inspire-ation

TED is not new but there are always new ideas, new people and new thoughts to stimulate and inspire...
Most recently for me was this quick (3 minutes of your day- watch it!) video by Matt Cutts who talks about using a 30 day challenge to try something new- something you have always wanted to do but haven't been able to start before. The theory being that if you can commit to it for 30 days then you will be on the road to establishing it as a habit...
http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html
The idea of using habit forming challenges is not one that is new and there are loads of people in the blogosphere who create them and blog on them. Jen, over on smilewithyourheart, another lovely and inspirational blog I read regularly, always has a 40 day challenge going. I guess it's the idea of maintaining a consciousness about what you are doing in your everyday- striving to be better. It all sounds pretty good to me... perhaps I should be thinking about my own 30 day challenge... Details TBC!
L. x

running mates

Ironic really that I should be posting about running right after posting about s-l-o-w-i-n-g down but I guess that's life- fast and slow thrown in the blender and wizzed around. This morning on my run, though not the first time I've enjoyed a d&m or debrief with a friend while running, was a good one. I've spoken about the phenomenal ease with which you can share stories, catch up, vent or muse while running before- it's easy even to share personal, emotional stories- issues which may be difficult to talk about with even your closest friends are opened up and fair fodder for discussion whilst running.
I'm not sure what it is about setting off on a run that brings down barriers- exhaustion? The sharing of a mutual bond, forged in challenging kilometres? I first saw this running/d&m phenomenon articulated by Kirsten Armstrong on her blog. This evening I read about it again in the latest issue of runners world magazine.
Of course I don't always feel like running and delving to the depths of my emotions at the same time- some times the best running partner is simply my smiling red dog (see above!). I'm so grateful though that some of my very best friends are ones I can share kilometres with. This isn't a coincidence- I've also noticed that people I start running with become friends a lot quicker than the relationship would develop if we were non runners... The sharing of life stories and opening up that occurs whilst distracted by the pain of a run (and the distraction from pain through talking about these same stories!) I'm sure is responsible. On a day that's dedicated to checking in with mates- and strangers- to see if they 'r ok?' this post is dedicated to my running mates. The ones who I run with here and now in Brisbane. The ones who I have run with, who might not be geographically here but who i often carry in my thoughts as I run... thankyou all for inspiring me, for motivating me and for keeping me ok. L. X

inspired by design

I tutor design at QUT in Brisbane. People ask me why I do it and if I get good money. Sure, the money helps pay my bills, but mostly, the thing I love about it is being constantly exposed to new ideas. Being able to develop these ideas and build on them and work them into new ones. This constant exposure to inspiration is why I do it. To me it is like being paid to be inspired.
Today during a studio session, it was great to see 15 students tackle the same space, but each in their own way, with their own ideas and personality. At the end of the day there were 15 different results. I think that in itself is pretty amazing. That each one reflected not just the personality of the designer, but some of their philosphies, their history, their culture as well is wonderful.

caffeine: helping designers since 1883!

Design can be great, we just need to give it a chance. We need to allow it to be all it can be. We need to focus less on the 'designer' items and designer price tags and more on the benefit that good design thinking- applied to interiors, architecture, industrial, civic- all of it- can offer our society. We need to make use of the thinkers in the world. I hope I can inspire some of them in return. For now I just feel lucky that I can spend some of my days in studio rooms with them, plotting, planning and puzzling our way forward, one sheet of butter paper at a time!