional, evoking light, shadow, and emotion. 

Whatever the debate on public art, I think it's awesome! Visit his website for more in his portfolio.

~ Lisa Lou

James White

Why do I love James White so much!?!?! I can't begin to tell you. I stumbled across this Canadian artist when I was in high school and I've been an avid fan ever since. He does digital art and LOVE his play on COLOR. It always works! He also has a good eye for how light plays a role in a piece and it just makes it for me. 

His work is everythinggggg!! lol

My favorite piece has to be La Femme

  It's not an original idea as it's a recreation of Roman Cieslewicz, the Polish master of contemporary graphic design's 1978 poster called

 but I love his modern take on it. The sultry look on the woman's face.... that soft glow of light that hits the curve of her shoulder....and the colors!!!......oooooh. 
Check out his blog. You won't be sorry :)

~ Lisa Lou

We're Not in Kansas Anymore..

Project 1 is complete!!! I finished it, considering all the...obstacles..I encountered along the way. I think it came together well and I'm proud of it although I know, as always, there's room for improvement. 

But, this post is about the rude awakening that I had after I worked my butt off. Well, you guys know I started a little late on the project and I was able to pull it together and get it finished. Great accomplishment I think. But NO, my teacher threw me under the bus for not having something every week and that's when I realized, 

Upper division is a killa!

The easy out, quick fixes that I was getting away with before...not gunna work.

Then, I went to church yesterday and basically the sermon was about God doing a new thing; only if you prepare yourself, commit yourself, and change your 'stinking thinking.' So I got the message. I need to work harder. Plain and simple. 

~ Lisa Lou

Project 1

Wondering where I've been? What I've been up to? Trying to get this project done that's what!!! Project one and upper division is no joke. Basically they expect you to really know stuff. The first project is the design of a condo made from combining three apartments on two different floors. I know... O_o. 

I'm not going to lie...I had a slow start. I don't design in the same way everyone does and my new teacher especially has his own style. He wanted us to pick our clients and furniture in one week. I'm here thinking..ummm...where's the programming? what's the back story? how about I see the plan? But nope. So while everyone was designing and starting perspectives, little ol' me was still....THINKING. Not a good look, but the good news is I figured it out and my plan in bangin'!

Since then, I've been living in the D&D building finding pretty fabrics for my palette and living in the "oh so UNinspiring student lounge". You see how desolate it is. It seems like only interior design and illustration students have homework because everyone else is nowhere to be found. 

I'm living like a squatter, lol. I only leave here to shower and get food. I haven't even washed my hair in a week! And I'm still trying to dress cute. I think I deserve major points for not sinking into bum mode. 

Anyway, the project is due on Friday. Wish me luck because I still have a bajillion things to do.

~ Lisa Lou

WNWN

September is right around the corner and with it comes the What's New What's Next event at the New York Design Center. In this industry it's so easy to learn about new things and meet great people if you make the time and the effort and this event is as good a start as any. You even get to see people you already know (like your teachers) in a different light. 

I'm excited to go. A few highlights I'm looking forward to are the new Palumbo Anderssen showroom and the new Benjamin Moore metallic paint. Metallic paint has many possibilities....feature wall....aaaaah. 

 But I digress. Check out the NYDC's website on upcoming events and ongoing shows.

~ Lisa Lou

Winding Road

photo: corbisimages

It's the first day of class and after the teacher introduces themselves and gives you a short bio, they're going to ask you to do the same and then there's that dreaded question....what do you want to do after graduation?? Usually this is the part that I dread but before asking us, my teacher basically described an extensively winding road that he took after sitting in the exact seats we're in right now. He did everything from furniture design, to show rooms, to celebrity homes, to TV and now he's extremely successful flipping homes. 

That was the best start I ever could've dreamed of and sitting in the back of class (I was late of course -_-) helped even more because I got to hear everyone else's paths so far and their plans for the future and quite frankly, not everyone has it all figured out.

I AM NOT ALONE!!

The truth is, design school is hard stuff and pretty much the only thing you have figured out if you aren't a design prodigy is that you want to do this thing. The field is so diverse and can transcend into pretty much anything so it's hard to pinpoint where you're going to end up, how you're going to do it, where you want to do it, who you want to do it with..quite frightening to think about. 

The upper division is about refinement and preparation for the work force (wherever we find ourselves). I'm so glad I get this time to work on my skills. Did I mention how excited I am to dive in?

~ Lisa Lou