Inspiration Point

The point is, we don't design in a vacuum. Great ideas are inspired by what we see, feel and do every day.

Over the past few days, I've had a number of encounters related to energy. For example, I stumbled into a fab conversation with a feng shui expert, watched the movie Men Who Stare At Goats and scheduled a time to select a personal stone.

So today's Inspiration Point is: the rainbow (If you don't get it, read on.) From it we can derive shape and color, but there's so much more.

One of the most powerful tools a designer has is intuition. Today's Inspiration Point came intuitively, but I had to do some research about it's meaning. Here's some info on the symbolism of the rainbow.

Rainbow Dream Meaning

Psychological Meaning: The rainbow symbolises good news, hope, redemption and the ending of gloom. Since the sun can be a symbol of the self, it is also associated with the magical quest for the treasure of self-knowledge. The rainbow is a bridge between heaven and earth, between your earthly self and your higher enlightened self.

Mystical Meaning: The gypsies say that to dream of a brightly coloured rainbow means a happy change is coming. If the colours become dull there will be a deterioration in your circumstances.(Source: http://www.dreamsleep.net/rainbow-dream-meaning.html)

Spiritual Symbolism

One of the greatest spiritual pioneers of the western world, Emanuel Swedenborg, readily recognised the universal importance or light. To use his term, it corresponds to the inner awakening of enlightenment caused by the shining light inherent in truth and wisdom dispelling the darkness of doubt and despair. (Source:http://www.spiritualwisdom.org.uk/colours-of-the-rainbow.htm)

Native American Symbol

The Navajo believe that the rainbow is the bridge between the spirit and human worlds.(Source:http://themagicalbuffet.com/blog1/2007/07/31/the-rainbow-connection%E2%80%A6connections-actually/)

Rainbow in The Bible

In the Bible, the rainbow is a symbol of the covenant between God and man. It is a symbol of God’s promise after the Flood to not destroy humankind again. In addition, Christ is sometimes shown enthroned on a rainbow at the Last Judgment. The rainbow demonstrates His heavenly power and mercy.(Source:http://themagicalbuffet.com/blog1/2007/07/31/the-rainbow-connection%E2%80%A6connections-actually/

Greek Mythology

There is also Iris, who is the personification of the rainbow and messenger of the Gods in Greek mythology. (Source: http://themagicalbuffet.com/blog1/2007/07/31/the-rainbow-connection%E2%80%A6connections-actually/

My Favorite

Now go out there and make some magic!

Design Star - Upstaged

Since I couldn’t be in New York to compete myself (even though I really wanted to be), I figured I can at least critique those who were. After watching this second episode, I have gotten past my funk about not being cast and am ready to dish. So here goes…

This season’s designers are being thrown right in. They’ve had little time to get to know each other, which adds to the element of competition. How very Mark Burnett to add this element of Survivor to our Design Star.

The designs so far have definitely suffered. And, I’ll give the contestants that benefit of the doubt and say it’s the extreme pressure of the rapid fire challenges and not their design abilities. However…I’ll pick apart a couple for starters.

I’ll start with the one who was sent home after challenge 2, Tera. I liked her white box bedroom design. It was well planned and cohesive, but she doesn’t seem to play well in the sandbox. Apparently, she never got over being last to choose her fashion inspiration, because she was totally uninspired during the apartment challenge. It was lack of creative thinking that led to her dismissal. Come on, using the colors from the outfit on the walls was just lazy…or huffy from being last to pick.

Nina seems to be filling the shoes left by last season’s Antonio. Every good show needs a villain, the one we love to hate. This too, follows every good Mark Burnett show. Problem is we don’t have a reason to love her yet.

How annoying is it to see her be so sweet during judging?

Now for the overall designs seen on this episode.

Men’s Apartment

These spaces really aren’t that great. But it looks like the men worked with what they had rather than fighting what they were given. They seemed to use passion and energy that resulted in a better design.

The verdict.

• Some good overall design planning looks evident.
• Interesting choices created a sophisticated space in the living/dining room.
• Bedroom is lacking the same level of detail – Who’s idea was it to pair the wedding dress with those pjs? Functionally they work in the bedroom. The judges said it best, the romance element is missing. I don’t think the two styles work together. The whimsy of the pjs is also lacking.
• Accessories would be best way to inject the missing personality, and the men missed the mark accessorizing throughout the apartment.

Women’s Apartment

Nina’s headstrong opinions can be hard to take, but the best thing about this space? That red rug that the other women didn’t want. It starts the personality direction for the entire space, and certainly pulls in the red from Emily’s outfit. Why was she complaining?

Here’s what went wrong.

• They wasted too much time throwing disparate ideas into the room, and focused on the negative, rather than saying, "Ok we have this to work with. Now what?" Their argument against the red rug? It doesn’t work with the navy drapes…those ugly, cheap looking, drapes that are too small for the windows. Get rid of them. They are the worst part of the room. Whose ideas were those? She should be the one to go.
• Stacy’s chair I like, but don’t see the connection with the fashion. The dress uses pink (remember the rug?)and pastels. She could have done so much more with that rug there. I like the drink cart.
• I am surprised at the lack of pattern usage. There was so much to work with here from the two fabulous dresses. But everything in the space is solid or textured.
• Where are the plaid and zippers in the bedroom! They had two on trend styles that were completely overlooked by the designers. These two were uninspired by their outfits, and could not get over it. A designer has to have an appreciation for the work/choices of others. That’s what separates a designer from your average person. It’s the ability to “see”.
• Nina’s ideas are the only ones apparent here. Maybe her strategy is to wear down the others, so that they’re too tired from fighting with her to think brilliantly. Her competition should stop focusing on the things they cannot change, and focus on what they can control…their own choices and reactions.

Can’t wait to see what happens next week! They have certainly changed our old predictable Design Star.