A Map of the World According to Illustrators & Storytellers
One day this winter I received a package. I wasn’t expecting a package, which made the thrill that much more exciting. Had you been here when I opened it, you would have seen a giant grin like a kid in a candy store, but I’m not a kid anymore, and maps are my candy.
Then I came to the realization that not only do I have awesome friends – like Rebecca Silus, aka Field Office – who think to send me sweet gifts like this because they know me so well, but I have the kind of friends who are doing awesome things too. In fact, Rebecca’s name is in the back of the book – she wrote the project descriptions – making it that much more special
The book is A Map of the World According to Illustrators & Storytellers published by the German publisher Gestalten (if you order from them you get a free poster!). It’s the kind of book that you want on your coffee table. Every time I pick it up I notice new places, recognize new artists, like new things and discover new illustrators. Even though I’m a designer, I don’t consider myself an illustrator, yet feel like there is so much inspiration each time I turn the page. It’s a refreshing change from Google Maps, with far more personality, and shows the ways maps can display information. You can read more + see more about the book on Brainpickings.
Rebecca sent it to me at the perfect time, just as the Skillshare MAP MAKING class I was teaching was wrapping up. I was glad I hadn’t seen it until the end, otherwise my head really would have been spiraling out of control with ideas. It was the perfect way to bookmark class. Speaking of which, I’m happy to announce that Skillshare is having me back to teach!
My MAP MAKING class will soon be an ongoing class you can take any time. It starts May 28th, and I’ll be active in the classroom for the first three weeks (incentive to work on your projects!). In case you missed it, here’s what students created in the first round of class. I cannot wait to see what comes out of the next group!
If you know anyone who may be interested in taking the class, please share this link: http://skl.sh/11RQ8Ig It’s open to all ages (yes, kids too), levels and stages, with no experience or software required. It’s only $20 and once you sign up, you’ll have access to the classroom forever! Plus you meet some pretty great people too.
Thanks again, Rebecca!
P.S. If you’re in Paris, ARTAZART bookstore along Canal Saint Martin is having Gestalten month celebrating visual culture, and they have this book in stock :)
Find me on Instagram + Twitter! And sign up to take maps on Skillshare!
BOARDING PASS – Jessie Kanelos Weiner (The Franco Fly)
To an outsider, Paris may seem like a big city, but to those who live here it’s more like a village. I was lucky enough to be connected to Jessie Kanelos Weiner – an American food stylist and illustrator based in Paris – through mutual friends on several sides. Jessie may be better known to many as The Franco Fly, her blog where she documents her travels and work, from a collaboration with The Kale Project, to rapid fire “6 Second Street Style” iPad sketches of Paris Fashion Week. And to help make Paris a little smaller, Jessie was the stylist on the Camion Qui Fume book (for those of you who don’t know it, this burger truck was Paris’s first real food truck, and typically a 1.5 wait to get your hands on one of this delicious burgers). I’m a huge fan of Jessie’s work, and loves the different styles and mediums she explores through her illustrations. Mille mercis, Jessie! –Anne
last trip taken:
Florence, Italy
Last trip to Florence
next trip on deck:
Japan
one place you would go back to again and again:
The past few years we have discovered several islands off the coast of Brittany, including the rough landscapes of Belle-Île-en-Mer and Île-aux-Moines, a tiny island with excellent beaches and French preppiness at its best.
A taste of Brittany
place you’d most likely recommend a friend go visit:
The Côte d’Azur. We go twice a year to visit my in-laws in Nice. It is a terrific launching point to explore quaint coastal towns and Italy.
Pissasaladiere, and edible postcard from Nice
preferred method of transportation:
Car
place you’ve never been but dying to go:
Greece.
place you’d never go back:
Houat, a tiny island off the coast of Brittany. Moments after arriving at the most beautiful white sand beach I’ve ever seen, my foot had a run-in with a razor clam and ended up in the emergency room for the rest of the day.
most memorable trip in 2 sentences or less:
Turkey! I have been twice and continually inspired by the natural wonders in Cappadoccia and Pamukkale, and the beauty of Istanbul.
Exploring the caves of Cappadocia, Turkey
how do you prepare for a trip?
Although I often ask friends for recommendations, I prefer discovering with my own two feet.
how do you record your travels when you’re traveling ?
If inspired, I sketch. And I take along my photographer hubby.
what is your favorite thing to photograph in a new place?
Food !
Inspiration in Florence.
what’s in your “designer travel kit” ?
Usually I take a Moleskine watercolor notebook and Windsor Newton watercolors. But on my last trip, I brought along my ipad with the Paper by FiftyThree application and a Bamboo Stylus pen. Although not as precise as paper and paint, it’s mess-free and perfect for quick sketches.
My newest sketching companion.
what do you do after a trip? how long after a trip does this happen?
I take extensive notes during a trip and try to blog shortly after.
Sketching.
favorite souvenir/thing to bring back?
Food
LINKS
- blog: thefrancofly.com
- portfolio: jessiekanelosweiner.com
- twitter: @thefrancofly
- facebook: facebook.com/thefrancofly
- pinterest: thefrancofly
BOARDING PASS is a regular column exploring the creative ways people see the world and record their travels.
P.S. I’m teaching MAP MAKING again on Skillshare. It will be ongoing, but the next round starts May 28th! Sign up here!
DYNAMO
Growing up I always had an idea of what “art” was, and the way you visit a museum. I studied art history and more often than not I’d describe the subject as serious, rather than fun. DYNAMO: a century of light and movement, the latest exhibit at the Grand Palais, seems to take contemporary art a step further, into the realm of fun, understanding how we view the world around us in 2013 (aka through smartphones). The exhibit first caught my eye through a series of metro posters with images of the works – similar to the ones below – along with a QR code to upload your pictures to the official website, and the chance to win tickets to opening night. Despite having little expectations going into the exhibit as soon as I stepped into the first room, I had a good feeling about this show. And unlike many museums, this show begs to be photographed, and even has its own app you can download to help discover the works and upload your own images to be part of the collaborative memory of the exhibit. Puxan (star of yesterday’s Boarding Pass) joined me on Opening Night and we had a complete blast. (Isn’t great when an exhibit exceeds your expectations?). We thought it’d be fun to work on a joint post combining our images [A=Anne, P=Puxan] and sharing some of our impressions from the exhibit. I had Puxan share his impressions in French, so it’s not a translation, but rather our own thoughts and reactions. Throughout the show it was fun to debate, discuss, photograph, and spark memories inspired from the works around us. The exhibit is on now through July 22nd at the Grand Palais. It’s nearly two weeks later we’re still talking about the show and want to go back!
Cette expo est un véritable labyrinthe sensoriel du Grand Palais. Des miroirs coulissants, des lumières changeantes (et parfois même aveuglantes !), des trompe l’œil exceptionnels et des passages dans le noir total titillent les 5 sens dans un zigzag d’art contemporain.
Getting turned upside down! Like with a lot of the exhibit you can’t help but giggle and smile. [A]
À travers les longs couloirs, on se sentirait presque comme des cobayes dans un laboratoire sensoriel, soumis aux expériences visuelles et sonores tordues que nous proposent les artistes.
Warning: if you’re susceptible to seizures, you probably should avoid this exhibit. Light surprises you when you least expect it! [P/A/P/A]
RGB – quelque chose qui me parle. [P]
It’s like magic. Only one color comes out of the lamp, but as the two face each other, the spectrum of colors emerge. [A/A]
Éloge aux néons, Tron anyone?
Sometimes you look at something. It changes. Is it you moving or is it the work changing? [A/A/P]
On plonge dans une salle avec une atmosphère dense et remplie d’un brouillard coloré. Les couleurs changent au fur et à mesure que l’on s’approche d’un mur et on perd tout repère dans cette salle qui porte très bien son nom.
Mid-way through the exhibit you will encounter a line. This is the only line in France that I ever recommend you voluntarily stand in. As someone who has become more claustrophobic with age, the second I entered was a surreal moment. It brought back memories of eating in the “dark restaurant” in Berlin, and once again completely worth the experience, and eerie pictures. Go in any room throughout the exhibit you can, but this one is particularly worth it. [P/A]
The way that light plays off of moving objects is fascinating. When you encounter the piece on the right look at it head on, and then from the side view. Mind blown. [A/A]
I like to refer to this one as the elevator, because you’re often in a mirrored space. I like how the woman is looking up from us from what looks like another level.
Entre deux miroirs, y a-t-il une sortie? [A/P]
Passage électrique.
I promise they’re not electrical wires. We can walk through them. . . Ok, that’s cool. [A/A]
Before you go, there’s an app you can download. The signage out the way out showcases visitor images taken with the app, as does the official website. Make sure you block off about two hours for the exhibit. It seemed to go on forever – in the best way possible – when you reach the blue balls, there is still more. [P/P]
It turns out the smoking fountain out front was just the start. The exhibit is a refreshing way to feel like a kid again. In fact, I think kids would love this. [A]
DYNAMO is on now through July 22, 2013 at the Grand Palais. Tickets are available online. Take note that the Grand Palais has a lot of great stuff cooked up, including an American style drive-in cinema with Fiat 500s this summer!
Thanks, Puxan [P] for co-contributing to this post with images + en français!
BOARDING PASS – Puxan BC
Pushan Bhowmick Chawla aka Puxan BC is of Indian origin, but growing up in Basque Country in the south of France where x=sh meant that a lot of people thought his name was spelled Puxan. It stuck as an artist name, and these days Puxan is working in freelance design, travel videos and photography, with a special interest in food (by way of studying economics and international affairs). I’m warning you now, once you start watching his “travel moments” series you might not be able to stop, as they delightfully capture the sense of laid back travel with friends and everyday adventures through the first person lens of GoPro cameras (I totally want one now!) while paired with a great soundtrack. Puxan is also currently finishing up the photography and layout for an Indian cookbook for the French market along with his mother, who offers Indian cooking lessons in Paris. Their goal is to provide healthy, simple and easy recipes to get away from certain French stereotypes about Indian cuisine. Thanks, Puxan! –Anne
home town
Biarritz (Euskadi)
where you live now
Paris, France
One Day On Earth : Paris, France 12.12.12 from Puxan BC. Selected by Vimeo’s One Day On Earth 12.12.12 Project.
last trip taken
My last trip was a month traveling in Europe visiting friends along the way. Using budget airlines and affordable trains and buses, I managed to cover Belfast, Dublin, London, Copenhagen, Lund, Nice, Monaco, Marseille, Berlin, Prague, Munich and end in Provence for a few days of rest.
London, Monaco, Copenhagen
Berlin & Provence
next trip on deck
I am heading home to Bayonne to spend some time with my sister and niece at the end of the month. Great time to enjoy the beach, escape the city life and hopefully have the time to cross the border to nearby San Sebastien.
one place you would go back to again and again
Auroville, India. Ever since I participated in a Sustainable Development Practicum with the American University of Paris in 2009, I have been spending a few months there every year working with different NGO’s and design studios. It has truly become my second home.
Auroville, India
SALT Children’s Home Fundraiser from Puxan BC
place you’d most likely recommend a friend go visit
Dharamsala, India. Indians and Tibetans (living there in exile since 1959) cohabit at this hill-station at the feet of the mighty Himalayas. A serene and beautiful environment, also great for mountain hikes.
Dharamsala
Himalayas
preferred method of transportation
I like to travel via as many as possible. Buses, trains, rickshaws, motorcycles, biking and walking around is always a great way to discover a new spot! I tend to avoid planes unless I am covering long distances – I usually have a lot of trouble with my big camera carry on bag on domestic flights!
place you’ve never been but dying to go
I cannot wait to head over South America (everywhere really) and Japan as well!
place you’d never go back
The French educational system.
most memorable trip in 2 sentences or less
Finishing Cambodia/Vietnam trip on a boat in Halong Bay, spending the night disconnected from the hectic Vietnamese city life with fresh sea food dinner and a night sky made bright by an innumerable amount of stars.
how do you prepare for a trip?
Minimum planning really. Couple of articles online – I spent most my time prepping the photo gear and then last minute packing. I find it interesting to research the basics and just discover the rest on the go.
how do you record your travels when you’re traveling?
Mostly photos and video – I have recently started to record more ambient sounds (markets etc.) and am taking a closer look at sound healing techniques.
Sound engineering workshop – Auroville, India
what is your favorite thing to photograph in a new place?
Food!
Thai Blue Crab
on an average, how many pictures to you take on a trip?
It’s easy to lose count when shooting with a DSLR but roughly 20-30 shots a day. On longer trips I’ll get away from the cameras once in a while to better immerse myself.
what’s in your “designer travel kit” ?
- DSLR + lenses
- Rode VideoMic Pro + Sound recorder
- iPod
- Laptop for on-the-go edits
- Hard drives (usually 1 Tera)
- GoPro
- Tripod
- Flashlight and swiss knife of course!
I use a Moleskine Taskmaster Diary as a daily calendar – it’s quite big and heavy so I tend to take notes in that these days. If I need a notebook dedicated for travel thoughts & ideas, I tend to buy cheap notebooks locally.
GoPro (Quickly becoming one of my favorite toys)
what do you do after a trip? how long after a trip does this happen?
I try to go through the shots, select the best and post on my phot0blog. Recently, I have been doing more travel videos. On my latest European trip I travelled with only a GoPro and my iPhone (due to budget airlines weight restrictions) which led to a “Travel Moments” video series. On longer trips, I try to edit photos and videos while I’m there to show friends and family but usually come back with a lot of footage to go through – which is perfect when you miss all the traveling.
Travel Moments : Séguret (shot on GoPro) from Puxan BC
favorite souvenir/thing to bring back?
I usually bring back wine, spices, tea and maybe a local t-shirt.
LINKS
- Website: puxanbc.com
- Portfolio: pushanbc.com
- Twitter: @puxanbc
- Travel Videos: travelmoments.tumblr.com
- Vimeo: vimeo.com/puxanbc
- Indian cooking lesson in Paris: chalindia.com
BOARDING PASS is a regular column exploring the creative ways people see the world and record their travels.
Skillshare: Best of Maps!
I had the coolest group of 731 students from 34 countries on all 5 continents in the Skillshare Map Making class I taught in March. There were so many projects I loved, and many students are still working on theirs (you have access even after class ends), but today’s post is to share a handful of my favorite, most memorable and intriguing projects to help spark your imagination! And, yes I’ll be teaching the 3- week online class again starting May 28th! You can sign up now!
Image above: Phil Francis‘s morning commute on a banana! “This is my hand drawn map of my journey to work; drawn on a banana. It is inspired by linear maps and your average train route map. I’ve tried to annotate the map with the things of interest along the way, and also the timings (minutes from home) and the transport mode. Why the banana? Well simply I had it to hand (I was on my commute) and I’ve always loved the way a biro writes onto banana skin – if you haven’t tried it I highly recommend it! :)”. More on Phil’s project board.
Image above: In class I made the point that maps did not have to be of real places. Kate Leroux’s Civica Island made me smile. Her little descriptions are quite clever. Read more on her project page.
Image above: I was so excited when Katrina Emery signed up for my class. Needle and Compass is her blog and Etsy shop where she sells embroidered maps. Her final project was a map of Portland’s bridges: ” I kept it at a gray/blue color scheme to reflect the lovely Portland weather, and kept the background map pretty simple with just major streets. I also chose not to emphasize the river, other than the bridges going over the empty space. I really loved taking a closer look at the bridges in my city–now I feel like I can recognize and name them better, as well as actually knowing where I am! I guess if that’s the ultimate goal of a map, then I call this project successful.” Read more about her project on her blog and Skillshare project page.
Image above: Make sure you take a look at the fine print of Philip FitzGerald’s High Line map (with Vignelli inspired graphic standards). It’s an entertaining twist on what looks like a city-issued map. Read more on his project page.
Image above: This map of “The World as I Knew it As a Child” by illustrator Trina Dalziel was part of the early exercises in class, but it stuck with me. She did it all in one sitting and I love her little commentary and seeing how children’s books helped influence her view of the world. You can see more details on her project page, and more creative maps she created in class.
Image above: Trixia Yong immediately caught my attention for the map of her desk from the perspective of an insect, but for her final project she started to develop a series of cards for an “Edae Food Adventure” to help discover food in Singapore. Makes me want to go visit and test them out! Read more on her project page!
Image above: Fifi Mandirac is a French graphic designer based in Paris, but has lived all over the country. She created a map to help show these places. See the process from sketch to this on her project page!
Image above: Chris Olson lives in Colorado and loves to ski. As a former ski instructor and mom of two, she created this map of Keystone for kids. See more on her project page!
Image above: Lauren Lou Bate is an Aussie living in Paris. For her class exercises she used it as an excuse to help plan her bike trip in the south of France. There’s tons of great inspiration on Lauren’s project board!
Image above: Early on Jean Manis decided she was going to map Ginger’s (her dog) walk. Jean did an amazing job documenting her process and experimenting (she even had maps made out of candy!) on her project board.
Image above: I appreciated this Scandinavian simplicity of Johanna Forsman‘s map of Stockholm. There’s more on her project board.
Image above: One of the most inspiring things about this class was seeing students push their own projects after being inspired by the work of classmates. Kelsey Kreiling made a map of NYC, and then after discovering a Pugly Pixel tutorial on animated gifs, made this awesome version where the dots and images filter through. Even Katrina (Pugly Pixel herself) was impressed with how Kelsey used the technique! See more on her project board.
Image above: It was fun to see the way that Naomi Den Besten was able to combine hand drawn and digital in her map of Amsterdam. I also liked how she not only mapped the route, but the times as well. You can read more about her concept on her project page.
Huge thank you to all my fantastic students and inspiration! Every day when I logged in to the classroom a huge smile seriously appeared on my face. You brought so much to the classroom, and I can’t thank you enough. Keep on mappin!
If you want to make some maps, you can SIGN UP here for Map Making round 2, a 3-week online class designed to be taken at your own pace. It will be based on the same lectures as before, but likely with some new inspiration thrown in. The fun starts May 28th! Spread the word + share this link: http://skl.sh/11RQ8Ig
Czech Train Ride
Remember Luke Shepard? Le Flaneur, Big Hands, and the preview of Nightvision? After raising $19,000+ on Kickstarter, Nightvision is debuting in Paris next week. (I saw a sneak peek, the images will blow your mind). You can check out photos from Luke’s travels in the meantime on the project site.
For now, don’t miss this train ride between Berlin to Prague. As with Luke’s other work, it’s an image sequence of thousands of images strung together to give a sense of motion.
Je m’en fous: French Customer Service
A couple months ago my friend Yann-yves O’Hayon-Crosby had shared a tale of French customer service on Facebook that made me chuckle. I said to myself, this needs to be a post. Besides being a talented filmmaker/photographer/
Today is my birthday [ed. note: today is no longer his birthday], and to my annoyance as a Dartybox customer (my ISP) I woke up without Internet. Yesterday I ran the Paris Half Marathon and was looking forward to today’s recovery while answering my birthday wishes, sending some emails and watching a Scorsese/DeNiro Marathon. I called Darty – and Cedric, the customer service person, was very nice; when I mentioned that it was my birthday he brightened up even more. I got my Internet back in an hour, turns out it was a technical problem in the neighborhood. It seems French customer service was surprisingly generous to me on my birthday.
Unfortunately, this is more of an exception than a rule; good customer service in this lovely country is something to be desired.
I recently went to the Sorbonne on a second attempt to get my sister’s diploma. She’s currently studying in Beijing and because of the Sorbonne’s renowned clarity and organizational skills, she couldn’t pick it up until a few months after she left. My first attempt was in August, when the website said that it was open. Lo and behold, when I got there it was closed. This isn’t the first time the Sorbonne has played me. I once had to get my sister’s [test] results and ended up on a wild goose chase, going from building to building, from arrondissement to arrondissement (3 in total) to finally get the desired sheet of paper. On the bright side, I got a few nice brother points.
PASSING THE FLAME
One thing I have come face to face with many times in France, whether it was from dealing with administration or customer service, has been what I call the “passing of the flame.” You approach someone who seems appropriate to help you out, and that person – instead of being charming and welcoming – is annoyed or blasé. You tell them your problem, and as you explain it, it feels like the person is being given an immeasurable burden. This is usually accompanied by a strong, distinctly French sigh. In some cases they find the solution, as you can only hope that this uncomfortable encounter finishes quickly for both parties. After all, neither of you want to be there at that moment. In the case where they don’t find the solution, or that they can’t/ don’t want to take care of the problem – but another department/person can – they brighten up because you, the burden, will soon disappear. Suddenly they act as if the sun has come up for the first time, and their spirit rises. The person is ‘vraiment désolé’ [very sorry], with a twinkle of sincerity somewhere in there. Or maybe not.
3 STAGES OF CUSTOMER SERVICE
(DEALING WITH ADMINISTRATION IN FRANCE)
The person is unhelpful/doesn’t treat you right. You think to yourself, did I do something wrong? But no! I was polite.
You start thinking that this is the way it is in France, that the word “service” in “customer service” is the idea that they are rendering enough of a favor by just dealing with you and not solving your problem. When the person realizes that they can’t help you anymore, their mood suddenly changes and they become understanding and generally much nicer because it is no longer their problem.
Then every once in a while you get great service in France. It’s rare, and deserves to be cherished – and even blogged about. You tell friends, you feel good, and it makes your day. Until someone reminds you that that’s how it is in the States or other places in the world, that that’s how it should be. Then you get frustrated again.
TIPS + SOLUTIONS
- When you encounter one of these situations, I suggest you to go in expecting the worst but with a positive attitude. Always be calm and smiling (at least in the beginning).
- If the person clearly hates their job, or would clearly rather be somewhere else, small talk works well. “It’s been rainy, the weather sucks” – the person will probably agree with you and open up just a bit. One thing I’ve noticed in Paris is that the best way to approach a total stranger, or for people to communicate with a total stranger, is if there is a third party that can be blamed for a shared situation. In 2007, when the great Parisian metro strikes took place, I remember many conversations that started because we were all in the same boat, and we all had to deal with the subway union’s temperament. A form of ephemeral solidarity formed. “The weather sucks,” blame the weather for all the miseries in the world; the metro has been late? Then “screw the metro.” I think it’s no wonder how the slogan ‘I love rien, je suis Parisian’ [I love nothing, I am Parisian] organically became a bumper sticker on the capital’s Vespas. Not loving anything isn’t much to work with, but sharing frustrations can be.
- When I had to renew my apartment lease, I met with the man who takes care of the rentals. I walked into his dark, badly lit office with grey walls. I had a smile on my face – because this was bureaucracy, I wanted to get in and out, but leave a good impression all at the same time. He was on the phone as I walked in, he gestured me to take a seat. I sat down and took the documents out. He got off the phone and I introduced myself. He remembered who I was and looked annoyed: I was another piece of paperwork for him. He started going through the pile of papers, looking for the places to sign. Meanwhile, I looked around the office… On the walls were pictures of old brownstones from New York, each picture brought out one of the characteristics of these buildings. They were nice pictures, lit at dusk with the golden light, bringing the red out of the bricks. I said that I liked the pictures, and asked if I they were his. He lifted his eyes and was obviously caught off guard, then he lit up like a light bulb. He put the papers down, sat back and started to talk to me about New York in great admiration. The pictures weren’t his, but they clearly represented his fascination for the city’s architecture. The French love New York, and I could see it in him. This short conversation had changed his day, and I realized that I had touched upon something he had great appreciation for. I signed the papers and left the room with another atmosphere.
Some say the French don’t like to work, that they don’t like doing their jobs. The truth of the matter is, in my opinion, that most of the time they just would rather be somewhere else. Frankly, who can blame them?
Text by Yann-yves O’Hayon-Crosby (@yocsb4 on Twitter). Graphic by Ana Clara Soares (@akaTheBananas on Twitter). Check out a sneak peek of Ceci N’est Pas de L’Eau, a documentary about cachaça that the two have been working on!
p.s. Don’t miss more insights into living in France + French Lessons!
Boarding Pass – Tiffany Iung (Tifamade)
Tiffany Iung may better be known in Paris as Tifamade, the girl who delivers delicious sandwiches on her pink bicycle. I was lucky enough to experience my first Tour de France with her (she comes from a family of cycling aficionados) and try out true crème chantilly together. These days she’s back in the US working on building up her business. She recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to help raise funds to help upgrade her bike (see Friday’s post), make a new website, and creating more sandwiches. I love today’s peek inside her travels, from photographing bikes, beds, and collecting spoons! Thanks Tiffany + best of luck with the Kickstarter! –Anne
Tiffany with pink Tifamade bike. Photo by François Coquerel.
home town:
I guess that would be somewhere in Indiana.
where you live now:
Denver is temporarily home base, but Paris is where my heart (and cat!!) is.
Let’s help get Tifamade Kickstarted! Back the project here!
last trip taken:
My friend and I made a little trip to Estes Park to visit the infamous Stanley Hotel (of The Shining). When we arrived there was a Jack Nicholson look-alike hanging out on the front porch. It was really unsettling. We walked main street, which includes a belt buckle emporium, and a place to get old-timey portraits made. On the way home, we stopped in small town Lyons for milk shakes and pinball.
next trip on deck:
I’d love to head to Pagosa Springs. There are so many beautiful places to explore in Colorado.
My boyfriend made me a travel-themed birthday card this year. He’s loves to travel. I’m looking forward to going places with him.
one place you would go back to again and again:
I could go back to San Francisco tomorrow.
place you’d most likely recommend a friend go visit:
Paris, so I could be their tour guide.
Bike, South of France
preferred method of transportation:
I like to see places by bike. I’ve only made one trip, in Brussels, full velo style. It’s so much easier than walking. However, I realized when I was riding the bus in LA that I really enjoyed seeing the city that way. It’s slow, and you see interesting places and people.
Bike, Chicago
place you’ve never been but dying to go:
My family is Brazilian, but I’ve never been. Needless to say, it’s at the top of my list.
Velo tourism, Brussels
place you’d never go back:
I’ve only had layovers in Las Vegas, and those were enough to make me never go back.
My mom and me in Vernazza, Italy.
most memorable trip in 2 sentences or less:
Italy after college graduation with my parents was memorable. One of the happiest times I’ve spent with my mom and dad.
how do you prepare for a trip?
I try to find blogs of people who live in that place and whose style I admire to find restaurants, shops, and art spaces. I haven’t really used a guide book in a long time. Going to exhibitions is really important to me. Also, I hate to admit I’m really vain. I think about how I want to look in photographs when I look back at the trip, and plan my outfits accordingly!
The cute doormat at my friends’ place where I stayed in London. They had left their house keys for me at the nearest corner store because they were working when I got into town. This definitely made finding their flat way easier.
how do you record your travels when you’re traveling?
The last time I visited London I actively recorded my experiences in a journal. I think having a blog sometimes makes me forget to write things on paper.
what is your favorite thing to photograph in a new place?
I photograph food, and interesting bikes, of course. I also have a series of beds I’ve slept in. That started on a vacation I booked last minute and had to sleep in a new bed for six nights in a row.
on an average, how many pictures to you take on a trip?
In the hundreds.
what’s in your “designer travel kit” ?
I have an old Yashica T3 point-and-shoot film camera, a 35 mm digital Canon, a pencil bag from Muji with my favorite Muji pens, and a Moleskine journal. And more recently my iPhone for Instagram.
what do you do after a trip? how long after a trip does this happen?
I blog pretty immediately, if not during a trip. I forget about things unless I write them down right away.
favorite souvenir/thing to bring back?
I collect spoons and menus. And I always buy a post card for myself at art exhibitions.
- blog: tifamade.tumblr.
com/ - special project:
kickstarter.com/projects/ 705093788/tifamade - twitter: @tifamade
- facebook: facebook.com/Tifamade
- pinterest: pinterest.
com/tifamade/pins/
BOARDING PASS is a regular column exploring the creative ways people see the world and record their travels.
Kickstart Tifamade
Don’t get me wrong, French boulangeries are amazing, but at some time you start to max out with how many baguette sandwiches with oozing mayonnaise you have for lunch. The crazy thing too is that it’s hard to get a custom sandwich in this country unless you go to Subway (yes, the American sandwich chain has made its way to France). Some of the best sandwiches I’ve had in this city are by Tifamade. Remember the Parisian Kinfolk picnic? Tiffany was behind the food part! And how much fun is it to have your lunch delivered to you on a pink bicycle?
Tiffany just launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to help take her sandwiches to the next level. For anyone who runs their own business, you know how much behind the scenes work goes into making it happen. Definitely check out the video to get a sense of what it takes. You can donate here. Every little bit helps, and sharing the link is a great way to show your support.
The papercut stop motion animation is adorable too! Tiffany did all the art, and put it together with the help of talented friends Taryn Kapronica who photographed the animation, Bryant Walker helped with the musical stylings, and Will Heydt-Minor with the editing.
P.S. Don’t miss Tiffany’s guide to the best picnic spots in Paris on Fathom Away!
P.S.S. Stay tuned for a new BOARDING PASS with Tiffany on Monday!!
Boarding Pass – Lindsey Buck
