I have not worn a wristwatch since I was in my teens. Unfortunately, I think that has a lot to do with the fact that we’ve all become so “married” to our cell phones, which do more than make phone calls…they give you the time of day. If you have an iPhone you’re probably even more glued to your phone than most, and are sure to appreciate this post even more. Why? Because of a German designer named Dieter Rams.
The watch I just purchased is designed by Dieter Rams for Braun. This watch embodies near perfect design, and Dieter is an expert in the field. Check out this amazing video and pay close attention to his top ten list on “good design”. Highlights include: “is innovative”, “makes a product understandable”, “is unobtrusive” and “is as little design as possible”. Genius.
Oh, yeah, the payout for all of you who have iPhones or use other Apple products…check out some of his vintage designs…Apple definitely approves of them. Here’s a calculator he designed in 1977, compared with the iPhone’s calculator…
It’s been almost four years since we designed the original Chandlers Steakhouse website for it’s opening in Boise, in May of 2007. It was definitely time for a new look, and of course features, lots of new features. To think of all of the changes on the web and technology in the last four years is overwhelming. We have a lot more tools in our chest than we did for the original design, but more importantly, we know the client and it’s patrons very well now.
The design process and messaging came very naturally, and it definitely shows in the new site’s design. Easy to use, but full of features, and of course, in your face, mouth-watering photography. The best designs are those you don’t think about during interaction. It just works the way you would expect it to work, and you easily find what you are looking. We also added a few welcomed surprises along the way though, so start exploring.
Thankfully, Boise has restaurants such as Chandlers Steakhouse, offering world-class dining and unbelievable service. Go check out the site, and while you’re there, book a reservation online. You’ll thank me.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know Idaho’s year-round resort, Tamarack, has been in trouble for awhile now. Unfortunately, the real estate market has been less than stellar and contributed to the downfall of many business ventures. Tamarack had to file for bankruptcy and has been stuck in legal battles for some time now. The future of the resort is in complete limbo.
In mid-November I was contacted by a company named Green Valley Holdings, who needed an impressive website that could be launched in less than two weeks. Normally, my workload would never allow that quick of a turnaround, but after talking in-depth with the Green Valley Holdings representatives, I knew it was a project I couldn’t pass up. Sure, I would have to give up some of life’s luxuries, like sleep, but it’d be worth it. Green Valley Holdings had a super-secretive plan, but all their ducks were in a row, and I was impressed. They were going to make an offer to buy Tamarack. So, I kept my lips sealed and started feverishly working on their new website to support their efforts.
The site launched on November 22nd, minutes after they held their first press conference announcing their $40 million cash offer to purchase Tamarack. Immediately it was all over the news, and the site was getting hit like crazy. Good thing they had this to show off…
Just like the history of the Cherner chair, my acquisition of these chairs did not come without drama. I could write an enormous blog entry explaining the whole story, but who likes long blog posts? The short story is, it took over 6 months from the time the shipper picked them up in New York, to the time I received them. Oh, yeah, and one really good attorney. These ended up costing me much more than originally expected, but I did receive them, and the restoration turned out beautifully. The restoration process was long and arduous, but I enjoyed every minute of it! These guys really knew how to make chairs back then, and now their condition is almost as good as they were in 1958.
To help recoup some of my increased costs, I ended up listing one of them on eBay. Due to the enormous amount of inquiries, I actually sold all of them except one (which I kept for my collection). Guess where they all went? To separate buyers in France. Odd. I guess the French really love their Mid-Century American Modern furniture. Go ahead and add that to their list of strengths with baked goods.
Check out the photos of the chairs post-resoration, plus a before and after set.
PS: If you have any of these chairs, and want to sell them, shoot me an email, I’ll probably end up buying them from you 
Before Restoration
After Restoration
I’m happy, and at the same time a bit sad that this piece has gone to print. It was an amazing experience working on this piece with John Brunelle at City of Boise’s Office of Economic Development. We first discussed this project nearly a year ago, and after lots of concepts and ideas we finally settled on one very ambitious idea…capture the successes of 16 local companies or individuals in entertaining saga format.
After identifying a good mix of companies and people to highlight, we iconicized them through silkscreen-like design elements. Each person or company would have a related icon designed for them, and another more detailed image to compliment the saga. We also needed to connect our target market of prospective Boise-based businesses with the opportunities and advantages of being based in Boise. We accomplished this through alternating page spreads from the sagas to mouthwatering full-page photo spreads accompanied by informational content. Each page turn draws the reader deeper into what Boise is all about, and why it’s the best location for their business.
This 24-page brochure spreads a whopping 22″ wide, and the imagery does as much work as the copy in telling the story. The brochure is being mailed out to businesses across the country in individually unique, two-color metallic ink silkscreened 12″ x 9″ black linen envelopes. No two envelopes are alike, just like the sagas told in the brochure. Each have their own story, and the stories are excellent here in Boise.
Check out an interactive version of the brochure online: www.BoiseIdaho.gov
In my never-ending search of eBay I came across some chairs I couldn’t pass up on purchasing. I must admit, I already have 25 chairs at my house (that was the last head-count when we figured out seating for last Thanksgiving dinner at my house). So, yes, I’m addicted to chairs, and I thank my wife she hasn’t killed me yet over them. The design possibilities in chairs are essential unlimited. I’m extremely fascinated by them, and have a special spot in my heart for mid-century modern design in general.
This purchase is for a vintage set of Cherner chairs manufactured by Plycraft back in the 50′s and 60′s, and designed by Norman Cherner. There is quite the dramatic story behind this chair, but I’ll save that for another blog article. Maybe the article where I show you what these chairs looks like after I refurbish them and bring them back to how they looked in the glory days of middle of the century. Until now, here’s a picture of their current state…they’ve been sitting in a storage unit far too long…
We have finally launched a new company website for JedSplit Design. Since our old site was all Flash, we’ve decided to develop a site that utilized different aspects of web design, and not rely on any Flash elements at all. This site is full of jQuery which is our new favorite toolbox to utilize in web design. Check it out here: www.jedsplit.com
