Boarding Pass - Gemma Correll

Ironically, as much as most people hate flying, I'm a big fan of airports. It's the one place where I feel like I can unplug, chill and enjoy catching up with a good book. However, that was not the case last week on my flight out of Dulles (which is now at the top of my least favorite airports). After looking through today's Boarding Pass submission with illustrator Gemma Correll I was completely looking forward people watching/sketching (see below and click to images to enlarge). All told, Gemma shares with us some of the most charming illustrations based on her travels that I have ever seen. Anyway, I was so pleased that I came across Gemma's work on this post on creative travel journals. Not only do her illustrations just make me happy, but they're an awesome, fun (and cheap) souvenir. Happy sketching! {Thanks, Gemma!}
last trip taken:
to Antwerp, in Belgium (with a couple of days spent in Nimegen, Holland and Köln, Germany) a couple of weeks ago, for an exhibition. Antwerp is a lovely city, with lots going on.
next trip on deck:
to Austin (TX), San Francisco and Portland (OR) next year

one place you would go back to again and again:
San Francisco. It's my favourite city. Or Las Vegas!

{[right] our 80s-tastic hotel, Luxembourg}

place you'd most likely recommend a friend go visit:
Other than San Francisco, probably Athens, Greece, which is a fantastic city with perfect weather, food, location and lots of history. Or, the Salton Sea in California, which is just an amazing, crazy place.
preferred method of transportation:
I like travelling by train in any country except for here in England, where trains are expensive, often late and dirty. The trains in Europe are great and one day, I'd love to travel in India by train.
place you've never been but dying to go:
Ooh, so many! Buenos Aires; Argentina, Sao Paolo; Brazil, Japan, Singapore, Hawaii... the list goes on...

{Salvation Hill, Niland}

place you'd never go back:
I probably wouldn't go back to Köln. There wasn't much to do there. Once you've seen the cathedral (which admittedly is amazing) you've pretty much seen everything.

most memorable trip in 2 sentences or less:
Christmas in Cyprus, BBQ for Christmas dinner, drinking lots of iced coffee, my boyfriend nearly got arrested.

{at the Salton sea, CA}

how do you prepare for a trip?
I'm usually working right up to the last second before a trip. Sometimes literally. So my preparations are generally all quite last minute and involve throwing clothes into a suitcase and panicking about not being able to find my passport.


how do you record your travels when you're traveling?
I always carry a sketchbook and write/draw everything of interest that I do. More often than not it involves eating. If I don't record the things I do, I forget by the time I get home, so my travel sketchbooks are for me as much as for other people.

{left: iced coffee at FloCafé, Athens; right: fleamarket, Antwerp}

what is your favorite thing to photograph in a new place?
I take a lot of photos of food! There are always loads of photos of my boyfriend drinking coffee whenever I look back on the photos I have taken... But I also look for unusual signs, typography and colours... and funny things, like the vending machine stocked with porn mags that we found in our hotel in Luxembourg and things I find in supermarkets (like this 'pocket pie' I found in Athens). Oh, and if I see any pugs, I usually take photos of them.

{Pocket pie, supermarket, Athens}{supermarket, Athens}

on an average, how many pictures to you take on a trip?
Hm, it depends where I am, but I'd say I take about 10 a day, on average.
what's in your "designer travel kit" ?
A couple of different sized sketchbooks, different coloured pens and coloured pencils, a digital camera and maybe a polaroid too.
what do you do after a trip? how long after a trip does this happen?
I scan my drawings and choose the best photos and upload them onto my flickr. Sometimes I do this while on the trip, if I'm staying somewhere with wi-fi. If not, it sometimes takes me a while because I have a lot to catch up on when I get home.

favorite souvenir/thing to bring back?
I like finding nice kitsch-y souvenirs like snowglobes, figurines and tacky postcards and I also love scouring local fleamarkets and thrift stores for interesting things.


links:

• website: GemmaCorrell.com
• travel journals on flickr
• photography on flickr
• blog
• etsy shop

Click HERE for past editions of Boarding Pass that will leave you equally as inspired!

Je Suis Arriveé

I arrived in Paris, alive and well, just a little tired and wishing I had one of these "Je t'aime" heart pillows by MoonTea to rest my head on . . . My first day and I'm excited to already see a friend from high school today who I haven't seen in 10 years, and orientation starts tomorrow! I'm also starting to plan my visit to Maison + Objet, the big design trade show next weekend - if anyone has any pointers, please share!

Thank You, Baltimore!

Dear Baltimore,

Thank you for 5 amazing years! You've taught me more than you'll ever know and introduced me to friends I'll keep for a life-time. Sometimes you get a bad rap, but that's ok. I like it that you're my little secret sometimes. Ironically, it was moving here from Paris that helped me appreciate you most. Baltimore, like Paris, is a small "big city" - it doesn't take you forever to get from one end to the other (ahem, however you could take a queue from Paris when it comes to public transportation - for 3 years I rode the bus, and now I must thank you for lowering my standards and making public transportation easy as pie anywhere else I may go). I learned to love distinct neighborhoods with their own personality and flair while living in Europe, and you've got that too. Besides, there really should be more Hampdens in the world. Along those lines you have great farmer's markets which are full of color and support local businesses at the same time. You may not have wine flowing like they do in France, but I cracked your code, and was quite pleased with my $3.99 bottles of wines from my regular visits to Trinacria (and that's practically like hopping the border to Italy, right?). Eight years ago in Paris I started taking hip-hop classes, and, B-more, somehow you raised the bar with BodyJam with Sam, as every week she religiously beat my body into a sweaty mess, but in the best way possible. I have the moves to prove it.
Baltimore, you make me realize that while I've found ways to compensate for my favorite things about Paris in Charm City, USA, there are things I'll miss when I return to France as well. First off, the gym (aka, my sanity). There really is no gym culture in France - especially on my student budget - so I guess the stairs in my 7-story walk-up apartment will have to suffice. Speaking of which, I'll miss your cost of living too. It's a sweet deal, and I fear the exchange rate alone may be the death of me. I'm not sure that Paris has as much kitsch and charm - that is, in the John Waters kind of way - as you do, but I'll do my best to find it! (If I ever come across another dessert topped with marshmellow fluff I'll be shocked if they do it the way you do). In the meantime, just as you've taught me, I promise to make the most of the city I'm in. Thus I'll plan on partying all night for nuit blanche, or sticking around long enough to visit city center sand and palm trees of Paris plage. It may be tough at times, but still, if I can live in the city where The Wire takes place, and still love it, I can handle anything.

Thank you again for everything, especially for the amazing people and memories we've created along the way!

I'm off to catch my plane soon. See you on the flip side! And who knows, maybe I'll be back. . .

Sincerely,
Anne

P.S. I also must add that I think it would behoove you to take a few lessons in love from the French. Your men need some pointers!

P.S.S. For more on how Baltimoreans are like the French, check out this article. I'm not the only one who sees it!



{Baltimore [top], Paris [bottom] illustrations from mix cd covers by the illustrious Felice Q. Cleveland}

Baltimore vs. Brooklyn

Whenever I go someplace new I love comparing to places I've already been. So I love the concept behind the new blog Baltimore vs. Brooklyn. It's a fascinating way to look at any city you've spent significant time. The first duel is between bars. . . go Baltimore! (And kudos to the Brewer's Art for being named the #1 Bar in America by Esquire magazine). {Thanks Phil and Megan!}

Human Centered Design

I'm now 3 days away from hopping the pond and preparing to start my next chapter in life. I will be working towards a Master's in Global Communications from the heart of Paris. More than anything I look forward to starting so I can better explain to people what I do (or plan on doing). Going into it, the way I see the program is a bridge, taking my background in design (there's a focus on advertising and branding) and blending it with my love of different cultures (I studied anthropology undergrad) and travels. It's all tied together under the framework of communication (I'm good at that!) and globalization in our ever changing world. The final component is a practical one, involving direct work with NGOs. In my mind it all makes perfect sense, but my goal is to be able to better communicate exactly what it is soon enough.

I recently came across this Human-Centered Design Toolkit that was developed by IDEO with IDE and the Gates Foundation that for the time being will help articulate the path I see myself taking. With the toolkit, the goal is for organizations to use methodologies based around Hearing, Creating and Delivering ideas in creative ways to improve the lives of people. A simple concept, but the focus is on the people themselves and working with them to understand needs and desires rather than telling them what we think is best. Click here explore the site and download the complete toolkit, and here for more cool work cooked up by IDEO.

Boarding Pass - Kristina Gill

For anyone who has tuned into the column "In the Kitchen With" on design*sponge, you know that Kristina Gill - who runs the column - is a food fanatic, as every Friday she shares a new recipe from a great designer (besides being delicious, the styling is also always impeccable). She's also a mega traveler, always on the go and taking advantage of living in Italy to explore Europe and beyond. So read on as Kristina tastes her way through her travels. {Thanks, Kristina!}

{Umbrellas in NY}

last trip taken:

Amsterdam

{Citroen, Amsterdam}

next trip on deck:

Stockholm

{Clogs at Maarten Baas studio, Gewande ('s Hertogenbosch), Netherlands}

one place you would go back to again and again:

Sydney

{Circular Quay, Sydney, Australia}

place you'd most likely recommend a friend go visit:

Sydney

preferred method of transportation:

Air

{Mekong River, fisherman, Vientiane, Lao PDR}{Santa Monica Beach}

place you've never been but dying to go:

Argentina, Japan, Vietnam, Mexico...and on and on...

{left: Miniature mannequins, Arezzo flea/antiques market, Italy}{Border Terriers in London (Crash!, the love of my life) is a Border Terrier, so I take pictures of them wherever I go!!!}

place you'd never go back:

Never say never

{Bondi to Bronte Walk, Bondi Beach, NSW, Australia}

most memorable trip in 2 sentences or less:

Sydney this year: Inflamed sciatica. Couldn't sit down for two weeks, was on Valium for a month, and in physiotherapy for two!!

{Sydney-based artist Chris Chun preparing an exhibition}

how do you prepare for a trip?

You mean my suitcase or determining what I want to see? I usually do checklists, to make sure I have all the cords and chargers and memory cards and save all ticket confirmations reservations addresses phone numbers in cell phone etc. But the packing is last minute, as I am running out of the door with underwear and socks scattered from the door to the car... As for what I want to see, a bit of internet a bit consulting with friends.

{Autumn leaves in Woollhara, NSW, Australia; right: Clothes drying, Vientiane, Lao PDR}

how do you record your travels when you're traveling?

Camera, and my memory.

{Bangkok street food}

what is your favorite thing to photograph in a new place?

The first characteristic thing that stands out to me... But really, I like textures and grit also, and I like to take a photo of some food. Preferably not textured gritty food...

{Ice Cream, K2, Modena, Italy}{Lunch, Princi, Milan, Italy}

on an average, how many pictures to you take on a trip?

Depends on the length of the trip and my inspiration during the trip. Sometimes less than 60, other times more than 400.

{left: Gorgonzola, Salone del Gusto, Turin, Italy; right: Amok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia}

what's in your "designer travel kit" ?

I have a Nikon D200 and usually take my Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 and my Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AIS. In addition to that basic photo kit, depending on the characteristics of where I am going, and why I am going, I may take an "ultrawide", Tokina 11-16mm, or my Nikon 17-35mm. If I am indoors, like for trade fairs, I also duplicate the 35mm f/1.4 with a Sigma 30 f/1.4 because it is autofocus and fast, whereas the 35mm is manual focus but has an unforgettable 'signature'. I do have a notebook. I have a million of them, I always keep one with me. Lots of thoughts distributed over different books... and some sketches but few because I can't draw well, but I can at least roughly document my thought at the time.

{Hot dog Stand, p-berg neighborhood, Berlin}

what do you do after a trip? how long after a trip does this happen?

Since my blog was hacked, I've been slow to update. I usually do a first pass of the photos, separate the keepers and potential keepers within a few days, if not immediately (depends on how much procrastinating I am doing, the more I want to avoid cleaning up and the likes, the quicker I work with the photos!). Most all of it is destined for online display, and some of it may go into print.

{a few things I bought (the wrapped stuff is about 1/10 of the mud australia porcelain I bought!)}

favorite souvenir/thing to bring back?

If I go without my husband, I always bring him back a bottle of wine and a bar of chocolate. For myself, mustard and tea. And cookbooks.

{Paris (someone carrying a baguette)}

links:

• website: Kristina Gill
• weekly column at design*sponge: In the Kitchen With
• on twitter: KristinaGill
• blog: Three Layer Cake (in progress of redesign)
• on flickr

Click HERE for all the past editions of Boarding Pass!

Moving = Fun?

Amusing my friend Dale last night with tales of my transition she gave me the idea that I should write a guide about the lessons I've learned from moving. Your wish is my command:

1. Do something fun. My friend Alison had the brilliant idea to take a workshop at Paper Source (which inspired the visual above). So last night we met for a drink in Georgetown and then went to our rubber stamping class. It sounds simple and straight forward, but little did I know, all these years I've been using the wrong technique when it comes to stamps! And all I have to say is embossing stamps may be the cheapest thrill ever (I'm still talking about it!). And beyond being a good distraction from moving, I'm ready to work on some more projects that don't involve sitting in front of a computer. [Also for fun, check out the Girls Night Out workshops offered by Paper Source...and with all the workshops you get a 10% off coupon for the store. Awesome, yet dangerous too.].
2. Don't make plans to eat out for every meal in order to see friends. While it sounds good, trust me, it's exhausting and sometimes you just need a simple home cooked meal. At this rate I think I could fast for the next week at the rate of what I've consumed ;) I vote for creating fun alternatives (see #1 for quality time with friends).
3. WINTIP = Will I need this in Paris? The mantra Polly (of Polly Vous Francais) used on her previous moves to Paris, and a great one at that. Brilliance, sheer brilliance.
4. I Might Need This Someday = I'm N.U.T.S. Once again, Polly teaching me that acronyms are possibly the best thing ever. And, yes, I'm probably better off getting rid of most of my crap rather than holding onto it (I've cut my clothes by at least half). She also sent me this packing video as a reminder that you don't want to have to deal with useless crap when you come back.
5. Make packing fun. I took a note from Margaret's Boarding Pass where she talked about choosing a color scheme for each trip. So Paris is a bit more than a trip, as I'll be there for at least a year, but still, Paris, the fashion capital of the world seems like the best place worthy of a creating a clothing color scheme. So, drumroll please. . . my Paris colors 2009 are . . . black, brown, blue and grey. Golden yellow is the accent (blazer, shoes, scarf and earrings). Stripes are the only thing that can trump color, since everyone knows stripes are so French (proof here and here). Accessories can be any color. . . Already I'm coming up with all sorts of new outfit combos that I'd never considered before, and everything goes! . . . And seeing as I've gotten away with wearing the same 3 dresses for the past 2 weeks, I'll probably still be over-packing, but c'est la vie!

Exciting Paris

I leave for Paris one week from today. Instead of freaking out I thought it would be fun to post some of the things I'm looking forward to most:

- Earlier this year there was an amazing story about American born Jim Hayes who has been inviting 50-60 strangers into his home for dinner every Sunday for the past 30 years. He's a firm believer in introducing people to each other. I'm dying to sign up for one of his Sunday Salons!
- Paris Plage - ok, so today is the last day of Paris's "beach" in the center of the city, but still I had to put it on the list as something to look forward to next year. {image via velib blog}

- La Grande Prairie at Bellevillois - a loft garden above Paris that is free and open nightly until midnight through mid-September

- Velib - there are 20,000 bikes at locations literally all around the city. I've been practicing. {bike locations shown by purple dots on map above}

- Paris in the Movies - here is a great link to locations all around Paris that have shown up on the silver screen, or don't miss this to channel your inner Julia Child

- Born in the Streets - graffiti expo at the Fondation Cartier

- Sky-high dining at Art Home (above the Palais de Tokyo) {via budget travel, image by arthomepari/Flickr}

Please share any fun Paris tips below!

Seeing the World: William Eggleston

Ever since digital photography came around I've felt a bit disillusioned as a photographer. Perhaps it wasn't so much me that changed, but the fact that everyone around me suddenly had a camera too (ahem, even the non-photographers). Without the limits of a roll of film, I can shoot endlessly, but am not necessarily more satisfied with the results. In fact, I end up creating more work - uploading, sorting, organizing, editing, sharing - than before. Lately I've found myself taking too many overall shots that feel generic and touristy.

So after visiting the Corcoran the other day with Margaret (you'll remember her from this Boarding Pass) and seeing the work of William Eggleston, I felt refreshed and re-inspired (I didn't realize how long it had been since I'd been to a photo exhibition). Not only did I love his work, but seeing it with Margaret also helped open my eyes.

The first shot we come across, Margaret comments, I love this photo, but I would crop it differently. We then proceed to pull up our hands close to our faces and use them as crop tools. The artist has made his selection, but we are not without our opinions. A few photos later we saw a shot that reminded us both of one her dad had taken that stuck with us both. And then we pulled out a bit of our past from a class we both took in college called The Culture and History of Still Photography. We channeled our inner Roland Barthes finding the studium - the meanings we can draw from the clues in the pictures - guessing about what was happening in the scenes past, and the punctum - those small details not intentionally caught [or accidents] by the photographer which add significance - within the photographs. Then we pondered, were these photographs as charming back in the day (the '60s) or do we see them differently today with a sense of nostalgia? Like this shot of the kitchen sink - it's probably way cooler now than it was back then. Classic.

How do you "see" when you look at a photograph?

Note: the Corcoran is one of the few museums you have to pay for on the Mall, but it's worth it (for less crowds if nothing else). Saturdays are also free in the summer. William Eggleston: Democratic Camera, Photographs and Video, 1961–2008 is on now through September 20th.

{image: William Eggleston, Memphis, 1975 dye transfer print Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC}