Balance
July 9, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
Who? Heather John, Lifework contributor, blogger at The Foodinista and columnist for Bon Appetit
Where? Los Angeles, California
How do you take your coffee? What brand is it? Black with a splash of milk (Vitamin D milk, specifically Clover Stornetta; I grew up in the Bay Area so get very nostalgic for this dairy). Every few weeks I place an order for a couple pounds of beans from Ristretto Roasters in Portland, Oregon. All the roasts are medium, which makes for the most flavorful coffee. The Nicaragua Mancotal Free-Trade Organic I’m drinking right now tastes like chocolate with caramel and nutty aromas. Breakfast of champions!
Tell me about your coffee cup. I’m deeply attached to my coffee cup. It’s circa 2001, from Chiat Day’s controversial “Labels” campaign for the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Whenever something irritates an art critic, I’m inclined to think it a success.
What happens if you skip your morning coffee? Nothing until about 4 pm, when I get a wicked headache and remember that I forgot my morning coffee.
Balance, Design, Products, Technology
July 9, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
Where we’ve been this week:
1. Satsuma Press The musings of designer and printer Lynn Russell. I like the mix between Lynn’s work thoughts (designing inexpensive but stylish business cards) and her design finds (I want that stripy bag). Where to start: From the top. Just wander through.
2. Luxury Culture This site couldn’t be more different from Satsuma. It’s glitzy and flashy, more a slick online design magazine than blog. The tag line is “Sharing the Art of Living Well” and they purport to embrace luxury as an aspiration, philosophy, discipline and culture. OK, I know that doesn’t make a huge amount of sense but don’t be put off, there’s always something interesting to check out here. Where to start: Go straight to the Art. Architecture and Fashion section in LuxuryNow. I can’t link to it directly but you will find your way.
3. The Great Work Blog You’ll feel like you’re in the head of life coach Michael Bungay Stanier with this blog. His every thought seems to spill from the keyboard to the “page”. Lucky for us he has something worth saying. It’s word-heavy, picture-light one-stop source for all things to do with improving your work habits. Where to start: He also has a sense of humor. Check out the Old Spice post!
4. Deskography In the online world it seems to be all about sharing – whether it 140 words on Twitter or your latest baby pic on Facebook. Well, not to be left out, deskography now allows you to share your workspaces. “Why? Well, the idea is that it’s fun to invite the world to see where you work.” I also think it’s fascinating to see how your workspace stacks up against everyone else’s. Mine is not quite as neat as the rest of the country! Where to start: Web designer Jason Schuller’s new home office. Love the grey walls.
5. From Rus With Love Mayer Rus is the Design and Culture editor at the Los Angeles Times. This blog tracks all sorts of things that catch Rus’s eye including cool architecture and “nutty” design. Where to start: The Court and Spark post. I’m obsessed with that building too!
Balance, Design, Products, Technology
July 8, 2010
By Dave Cuzner
I just got back from a trip to Singapore. While I was there I had the pleasure of hanging out with James Teo who is the one-man force behind Ampulets Design. James established the studio in 2006 and has since gone on to collaborate with writers, photographers and interactive designers in a range of projects for print, web as well as environmental design. Just before heading out for a dinner filled with spicy stingray, mutton satays and Chinese carrot cake, James and I had a few minutes to talk about the joys and frustrations of working from home.
How long have you been working from home? It’ll be 4 years in 3 months’ time.
What challenges have you faced working from home? In the beginning, I really missed having colleagues to share and bounce ideas off with. Or even folks you chat with in the pantry or by the photocopy machine! It’s something I still miss. But I’ve learnt to get around this by consciously blocking off time during the week to head out and meet up with friends for lunch or a drink. I’ve also found a group of friends who are also doing creative work and are either working from home or heading their own small offices. They are like my virtual “colleagues”.
Working from home, there’s also very little to demarcate “work time” from the rest of life, so it is very tempting to let one flow into the other. So even the”ritual” of dressing up and going to work shouldn’t be undermined, something I try to do, even if it means discriminating between “work” and “off-work” T-shirts.
What are some of your favorite objects in your studio? My studio is also my library. So my favorite objects are paper – books, magazines, and best of all, my Batman comics. Love the cover art.
Do you use any software/tools to keep your computer organized or help you work more efficiently? I am very old-skool in this area. I write a to-do list every night or early in the morning before I start work. I have a shelf of paper stock and print samples that I’ve organised by size into boxes of swatches, cards and brochures for quick reference. For workflow and accounts, I rely on my wife (aka my “secretary”). She keeps everything in order using mostly spreadsheets. But I’m considering Studiometry (introduced by a fellow designer) to help with workflow, timeline and accounting, especially if the studio expands.
Technology
July 7, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
“Over the long weekend, we got the chance to wake up like they do in the movies: Out of bed late and straight to the balcony with a coffee and laptop in hand. Despite the lovely scenery, we didn’t last long out there—it was nearly 100° outside. And if we couldn’t stand the heat, we can’t imagine how our laptop must have felt. To keep your laptop safe and happy in warm weather, read on for a few tips we learned about working in the sun and humidity and storing your laptop inside warm cars.
1. Know the “safe range” for temperatures.
Most laptops are good to go in temperatures of 50° to 95° Fahrenheit or 10° to 35° Celsius. Anything warmer than this is asking for trouble. Laptop batteries are notoriouslynot heat-friendly (even just a few exposures can make your battery life suffer) and the components of your delicate hard drive might expand—sometimes causing permanent damage and hard drive failure.
2. Give your laptop a chance to adjust.
Don’t walk and work with your laptop open. If you’re moving from the cool A/C to sweltering heat, or from outside to indoors, shut your laptop down. Let it adjust to the new temperature before starting it up again. Condensation can build up inside your machine just like on your glasses.
3. Know how to keep your laptop safe in a hot car.
Treat your machine like a baby and don’t ever leave it in a warm car—not even in the trunk. The temperatures in your car on a warm day are almost always going to reach outside the laptop safe range. If you must leave your laptop in a car, make sure it’s been turned off completely.
4. Stay out of direct sun, if you can.
Yes, heat usually comes with lots of direct sunlight. We’ve heard all the urban legends about your laptop’s screen becoming damaged from sun exposure, but we can’t find anything to support it. Either way, it’s better to be safe (and cool!) than sorry. But if you have to work in direct sun, make it easy on your eyes. Go for a dorky-looking laptop hood or attach an anti-glare screen cover.
5. Beware of high humidity.
Before you plan a mobile office day, check the weather reports for humidity. Anything above 80 percent should make you cautious, although your device may have its own humidity specifications. Really humid weather can escalate that condensation effect we mentioned before, shorting out your circuits. But even if it doesn’t do damage, excess moisture in and around your machine can trigger the built-in water damage sensor, sometimes voiding your warranty.
6. Back it up.
Always a good idea, you should back up your data if you anticipate wanting to work outdoors. We’ll say it again: Heat can do permanent damage to your hard drive. Use an external drive like this one.
7. Be ready for sudden storms.
Depending on your geography, you might be privy to random summer showers. It’s one thing to get caught without an umbrella on your coffee run, but it’s quite another to have all of your expensive equipment with you. Bring an umbrella and keep your water-proof cases and sleeves very nearby.
8. Use a heat-dissipating laptop stand.
You know how warm your laptop can get in your lap on the sofa, so be careful of where you set it outdoors. At the very least, use a laptop pad or stand. But for an A+ effort, grab a self-cooling stand, like this one from Belkin.
9. Wrap it up safely.
The same advice you use in the bedroom will help you stay safe outdoors. To protect against sudden storms and help temper the effect of moving from cool to warm air, make sure your laptop cases and sleeves are rated for “moisture, shock and scratch protection.
Via About.com
(Images: Entrepreneurs-Journey.com)”
This story appears in partnership with Unplggd, a site for people who embrace technology and design in their home.
Balance, Design, Products, Technology
July 7, 2010
By Amy Feezor
Kristina Klarin is a color fanatic—and it’s evident in the cheery work she churns out from her studio in Milan (see her current collection of chunky wooden necklaces here and her decorative mushroom collection here). She took some time just before vacation to tell us a little about music and how it inspires her.
Do you listen to music while you work? It varies with the task that I was working on. If I’m working on something new or doing research on trends or colors, I usually don’t listen to the music because I don’t want to be distracted. I prefer to switch on TV in the other room just to have some working companion, so usually while I was writing down my ideas, Mrs. Fletcher was successfully solving homicides in the other room of our apartment.
How do you listen? I use the headphones to listen to my iPod.
Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? I use Deezer a lot and also Jamendo when I have more time. I like the site because it gives independent musicians the opportunity to publish, share, and promote their music as well as the opportunity for us to enjoy them.
Does music influence your work? I really like to match the music with what I’m working on. I put on the music once I get the initial ideas of color palettes and materials, etc. For example, there was Vivaldi for my spring necklace collection and Maria Pradera for the summer ones. In addition, I go on YouTube to listen and watch music videos that have similar themes with my collection. Music helps me to construct a better working environment, stay focused on my plans, and inspire me with new idea.
Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste? Well, recommendations sometimes come from magazines, sometimes come from friends, and sometimes comes from my husband. Because I’m interested in traditional textiles and costumes from all over the world, I find very interesting music while doing research on these elements. That traditional music from different countries often has influence on my musical taste.
If your work was a song or a musician, what or who would it be? I really like a large variety of music, and it would be very difficult to actually pick out one song or musician that represents everything!
KRIS’S PLAYLIST
Sebastian, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
The Ship Song, Nick Cave
Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?, Moby
Hope There’s Someone, Antony & the Johnsons
La Chanson des Vieux Amants, Jacques Brel
Le Banquet, Yann Tiersen
Gnossienne No.1, Erik Satie
Postcards from Italy, Beirut
Blue Tears, Black Heart Procession
Space Oddity, David Bowie
Images: Kristina Klarin
Balance, Technology
July 6, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
Times magazine just published their Best Blogs of 2010 list. Strangely Lifework didn’t make it on the list. Maybe next year! One that I hadn’t heard of turns out to be a great source for the Lifeworker. Zen Habits, a nicely designed blog, offers advice on simplifying life. You’ll find everything from ways to avoid being a workaholic to a how-to post on achieving “frictionless” work. It’s created and written by Guam-based Leo Babauta (pictured above). He’s a father of 6 so that may go a long way to explaining why he was drawn to simplifying things.
Image: Leo doing minimalist work. Photo courtesy of Norman Taruc.
Balance, Design, Products, Technology
July 6, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
Teacher and freelance writer Kate Convissor has been working for Herman Miller for 17 years. Here she shares her summer workspace with us.
“Those Gen X, Y, and Z whippersnappers may be all about mobility and working-wherever-you-are, but we boomers can be adaptable, too, as Robin noted in a previous Discover blog post.
Darn right.
I recently traded my Aeron chair for a campground bench and my home office for a 14-foot trailer and am about to test the limits of all this mobile technology ballyhoo. I’ve only gotten as far as northern Michigan, but so far I’ve learned:
1. I can’t work outside. All that natural light that office workers covet overpowers even the brightest computer monitor and strains my aging eyes. So I’m forced into my cubicle-sized and non-ergonomic office that also is my living space.
2. Wi-Fi is ubiquitous wherever there are people. However, no people; no Wi-Fi. There is, apparently, technology that brings Wi-Fi to your computer via satellite signals, so theoretically I could get it even where cell phones fail. My friend says the device works “like magic,” but I’m testing the limits of my budget before I bite on the added monthly charge.
3. So far, cell phone coverage isn’t bad. Even in the middle of the forest, I can often pick up two bars, which is enough for a semi-dependable conversation—or a call to 911.
4. I can recharge my computer with an inverter attached to my truck battery, but the adapter gets really, really hot.
I haven’t crossed national boundaries yet, or tried, like my Gen-Y daughter, to send photos from Peru, nor have I sampled the smart phone gadgetry beloved by my kids, but so far technology has been reasonably mobile. The biggest adjustment has been losing instant and continuous Internet access, but I’d say the view is worth it.
By Kate Convissor.
Via Discover.”
Technology
July 2, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
“With more and more devices going wireless these days, it’s hard to avoid that jumble of dongles that builds up behind our desktop towers. The problem with these jumbles is that they often lead to bad wireless reception. Sacrificing signal for a cleaner looking desk isn’t really worth it, so here’s an easy to get that signal back while also helping with cleaning up that clutter behind your desk.
According to tech blog, Tested:
“Placing your wireless dongles in an open space means better reception and transmission range for keyboards and mice, and has the added bonus of making your dongles easier to manage and troubleshoot.”
This means moving your wireless dongles from the back of your computer to a nice visible spot on your desk can do wonders for your signal, improving overall performance and feedback.
Rosewill sells a nice, cheap 10-port USB hub for $30 (Black version here).
Now, for laptops, it gets a little tricky. You’re either going to need to have the hub plugged into the wall (kind of annoying) or have an extra piece of plastic taken along with you everywhere you go (also annoying). We suggest sticking with Bluetooth components (if your notebook supports it) or getting a wireless/device that utilizes those cute mini-dongles so that they’re always plugged in and won’t get lost.
[Via Lifehacker][Image: kenleewrites]
By Anthony”
This story appears in partnership with Unplggd, a site for people who embrace technology and design in their home.
Balance, Design, Products
July 2, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
For the past three years Oklahoma-based art director Kelly Beall has been juggling her day job and her passion for blogging about design. You can read her musings at Design Crush. Here she shares her home office with us.
How long have you blogged from home…and where is ‘home’? Design Crush began in June 2007, but I didn’t start blogging from my current home until I purchased it in July of 2008. I live in a 3 bed, 2 bath ranch style home with one entire bedroom devoted to my artsy side. It really is a dream come true. I blog from this refurbed red desk that I got at a hotel sale five years ago. I’m in the process of finding the perfect desk chair since my old one recently broke. For now this straight back will do and better my posture at the same time!
What does an average work day involve? I’m sort of meticulous about my blogging schedule. I have a day job as well as Design Crush, so I have to time manage extremely well. My weekdays start around 6am and I get into the office by 7:30. I spend roughly an hour perusing my reader and following up on emails. Then I’ll plan what posts I want to put up that day, write and code everything, and schedule them to drop throughout the next eight hours. After work, say three nights out of the week, I’ll research posts and do anything extraneous that’s hanging out.
I just got the new Mac mouse and it’s amazing. It has definitely changed the way I work. Is there any form of technology that really helps you with your work? It sounds cliche, but definitely my MacBook Pro. Without a doubt the versatility it allows is astounding. I lug it everywhere with me. This past January I spoke at the Alt Summit in Salt Lake City and thanks to my laptop was able to live tweet a lot of the information that was being passed on through the different panels. It helps to break down any barriers that might exist as far as internet access and getting content out to my readers.
How do you organize your space? My physical space is organized according to inspiration. I want anything within my line of sight to have an indirect influence on what I’m doing at any given moment. So my desk faces my inspiration board and the window directly next to it looks out onto the back yard. My home magazines are immediately within reach to the right and a large amount of my art supplies are stored within boxes are the shelves to the left. I’m also really old school as far as planning goes, paper all the way.
What item from your desktop can you not do without? My speakers (not shown). I listen to music all day, every day. It plays a big part in determining my mood for the day and can really heavily influence my design on a good day. I live on blip.fm.
What is your favorite piece of office furniture? It’s actually the Chiasso Studio chair I currently have at work. I’m hoping to replace the current one in my home studio with the very same. It’s so comfortable!
What inspires you? The easier question would have been what doesn’t? I’ll just stick with the biggies to spare you: mid-century modern architecture and design, great logos and books.
Balance, Design, Products
July 1, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
Around the web this week:
1. Kikki K I’ve just come from this lovely Swedish home/office supply store in Sydney’s Strand Arcade. I bought the wooden alphabet stamps…now I just have to figure out where to use them. Where to start: Their excellent Get Organised blog with posts on everything from organizing your home office to organizing recipes.
2. Ke-Zu While I’m in Sydney I’ve been doing the rounds of the design stores. There’s such great stuff here. I forget how vibrant the design scene is. Koskela, Planet Furniture and Chee Soon & Fitzgerald are all worth a visit if you’re in the area. None of them have blogs unfortunately. But you can check out retailer Ke-Zu’s blog. Where to start: Their excellent You-Zu series for interviews with top Australian designers.
3. Le Blog Living Edge is one of my favorite Australian design retailers. They happen to also sell quite a few Herman Miller pieces. Where to start: The 40th birthday present post. That chair looks familiar.
4. Artery Gallery I am a big fan of art in the office. There is something inspiring about working surrounded by other people’s brilliance. Aboriginal art has a graphic quality that always surprises and delights me. It’s not huge in the States which, I think, makes it even more interesting. The great thing about this gallery is they’ve got a good relationship with their artists, the website is well designed, the work isn’t too expensive and and they ship all over the world. Where to start: Check out the sale on right now until July 11.
5. Real Living I know I’ve mentioned these guys before but magazine editor Deb Bibby’s blog for Real Living is addictive. She covers it all – from a ridiculously good chocolate cake recipe to a behind the scene’s posts on putting the magazine together. Where to start: Marie Nichols’ tiny home office.