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Posts Tagged ‘Cool Trips’
Berwyn: Horrorbles
5/27/2009 10:33 AM By Catherine TTucked away in a storefront on Roosevelt Road in Berwyn, Illinois, you will find everything you could ever want or need if you're trying to develop a horror or science fiction-style theme for a Website. As a matter of fact, "Horrorbles" is worth a stop even if you're just into the look of old-time movies and want to brush up on ideas for a "poster look" for a particular Web design. The owner can find you almost anything you need, and there is an enormous collection of merchandise that ranges from life-sized statues and costumes to masks, magazines, and collectible figurines.
Take your time and browse through the famous artwork of Basil Gogos or get ideas from the large poster collection at the store, which features posters dating from the 1950's to the present day. There are also plenty of movies and other media if you prefer to take your research home with you. You'll find everything from classic designs to more modern fare here, and if you're looking to do a unique theme in this type of genre, this is the place to find your muse.
New York: St. Patrick’s Cathedral
5/22/2009 10:32 AM By Catherine TIf you're looking for inspiration, give St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City a try. This stunning landmark has giant, sweeping arches and ornate decorations everywhere. The building is over 150 years old and is still an imposing figure, even with all of the skyscrapers and other landmarks that compete for attention in the city. The stained glass, impressive construction, and reverent atmosphere are all sure to impress. Many elements of this building contain seeds that will germinate into ideas of your own.
If you want to drink in all that you can, attend one of the concerts that are held at the cathedral. This will immerse you in the sights and sounds of the place, and perhaps provide you with a little something extra that will serve as the creative impulse for your next new idea. If you have some friends in the city who might be interested, you might even consider booking your own tour, which are done by appointment for groups of ten or more. If not, just stop by and give this glorious building a chance to speak to you. It just might happen.
Cincinnati: American Sign Museum
5/20/2009 10:30 AM By Catherine TCincinnati, Ohio is where you will find the American Sign Museum, a truly unique place that can offer quite a bit of inspiration for Web designers, writers, and others in the creative field. The signs here represent over 100 years of American history and range from glorious neon creations to simple, hand-lettered show cards. The themes and designs here don't fit neatly into one or two categories, and that's part of the charm. It's also exactly what will help give you a bunch of ideas to play around with.
The museum can be particularly thought-provoking for those who are looking for an interesting shape to build off of, a particular look that might evoke a certain response based on a connection with the past, or a smart, snappy catch phrase. There are over 2,800 catalogued items here, including salesman samples, design sketches and, of course, the signs themselves. Whether you're looking to connect the past with the future or simply trying to brainstorm, a visit to the American Sign Museum can be a great way to get started.
New York: New Museum
5/15/2009 10:29 AM By Catherine TThe New Museum is located on Bowery Street in New York and the building is an impressive sight in and of itself. A contemporary art museum, this seven-story structure is known for housing work that makes a statement. If you are looking for ideas that are more modern than traditional, start here and get your mind in the mood for thinking sideways, backward–and maybe even upside down. You won't be able to decide if you should look to the building or the artwork for inspiration. Luckily, you can do both.
Coming up with totally new design ideas that have a powerful impact can be exhausting–especially if you are not in a very creative place, mentally. The New Museum can help incubate fresh perspectives and give you a bit to think about. It can assist you in making that shift to a more modern way of thinking. Don't schedule an interior visit on Monday or Tuesday as the museum is closed, but if you just want to marvel at the architecture you can stop by any day of the week. Bring an open mind and you just might find what you are looking for.
Glencoe: Chicago Botanic Garden
5/13/2009 10:27 AM By Catherine TGlencoe, Illinois is home to the Chicago Botanic Garden. If you are looking for nature to inspire you in Web design, this may be one of the best places that you can go. If one area of the property isn't doing the trick, simply change your view–something here is sure to inspire you and get your creative juices flowing. Wander through the charming Rose Garden or take in the lovely structure of the English Walled Garden. There is truly something for everyone here. Patterns, color, and design can all be found outdoors.The Japanese garden gives off a very calm, organized vibe, while the Waterfall Garden points to the energy and action that can be seen in the natural world. There are 385 acres to explore, so chances are that you will find something that gives you a starting place are very good. Take a look at the map and decide which of the 23 display gardens you would like to visit, or simply set out and see what captures your attention.
Philadelphia: South Street’s Hip Vibe
5/8/2009 10:26 AM By Catherine TMost people think of American history when they think of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but that's only a part of what this great city has to offer. If you're trying to get inside the mind of the younger generation, check out South Street. There is a palpable vibe here and, when the weather is nice, the street is almost always crowded and lively. This is the perfect place to people-watch and get a feel for what captures the attention of teens and young adults. Many of the stores here are geared just for them. There are plenty of places to sit with a cup of coffee and take notes on everything from the latest "in" t-shirt designs to the hottest colors.
Be sure to walk the street to get the full feel. As you stroll, you'll undoubtedly notice the mosaic art of Isaiah Zagar, made from discarded materials, especially glass. From the tattoo parlors to the music stores, this is the perfect place to start out if you want to create a Website that has a youthful, urban feel. And while you're there, don't forget to try a cheese-steak.
Skokie: Unique Sculpture
5/6/2009 10:23 AM By Catherine TSkokie, Illinois is located approximately forty minutes from downtown Chicago and has a special area dedicated to various kinds of sculpture. The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park is home to over sixty interesting pieces, and if your client is looking for something out of the ordinary, the designs here can really help get you thinking outside the box. The subject matter of these statues is quite varied, but there are many abstract designs that can work well as a seed for ideas of your own. Bring a sketch pad or camera to capture the ones that you like so you can reflect on them later as well.
Admission into the park is free, and on its Website, you can download a self-guided tour packet that you can bring with you. The park runs for two miles and is divided into four different sections. Since it's on a long strip of land, you tend to come upon the statues one at a time, which can be wonderful for juxtaposing a variety of ideas and concepts. The statues can be a great help in terms of inspiring you to create a new logo or build a totally unique-looking page. Go when you have some time to enjoy these magnificent creations.
Elkhart: Evoking Nostalgia
5/1/2009 10:18 AM By Catherine T
Sometimes the best ideas can be found in our traditions, and there may be times at which a client will want you to evoke a sense of nostalgia with his or her Website design. Elkhart, Indiana is a great place to go if you want to get in touch with certain aspects of American history for inspiration. Visit the Midwest Museum of American Art on Main Street and spend some time looking at the details in the work of artists of historical significance, such as Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses. Both offer strong elements of nostalgia that can be a jumping-off point for a Web design concept.
Also located on Main Street is the National New York Central Railroad Museum. Explore the memorabilia there for some ideas. For one more stop that has the flavor of Americana, head over to Benham Avenue for a visit to the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum. You'll see exhibits dating back to 1913. Some feature historic ads, and there is also a photo collection. These things can help take you back to what people were doing in terms of product placement as well as overall style. Just by visiting this one town, you can gather a number of nostalgic ideas and begin to get a more comprehensive sense of what may work well for your client.
Oak Park: Frank Lloyd Wright
4/29/2009 9:40 AM By Catherine TOak Park, Illinois is the first city directly west of downtown Chicago, and the village is loaded with important architectural buildings, many of which were designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He was well-known for his work in the "Prairie" style, with its low horizontal lines and harmony with the natural surroundings. If you are looking for a sleek, yet classic design style, these homes can definitely serve as inspiration. Many have an almost Asian feel to them.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is on Chicago Avenue and is open to the public. Here, you can see the beginnings of the Prairie School of architecture and begin to learn more about this type of look. Opt for a guided tour of the building, or set out to take in all the sights and sign up for a walking tour of the Historic District. You'll see the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright designs in the world here, and the repeated themes and craftsmanship of these homes are sure to amaze as well as inspire. The clean lines and basic ideas on which this style of architecture is based on translate very well to Web design.
Design Getaways for Inspiration
4/27/2009 9:37 AM By Catherine TAs writers and designers, most of us have experienced a time when the ideas just wouldn't come. Instead of trying to push through this type of thing, why not allow yourself a "design getaway" for a little bit of inspiration? Design getaways can be anything from spending a few hours in the park with a sketch pad to a road trip to a particular town or destination.
A client will often come to us with a general idea and expect us to fill in the details. This can be tricky, and to do it well, we must both educate and inspire ourselves to meet their expectations. Luckily, there are many things we can do to achieve that inspiration. Looking to the past can help inform our work, as can man-made items like art and sculpture. Nature is another wonderful source. We can also find help in architectural design, museums, and the work of others. Coming up with a design concept or the perfect catch phrase can be a challenge, but inspiration is everywhere. The next time you need a little help, try a little getaway instead of more resolve. It works wonders!
