Report on the DBC
What’s the lesson? What is the take-away?
Don’t mess with Maui when he’s on a breakaway!
This is how multigenerational living shapes my life: a number of people asked me to share my top takeaways from a recent conference, and all I can think of are these immortal lines sung by Dwayne Johnson (dreamy sigh) in a Disney movie. (Moana, if you’re not hip on what’s hot with 4 year olds.)
I’m sure scores of peeps who attended the Design Bloggers Conference were moved to action by the presenters who shared insider info on affiliate marketing and passive income streams, Instagram growth tips and getting published in shelter magazines.
I, on the other hand, was most taken by charitable innovative vision, a movie mansion, a pizza oven and the concept of serendipity.
Allow me to expound…
A few years ago, a designer friend posted in a Facebook group, asking for support for a blog award for which she’d been nominated. Wanting to do my civic duty, I clicked over to register my vote. I was a little surprised when I got to the site – an online parenting community - because the banner ads were for alcohol products. No judgment, I’ve got four kids - back in the day, this would’ve been my tribe. After voting, I went back to the Facebook group to report I’d done so and added a comment re my surprise about alcohol ads.
Responses were swift.
“Jeri? That’s called targeted marketing.” Yeah. Call me a tech-neophyte, because there I sat with a bullseye on my forehead and margarita mix dripping from my chin.
This memory came to mind while listening to Adam Japko, the force behind the Design Bloggers Conference, as he spoke to the conference attendees on Monday. Adam was describing how algorithms used in social media fuel our feeds with information that supports and reinforces existing views and biases, encouraging us to live in bubbles. I’m paraphrasing, but at one point he said something to the effect of “…once you find the target audience, you lose the opportunity for serendipity.”
And he probably said a lot of cool stuff after that, but that idea held my attention for several minutes as I contemplated a world without serendipity. I wouldn’t be sitting here, but for a serendipitous moment of connection on Facebook. Serendipity is not just a romantic comedy starring John Cusack, but according to Merriam-Webster, “the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for”.
A small “ah ha” moment, but an “ah ha” moment nonetheless – keeping ourselves open in order to keep the possibility of serendipity alive.
Later that afternoon, I heard Susan Wintersteen, an accomplished sought-after designer, speak from the heart about an organization she founded, Savvy Giving by Design. This presentation was for me, the most impactful of the conference. Her heartfelt explanation of what the organization does for families with children in medical crisis - supporting, enhancing and enriching the quality of their lives through design – resonated so strongly. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when she finished and received a standing ovation.
Their work is the very best of design, producing rooms that are exceptional in style, function and appearance, without calling attention to the medical realities they seamlessly incorporate.
I contacted Susan about including information about SGBD in my blog post. Never have I wanted more to be the owner of a blog with a wide reach than now, when I’d like to make the world aware of the vision and commitment of this innovative charitable organization. Please, please visit their website; watch the video that Susan presented at the conference. Be open to the serendipity of reading this post and having your life enriched by clicking on those links.
My takeaway here is the reminder that design spans a wide spectrum, luxury to mass market, but at any price point, if it’s good design, it supports, enhances and enriches the quality of our everyday lives. It’s so much more than a high-end finish or state-of-the-art appliance; it’s the lightness of being a thoughtfully designed space engenders.
The opportunity to tour the Greystone Mansion might have been what tipped the scale in favor of my attending the conference. Scenes from a favorite family movie, The Big Lebowski (further insight into our dark minds) were filmed at Greystone, making the tour a highlight of my trip. The 48,000 square foot mansion was built at a cost of $4 million in 1928. While separated by orders of magnitude in size and cost, the mansion does share some traits with the old house we call home, built in the same era, using similar materials. The master bathrooms (yes, there are two) in Greystone’s master suite, sport the same black marble used in the fireplace surround of our little living room. Coincidence? I think not.
My takeaway here, closely relates to the previous, and illustrates that you can live large in a small space.
Finally, my newest obsession was revealed to me at the Closing Networking Gala. Sure, I met a couple of designers I’ve been fan-girling over, but what really got my attention was the pizza. Chef Nick from the Venice Whaler was producing inspired pizza after pizza with the Monogram Flush Pizza Oven. At a cost roughly equivalent to 1000 cheese pizzas, it’s a tad expensive. But factor in the time savings! You’ll save about 3 years of your life waiting for pizza delivery, because this baby can turn out a pizza in TWO minutes!
I’m hoping for some serendipity with the lottery and/or a pizza-loving client looking for a kitchen remodel.