4/15/2008
readers speak: price tag for inspiration?
The great thing about a blog rather than a website is the collaborative nature of the former. I so love reading comments and seeing readers connect with each other to form relationships that can be vital in the future. So, naturally, I’d like to open a ‘reader’s speak’ forum, where any and ALL are welcome to comment about the subject at hand. I’ll probably do this weekly, save that it doesn’t get totally out of control and it becomes the land of design bashing. Because that? That is NOT ok with me.
Anyway, I’ve received a bit of flack lately for the content of Design for Mankind. I’ve added some features that I rather enjoy (i.e. ‘photo of the day’), but that aren’t typical of “design blogs.” In other words, I’m not paying homage to the type of design that can be purchased, and I’m not listing a ton of stores/shops/online merchandise.
So my question for you is: does it matter? If you love a print, does it have to be hanging in your office to provide inspiration, or can you simply be inspired in the moment that it’s found?
May’s eZine (to be released the last week of April) stems from this topic, where I’ve contacted dozens of artists/photographers/etc to reveal inspiration in the unexpected. I’m so excited to share some of these, b/c they’re very close to my heart. I’m a firm believer that Americans have a BIG problem with consumerism, so sometimes it pains me to hear that we can’t be inspired without a pricetag.
Your thoughts? Can it be done? Can we teach ourselves to inspire others with our words, our actions, our photos? Our must we seek inspiration in the tangible?
[Leaving to hang out with a few lovely LA ladies, but am looking forward to hearing your thoughts when I return!]
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inspiration e-zine: issue
inspiration e-zine: issue
readers write: samantha h
readers write: kitchen ma
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Kind
inspiration has little to do with commerce. actually nothing, thankfully.
i enjoy your dailies very much.
My sentiments exactly. I so look forward to receiving my daily dose of DFM via e-mail because of my busy schedule. Too much emphasis is put on consumerism and “upgrades”. It is nice to look at and be aware of the latest design trends. But if it “ain’t broke” and is reasonably useful, keep it. I enjoy our “vintage” look. Still looking for my sky blue Inspiration poster. That will be worth another hole in the wall.
“Back home in Indiana”
It’s the same reason we go to an art gallery — I don’t expect to go in there and buy something; it’s for the pure inspiration of the moment. And you’ve created a place for us all to talk about it. I think this blog, and many other blogs, are proof that people don’t need to have something tangible in order to be inspired with a comment. Our thoughts are real. Our emotions are real. And this free space allows everything to flow smoothly, without the question of ‘marketability.’
- Jessie -
i prefer the non buying slant of your blog. i read blogs to connect to people and what they are paying attention to and being inspired by. i find it less interesting when it is all about what we would/should buy if we could. I can’t and do not want to purchase objects all day. So I say inspiration comes from the human connection not the objects…
the photo from “the ones we love”! one of my favorite sites.
Just so you guys know— “Back Home in Indiana” was totally my Dad. Isn’t he cute??? :)
And Jo— you bring up an incredible point here… inspiration is about the human connectivity for some. Ok, is connectivity a word??
Anyway, I couldn’t agree more. Why not celebrate the diversity behind our tastes and preferences that reveal the person behind??
Another Readers Speak, eh? :)
I enjoy your blog because of the variety and the lack of pushing of products. I love looking at all the inspiring photos. I don’t enjoy reading blogs that seem to be just about advertising. You have a great blog and it’s one that I read every day. I hope it stays the way it is.
-KellyA
I’ll do my best, KellyA! :)
I’m sooo over stuff for the sake of stuff. Sometimes it’s *less* of an inspiration to find something cool that’s totally out of your price range. Not linking item to purchase makes you(the viewer) bring more to it so you have to find your own inspiration in it.
Net NET:It’s your blog — do what you want — isn’t that the beauty of a blog???
Erin, although there are products you picked for the blog, I never did notice a consumer-based slant to them. I know that most of them serve to inspire, or that you find them quirky and fun. And beautiful enough to share.
Inspirations comes from what we see and feel — not a price tag. So, I see beautiful things from you and I wondered why I never discovered you before.
And while I’m at it, how do you manage to check all these comments while you’re stuck in traffic?
Amy– thanks for your sweet words! You are a doll, and I get mini-goosebumps when I visit Pikaland, but that’s a WHOLE different post! :)
As for comment-checking, it’s a compulsion. I’m obsessed. And I get emails on my phone, which makes the obsession TEN times worse.
Although, I must say that I’m banning emails from my phone and am going cell-phone-less for 30 days to see if I can do it! I’ll keep you posted… ;)
Oh goodness I can believe you get flack?! I was so surprised! Wah! I love your blog! So much inspiration :D Also I love your comments that go with the pictures and things, you are funny ;) Always makes me chuckle.
I’m not, in any way, a designer; so I never approach design blogs with the intention of owning what they show, I simply don’t need it! As inspired as I am by furniture and artwork, I shop at Goodwill and my Hub and I created all of our artwork for our house.
I think this subject speaks to rampant consumerism in society (as other commenters have mentioned) and also the idea of “an ownership society”, in which to have something, we must own it.
And it addresses the subject of HOW we think of our personal worlds: are we trying to fill it with things? Or with intangible ideas and inspirations? For me, filling myself with inspiration prepares me to create the things I want to be surrounded with. And what I want to be surrounded with is things of beauty AND meaning. My home is my little refuge and I don’t want to fill it up; I want to treasure each piece!
I just want to drop a line to say that Lefora is an amazing way to organize your readers into discussion forums. You can easily post pictures and have infinite topics of conversation at once. They make great companion forums for blogs and host for free. Just an idea!
http://www.lefora.com
-Leslie/Miss Havisham
Wow this was a great discussion! My thinking is that one of the things that make this whole blogging world special and amazing is the idea of sharing inspiration, admiring good ideas, craftsmanship, and finding inspiration in unusual places, sharing experiments and giving/getting feedback. The fact that it isn´t so mainstream and
commercial gives it its immaterial value. Inspiration and imagination
are an essential part of being human and give us creative flow. Supporting and encouraging that is part of why you have so many comments on this blog/thus readers. Keep doing what you do. You do it well! Cheers!
I just recently found your blog and the unusual items for a design blog is part of what appeals to me.
I say keep it the way it is and see how it develops!
I (like many, it seems) love that your blog is more about art/design than about buying stuff. I am tired of feeling like I need to buy stuff, that I might miss the next cool thing, ya know? I want inspiration and ideas, and discussion (no bashing, I believe there can be discussion and room for my opinion and your opinion with no bashing) and delicious, thoughtful conversations.
Love that you are tackling this topic so head on….
I like pretty things, you post pretty things….enough said :)
Amen, sistah! :)
wow, i need to come back here when I have more time to read these comments…what a great subject. I couldn’t agree more and when I first read the post I came here to say, please keep doing what you’re doing. The things that most provide inspiration in my life don’t usually carry a price tag. But it looks like everyone has said it in better ways. Great blog lady! Keep showin the cool stuff.
I am too lazy to read through what everyone else said so will just throw my two cents into the mix.
Firstly, I cannot fathom how anyone can give you flack for what you post on your blog. You set the agenda here, you decide what you post and what you don’t. Whether it’s a photo of your aunt catherine’s dog dressed up as a clown, a beautiful dress you can buy or a photo that inspires you, the very value in and reason for having a blog is that it allows you to post without constraint. It’s your blog for goodness sake.
There are so, so many blogs out there. I feel as though yours is truly one of the originals. Your interest in the essence of what makes us creative and inspires us is a breath of fresh air.
Working in a creative field means that I have to find inspiration everywhere. Some of the best work I’ve done has been inspired by things that have happened to me and things I’ve seen, whether they be a photo on flickr or a man riding his bike along my street. Despite the fact that I work for a big, nasty advertising agency, I believe that creativity and inspiration can and should never have a price tag.
Finally, keep doing exactly what you’re doing. Your e-zines and dailies are great, your posts are inspiring. I’ll keep coming back every day, even if you post a photo of your aunt catherine’s dog dressed up as a clown…
Of course you can inspire by words, deeds and actions. It just takes a little more thinking for the observer to get it.
Wowza– I’m loving these comments! It’s so great to know that it IS possible (in today’s age) to break out of the consumerist box [or bag: paper or plastic?] and really find your true passions and inspirations.
Kudos to you guys. You are wise beyond the ages.
really excited to see where you take the blog…once again, you are so inspiring. love that you are tweaking it. way to go. high five!
well i’m late to this party, but i still want to chime in.
i think it’s FANTASTIC that you are not always about the shopping – i think what inspires you is engaging and important to put out there.
keep on keepin on!!
Hello DFM!
I guess I didn’t recognize this blog as an interior design blog. I mean, I suppose it wasn’t a secret, but that blurb at the top, “because beauty lies …” hooked me and kept me scrolling. Mea culpa.
I’m looking for beauty. Wherever I can get it.
The manufactured item–handwoven or injection molded–is, in a sense, the end of the line. That’s the culmination of the inspiration, the end. But what was that thing that made the person jump out of the shower with shampoo still in his hair to sketch it out? I, personally, like to see enough stuff that will bring me to the shampoo-still-in-the-hair moment.
I see a bit too much regurgitation in design. Regurgitation makes things easier to swallow, but it’s not fresh. So I like seeing the raw, yet unappreciated, immature, unwashed thing still growing.
I like what you do. I’m inspired. But I’m not an interior designer. Is that okay with you?
All the best, -N.
N— wow. I am totally blown away. What a beautiful and well-thought comment. I’m floored.
I love your writing and I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts.
Do come back— of course it’s ok with me. :)
A price tag cannot be put on inspiration. One of my favorite parts of being a designer/ artist is that of inspiring others. The collaboration is key.
I love your point of view and that you keep is real!
I just found your site and I’m in love. Don’t go changin’!