Store Opening Celebration

Salvation Army Select: Construction Process

The Salvation Army Family Store on Lee St. donated some furniture for us to use for construction. These products were previously used as register counters. They were not attractive, but in good shape. When I first saw them I panicked thinking about how to take these pieces and transform them into the design.


First we built a plinth, or a platform, underneath the two existing furniture pieces to keep them in place and to lift them up off the ground.

Secondly, we started the construction of the L shaped element. We constructed a frame out of 2x4s then skinned it with MDF.

We also covered the front and sides with MDF and painted it gray. Even though this was going to be covered with wood slats there was a large enough gap in between the wood to make a difference.

The L element was then painted white and red on the underside. You might notice something strange in this image. We did not prime the wood before we painted it, so then it was necessary to strip the paint in order to prime it. (PC: Kara Wolf)

Poplar wood slats were glued and nailed to the front and sides (attached to MDF).


The poplar slats received coats of oil and the L frame was painted.

The cash wrap being shipped to the site! (PC: Kara Wolfe)

Salvation Army Select: Final Drawings

Salvation Army Select: Design process

The Salvation Army Select is a thrift store with a boutique vibe designed by Matt Jones and Debbie Nestvogel. Within my studio, students were assigned to a specific product to design and construct for the store.
This is my cash wrap design process:

From the beginning of my process, I was very attracted to this L shaped form. It became a very important element in the design.






This design is a little different from the rest of the bunch. I was envisioning having a simple box-like element with the SA logo cut out and a "floating" work surface. Its not my favorite and so I did not develop it any further.

Once I developed the form for the cash wrap I started to experiment with materials. I really wanted to use corrugated metal on the facade, but this proposal was disposed because it did not tie into the concept of the store.

object persuasion

Hipster Haven: From the Earth

WPA poster

Here is a WPA poster that i used for inspiration to design my own poster.


This is a poster that I took interest in and used as inspiration. However, it is not a WPA poster but I really enjoy it anyway.


The main properties that i pulled from these posters was the simplicity and the cleanliness. I incorporated a gradient from the movie flyer and text from the Obama poster. I also tryed to incorporate wit to tie in with a cause.

Scene of discourse final

Scene of discourse

These images are iterations of compositions using two words assigned to me: energetic and repetitious. I used three sources for each image to create a composition that describes the descriptor and mood

Urban landscape pattern tweek

My urban pattern with a little tweeking..
I added a filter application "cut out."

Urban landscape pattern

My pattern:



My inspiration:




For this pattern I pulled inspiration from a Victorian pattern. This was a challenge because the image that I worked with was composed of straight lines and most patterns were mainly curves. The technique that I used in photoshop was the transform function. I wanted to mirror the images so I flipped it horizontally/vertically.

Design Manifesto

I believe that good design should incorporate strong form and texture.

My response to "Computing in Architectural Design" by Yehuda Kalay.

Having read this article, I now have a better understanding about the role of computers in the design world. Computers have made a significant impact ever since they were created. For most people, they are a part of their everyday lives. You can say the same about the impact of computer technology for design. CAD is said to be a vital tool for design. However, drafting by hand is still an acceptable form of visual communication. Essentially, I feel that a designer should be knowledgeable in both methods. Design technology has evolved significantly over the last 50 or so and I imagine that it will continue to advance over the coming generations.