URBAN RENEWAL / December 22, 2017 by Cynthia Catera

The juxtaposition of hard and soft lines which the city provides. Rooted in a palette of the city's natural habitat of concrete, brick, and metal, and how these materials evolve, erode, and oxidize over time...

H MART / January 16, 2016 by Cynthia Catera

After a lot of talk and visiting Korea, and everyone THERE knows about H Mart, I got my booty over to the store, and let me tell you....it's like a museum of fresh fish! And if you have a knack for packaging.... H Mart has you covered. I just want to buy everything because it's so darn cute!!! Here's some of my favs....including THE GREAT WALL OF KIMCHI!!!! :)

Working through ideas.... / March 30, 2015 by Cynthia Catera

Ok- where's my graphic design friends at?! I'm in the midst of designing my business cards. Here's my progress so far, with front embossing and gold foil printing on the front and back. Any thoughts? =)

A Little Inspiration from Catherine Malandrino / December 10, 2014 by Cynthia Catera

About a month and 1/2 prior, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to hear Catherine Malandrino speak at work. Being a fanatic of extracurricular activities of lectures and extended learning, I've attended a handful of similar events, some more less thrilling than others. But nonetheless, I was thrilled to meet Malandrino in person. Within minutes, I was captivated. Her poise, wit, and humor held the room for 90 minutes...and we all walked out creatively refreshed and energize.

She starts off with, Clothing is magic...it makes you feel a certain way.

With designing, you never start with the product, it always starts with the EMOTION. Bring the story linked to the clothes.

Malandrino then elaborated and stressed the originality of the product. Where is the emotion behind it? She has 4 GOLDEN RULES OF DESIGN:

1. Don't forget to DREAM

2. FACE YOUR FEARS-tackle them-and don't let them stand in your way

3. Service yourself with LOVE. Be able to FORGIVE & surround yourself with POSITIVE &STRONG PEOPLE. Give the best version of yourself...all the time...this will aid in CREATIVITY

IF YOU CANNOT GIVE WITHIN, YOU CANNOT CREATE

4. Never forget the POWER OF SEDUCTION

Being French, Malandrino suggests that Seduction is far more prevalent her native land, where the POWER OF PRESENTATION is a lost art in the States...that everyone is too efficient (hey NY'ers, does that ring a bell)

Malandrino grew up in the countryside of France and began her career of designing with sketching at the age of 10. Even at this early age, she recognized the POWER OF CLOTHES & DRESSING AS A FORM OF EXPRESSION. And this still resonates in her life today-needing to be seduced by her own design to be able to put it into the world. In her words, "Give the customer something to dream about. This is the essence of human nature."

Beginning in knitwear, and moving into couture, she tosses the ideas around of disposable vs. statement pieces and how, "Clothing is a great tool to build yourself. It must have both the balance of content & great fit."

"As a designer, you must be nourished by the whole world and design for everyone."

Her checklist for good designers:

1. Designers must know their level of CURIOSITY (books, music, travel, where they get their ideas)

2. They must cultivate their own unique qualities.

3. Always reinvent

One of the fantastic memories Malandrino shared was the time she was first introduced to Diane von Furstenberg. At the time, DVF was staying on the top floor of the Carlyle Hotel. Catherine walks in, and Diane is lounging on the chaise, tells Catherine to undress, and put on the infamous wrap dress.

DVF, "How do you feel?"

Malandrino, "I feel like a woman!"

End Scene....and the rest is fashion history.

Malandrino wraps up the lecture stating that it was a bumpy ride to success, but despite the difficulties, always keep positive, don't dwell, and don't waste your time thinking of the hard times....instead, FOCUS ON IMPROVING YOUR ASSETS.

Putting her words to paper, makes me feels just as inspired as the day I heard her speak. Malandrino's words, just as her designs, are timeless in nature.

The Cultural Center...Chicago Pt.4 / November 23, 2014 by Cynthia Catera

Another place to venture in Chicago is the Cultural Center. With free exhibits built on a breath-taking structure, all your palettes will be sured to be satisfied. We wandered into a Graphic Design Exhibit with the below images as my fav...

LOUISE FILI / September 30, 2014 by Cynthia Catera

In an ode to Louise Fili's book, Elegantissima: The Design and Typography of Louise Fili, The Art Director's Club, wonderfully showcased her many works into themed rooms. Drunk on gelato, (with the packaging of course designed by Fili), I wandered into each fairy-tale vignette of Fili's world. From signage, to wine & food packaging, to branding, Fili has done it all. And in the introduction to the exhibit, Steven Heller, tells us the magnificent history of Fili's career. What amazes me most, with such a prestigious resume, Fili still keeps her studio small, having the intimate connection with the product...which from a design point, resonates with us all.

ADC Graphic Advocacy / July 11, 2014 by Cynthia Catera

In a nook in the midst of the Garment District and Chelsea, across from hundreds of adrenaline fused soccer fans viewing the World Cup on an outdoor jumbo screen, I found myself at ADC, surrounded by the brilliant, artistic minds of graphic designers awaiting the feedback of Milton Glaser, Steven Heller and Elizabeth Resnick, on the ideas of Graphic Advocacy. Curated by Resnick, the gallery pays homage to the International Posters for the Digital Age 2001-2012, in which the designers use the medium of the poster to have a political and social voice about the world around them.

After a brief hour of networking and hors d'oevers, we all took our seats as Heller took the podium to pick at the brains of Glaser and Resnick, setting the tone and arising the question of how are the words we're designing reaching a larger scale and audience and how this has evolved from the pre to post internet era?

Being my first experience of Glaser, I was taken aback on his eloquence and passion for creativity and design and how this relates to everyday life. Creating the "I (heart) NY" logo, he states that "Having an effective design is about the expression of a common interest."...and this may have to do with timing, he states in regards of his "I (heart) NY More Than Ever," which was a reaction to September 11th. He continues with saying, "We're constantly being insulted with information and persuasion (when is comes to advertising)...How do you get anyone to believe your point of view in such a jaded and misrepresented world."

The discussion amongst the three continues with "How does a good design come across," and Glaser, like a graphic jedi states, "When beauty and affection combine is where great work prevails." ....and that's the sound of my brain exploding...This is where the barriers cross from graphic, to fashion, to any sort of art....there's needs to be that connection. Resnick digs deeper with stating "The greatest mystery is why people like things,,,what is that connection or bond and WHY is it there?" She's asked to point out her favorite pieces from the gallery and although this is quite difficult, she lands on a Hiroshima poster displaying the nuclear effects on a deer, and points to the symbolism and the effect it had on her. The discussion is wrapped up with unified conclusion that a great piece of art-or work- is determined by if the person is changed after the piece of art has been viewed, and this is what true affection is. I left the lecture feeling renewed and inspired, as I'm sure the hundreds of other designers felt as well=)