My best friend and I got into a very interesting topic of conversation the other night when watching a YouTube video from this guy “Hennessy Youngman” who produced an albeit hilarious, yet intriguing thought arguing that “artist” Damien Hirst was NOT an artist due to the fact that he employs other people (aka his “crew”) to produce his art for him.

Okay…so what makes someone an artist? Their talent? Their medium? Their ideas? Their success? It’s something I’ve struggled to define between myself (and friends) for a while now. New “artists” are constantly emerging with concepts that require unconventional means of production. Artists like Mr. Brainwash, Damien Hirst, Cai Guo-Qiang, and even Shepard Fairey; some of them are world-renowned, but they don’t necessarily have a physical hand in the production of their art. So does that mean they’re not artists? If they employ other artists that specialize in the medium, does that mean that those people are the actual artists?

This isn’t the first age where artists have needed extra “help” in producing their pieces. Andy Warhol was notorious for employing people in his self-proclaimed factory to mass-produce his screen prints. But no one has ever attempted to diminish his status as an “artist”.  Plenty criticize his type of art, but not his title.   So what is it about this day and age that these “artists” are getting bashed for not having a hand in the physical manifestations of their pieces? 

There’s a great documentary called “Exit Through the Gift Shop” about world-renowned graffiti artist Banksy. The director of the film, Mr. Brainwash (without ruining the film for you) gets a LOT of grief over his artwork, which seems to be comprised largely of giving directions to other people. And even Banksy creates pieces that are played off of other famous paintings and artworks….so since he didn’t produce the original piece, is he no longer the artist of the newly proclaimed piece?

Mr-Brainwash next to one of his "pieces"

In his “The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living” (breathe!… yes that is the name of this thing), Damien Hirst features a tiger shark that is preserved and suspended in a glass tank of formaldehyde. Okay, that’s REALLY an unconventional medium, and, most would argue, a job for more than one person.  But to play devil’s advocate: how is Damien the proclaimed artist of this piece? Why does he have his name on the wall under the loquacious title of this piece? He even had someone fund the entire thing. So, to get your facts straight, he didn’t pay for it, he didn’t make it, he didn’t catch the shark, he didn’t build the tank….but he’s the artist.

"The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living" by Damien Hirst

Or Hirst’s piece that could be even more infamous than the “The Physical Impossibility of…” yeah that one… is his “For the Love of God” which features a platinum-cast human skull adorned in over 8,000 flawless diamonds. Again, Hirst didn’t DO any of the work…just had the idea (which apparently even THAT is debatable) and this thing is worth over $100 million and is the most expensive piece of art in history. (Rumor has it 80’s singer George Michael is the official owner but that’s a whole other hilarious conversation for later).

"For The Love of God" by Damien Hirst

Cai Guo-Qiang created a piece called “Head On” that features a pack of 99 life-size wolves (don’t worry unlike Hirst’s shark, these aren’t real…just life-like mash-ups of wire, hay, and painted sheepskin) suspended mid-air that crash into a glass panel and pile into a heap on the floor. As remarkable and impressive as this massive installation piece is, Cai himself didn’t make every single wolf. He didn’t participate in the rigging of the installation; he didn’t put up the glass panel and arrange the wolves one by one. So, same argument.

"Head On" by Cai Guo-Qiang

Shepard Fairey (who started Obey Giant and produced the 2008 Obama campaign posters) is a special case in my opinion, because he does/did produce his own original pieces, but similar to Andy Warhol, he had other people mass produce it and continue the “original” pieces for him. Since his pieces are mass-produced into things like stickers, people often graffiti urban and suburban landscapes with his creations. (Okay, that’s just awesome self-promotion to me, but are those individuals included in his entanglement of artistic production?) I think he IS a true artist since he DID produce original concepts in the beginning. Now Shepard is considered to be one of the most well marketed graphic artists of our time. So he did produce his OWN pieces that were original concepts, but as for his little minions carrying on his work? Is it just that they don’t get enough credit?

Shepard Fairey

It’s a heated and very easily debatable topic to say the least. At least it is in a roomful of egomaniacal “traditional” artists…I’m sure the greats of the Renaissance era would be rolling in their graves over this topic. Sure, artists with massive installations will need a helping hand here and there…but to have someone create the ENTIRE piece for you because you do not have the means, or shall we say, talent, to create the end result? I honestly don’t know what my true opinion is on the topic. As a designer/artist myself, I have SO many ideas that I would love to see produced, however, most require skillsets (like welding) that are beyond my means. So if I have this uber genius idea for something, but if I have someone else do some (or most) of the physical construction for me since I don’t know how to weld, am I no longer the artist of the piece? Well, if you stick me in the middle of it, then of course I’d say “Damn straight I’m the artist.” I mean, you could really say the same thing about architects. They’re not the ones out there physically building the structure, so are they not the creator of the building? You don’t see anyone doubting an architect’s creation, so why doubt contemporary artists’?

Minions vs. Masters - Damien Hirst with a "minion"

The creation of anything starts with an idea. The idea is the birthplace of something potentially amazing. So who is the true artist of the piece? The minion or the master? Make the above questions non-rhetorical and tell me: What makes an artist an artist? 

Benching System

My first experience with Incipio was a quick overview with the designer.  We discussed what the scope of the project was and the overall design intent of the workstations. As always seems to be the case, this order came in during a busy time and like most of our projects was put on the fast track. So after my quick review with my team on the project I thought I had a good handle on what the design was all about and jumped right into it.

There were about 5 different stations in all and each had their own difficulties. Weather it was the glass panels (always a headache) or making sure that the end panels and work surface related together in the right way, I think the most difficult intent behind almost all the stations were the varying heights of the staggered surfaces and making sure that all the parts worked together in as few different parts as possible. 

Whenever creating a custom solution for a client there is a lot of details to handle both in the field and in the design and engineering. Whatever the clients need our Studio team can rise to the occasion and provide a hands on experience to make sure their area stands out.  Overall the project was a good experience that would leave me with helpful tricks to use and some inspiration on possible design details in the future.

Benching System

Above picture is of our benching system solution for this job. On this project one of our details in the workstations was the unique way that the end panel integrated with the top work surface. Another great solution is the integrated wire manager to help conceal all the cords and have a clean appearance. 

Hand Sanitizer

So I have spent a lot of time in hospitals lately.  And if that weren’t enough, we just finished mocking up a healthcare showspace upstairs at our headquarters location.  Creepily accurate.  And we are in the throes of the renewal process for our major medical insurance partners and are up to our elbows investigating Wellness Programs. 

Anyway, with the recent birth of our first grandchild who needed to do a stay in the NICU at Children’s Hospital, I have been in medical settings even more than usual.  As always, when I am in a new or unfamiliar situation, what I do is watch and listen.  I learn.  In this case, I’m just the grandparent, not the primary caregiver, so I am even less conspicuous when doing so.  Plus, as you get old, you become invisible to most of the population anyway, but that’s a rant for another day.

The nurses in the NICU are young, vibrant, great communicators and wonderful teachers.  They also deal with a ton of varied cases.  They care for babies in all stages of development and illness and with parents, friends and family who have who knowledge of what is going on.  They are expected to retain poise, professionalism and health under all sorts of battle conditions on a daily basis and show up as brilliant and informed medical practitioners.  And how do they do that?  Well, one thing I know that helps is great, functional furniture to work in.  But that’s not it.  They wash their hands. 

In between patients.  After a diaper change (good idea).  Periodically.  After touching the keyboard to chart.  After shaking hands.  All the time.  It is a discipline. 

A friend is an internist at a major hospital on Long Island and once told me the only key she knew to staying healthy was to wash her hands.  Often.  The right way; long enough with the right soap and water that is hot enough.  At the NICU the protocol is posted on the wall.

So, what does that have to do with the Inspired Manager?  How many encounters did you have today, when a staff member or colleague showed up at your door, downloading about current priorities, issues, frustrations, problems or anything else?  Were you interrupted?  Did you make space for them?  Did you engage and allow them to handle their stuff or did you take on their stuff for them? 

Washing your hands removes the residue of your prior task, prior mindset, prior business, finished or unfinished.  If you use hand sanitizer it neutralizes it.  You are then ready for the next task.  Like listening.  When you’re done, wash again, removing the last encounter and getting clean for the next one. Get clean in between each encounter, and don’t let anything spill over!

As I sit here, memories of botched encounters flash across my mind.  I was interrupted.  I was not fully present.  As I slowly got disengaged from the prior issue and engaged in the new one, I wasn’t poised.  I took on the tone of the person I was hearing instead of remaining present.  I shudder at the look I must have had on my face.

So, now I keep hand sanitizer on the counter in my office.  To do its job for sure.

And to help me do mine.

The Un-sittable Chair

Frank Chimero once said, “People ignore design that ignores people.” Well, Frank, I couldn’t agree more. To me there is nothing more frustrating than a chair that you can’t sit in, an uncomfortable couch and a table that isn’t level. Design takes on far more requirements than art. I believe that is what really separates the two, functionality. Ultimately, a chair that you can’t sit in is sculpture and should be called a piece of art not a piece of furniture.

As a furniture designer, I might fixate on the reality that I wouldn’t have a job if I chose form solely over function. My clients like to see the furniture function for its purpose in the office and secondly they want it to look good. Does that mean I ignore form all together? Not at all; I let function direct the form, not completely dictate the form. There are times when the form is so beautiful; I work backwards forcing the form to function, never neglecting the function, of course. This process can take longer and can give the engineers a headache. But for the most part design is really appreciated when it’s practical. Some of the most praised industrial designs are more functional than beautiful like the paper clip or the Band-Aid.

But furniture is different. It can’t just be functional – it has to represent something – whether that be a culture or the material it was made from. Tangram Studio clients want their furniture to represent them as a company. Dating back thousands of years, the Chinese would spend hundreds of years carving furniture because of how precious the wood was to them. Furniture to them represented their culture and status. They wanted you to feel the power of the wood, as you passed through a threshold or sat on a bench. Our clients want that same effect from their custom office furniture; they want you to feel the company’s culture as you walk through the space. So maybe the wood isn’t speaking to you but you can definitely get a sense of how they do business. I don’t think that materials speak that loudly to me, but they definitely influence my design. Sometimes our design process will start with a unique material and often the design direction is determined by that one material.

Furniture will always be necessary from what I can tell. And it will continue to evolve as our cultures evolve. Something that will never change about furniture is that it will always need to serve a purpose, but that doesn’t mean that you have to ignore the beauty furniture can have. It’s going to be in the room, you might as well enjoy it otherwise it will be ignored.

Office furniture has been pretty ugly for about a decade. It wasn’t until recently that people finally re-married form and function in the office furniture industry. The cubical is what the average person pictures when you ask them to picture office furniture, but that won’t always be the case. I don’t know why office furniture started out so ugly. The 50’s had some beautiful success with the classic tank desk and the Eames family bringing bright beautiful chairs to the office furniture industry. Then the 80’s and 90’s hit and we had failed attempts to make the office feel like home. With pastel floral fabric tack panels and it seemed like every corner was child proofed with really bulky cushions and rounded edges.  I guess the focus was really driven by the function and they forgot for a moment that grey is not a color. I can’t say I don’t appreciate the cubicle, because we have evolved from its imprisonment. But I can say that the cubicle was something people ignored for a long time, but not anymore, as far as Tangram Studio is concerned the cubicle is opportunity stuck in a box and we have the key. 

Hey Frank, come check out some Tangram Studio designs and tell me if you can’t take your eyes off some of our furniture. We can’t be ignored.

My 1987 Volvo

Sometimes we can’t explain it. Our favorite pen, that go-to sweater that looks good on any day of the week, our beloved chair in the corner where we can curl up and read a book…they just make us feel good. Often times we can’t put into words why we like something. When asked, many of us stare quizzically at the object and then declare, “I just…do.”

Those of us who have thought about it a little more however, can respond differently.

My first car was an old 1987 Volvo. It wasn’t a “cool” car, it didn’t have a radio, and I had to get in the far right lane and put my hazard lights on when I was sputtering up a hill, but I loved that car. It was reliable, it was comfortable, and it was as safe as a tank. The best part was that it smelled like the beach and smoky pine trees from the many bonfires I had at the beach with my friends, after which we would all pile back in to my car, sandy and salty, and head home. I’m sure that they didn’t feel the same emotions towards that car that I did, but that’s what made it even more uniquely mine.

That being said, people react differently to certain smells, shapes, colors, and textures, so designers have the responsibility to understand the emotional reaction that certain designs might evoke. For example, if I design a toy that is heavy, black, and sharp, it won’t be as well received as a toy that is light, painted in fun, bright colors, and has a whimsical look about it. We as designers are responsible for knowing who our target market is and what their demands are. It is imperative that we know this and establish a design language before we start ideating so we are not shooting in the dark.

Following a certain design language comes naturally to some designers, while others have to work hard to understand this concept. Those who are intuitive can research or interview a company, demographic, or a person, and know inherently what their style is and then apply it to the design. It is a bit like downloading a font and then typing an entire blog in it. When designing, it helps to associate terminology with the style you are using. Examples of some terms that my colleagues and I throw around are movement, friendly, balance, playful, light, sophisticated, and intuitive. Once a designer understands the design language, ideating becomes more purposeful. It is both a challenge and a thrill. 

It was an evil and fantastic piece of graffiti art scrawled on the underside of an arched bridge. I initially whizzed past this gem, but the elongated angle caused me to lock up my breaks and throw my wagon in reverse to catch a better glimpse of the image. He now lives on my cell phone and in my image bank.  The glasses, elongated gun are so fantastic.  I wonder who did it, why? It’s like a gift left for all to see. 

This past weekend I set out on my bike through the streets of Long Beach in search of more magic. I came across a front yard fence fabricated from red skateboard decks, mounted vertical as though they were a picket fence. The owner must own a skateboard factory or maybe they came across a dumpster of skateboard decks that were made wrong. Continuing along I came across a neon green home and a few blocks over a purple house with pink trim.  I could only imagine who lives there. My favorite sighting was a child’s toy truck parallel parked next to the curb in front of a house – just as if little Johnny returned home from a hard day at preschool and parked his jeep out front and headed in for some Cheerios and a nap.

Outside lies magic.  It just takes opening your eyes.

Courtesy of redhandrecords' photostream on Flickr

I attended the Chapman Economic & Business Review recently.  Good to hear that in general things are looking up, however anemically, for our region.  The headline read “The Recovery Creeps Along…Not much to quicken or retard the pace of growth”.

Except for the Greek Problem.

“There is also the risk of the ‘Greek Problem’ spreading to Italy…the global economy, therefore, cannot be expected to be an engine of economic growth in 2012.”

So the issues of instability on the other side of the planet might be insignificant enough to dampen US growth or significant enough to push the US into recession.

As the group headed off to cocktails after the conference, there was an overall cautiously optimistic buzz.  Shadowed by the ominous possibility of European crisis.

I find it amazing that after all Europe has been through that something like this couldn’t be handled.  Barbarian hordes, invasions, genocide, the Blitz, Europe has seen it all.  The rise and fall of the Roman Empire.  It is a part of the world that has learned to find a way regardless of what is going on.

In his memoir, Reverberations, the baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau chides the American penchant for happiness, and not unlike other Europeans, wonders why we are so obsessed with being happy.  Why can’t we just be content with getting along?  Must we always have to be happy when circumstances are contrary?  Isn’t it more sane and more normal to be content while getting through tough times?   Do we have to be perky too?

I worked with someone years ago who told of living in Germany during the latter years of World War II as a young woman and spoke of living in rubble, hanging her nylons in front of the campfire to dry and being grateful to be alive with some form of shelter, while wondering if tonight that all could change when the air raid sirens resumed.

So life can go on, civilization can be built and progress can be made, even though there might be a spectre of gloom on the horizon.  What it takes is persevering in doing the work of today, paving the way for a better tomorrow.

Today, anyone in our company you ask would probably tell you they are swamped, that we are handling more volume than ever before and that it beats the alternative.  Backlog is high, but we also have a lot of tired, stressed people.  So, does that mean we can’t still strive for a better system?  I say no. 

But how to go about that is the challenge.  How do you get shelf space in the mind of a colleague or an employee who thinks they are already overloaded, that they are trying their best and really can’t see a way of things being better?

That is the work of the Inspired Manager.  Who by the way feels overloaded and can’t see a way of things being better (a little jest).  We can set the example of continuing to persevere while continuing to look for new ways to innovate, to make things better.  We need to acknowledge the fatigue of today but not at the expense of acknowledging the possibility of a better tomorrow.  We might not have the answer today, but that does not mean we might not have it tomorrow, or the day after.  We must stay open to the possibility.  And right there is the real issue with the Greek Problem.  Greece is a tiny part of the European Union that might have to bankrupt or withdraw.  That is a problem, but it’s not THE problem.  The idea of the same pattern of failure spreading to a larger, more significant economy, that is THE problem.

Don’t get tainted by failure to the point where you are closed to hope.  Ruthlessly self-inspect and find ways to remain open to possibility.  Take action today where you can and be vigilant for tomorrow.  Don’t allow the frustration, traditions and limits of today shut you down, or worse, taint others to the possibility of things being better tomorrow.  Make that possibility a reality and inspire others to do the same.

The challenge?

The team would have to raise over $10,000 in just a few months.

The bet?

If they were successful, Joe would buy the team dinner – but more importantly wear an entirely pink outfit to dinner and throughout the following business day. In Joe’s own words, “It was a bet worth losing.”

The result?

Joe lost the bet - but couldn't be happier!

Over 200 participants speckled the streets of Newport Beach with Tangram Orange shirts proudly walking with the knowledge that they had helped raise over $12,000 to help find a cure for breast cancer. Thanks to all that joined us this year and stay tuned as we see what Joe will wager against next year’s race!

The Culture they were referring to was not our brand identity, but how we are known as a company verses how people can perceive us through a tagline, or logo. He is specifically referring to our values, environment and that overall impression people have when they interact with us, as a company. So our culture is made up of: who we are, what we do and how we do it, all so well. Joe handed off the microphone to Nick, and with the sound of applause slowly fading in my mind, I landed in deep thought how I personally relate, and fit into this Culture and it took me back to my first impression of Tangram, and how it’s culture made me feel as a young design student eager to embark on my future.

I was kindly greeted by Carol our receptionist as I walked into the Tangram Santa Fe Springs showroom for the first time. Knowing I was nervous, she offered me a drink and directed me to the nearest restroom to freshen up. When I returned to the lobby, I was approached by Paul, the Director of Human Resources. With a kind smile and warm persona, Paul held out his hand to introduce himself to me. We chatted for a few minutes and I remember him being very understanding and encouraging to me; he even gave me a few tips that would help me have an even more successful interview. I remember thinking to myself, “he didn’t have to do that.”  Because of that kind gesture, I entered my interview with an even higher confidence.

I sat down with Joanne, the Director of Design, and we talked about why I wanted to work at Tangram. Although my impression of the company was fresh, and not very influenced, I was honest. I told her how inspired I was by the tagline Your Office Inspired – how that statement alone told me that Tangram cares to inspire their clients, and create an environment that is similar to the working environment I was toured through at Tangram. Paul put it best, “this is the Tangram Family; we work together, struggle together, and grow together. We are family.”

As a young design student, I didn’t know where I wanted to end up or if this internship was even a good fit for me, but I assured Joanne that I would work hard, make her job easier, and be a sponge. I wanted to soak up as much as I could every day. After viewing my portfolio, asking me a little more about what I expect from her as my mentor, she quickly decided that she would take a chance on me. Just like that I was added to the family. I was given an opportunity to inspire those around me and potentially clients, someday. I have been with the Tangram family for 4 years now and after being in the design department for a little over a year, I was transferred to the Studio department, where I found my home.

Back to reality, and Nick’s speech, he went on to talk about the character of Tangram and our thriving ability to not only get the job done, but maintain relationships with our clients. He then handed the microphone off to Jack, our Vice President of Operations.  Tangram does a great job as establishing relationships, but it is important to maintain them. Jack talked about understanding that every client has a voice and it’s important for us not only to listen to it, but listen and respond.

I am truly thankful for the job that I have currently, and I am even more thankful for the leaders I work under, and represent. My current Director, Charlotte, is an inspiration to me. There is not a day that goes by, where she isn’t challenging me and/or demanding excellence. In order for our team to remain successful, we maintain our teamwork. We maintain the relationships we have in-house, so that the relationships we establish out in the field are that much stronger. We respect, listen and work together to design the solutions and the same goes for our relationship with our clients. At Tangram Studio, we don’t just design and sell furniture; we get inspired and in-turn we inspire our clients, through what we deliver. We make promises to our clients, because we know we can keep them. So how do I contribute to Tangram’s Culture? By maintaining great relationships with my team and my clients and never forgetting I am a part of something bigger than me – I am family. 

Courtesy of geoftheref's photostream on Flickr

I experienced the boomerang effects of inspiration.  And how great that felt.  Although he is a customer, he is truly as much a friend if not more so than a customer.  But during dinner with my customer/friend a few weeks ago, I was sharing how it is important to “keep in touch.”  That the job market is so crazy that even smarter and more talented folks find themselves “looking for work.”  So the conversation was me talking about how on a monthly basis, with the door closed and no distractions, that a list of 10-20 folks should be called “just to say hello.”  That my customer/friend should be the one to reach out just to check in.  No solicitation.  No talk of how a delivery might have been late.  But just to say hello.

And then my customer/friend asked “Mitchel, how would you feel if I called just to say hello?”  And I said how awesome that would be because I like you and what greater way to stay in contact.  And perhaps by staying in contact, should the day arrive that you need help and I can provide it, it will be easy for me to do.  So we then started putting the list of folks for my customer/friend to call and just say hello.

Just as he was getting excited about the idea, I too was getting excited by his reaction.  Although I am 20 years his junior, his feedback so too inspired me.  We struck upon an idea that we ultimately both benefited from.