Our newest addition to the studio … Banks. He’s one beautiful pit bull, no?

A still life shot Jen and I set up for the Gallery Church … Fruit.

So, what would purity in the city look like? How visible would just a small amount of purity in the chaos and distraction of New York City? That was a recent question in my mind. Through a somewhat strange, off beat mental journey I came up with white balloons filled with helium. You don’t usually see a big bunch of balloons in the ciy. And when you do … Well, there is something refreshing about that sight.

I walked around Manhattan for a few hours toting my 25 balloons, camera and some light gear. And let me tell you … What an experience! I had more random conversations, smiles, giggles, waves, gestures, and hellos in those three short hours than any other three hours in my life!

New York City is such a surprising place.

I’ve been digging back through photos for Jonathan, and came across this beauty! J Rich is a super-laid back guy, but this portrait is just intense.

Just ran across the shot and thought I’d post it. This is my favorite shot from the day.

Obviously, as a designer myself, I find a great deal of inherent value in design. But where is the value of design, or rather how strong can design be? Well, this depends on the target audience. From my experience managing a boutique design studio, our clients are our first audience. If approval is not attained, there is no other audience.

With this context in mind, how strong is design?

First let me state, that I see myself in two parts — as a refiner of problems, and a designer of strategic and holistic solutions. I did believe for a long time that the strength of design is only as strong as my ability to defend the designed solution. In the past few years, I have come to realize the designed solution does not need “defending.” Especially, from the likes of a designer. Or rather, in design terms. The strength of the designed solution lies in my ability to articulate its value as a holistic solution in terms that address the business objectives of the initially refined problem.

Explain why the design solution works, not why its pretty.

This is third “evolutionary” step of this photo that I’ve posted. Above is the final execution of one of my shots from the Resolute photoshoot in Cambridge / Boston back in the summer. This execution was used in a recent magazine ad for Resolute.

Below are the first two steps …

retouched photo composite

original shot … a very overcast morning with supplemental light using a grid and beauty dish.

There is simply nothing else to say … I couldn’t agree more!

The second stop on the Barnum Design field trip took us to Vivien’s office in the East 60s on Park Avenue. Yeah, a really prime spot. And to top it off, her office is on the 16th floor with a beautiful terrace. And she has done an amazing job with the landscaping / garden. Its a utopian oasis of beautiful vegetation against a grid of skyscrapers and glass.

We (Barnum Design) had a bit of an office outing, a field trip per se. First on the itinerary was attending the MoMA for the afternoon. And in the empty lot next to the MoMA was the Modular Housing exhibit. Unfortunately it was a rainy, New York fall afternoon, so we couldn’t explore the interior of the houses. However, the exteriors themselves were pretty impressive. Especially the Katrina Home that can be put together with absolutely no tools what-so-ever. Imagine a giant, 3D jigsaw puzzle … Last image below: