Fast Company Innovation Festival + Post-it Brand

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A few weeks ago I hightailed it to New York for Fast Company’s Innovation Festival. The event featured industry leaders, CEOs, and some of the brightest minds in business all speaking about what’s next in terms of innovation, creativity, and design. Through open and honest talks and behind the scenes workshops at some of the most dynamic companies and startups in New York, we got a firsthand look at the business and culture behind it all. After three days I left highly impressed and inspired.

 

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I was there at FCIF as a guest of Post-it Brand– I don’t need to introduce them, do I? I’ve been an office supply junkie since childhood so it was a natural fit. My Mom used to bring me home the supply catalogues from work and I’d go through and mark them as though they were toy catalogues! Post-it Notes were always one of the most coveted items with their variety of colors and shapes.

 

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If you think about a few projects you’ve been a part of – both work and home – I’m willing to bet Post-it Brand has been present in some fashion. Their products just lend themselves so well to brainstorming, planning, and processing that it’s almost too easy.

Now they offer one of my favorite office products ever –  three sizes of Post-it Big Pads that stick right to the wall. I’ve been using the medium-sized ones to plan out editorial content, then plastering the area around them with smaller Post-it Notes. They’ve definitely changed the way I process some of my thoughts and go about my business with Design Crush. This kind of collaborative thinking is what Post-it Brand is all about, and one of the many reasons they’re a staple in desks and homes around the world.

 

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This post sponsored by Post-it Brand. Thank you for supporting the brands that help Design Crush create fresh content! Follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

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Happy Weekend

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This week on Design Crush:
I upped the ante for Print Edition: October with 15 new art prints!
Check out four quality designers I fell in love with in Beautiful Wears: Fall 2015.
You’ll never guess some of the materials used to create The Colors of Feelings video.
Meet my favorite preserves in unique combinations from Shady Acres.
I love the confident yet playful women of Oren Haskins.
I mastered the perfectly rumpled bed years ago, so I’m glad it’s finally a trend!
The not-quite-there portraits of Jane Lafarge Hamill.
It’s the year of the loafer – check out these 16 pairs!
Can’t wait to pick up a few jewelry pieces from Zoë Comings‘ collection.

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Happy Weekend

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This week on Design Crush:
I’d love to crawl right inside one of Jotaká‘s paper family portraits.
Crushing on Martone Cycling Co.‘s monotone beautiful bicycles.
Step out on an airplane’s wings through Claire Harvey’s Postcards.
Dreaming of filling my home with Haus Candle‘s ten scents.
Large scale installations bursting with shape and color by Crystal Wagner.
Hanahzo soaps are like art for your bathroom.
I love the illustrative and graphic words of Jesús Perea.

Design Crush elsewhere:
5 tips for super smooth travel that I’ve come to rely on.
It’s the perfect weather for a cup of tea right now, and here’s how I make the best cup.
My bar cart is always in rotation, here are 5 ways I keep it ready for entertaining at a moment’s notice.
Let’s go autumn camping!

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Happy Weekend

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This week on Design Crush:
We picked out ten fresh pieces of art for your walls for you in Print Edition: September.
Eleanor Bolton‘s cotton-based statement jewelry is incredible.
Sungsoo Kim‘s melancholy art was spot-on for this week’s emotions.
See a beautiful selection of brown leather bags for you to tote this fall in Brown Bag Bunch.
Jack Hogan‘s wood and acrylic art mimics another kind of art. Amazing.
Architectural drawings from Minty Sainsbury that really make you focus.
I threw a little outdoor autumn harvest party and created a playlist for you!
You need to see Maryam Ashkanian’s Sleep Series because words won’t do.

Design Crush elsewhere:
Your backyard really, really needs a fire pit this fall – trust me.
The day after Labor Day is fair game for Halloween and I’m starting off with October-inspired art.
I’m so ready for fall – does my plaid obsession give it away??

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Happy Weekend

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This week on Design Crush:
Sarah Ball‘s Immigrant painting series is muted and full of emotion.
If you want awesome floor coverings Aelfie rugs are where it’s at!
Beautiful architectural-inspired paintings by Ira Svobodová.
Try this Jewish treat – babka 13 ways.
The crazy paper figures of Michelle Matson.
Check out our Pittsburgh Brew Tour: Part 1.
Barbar Kyne snaps beautifully blurry photography.
I scouted out 32 pieces of flair for your jean jacket.
I had so much fun experimenting with Sprout’s 3D scanner and created a print download.

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Happy Weekend

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This week on Design Crush:
Dark and daydreamy paintings by Melissa Loop.
I can hardly wait to snag some Querkles, color by numbers for adults!
Beautifully bleached out photography from Arno de Pooter.
The type-A in me is crying out for this year round calendar tape.
Electric mixed media babes from Javier Martin’s Blindness Light series.
10 August DIYs for the discerning modern design lover.
Whimsical, saturated illustrations by Tom Froese.
I’m crazy about Yield Design Co.’s Field Pack!
SPACES miniaturizes iconic buildings and recreates them in cement.

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The Office

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After sharing the first floor of my house here last fall, I’d planned on doing the same with the second floor this spring. As you can see… it’s taken a wee bit longer. You got a glimpse of the office earlier this year when it got a new paint job, but today it’s the whole deal. (The master bedroom and guest room will follow in the next few months.) Ready?

 

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If I’m being honest with myself, I’m 110% surprised at how much color is in my office. It’s tempered in every direction you look by white and black, but it’s still more than I ever would have guessed.

 

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I upgraded my desk to one that would afford me a little bit of storage. The closet in this room is teeny tiny and triangular in shape, it’s located directly over the angled staircase below and has to accommodate its high ceiling. I went with the Prairie School Desk. (Do you just associate Land of Nod with kids? You’re wrong, they’re so much more.) I love its sleek and modern profile and the way it coordinated with a few other things I already had selected for the space.

 

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The VITTSJÖ shelving unit bears the burden of a lot of what a closet would normally be responsible for. The tempered glass and metal are super sturdy, so I’m able to hide a lot of clutter in boxes as well as design books and the blank journals that I can’t seem to stop collecting. Do you like the pops of brightness my yellow accessories bring to the table?

Plants give any space life, and I was determined to make my office feel as light and airy as possible. Modernica’s Case Study planters have been a longtime favorite and this seemed like just the place to use one. (Please note that I have the stand turned upside-down here to add some extra height.) The sturdy ceramic pot and wooden base add a nice earthy touch to an otherwise empty corner.

I debated whether or not to put down a rug in this space and ultimately decided it needed it. I embraced the opportunity to pull in some more color and pattern with this Surya Frontier design from Rugs Direct in salmon, light grey, and navy. It pulls in the light pink accents around the room all while remaining surprisingly neutral.

 

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While I’m all about hanging art everywhere, I deliberately wanted lots of open wall space here. Aside from a few mood board-type things over my desk, the only other thing on the wall is this Never Read the Comments print by Serif & Script. Always a good reminder for anyone with a presence online, no?

 

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I plan on sandwiching a few things under this I Can See Clearly Now Desk Mat. I’m thinking favorite photo booth shots, important notes, etc. Bonus: It does double-duty as a surface protector for my desk and laptop!

 

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I finished things off with a curtain rod sporting ball finials and Little Arches curtains (More color! More pattern!) I was nervous that it might be a bit much and clash with the rug, but the pattern ended up complimenting the rest of the room better than could have been expected.

I’m thrilled with the way this space has come together and can’t wait to see how it evolves. Time to get back to work!

 

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Prairie School Desk c/o Land of Nod // VITTSJÖ shelving unit // Case Study planter c/o Modernica // Surya Frontier rug c/o Rugs Direct // Never Read the Comments print by Serif & Script // I Can See Clearly Now Desk Mat c/o Land of Nod // curtain rodball finialsLittle Arches curtain c/o Land of Nod

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Colors

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I’d find it difficult to use these little works of art for their intended purpose – crayons! Colors are crayons that have been retooled and reinvented, each set of five is unique in pattern and color and man are they easy on the eyes.

 

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Elemental Turntable is the best looking simple turntable for vinyl newbies.
02/ Artist 1010 created a giant optical illusion on a highway – Le Périphiérique.
03/ Check out Kit Animalium – a 3D chocolate animal kit!
04/ Mimi O Chun’s Stuffed Hipster Emblems are detailed and awesome.
05/ I’m convinced these paper clips would up my organization game.
06/ Crushing on Christoph Niemann’s Brush Girl.
07/ Take a peek at 12 of the best in coffee brewing technology.
08/ Explosive dance portraits by Alexander Yakovlev capture powerful movement.
09/ Akilah Hughes documented her week in a visual diary of used makeup wipes.
10/ A government building in New Mexico has a cat library where workers can check out adoptable cats!

This week on Design Crush:
Let your playful side out with these Scribble Rugs.
Download this desktop wallpaper that was inspired by summer + HP Sprout!
Incredible architectural reliefs from Chisel & Mouse.
Definitely snatching up my sign in the Good Twin’s Zodiac Pin + Post.
Cosmic Nuggets’ Maskz series is colorful and dark – in other words perfect.
Admit it, you have a summer wish list all thought out too.
Laura Agusti’s Ashdown Cats are amazing.
Fourteen Father’s Day cards… because it’s this coming Sunday.
Bryan Ray‘s incredible work is teeming with color and loads of momentum.

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