How to brand a hotel by Nickelodeon

When we made our reservations at the Nickelodeon Hotel (by Holiday Inn) for our Disneyworld/Florida vacation I was a little nervous. I wasn't sure I really wanted to spend 3 days in a hotel that was all about Dora, Spongebob, Jimmy Neutron and all the other Nick yahoos.. but I have to say, I really enjoyed it, and it opened my eyes to what can be done when a company puts all their resources into the design of something really really big. Down to every last detail, this place is high style, but on a kids level. The wallpaper, the shower curtains, even the soap and the "No Smoking" signs wore the Nick brand. It was slimed from top to bottom, but somehow it was fun and not overwhelming. I think it was the way they used contemporary furniture and fixturing the elevated the design and made it something to enjoy rather than beating the guest over the head.

One interesting thing.. it was a Holiday Inn, but the Holiday Inn brand is nowhere to be seen. I think that just shows the level of commitment that Nickelodeon had, it was all or nothing.

art challenge!

Every week over a the HAMB board the art dudes show their stuff on the Friday art show and it gave me this idea to have a little contest.. these guys know custom cars, so what if I presented them with a stock car and told them they could do whatever that wanted? This is what happened.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Miracle Mile????

Wow, where do I start. On my recent trip to Chicago, I spent an afternoon walking Michigan Avenue to find inspiration in the "flagship" stores. Usually they are cutting edge, ground-breaking experements in retail design. I was so dissapointed that I HAVE to critique a few of the worst.

First, I toured the new Garmin store. Here in KC, it was touted in the newspaper as great achievement for this local company. What an utter and complete waste of money! It was plain, empty, cold, and worst of all - zero signage. I couldn't tell what it was about even by walking through the store. They may as well have been displaying produce or duct tape for all I could determine.

Table after table of small objects attached to tiny easels all in rows. Nothing stood out. No color, no graphics, no environment. The first floor reminded me of a jewelry store, and the upstairs was more like the birthing ward at the hospital. Even the hospital has way-finding and environmental signage!

OK, enough about Garmin. Now I visited Apple. I realized where Garmin got the design for their store, only they didn't execute it as well as Apple. Which, again, is not saying all that much. The Apple store had some interesting graphic elements on the walls, but they also failed at the product level. Just table after table of computers with tiny signs, and nothing to differentiate the product lines. I did really like the skylight and Apple window. They added light and a hi-tech feel without being cold. Over-all it was OK, but shopping product was a major challenge. At least I knew where I was, and what the general product lines are.

I don't know if it's an economic issue, or if I hit it at the wrong time, but I just did not see any "WOW" stores. I guess I need a trip to NY - assuming they still value great design in their flagship stores. What a waste of time Michigan Avenue was!

Sneak Peek

The next big exhibit at the Museum is Forces of Nature.. here's a peek at what we're planning:

Inspiration Images

I'm getting ready to start a new and interesting new project that will hit the masses in the next couple months, I thought I'd post a few of the things that are inspiring me currently...

Illustration Styles

It's been a while since I last had an entry - been busy! But, I was looking around the office and noticed a common theme in my clippings on the board. All of these have elements of hand drawing and sketching, but some have been digitally enhanced either in Photoshop or Illustrator. I love the free and easy linework that has been done by hand. Yet, they have been taken to the next level of presentation by adding color and/or details. I like the architectural style of dilineation, and the conceptual feel they produce. This is a wonderful marriage of the art and skill that is required to draw by hand, and current technology. In today's design world where so many clients want only the polished 3-D photo-realistic image, this is a refreshing style that conveys warmth, creativity, and feelings.

First Fridays

Kansas City has a rapidly growing art scene. For the last few years, the art district downtown called "The Crossroads" has had regular open house gallery events called "First Friday's". This has been one of the favorite date night activities for Janie and I.

Recently we went to First Friday and saw Ziggy Marley and Robert Randolph play an open air concert behind "Grinders" which is owned by Stretch, a well known local sculptor. What a great experience for KC. We lived in Chicago for 5 years and enjoyed the concerts in the park downtown. Now we finally have some exciting things happening in downtown KC. It's been a wasteland for so long.

Here's a shot of the concert and a few of my favorite works that we saw in the galleries.

Design Barn

So Janie and I have often thought that a Barn would be an amazing design studio. Maybe it's growing up in Kansas, or the idea of quiet open spaces as an inspiration for creativity. Nate here is already on his way with the barn he built. Loft office, and hotrod garage below!

Here's a barn near us that I love to look at as I drive by. It's so peacefull and simple.

Next are some spaces I think are interesting and have that "design studio" feel. I like the idea of combining the textures and shapes that a barn has with the downtown warehouse loft look on the inside.

Hmmmmmm... what if?

I love it when a plan comes together

There's something very satisfying about having an idea, working out all the details, creating the idea in a tangible way.. without too may compromises to the original idea... and then sharing it with the world.. or whoever will come and see it.. The sports exhibit opens today, my photos don't do it justice... You'll have to come and see it for yourself! :) It's been a big project, but I think it was all worth it.