Trike Race Preview

A fun idea 5 years ago has become a very competitive annual tradition. For an hour each May we set aside the daily architectural worries of specs, drawings and contracts and revert back to being 5 years old racing the neighbor kids in our parent’s driveways.

Yes, we are all adults.
Yes, we “borrow” the trikes from our children.
And Yes, we have an absolute blast!

This year we decided to crank it up a notch or two. Gone are the trikes only a 3 foot nothin’ 4^th grader could ride. We are now playing in the big leagues with custom modified racing machines built to accommodate the longer limbs of adults. These rigs have been chopped, cut, welded and bolted back together for one purpose… speed! The racing is sure to be faster and more competitive than ever!

Want to join the fun? Lucky for you, you're invited...

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Don't "click" print...

If you have to ‘click’ print to consider your work complete,
I believe you are missing out.

This may sound strange considering clicking the print button is like getting another cup of coffee for most people, myself included. It wasn’t that long ago that if you wanted something printed it was hand set by a letterpress, or typed on a typewriter, or heaven forbid actually hand written. We type, draw, paint, design, render, color and build all within this screen I am currently staring at. Yet it has diminished quality, little sense of craft, and most importantly - lacking soul. I recently purchased an old Underwood typewriter, which sits on the desk next to my trusty laptop. Quite an interesting pair and if given a choice when writing I would prefer the typewriter. It has a history. I wonder how many love notes, thoughts, poems, and ideas it has written and how many more it will write one key stroke at a time. It will not go out of style, or need an upgrade, or faster memory. It is beautiful in design and its simplicity has stood the test of time.

If we as a society value things done with care and appreciate the craft in producing something by hand, then why are these methods in such rapid decline? Why aren’t cards made by hand, apple pies made from scratch, or letters handwritten? Well, at least we still make babies the old fashioned way, oh wait… that has changed too. Change is necessary, very few would argue against that. Some embrace it with both arms while others fight it tooth and nail. Given the ‘at your fingertips’ access to technology and a yearning for things of the past, I find myself oscillating back and forth somewhere in the middle ground. I enjoy things with a sense of history and craft. Be it a dovetail joint on an old wooden box, the well worn feel of an old leather bag, or the indentation of hundreds of individually set pieces of type on a letterpressed card. These items mean something. They are born from the minds and hands of craftsman who have worked for years, often decades, to develop an expertise and precision that only comes with a passion for their craft. They go well beyond merely dictating their thoughts in built forms but often reach the level of poetics. This idea of uniquely crafted items varies greatly from the mass produced fog we currently find ourselves. Perhaps most wouldn’t think twice about purchasing the same stylized photo of the Eiffel Tower that four thousand other people around the country also have. These folks probably don’t value the story, the craft and are simply attracted to the look. Now, before you get all huffy and start throwing stones remember that you are probably in the majority.

The search for craftsmanship brings me to my real question of my rambling - where have all the sketches gone? Hand sketches on real paper with real lead. Spontaneous thoughts jotted down in a sketchbook or on a napkin or calculated perspectives drawn to communicate the feel of a space. Why is this most basic architectural tool seem to be a thing of the past? We talk about ideas, concepts, and inspiration but how do these words get translated into space? It was Le Corbusier who once said “I prefer drawing to talking; it leaves less room for lies.” Drawing allows the hands a link to the imagination, giving it the ability to create something that a few seconds ago only existed in the mind. We live in a virtual world where fancy shmancy images are what sell. I would argue that it is not necessary to see exactly what a design will look like down to the gnats ass of detail in order to understand a space, yet that is what we must do. Pretty pictures win over studies, diagrams, and ideas. Famous for being famous celebrities win over artists and philosophers. The music we make hasn’t died thanks to a few artists who still create art. But someone needs to crank up the volume, kick the amp over and hit a chord Chuck Berry style! We are so standardized to want the pretty picture that we have lost the little moments that make creation great. The idea is what gives life to a design born from layer upon layer of trace paper. When the day is done the original sketch is blurred under countless new ideas and the outcome is something that is well traveled through the mind. Perhaps taking a few wrong turns, retracing steps, leaping forward all to reach feels like the right solution.

Everything comes from an idea.

Embrace this, and enjoy the journey.

Like the letterpress images above? Check out HAMMERPRESS @ http://hammerpress.net/
or take look at them on facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/hammerpress.

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Color of the Year

As any company with good brand management in mind,
we ask ourselves the following on a regular basis:
Is our brand effective?
Is it relevant?
Does it accurately represent us?

In the ever evolving world of Architecture and Design, we find ourselves continuously pulling from our surroundings, our experiences, and most importantly- the current trends, in order to answer these fundamental questions. Not only does our brand represent us as a business and the individuals within, but also as a knowlegable and fully integrated entity within the design community as a whole. That's why this year we were excited for Pantone's announcement of Color of the Year. It goes without saying, I personally view Pantone as a susbtaintial contributor, innovator and knowledge hub for design- not just graphics, but architecture, fashion, publishing, cinema, textiles, manufacturing... I could go on and on. They not only are the international authority for color systems, they basically paved the way for modern printing (and let’s face it, even in this age of online media, expression through printed media will forever live on). Their ahead-of-the-curve thinking from the 1950's has translated into contemporary day design communication. That's right- we communicate through color. We feel through color. We live through color.

And what is this year’s color?

Drum-roll, please!

.

..

...

....

.....

Introducing “Tangerine Tango”, better known as “17-1463”. An oh-so perfect blend of C, M, Y, and K- this beauty conjures up emotions of energy, spirit, moxie, and well… fun! Forgive me for my analogy, but Tangerine Tango is like what any woman would want from a GREAT man (like I said, I apologize). It gives off an innate aura of adventure, vigor, and electricity… drawing you in with the radiance of its spicy magnetic hue. On the flip, it provides a certain comfort, sophistication, and versatility of friendship, as it blankets you with its warmth. Best of both worlds ladies? --- I think so

In regards to W+P, there is an ever-present discussion surrounding the choice, and continued use of our signature company color. “Is it red? Is it orange? It’s rorange!” – as our mantra goes. Let this help settle the debate once and for all (well, maybe just for 2012).

YES- our color is relevant
YES- our color is up-to-date
YES- our color is “us”

So, the next time our color is called into question, or I’m asked “Why still the roange?” I’m going to default to….

Because Pantone said so.Happy Coloring~
 

Want to know more about Pantone and their colors? Check out thier official site @ http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/category.aspx?ca=88 AND PLEASE watch their quick video @ http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=217233624976553, and like them on Facebook while you're there!

Interested in the psychology of color?
Read Faber Birren’s book, Color Psychology and Color Therapy: A Factual Study of the Influence of Color on Human Life --- it’s a must read for you designers out there.

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Holiday Greetings

Once again, we have out-done ourselves!

Us W+P'ers take much pride in our annual holiday cards. Not only do we have WAY too much fun making them, but we are known throughout the area for supplying a little extra holiday cheer (and humor) in each envelope.

This year, our marketing committee combined the festivity of the season, with the spirit of our 30th anniversary. What better way to get some good shots than throwing a mock-cocktail party all week at the office? We sure clean up pretty nice, huh?

A special thanks to…

-Our Jill of all trades, Lauren: for shooting, editing, and composing the card (that's right, we do this all in house!)

-San Juan High School’s Advanced Shop students: for crafting the “30” cutouts!

See what these amazing kids are doing @ https://www.facebook.com/SanJuanUnified

-Tammy and Brian at Master Color Printing: for the high quality finishing! Check them out on @ https://www.facebook.com/mastercolorprinting or at their blog @ http://www.mastercolorprintingblog.com/

Now, for a closer look at all our beautiful peeps...

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Architecture Matters

Bill and I will be presenting. If you would like to join the discussion please follow the link for more info.

http://www.aiacv.org/architecture-matters-design-forum/

-Brian L.

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Run to Feed the Hungry 2011

What better way to feel good about the mass quantities of food about to be consumed than to start the day with a run with 27,000 of your neighbors. That's right, 27,000 people showed up on a cold and RAINY thanksgiving day morning to raise money for the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, which I believe was around $850,000. Amber and Brian ran the entire 5k... a huge feat considering there was very little training involved. Due to parking troubles... Lauren ended up running a 5k just to get to the race on time, then ran the actual 5k of the race!

27,000+ people... incredible.
Amber and her aunt before the start.

-Brian L.

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It's Parade Time!

Everybody sing: "Nobody, no nobody............is gonna rain on my parade!"
The rain threatened all day but right around parade time the skies cleared, the streets of downtown Roseville started to get crowded just in time to see our annual holiday parade. The event is co-sponsored by the Roseville Chamber of Commerce and the City of Roseville. Filled with floats, marching bands, horses and classic cars it is pure Americana and a fun time. Post-parade, activities included outdoor movies, food, performances by local theaters and even a fruitcake toss, all leading up to the tree lighting. The parade is named after a long-time Roseville resident (dare I say icon?) Sylvia Besana, who organized the parade for as long as anyone can remember. When she passed away a few years ago her friends wanted to continue the parade in her honor. I'm sure Sylvia is proud of the legacy she left behind. I have been a judge for 3 years and every year the rain threatens, but it is always clear parade-time. I say with great love that the rain is probably afraid to rain on Sylvia's parade!

-Naaz

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Real Men of "Genius"

no word yet on whether any of these 'very smart individuals' are still alive...

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