Posts tagged ‘Bay Area’

December 31, 2009

Congratulations BWC!

by Creative Bleed

Entry Way, Because We Can

Local OAKLAND, CA based design firm, BECAUSE WE CAN, beats international competitors BURT HILL and HOK in onstage design competition.

Jeffrey McGrew, Founder of BECAUSE WE CAN, LLC, a small design-build studio in Oakland CA, won the annual “DESIGN SLAM” competition held at Autodesk University, Las Vegas in December.

Jeffrey has been invited to be a speaker at the conference for the past four years, but this year his company was selected to compete in the DESIGN SLAM, an event run by CUT&PASTE at the conference. Two other firms were also selected, Burt Hill and HOK, both multinational firms numbering into the hundreds of employees. One representative from each company was chosen to participate. The contestants were given a design problem, and had to create their solution live on stage in twenty minutes using AutoDesk’s Architectural software: REVIT. Think of it like an ‘Iron Chef’ for Architects!

Their entires and final presentations were then judged by a panel of industry design experts, including individuals from companies like KlingStubbins, N. Grimshaw architects, and the Ford Motor Company.

…and at the end of the twenty minutes, Jeffrey McGrew was declared the winner representing BECAUSE WE CAN, LLC.

BECAUSE WE CAN is a design – build studio with a focus on sustainably created commercial interiors and furniture. Under the brand 10MilesWide, they also produce breathtaking building designs for commercial and residential use.

You can see photos, descriptions and video about the design slam here: http://www.becausewecan.org/BWC_Design_Slam_2009_Winning_Entry

June 17, 2009

Effie’s Heart

by Creative Bleed
Effie's Heart Endless Summer Dress

Effie's Heart Endless Summer Dress

While at the Maker’s Faire a few weeks ago I came across a fashion booth for Effie’s Heart based out of Santa Clara. The designs of Effie’s Heart immediately grabbed my attention because the clothing was modern, fun and had the vintage flare that I adore.

One of my favorite pieces from the Summer Catalog is this “Endless Summer Dress.” I love the convertibility of one garment having six different uses. This dress can be worn as a dress, a skirt or a long top. It is not only ideal for traveling but takes up less space in your closet! This is a direction I hope to see more fashion designers’ move towards. Quality clothing that is fun, practical, adaptable and well designed.

Effie’s Heart sells women’s clothing in boutiques nationwide. You can also buy online at effiesheart.com. k

June 12, 2009

Patchwerk Press

by Creative Bleed
Chair on Fire screen-printed on a 2nd hand cardigan at the Swap-O-Rama. Screen-printing courtsey of Patchwerk Press

Chair on Fire Cardigan. Screen-printed on a 2nd hand cardigan at the Swap-O-Rama. Screen-printing courtesy of Patchwerk Press

At this year’s Maker’s Faire Pachwerk Press of Oakland, California was lending a hand with screen-printing at the Swap-O-Rama. These dedicated men & women need an extra pat on the back for their patience, hard work and dedication to their craft. They must of screen-printed thousands of t-shirts, bags, patches, skirts, sweatshirts you name it for tips only over the course of two days. They deserve an extra shout out.

Patchwork Press is a collectively owned and operated community screen-printing shop located in Oakland. Patchwork Press offers screen-printing services, memberships to use their screen-printing studio and community screen-printing classes through Rock Paper Scissors Collective. Check them out at patchwerkpress.org. Thank you for sharing your designs and hard labor with the DIY community.

May 21, 2009

Consommé, Skateboards, DIY Indie Art fest!

by Creative Bleed

5 places to check out in the next few weeks!

My Warhols

My Warhols

1) The Prints of Andy Warhol at the San Jose Art Museum ends Sunday, May 31st. It’s a small exhibit of his screen prints from the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. The exhibit consists of prints of Norma Jean, the Campbell Soup cans (umm, beef consommé with gelatin, anyone?) and Volkswagen Beetle ad. There is even a little table set-up to create your own Warhol. Don’t waste your time on the text scavenger hunt, lame.

Upstairs is an exhibit called Women’s Work: Contemporary Women Printmakers that is showing until Sunday, August 16. This exhibit consist of work by female artist Barbara Kruger, Wangechi Mutu and a beautiful lithograph by Vija Celmins. A solid collection addresses issues of gender, race, identity, politics and nature.

Maker Fair Swap-O-Rama

Maker Fair Swap-O-Rama

2) Maker Fair at the San Mateo County Expo Center, May 30 & 31. This year’s theme “Remake America.” The Maker Fair is a DIY festival. Festivities include interactive DIY projects, Swap-O-Rama-Rama (bring old clothes, accessories to swap and remake!), Bazaar Bizarre (shop for handmade crafts and indie arts). Tickets are $25 for an all day pass.

3) Skate this Art at the Market Street Gallery, SF, ends Saturday May 30th. Skate this Art is a group show of over 50 local artists whom hand painted decks and donated them for an auction on May 8th to benefit the Roaddawgz Homeless Youth Center. Check out this article from SF Chronicle for background info.

4) Signs: Wordplay in Photography at the deYoung Museum until June 14. Features work by Walker Evans and Lee Friedlander. Should be a great exhibit for not only photographers, but also graphic designers and typography lovers!

Artwork by Souther Salazar

Artwork by Souther Salazar

5) First Fridays in downtown San Jose, Friday June 5th at 8pm. Free. Check out the Scion Art Tour at Anno Domini Gallery.

Have FUN! Please feel free to email me if you had an opportunity to check any o these out or have any suggestions. K