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Totella

July 24, 2017

[tote-el-uh] noun 1. a light, small, portable tote bag made out of abandon umbrellas found on the streets of Brooklyn. When the wind and rain start to pick up; those are the days to hunt abandon umbrellas. The umbrella fabric has so much potential for repurposing/upcycling and is eco-friendly. The material is sturdy, waterproof and even […]

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David Mancuso – The Loft

February 25, 2013

New York at night buzzes with the endless array of fashion, innovative interiors, music and popularity. With a city full of potential it’s easy to loose sight of why you went out in the first place. It’s not to be seen or flaunt your ego. It’s to experience an atmosphere, a moment in time, which […]

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Out Of The Office Training

February 1, 2013

Currently, I’m working with an innovations group in the pharmaceutical industry facilitating creative sessions around brand equity and new product development. The pharmaceutical industry is plagued with legal and regulatory minefields making creative thinking a challenge. During our first brainstorm sessions I notice my clients were exhausted. Almost crippled by in the box thinking, making […]

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Pinterest brought novelty to searching and sharing. People don’t read anymore and are focusing their Internet activity on content curating then creation. We are seeking ways to not only filter and organize what we find, but also easily consume more content. As sharing started to become synonymous with search, and individuals were finding it easier […]

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Mentoring at MIDPOINT – MCAD

February 11, 2012

Mentoring is a relationship that brings people together to offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the person’s competence and character. A mentor is anyone who, provides support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement and constructive examples of how to make choices. Mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who want to help bring out strengths […]

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20×20 PechaKucha

January 5, 2012

For any of you who have been to a lecture that has gone on for way too long can understand why PechaKucha was established. The name steamed from the Japanese term for “chitchat” also relating to its format: 20 images x 20 seconds a slide. In turn the presentations are concise and keeps things moving […]

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The Field of Lights

December 4, 2011

Here in the Midwest there has been little sign of winter—no snowfall, no frantic hustle and bustle in the streets, no smell of gingerbread in the air—making it challenging to get into the holiday spirit. Meanwhile, across the pond, The Holburne Museum in Bath is more joyous and enchanting then ever. Bruce Munro created The […]

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Balloons of Bhutan

November 1, 2011

What makes you happy? What is your happiest memory? What is your favorite joke? What is your level of happiness between 1 and 10? If you could make one wish, what would it be? It’s been reviewed, analyzed and debated: why are Bhutan’s residents at such peace? In 2007, Jonathan Harris conducted an experiment called […]

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The Art of Bocce Ball

October 2, 2011

  Bocce Ball isn’t known as a glamorous or fashionable sport. I felt like in order to take my team to the next level – and change the paradigm of the game – we needed to be more official. We needed to start this year stronger then ever. We needed to be branded. Team ‘Ralph […]

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Travelers Guide to Iceland

September 12, 2011

A visit to Viking territory, Reykjavik Iceland, has got me hooked on blond hair and blue eyes, hot dogs, salmon, small towns, public art, off-beat fashion and partying. This metropolitan city and its residents will steal your heart. If you ever find yourself in Reykjavik on a layover, take an extended stay. You won’t regret […]

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Stop-motion, felt and Spike Jonze all have a special place in my soul. So when I stumbled upon Jonze’s new tragicomic stop-motion animation, I watched it over and over again. The story takes place on an enchanting shelf in Parisian bookstore, Shakespeare and Company. A breath-taking location—perfect for a tragic, lustful animation with a happy ending. […]

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Brazilian-born Amon Tobin has been creating music and pushing limits since 1994. His current tour (August – November 2011) is something not to be missed. He has manufactured a multi-dimensional experience that hasn’t been delivered on this scale before. The ‘ISAM’ tour features a stunning 25’ x 14’ x 8’ multi-dimensional/shape shifting 3-D art installation […]

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It has been repeatedly stated that “technology is revolutionizing the way we live our lives and conduct business.” Perhaps the most obvious example of this is how the internet has changed the concept of communication. We can communicate on a global platform, targeting like-minded individuals. Here’s a brilliant example of how dreams can come true […]

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Cabin Fever

August 6, 2010

Seasons have changed here in Minnesota. Summer to autumn, and sooner than I’d like, autumn will be winter. In preparation for the months to follow I have been doing a little house cleaning, a little eating, but more importantly I’ve been looking for inspiration. Things to keep me motivated and entertained while I endure the […]

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Bumble and Bumble Design

June 19, 2010

It’s important to me to stay interest in a wide array of design disciplines. A great stylist, musician and owner of the local salon Mezzanine, Jonny Kelson, invited me to participate in a design discipline much different then print. Hair styling. Bumble and Bumble a wide spread cosmetic line offers training programs in traveling cities […]

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Personal Growth

June 7, 2010

30. It’s a number you thought to be so far in the future when you were 12 or even 21. “I will have met my prince and travel to far lands by the time I’m 30.” When people turn 30 they have this retrospective moment. What am I doing? Who have I become? Where will […]

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As a child my mother taught me how to create my own clothes and style. For my first career I was the HR Manager for Victoria’s Secret in the Mall of America. I have a degree in Fashion Marketing, the point I’m trying to make is I have a strong knowledge and passion for fashion […]

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Schmap!! Minneapolis

May 23, 2010

Schmap is a digital travel guide for 200 destinations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The technology of Schmap Guides lets users: share trip itineraries, place reviews, and is conveniently available as a widget. This website syndicating more than 6 million maps a month with: content and event schedules for travel, […]

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At the 2010 Minneapolis fashion event, Voltage, I was honored to be stopped by the local Freestyle Fashion goddess Hollie Mae. HM has a long history in fashion, dance, modeling and now styling. HM is one of the few stylists to have direct influence on projects from start to finish. She takes direction and inspiration […]

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Nice Ride Minnesota

May 23, 2010

Public bicycle systems are actively operating in countries all over the world from Stockholm to Santiago, Montreal to Shanghai. There are 130 systems in almost every culture as well as climate. The Minneapolis Bike Share Program, received a $1.75 million grant from Bike Walk Twin Cities, in the attempts to improve alternative transportation. The focus […]

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Blu Dot Catalog

April 25, 2010

In 2007, Minneapolis based furniture company Blu Dot was looking to perform a face-lift on their catalog design. The result was a narrative, allowing the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions, relying heavily on photography. They also saw a niche, seldom do you see people interacting with the furniture, making the styling seem […]

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When styling your responsible for visually tell the story. My goal on the ROBOTlove shoot was to make the photographs look as though there wasn’t a stylist involved, to portray familiarity to the consumers – a day in the life. The concept was to glimpse at where ROBOTlove adds just a little “LOVE” to your […]

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Minneapolis based artist, Erin Currie has been bringing her imagination to life through paintings, prints, plush dolls and fashion since she can remember. “I want people to see my work and imagine themselves running with Yetis through the forest or floating on clouds of balloons,” explains Erin. Her explorations in characters are known as “Cursters.” […]

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Visualization Studio – MCAD

December 31, 2009

In the professional world, projects are successful completed through the efforts of teams: through leadership and collaboration, planning and innovation, structure and flexibility. For the last two years I have been assistant teaching a class at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) called Visualization Studio, teaching students skills to visuals problems and work […]

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2009’s TOP COSTUMES: Michel Jackson Thriller, Zombies, Max and Carol from Where The Wild Things Are, Flo the Progressive Auto Insurance girl, Bob Ross, and H1N1 virus. Halloween is one night in which you can turn back the hands of time, disregard all boundaries, and be someone timeless. Halloween has transformed into a night that […]

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Dan Graham: Beyond

November 2, 2009

“A passionate hobby” is how Dan Graham explained his career at the Walker Art Center’s, Beyond lecture. A humble but accurate description of his work, you can see he doesn’t just make art – lives a designed life. Graham’s ability to live design gives him  a unique capability to be all encompassing: film, performance, photography, […]

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One of our favorite local designers – Mike Davis of Burlesque Design – created not only a cute, but functional design! Originally created as a poster design and gift for his niece, these little letters are now a series of vinyl zipper pull keychains for Kidrobot. Photos from the June Release Party at ROBOTlove

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The September Issue

September 15, 2009

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR. Vogue launches one of the most anticipated issue in fashion culture; the September Issue. The issue that claims it rule over: fall fashions, stylish steals, and of course beauty secrets. In my own anticipation for this issue I attempted a fall preview.  Giving a personal view to the definition of fashion. […]

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Dr. Phil

August 22, 2009

Popular culture in the United States is shaped in part by media talk shows, which often are designed for entertainment value rather than for public enlightenment. These programs, inexpensive to produce, tend to elevate personal opinion as well as intimate or private experiences over facts relevant to public life and theories. Most choreographed by entertaining […]

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De-sign

July 23, 2009

Design comes in many forms. Fashion is one notable expression. Mixing old with new to create unique styles is one of my passions. I’m attracted to the dynamics between the juxtaposition of new old and new in every form of design. When creating my own signature designs I try to feature beautiful detail and unexpected […]

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StreetArtLocator.com

June 29, 2009

The value of art found on concrete walls, chain linked fences, trains, light posts, and mailboxes is constantly debated across the globe. The debate has only heightened with the rise of artists like Banksy who are curating shows in places like the Bristol’s City Museum and Art Gallery. Andy Clark has also done a lot […]

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Mezzanine Infomercial

June 14, 2009

The Twin Cities CW recently exposed the insiders of seasonal style in Minneapolis. If you weren’t watching both episodes to “Sexy in the City” on Thursday the 4th – you missed out. Mezzanine Salon owned by Johnny and Stephanie Kelson was features for its years of dedication to recreating individual style for Minnesotain’s. Johnny K […]

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End of TV

June 14, 2009

Last night was the “End of TV” or analog television broadcasting systems. As the television set went static – I could only think about the day when I can tell children: “There was a time when you had to tune in stations with bunny ears to see the picture.” I thought of the others in […]

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Fiat 500 Re-Invention

May 18, 2009

I love it when a brand “does it right” the first time. Fiat is re-inventing my dream car, website, and marketing campaign! New Fiat 500 on Youtube Firstly, the car was cultural significant car and put Italy on wheels in the 1950’s. By learning from their past – using it’s classic frame – and – […]

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Zoos in the Future?

May 9, 2009

Have you ever taken a moment to think about the future? I recently challenged myself to predicting the future of zoos…… Here is my interpretation of a letter from the “Future Zoo’s”  Director of Public Affairs & Outreach: Gene Simmons 2.5 to the zoo’s marketing spokes person: Mr. Dansen Deluxe Non-Becker Edition. (It’s a mix […]

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Not only is “Tout Va Bien” a mantra of mine it’s a brilliant movie. I’m selling these tote bags for $25. – all proceeds go to  student loans. Please contact me if you are interested. The one color screen print has modern approach to a 70’s fashion aesthetic on an organic cotton tote. They are […]

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Desprately Seeking

April 26, 2009

This is a collection of typography found in my everyday life. Type is all around us: signs, signage, hand-lettered signs, and anything that communicates to you. Some of it is decaying to where it barely communicates, others unintentionally, and most of them beautiful to me. I tried to capture images of signs and type that […]

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Commercial Interruption

April 20, 2009

People like to know what they’re buying and employers like to know who they are hiring. It should be no surprise that online advertising for personal promotion is as important as the off-line world. Off-line world already contains a mass of advertising standards: resume, cover letter, design sample, billboards; 30 sheet posters; bus and taxi […]

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Visualizing Sound

April 11, 2009

Monome understands the way humans interact with products, environments, interfaces, and systems helping create the most dynamic step sequencer I have every played with. They payed particular attention to size ratios, user movements, and other physical relationships between sound and the visual language. By doing this, they were able to design for ease of use, […]

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Cut Throat

April 3, 2009

I made this with two things in mind – the economic times and Sagmeister’s text on the body. We are all trying to make it happen within this period of restraint. In these times I reflect back to the freedom of my childhood and rejoice on the simple pleasures.

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Creating Context

March 28, 2009

On a recent trip to Wisconsin, I stopped at M. Schettl Sales Inc. to experience the affects of pop culture in an alternate context.  Two completely separate worlds: nature and pop culture brought together to form an alternative vision of secondhand materials. Thank you to Progressive Media for introducing me to this wonderland.

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For everything that is communicated – there’s a speed in culture – where the message will be displaced. To prolong displacement – cognition of the message and medium should be considered: how people perceive, learn, remember, and think will create a longer life cycle. For example this video. The original industrial video was a 30 […]

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Mission Behind This Blog

March 12, 2009

In order to become a better researcher, designer, trend forecaster, or individual, it’s important to constantly be observing the world around us. My intent is to regularly document the strange, curious, funny, intelligent and beautiful observations that I see in daily life. Learn to keep a close eye on the artifacts, signs, designs, behaviors, products […]

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