Ann McCallum, a practicing architect based in Williamstown, Massachusetts, taught the Architecture II course at Williams College for twenty-four years. One of her assignments was a special favorite among students: to design a gallery façade for a hypothetical museum using the design idiom of a renowned architect. McCallum asked each student to choose an architect to study over the course of the semester; this way, students observed other professionals’ specific artistic strategies. Then, as a final project, the students were asked to produce models of their designs. A special exhibition currently on view at the Williams College Museum of Art features a number of these models, which were produced over a span of several years by students in McCallum’s class.
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Reuse of the iconic Wilsonart sample
In our world of Wilsonart, samples are a fact of life. But what happens to all those samples when they’ve served their purpose? In the past year, Wilsonart has gotten involved with at least one organization that tries to keep samples out of the landfill – just check our Upcycle That Sample page to see where you can pick up those expired samples, or you can call our Smartline at 800-433-3222 for availability.
Some of the things that teachers and artists do with our expired merchandising samples are quite inspirational. We’ve always known our crafter / art friends are using the iconic Wilsonart sample for gift tags (and they do make really good gift tags). Recently, Kathie Meyers sent me an awesome email regarding her reuse of our laminate surfacing chips: Continue reading
Japanese Candy
Some packages are geared specifically towards kids, using cartoon characters (left). Others are for more refined, mature palates and feature basic designs for flavors such as milk and green tea. Some are more for the middle ground, as in the case of these sour lemon candies that feature a Lichtenstein inspired design. Courtesy of Candace Thompson
A Snack for the Eyes: Japanese Candy as Design Inspiration
Juicy, explosive and mouthwateringly enticing… and that’s just the packaging!
After a recent trip to NYC’s Chinatown, we here at the Statement were reminded of one of our favorite design inspirations: Japanese candies. Brightly packaged and molded into shapes that defy expectations (or, at times, explanation), these sweet treats become true works of art when placed in the competent hands of confectioners such as Kasugai, Meiji, Ezaki Glico and Aji Ichiban.
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SKEUOMORPHS
Many boot fashions still feature laces as a decorative addition, despite the fact that the wearer actually uses the side zipper to put on the shoe. Photo: Candace Thompson
The design debate: skeuomorphs
To imitate or innovate, that is the question.
We see them all the time, though we probably don’t recognize it. The fancy spinning rims on that Bentley driving by? Totally pointless. The molded stitching on those plastic dollar store sandals? Purely decorative.
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Dog Jewelry
On the left, traditional Swiss Collars with hand stamped metal details. To the right, handcrafted cowbells in every size imaginable. Photos courtesy of Mary Dawn DeBriae
Following on the “heels” of the Westminster Dog Show in New York City, we wanted to feature some of our favorite products for people and pets alike. After all, when stepping out together, both pets and their owner have no excuse not to be properly accessorized! Continue reading
A tell-tale tradition: the story knives of Yup’ik girls
“Tamaa-i tamakut yaaruitni pencil-aqelqaput wangkuta.”
“The story knives were our pencils.” -Neva Rivers, 2002
Three ivory story knives, dated from the early 20th century are part of the University of Alaska Museum’s collection. Photo by Travis Shinabarger.
The people of southwestern Alaska are known as the Yup’ik. Their name, which also defines their language group, translates simply as “real person”. Isolated along the marshy banks of one of the more temperate parts of the Alaskan coastline, the Yup’ik lived a nomadic lifestyle, moving between winter and summer fishing camps and residing in permanent dwellings made of sod, wood and driftwood. In the 1800s, Russian explorers first made lasting contact with Yup’ik and found a people that, to this day, strive to maintain the traditions and lifestyles that have defined them for centuries. Continue reading