Three: Energy Work

02/07/15
11x15 collage on paper

Three: Energy Work

Day 248 Chicago in June

Day 248 Chicago in June

248:365

06/05/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I keep my mind healthy and happy, and my body follows suit. ”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal: Open a random drawer where you live or work and create something with just the contents.  

Media:  Postcards, Brochure, Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  50M

Comments:  The contents of my random drawer at work that make up today's collage were a brochure for an upcoming, annual, office furniture tradeshow (NeoCon).  A postcard from a Discover card and another from the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).   

In addition to enjoying a visit to Chicago, Neocon's a great place for designers to see the latest furniture and interior finish material introductions.  And a fun way to collect an overabundance of tote bags.  I keep my mind healthy and happy.  

Link for more info:   

http://www.neocon.com/
http://www.iida.org/ 
https://www.discover.com/

Day 162 Time the learning curve

Day 162 Time the learning curve

162:365

03/11/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “There are people out there who are always looking for my services.  I am always in demand and can pick and choose what I want to do.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create a trap. 

Time to learn

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  45M

Comments:  Toured the headquarters of a  major manufacturer of office furniture (Steelcase) today and learned about new concepts in office design and their research into how the nature of work is changing.  They've renovated their own space to "live" in the design ideas they are selling to their corporate clients.  

While most of the ideas I saw were refreshing, contemporary, new and inventive, I couldn't help wondering how large companies who can afford to apply the ideas full-scale are going to learn and respond quickly enough for the ideas we were seeing to be relevant in time to make a difference in today's ever-changing markets.  

Wholesale change to a traditional, cubicle-based work environment is a major real estate decision for a stable company in a mature or maturing industry.  It seems to take a long time for the right people to learn that new ways of working exist and understand ins and outs of what that means, to decide to pursue a physical change as corporate strategy, and then to secure funding, get buy-in from the people that will be most impacted, design at the facility level, and finally buy new furniture and implement new ideas in real work settings.  

My experience has been that many companies find it so complex and scary to make the leap to radical change that they simply decide to do nothing for another year.  It comes down to the classic battle between change vs. inertia, and time becomes a trap where creative and forward-thinking ideas get stuck. 

As far as today's affirmation goes, seems there will be a place for designers who can articulate the issues and possible solutions, and help companies navigate their way through the process of physical change. 

Link for more info:  

http://www.steelcase.com/en/Pages/Homepage.aspx

Day 160 The kit of parts

Day 160 The kit of parts

160:365

03/09/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I love myself; therefore, I live totally in the now, experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright and joyous and secure, for I know I am a beloved child of God.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make a kit for an activity that normally wouldn’t need one.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Catalog photo, Mod Podge, Watercolor, Jewel heart, Metallic Sharpie

Time:  1H:35M

Comments:  In the commercial furniture world, all the pieces required to build a workstation are called a 'kit of parts'.  This collage depicts a typical cubicle layout in plan view, plus a heart and eye in the desk chair position to represent the person who works inside the space.  

The kit of parts for a beloved child of God, though, that's much bigger than will fit in an office cubicle. 

Day 56 Light heaviness

056:365
11/25/12

Louise Hay affirmation:   “This moment is filled with joy.  I now choose to experience the sweetness of today.” (diabetes)

Day 56 Light heaviness

 

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make something heavy seem light.

Media:  Magazine photos, scrapbook paper, glue stick, gemstone owl sticker.

Time:   1H:40M

Comments:  The heavy, concrete interiors in this collage are made light by the column treatment and furniture selection.  Much like the heavy construction dump truck is made light by its load of flowers.  Nice reminders that the sweetness of today is a choice.

Day 16 Butterfly rules

016:365

10/16/12

Louise Hay affirmation: “I create a new life with new rules that totally support me.” (hypothyroid)

Day 16 Butterfly rules

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:  Make a unique print by cutting up a potato or sponge, and use it to stamp on a material of your choice.

Media:  Magazine photos, matte medium, acrylic paint, sweet potato stamp

Time:  1H:10M  

Comments:   The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland in the throat is of particular interest to me.  Started having trouble with the function in mine at a time when I was in a job where I didn’t feel the “rules” supported me.   The right side of this collage is a study in new rules for furniture placement that might have come in handy in that job.   

Day 1 Feline Fine

Day 1 Feline Fine

Louise Hay affirmation:  "All is well."

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal: Make something that fits in the palm of your hand using only the materials in your immediate environment.

Media: Magazine photos, construction paper, mylar office sketch, glitter letters, Animal Planet playing cards, liquid glue pen.

Time: 2h:15m

Comments: Since I'm doing 11x15 paper collage, I didn't make it fit in the palm of my hand.  But I did nod to the exercise by including some hands in the photos I selected.