June 29, 2016
NeoCon season has come and gone yet again and I’m still buzzing. Not sure if that’s the prosecco talking or all the inspiration. Every company puts out their latest and greatest for all to see and the months of preparation lead to an exciting three days of what feels like endless cocktail parties, tired feet…
June 7, 2016
If you are an avid hiker, you know the excitement of catching a glimpse of a sunlit meadow through a dark forest, spotting a sliver of a grand vista just around the bend in the trail, or hearing the sound of a waterfall just out of sight. These tantalizing hints of something pleasant ahead compel…
May 23, 2016
As designers we find ourselves in an age of the “Long-Near,” as London’s Future Laboratory calls it, in which those who wish to make a difference lead not just by thinking but also by action. They consider not just their own lifespan, but the impact and legacy they leave long after their time—for centuries to…
May 22, 2016
Last October, during the first weekend of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, artist and social activist Theaster Gates pulled back the curtain on his latest endeavor: the Stony Island Arts Bank. The highly trumpeted project entailed the conversion of a derelict bank building on the city’s South Side into a public cultural venue, brimming with galleries,…
May 21, 2016
The whimsy of a Bureo Minnow skateboard, with the raised scales that pattern its deck and its fishtail back-end, belies the serious mission it serves. At the core of each Minnow is 30 square feet of recycled fishing net that otherwise may have found its way into the tons of plastic that litter our oceans. Bureo founders Kevin Ahearn,…
May 2, 2016
Ever since E.O. Wilson introduced the notion of biophilia in his 1984 book of the same name, there has been mounting evidence that humans are innately drawn to the natural world. It has been proven that views of nature enhance healing and that natural light promotes better learning. Clearly, our connection with nature has a…
April 4, 2016
Color choice can evoke mood, communicate subtle messages—even boost productivity. Where warm colors excite and cooler hues are calming, neutrals can provide a canvas for either, giving designers a wide array of options. Meaning Most people perceive neutral shades as “subdued” or “reserved”— more subtle than attention-getting blues and reds. Neutrals often connote stability, especially…
March 28, 2016
We’re always on the look-out for the latest design trends, and we always find plenty of inspiration at the 2016 Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. This trade fair is the world’s largest event for Scandinavian furniture and lighting design. It’s a creative hub to showcase future trends, new concepts and the latest innovative ideas in design. Trend Spotting…
March 18, 2016
Living within a consumer society means that retail environments play a central position in our everyday lives – in fact, retail covers 43% of the total value of commercial property1 and a recent House of Commons report stated that during 2014, consumers in the UK spent around a staggering £378 billion.2 Research has shown that…
March 9, 2016
Water – from crashing waves to trickling streams, wading pools, and water fountains – enhances the experience of a place. Pattern 5: Presence of Water The Presence of Water biophilic design pattern has evolved from research on the health and wellbeing benefits associated with access to water, including reduced stress, lower heart rate and blood…
With a passion for design and learning, Mindy O’Gara blends both of these talents into her daily role as Director of Product and Learning Experience at Interface.
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Gretchen Wagner 
Catie Ryan 
Interface 
Lorraine Francis 
Oliver Heath