Archive for April, 2009
Handmade for Mom
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
I’ve got one, you’ve got one, we’ve all got one. Some of us even have two, moms that is. If you have one that likes unique, sometimes useful, always cool stuff. Visit my etsy shop for some ideas. What’s etsy? you ask. Etsy is an online market place for artists, craftsmen, craft suppliers and vintage goods. It’s awesome (I don’t usually use that word, but it really is) and fun to shop.
I’m having a special Moms Day offer: Get a Free Gift with your purchase! You don’t have to do anything, just make your purchase before Sunday, May 3 at 6pm and I’ll include the free gift in your package.
click here to visit my shop
If you don’t find anything at my shop that makes you twitch with desire, check out a few other maineteam etsy sellers. We are a talented bunch and I’m sure you’ll find something to love or to give with love!
Tags: ceramics, etsy, gifts, handmade, mom
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Math, design and swine flu.
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
As the world watches and waits to see where the flu will appear next, I am contemplating the physical characteristics and the mathematics of a flu virus. Yesterday’s post reveled in the designs of the natural world. Today, we visit the dark side (unless you’re a flu bug) of nature’s ability to design the near-perfect killing machine. From a designer’s perspective it’s incredible! I am jealous of the ingenuity, the creativity, the simplicity and… it’s visually delightful – at the microscopic level.
microscopic image of flu cells
graphic of a flu cell
The math of a spreading virus is equally beautiful (if you’re a flu bug or a mathematician). My daughter’s math homework last night: “Mom, can you help me explain exponential?” I could have used current news headlines as an example of exponential math in practice. The power of a flu is the power of logarithmic math paired up with an ideal design. It makes for a formidable foe.
I am no mathematician, but I appreciate that mother nature expresses her thoughts through math (and she makes it look so dang easy.) We humans attempt imitation with occasional success and our counter efforts are often thwarted by our attacker’s seemless adaptations. We do have one thing in common with the flu… the will to survive. Thankfully, our human designers and mathematicians are aggressively plotting the containment of this pretty and deadly bug. Let’s wish them luck.
Tags: design, exponential, flu, math, nature, swine flu
Posted in Uncategorized, on design | 3 Comments »
Nature is obsessed with patterns. So am I.
Monday, April 27th, 2009
Patterns. I am mesmerized by them. I’m drawn to them. I draw them. Nature is obsessed with her patterns. Groupings are instantly recognizable: giraffe, butterfly, cuttlefish (I adore cuttlefish), fern, petal, bark, and crystal. Yet each specimen is distinct. Subtle differences state clearly: I am an individual. In fact the survival of a species is often determined by whose got the best pattern. Even irregular patterns delight… think of marble or clouds or a patch of clover. Oh! The array is endless and infinitely inspiring! These are a few of the images I have collected in my hunt for nature’s patterns.
alewives (fish) on annual spring migration to freshwater
fern, fungus, bark and vine
combs filled with honey
pink granite with slate(?) veins
monarch on verbena
cumulus clouds over cadillac mountain
Tags: nature, patterns
Posted in Uncategorized, just for fun, on design | No Comments »
¡Oh, What a Prickly Pair!
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
Occasionally, as I scroll through my RSS feeds I stop dead in my tracks. [screeeech] That’s just what I did when this prickly pair happened upon my screen. Have you ever seen such a fun design approach to the lowly form of the seat? It’s a great example of humor in design. We take so many products in our lives for granted: food, clothing, shelter. What if the things we used everyday lightened our hearts and fed our imaginations? Thank you (Mexican born/London based) Valentina Glez Wohlers for your unique view and delightful combination of mexican and european aesthetics.
Prickly Pair Chairs will be presented at this year’s Designersblock exhibition during Milan Design Week 09.
Tags: culture and design, furniture design, Milan design week 09
Posted in just for fun, on design, product design | No Comments »
Monday Morning
Monday, April 13th, 2009
Monday morning. It makes one wonder, if we are an advanced and evolved society why we allow it? Anyway here is a monday morning mind warp to go with your coffee. Come back if things get too serious out there.
Tags: illusion, trippy, tripwonker, warp
Posted in just for fun | No Comments »
About the Designer
Tile design is a functional aesthetic. It's that place between art and
order where I am most happy to be. I'm a graphic designer by training,
a painter in practice. Painting appeals to the artist in me, while I
rely on the grid and functionality of tile to bring order and utility
to environments. Welcome to my site and that place where art meets
utility.
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- laurie spugnardi design
- portland maine usa :: 207 318 3064
- lauriespugnardi@gmail.com
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