• \\
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
  • COMMUNICATE
  • CREATE
Menu

Y\Wd

yellow wood design \\ celebrating creative problem solving
  • \\
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
  • COMMUNICATE
  • CREATE
Art courtesy of Alex Despain 

Art courtesy of Alex Despain 

Design Lives

September 29, 2014

I've taken a little break to accommodate the hectic time of school starting and schedules changing, I always find that summer to fall transition is a very hard time to try to focus - it's really a survival mode through most of September. So here we are, October is around the corner and fall is certainly here.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about purpose and fulfillment, especially when it comes to your everyday career pursuits. Goals and milestones have always been important to me, but when I loose focus on my objectives I tend to flail and can't create any forward movement.  I've found  some illuminating podcasts these last couple of weeks that in some ways shed some light on these thoughts. Several podcasts from Grace Bonney on Design*Sponge have made me think twice : The Importance of Taking Risks, Turning Fear Into the Courage to Ask for What You Want, and How Design Can Change the World. I'm always up for hearing how people met adversaries and persevered, it's so inspiring and yet hard to visualize translating the challenges of selling a good or consulting service to that of selling a building. Somewhere in my head I have a dream of being able to connect with these same creatives under the heading of architecture, but the complexity of having something built, dealing with codes, navigating contractors, the idea of this being a field that is equal to branding creatives or lifestyle bloggers seems ridiculous. That's why building this blog and its contents seems so daunting - I constantly find myself wanting a direct, clear path to drive down and a distinct point of view to share with all of you. I realize life is far more complex than all that witting down, but I share this with you to not only gain your feedback but to address why my progress may seem so halted.

Moving along, in pursuit of tangible inspiration I'm excited for the upcoming Design Week Portland, October 4th-11th. The week is full of open houses at businesses, agencies, groups, firms, schools, what have you, throughout the week - showcasing their pursuits and processes.  Some are educational panel discussions, exhibitions, hands on workshops or just social stuff. I've signed up for two events, one is a Curiosity Club Panel Discussion titled "Is This It…. Or Is It?".  The panel discussing the realization of figuring out your calling is made up of several people that I look forward to hearing speak based on interviews I've seen of them or things they've written. Specifically Dee Williams, proponent of tiny houses, and Kate Bingaman-Burt, awesome artist that I've spoken about previously here and here. The other event I'm planning to go to is a talk by Lisa Congdon. Lisa is an artist and illustrator that I've been following for several years, her work is colorful and fun and I really look forward to hearing her speak. She's recently released the book Art Inc., which is a practical resource guide for artists building their career.  Lisa's appeal stems from finding her calling as an artist later in her life at 31, so her previous non-creative work experience plays into her practical knowledge of making a career out of art.

There are so many wonderful events and so little time to take them all in! Will you be going to any Design Week Portland shin digs? Let me know!

← inspired by :: blue skiesSisters, Oregon :: two epic hikes →
IMG_1953.jpg

I'm an architect & writer based in Portland, Oregon. I'm passionate about broadcasting the value of design and established  Y/Wd in 2012 as a design resource with a mission to connect, create & communicate. 

I design spaces both large & small. I'm a list maker, researcher & a card-carrying introvert. I relish problem solving & finding the perfect fit. I'm a fan of process and storytelling - finding connections between seemingly random ideas is my super power!  

Life is full of daily doses of inspiration, I'm happy to share a bit with you. ---- Jen

@yellowwooddesign on Dwell

Latest Posts

Featured
Jennifer Wright Presentation_page.jpg
Introducing Designers Build_pdx
170913113037-06-hope-wurmfeld-italy-restricted.jpg
Universal Design vs. Equitable Design
jill-bliss-mushrooms-designboom-07.jpg
Mystery
fullsizeoutput_204a.jpeg
NY Botanical Gardens :: Nature & glass
fullsizeoutput_206b.jpeg
September travels_Fordham University
@lisacongdon will be donating 100% of the profits for the KEEP SHOWING UP print through the end of June to Portland based @paalf_advocacy whose work helps the Black community imagine the alternatives they deserve and build civic participation and lea
Wanting to raise awareness for an important local program devoted to leveraging masks as anti-racist messaging tools for BIPOC folks most impacted by profiling and racist violence. To learn more about their efforts, get involved and to help financial
I stand in solitary with my community and country against systemic racism & police brutality. #blackouttuesday