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Design in Depth | What is Normal?

This was our first question when we spotted Normal, with their stark, minimalist watches. Their clean, elegant two-tone colors and unique hour hand stood out in a crowded field. Bright, contrasting hues left an impression and the hour hand focuses on “negative space” in a very clever way – unlike a typical watch where all the hours are visible, the Normal watch only reveals the hour that matters.

We had the good fortune of speaking with Ross McBride, the creator and designer. After getting his degree in graphic design from the California Institute of Arts, Ross headed off to Tokyo and has remained there ever since. Nearly 20 years later, Ross established the Normal watch brand, building upon his experiences in graphic design, including furniture, interior, and product projects.

The driving philosophy has been the belief that these watches are an extension of the wearer’s persona – the face of the watch carries no brand or visible marking aside from the time, so as to minimize any unnecessary clutter or distraction. As Ross stated, “Our products are created for those who appreciate such subtlety, and have a quiet confidence in their own design sensibilities.”

While the question, “What is Normal?” suggests that difference is a matter of opinion, these watches strike us as far more unique.

#beeDesign

Sometimes being a cool mom means:

Heading into the garage

Pressing play on your kid's dubstep mix

And getting your swag on as if no one was watching...

...mostly because you thought no one was actually watching.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms who rock out and still got the moves.

#happyMothersDay

Creativity and the early years | A digression with Brad Reed Nelson

We interviewed Brad Reed Nelson, the artist who created the colorfully accented wall-mounted organizers made of Colorado walnut. We discussed his early work before he developed his signature pieces - read on for an interesting diversion into some of his more adventurous work, including pieces he designed that were brimming with sexual energy and tension.

Before you enjoyed the success of the Organizer line, was there anything that didn't work out so well?

I used to make furniture that was hardly functional. Years ago there was the studio furniture movement, the kind of stuff that would be exhibited in art galleries. It was big in large cities and there are still a few artists doing it, but it’s largely gone away.

What kind of pieces are we talking?

For example, I made a lamp that gave off 5 watts of light, had a weird form, and was sexually engaging. As you can guess, there’s not a huge market for those.

Did you say sexually engaging?

At one point I produced androgynous lamps – maybe they’d feature rabbit ears, heels, a boob, and so on – and you had to turn it on by touching its “belly button.” It was good work and might’ve done well in NY, but I moved to Colorado and turned my focus to crafting pieces using the material from the area.

Why androgynous lamps?

I did my undergrad studies in a dry county in Kentucky, which means the sale and consumption of alcohol was essentially nonexistent. By the time I left, I was fed up and frustrated. It wasn’t just the inability to drink. There also wasn’t a lot of music, the food sucked…somehow the absence of alcohol killed off any culture.

So I moved to Phoenix and lived in a cool house in a historic district. Shortly after moving I saw a garage sale across the street offering Barcelona chairs and Eames pieces – all great mid-20th century furniture. I quickly made friends with the owners and we’d regularly hit up the local nightlife. There was a drag bar nearby – Thursday was amateur night and Saturday was for the old pros – people would dress up as a famous celeb and sing. There was even a swinger’s bar down the street.

I rapidly went from an oppressed backwater town to this sexually vibrant city. I felt inspired to make art filled with sexual energy and tension.

Kind of a long story, but that’s how I got there. Maybe if I ventured into New York things would be different. Who knows?

#beeDesign beeRandom

Design in Depth | Brad Reed Nelson | American Walnut Wall Organizers

Beehattan had a chance to catch up with Brad Reed Nelson, the artist behind this week’s line of wooden organizers for the essentials in life. As he puts it, “Over the years, I’ve found 4 keys to everyday happiness: being able to locate your phone, keys, eyewear, and wallet.”

Read on to hear more about the history of the Organizer line, the creative process, and his adventures in “sexually engaging” furniture (to be discussed in part 2, coming Wednesday).

This interview has been edited and condensed.

How did you get the idea to create the Organizer line for glasses, keys, and so on?

The i Wear Rack was the first in the Organizer line, which dates back to my grad school days in the late 1980s. I was in Phoenix, where I met my wife, and we both had amassed a fine collection of sunglasses.

I got the idea to use a bungee cord to keep them together, and I’d make a few one-off pieces for friends as gifts. They were shown in New York a few years back and the response was great.

Then people started asking me if I could modify it to hold keys. I thought about hooks, which don’t look attractive, and finally settled on powerful magnets.

What do you like about the design process?

I’ll admit I’m a better designer than I am a business person. I come up with a million ideas and I’ve had to learn to stay disciplined.

That said, I’m pretty good at follow through. I can compartmentalize ideas and I work hard to get the first variation of an idea up so I have something to stare at, interact with, and test in real life.

A lot of people are intimidated by the creative process, especially since success is uncertain. How do you push through and persevere?

I have a giant ego and always think my ideas are good. (laughs) I’m very irreverent, but I’m also very passionate. I’d say Colorado is much the same.

As mentioned earlier, once an idea comes I build it as soon as possible. Then I can iterate and improve upon it. I often use my wife to bounce ideas – she has an excellent aesthetic and plays devil's advocate really well.

It’s important to me to make something I’ve never seen before. The items I create are unique and I don’t think they can be found elsewhere. I try to make an heirloom and build something that will last.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work?

I always love it when someone uses something I made and tells me how much they’ve enjoyed it. It’s nice to know someone's life in the universe is better or happier because of one of my creations.

#beeDesign

Design in Depth | Natalia Subira

We had a chance to sit with the designer of this week's collection of bright, acrylic trays. An avid photographer, Natalia Subira was interested in finding ways to make the photos more than just art, but also a compelling and useful part of everyday life.

1. Where did you get the inspiration to do bright acrylic accessories?

I've always been interested in photography. Once my daughter left for college, I started dedicating more time to it and would go on excursions to Old San Juan, the flower markets, the beach, and the countryside.

I was eager to find a way to give the photographs a more practical use. During one of my morning runs, one of my fellow joggers mentioned a dinner party coming up and we talked about how my photographs might fit in, and the idea came up in that conversation.

2. How do you choose your subjects?

I love flowers! I worked at a flower shop for a couple of years and remember every time the flower deliveries came in. It was like Christmas! Every flower has distinct qualities that make it beautiful and I'm inspired by how nature always changes.

3. Life's a learning process. What's the best lesson you've come across running your own business?

We make every single tray to order and a lot of work and thought goes into each creation. There's a lot to learn - everybody has an opinion or an idea on how a certain product can be changed or different. I've learned to listen and find the points that I can work with. It takes a lot of patience and persistence is a must.

#beehattan #beeDesign

Design in Depth | Affirmats

This week we're featuring exquisitely designed yoga mats and towels featuring life-affirming quotes from Affirmats. Founded by two yoga enthusiasts living in sunny southern California, Beehattan had a chance to learn more about the inspiration and story behind their work.

Co-owners Jason Graham and Aleeza Solowitz

1. How did the idea of even doing this come to you both in the first place?

Co-Owner Jason Graham had the idea of putting affirmations on yoga mats while he was in Shavasana after a yoga class in 2011. We were longtime friends and he shared it with me. Next thing we knew, we were researching and designing in a living room floor. Slowly but surely it all came together into what has now become Affirmats yoga mats.

2. What makes these yoga mats so different?

These yoga mats are made with a unique blend of biodegradable jute and eco-PVC, so they are non-toxic (free of phthalates, latex, and heavy metals). This combination creates an easy-to-grip surface, a unique feature compared to most mats in the market.

To top it off, the affirmations are meant to give you that extra kick when the down dog split is the last thing you're looking forward to doing. We were so over all these yoga mat companies that were so serious, we wanted to be the fun kids on the block.

3. Why do you do yoga?

I do yoga to relieve stress and decompress, to spend some time with myself, and also to explore the strength it gives me mentally and physically. When I look down at my mat, it gives me reason to smile. That's the inspiration for our company tagline, "Down dog just feels better when you're SMILING." It really does.

4. What's your favorite story or experience from your creations?

We started Affirmats recently and the mats have been flying off the shelves to the point where Jason and I just look at each other and start laughing.

Jason is an actor by trade and I was waking up to go work at my dad's bakery at 5 in the morning for 6 days a week. I was just trying to make ends meet while being able to do all of the planning and design in the afternoons and evenings.

Sometimes it feels like this crazy fantasy, and it's such a blessing. The feedback is awe-inspiring and it feels good to know that making people happy makes us happy, which is what we aimed to do from the start.

I once heard, "People don't know what they want until you show it to them." Apparently, it's working for us. ;-)

#beePassionate

Life Hack: Forgot cufflinks while running to a business meeting. Made do with the colorful mini binder clips from the printouts.

#lifehack

Dealing with rejection

From time to time, we like to step away from our work to talk about issues that are important to us, especially when they include what might be considered a "teachable moment." As a company that promotes smart design, it only makes sense that we further the sharing of perspectives and exchange of ideas.

Over the last few months, bright and eager 17 and 18 year olds have been finding out where they may be spending the next four years of their lives. The time when large padded envelopes bring the thrill of victory and small thin ones provoke the agony of defeat.

It's an early but important lesson to handle failure with composure and to focus on learning from the experience. Getting rejected from college is often one of the most memorable and vivid memories in our lives. People who haven't sat in a large lecture hall for decades can easily rattle off where they did and didn't get in.

Having a panel of supposedly wiser, more experienced admissions officers review the entirety of your life's work is both intimidating and personal. It is even more so when the admissions committee has found you unsatisfactory to their standards. While the purpose of admissions is not to validate the existence of prospective applicants, it certainly feels that way.

However, there are few experiences more important to discovering inner character than failing at what you've always done. There's no denying the bitter taste of failure, but these moments should prompt a moment to reflect on what must be changed to not just avoid future defeat, but also build up success going forward.

The answers are almost never clear cut (otherwise it would've already been done!), there will be fear and uncertainty figuring out what to do next, and there will likely be even more rejections along the way. Even so, we have often found that it is the moments we do not succeed - despite our intelligence, ambition, and hard work - that do more to shape who we are than any sliver of success.

To those who have tasted success - congratulations! And to those who haven't, chin up and keep trying. Trust us, we're right there with you.

#lessonsLearned

Is it wrong to feel a glimmer of joy whenever I hold the door for someone who’s just a teensy bit too far away, but feels compelled to run and “make good” on the courtesy? Chivalry isn’t dead. It’s just immature.

#beeRandom

My dearest love, We live in a studio apartment. So when I ask you to help me find my keys and you say, “It’s definitely somewhere in this room,” you’re NOT being helpful. With all my heart, Your soulmate

Design in depth | David Rasmussen

We caught up with David Rasmussen at his Colorado woodshop to learn more about his maple and walnut plates, talking over the high-pitched whine of table saws buzzing in the background. (Note: this interview has been condensed and edited.)

Why did you choose to make these unique wooden plates?

The entire line of wooden tableware came about as a favor to friends who owned a cafe. They asked me if I could make them a set of wooden serving dishes for their patrons. When I stopped in, the cafe owners told me they were a hit, which I didn't expect. I figured there may be something there and I've built upon the idea since then.

What started it all?

The original creation was the cafe plate, which was used to serve family dishes. Given the positive interest that generated, I decided to offer similar items for different purposes, including a large plate for main dishes, a tray for serving appetizers, and so on.

Give us a glimpse of the design process.

I've been working with wood ever since I was 14. I spent time making furniture and found that I enjoyed working with it as a medium. While I've diversified since then to do metal and upholstery, I still do most of my designs with wood.

As a result, the inspiration for the plates' look is largely based on my personal style. The colorful rims on the plates add that nice little touch.

All our wood is sourced from Colorado and as you can hear for yourself, everything's built here.

#beeRandom #beeDesign

Inventive watches to keep it classy | Design in Depth

We recently interviewed one of our favorite watch designers, Crispin Jones, who hails from London and creates a very unusual line of thoughtful, well-designed timepieces. Intrigued to learn more, we asked Crispin to share his story with you. (Note: this interview has been condensed and edited.)

Which watch started you on the path you’re on today?

The Chromachron, designed by Tian Harlan in 1971. It’s very aesthetic and its design was driven by Tian Harlan’s belief that people were slaves to time. He designed it to be a more relaxed timekeeper.

This was the watch that I wore before starting to design watches and the fact that it has a disc-hand definitely set me on the road to thinking about what could be achieved with this format of display. It was a direct influence on the design and underlying philosophy of the Cyclops line of watches (for ladies and men).

Inspiration varies for every designer and every creation - where do you find yours?

This is a difficult question because it varies so much, and generally you don’t find inspiration when you’re looking for it!

I get inspired by moments when a chain of thoughts gels together. For instance, I was thinking it would be nice for a watch to have a hidden message on its face. (I don’t know why, I just thought it would be neat.)

I started thinking about the kind of message a person might want to hide - perhaps an intimate secret, maybe something romantic - like an expression of love the person only wanted to share with the wearer of the watch.

Has your style or thought process changed over time?

No, I don’t think so. I believe maintaining the freedom to think openly is hard work. I consciously don’t think at all about how a watch design would be received, nor about how well it would sell. I focus on making as pure an expression of a concept as I am able.

I studied fine art and very early in my student days, I came across David Smith’s, “Questions for students,” a list of questions that provide an important tool to reflect on one’s creative endeavors.

At Beehattan, we’re thankful that designers like Crispin can share their design insights behind their creations. Take a closer look during this week’s collection.

#beehattan #beeDesign

#daylightsavings, you've robbed me of an hour for the last time...

#beeRandom

What would your high school self say?

Overheard at a restaurant as a couple are choosing a wine for their meal

Guy: ...I'll pass on the merlot. It's heavy on black fruit and I usually go for something else.

Server: Certainly. I'll bring out your other choice.

Guy: (After server leaves) I can't believe I just said that. If the high school version of me heard this, he'd be shocked.

Gal: What would he say?

Guy: You first - what if your high school self heard you say that?

Gal: Hm...I think my high school self would think that she made it. She's successful, she's enjoying life, and all that hard work she's done is putting her in a good place. And she's with someone she loves. What about you?

Guy: What would my high school self say?

Gal: Yeah.

Guy: What a tool!

#beehattan #beeRandom

Passed a soda delivery truck with this sign on the back. Welcome to the front lines of the War on Sugar! Expect "heavy" casualties...

#beehattan #beeRandom

This morning was unexpectedly moving

While sitting and waiting for the train to work on a raised, open platform, shivering in the below freezing air, a very curious coincidence occurred.

The wind was whipping in the occasional flake of snow - a few here, a few there - providing a wintry reminder against the backdrop of a cold, unilluminated sky.

As the sun shook off its cloudy cover, it lit up the sky at the same time the snowfall grew heavier.

For a fraction of time, perhaps only a minute or two, the brilliant sunrise and light flurries of snow combined to create a subtle spectacle. While the streets below teemed with the patter of everyday life, the snowflakes twirled above their heads, catching and reflecting the morning light.

For a fleeting moment, all was right in the world.

Then the train came.

#beehattan #beeRandom

A Happy Holidays from Beehattan

We wish you all a very merry holiday season and hope everyone finds time to relax and enjoy this special time with their family and friends.

So whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, or nothing at all because what would be the point given that the Mayan prophecy will come to pass and - OH, I see it! It's a bright white light! It's getting brighter - wait. No, that's just the light indicating I'm running out of battery.

Whew, false alarm. In all seriousness, Happy Holidays!

Cheers,

Beehattan

#beehattan

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