Trudy Gardner’s Post

Taking a break from numbers and business to focus on making. Another in my draping series: https://lnkd.in/gzfdGdTd

Crafting your vision into reality – experience the artistry of Westkey's Millwork. Elevate your space with precision, passion, and perfection. Your imagination is our blueprint. #smallbusinesspackaging #packagingsolutions #brandingstudio #smallbusinessownersclub #brandpackaging #packagingideas #premiumqualityproduct #visualidentitydesign #branddesignagency

Your bespoke engagement ring journey begins with your perfect diamond. Here’s our guide to understanding the Four C’s. #diamondeducation #bridaljeweller #fourcs

🌿 The wait is over! 🤎 Today, we dive into the world of brown and explore how this earthy color can bring stability, reliability, and authenticity to your branding. Stay tuned for the full article coming later today! #BrownInBranding #BrandStrategy #StayTuned

What comes to mind when you hear the words crayons and paperclips? I bet we can blow your mind with our new mini-collection called "Paperclips." If you love it - share it. BACKSTORY: This is truly what happens when I cannot sleep at night. And it all started with a dead bird. Actually, two dead birds.  I went to the basement in the middle of the night to clean our work area, which is normally a huge mess. I couldn't sleep cause of the bird incident with the dogs. When organizing the paper clips we use to mix the resin, I thought “I am going to use a paper clip and make something special for Sara Isabel to cheer her up." The next morning I gave her the paper clip pendant and it hit us both … We should use paper clips in our jewelry!  So we started thinking about what we needed to do to make it look cool and clean and beautiful. Certainly, a mother daughter collaboration. We love to create one of a kind, colorful jewelry that speaks to you. Pieces that only you will be able to showcase and purchase. Also, imagine the conversations you will have with your friends when you tell them first to guess what you’re wearing and then when you tell them, it is crayons and paper clips. #crayons #entrepreneur #latinas #innovation #creating #jewelry #teamwork

Why settle for ordinary when your ideas deserve extraordinary? Let's make them stand out together. #CreativeAgency #DesigningPillars #DesignThatMatters"

I am really excited to see that Dan Bee, my former student, has won 2 European Product Design Awards for her ‘Litter Ridder’ sweeping toy. This concept was conceived in my VT Industrial Design lab during the fall of 2022 based on a brief to explore past, obscure and electricity-free design that in many cases deserves reconsideration within current sustainable design discourse. Here, Dan Bee's class developed redesigns for the humble, manually-powered carpet sweeper, first introduced in the 19th century. Offered 2 years in a row, the range of design approaches were broad and addressed many different user types. Carpet Sweepers are quiet, use no electricity, yet they are surprisingly effective. Several sweepers, including a fully operational 1924 antique, were tested by students first-hand and with outside users.  Bissell and others continue to produce these today. The brief was informed by my book “Reimagining Alternative Technology for Design in the 21st Century” which broadly surveys these kinds of passive and manual technologies, with examples ranging from Persian Wind Catchers, Fireless Cookers, Zeer Pots and (of course) Manual Carpet Sweepers. Many of these technologies might not fully replace the ones we use today, but they certainly provide insight into designing more conscientiously with energy use, material lifecycle and longevity in mind. To that end, Dan Bee’s concept also proposes a repairable configuration using materials developed from renewable resources, including mycelium. As a toy, it also offers educational value to the young users who would be first to use them. Bravo Dan Bee!!! 

Design Composition is important in all aspects of presentation. Capture, Create, Design.

High-end series...

“What’s old is new again” says Libby Wadle, CEO @ J.Crew. This article is bittersweet for me. My heart dropped when I saw that the J.Crew catalog  is coming back after a 7 year hiatus. I’m a print girl at heart, that’s where I started my career (in magazines) so nothing makes me happier than hearing a success story about print. J. Crew was my client for many years and truly shaped my professional career. I learned so much from that partnership, have long lasting relationships to this day, and have some unforgettable memories (tough meetings, grueling contract negotiations, but great celebrations from contract renewals and catalog successes). We weathered the storm as partners, LITERALLY! When Hurricane Sandy flooded the J.Crew office, they moved into our midtown office for 3 weeks to work together on the high-profile holiday catalog to make sure it went to press on time! Those great memories also come with a sadness that happened in our industry during the digital transformation. Magazines that were around for decades discontinued, catalogs stopped printing because the ROI was not there any longer. A lot of people lost their jobs during this time and our industry changed drastically. So that’s why I read about the new J.Crew 2024 Fall catalog with a heavy heart. Most of us aren’t there any more (on the J.Crew side as well as the print side). So from a distance, rather than directly in the throes of this catalog, I will be rooting for you J.Crew! I truly hope the catalog is a success and inspires more brands to go back to print! Also… I can guarantee that all of us old-schoolers will be eyeing this new catalog with a fine tooth comb in a different way than most people! https://lnkd.in/ew3XEjbK