Custom color by Martin Kesselman, for Michele Mariaud Gallery at the Affordable Art Fair
The Pantone color of the year 2020 has arrived, and it is Classic Blue. More specifically, it is Pantone 19-4052, and we are all about this calming, elegant shade. For the past 20 years, Pantone has selected a color based on trends in art, interior design, fashion, automotive manufacturing, and tech, and this year they chose a reliable color, popular the world over, to offset the unrest in the world during these trying times. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone’s Color Institute says, “When we look at the world around us, we know that we’re living with a lot of unrest, where some days we don’t feel quite as secure. Blue, from an emotional, psychological standpoint, has always represented a certain amount of calm and dependability. It’s a color that you can rely on.”
Martin Kesselman of INCOLOUR
Color expert and Downtown entrepreneur Martin Kesselman (INCOLOUR) says, “When times are a struggle, call on old reliable. Dress yourself, your space, your world, in that staple color suite. Decorate it with white clouds or a crisp top. Accent it with a brightly painted contrasting ceiling or skirting. Take a step outside, out of your box, out of your dwelling, out of your head. Return to nature and look up in sky for a sign of hope. Ironically, blue can be perceived as cool but it can also be heartwarming. The cure for a case of the blues seems to be Pantone Color of the Year 2020, Classic Blue.” He continues, “Our state of mind, and the State of the Union is looking bleak. Let’s go from seeing red and running hot to embracing blue.”
Larq in Monaco Blue
Product designers have always embraced the color, which works in modern, contemporary, and traditional settings.
Nowadays people want to be free while working on a beach drinking cocktails, or at the peaceful home in the mountains. Places like this can help bring out the creativity and helps to push you forward to live your dream life. Finding clients and making successful projects can be the most difficult process in the creative world, but it`s doesn’t matter where you actually live at that moment.
All that’s is relevant is your experience and skills. If you work on these every day you’ll succeed. It doesn’t matter where you were born and or your race. The whole world is yours to explore. There are a lot of people who have lived their dream life.
This is a story about one Russian girl from deep in Siberia who motivates both young and old to become graphic designers, how to love their work and get everything life has to offer.
About Oxana
Oxana
Oxana has more than 6 years of experience in graphic and web design. She obtained a design degree at the University of Technology and Design, and since then has enjoyed working with many clients worldwide. Working as a graphic and web designer for Paris entertainment websites, a part of a Miami team for perspective IT products. They worked on the ‘Tagabout’ app with an American team, and have worked with many other popular companies throughout Saint Petersburg and Moscow.
Over the 3 years, Oxana has worked as an independent professional, working on projects by herself. Over the past few years, she has become a member of the Union of Designers and has organized lectures, including being a guest speaker in different design conferences.
“When you love your work, you will always be successful”
Oxana
When asked Oxana her thoughts on her career, “It’s very important to be a responsible designer and think about how your work can influence the world. Always think about people who will use your products. I believe in enlighten fresh designers. Helping to bring more mindfulness into the meaning of design and to the design community. When you love your work, you will always be successful.”
Debuted on the Concept Car Lawn at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Escala was long-awaited from Cadillac. Seen as an extension of previous Cadillac cars like 2011’s Ciel and 2013’s Elmiraj, the Escala looks simultaneously contemporary and classic. It is undeniably a luxury automobile, roomy while also performance-centric.
While the Cadillac brand is universally-known and respected, it is not often that you hear about the people that make concepts like the Escala into a reality. Andrew Smith, Executive Director of Cadillac Global Design, is one of these people. Andrew has worked within the General Motors family for 20 years, having come into his current position in September 2013. Beyond the Escala, he worked on the CT6 prestige sedan and the XT5 crossover.
Cadillac is often thought of as a Detroit-based company, yet Cadillac recently relocated its global headquarters to New York City. It also opened up Cadillac House, a public space on the ground level of Cadillac’s SoHo headquarters, which features a coffee shop, art gallery, and retail space. The Escala is currently on display at Cadillac House — as located at 330 Hudson Street — through Oct. 19.
What was the first car-related item you ever designed?
Andrew Smith: My dad was a Holden dealer in Australia, and one childhood visit I took the liberty of filling his entire 60-page paper desk blotter with different facelifts of the first generation VB Commodore ostensibly so he could send them to Holden. As a design professional, the first item was a tail lamp.
When studying design in college, did you have a specialty? Did you then realize that people designed cars?
AS: I studied Industrial Design and graduated from the Sydney College of the Arts and University of Technology Sydney. As a kid I sketched cars for hours on end. However, the watershed moment for me occurred at age 14, reading an issue of Autocar Magazine. It featured the graduating class at the Royal College of Art. I showed it to my parents and said something like I needed to go to London to study design.
Where does your inspiration for design usually come from? Do you go to museums and galleries? Read magazines?
AS: I do, however my inspiration for design comes more from the broad curiosity I have for the world around me. At its foundation, design is about being curious and problem solving. Among the top reasons I pursued a career in design was the opportunity to collaborate and create products for brands with a great story to tell.
Cadillac Escala
How would you describe the Escala to someone who has not yet experienced it?
AS: I have been with Cadillac for three years and I see my job as a stewardship. The brand is coming up on 115 years and so the question is where do you take it next? The Escala is our opportunity to convey the work we have been doing in terms of brand positioning and tonality — the direction we are going with sophistication. This concept shares how Cadillac will bring forward a new experience that is uniquely-American, and unmistakably-Cadillac.
You spent a few years in Korea for your job. Is there anything you miss about working and living there?
AS: I miss the people and the food — especially mandu, the Korean dumplings, and the chicken noodle soup. I don’t miss the traffic.
Speaking of moving, Cadillac recently moved its global headquarters from Detroit to New York City. What prompted that?
AS: Having a distinct Cadillac business unit enables the brand to pursue growing opportunities in the luxury automotive market with more focus and clarity. The city of Detroit and the state of Michigan remain central to Cadillac, as the majority of our vehicle portfolio is built here and all of our design, and product and technical development activities remain in the Detroit area.
How would you describe Cadillac House to someone who hasn’t been there yet?
AS: Cadillac House New York is a public meeting place at Cadillac’s global headquarters in SoHo where innovators, creators and the curious can find inspiration–and each other.
Do you have a favorite part of Cadillac House? A favorite drink there?
AS: My favorite feature at Cadillac House is the runway. I love the way it frames the car and draws visitors to the car. Coffee is my beverage of choice.
Escala aside, what’s coming up for Cadillac?
AS: The momentum in the Cadillac studios is at an all-time high with the second half of the decade marking a new era of expansion and new products in development for launch between now and 2020.
When not busy with your day job, how do you like to spend your free time?
AS: With my family — especially LEGOs with my son, watching movies with my daughters, entertaining with my wife and walking the dog.
AS: I really enjoy the High Line and Chelsea in general is awesome as is the Meatpacking District. There is always so much going on and something new to see and experience.
Finally, Andrew, any last words for the kids?
AS: My guidelines for aspiring designers are to be open to new opportunities, look around and ask questions, get involved, don’t take it personally, and ask “Does it make me happy?”
From July 17th through July 20th, SPREADhouse NY will host Xavier Gallego’s AKA @Eyesores first US solo exhibit entitled “The Sleep of Reason Produces Eyesores.” The unique pieces of art feature creatures from Gallego’s imagination and often contain hidden messages that seek to bring a smile to the viewer’s face (and succeed easily.)
Gallego’s interest in “eyesores” goes way back. Unlike many children who fear monsters, Gallego couldn’t get enough of the creatures. Growing up in Barcelona, he spent his days sketching away pictures of monsters that he would dream up. After graduating from Barcelona’s top design school, IDEP, Gallego worked as Multimedia Director at one of Barcelona’s most innovate advertising agencies as well as serving as a chief designer for multiple start-ups. Since moving to New York, he has worked for R/GA as a creative director on experience design, creating award winning experiences for Nike and Samsung.
Gallego is a modern artist in all senses of the word. Inspired by a generation of street artists that paint on physical walls, @Eyesores paints on Facebook walls. His use of social media transforms spectators into participants by allowing them to view Instragram as a personal gallery or exchange postcards via Twitter.
What: “The Sleep of Reason Produces Eysores” exhibition by @Eyesores.
